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A 21-year-old O’Neill woman who had been given an opportunity to avoid prison, has given up that chance and will spend up to four years in prison. McKenzie A. Dow faced the Honorable Mark Kozisec in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill last Monday, July 29, to be sentenced for crimes committed in June 2022. Dow had pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2022, to Count I, theft by receiving stolen property, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count II, possession of a financial transaction device, a Class 4 felony; Count III, criminal possession of a fin...
Nebraskans are reminded to check the mail this week if they regularly vote early in Nebraska elections and filed a standing request with their county election commissioner to do so again. Election commissioners in Douglas, Lancaster and many other Nebraska counties recently mailed ballot request cards to people on their regular early voter lists. Douglas County has mailed out 160,000 cards. Lancaster County mailed out 64,000 of its blue postcards Friday. People can return the early voting...
Wildlife officials say conditions in certain areas of Nebraska are suitable for the spread of deadly viral diseases among big game populations. They are asking the public to report unexplained death or illnesses of deer, pronghorn, elk and bighorn sheep. Observations of unhealthy big game animals or unexplained deaths should be reported to the nearest Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office. Locations include Alliance, Bassett, Kearney, Gretna, North Platte, Lincoln, Omaha and Norfolk. In big...
Joaquin S. Echeverria, 28, of Brenham, Texas, (in custody) appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on July 31 for further arraignment on a Class 1C felony, possession of more than 28 grams of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years of incarceration, with a five-year mandatory minimum. No good time is awarded to mandatory minimum time. He pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. The Honorable James Kube set pretrial hearing Aug. 28 and jury trial, Oct. 21. Echeverria is represented...
Four Antelope County families were recognized, Aug. 3, during the Antelope County Fair, for longevity in the agriculture industry, with Aksarben Farm Family awards. The Whitwer family, of Tilden, receiged a Heritage Farm Award, recognizing 150 years of consecutively-held ownership of land in the same family. Three families were presented the Pioneer Farm Award, honoring 100 years of consecutive land ownership in the same family. Receiving honors were the Willats family, of Orchard; Meis family...
Ben Clifton, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Orchard in Orchard; Kelly Holthus, chairman of Cornerstone Bank, and Zac Holoch, President and CEO of Cornerstone Bank in York, Nebraska, announced today an agreement has been reached for Cornerstone Bank to purchase the Bank of Orchard. The Bank of Orchard has total assets of approximately $35 million with total deposits of $30 million and total loans of $9 million. The purchase is subject to regulatory approval with a...
One of the most successful events for Antelope County 4-H members returns, Saturday, for its 14th appearance. The annual premium auction will begin at 4 p.m. in the show arena at the fairgrounds in Neligh. The premise is simple. Individuals place bids on beef, swine, sheep, goat, poultry and rabbit entries, shown by 4-H members. The auction gives the showmen an additional moment of recognition for efforts put into projects. With the exception of a 5% fee, retained by the auction committee to be...
As introduced, Gov. Jim Pillen’s core property tax relief proposal could fall short by $139 million in annual estimated revenue needed. Pillen’s main proposal, introduced through Legislative Bill 1 in the special session, includes placing a sales tax on more than 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services. It would also raise seven “sin” taxes, on candy and soft drinks, vapes, cigarettes, keno gambling, spirits, consumable hemp and games of skill. In total, the new or increased taxes would raise an estimated $1.15 billion in the first full fis...
How many barbecue sandwiches does it take to raise funds a new ambulance? Plenty. Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department will earmark funds from this year's annual meal, scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the fire hall, toward the new piece of equipment. Dine-in, carryout or drive- thru service will be available. To place an order for pickup, call 402-485-2451 between 5 and 8 p.m., that day. Donations may be taken to the barbecue or mailed to the fire department at PO Box 11 in...
Two defendants waived their rights to counsel, admitted to committing offenses and were fined by the Honorable Donna Taylor when they appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on July 17. Taylor Hasebroock, 19, of Oakdale was fined the statutory amount, $300, for possession of marijuana, $10 for possession of drug paraphernalia and $49 costs. She was cited when she was stopped May 14 by a Nebraska State Patrol officer for speeding. Cole R. Aschoff, 26, of Plainview was fined $100 for each of two counts of no proof of financial...
In a time before Prohibition, tiny Wilber, Nebraska, produced something nearby metropolis Omaha envied. Today, more than a century later, Wilber is trying to make Omaha jealous again. In its heyday, the Wilber Brewing Company produced 40,000 barrels of beer per year, and almost all of it was consumed by residents of the small town, located 40 miles southwest of Lincoln, and nearby communities. Gary Wooten, secretary of Wilber Czech Brewery Company LLC, said his organization wants to bring back t...
Lester E. Brizuela Gomez, 37, of Columbus was sentenced to 45 days in the Antelope County Jail in Neligh for a conviction of criminal attempt of domestic assault in the third degree committed in Holt County. Brizuela Gomez was ordered to appear at the Neligh jail at 5 p.m. July 30 to begin his sentence. The sentence was ordered July 15 by the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill after he found Brizuela Gomez guilty of the Class 2 misdemeanor. Holt County attorney Brent Kelly reduced the charge from third-degree d...
Cade Rader and Paityn Sheffield display belt buckles they won July 20, at the youth round robin roping event during Royal Community Day. Rader was top heeler and Sheffield, top header....
Kami Hooey, previously the court reporter at the Holt County Courthouse in O’Neill, has been selected to serve as the Rock and Boyd county court clerk magistrate in Bassett and Butte, respectively. Her official work as clerk magistrate began July 1. “Hooey’s vast experience as an official court reporter makes her an excellent choice to lead both Rock and Boyd counties as clerk magistrate. Her knowledge and experience will serve her well in this new position,” according to trial court services director Sara Fowler. County court clerk magistr...
The Chamber of Commerce building in downtown O'Neill showcases a vibrant new mural that celebrates the town's rich history and heritage. The mural, featuring iconic images such as General John O'Neill, the famous green horse, a shamrock and more, has been completed by local resident Claire Morrow, a 2019 O'Neill High School graduate and current kindergarten teacher at O'Neill Elementary School. Morrow views the mural project as a fantastic opportunity to leave her mark on the town she loves....
The message from Clearwater residents is overwhelmingly clear: fix the streets. "We've been researching different options and trying to figure out a way to start improving the streets. When we went through the surveys done for the Downtown Revitalization project, and the housing grant two years ago, streets were the No. 1 concern of citizens of the community," said Clearwater Economic Development Director Lauren Sheridan. Navigating Clearwater's business corridor may get a whole lot smoother if...
Access for boaters and shore anglers will improve at Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area. A construction project, which began July 16, will include building a new fishing pier to provide more bank fishing opportunities at the 50-acre lake and repairing two boat ramps. A 60-foot gangway will provide anglers access to a 10-foot by 20-foot floating platform on the west shoreline. The north boat ramp will be replaced as it had begun to heave and separate at the joints. The new concrete ramp will...
After an approximate 30-minute executive session with legal counsel, Village of Ewing officials announced, July 10, they would not be applying for a Rural Community Recovery Program grant for potential demolition of the former Ewing elementary school. RCRP funds may be used for rehabilitation or reuse projects and is "designed to address vacant, abandoned or deteriorated properties," according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The DED website lists eight criteria for use of...
Holt County Sheriff’s Department responded to a single-vehicle accident, Sunday, July 21. At approximately 7 p.m., an 18-year-old male driver and a 15-year-old passenger were northbound on 491 Avenue, just south of 872 Road. The driver lost control of a 2002 Toyota 4-Runner Limited. The Toyota slid toward the west ditch, entering it, before coming into contact with a driveway embankment, sending the Toyota airborne. The vehicle landed and rolled, coming to rest on its wheels in the west ditch. Both individuals were transported to Avera St. A...
A suspect has been arrested in a burglary and theft case at St. Theresa Traditional Roman Catholic Church, located at 870th Road and Highway 281, south of O'Neill. At approximately 10:05 p.m., on July 18, Holt County Sheriff's Office was notified of an alleged intoxicated male near the church in rural Holt County. The male was later identified as Drake D. Ruegge. He was last seen going toward the church. When officers arrived at the scene, the door to the church had been forced open and a...
An O’Neill man suffered minor injuries, Sunday, following a one-vehicle accident approximately one-quarter mile east of 481 Road and Highway 20, in Holt County. HCSO did not identify the individual. At approximately 5:50 a.m., a 2006 Saturn Vue was eastbound on Highway 20 when the vehicle left the roadway, entered the north ditch, running through two fence lines on property owned by Bill Tielke. The vehicle continued through a popcorn field, coming to rest approximately 60 yards into the field, after becoming stuck. The driver of the vehicle w...
A combination firearm and bow-hunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard, Aug. 5, 8 and 10. The times will be 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 8 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. This free course will be held at the Orchard Community Center at 407 E. 4th St. in Orchard. The course will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics,...
The Honorable Donna Taylor continued several hearings to a later date when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week. Justin A. Paulsen, 37, of Oakdale was granted a continuance so he could hire an attorney. Paulsen faces a charge of violating requirements of the Sexual Offender Registry by failing to register his vehicle with the Antelope County sheriff. Arraignment is set Aug. 7. If convicted, Paulsen faces up to a $10,000 fine and/or up to three years im...
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the deadline for commodity and specialty crop producers to apply for the Emergency Relief Program for 2022 natural disaster losses is Aug. 14. USDA's Farm Service Agency began accepting ERP 2022 applications in October 2023. "If natural disasters impacted your farm or ranch in 2022, there's still time to submit your application for Emergency Relief Program assistance," said Tim Divis, FSA acting state executive director for Nebraska. "Don't...
Seven counts of violating Neligh’s city nuisance/junk ordinance, filed by city attorney James McNally against Kipp Polston, 46, of Neligh, were dismissed by the Honorable Donna Taylor after a trial was held at the courthouse in Neligh last Wednesday, July 17. Junk/nuisance violations were alleged on consecutive days, May 1 through May 7, at his 502 N Street residence. On July 3, he pleaded not guilty and told the court he was in the process of moving to Iowa and his belongings would all be gone before the scheduled trial. During trial p...