Ewing woman's petition for set-aside granted

The Honorable Kale Burdick, when he presided from the bench of the Holt County court in O’Neill on April 11, set aside a conviction for Rebecca D. Strong, 48, of Ewing.

The action nullifies Strong’s October 2020 conviction of a Class 2 misdemeanor, theft by deception. Burdick ruled that Strong is “unlikely to engage in further criminal activity and it is in her best interest and is consistent with the public interest” to grant the request. In her petition for set aside, Strong said she successfully completed probation, had no further convictions and has been a law-abiding citizen since the conviction.

Kyra L. Farewell, 23, of Ewing faced Burdick for sentencing on her conviction of three misdemeanors.

Burdick placed her on probation for six months, fined her $500 and ordered a 60-day revocation of her driver’s license for driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor. She was also fined $300 for possession of marijuana and $50 for possession of an open alcohol container, both infractions. Farewell was assessed $105 costs and $210 in probation-related fees.

Represented by Forest Peetz of O’Neill, Farewell pleaded guilty to the three counts March 21, pursuant to a plea agreement. In exchange, Holt County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed a count of driving under the influence of drugs, first offense; a second open container count and a count of driving left of center.

Farewell was arrested Feb. 15, in O’Neill.

Nicole A. Jellico, 22, of O’Neill recently pleaded guilty, by waiver, to possession of drug paraphernalia. She was fined $100 and taxed $49 costs. Jellico was cited Feb. 11 by an O’Neill officer who noted she possessed a vape pen that tested positive for THC.

Benito A. Morales, 59, of Crosby, Texas, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to having no escort on load over 100-feet. He was fined $25 and taxed $49 costs. Morales was cited Feb. 7 at the Highway 275 scale by a Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement officer.

Tanner J. Storjohann, 22, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a City of O’Neill snow-removal ordinance violation. He was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs for removing snow from private property Feb. 12 and placing it on city right of way.