Orchard resident working to make dangerous building 'pretty'

Jennifer L. Trease, 54, of Orchard faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on May 3, to be sentenced for maintaining a dangerous building, in violation of an Orchard village ordinance.

Village attorney Joe McNally told the judge he had recently driven by the property and didn’t see much progress. Trease said she was working on it and explained work that had been accomplished.

Taylor fined Trease $100 and assessed costs of $50 for the November 2022 violation. The judge told Trease that she needed to continue to work to bring the property into compliance. “There were complaints by your neighbors. Mr. McNally doesn’t drive through town looking for (violations),” she said.

“I’m working to make it pretty,” Trease responded.

Geoffrey A. Carr, 23, of Oakdale appeared for pretrial hearing on three counts alleged Feb. 19, leave scene of property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor; littering, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and possession of open alcohol container, an infraction. A plea agreement was announced. Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith reduced Count I to reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor, dismissed Count II and recommended probation in exchange for Carr’s guilty pleas.

Taylor sentenced Carr to an eight-month term of probation, including related fees totaling $280 and fines of $500 on Count I and $25 on Count III. He was assessed $50 costs. Terms of probation include attending an alcohol education class.

Carr was represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.

Kimberly M. Crabtree, 29, of Tilden appeared on a charge of selling tobacco to a minor. She waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty. Taylor fined her $100 and assessed $50 costs. Crabtree was cited April 3, by a Nebraska State Patrol officer conducting a compliance check, for selling cigarettes to a minor at JB Mart in Tilden.

Rochelle L. McElhaney, 56, of Royal also waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to selling tobacco to a minor. She was fined $100 and assessed $50 costs. McElhaney was cited by an NSP officer who was conducting a compliance check April 11. She was charged with selling tobacco to a minor at the Royal One Stop, which she owns with her husband.

Three defendants pleaded guilty by waiver for fishing without permits. They were cited near Grove Lake by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officers.

Christopher M. Liberti, 40, of Fremont was fined $100 and taxed $49 costs for fishing without a permit March 12 at the lake.

Asher L Biggs, 23, of Toronto, South Dakota, was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs for fishing without a permit April 29 near the lake’s south campground.

Devan M. Nel, 23, of Toronto, was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs for fishing without a permit April 29 near the lake’s south campground.

Christopher A. Palmer, 28, of Lincoln pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 2 misdemeanor, no proof of financial responsibility. He was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs. Palmer was cited March 15 by an Antelope County deputy near the intersection of 534 Avenue and 848 Road.