Holt County judge hands down sentences

Jerry F. Homolka Jr., 57, of Chambers faced the Honorable Kale Burdick on Nov. 14, in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill, for sentencing on a count of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor.

Burdick find him $500, revoked his driver’s license for 60 days and placed him on probation for six months. He was ordered to pay $210 in probation fees and $105 costs.

Homolka was represented by Ron Temple of Norfolk.

Homolka was arrested by an O’Neill police officer May 22, with a preliminary breath alcohol content of .141.

Kara L. Haushild, 41, of Atkinson appeared for arraignment on four counts, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor; no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and careless driving, an infraction, all committed Aug. 30 in Atkinson.

Haushild waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to all four offenses. Burdick fined her $75, $250, $25 and $100, respectively, and taxed her $52 costs.

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A Plainview man chose to appear in court recently to contest a traffic citation.

Roger Z. Stewart, 40 of Plainview appeared in front of Burdick on Nov. 7, without counsel, for pretrial hearing on three contested traffic offenses. A plea agreement was reached, resulting in Stewart pleading guilty to an infraction charge, disobey traffic control device, committed April 27. Holt County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed the other two charges, reckless driving and violation of occupant protection law.

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Several defendants recently chose to avoid court appearances and plead guilty by waiver. They were each taxed $49 costs in addition to fines.

Phillip A. Gonzales, 33, of O’Neill was fined $100 for driving a commercial motor vehicle without obtaining a CDL. He was cited by a Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement officer Nov. 15, on an unnamed county road near 872 Road.

Dane M. Rihanek, 24, of Plankinton, South Dakota, was fined $100 for failing to carry a fuel permit. He was cited by a NSP officer Sept. 29, on the east edge of O’Neill.

Robert L. Sisson, 61, of O’Neill was fined $75 for violating a stop/yield sign, committed Sept. 4, in O’Neill.

Michael J. Klabenes, 38, of O’Neill, was fined $25 for a Class 3 misdemeanor, no valid registration. He was cited by a Holt County deputy Oct. 8, between O’Neill and Inman.