Seven area schools participated in the annual County Government Day in Neligh on Thursday.
Students from Neligh-Oakdale, Clearwater, Orchard, Elkhorn Valley, Elgin Public, Pope John and Plainview learned more about the duties of our elected officials. They were sworn in by Judge Donna Farrell Taylor at the Antelope County Courthouse before shadowing their chosen officials. Those who picked a court-related position participated in a mock trial in the courtroom, which included a defendant, witnesses, attorneys, judge, court reporter and jurors. In the case of "Billy the Kid," the defendant was found guilty of minor in possession and was sentenced to pay a fine of $300, plus $50 court costs and his license was impounded for 30 days. It was a full day of criminal proceedings in Antelope County District Court on Wednesday. One person tested positive for meth, a bench warrant was issued, several people pleaded guilty to lesser charges and two were sentenced.
Max Kerkman, who appeared on two cases without an attorney, tested positive for methamphetamine. Judge James Kube revoked his bond and said Kerkman would stay incarcerated in the Antelope County Jail until he tested negative and a hearing can be set. He was handcuffed by a deputy and taken to jail. A bench warrant was issued for Travis Mace, who had told his defense attorney, Martin Klein, that he was unable to attend due to lack of transportation from South Sioux City. Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler requested the warrant. “Then the sheriff’s office can drive over and get him in a car that works,” he said. The judge ordered the warrant for Mace’s immediate arrest. Timothy Grothe and Peggy Schrader both accepted plea agreements in their cases and pleaded guilty to drug charges. Grothe pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, Class I misdemeanors, and Schrader pleaded guilty to one count of the same. Judge James Kube ordered pre-sentence investigations and both of their sentencing dates were set for November 28. Doug Carpenter appeared for a pretrial conference with his attorney Ron Temple. A plea agreement has been offered and Temple said, “I have some idea that perhaps this will be resolved.” At this time, Carpenter is facing two counts: violation of a protection order and assault in the 2nd degree. Sadie Eberhardt accepted an agreement, pleading guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine, a Class IV felony. Abler said drugs and paraphernalia were discovered when officers responded to a disturbance call in Orchard. A presentence investigation was ordered and her sentencing was set for October 31. Collin Willert appeared for a pretrial conference and his attorney Martin Klein said the “matter has been resolved.” Per a plea agreement, Willert pleaded guilty to the amended charges of attempted unlawful discharge of a firearm, a Class II felony and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Willert, who had previously posted 10 percent of a $25,000 bond, had his bond increased to 10 percent of $75,000. His sentencing date was set for November 28. Troy Miller was sentenced to 6 months of probation and ordered to pay fees and court costs for one count of attempted possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a Class II felony. Although Miller indicated that the .22 rifle found in his home belonged to his son, the judge said, “If you have it in your possession, you are in violation of the statute. Anything associated with firearms, you’ve got to get them away from you. Even if you have no intent to use them.” Standard terms of probation were put in place, including no use of alcohol or chemical substances, no presence in a bar or related establishment and the requirement to submit to all alcohol or drug tests. Natalie Wentling was sentenced to one year in the Antelope County Jail on one count of attempted possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, a Class I misdemeanor. Court records indicated that Wentling was driving erratically, and when she was stopped by law enforcement, marijuana and meth were found. Judge Kube recommended she stay on the medication that has been prescribed for her mental health and gave her credit for 157 days served. Hundreds of Northeast Nebraska students — including 68 from Neligh-Oakdale and countless more from Clearwater, Elgin, St. Boniface, Ewing and others – shined Tuesday night during the Young Americans performance at Norfolk Catholic.
The Young Americans performed alongside the participants, but the students were the ones in front singing, dancing, and performing the variety show and solos they learned. The students took classes in the areas of voice, dance, songwriting, and performance (acting and improv). Throughout the entire three days, the Young Americans focused on the students as individuals. Their goal was to encourage every student to become more confident in who they are and what they’d like to become. Music is the tool used to reach a common ground between age groups, cultures, and peers. Photo Gallery Below All low-resolution photos below from the ACN are available to be downloaded for personal use free of charge. High resolution prints are available for print by calling the ACN at 402-887-4000. 4x6 photos are $2 each. A teenager already facing a minimum of three years in prison — who police said tried to concoct an escape from jail last month — landed back in police custody after a manhunt through Oakdale.
Eighteen-year-old Collin Willert was arrested last Tuesday following a foot pursuit with officers, according to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore. Willert was wanted on a felony warrant after failing to comply with bond conditions that denied him contact with a specific Antelope County junvenile. Willert was arrested in July for unlawful discharge of a firearm inside Neligh city limits, along with other charges, and was released from the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center on Sept. 3 after 10 percent of his $25,000 bond was posted. Moore said Willert listed the Norfolk Rescue Mission as his address upon his release. On Sept. 18, Willert was arrested after a manhunt. Moore said the father of the juvenile Willert was not supposed to contact called Willert’s probation officer that morning and said he found Willert in his home. Moore said the father “chased him out of the house” and Willert crawled outside via a window. The probation officer then contacted the sheriff’s department, which Moore said was about the same time Neligh-Oakdale Schools notified police that three students had left the premises, including the juvenile Willert was to have no contact with. At about 10 a.m., Moore said he spotted two of the three Neligh-Oakdale students, including the juvenile in question, and returned both to school. He then began searching Oakdale for Willert but could not locate the teenager. Moore said at 2:36 p.m., the father of the juvenile called police and said he returned from work and found Willert in his home again. Like before, he told police Willert left through a window and went down an alley. Moore, along with a deputy, the Neligh Police and Nebraska State Patrol, began another search for Willert. “That’s when the manhunt began,” Moore said. “We were scouring Oakdale, looking in abandoned houses and all over.” Moore said they received a tip that Willert was at 103 6th Street, which is the Penny Buck residence. Police responded to the Buck residence at 4:44 p.m. Upon their arrival, Willert ran from the residence with officers following on a foot pursuit several blocks and through a field. Willert was apprehended at 4:57 p.m. on the north side of the Dean and Linda Wilkinson residence in a grass field. “This was good teamwork between the sheriff’s department, Neligh Police and the Nebraska State Patrol,” Moore said. “Everyone worked together to apprehend this individual.” Willert is being held at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center with no bond. He will return to district court on Wednesday and is facing obstruction charges, along with failure to comply with his bond. Moore said additional charges are pending. During Willert’s last district court appearance, his attorney Martin Klein requested bond for Willert be reduced from $10,000 to $5,000. But Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler advised Judge James Kube that law enforcement had discovered drawings and an escape plan in Willert’s cell. Abler requested the judge deny the request for bond reduction and reminded Judge Kube that Willert, who Abler said is from the Valentine area, but listed his current address as Oakdale, previously had his bond reduced from $50,000 to $10,000. Kube not only denied the request, but he then increased the bond to $25,000. According to his court records, Willert allegedly took a shotgun to 809 E 3rd Street in Neligh on July 16, where he and a juvenile discharged the shotgun in the house numerous times through a bedroom wall. During an investigation the following day, records show two juveniles told Neligh Police Chief Mike Wright that Willert brought his 20 gauge shotgun to their home. One of the two juveniles admitted to discharging the gun with Willert while the other witnessed the act and was “extremely fortunate he was not injured or killed.” Wright and Antelope County Deputy Doug Hartman located Willert in Oakdale at the residence he was found at on Sept. 18. Records show Willert originally denied knowledge of discharging the shotgun but later admitted to shooting through the wall. In the July incident, Willert was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, a Class ID felony; contributing to the delinquency of a child, Class I misdemeanor; disturbing the peace, Class III misdemeanor; and criminal mischief less than $500, a Class III misdemeanor. Antelope County 4-Hers, your money awaits!
The premium checks from the 2018 Antelope County Fair are ready and may now be picked up from the extension office, located in the basement of the Antelope County courthouse. Six Antelope County 4-Hers recently received special recognition at the 2018 Nebraska State Fair.
Special honors went to Baylee Chessmore, yellow onions; Marie Meis, heritage exhibit; Travis Rudloff, candy - carmels; Kassidy Grosserode, original acrylic painting and original ink drawing (her acrylic will be displayed at the UNL East Campus Union Art Gallery this fall); Kennedy Penne, dress (her dress was chosen to be displayed at the design gallery while at the state fair); and Hannah Vraspir, upcycled garment - jacket (she also received a blue ribbon for modeling her dress). Other recognitions included Taralyn Baum (her quilt was chosen to be displayed at the design gallery while at the state fair); Breanna Carr (her photography will be displayed in UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the extension dean’s office); Kendra Carr (her photography will be displayed in UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the extension dean’s office); and Trevin Hanson (showed swine, receiving a blue ribbon in market gilts and showmanship). Other ribbon placings for Antelope County were: Merry Maids & Muscles 4-H Club, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Citizenship & Civic Education - 4H Leadership and Citizenship - 4-H Club Exhibit Bailey Ahlers, Clearwater (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Furniture-Recycled/Remade Bailey Ahlers, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Original Floral Design Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), White Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Gladiolus Cassidy Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Candy Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Zinnia Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Jalapeno Peppers Irelyn Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - 1 Jar Fruit Exhibit - Unit 3 Kierra Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - Dried Herbs Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Celosia Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Marigold Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Salad Tomatoes Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Yellow Onions Daley Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Red Potatoes Irelyn Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Snap Beans Irelyn Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Hot (non-Jalapeno) Peppers Irelyn Bearinger, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Salad Tomatoes Karlee Broberg, Tilden (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Quilt Quest - Barn Quilt Created Less than 4x4 Alyssa Burenheide, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Double Crust Fruit Pie Breanna Carr, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - Smart Phone Candid Capture Display or Exhibit Print Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Foam Cake Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 301 - Specialty Bread Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Specialty Pastry Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Green Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Communications & Expressive Arts Special Awards - Photography Selected for CASNR and Extension Dean's Office Breanna Carr, Oakdale (Antelope County), Green Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Communications & Expressive Arts Special Awards - Photography Selected for CASNR and Extension Dean's Office Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - 1 Jar Pickled Exhibit - Unit 3 Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - 1 Jar Tomato Exhibit - Unit 3 Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit III - Portrait Exhibit Print Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit III - Breaking the Rules Exhibit Print Kendra Carr, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit III - Challenging Exhibit Print Baylee Chessmore, Elgin (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - Baked Item Made with Frozen Produce Baylee Chessmore, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Yellow Onions Baylee Chessmore, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Origianl Needlework/Stichery Baylee Chessmore, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Rhubarb Baylee Chessmore, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Salad Tomatoes Baylee Chessmore, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Sweet Corn (in husks) Carissa Gale, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Fairy or Miniature Garden Carleigh Greene, Oakdale (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Sweet (non-Bell) Peppers Carleigh Greene, Oakdale (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Miniature Pumpkins Carleigh Greene, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Gourds, single variety Carleigh Greene, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Salad Tomatoes Kassidy Grosserode, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Portfolio Pathways - Original Acrylic Painting Kassidy Grosserode, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Sketchbook Crossroads - Original Ink Drawing Trevin Hanson, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit III - Photography Portfolio Trevin Hanson, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Environmental & Earth Sciences - 4H Conservation & Wildlife - Reptile or Amphibian Display Xavier Hart, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Citizenship & Civic Education - 4H Heritage - Level I : Beginning - Heritage Poster or Flat Exhibit Callie Heithoff, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Healthy Baked Product Isaac Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Red Potatoes Samuel Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Jalapeno Peppers Isaac Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - 3 Jar Jelled Exhibit - Unit 3 Isaac Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Eggplant Isaac Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Red Tomatoes Samuel Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Eggplant Samuel Hemenway, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Bell Peppers Andrew Henery, Neligh (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - Jar Tomato Exhibt - Unit 4 Andrew Henery, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Recycled/Upcycled Item for the home Jacob Henery, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Loaf Quick Bread Andrew Henery, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Environmental & Earth Sciences - 4H Forestry - Leaf Display Jacob Henery, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - 3 Jar Tomato Exhibit - Unit 4 Jacob Henery, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Furniture-Recycled/Remade Max Henn, Elgin (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Sketchbook Crossroads - Original Pencil or Chalk Drawing Max Henn, Elgin (Antelope County) Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Fairy or Miniature Garden Chloe Henn, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - Composition Display/Exhibit Print Chloe Henn, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - Lighting Display or Exhibit Print Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - Jar Vegetable or Meat Exhibit - Unit 4 Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Any other annual or biennial Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Baking with Whole Grain Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - 1 Jar Jelled Exhibit - Unit 3 Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Eggplant Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Marigold Montana Howard, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Jalapeno Peppers Addyson Jacob, Neligh (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Quilt Quest - Level 1 Quilted Exhibit-Small Addyson Jacob, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Quilt Quest - Barn Quilt Created Less than 4x4 Abe Johnson, Tilden (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Foliage Potted Plant Faith Kinney, Petersburg (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Textile-2D Cale Kinney, Petersburg (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Original Made from Metal Faith Kinney, Petersburg (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Sketchbook Crossroads - Original Sculpted or thrown home accessory made with clay Brooke Kinney, Petersburg (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Outdoor Living Damien Knight, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Citizenship & Civic Education - 4H Heritage - Level II : Advanced - Heritage Poster or Flat Exhibit Damien Knight, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Science & Technology - 4H Welding - Welding Article Alexis Lind, Tilden (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Rudbeckia/Black-Eyed Susan Alexis Lind, Tilden (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Any other perennial Alexis Lind, Tilden (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 301 - White Bread Jacob Lind, Tilden (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Science & Technology - 4H Aerospace - Rocket - Skill Level 3 Alexis Lind, Tilden (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Any other annual or biennial Grace Longsdorf, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Citizenship & Civic Education - 4H Heritage - Level I : Beginning - Other Historical Exhibit Marie Meis, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Citizenship & Civic Education - 4H Heritage - Level II : Advanced - Heritage Poster or Flat Exhibit Marie Meis, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Yellow Onions Gemma Miller, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Original Made from Metal Logan Mueller, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Original Made from Wood Carter Mullins, Plainview (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Field Crops - Corn Amy Nelson, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Heirloom Treasures Family Keepsakes - Furniture Emerson Penne, Tilden (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H General Foods - Cooking Basics Recipe File Kennedy Penne, Tilden (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H STEAM Clothing 2- Simply Sewing - Dress Angel Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit III - True Leader Exhibit Print Angel Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit III - Breaking the Rules Exhibit Print Emma Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Knitting - Level 2 Knitted Clothing or Home Enviornment Item Angel Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - Manual Settings Emma Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - Composition Display/Exhibit Print Emma Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - True Leader Exhibit Print Emma Qualset, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Communications & Expressive Arts - 4H Photography Unit II - Smart Phone Candid Capture Display or Exhibit Print Kaylee Ramold, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Baking with Whole Grain Kaylee Ramold, Neligh (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Healthy Baked Product Tyler Reinke, Neligh (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Field Crops - Corn Trey Rittscher, Elgin (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Recycled/Upcycled Item for the home Grace Rittscher, Elgin (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Double Crust Fruit Pie Grace Rittscher, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Specialty Pastry Grace Rittscher, Elgin (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Portfolio Pathways - Nebraska Life Exhibit Travis Rudloff, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Candy Bryce Rudloff, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Salad Tomatoes Bryce Rudloff, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Snap Beans Bryce Rudloff, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Muskmelon/Cantaloupe Bryce Rudloff, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Horticulture - Watermelon Caydence Schumacher, Clearwater (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Science & Technology - 4H Woodworking - Woodworking Article - Nailing it Together Caydence Schumacher, Clearwater (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Window Covering Caydence Schumacher, Clearwater (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Environmental & Earth Sciences - 4H Entomology - Entomology Display - Second Year Aaron Suckstorf, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Creative Mixes Matthew Suckstorf, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 401 - Family Food Tradition Aaron Suckstorf, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Science & Technology - 4H Electricity - Electrical Display/Item Sawyer Tegeler, Meadow Grove (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Environmental & Earth Sciences - 4H Conservation & Wildlife - Wildlife Diorama Merinee Vaughn, Tilden (Antelope County), Green Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Design Decision - Accessory-Textile-2D Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Red Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 201 - Creative Mixes Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - Fruit Leather Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Food Preservation - Dried Fruits Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 301 - Dinner Rolls Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H STEAM Clothing 2- Simply Sewing - Upcycled Garmet Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Purple Ribbon for 4H Plants - 4H Floriculture - Fairy or Miniature Garden Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Healthy Lifestyle Education - 4H Cooking 301 - Specialty Rolls Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H STEAM Clothing 2- Simply Sewing - Dress Hannah Vraspir, Oakdale (Antelope County), Blue Ribbon for 4H Consumer & Family Science - 4H Quilt Quest - Premiere Quilt - Long Arm Quilted - Computerized The Nebraska State Patrol has been busy doing alcohol checks of businesses in the area, including those in Antelope County.
The Drug Free Community Support Program, North Central District Health Department and the Area Substance Abuse Prevention coalition contracted with the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct alcohol compliance checks in Antelope, Boyd, Knox, Holt, and Pierce Counties. These checks aim to increase retail compliance with Nebraska State Alcohol Laws and reduce underage access to alcohol. Eighteen checks were conducted in Antelope County resulting in 100 percent compliance. The following retailers passed their inspections: Royal Last Chance Bar & Grill, Mr. S’s, JB Lounge, Dusty’s, Plainview Country Club, L Bar B Steakhouse, Hi-Way Mart, the Water Hole, City Limits, Elgin One Stop, Cabin Bottle Shop, Buff’s Dew Drop Inn, Casey’s General Store #2378, Cubby’s, Imperial II, Sly’s Chill & Grill, JB Mart #2 and Summerland Golf Club. An escape plan from the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center backfired on an 18-year-old inmate.
Collin Willert was arrested in July for unlawful discharge of a firearm inside Neligh city limits, along with other charges, and is facing a minimum of three years in prison if convicted. During Willert’s appearance in district court on Wednesday, attorney Martin Klein requested bond for client Collin Willert be reduced from $10,000 to $5,000. But Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler advised Judge James Kube that law enforcement had discovered drawings and an escape plan in Willert’s cell. Abler requested the judge deny the request for bond reduction and reminded Judge Kube that Willert, who Abler said is from the Valentine area, but listed his current address as Oakdale, previously had his bond reduced from $50,000 to $10,000. Kube not only denied the request, but he then increased the bond to $25,000. According to his court records, Willert allegedly took a shotgun to 809 E 3rd Street on July 16, where he and a juvenile discharged the shotgun in the house numerous times through a bedroom wall. During an investigation the following day, records show two juveniles told Neligh Police Chief Mike Wright that Willert brought his 20 gauge shotgun to their home. One of the two juveniles admitted to discharging the gun with Willert while the other witnessed the act and was “extremely fortunate he was not injured or killed.” Wright and Antelope County Deputy Doug Hartman located Willert at the Don Breaker residence at 609 Jenks St. in Oakdale. Records show Willert originally denied knowledge of discharging the shotgun but later admitted to shooting through the wall. Willert is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, a Class ID felony; contributing to the delinquency of a child, Class I misdemeanor; disturbing the peace, Class III misdemeanor; and criminal mischief less than $500, a Class III misdemeanor. Land values in Antelope County dipped almost 3.5 percent in the last year, leading to a two-year slide of 6.59 percent.
At $2,459,406,353, Antelope County’s land values fell from $2,545,073,947 in 2017. The peak value was in 2016 when they topped the $2.6 billion mark. Antelope County Assessor Kelly Mueller released the certified valuations last week and said most of the changes were due to ag values decreasing. “Anytime ag land goes down, you’re going to see everything go down because there’s nothing to offset it,” she said. “I predict it’s going to flatten out.” Although the general county value continues to decrease, nearly every city or village in the county increased, including Brunswick, which saw the largest spike in the county at 19 percent. Mueller credited that growth in valuation to the new commercial buildings at Meuret Grain. “That’s based on commercial growth,” Mueller said. “Brunswick saw the growth because Meurets put up a really nice commercial building. It’s usually a housing boom, a major construction project or there was a six-year review to see what was missed that accounts for the growth.” Clearwater also saw a significant increase in valuation, going up 13.6 percent in the last year. Although new The Bank of Tilden brought more commercial value to the community, Mueller said Clearwater’s increase was actually due to the housing values increasing by 15 percent. “I reassessed all of Clearwater last year, and because of market sales, all of the houses went up,” she said. “That’s why there was such a big increase. Sales have gone back up in Clearwater.” Mueller said a similar situation occurred in the Village of Orchard in 2016 when its land increased from $12.3 million to $14.4 million. Royal saw a 3.79 percent increase and Tilden went up 3.84 percent. Neligh’s valuation also increased slightly at 2.57 percent. “Some of the value that went up in Neligh is because we did a total commercial revaluation this year,” she said. “We weren’t that far off of the commercial values, but that is some of the reason it went up.” Mueller said most of the villages and cities are seeing valuation increases due to housing and increased market value. “There’s a shortage in housing right now, especially with the wind towers going up, so I think that’s caused a lot of sales,” she said. Although nearly every community saw an increase, the Village of Oakdale decreased 15.9 percent. However, Mueller was quick to say that the percentage may appear to be dramatic, but the actual value decrease isn’t as significant since land values in Oakdale only decreased about a half-million dollars. More than half of that value change was actually due to changing the assessment of a tank at the Ag Agronomy Center, which Mueller said had been valued incorrectly. Mueller said much of Oakdale will be reassessed soon and may see an increase in valuation in the near future. As for school districts, all of the districts saw a decrease in valuation thanks to ag land, which may affect their upcoming budget hearings where boards will begin changing the levies to make up for the loss in valuation. Will Clearwater, Orchard and Verdigre continue their unification? March will tell.
Unification was one of the main topics at the Nebraska Unified School District meeting on Monday night. “We thought it was important to have the original boards all get together and have some discussion on the unification piece there as far as that topic and what people are interested in with unification and anything else there that might be an option besides that,” Superintendent Dale Martin said. After Verdigre, Orchard and Clearwater board members spoke, it was clear that not everyone had the same thoughts of renewing the unification. Peggy Liska and Marty Konopasek of Verdigre both said their advisory board members were satisfied with the unification and wanted to continue for another seven years. The Orchard board members agreed. “We make a motion to recommend unification for another seven years,” Terra Williby said. Terri Hergert said their board talked very little about consolidation or other options. “We’d like it to stay just the way it is for another seven years,” Hergert said. “It was a pretty cut and dried conversation for us.” “Ours was not quite so cut and dried,” Marty Kerkman of Clearwater said. Joe Thiele said Clearwater board members gave him “definitely a sense of still keeping some options open, maybe talking to Ewing.” “ I know I’ve heard a little bit in the rumor mill that Ewing might be out asking some schools what’s out there for them, which obviously, could include Orchard easy enough, and obviously Clearwater too,” Thiele said. “So I don’t know where that’s going to go, but unification is not definite. But it is on the table.” “I’d say right now, it’s probably not our number one choice, but also, at this time, it might be our only option,” Kerkman said. “If that makes any sense at all. We’ve advised our administrator to make some phone calls and talk to a couple neighbors to just kind of see where that goes.” Thiele said that Clearwater board members had concerns about dwindling class sizes. “Class size, if we don’t look at some changes, is a concern,” he said. “We might likely have a class of maybe just one boy and all girls coming up. Is it a big deal? No, but if it’s kind of a sign of what’s coming, it could be. Cause we had that happen several years ago and the boy ended up leaving, so then it was a class of all girls.” Martin said Clearwater is talking with both Elgin and Ewing about options. “So we might know more next meeting and we might not,” Thiele said. Williby expressed concerns about a timeline for their decision. “We talked about the 2020, you know June-July, when the unification is up so we did visit at least a little bit about where we’re at time-wise, keeping this thing moving a little bit because there will be people wanting to know,” Thiele said. “Probably no real direct urgency today, but it probably won’t be too long and there will be.” Williby questioned whether discussions should go on. “Does Orchard and Verdigre at this point continue discussions on the new agreement?” she asked. “In my mind, I think we should start discussions on a new agreement, but that’s just my opinion.” Hergert was also concerned about delaying a decision. “I mean, how long do we sit here and wait?” she said. “We can’t wait until even eight months down the road for an answer because we’ve got to get a plan into the state board of education by November. That’s more of a deadline than June of 2020. November of 2019 is more of a deadline.” Martin agreed that November would be the “bare minimum” timeline to agree on unification. “This will automatically dissolve if all three do not reup on it,” he said. Liska said she is not absolutely set on a seven year unification and would consider three years, if that suits Clearwater better. “Well, I appreciate that, I do think, it looks like it would be better off to have Clearwater for three years than go with two districts for seven and not have a third partner,” Thiele said. “And then at the end of three years, maybe things will be in a situation that everybody will vote for seven again and continue on.” Martin said what it boils down to is how much time they should allow Clearwater “to sort things out to come to that point.” It was decided that March of 2019 was a reasonable amount of time for Clearwater to reach a decision. “We’ll keep it on the agenda every month,” Martin said. “If there’s new information to report from anybody we’ll be able to do that.” The next unified meeting was set for Monday, Sept. 17 in Clearwater, starting at 6:30 p.m. with the budget hearing. |
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