Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
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Cheyenne County law enforcement agencies are looking for two men who are wanted in separate cases and who may be in the area. Wyatt Coleman, 28, is wanted on a felony warrant from Colorado, said Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson. According to court documents, Coleman was arrested in Logan County in August and charged with four felonies: eluding authorities in a vehicle, menacing with a real or simulated weapon, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person and using the identification of...
Despite a constant drizzle, contractors from Tri-City Sign Company installed signage along the recently placed decorative wall on the corner of 11th Avenue and Old Post Road in Sidney. The beautification project – that includes the wall, landscaping, irrigation and sign – was first discussed by city councilors in 2014. The project had been delayed by a lack of bids, and then subsequent quotes above the engineer's estimate. Ultimately the plan was broken into three projects, and councilors wer...
Irrigation allocations for farmers in the South Platte Natural Resources District for the three-year period between 2016-'18 have been set. Travis Glanz, the South Platte NRD's water resources coordinator, said allocations in only two of the six subareas regulated by the agency were amended from current allotments. In the South Platte Valley – in eastern Deuel County – allocations were reduced by 2 inches. In the Tablelands – primarily the areas north and south of the Interstate 80 corri...
Critical questions about a proposed new jail in Cheyenne County – such as how big, how much it’ll cost and can the county afford it – could be answered in coming months. This week, the county’s board of commissioners approved a letter of engagement with D.A. Davidson, a bond underwriter. Paul Schaub, Cheyenne County attorney, explained that while the agreement does not force the county to maintain the firm as the underwriter if a bond is issued for the project, it allows D.A. Davidson to collect information and offer direction. “This is a typi...
Two former City of Sidney employees have accepted leadership positions with the North Platte Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation. Former Sidney City Manager Gary Person has been hired as the CEO and former Sidney Economic Development Director Megan McGown has been named economic development vice president and director of communications and marketing. McGown's position was newly created, and Person will oversee a staff of four. Both Person and McGown will begin their jobs on Nov. 1....
A $6.6 million change in a property valuation means Cheyenne County and 15 other political subdivisions – such as schools and fire districts – must repay $121,700 in tax dollars already collected. The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners was notified of the change at its meeting on Tuesday. The county alone must repay $31,000. After Frontier Pipeline protested the valuation assessed on its property in 2014, the state recalculated the numbers and issued a certified value of $1 million – significantly less than the original value of $7.6 millio...
Officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons from throughout Nebraska gathered in Sidney on Friday afternoon to perform a cornerstone laying ceremony at the new Sidney Regional Medical Center hospital. Two dozen people were on hand to watch the ceremony, including SRMC's CEO Jason Petik and Sidney City Councilor Joe Arterburn....
A portion of road along Illinois Street in front of Sidney's Fox Theatre could be opened up to daytime parking, allowing an additional two spaces. Kim Philips, who owns the theater with her husband John, this week requested city councilors remove a fire zone, which prohibits parking, in front of the business. Instead, she asked the area be opened to parking during non-theater hours. Phillips said the shift would add additional parking spaces for other businesses on the block. Sidney Mayor Mark...
B.J. Wilkinson has resigned as chief of the Sidney Police Department. "It has been my privilege and my honor to serve the people of Sidney," he said when reached by phone on Thursday morning. Wilkinson submitted his resignation on Wednesday, which was then accepted by Sidney Interim City Manager Geri Anthony, according to a media release from the City. His departure is effective immediately. Wilkinson has been on paid administrative leave since July, after he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor...
A decision on Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson’s employment with the city is expected soon, city officials say. According to state statute, city employees report to the city manager – meaning Sidney Interim City Manager Geri Anthony will make the final determination. “It’s getting really close today,” Anthony said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “We’re just waiting for our attorneys to come up with the proper paperwork.” Wilkinson has been on paid administrative leave since July, after pleading no contest to obstructing government oper...
The search for a new Sidney city manager took a small step forward this week. Councilors voted to allow the mayor, human resources director and interim city manager to interview representatives from a recruitment firm that submitted a proposal to assist in the search. J.D. Gray Group – from Texas – was the only firm to respond to the city’s request for proposals by last week’s deadline. Jo Houser, the city’s human resources director, said the request for an executive search firm was advertised and she contacted seven firms directly. She had hop...
Gabriel Martinez, 50, of Longmont, Colo., was sentenced Tuesday to serve 20 to 60 months in prison after pleading no contest to enticement by an electronic communication device. According to court testimony, Martinez had repeatedly messaged a 14-year-old on her cell phone seeking sexual photographs. In a plea deal struck last month, an additional charge of violation of visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct was dismissed. Martinez was also ordered to register on the Nebraska Sex Offenders’ List for a term between 15 years and his l...
A Sidney woman facing 21 felony burglary charges appeared in Cheyenne County District Court on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege Mindy Richmond, 34, carried out a string of burglaries throughout the Sidney area. However, in August, a lawyer representing Richmond filed a plea in abatement, arguing there is insufficient evidence his client carried out the crimes. In court documents, the defendant’s lawyer, James Korth, argues evidence presented by the prosecution at the preliminary hearing in county court “is insufficient as a matter of law to establis...
While work has already begun on the new Sidney Outdoor Aquatic Center, city officials, community members and project workers held an official groundbreaking at the site on Friday morning. The pool is set to be completed by May 24, 2016 – in time for Memorial Day Weekend – and contractors said work is on schedule. Chuck Musgrave, CFO of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, told the 30 people gathered for the event that the site will include a competition pool, recreation pool, splash features, a l...
Cheyenne County is in the market for an oil distribution truck to replace its current vehicle that was manufactured in 1965. At a meeting earlier this week, county commissioners gave the OK to County Highway Department Superintendent Doug Hart to seek bids for a used truck. This year’s budget includes $35,000 for that purchase. “We need to find something more reliable than a ’65 Chevy,” Commissioner Philip Sanders said at the meeting. The oil distribution truck will be used to spray a layer of oil on the surface of roads during the chip se...
An 18-year-old Alliance man accused of burglarizing a Sidney home last May has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in the case. Troy Christofferson pleaded no contest to two counts of aiding and abetting a theft and one count of theft by receiving stolen property. All three counts are class one misdemeanors and each carry a maximum jail sentence of one year. Christofferson had initially faced a felony charge of burglary. As part of the plea agreement, he must pay $2,200 in restitution. Christofferson is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday,...
Joshua Woolery was arraigned Monday in Cheyenne County Court on a felony charge of first-degree sexual assault. According to the criminal complaint, the 26-year-old Sidney man is accused of subjecting “another person who is at least 12 years of age but less than 16 years of age to sexual penetration.” Woolery has been in custody since his arrest on Friday. Judge Randin Roland set bond at $500,000. A probable cause affidavit alleges the assault took place at Woolery’s residence last week. As the two were playing video games, Woolery began rubbi...
Brownfields in Cheyenne County and opportunities for their improvement will be the topics of discussion at a meeting scheduled for Friday in Sidney. Brownfields are properties that may have been contaminated by hazardous substances or pollutants in the past, complicating redevelopment of reuse of the sites. The Panhandle Area Development District – a nonprofit serving 11 Nebraska Panhandle communities to help enhance community vitality – was recently awarded a $113,273 grant to identify brownfields. “The [PADD] was awarded those funds to help...
The Lodgepole Historical Society will likely receive $1,000 this year from Cheyenne County to help support its efforts to preserve and display the village’s history. On Monday, Maryann Dickinson, a historical society board member, told the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners the county had previously made an annual contribution to the group. “But we didn’t get any last year,” she said. This year’s budget, passed last month, likewise didn’t include any funds earmarked for the historical society. Dickinson asked why not. Cheyenne County Clerk...
Construction crews have been busy preparing the site of the new Sidney outdoor aquatic center. On Thursday morning, concrete was being poured for the competition pool. City of Sidney Park Superintendent Tom von Seggern said according to the contractor, construction is on schedule. The project is set to be completed in May of next year – in time for Memorial Day 2016. City Councilors approved the $5.4 million aquatic center earlier this year. The facility will include a lap pool, leisure pool w...
A judge has upheld a misdemeanor conviction and 30-day jail sentence for Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson. Wilkinson has been on paid administrative leave since July, after pleading no contest to obstructing government operations. He appealed his conviction and sentence after being ordered to serve jail time, arguing the sentence was excessive, there was no factual basis for his plea and the complaint against him was insufficient. In a written order submitted on Tuesday, Judge Travis O'Gorman...
As Sidney's population has grown in recent years – and is expected to continue climbing – residential, commercial and recreational demands for water have increased. To ensure a steady and adequate supply of water is available for all users, the City of Sidney is undertaking a large-scale upgrade of its water system infrastructure. In the next year, transmission lines will be laid, three booster pumps replaced and water storage capacity increased. "We have the water we need," said Bill Tay...
Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson appeared in court on Monday morning to appeal his conviction and 30-day jail sentence on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing government operations. Wilkinson’s attorney, Thomas Sonntag, and special prosecutor Doug Warner made oral arguments in Cheyenne County District Court to supplement written briefs already submitted. Judge Travis O’Gorman, who was appointed to hear the case, said he would likely make a decision on the appeal within two weeks. Wilkinson pleaded no contest in July to the single charge ste...
A section of Fort Sidney Road closed since June for the reconstruction of a bridge will likely reopen in mid-November. Ben Dayton, City of Sidney zoning administrator, said the closure will last about a month longer than initially expected. The road is currently closed between Pole Creek Crossing – formerly Toledo Street – and Virginia Lane. The Fort Sidney Road bridge was initially scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt before the nearby new Pole Creek Crossing bridge was constructed. "It...
DALTON – The Leyton High football team dropped a 60-22 decision to Crawford (3-1) at home on Friday night. The Warriors fell to 0-4 on the season. Despite a team-high 175 rushing yards on 22 carries from Kordell Maestas, miscues and penalties stalled the Warriors' offense. "I saw some great things tonight when we had the ball and were moving it down the field," Leyton coach Glen Lipska said after the game. "It was just the technicalities – snapping the ball, penalties, stuff like that. Tha...
