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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National Drug Take Back Day will be held locally on Oct. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sidney Police Department. Drug take back is a program set up by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and is a safe way for people to dispose of their unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications. The medications are put into a sealed box and shipped to the DEA in St. Louis where they are incinerated. “It’s really the only safe way to dispose of medications,” Curtis Hofrock said. This will mark the fifth year that Sidney has participated in Na...
Ken Schilz has had a busy year. The state senator from the 47th district explained during this week’s Legislative Forum in Sidney the concerns expressed over taxation, water use and even the pressure on law enforcement due to Colorado’s legalization of marijuana—and how the state is dealing with those issues. This summer, Schilz served on the tax modernization committee. Their main focus has been addressing the state’s tax structure. “In my mind, no matter what you do, the taxes are always to...
Many Sidney residents received a notice in the mail this week about two positive tests for coliform in the drinking water. Although the tone may have caused some concern, the city’s water department explained that this is simply a requirement from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, based on the amount of bacteria samples the city of Sidney water department takes per month. Sidney has not had two positive coliform samples at anytime in the recent past. Repeated tests show that the problem is now resolved although the city n...
Efforts by the Sidney police to rid the city of abandoned, unlicensed and inoperable vehicles on private property has been put on hold while contract issues are ironed out. The council accepted an initial bid from Affordable Towing, the only company to submit paperwork, in September. Specifications of the bid required a storage facility to house the vehicles once they were towed. Affordable Towing has such a facility and bid accordingly, but then advised Sidney that storing the vehicles on city property would save money. These changes irked...
Josef Slezak was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment yesterday for his role in an accident that took the lives of an entire family on Interstate 80 in 2012. Family members of the victims and Slezak supporters were both present in Cheyenne County Court as Judge Derek Weimer sentenced the man on four counts of motor vehicle homicide due to recklessness and one count of motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child. Slezak was ordered to serve 60 months in prison for each of the first four counts of motor vehicle homicide, Class IIIa felonies, to be...
Tom Carlson enjoys the campaigning process of traveling throughout the state of Nebraska—except when powerful crosswinds hit his trailer. Still, he will have visited all 93 counties by year’s end. “When I tell an individual or a group who I am, what I stand for and why I should be governor, I’m getting agreement,” Carlson said. “That’s what’s important.” There are now five candidates running for governor on the Republican ticket, but Carlson is the only one calling the third Congressional dis...
On Wednesday afternoon, the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce held the Nebraska Fall Legislative Forum. The key areas of the forum revolved around taxation, affecting both businesses and individuals, economic development and labor relations (worker and unemployment compensation). President of the State Chamber, Barry Kennedy said that most would agree that they are one of the elite entities in dealing with issues of economic development and the business end of labor relations. “We call o...
James Russell of Sidney was sentenced last week on one count of burglary and one count of theft after his involvement in two break ins at the concession stand in Legion Park and thefts from numerous unlocked vehicles around town this summer. He received additional time in jail, probation and community service. Russell was arrested June 17 for the first burglary of the concession stand at Legion Park and theft of coins and cash from numerous vehicles. Russell stole money and various items from cars around Sidney from June 3 to June 13 of this...
The city council hopes that new stop signs on the alternate route to the north side of town will make it safer. A resolution to place stop signs on East Elm Street by the BNSF overpass came before the council at last week's meeting. "These stop signs are ones that we put in temporarily as part of our project down at 13th and Illinois when the underpass closed," said pubic services director John Hehnke. "The stop signs seemed to be a big hit, had a lot of good comments about having those stop signs there." The council had heard positive...
Chuck Hassebrook has spent his whole life in public service—36 years at the Center for Rural Affairs and 18 years on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. These divergent paths, both rural and urban, converged on the gubernatorial campaign trail. Though the race for governor is still in its early stages, Hassebrook already has volunteers in all 93 counties across the state. He has visited 50 of the counties and plans to travel to 75 by Thanksgiving. Because of his involvement at the C...
Last week the city council approved street improvement districts tied to a new hotel development north of Runza. The requests for these improvements came from M.P. Patel of Krishna Management. A redevelopment plan for this area was put in place five years ago, but Patel’s main business prospect chose a different location while the plan was being developed. Although East Old Post Road was reconstructed as part of this redevelopment, until now Patel was not ready to move forward with any new development of his own. Patel is now prepared to begin...
The school board approved two agenda items with ease, then returned to an issue that split the local population down the middle. Plans for a new elementary school to replace three existing structures resurfaced during Monday night's meeting. The proposal for a bond issue to construct a modern K-4 building was voted down in a special election last month. With all of the controversy surrounding the plans, the board elected to hold additional meetings to show the public that they care and want to...
After almost two and a half hours of jury deliberation, the defendant was found not guilty on both counts in the case of Nebraska vs. George Makris. Makris, a California man, was charged last summer with first degree sexual assault of a child and third degree sexual assault of a child, both felonies. The defendant was accused of touching his female minor relative in inappropriate ways over the course of multiple years. In the last day of the trial the defendant took the stand to deny any allegations of sexual abuse between he and his minor...
In day four of Nebraska vs. George Makris, the defense attempted to persuade the jury that no one ever observed any inappropriate behavior or fear between the alleged victim and Makris. The state maintained that witnesses for the defense, mostly Makris’ friends and family, were not around the alleged victim often enough and were not qualified to make judgments on her behavior. Makris, a California man, was charged last summer with first degree sexual assault of a child and third degree sexual assault of a child, both felonies. The defendant i...
The 2013-2014 influenza season is quickly approaching. It peaks in the dead of winter between January and February, but bears a striking resemblance to the hockey season, as it can span from October through May. Despite its unpredictable nature, flu season demands some planning ahead by healthcare facilities. The Sidney Regional Medical Center (SRMC) had to place the orders for flu vaccines last March. They have gotten in 1,300 vaccines so far and anticipate a total of approximately 3,000 doses...
In day three of the State vs. George Makris, the courtroom was tense as the 12-year-old alleged sexual assault victim took the stand to testify about her reported abuse. Makris was charged last summer with first degree sexual assault of a child and third degree sexual assault of a child, both felonies. The defendant is accused of touching his female minor relative in inappropriate ways over the course of multiple years. During her testimony in Cheyenne County District Court, the alleged victim said she stayed in Sidney frequently in the past...
On Tuesday the Cheyenne County Sheriff's office, along with investigators from the Sidney Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol and the Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group arrested several Sidney residents on drug related charges. Becky Pounder was charged with possession of a controlled substance, as was Martin White. Lynnette Robertson received charges of possession with intent to distribute, as well as possession of money used in the purchase of illegal substances. Three others in the house at the time investigators...
In day two of Nebraska vs. George Makris the defense attempted to discredit the interviews in which the alleged victim divulged information about the reported abuse, while the prosecution worked to convince the jury that no interview is perfect. Makris, a California man, was charged last summer with first degree sexual assault of a child and third degree sexual assault of a child—both felonies. The defendant is accused of touching his female minor relative in inappropriate ways over the course of multiple years. Makris's relative, the a...
During opening statements in The State of Nebraska vs. George Makris, the prosecution attempted to convince the jury that this was a case of betrayal of trust, while the defense worked to persuade them that the defendant had been wrongly accused. Judge Derek Weimer heard opening statements from the prosecution and defense and three witnesses in the case yesterday. Makris, a California man, was charged last summer with first degree sexual assault of a child and third degree sexual assault of a child, both felonies. The defendant is accused of...
Strong winds that ripped through Sidney Friday and Saturday affected Oktoberfest crowds. “The turnout was not well,” Judy Harris said. “It was a little better than last year and we may have made just enough to break even.” Last year an early season snowstorm forced the cancellation of outdoor events, including the parade. This time around those in charge of Oktoberfest were forced closed down the tent at 10:30 p.m. on Friday due to the wind. They could not reopen it on Saturday until 6 p.m., whe...
With overcrowding in Nebraska state prisons reaching a critical point, state officials are seeking ways to reform the system. According to a report by the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska state prisons are currently resting near 151 percent capacity. As of June 30, the nine major state prison facilities throughout the state housed 4,796 inmates. However, they are only designed to hold 3,175. Other states such as Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and South Carolina, which have faced the same problem of overcrowding, have greatly reduced their populations by...
As Sidney continues to grow, so do the major businesses that employ the city's residents, new and old. As a result of the increase in population, Sidney Regional Medical Center has added 15 additional full time positions this year. The hospital has added workers in areas such as rehabilitation service, laboratory, surgery, acute care and the physicians clinic, according to SRMC director of public relations, Evie Parsons. Dr. Rebecca Allard joined the staff in July, while two additional physicians have signed on for next year, in advance of the...
The RGM Corporation filed a suit against the Cheyenne County Commissioners. The county, meanwhile, is involved in a counterclaim against the company. The case was sent to the board on September 20. The plaintiff, RGM, claimed that property rights were violated by the county's board of commissioners through certain ditches and roads adjacent to the plaintiff’s real estate. The plaintiff asserted the cause of action known as inverse condemnation and seeks damages from the defendant. The county denied the cause of action and further expects to s...
Sidney's school zones are safer for the moment due to stepped up police patrols. The Sidney Police Department received a grant for $5,000 from the Nebraska Department of Roads in late August to help promote safety in school zones. "We want to do anything we can to keep kids from getting clipped by cars," said Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson. The grant allowed the officers to work exclusively around Sidney schools during their off hours to enforce traffic laws and enhance safety awareness during the beginning of the fall semester. The...
Those looking for a caffeine fix or a quick burger will soon have new choices. Safeway plans to revamp its look starting this week, according to Michael Nichols with Seagren Construction. Nichols started work Wednesday which will include a minor remodel with new shelves and tile and, most importantly for those who are looking for a new place to get their cup of joe, a Starbucks kiosk. A new, more convenient entryway will also be constructed at the front of the store instead of the side. It will...
