Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sorted by date Results 2215 - 2239 of 3088
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
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... Full story
It has been a busy year for the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, as there has been quite a bit of activity in the state, according to Deputy Director Stan Belieu—although search and drilling operations have not been consistent across Nebraska. “There’s not much activity around Sidney,” Belieu explained. “Production has increased in the state, but decreased locally.” Two large wells were drilled near Potter and one west in Lorenzo. The wells have not been offset, meaning oil companies have not drilled more around them. In 2012, Ne...
CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A wintry storm carrying blustery winds and heavy snow has been forecast for the Nebraska Panhandle. The storm is expected to move from Wyoming into Nebraska sometime Thursday night. The National Weather Service says the snow will limit visibility and fall mostly in higher elevations, with rain possible elsewhere. A snow accumulation of up to 9 inches is forecast for Chadron, compared with 2 inches in Sidney. Wind gusts of 50 mph could hit whip through some parts of the Panhandle. Snow has been falling in the mountains of ce... Full story
This weekend marks the ninth annual Rocktoberfest in Cheyenne County. Rocktoberfest is an event for youths in 7th through 12th grades and will take place at the Youth Center on October 4 and 5 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Kids Plus is putting on the event, and they have been catering to families and young people in Cheyenne County for more than 20 years. Rocktoberfest will charge guests $3 per night, but they give 50 percent of the admission fees to SMAC. Last year, Kids Plus donated $744 to the program. The first year the event was put on, 100... Full story
Sidney's 39th annual Oktoberfest promises a plethora of food options, foot stamping music and of course, free flowing suds—despite the predicted cold weather. Featured inside the 16,000 square foot tent at the fair grounds will be 15 food vendors, which is about the same amount as last year, according to Becky Rezac, member of the Oktoberfest committee. The shooter's club will have a booth for the first time this year, offering rocky mountain oysters. The beer gardens on the East and West e... Full story
The Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” was signed into law in March of 2010, with the first major provision going into effect on October 1. The ACA's individual mandate requires millions of uninsured Americans to sign up for quality health coverage, with subsidies to help cover the expense for some. Those that visit the Health Insurance Marketplace and sign up now will begin to receive coverage in January. Although studies reveal that many people are not aware about the changes that acc... Full story
The Nebraska State Bar Association hopes that changes to the juvenile justice system in this state will lead youth toward more positive actions instead of deeper into the corrections system. LB 561 was passed by the Nebraska Legislature in May of this year. This bill and the associated legislation bring extensive reform to the juvenile justice system in an effort to expand services and allow alternatives to detention for youth in Nebraska, according to the NSBA. The bill states that, "...the services available for the treatment and... Full story
NEW YORK (AP) — The partial government shutdown that began Tuesday threw into turmoil the household finances of some federal workers, with many facing unpaid furloughs or delays in paychecks. Park ranger and father-to-be Darquez Smith said he already lives paycheck to paycheck while putting himself through college and worried how he'll fare if the checks stop coming. "I've got a lot on my plate right now — tuition, my daughter, bills," said Smith, 23, a ranger at Dayton Aviation Heritage Nat... Full story
Two locals were charged and arrested last month in a case involving sexual assault of a child and extortion. Jason Frei, a 55 year old Potter man, was arrested in August for third degree sexual assault of a child, a felony, while Kristie Keenan, mother of the child involved in the case was arrested for theft by extortion, also a felony. Keenan met with a member of the Cheyenne County Sheriff's department on Aug. 16 to discuss the incident between Frei and her daughter. Keenan, 29, allegedly told law enforcement that Frei had inappropriately...
Three local ladies want to spread the news about breast cancer awareness and to celebrate breast cancer survivors as part of the Sidney Oktoberfest parade. All breast cancer survivors are welcome to walk alongside or ride on the float in recognition of October which is breast cancer awareness month. These women wish to raise awareness about breast cancer detection and think that if only one person gets a mammogram as a result of seeing the float that it's worth it. Those who want to walk with the float and anyone who would like to support... Full story
Local law enforcement already claim that medical marijuana legalization in Colorado led to an influx of the drug in surrounding areas, but with the upcoming switch to sales of legal marijuana to those over 21, agencies are worried the problem will grow. "Colorado is becoming the new source state," said Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson. In 2012 there were 274 reported seizures of marijuana coming from Colorado on its way to other states. This compares to 54 in 2005—a 407 percent i... Full story
The Dorwart Cancer Care Center reopened on Monday for the first time since the Sept. 9 storm, which caused flooding damage and knocked out power. Patient care services were temporarily moved to the Memorial Health Center. “It definitely helped out. Moving treatment was better than not receiving any at all,” Regional West Director of Cancer Services, Jeff Kriewald said. Carpet and dry wall had to be replaced in the cancer care center. After thorough inspection of the outpatient area of the building to make sure there were no contaminants tha...
A semi, driven by 22-year-old Taylor Covalt rolled over on county road 93 earlier this month near Gurley, spilling 2000 gallons of fertilizer. The semi was attempting to turn onto county road 93 from county road 52, when the trailer ran off the road to the right, causing both the tractor and trailer to roll onto their sides, spilling the load onto ground alongside the route. The county called the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to take steps to remove the contaminated ground where the spill occurred. This caused damage to the...
Plans are under way to reconstruct the county's shooting range, which was battered by the Sept. 9 storm. The building, which is located in a rural part of Cheyenne County, was destroyed due to wind damage. The highest recorded wind speed in the storm earlier this month was 78 miles per hour, although some speculate that unrecorded gusts may have exceeded this mark. The Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson does not disclose the exact location of the building because SWAT exercises are sometimes carried out there. He estimates that it will cost...
