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 2038 - 2062 of 3067
The jury learned of fingerprint and DNA evidence that the prosecution said pointed to the defendant during the last day of evidence in the murder trial of the State of Nebraska vs. Craig Johnson. Johnson, 48, is charged with first-degree murder, a class IA felony, use of a weapon to commit a felony, a class II felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a felon, a class III felony and habitual criminality for the Dec. 11, 2011 death of 42-year-old April Smith. Johnson and Smith were in a...
Security First Bank donated $5,000 to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Foundation last week, with funds designated to break ground and build the High Planes Ag Lab. Pictured, left to right: Clem Schumacher, Charles Hibberd, Terry Akeson, Jim Higgins and Bob Olsen.... Full story
On the third day of testimony, the jury heard about the specific injuries the victim, April Smith, suffered during the incident leading to her death, as well as the possible causes for those injuries, as the State of Nebraska vs. Craig Johnson trial continued in Cheyenne County District Court. Johnson, 48, is charged with first-degree murder, a class IA felony, use of a weapon to commit a felony, a class II felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a felon, a class III felony and habitual...
Law enforcement described a high speed chase and a crime scene that suggested a violent struggle during the second day of the State of Nebraska vs. Craig Johnson trial. Johnson, 48, is charged with first-degree murder, a class IA felony, use of a weapon to commit a felony, a class II felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a felon, a class III felony and habitual criminality for the Dec. 11, 2011 death of 42-year-old April Smith. At the time of the victim’s death, Smith and Johnson shared an apartment at Sioux Meadows eight miles west of S...
At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, the Community Development Agency gave final approval for tax increment financing to pay for qualifying portions of the Cabela’s project at 13th Ave. and Illinois. Tax increment financing involves paying for a project that will increase the value of an area by recapturing the raised taxed value of the area over a time period after the project is complete. A little more than a year ago, the CDA and city council approved a redevelopment plan for 13th Ave., at the building that was formerly Cabela’s headquar...
On Dec. 12, 2011, Chief Deputy Fred Wiedeburg of the Cheyenne County Sheriff's office kicked in the door of a Sioux Meadows apartment and found the body of April Smith. Tuesday in Cheyenne County District Court a jury of four men and eight women heard opening arguments during the first day of the State of Nebraska vs. Craig Johnson. Johnson faces charges of first-degree murder a class IA felony, use of a weapon to commit a felony, a class II felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a felon, a...
Sid Dinsdale claims to be different than other Republican candidates running for a Nebraska seat in the U.S. Senate next year. “My resume is a lot longer and wider and deeper,” Dinsdale said. He spent 37 years working in community banking and agriculture and is still involved in agriculture, cattle feeding, ethanol and community banking. “I’m an unconventional person running for the United States Senate,” Dinsdale said. “People say we don’t have any political experience and I take that as an asset, because I have dealt with regulations,...
On Monday afternoon Sidney police recovered the city truck stolen over the weekend. It was located in a pasture near power lines north of town. The 2004 Chevrolet 4x4 with a flatbed was parked next to hay bales and had been disguised. Wind partially uncovered the vehicle. “We suspect the intent was to revisit the truck,” police chief B.J. Wilkinson said. The truck suffered minor cosmetic damage, but was otherwise intact. Police recovered physical evidence and have developed several leads, but the investigation is continuing. City street dep...
The city's only remaining men's clothing store and a Sidney institution, Larry's Clothing, will soon close its doors for the last time. Larry's Clothing opened almost 18 years ago on April 17, 1995. Owner Larry Fraas decided to start the business because he believed it would fill demand in the growing town. "I thought Sidney needed a men's store," Fraas said. He previously worked at Greenlee's, another clothing store in Sidney, which closed around seven or eight years before Larry's opened....
In addition to its continued growth in the Sidney area, with plans for both an expansion of its corporate campus and a housing development to serve employees new and old planned for the next few years, Cabela’s is also growing its brand throughout the rest of the country. Last week Cabela’s announced plans to open another outpost store in Bowling Green, Ky. This 42,000 foot facility, which the company plans to open in fall 2014, will be the company’s second in Kentucky, joining one in Louisville. Cabela’s plans to hire around 90 employe...
Sidney Police are searching for a missing city vehicle as well as a significant amount of city property after a weekend break in at the street department building. City street department employees discovered the vehicle was missing when they arrived at work Monday morning. In addition to the stolen vehicle, other items taken include hand and power tools, laptop computers and a portable welder. Officers are currently working the case. The stolen city vehicle is a 2004 Chevrolet 4X4 truck with a white cab and a blue flatbed, which had city of...
OSHKOSH, Neb. (AP) — A Wyoming man is facing charges after a car accident in western Nebraska that killed one woman and injured another. The Nebraska State Patrol says 45-year-old Edward Hood of Sheridan, Wyo., was arrested after the Saturday afternoon crash. Authorities say Hood's vehicle crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 26 and struck another vehicle about five miles west of Oshkosh. The driver of the other vehicle, 62-year-old Terry Hofer of Ogallala, died. Her passenger, 62-year-old Claudia Weinbender of Dix, was hospitalized in S...
The following person appeared in Cheyenne County Court on Friday, Dec. 6, before the Honorable Randin Roland: Roger Stuart, age 51 of Potter, appeared for a preliminary hearing on a charge of Distribution of Oxycontin, a class III felony. He waived the preliminary hearing. Arraignment has been scheduled for Jan. 8, 2014 at 9 a.m.... Full story
The rollout of the Affordable Care Act has been rough and Nebraska health companies, brokers and citizens have all dealt with issues concerning the law’s implementation. Jackie Gartner, a local account executive at OCI insurance and financial services, has seen customers dealing with some of these issues caused by the healthcare rollout firsthand. People were mislead because they thought their insurance was being canceled. Those people didn’t realize the coverage was canceled because it didn’t contain the essential health benefits mandated by t...
Late Thursday night, the White House notified States of a Presidential Proclamation to fly flags at half-staff through sunset on Monday, Dec. 9, as, according to the Presidential Proclamation, “a mark of respect for the memory of Nelson Mandela.” During this time, Gov. Heineman reminds Nebraskans to the flag at half-staff this Sat., Dec. 7 for the annual National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. Gov. Dave Heineman is reminding Nebraskans that flags at all... Full story
SIDNEY (AP) — Prosecutors have made a deal with a Nebraska Panhandle man who accused a woman of extorting him over the molestation of her daughter. Jason Frei, 55, of Potter, pleaded no contest Wednesday to negligent child abuse and attempted witness tampering, according to online court records. Prosecutors lowered the original charge he faced, sexually assaulting a child, in exchange for Frei's pleas. He's scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11. Authorities say Frei groped the girl while giving her mother a massage at his home in August. The A... Full story
Rita Stinner of Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) is Nebraska’s 2013-14 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Outstanding Music Educator of the Year Award Recipient. Ms. Stinner was nominated for the NFHS award by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) with the collaboration of the Nebraska Music Educators Association (NMEA). Nominations are based upon outstanding service and unselfish devotion to interscholastic music by high school or college music directors. Stinner is recognized as an outstanding m... Full story
Sidney’s residents were already working toward making the city healthier when officials decided to enroll the town in the Let’s Move! program. “Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams,” according to the organization’s website. While attending national meetings, Sidney mayor Wendall Gaston heard about the opportunity for cities to participate in the program...
A preliminary hearing concerning the alleged crimes of 23-year-old Theodore Medina of Sidney was held Tuesday afternoon in Cheyenne County district court. Medina is charged with first degree assault and manslaughter after an alleged altercation between he and Ernest Ward, 51, reportedly resulted in Ward’s death. Local law enforcement from both the city of Sidney and Cheyenne County testified at the hearing. The court found that the charged offenses likely took place and that there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed t...
USDA Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Dan Steinkruger, reminds farmers and ranchers that Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSFL) are available through FSA. The Farm Service Agency offers low-interest loans to grain producers to build new or upgrade existing storage facilities and permanent drying and handling equipment. Loan opportunities include, but are not limited to: New conventional-type cribs or bins, oxygen-limiting and other upright silo-type structures, and flat-type storage structures designed for whole grain...
The only Independent currently running for a Nebraska seat in the U.S. Senate race thinks the two party system is hobbled by partisanship. Jim Jenkins is a 5th generation Nebraska rancher who believes he can better relate to Nebraskans than anyone running for either major party. "I've had the great opportunity to work from one end of the state to the other," said Jenkins, who stopped in Sidney on a campaign swing Tuesday. Jenkins served on various statewide organizations including the Nebraska E...
Photo credit: Shelly Peckham A bald eagle tarried for several days at a pond outside of Sidney. Here the bird pauses for a snack.... Full story
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A wintry storm pushing through the Rockies and Midwest is bringing bitterly cold temperatures and treacherous driving conditions blamed in at least six deaths as it threatens crops as far south as California. The wind chill could drop to 30 degrees below zero in parts of Montana Wednesday while wind chills of minus 20 have already been recorded in the Nebraska Panhandle. Low temperatures in the Denver area were expected to drop below zero over the next several days. The jet stream is much farther south than normal, a... Full story
Craig Johnson, 48, is scheduled to stand trial for murder in Cheyenne County District Court next week. Jury selection will take place Monday, Dec. 9, while the trial is set to begin Dec. 10 with the possibility of running through December 17. Johnson faces charges of first-degree murder, a class IA felony, use of a weapon to commit a felony, a class II felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a felon, a class III felony, and habitual criminality. The charges are in connection with the Dec. 11, 2011 death of 42-year-old April Smith. Johnson...
At last week’s meeting, the city council approved the final numbers for the funding mechanism to finance work at Hillside Golf Course. Marc Munford of Ameritas Investment informed the council about the Recreational Facilities Public Infrastructure Bonds that will pay for the project. The closing date for these bonds is Jan. 2, 2014. “The city’s request was to net $1.5 million for the project, so in order to do that we have a bond issue size of $1.520,” Munford said. While $1.5 million is allocated for construction, the additional money will go...
