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  • Family and friends recall murder victim as "caring person"

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 19, 2013

    A life friends and family saw as full of generosity and selflessness was cut short Dec. 11, 2011 when 42 year old April Smith was murdered. “She was fun to be with, she was a caring person,” said Ed Smith, April Smith’s husband. “Always went out of her way to help others. Of course I always backed her up on it. She’d do anything for anybody.” Although they were technically separated at the time of April Smith’s death, the Smiths still kept in close contact, talking or texting daily. The couple met 22 years earlier in a truck stop where April S...

  • State vs Johnson: Family, legal teams react to Johnson verdict

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 18, 2013

    After a conviction of first degree murder (a class IA felony) Craig Johnson, 48 faces a guarantee of life in prison, according to Cheyenne County attorney Paul Schaub. Following a weeklong trial in Cheyenne County district court Johnson was found guilty for the Dec. 2011 death of his girlfriend, April Smith, in her apartment eight miles west of Sidney. Johnson was also found guilty of use of a weapon to commit a felony, (a class II felony) which come with a possibility of 50 additional years in prison and possession of a deadly weapon by a felo...

  • Cabela's expanding in the Carolinas

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 18, 2013

    Cabela’s continues to grow, announcing two new stores within the past three weeks. On Wednesday the Sidney-based company announced plans for a new 97,000 square-foot store in Fort Mill, S.C., a suburb of Charlotte, N.C. Construction is set to begin in 2014 with an anticipated spring 2015 opening. This will be the company’s second store in South Carolina. A Greenville location will open in spring of next year. The company is expanding in this area of the country with plans for a store in Garner, N.C., to open in 2015. Cabela’s plans to hire...

  • State vs Johnson - Johnson found guilty in 2011 murder of April Smith

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 17, 2013

    A jury of five men and seven women found Craig Johnson, 48, guilty of first degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and possession of a deadly weapon by a felon yesterday afternoon in Cheyenne County District Court. Johnson was convicted for the death of April Smith, his girlfriend at the time. He could be punished with life in prison, according to Cheyenne County attorney Paul Schaub. Following closing arguments, the case was submitted to the jury just after 11 a.m. Monday and the verdict came in around 2 p.m., after three hours of d...

  • State vs Johnson - Both sides rest after jury hears final evidence

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 16, 2013

    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...

  • High Plains Ag Lab donation

    Shannon Ireland|Dec 16, 2013

    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

  • State vs Johnson

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 13, 2013

    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...

  • Deputies from two states take the stand as Johnson trial continues

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 12, 2013

    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...

  • Tax plan approved to cover cost of work at downtown intersection

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 12, 2013

    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...

  • Jury hears opening arguments, testimony in first day of murder trial

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 11, 2013

    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...

  • Election 2014

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 10, 2013

    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,...

  • Police locate stolen city truck

    Dave Faries|Dec 10, 2013

    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...

  • Larry's Clothing to close after 18 years

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 9, 2013

    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....

  • Cabela's to open second Kentucky location

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 9, 2013

    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...

  • Street department truck, other items stolen

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 9, 2013

    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...

  • Wyo. man arrested after crash kills Neb. woman

    Associated Press|Dec 9, 2013

    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...

  • Court Briefs - 12-09-13

    Dec 9, 2013

    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

  • Local insurers come to grips with ACA rollout

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 6, 2013

    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...

  • Gov. Heineman reminds Nebraskans to fly flags at half-staff through Monday

    For The Sun-Telegraph|Dec 6, 2013

    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

  • Nebraska man makes plea deal in molestation case

    Dec 6, 2013

    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

  • WNCC Music Professor receives Nebraska's 2013-2014 Music Educator Award

    For The Sun-Telegraph|Dec 6, 2013

    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 earning awards for participation in national program

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 5, 2013

    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...

  • Court finds probable cause in death of Sidney man

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 5, 2013

    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 Farm Storage Loans Available

    For The Sidney Sun-Telegraph|Dec 5, 2013

    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...

  • Independent-minded Jenkins makes campaign stop in Sidney

    Caitlin Sievers|Dec 4, 2013

    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...

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