State, family in confrontation over driveway

At mile marker 62 on Highway 30, the Kielian’s family have lived for the past 42 years in relative quiet. Improving their driveway one day, however, brought them into conflict with the state of Nebraska.

Without a permit, Tom Kielian strengthened the edges of the driveway, hoping to prevent erosion during rainstorms. He also added to the grade, allowing the family to swing a tractor or large truck onto the highway without crossing over into the far lane. The state responded by issuing a 30 day notice, ordering Kielian to conform to state easement and right of way regulations.

“When my son Thom...