Weather permitting, work will begin the week of April 3 on the bridge spanning the Little Bazile Tributary, located between Center and Bloomfield on N-84, approximately seven miles east of the N-13/N-84 junction, according to the Nebraska Department of Roads. Local traffic will have limited access, however, through traffic will be detoured onto N-13, N-59 and N-121. Work is anticipated to be completed the fall of 2017 On February 25 at approximately 5:00 p.m. Knox County 911 received a call form 502 S. Bismarck Street in Wausa stating that a woman at that address had been a victim of an assault and that the perpetrator had left the scene.
The female victim was then transported to Osmond General Hospital by Wausa EMS with facial and other injuries. The suspect was apprehended in Cedar County and is currently being held on both Cedar and Knox County charges. The incident is currently under investigation by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. In other reports, on the evening of February 14, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fight near Creighton involving a male juvenile from Bloomfield and a male juvenile from Creighton. According to the Sheriff's office, after interviewing both juveniles, it was discovered that the juveniles had mutually agreed to the fight. The juveniles received bumps, cuts and bruises during the fight. A report will be sent to the Knox County Attorney’s Office regarding the 3rd degree assault by mutual consent which is a Class II Misdemeanor. The Creighton Police Department assisted with the investigation. The next morning, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a car-cow accident approximately one and one-half miles south of Verdigre on Hwy 14. A 2000 GMC Sonoma owned and driven by Alvin Tisthammer of Newman Grove, NE was traveling south on Hwy 14 with one passenger, when he struck two cows. Two other cows escaped but could not be located at the time. According to the Knox County Sheriff's office, the GMC Sonoma was totaled and the two struck cows died at the scene. Neither the driver or passenger of the GMC Sonoma were injured. Seat belts were in use and the airbags did not deploy. The Verdigre Fire and Rescue and the Verdigre Police Department assisted at the scene of the accident. The Knox County Government Day was held at the Center Courthouse, in Center on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. At 10:00 a.m. Ed Kleinschmit from Crofton welcomed students and sponsors that were from Wausa, Bloomfield, Niobrara, Creighton and Santee.
The program began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Doug Frahm the Area B, American Legion Commander from Amelia/Chambers gave the address stating that the students here today are the future of our country and being knowledgeable about our government at all levels is important so that you can be prepared to lead, understand the process and be informed on who your voting for. Elected County Officials/Supervisors along with appointed employees of different offices then introduced themselves and explained the purposes of what their offices do. James Hamas, Crofton and James Scott, Niobrara were also in attendance. Sponsors introduced the students that were in attendance. Betty Boggs, Clerk Magistrate administered the oath to the students as is administered to the county officials when sworn into office. Jenna Jones of the Nebraska State Patrol addressed the students on texting and driving, more accidents are from texting than drinking. Students were able to participate with vision goggles that distorted vision to show how their mobility was affected. Students then went to attend their specific county office that they had earlier been sworn into earlier to learn how each office serves the county and their responsibilities to that office. After lunch a mock trial was planned and lead by Knox County Attorney John Thomas. Participating was Charlie Hendrix, Attorney (Defense Attorney), Daniel Hendrix, Attorney (Judge), Deputy Sheriff Casey Nieman and students as the jury and the defendant. The Mock trial simulated a trial court experience wherein the defendant was charged and convicted of an “MIP” offense. A car-deer accident was reported near east of Bloomfield on Sunday.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a call from OnStar stating that there was a car-deer accident approximately one-half mile west of the Hwy 121 and Hwy 84 junction on Hwy 84. Sharron Hefner of Bloomfield was traveling west on Hwy 84 when she struck a deer with her 2015 Buick Encore. The Buick encore received approximately $3,000.00 in damages. Sharron Hefner was wearing her seatbelt. The airbags did not deploy. Wausa Fire and Ambulance also responded to the accident. A two-vehicle accident was reported in Knox County over the weekend.
On Saturday, May 14, at about 4:17 p.m. the Knox County Sheriff’s Office investigated a two vehicle injury accident 1.5 miles South of Creighton on Hwy 13. A 1997 Ford pickup driven by Bessie Waterman of rural Creighton collided with a 2006 Dodge Ram pickup driven Denis Cooper of rural Orchard. Bessie Waterman attempted to make a left turn into her driveway after getting the mail from the mailbox, according to the Sheriff's Department. Cooper was northbound and unsuccessfully attempted to avoid the collision, by driving into the southbound lane. Waterman’s vehicle came to rest in the West ditch. Cooper’s vehicle entered the West ditch, returned to the highway and came to rest on the northbound shoulder of Highway 13. Waterman’s vehicle was totaled and Cooper’s vehicle received approximately $5,000 worth of damage in the collision. Bessie Waterman was transported to the Avera Creighton Hospital by Creighton EMS for minor injuries. Creighton Fire Department also responded to the scene. Cooper was not injured in the collision. Knox County will be hosting 1 of the 18 Beef Profitability Workshops on Feb. 11 at the Courthouse Annex Meeting Room in Center beginning at 1:00 p.m. This workshop is designed to help beef producers evaluate their operations to make them more profitable thorough the latest research information. Examples of some of the topics that will be presented at each location by presenters:
A team of UNL Extension Educators, including Steve Pritchard, Larry Howard, Dennis Bauer, Gary Stauffer, Jim Jansen, Steve Tonn, and Steve Niemeyer will present information as well as practical approaches for the beef producer.
Workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension. The cost is $15.00. Pre-Register by calling the Knox County Extension Office at 402-288-5611 at least three days before the workshop to ensure there are enough handouts and refreshments. Those needing to do county business need to finish it soon this week. The courthouse will be closing early on Thursday, December 24. In addition to closing at noon on Thursday, the courthouse will also be closed on Friday, December 25th.
A 44-year-old Bloomfield man is headed to prison for stealing cattle from a feedlot in northeast Nebraska. Timothy Ketelsen was sentenced to five to eight years in prison in Knox County District Court on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in September to charges of tax evasion, theft and illegal sale of livestock. Prosecutors dropped five other charges in return for Ketelsen’s pleas. Court documents say Ketelsen’s former boss reported that 13 head of cattle had been stolen from his Bloomfield feedlot. Investigators traced the cattle to a livestock market in Yankton, South Dakota, which paid Ketelsen for them. Investigators also say they found four other instances in which it appears Ketelsen stole cattle. In addition to his prison time, Ketelsen was also ordered to pay over $75,000 in restitution to the victims. From News Partner: News Channel Nebraska Center's famous cheese-spread sandwiches will be featured at the UCC Church Bazaar in Center this Friday. Serving will begin at 11 am and go until 7 pm.
Available will be chili, vegetable beef, potato, and chicken noodle soups. In addition to the cheese sandwiches, ham sandwiches will also be served. Finish the meal off with a vast selection of pie and desserts. A country store and raffle will also be held during the day. Take out is available. Bring your scrap tires to the collection in Center this Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. It will end sooner if the limit of 200 tons is reached. The collection will be located at the Center County Shed on the south edge of Center along Hwy. 84 and will be on a "first-come, first-serve" basis. There is no limit to the amount of tires that can be brought and also no cost for the service. Here are a few guidelines for the day:
Car/pickup tires weigh approximately 20 lbs. each; truck tires, 100 lbs.; rear tractor tires, 300 lbs. Call Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer will any questions: 402- 288-5604. On the day of the collection, other numbers to call are: 402-640-9979 (Joann Fischer cell) 402-288-4214 or 402-288-4321 (County Shed) Funding for this event is through the Scrap Tire Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund, NE Dept of Environmental Quality. |