Antelope County's Top Stories Of 2018

If the final front page of the year is any indication, Nate Metschke made a huge impact on 2018.

Though his death Monday takes the top spot on the biggest stories of the year, it’s how Neligh-Oakdale’s band teacher lived that shows the real impact, from the high school choir performing with Foreigner, — which ranked eight on the Top Stories of 2018 list — to senior Cade Wilkinson earning an invitation to the elite Young Americans  College of the Performing Arts.

Metschke’s death sent the area into an immediate tailspin of disbelief as it overpowered social media with stories detailing his influence as a teacher and friend. Although it occurred after the voting deadline, the ACN staff  move it to the top of the list as having the biggest impact on the year as it will carry a longterm impact and be felt for years to come.

2. IMMIGRATION RAID
Eleven locations in Nebraska, including one in Antelope County, was part of a 15-month investigation by the Department of Homeland Security. According to a press release by Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) served a series of criminal arrest warrants for 17 individuals connected to an alleged criminal conspiracy to exploit illegal alien laborers for profit, fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in Nebraska and ​and Minnesota.

In August, Nebraska State Patrol blocked the entrance to the Long Pine Hog Confinement located one mile east and two miles south of Royal as the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) team worked the scene inside the fenced area of the confinement.

​3. SYDNEY LOOFE MURDER SUSPECTS CHARGED
In June, Aubrey Trail and Bailey Boswell were charged in the death of Sydney Loofe, formerly of Neligh, who was found dead last December.

They face the charges of murder in the first degree, a class 1 or class 1A felony, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison (Class 1) or the death penalty (Class 1A); and improper disposal of human skeletal remains, a class IV felony, which carries up to 2 years in prison and a fine.

4. DARRYL LIERMAN TRIAL
Darryl Lierman, 51, was sentenced in March to a total of 70 years in prison, with a minimum of 57 1/2 years, less 272 days, before he is eligible for parole.

On January 17, a 12-member jury, made up of 8 women and 4 men, found him guilty of three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child, two counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child and three counts of child abuse.

The jury took less than 4 hours to deliberate and unanimously found Lierman guilty on all counts.

During the trial, Lierman denied the allegations against him and had previously entered not guilty pleas to all eight counts. The prosecution called 13 witnesses to the stand during the court proceedings, including two victims who testified that Lierman sexually assaulted them as young as 10 or 11 years old.

5. NEW MOON THEATER SELLS
The New Moon Community Theater group has signed on the dotted line and completed its purchase of Neligh’s New Moon Theater on Wednesday afternoon. It was previously owned by Stacy Klabenes.

“We just signed at 2:30 p.m. today,” said Melanie Miller, a member of the non-profit group, on Dec. 19.

This local group of individuals is committed to the acquisition, restoration and operation of the historic landmark theater on Main Street in Neligh. Their mission is “to enrich, educate and entertain our community by providing a range of arts and theater experiences in a beloved historic landmark.”

6. NELIGH CARE & REHAB
In March, the Department of Health and Human Services was alerted that Cottonwood Healthcare, the company that owns the Neligh Care & Rehabilitation Center and 20 others, would be unable to pay its employees. Court documents were filed to place it into receivership.

Klaasmeyer & Associates took over March 23 as managers from the New Jersey-based Cottonwood Healthcare L.L.C. also known as Skyline. They are now overseeing the facilities and communicating with DHHS on a daily basis.

The City of Neligh is considering either buying the nursing home or building a new center and is working on a feasibility study for more data before making a decision.

7. NEW AMH CLINIC
The new Neligh AMH Family Practice Clinic is opened in February. The clinic’s new entrance is located on the east side of the AMH facility, just north of the hospital’s main entrance.     

The new clinic has nine rooms for patient clinic visits, one procedure room and additional work space for the providers and staff. It is designed to maximize the flow of patients in-coming and out-going. It better accommodates and enhances the services and health care excellence provided by our medical staff.

8. NELIGH-OAKDALE CHOIR PERFORMS WITH FOREIGNER
The Neligh-Oakdale choir was offered the experience of a lifetime—the chance to sing in concert with internationally acclaimed band, Foreigner. Twelve Neligh-Oakdale choir members, nine current and three recent graduates, made up the small ensemble who sang as special guests of Foreigner at the Divots DeVent Center concert in Norfolk in September. The choir is under the direction of Jamie Sehi, who is in her fifth year teaching, but first year at Neligh-Oakdale.

9. L-Bar-B old
After more than 35 years of turning the steakhouse into Clearwater’s landmark restaurant, Francis and Rilla Hanzlik called it a career in November.  The Hanzliks sold the L-Bar-B to Jim Swails, a Ewing-native. Swails said the L-Bar-B name, menu, hours and phone number will remain the same. All of the staff were offered the option to stay as well.

10. ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE MOVED
A Clearwater schoolhouse was moved to Neligh in February and will be renovated to look as close as possible to its original look. Inside, the building will be set up like it would have been when in use, with additional exhibits showcasing the history of schools like it in Antelope County and Nebraska. The exhibit will be open to the public, and visitors will be able to tour it during regular business hours.