@ljspilger.bsky.social
Two more people now face federal indictments in connection to a public corruption investigation that came to light in September with the arrests of the former director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and a man with ties to two Lincoln strip clubs.
Two more indicted in Nebraska Liquor Commission, strip club scandal
In court records, the newly charged suspects were identified only as Sealed Defendant #3 and #4 as of Friday morning.
journalstar.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Two more people now face federal indictments in connection to a public corruption investigation that came to light in September with the arrests of the former director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and a man with ties to two Lincoln strip clubs.
In a packed federal courtroom, 35-year-old Jesse Hill said he's had a lot of time to process what happened since the FBI raided his family's home three years ago in an investigation into bank fraud that extended to 22 banks.
Hickman investment adviser part of giant fraud: 'Bank employees trusted me. I broke that trust'
"Bank employees trusted me. I broke that trust. As a result, their institutions lost millions of dollars," Jesse Hill said, reading from a statement at his sentencing Thursday in Lincoln.
journalstar.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
In a packed federal courtroom, 35-year-old Jesse Hill said he's had a lot of time to process what happened since the FBI raided his family's home three years ago in an investigation into bank fraud that extended to 22 banks.
Less than a week from his scheduled trial in the case, a Lincoln man has entered a no-contest plea to motor vehicle homicide for a crash last year that took the life of Ceresco Officer Ross Bartlett.
Lincoln man pleads no contest to felony for crash that killed Ceresco officer
A Lincoln man has entered a no-contest plea to motor vehicle homicide for a crash last year that took the life of Ceresco Officer Ross Bartlett.
journalstar.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Less than a week from his scheduled trial in the case, a Lincoln man has entered a no-contest plea to motor vehicle homicide for a crash last year that took the life of Ceresco Officer Ross Bartlett.
Reposted
A district judge Monday denied an injunction that would have kept the so-called "Cornhusker Clink" from opening. But he also refused to dismiss the case as the state had asked.
Judge denies injunction that would have blocked McCook ICE facility from opening
A district judge Monday denied an injunction that would have kept the so-called "Cornhusker Clink" from opening. But he also refused to dismiss the case as the state had asked.
journalstar.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A district judge Monday denied an injunction that would have kept the so-called "Cornhusker Clink" from opening. But he also refused to dismiss the case as the state had asked.
"At the end of the day, your honor, the department has the authority to do exactly what it's doing," Assistant Nebraska Solicitor General Lincoln Korell argued.
State, taxpayers clashing in court over McCook ICE facility plan
"At the end of the day, your honor, the department has the authority to do exactly what it's doing," Assistant Nebraska Solicitor General Lincoln Korell argued.
journalstar.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
"At the end of the day, your honor, the department has the authority to do exactly what it's doing," Assistant Nebraska Solicitor General Lincoln Korell argued.
ICYMI: Property owners near the site of a proposed eight-barn poultry operation are seeking judicial review of a Seward County Board's approval of a conditional-use permit.
Neighbors of 8-barn poultry operation appeal Seward County board's approval
Property owners near the site of a proposed eight-barn poultry operation are seeking judicial review of a Seward County Board's approval of a conditional-use permit.
journalstar.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
ICYMI: Property owners near the site of a proposed eight-barn poultry operation are seeking judicial review of a Seward County Board's approval of a conditional-use permit.
An attorney for a Lincoln man awaiting trial in a double killing outside a Lincoln strip club last year argued this week that Lincoln police cameras watching his house for more than a month before the killings without a warrant went "beyond the pale."
Double-murder suspect's attorney argues LPD cameras on his house went 'beyond the pale'
Christopher Johnson's attorney, Tim Noerrlinger of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, argued footage from the so-called "pole cameras" shouldn't be allowed to go before the jury.
journalstar.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
An attorney for a Lincoln man awaiting trial in a double killing outside a Lincoln strip club last year argued this week that Lincoln police cameras watching his house for more than a month before the killings without a warrant went "beyond the pale."
Lincoln police identified the couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide last week.
Sterling Jordan and Jennifer McCarther, both 51, were found dead from gunshot wounds at a home near South 14th and Sumner streets on Friday morning, police said.
Sterling Jordan and Jennifer McCarther, both 51, were found dead from gunshot wounds at a home near South 14th and Sumner streets on Friday morning, police said.
Lincoln police identify couple who died in murder-suicide
Sterling Jordan and Jennifer McCarther, both 51, were found dead from gunshot wounds in a bedroom at a home near South 14th and Sumner streets on Friday morning, police said.
journalstar.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Lincoln police identified the couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide last week.
Sterling Jordan and Jennifer McCarther, both 51, were found dead from gunshot wounds at a home near South 14th and Sumner streets on Friday morning, police said.
Sterling Jordan and Jennifer McCarther, both 51, were found dead from gunshot wounds at a home near South 14th and Sumner streets on Friday morning, police said.
ICYMI: A Lancaster County judge ordered the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to come to his courtroom to answer why they turned away sheriff's deputies who brought a man there to serve his sentence.
Lincoln judge seeks answers for why Nebraska prison refused to take new inmate
A Lancaster County judge ordered the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to answer why they turned away a sheriff's deputy who brought a man there to serve his sentence.
journalstar.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM
ICYMI: A Lancaster County judge ordered the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to come to his courtroom to answer why they turned away sheriff's deputies who brought a man there to serve his sentence.
The prosecutor said she hoped Rachel Pageler, who was given a plea deal cutting her maximum sentence from 20 years to five, feels immense gratitude that she was able to recover from Josef Barraza.
"Because Carly Schaaf was never given that opportunity," she said. journalstar.com/news/local/c...
"Because Carly Schaaf was never given that opportunity," she said. journalstar.com/news/local/c...
She helped dump Carly Schaaf's body in a lake, here's how much time she'll spend behind bars.
Lancaster County District Judge Lori Maret sentenced Rachel Pageler to the max she could — five years in prison — saying a young woman lost her life.
journalstar.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The prosecutor said she hoped Rachel Pageler, who was given a plea deal cutting her maximum sentence from 20 years to five, feels immense gratitude that she was able to recover from Josef Barraza.
"Because Carly Schaaf was never given that opportunity," she said. journalstar.com/news/local/c...
"Because Carly Schaaf was never given that opportunity," she said. journalstar.com/news/local/c...
A Wisconsin man soon will be headed back to the state where he's accused of killing a woman and driving away with her body in a stolen car, despite concerns that the 23-year-old isn't competent.
Wisconsin man found with body in car in Nebraska to be extradited on murder charge
A defense attorney filed a motion challenging Thompson's extradition based on a competency evaluation by a Lincoln Regional Center doctor who was of the opinion he isn't competent for trial.
journalstar.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A Wisconsin man soon will be headed back to the state where he's accused of killing a woman and driving away with her body in a stolen car, despite concerns that the 23-year-old isn't competent.
Of the five officers recommended for revocation, two were accused of meeting women in their city-owned vehicles to engage in affairs, and a third was criminally charged for alleged sexual misconduct.
Two others got caught lying.
Two others got caught lying.
Why are Nebraska cops like Jake Dilsaver surrendering their badges without a fight?
"We're definitely seeing an increase in that activity," Mark Stephenson, director of the state's Law Enforcement Training Center, said last week, speaking generally about an increase in police certifi...
journalstar.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Of the five officers recommended for revocation, two were accused of meeting women in their city-owned vehicles to engage in affairs, and a third was criminally charged for alleged sexual misconduct.
Two others got caught lying.
Two others got caught lying.
The state board that oversees law enforcement certification has reversed course, allowing a young woman to join the Lincoln Police Department's next recruit class despite taking a single prescription pill that wasn't prescribed to her in 2023.
Lincoln woman's bid to join police academy OK'd after Adderall mistake
"No one enters this field perfect, but it's how we learn, adapt and contribute that defines us," Lincoln Officer Fatima Ayal wrote in a letter of support.
journalstar.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The state board that oversees law enforcement certification has reversed course, allowing a young woman to join the Lincoln Police Department's next recruit class despite taking a single prescription pill that wasn't prescribed to her in 2023.
Tyler Stanford is set for sentencing in November where he will face a sentence of up to 40 years in prison for manslaughter and attempted use of a deadly weapon (a ligature) to kill Phillip Garcia.
Nebraska inmate enters plea for killing his cellmate at State Pen
The death led to report that called that state correctional system's double-bunking in restrictive housing at the prison "dangerous" and recommending an end to it.
journalstar.com
September 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Tyler Stanford is set for sentencing in November where he will face a sentence of up to 40 years in prison for manslaughter and attempted use of a deadly weapon (a ligature) to kill Phillip Garcia.
Anthony Miller, 37 of Omaha, had been running with his wife on South 27th Street near Rokeby Road when he was struck about 5:45 a.m. Sunday.
Lincoln police ID runner killed in south Lincoln crash as Omaha nurse
Lincoln Police have identified the 37-year-old man struck by a pickup and killed Sunday morning while out for a run in south Lincoln as Anthony Miller of Omaha.
journalstar.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Anthony Miller, 37 of Omaha, had been running with his wife on South 27th Street near Rokeby Road when he was struck about 5:45 a.m. Sunday.
"There's virtually no caselaw interpreting Nebraska's priest-penitent privilege statute," Deputy Sarpy County Public Defender Cole Burmeister told the justices at oral arguments last week.
He confessed to priest he killed his kids. Nebraska high court debates clergy-privilege laws.
The Nebraska Supreme Court last week took up a question that rarely comes up in the state. When can a confession to a priest be used against someone at trial?
journalstar.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
"There's virtually no caselaw interpreting Nebraska's priest-penitent privilege statute," Deputy Sarpy County Public Defender Cole Burmeister told the justices at oral arguments last week.
Chris Triebsch, chief communications officer for the city, said public safety is the city’s top priority "and the reason we work to protect City of Lincoln employees and community members when they are within the public spaces and properties we manage."
Nebraska high court: Challenge to Lincoln gun ban on city property can go forward
The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday said a legal challenge brought against the city of Lincoln over its ban on guns in public places could go forward in part.
journalstar.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Chris Triebsch, chief communications officer for the city, said public safety is the city’s top priority "and the reason we work to protect City of Lincoln employees and community members when they are within the public spaces and properties we manage."
"It's been nice having someone in my corner that I know I can ask for help if I need it, and she is more than willing to offer that to me in any way that she can," said Amber Summers, who meets with her mentor Victoria Lee weekly.
Story by Paloma Sanchez-McGee
Story by Paloma Sanchez-McGee
Lincoln woman gets second chance in veterans court — and a set of new wheels
Amber Summers was gifted a Lincoln MKZ from A1 Automotive and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which will help her finish the veterans court program, she said.
journalstar.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"It's been nice having someone in my corner that I know I can ask for help if I need it, and she is more than willing to offer that to me in any way that she can," said Amber Summers, who meets with her mentor Victoria Lee weekly.
Story by Paloma Sanchez-McGee
Story by Paloma Sanchez-McGee
Reposted
Red Willow County Commissioner Charles Fritsche has received multiple phone calls from concerned constituents, worried it will bring “hardened criminals” close to the community.
“Town’s not for it,” he told the Journal Star.
From @ebbersjenna.bsky.social:
journalstar.com/news/state-r...
“Town’s not for it,” he told the Journal Star.
From @ebbersjenna.bsky.social:
journalstar.com/news/state-r...
'It just came overnight' — Planned Nebraska ICE detention center raises fears in McCook
Days after the sudden announcement that a state prison in McCook would be transformed into an ICE detention center, the community in the small town is still searching for answers.
journalstar.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Red Willow County Commissioner Charles Fritsche has received multiple phone calls from concerned constituents, worried it will bring “hardened criminals” close to the community.
“Town’s not for it,” he told the Journal Star.
From @ebbersjenna.bsky.social:
journalstar.com/news/state-r...
“Town’s not for it,” he told the Journal Star.
From @ebbersjenna.bsky.social:
journalstar.com/news/state-r...
The cost of defending indigent clients in Lancaster County when the public defender’s office cannot has more than doubled and in some cases more than tripled over the past five years. LJS Reporter Margaret Reist looks at why.
Cost to defend indigent clients in court balloons in Lancaster County
Lancaster County officials are working to figure out why the amount it pays in legal fees for indigent clients facing criminal charges has skyrocketed in recent years.
journalstar.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The cost of defending indigent clients in Lancaster County when the public defender’s office cannot has more than doubled and in some cases more than tripled over the past five years. LJS Reporter Margaret Reist looks at why.
A Lincoln man accused of fatally shooting a man, stabbing another and running a third man down in a stolen car in a spree last February may have been having a mental health or substance use issue at the time.
Judge binds over Lincoln man's murder charge, 9 other felonies in February crime spree
At a preliminary hearing this week, Timothy Washington's attorney argued the state hadn't proven that Washington was acting with intent on Feb. 16.
journalstar.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A Lincoln man accused of fatally shooting a man, stabbing another and running a third man down in a stolen car in a spree last February may have been having a mental health or substance use issue at the time.
"We will continue to advocate for positive immigration laws that fix our long-outdated immigration system and support local communities – not cruel and harmful detainment camps that repeat a deeply ugly pattern of history and are completely contrary to Nebraska values."
This is not who we are.
NE is a state that welcomes our neighbors and values the contributions of local moms, dads, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. We don't want to be known as a state that separates families & locks up members of our communities in ICE detainment camps. neappleseed.org/49711
NE is a state that welcomes our neighbors and values the contributions of local moms, dads, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. We don't want to be known as a state that separates families & locks up members of our communities in ICE detainment camps. neappleseed.org/49711
August 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
"We will continue to advocate for positive immigration laws that fix our long-outdated immigration system and support local communities – not cruel and harmful detainment camps that repeat a deeply ugly pattern of history and are completely contrary to Nebraska values."
"It's been a long four years of heartbreak, trauma, waiting, fighting for justice. Four years of empty birthdays, unanswered questions and pain that just doesn't seem to go away," Carly Schaaf's aunt said.
Joesef Barraza sentenced to life plus 120-150 years for Carly Schaaf'smurder, 3 sex assaults
"It's been a long four years of heartbreak, trauma, waiting, fighting for justice," Carly Schaaf's aunt said.
journalstar.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:24 PM
"It's been a long four years of heartbreak, trauma, waiting, fighting for justice. Four years of empty birthdays, unanswered questions and pain that just doesn't seem to go away," Carly Schaaf's aunt said.
A Lincoln woman will be allowed to reapply to a state board that oversees law enforcement certification for permission to attend the Lincoln Police Department's recruit academy following a legal fight over the board's denial of her application last year.
Lincoln woman denied by state board to be LPD recruit for taking Adderall can reapply
Addison Hejl's application was denied because she admitted to taking a single pill she believed to be Adderall that a friend gave her in April 2023.
journalstar.com
August 11, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A Lincoln woman will be allowed to reapply to a state board that oversees law enforcement certification for permission to attend the Lincoln Police Department's recruit academy following a legal fight over the board's denial of her application last year.
As part of the plea agreement, she's now looking at a maximum of five years in prison and two and a half years of post-release supervision at her sentencing in October for her participation in the disposal of the 23-year-old Lincoln woman's body.
Lincoln woman enters plea for helping dump Carly Schaaf's body in lake
Rachel Pageler pleaded guilty to two felony charges Thursday for her part in helping to dump Carly Schaaf's body at Pawnee Lake in 2021 and concealing evidence.
journalstar.com
August 7, 2025 at 10:39 PM
As part of the plea agreement, she's now looking at a maximum of five years in prison and two and a half years of post-release supervision at her sentencing in October for her participation in the disposal of the 23-year-old Lincoln woman's body.