Stanton County is in a flood watch for an ice jam through Monday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, several counties along the Elkhorn River, including Stanton, are in the watch. Temperatures averaging in the 40s and 50s through the weekend will continue to melt snow, which will go into the river system. This extra water combined with thinning of river ice may cause ice break up and eventual ice jams.

The Stanton Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on the northeast side of Stanton on Thursday morning. 

The fire was reported just before 8 a.m. on the 600 block of Kingwood. The Stanton County Sheriff's Department also responded.

​More information will be added to the this story when it becomes available. 

On Monday in Stanton County District Court, Kimberley Neiman, 58, of Pilger was sentenced to a three year term of imprisonment following her conviction of an Attempted Theft (Class IIIA felony). 

Neiman was the former clerk for the Village of Pilger and was arrested and charged in early 2020 following a yearlong investigation by the Stanton County Sheriff’s office and Stanton County Attorney into more than $700,000.00 in misspent funds from the village accounts.  Neiman entered a guilty plea in November as part of a plea agreement that dropped numerous Theft/Unlawful Acts charges against her. 

The investigation revealed Village of Pilger funds were spent unlawfully for  claims that began as early as 2006 and ended with her termination in late 2018.  As part of her sentence she was ordered to repay just over $44.000.00 in restitution to the Village of Pilger and Pilger Fire Department. 

​Neiman was also ordered to 18 months of post relief supervision upon her prison release.  She was sentenced by District Judge James Kube who found her to be unfit for probation and a risk to society during his sentencing announcement.

Two women were transported to the hospital Monday afternoon following a one-vehicle rollover in Stanton County.

According to the Stanton County Sheriff’s office, they responded to and investigated a one vehicle rollover accident around 1 p.m.  The accident occurred when an eastbound SUV lost control on U.S. Hwy 275 about 13 miles east of Norfolk and crossed the westbound lane and rolled into the north ditch. 

The driver, Maya Baker, 19 of Norfolk and her 19-year-old passenger were both transported by ambulance to Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk with non-life threatening injuries by Stanton Fire & Rescue. 

The sheriff's office said seatbelts were in use and airbags did deploy preventing more serious injuries.  The vehicle is considered a total loss. Stanton County Emergency Management also responded to the scene to assist with traffic control.  

Road conditions and visibility were very poor at the time of the accident.

The Stanton County Sheriff’s office stopped a westbound semi-tractor and trailer for speeding 85 mph in the 65 mph zone and driving left of center and arrested the driver for transporting illegal drugs and being under the influence.

The 35 year old driver appeared to be under the influence and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and suspected heroin. 

At around 10 p.m. Friday, Jonathan Blekis of Lodi, CA was arrested on the felony drug charges and jailed pending the posting of a cash bond.  A search of the truck found several hidden concealment points consistent with illegal drug transport.  The semi was seized and towed from the scene.

A husband and wife from Stanton were ares​ted Thursday on felony drug charges.

According to the Stanton County Sheriff's office, officers went to a Stanton residence to serve an arrest warrant on Tanner Pinkston, 37, of Stanton.  He was later found hiding in a bathroom of the residence and subsequent investigation located methamphetamine, marijuana and a large assortment of drug paraphernalia and two prohibited weapons in the residence.

Pinkston was arrested on the original warrant and additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person (Felon).  Adriana Pinkston, 37, Stanton was arrested on charges of Obstructing a Police Officer, Possession of Methamphetamine and Tampering with Evidence. 

Both are scheduled to appear in court next month.

A Hoskins woman was arrested after allegedly assaulting an officer Sunday morning and continued to be uncooperative during book, according to the Stanton County Sheriff's office.

The Stanton County Sheriff’s office observed a vehicle driving on the shoulder of Hwy 35 near Woodland Park around 2:30 Sunday morning. The vehicle was clocked speeding at 90 mph in the 60 mph zone. 

According to the sheriff's office, the northbound vehicle was stopped and the driver Kayla Ingram was found to be under the influence of alcohol.  During contact with her she allegedly assaulted a deputy by kicking him in the knee. 

She was physically taken into custody and later refused a chemical breath test. Ingram faces charges of speeding, no drivers license, DWI, assault on a police officer and refusal of a chemical test.  Ingram was very uncooperative during her booking process.  She is scheduled to appear in court in February for arraignment. ​

As Stanton County remains in a Winter Weather Warning,  no travel us advised at this time from Stanton County Emergency Management.

Highways are completely covered. Between 4-6 inches of snow is expected with some spots expected to receive up to 9 inches with the heaviest of snow between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., tapering off at 6 p.m. Winds will gust up to 30 mph later in the day.  

​Roger Hauf age 56 of Pilger, NE passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020 at his residence.  A celebration of Roger's life will be held at a later date.  Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner is assisting the family.
 
Roger Lee Hauf was born on June 26, 1964 to Don and Glenda (Robertson) Hauf in Norfolk, NE.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pilger, NE.  Roger attended Pilger Elementary School and graduated from Wisner-Pilger High School in 1983.  After graduation he lived at Pilger and later moved to O’Neill, NE, where he was employed as a truck driver.  He returned to Pilger and was currently working for ASAP Express out of Norfolk, NE.
 
Roger loved to hunt, fish and trap.  But his true passion was going artifact hunting for Native American relics, Roger basically fell into his father’s footsteps when it came to these things.  Roger would do just about anything for anyone, if you called he was there.
 
Survivors include-
His children- Tasha and Ray Hauf
Siblings- Rick and Becky Hauf of Norfolk, NE
Russell Hauf of Pilger, NE
Robin Jensen and Mike Stone of Pierce, NE
Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive Roger.
 
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, and a niece-Nicole Hauf.

A Christmas Day search warrant led to three arrests in Stanton, according to the Stanton County Sheriff's Office. 

At about 4 p.m. Friday, the Stanton County Sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at a residence on 7th Street in Stanton that resulted in drug charges against three people.  The search warrant produced methamphetamine, marijuana, a large assortment of drug paraphernalia and cash. 

Taken into custody were Donald Detlefsen, 52, of Stanton, Matthew Peyton 45, of Stanton and Jacqueline Hoover, 50, of Norfolk.  Detlefsen was booked for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia and being a Habitual Criminal.  Peyton for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. 

​Hoover faces charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a Leaving the Scene of an Accident from an earlier incident at the same location.