Nebraska

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

Published

2 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

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Bergevin was one of 3 candidates to be interviewed here

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Gov. Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of the Honorable Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus as an associate justice to the Nebraska Supreme Court representing the Fifth Judicial District. The announcement was made on Jan. 2.
“Judge Bergevin is a dedicated jurist with extensive experience as an attorney and most recently as a district judge representing the Fifth Judicial District,” said Gov. Pillen. “I have great confidence in Judge Bergevin’s abilities, and I know he has deep respect and integrity when it comes to matters of the court. I am pleased to elevate him to this role on Nebraska’s Supreme Court.”
“I am honored to be chosen as the next judge of the Nebraska Supreme Court from the Fifth Judicial District,” said Justice Bergevin. “Three highly qualified applicants stepped forward for this position. I appreciate Governor Pillen’s confidence in me. I will work hard to continue serving the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the people of our state.”
Bergevin was the second of three candidates for the position to be interviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission on Dec. 12 in the 5th District courtroom on the third floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Fourteen members of the commission heard presentations and asked questions of Judge Bergevin, as well as David Bargen of Adams and Lawrence Welch, Jr. of Plattsmouth, the other two candidates.
In his opening remarks to the commission, Bergevin mentioned his prior experience as a practicing attorney and as a Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Air Force.
“I have been in the battle and I would be a supreme court justice who can remember what it was like to be a litigator,” he added.
In answer to a question from a member of the panel regarding how he would separate his personal views from judicial decisions, Bergevin said he believes a judge should regularly be unhappy with the result of a case because it meant the law was being followed, even though it went against his own personal preferences.
In addition to his recent role as district judge (2022), Bergevin also oversaw the opening of one of the state’s newest problem-solving courts in Platte County last summer. He was an assistant attorney general in the Nebraska Attorney General’s office for seven years where he worked with county attorneys in the prosecution of complex cases, was legal advisor to multiple state agencies and reviewed agency regulations. Bergevin also held multiple positions in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps up until 2022 and has prior experience in both the Lancaster County Attorney’s office and the Weld County District Attorney’s office in Greeley, Colo.
Bergevin holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) and earned his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts.
The Fifth Judicial District for the Nebraska Supreme Court consists of Hamilton and 24 other counties in this part of Nebraska. The vacancy was due to Judge Jeffrey Funke’s appointment as chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

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Nebraska

Couple who crashed due to object on rural Nebraska highway waits for results of sheriff’s investigation

Published

11 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Couple who crashed due to object on rural Nebraska highway waits for results of sheriff’s investigation

BENNINGTON, Neb. (WOWT) – A Nebraska couple is still waiting for answers from investigators and their insurance company.

It’s been more than a month since several drivers reported large objects on a busy Douglas County highway. Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate the incidents as intentional, but so far, no arrests have been made.

After swerving to avoid what appeared to be a TV in the highway and then crashing down into a ravine, Garrison and Skylar Beach escaped with their lives.

But six weeks later, life has been stressful.

“It isn’t a harmless thing that happened,” Garrison said. “It’s had a huge impact on us financially and in other aspects.”

The couple believes their insurance provider is waiting on the outcome of the sheriff’s investigation for a final settlement, but in the meantime, the Beaches’ out-of-pocket costs are estimated at $6,500, including a $1,500 deductible and the price of a used car they had to buy, which is cost more than the replacement value of the crashed Toyota Camry.

On top of all that, the couple says they have an expense they didn’t expect. They received a bill from the Nebraska Department of Transportation for repairs to the guardrail cable they wrecked while trying to avoid the object in the middle of the road.

“It’s the cherry on top, I guess,” Skylar Beach said. “After all this, we got the bill for the guardrail, but hopefully our insurance can help us out with that.”

Douglas County Sheriff’s Captain Eric Sellers told First Alert 6 last month that several incidents of objects sitting on Highway 36 near Bennington appear intentional to have been intentionally placed there.

“We have a subject of interest we’re looking at now in the case,” Capt. Sellers said in December.

A 22-year-old Bennington man has been questioned, but without a confession, investigators must prove he intentionally put the objects in the roadway.

“I feel like the responsible part should have to make it right for people, especially like us, where it’s putting us out thousands of dollars,” Garrison Beach said.

The Beaches are a single-income couple right now as Garrison is a full-time student studying to be a physician’s assistant.

“We just wish whoever did this will come forward and just make it right for us, because we’re at a point in our lives where this has really effected us financially,” Skylar said.

Capt. Sellers says the investigation into the highway objects is ongoing and no more similar incidents have been reported. As for the guardrail, the district engineer says that’s standard procedure but most times a driver’s insurance will cover the bill.

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Nebraska

Tuesday Tim-Bits: 2026 targets, recent offers lining up visit plans

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Tuesday Tim-Bits: 2026 targets, recent offers lining up visit plans

As Nebraska fully turns the page to the 2026 class, visits to Lincoln are being lined up by top targets and recent offers. We noted in last week’s Tim-Bits that Nebraska has a Junior Day set for Feb. 1 and mentioned two notable prospects already planning to be in attendance. Over the last week, I’ve caught up with numerous 2026 targets who have plans to visit Nebraska in the comings weeks/months.

Here’s some intel on visits to keep an eye out, plus some additional notes on prospects nationwide

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Nebraska

Colder temperatures for parts of Nebraska Tuesday

Published

1 day ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Colder temperatures for parts of Nebraska Tuesday

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Another cold front has moved across bring colder temperatures to central and eastern Nebraska today. It will not be as cold for western Nebraska. A warm front will move across Nebraska Tuesday night and Wednesday bringing milder temperatures to the state. Mild temperatures will continue Thursday and Friday and then another blast of cold Arctic air will move back into the state for the weekend.

Partly to mostly sunny and colder for central and eastern Nebraska Tuesday with high in the teens and 20s in central and eastern Nebraska and 30s and 40s in western Nebraska. North-northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Colder temperatures Tuesday.(KOLN)

Partly to mostly cloudy skies Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with a few flurries possible. Lows in the single digits and teens.