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Judge fines rural Nebraska junkyard owner after neighbors’ lawsuit

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Judge fines rural Nebraska junkyard owner after neighbors’ lawsuit


FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (WOWT) – An eyesore in the wooded countryside north of the Omaha metro forced frustrated neighbors to take legal action. They ordered a court order for cleanup and the property owner got called before a judge.

More than a year ago, that judge ordered the owner of the Washington County junkyard to remove all parts and vehicles from his property. Neighbors who haven’t seen enough progress hope a civil contempt of court will jumpstart a cleanup once and for all.

“Everyone is disgusted with the sight of it and the sounds of it,” said nearby resident Chris Ostranic. “Something needs to be done.”

Six months ago, Chris and several other neighbors told 6 news about the lawsuit they filed to force a cleanup of the junkyard. After several missed deadlines, the neighbors say it’s time for the court to take a tougher stance and send a message that this mess should not be tolerated on the wooded acreage.

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Junkyard owner Michael Pick, acting as his own lawyer, argued that he’s worked hard to cleanup his property. He claims 62 loads of scrap, 7,000 batteries and 150 vehicles have been hauled away. But Pick told the judge he ran out of time to get more done.

“If he’s working as hard as he says he is on this property, it should have been cleaned up,” Ostranic said.

District court judge Bryan Meismer ordered Pick to pay $9,600. Part of the amount for a fine, and the other $3,5000 to cover the neighbors’ legal expenses for their lawyers.

“Our client’s goal is to just get the property cleared and we’re hopeful that this is a step in what has been a long process for them, and to eventually get this junkyard removed from the property,” said the neighbors’ attorney, Brad Entwistle.

After the hearing ended, Pick declined to comment to 6 News; his sister stepping in the way. The two of them then left out a back door, but Pick can’t avoid the judge’s order to pay the contempt fine in 60 days and in the meantime, the niehgbors hope that means they’ll see a significant cleanup fo the property.

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“I Just hope Mr. Pick realizes that this is a situation that is well out of hand and he need to abide,” Ostranic said. “He needs to comply.”

Pick told the judge that he will have trouble paying the entire contempt fine before the deadline, but he will be allowed to make payments over time.



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Nebraska

Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture proposes ban on food and beverages containing any amount of THC

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Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture proposes ban on food and beverages containing any amount of THC


LINCOLN, Neb. — A public hearing Thursday drew strong opposition to proposed rules that would label food adulterated and illegal if it contains any amount of THC and its derivatives, potentially decimating Nebraska’s hemp and CBD industry.

The regulations would affect products like gummies, beverages and oral tinctures. Over 490 people wrote in opposition to the new regulations, while only three supported them.

The rule changes stem from an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Pillen in January requiring state agencies to review laws regarding the use of synthetic THC in food and beverages. The order was made to align with federal law coming in November 2026, which bans synthetic THC products and limits total THC concentrations in hemp products to not exceed 0.4 milligrams per container.

The proposed Nebraska rule goes beyond that federal standard.

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“I would say it’d be similar other than it does say no THC. It is zero THC,” said Andrew Bish, chief operating officer of Bish Enterprises. “It’s not we are deferring to the federal government standard and aligning with the federal government standard. It is, in fact, a different standard.”

Fifteen speakers testified during the hearing, with many calling for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the industry rather than enforce outright bans.

“I respectfully urge the department to pursue a balanced science-based approach that protects public safety, targets specific problems, strengths and standards where necessary and holds bad actors accountable without unnecessarily eliminating access to products that may Nebraskans find valuable and beneficial,” said Dr. Andrea Holmes, a professor of chemistry at Doane University.

Many who testified were shop owners who said the regulations would result in major business losses and reduced state revenue.

“In 2025, we pay over $1 million in sales tax. We expect to be over $1.3 million in 2026,” one speaker from The Cannabis Factory said. “We’re not opposed to regulation, or oversight, or even additional taxation.”

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The Department of Agriculture will review comments and decide if any changes need to be made. If not, the regulations go to the attorney general and the governor for approval.

The regulations include a carve out for the medical cannabis acts, meaning people with medical cannabis cards could get prescriptions that would not be affected by this proposed regulation change.

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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.



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Disaster declaration sought for May storm damage in Nebraska

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Disaster declaration sought for May storm damage in Nebraska


Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.

The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.

In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.

Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.

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Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News

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Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News


OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.

The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.

They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.

Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).

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Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.

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