The final event of the 2021 Chief Justice’s Summer Tour -- a celebration of detention alternatives -- was hosted by Otoe County Court Judge David Partsch the afternoon of June 30. 

To honor the 10th anniversary of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) in Nebraska, the Justices, local government officials, law enforcement, court, and probation staff gathered in the District Court Courtroom in Nebraska City. Otoe County was the first rural area added to the program, following Douglas and Sarpy counties.

Following the detention of 18 youth in Otoe County in 2018, then-County Attorney Partsch led the effort to include Otoe County in the JDAI program. 

During the celebration, Chief Justice Heavican presented a signed copy of the 10th anniversary proclamation to Otoe County Commissioners Rick Freshman and James Parsons. 

Although last year’s tour was postponed due to the pandemic, this year was the renewal of a tradition that Heavican began when he took the bench in 2006. The two-day itinerary included Plattsmouth, Papillion, Tecumseh, and Nebraska City.

Read Nebraska City News Press: Nebraska Juvenile Detention Alternatives celebrates 10 years