With the election over in Nebraska, the Judicial Branch is again reaching out to new and returning senators to arrange visits with local judges and chief probation officers. Legislative term limits make it even more essential to educate senators on the Judicial Branch’s role and importance. The...

Traci Loker was sworn-in as Clerk Magistrate of Frontier County Court in Stockville on November 18, 2020, by County Court Judge Kent Turnbull. Loker continues the tradition of combined Clerk’s offices in Frontier County, serving as both clerk magistrate of the county court and ex officio clerk of...

Guided by empathy and compassion in his day-to-day work, Special Populations Probation Officer Skyler Brouwer creates opportunities to assist with clients' social and emotional needs whenever possible. Recently, when making a routine home visit to a transitional living house, he found a visibly...

Judge William F. Colwell, Pawnee City, District Court judge in the 1st Judicial District from 1963-1981, died November 7, 2020, at the age of 104 at Premier Estates in Pawnee City. Omaha World Herald: https://images.apollo.ai/articles/pdfs/2841611_937_11-11-2020.pdf Wherry Mortuary Funeral Home...

Judge James Macken, Scottsbluff, County Court judge in the 12th Judicial District, died November 2, 2020, at the age of 91. Macken was first appointed as county judge for Scotts Bluff County in 1969 and elected county judge for the then-seventeenth Judicial District in 1972. His service began before...

Alisha Jimenez, Restorative Justice Program Analyst for the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR), presented restorative practices during the 2020 Nebraska Community Aid and Juvenile Justice Conference on November 5. Co-presenters Casey Karges, Executive Director, and Clare Nelson, Restorative Justice...

Deputy Administrator for Court Services Amy Prenda announced the creation of a new position in the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation. The position, Trial Court Services Director for District Courts, will be part of the Court Services Division and will serve as the primary...

The Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) has developed an outline of Restorative Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Services, which are available to the Courts. The easy-to-read handout includes a visual timeline of when each service is appropriate. ODR-approved centers provide these services as court...

Julie Schildt, Morrill County Clerk of the District Court in Bridgeport, declined to stand for re-election and will vacate her position as Clerk at the end of the year. Schildt noted, “Life will certainly be different after 30-years of dedication to this office and the people of Morrill County.”...

The Association for Conflict Resolution’s (ACR) 2020 conference, held virtually on October 23, concluded with a member meeting where ACR Board President Michael Rust cut the word “Elect” from Kelly Riley’s badge ribbon to signify that she had become President of the ACR Board of Directors. Nebraska...