Jacob Gill, Senior at South Sioux City High School, is the winner of the 2023 High School Mock Trial Student News Reporter Contest held during the Judge Lyle Strom High School Mock Trial Program State Championship in Lincoln.

The winner was announced on the evening of December 11 by Justice Jeff Funke at the Mock Trial Recognition Banquet at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel. The contest was added to the Nebraska State Bar Foundation’s High School Mock Trial competition in 2018.

Awarded to: Hazel Delgado, AOCP Director of Research and Data – Lancaster County

The Lancaster County District Court Records Team, comprised of Rachael Boyd, Scott Brunsing, and Alexis McQueen, consistently surpasses expectations in their Records Retention projects. Their dedication goes beyond their daily job duties, as they willingly step in for their colleagues and handle multiple simultaneous projects, including tasks like managing docket sheets, digitizing microfilm, overseeing Grand Jury records, updating unnumbered files, and ensuring the proper management and return of evidence.

Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented Judicial Branch Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on November 20, 2023, during the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s 15^th annual recognition event.

Probation Officers Kim Grant and Salli Streeter received special recognition from the FBI's Anna Brewer for their exceptional contributions to the largest human trafficking investigation prosecuted under state law. They went above and beyond their regular duties, meticulously monitoring clients and documenting interactions. Grant and Streeter's dedication and professionalism, including working long nights and weekends, played a crucial role in providing timely and accurate information for the successful prosecution of the landmark case.

In observance of the holiday, Court and Probation Offices will be closed on 11/10/2023.

In inclement weather, employees should use their best judgment in trying to get to work. If an employee chooses not to report to work, the employee must follow the policy of their particular office for reporting an absence.

Employees choosing not to work due to weather conditions must use accrued vacation leave, earned compensatory time, or, with supervisor approval, may be allowed to make up missed work time within the workweek.

Seventy-nine Nebraska State Probation officers were sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican on October 5, 2023, in the State Capitol Rotunda in front of distinguished guests, family, and friends. This year’s class was the largest class of new officers we’ve had. In addressing the new officers Chief Justice Heavican noted “You have the power to change the lives of folks who are on probation, their families, their children and the communities they are part of.”

Patty Lyon, Chief Probation Officer for the 6th Judicial District, utilized her extensive community connections to put the Chief Justice in direct contact with the people of the 6th Judicial District during his August 2023 Summer Tour. She organized presentations at the South Sioux Reporting Center, reached out to the tribal government in Winnebago, organized social events, and commandeered a radio program in Fremont to help the Supreme Court convey their messages of transparency and partnership.   

Separate Juvenile Court Judge Elise White, Lincoln; County Court Judge Frank Barron, Blair; and District Court Judge Jodi Nelson, Lincoln, were announced as the 2023 Distinguished Judge Award recipients by Chief Justice Mike Heavican.