SIOUX CITY POLICE NEEDED ONLY NINE HOURS TO MAKE AN ARREST IN MONDAY'S ROBBERY OF THE MID-TOWN BRANCH OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

LT. MARK KIRKPATRICK SAYS THE SUSPECT, 53 YEAR OLD STEPHAN HALL, WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ABOUT 10 O'CLOCK MONDAY NIGHT AT THE DEAN APARTMENTS LOCATED AT 1716 NEBRASKA. 

HALL, A TRANSIENT, WAS ARRESTED JUST TWO BLOCKS FROM THE CRIME SCENE. LT. KIRKPATRICK SAYS NUMEROUS TIPS FROM THE PUBLIC AFTER BANK SECURITY PHOTOS WERE RELEASED TO LOCAL MEDIA LED TO THE QUICK ARREST:

HALL IS BEING HELD IN THE WOODBURY COUNTY JAIL ON TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND.
HE'S BEING REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

A PRELIMINARY HEARING IN THE CASE IS SET FOR FEBRUARY 24TH.

 WOODBURY COUNTY CONTINUES TO WRANGLE WITH ITS BUDGET FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.

BUDGET DIRECTOR DENNIS BUTLER PRESENTED COUNTY SUPERVISORS SOME OPTIONS WITH AND WITHOUT THE USE OF LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXES TO REDUCE THE TAX IMPACT ON AGRICULTURAL LAND.

BUTLER SAYS THE COUNTY IS BEING FORCED TO INCREASE TAX ASKINGS OF OVER 225-THOUSAND DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THE STATE PASSING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COSTS OFF ON COUNTIES:

UNDER THAT SCENARIO, THE CITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXES IMPOSED BY THE COUNTY WOULD INCREASE BY $5.80 PER $100,000 VALUATION.

RURAL TOWNSHIPS WOULD SEE RESIDENTIAL TAXES INCREASE BY $19.36 PER $100-THOUSAND BUT AG LANDS WOULD JUMP $71.06 PER $100-THOUSAND.

A MOTION TO USE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX TO REDUCE THE AG LAND TAX ASKING FAILED ON A 2-2 TIE VOTE. SUPERVISOR GEORGE BOYKIN WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND TUESDAY'S MEETING.

SUPERVIORS STILL HAVE TIME TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS ON THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED YET.

A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 13TH.
 

THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS WILL SEEK NEBRASKA'S OPEN U.S. SENATE SEAT.

CHUCK HASSEBROOK WILL RUN AS A DEMOCRAT FOR THE SENATE SEAT BEING VACATED BY THE RETIRING BEN NELSON:

HASSEBROOK SAYS HE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE CONTROVERSIAL CANADIAN XL OIL PIPELINE PROJECT, BUT INSTEAD WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER ENERGY SOURCES DEVELOPED:

 
 
HASSEBROOK SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NEXT FEDERAL FARM BILL PROVIDE BETTER RISK PROTECTION FOR AND BE MORE FOCUSED ON FAMILY FARMERS.

HASSEBROOK ANNOUNCED HIS SENATE BID IN HIS HOMETOWN OF LYONS, NEBRASKA. HE HAS ALSO SERVED FOR 17 YEARS ON THE NEBRASKA BOARD OF REGENTS.
  

A Le Mars Police officer has entered the race for Plymouth County Sheriff. Jay King, a 34 year veteran of law enforcement has submitted his name as a Republican candidate for sheriff.

King started his career as a patrol officer with the Remsen Police Department in 1978. Ten years later, he joined the Le Mars Police Department.

His goal as Plymouth County Sheriff would be to lead the department into a pro-active future by promoting Community Policing concepts and becoming more involved in the crime/drug abuse prevention education for Plymouth County citizens.      

King will challenge incumbent Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo in the June 5th Republican primary.