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Columbus man to spend decades in prison for ‘senseless’ murder of Stanton County native
COLUMBUS — Larry Houdek’s family lost a hero, their support system and an unconditional love on Jan. 16, 2022. It was a regular day for Houdek, who had gone to church that morning and came home to watch football. But the 77-year-old Stanton County native’s regular day was anything but as soon as Michael Keener came to Houdek’s Columbus home, stabbed Houdek to death and took his belongings in a random act of violence.
Ronald "Ron" Greenwall
Ronald "Ron" Greenwall, 80, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at his home on an acreage north of Columbus. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 6 at 10:00 AM, at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Columbus, with Rev. William Voelker officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service at 9:45 AM on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, stones, plaques, memorials are suggested to Lakeview Education Foundation, Christ Lutheran Church, or the donor's choice. The service will be broadcast live on Christ Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Columbus High grad Preston Hastreiter picks Northeast CC baseball
Columbus High graduate Preston Hastreiter may not have tallied the most innings on the mound, but the Discoverer can now move on to the next level. The right-handed pitcher committed to Northeast Community College in October and is set to start his athletic and academic career as a Hawk. "It...
Columbus Noon Lion Club's Colorado peaches and pears sale is underway
The Columbus Noon Lions Club is taking orders for the annual Colorado peaches and pears sale. The price for a lug of peaches is $50 and the price for a box of pears is $35. You may contact any Lions member or Lion Wilma Arp at 402-910-4233 or email at wilmalu@neb.rr.com.
Man sentenced to 85 years for murder of 77-year-old Columbus man
COLUMBUS, Neb. (KSNB) - A man that was arrested for first degree murder over two years ago was sentenced to 85 years in prison, Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced on Wednesday. The Columbus Police Department arrested 31-year-old Michael J. Keener for the death of 77-year-old Larry Houdek back in January...
Man will spend decades in prison for Columbus killing
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A 31-year-old man was sentenced on Wednesday for a murder in Columbus. Platte County District Court Judge Rachel Daugherty sentenced Michael Keener to 85 years to life in prison. Under state law, most sentences are cut in half, so he could be eligible for parole...
Man sentenced to 85 years for the stabbing death of a 77-year-old
Platte County, Neb. — A man was sentenced to 85 years to life in prison on Wednesday for stabbing a man to death. According to the Attorney General's Office, Michael J. Keener, 31, was sentenced for killing 77-year-old Larry A. Houdek in Columbus, Nebraska in January of 2022. On...
Cornhusker Legion All-Stars beat Sodbusters in comeback
HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - The Cornhusker Legion All-Stars took on the Hastings Sodbusters at Duncan Field on Wednesday. The all-star team is made up of the best American legion baseball players from Columbus Cornerstone Insurance, Grand Island Home Federal, Hastings Five Points Bank, Kearney Misko Sports and North Platte FNBO.
Columbus man to spend decades in prison for ‘senseless’ murder of Stanton County native
COLUMBUS — Larry Houdek’s family lost a hero, their support system and an unconditional love on Jan. 16, 2022. It was a regular day for Houdek, who had gone to church that morning and came home to watch football. But the 77-year-old Stanton County native’s regular day was anything but as soon as Michael Keener came to Houdek’s Columbus home, stabbed Houdek to death and took his belongings in a random act of violence.
Pizza and play: Pizza Ranch's Fun Zone arcade area now open
Anyone who passes through the 23rd Street and 33rd Avenue intersection will have seen construction at Pizza Ranch over the last seven months or so. After all the waiting and all the work, the Fun Zone Arcade addition to Pizza Ranch opened on May 23. Part-owner and General Manager Margie...
Man sentenced for random murder of 77-year-old man in Columbus
A man accused of stabbing a 77-year-old man to death inside of his Columbus home in an apparent random act of violence received his sentence on Wednesday. Michael Keener, 31, was convicted earlier this year of the January 2022 murder of Larry Houdek. Keener, initially charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
Nebraska Casinos eying growth as sports betting brings in more than $2.6 million
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - A year has passed since the first legal sports bet in Nebraska, and casinos in the state have brought in more than $2.6 million. The first bets were placed last June at the WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, and officials say the industry has expanded as more and more people take interest.
Murder Conviction in Platte County
Today, Platte County District Court Judge Rachel A. Daugherty sentenced 33-year-old Michael J. Keener to 85 years to life of incarceration for the January 2022 murder of 77-year-old Larry A. Houdek in Columbus, NE. On the evening of January 16, 2022, Houdek was found deceased in his Columbus residence by...
Lois Zegers’ quilts reflect lifetime love for her family
Lois Zegers, Petersburg resident and longtime quilter, estimated she has quilted more than 200 quilts since she began quilting in 2000, and most recently finished 33 since October of last year. Zegers really had no real interest in quilting until she and husband Jim moved into Petersburg in 2000, and...
Brian Lynn “Buzz” Stewart
Private family graveside services for Brian L. “Buzz” Stewart, 62, formerly of Albion, with inurnment will take place at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Albion, at a later date. Brian Lynn Stewart, son of Keith M. and Rosamond A. “Rosie” (Mannlein) Stewart, was born October 5, 1961 at Albion, and he died Friday, June 28, 2024 at Genoa Community Long Term Care in Genoa. He attended grade school and high school at Albion, graduating in 1980. Following graduation, Stewart worked for a local concrete company before moving to California where he was employed by a large car dealer as a car salesman and later a cable tv company. He returned to Albion, where he worked for a central pivot company and the local concrete company. In 2012, he moved to York to live with his brother, Bruce.
Tractor drive kicks off Lindsay celebration
Lindsay Pivot Days opened with a tractor drive last Friday through Newman Grove, Albion and St. Edward before returning to Lindsay in the afternoon.Above and right - The 29 antique tractor drivers from across the area stopped at The J for lunch in Albion after visiting GSS Albion Wolf Home and parading through the downtown area. The tractor drive visited nursing homes in all three towns. Oldest…
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