Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
Lincoln Northwest High School senior Jack Duval places words of encouragement on a wall to promote Suicide Prevention Month on Wednesday at the school.
Lincoln local Aaron Wilson, 50, rides his skateboard on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 at the ramps in Lincoln’s Peter Pan Park. Wilson has been skating 37 years, but is a long-time user of this particular skatepark as well. “I’ve spent at least ten years right here in this exact spot,” he says. Wilson says he considers skating his “fountain of youth.” Doesn’t matter what I did the night before—I can come here, sweat it out, and all is forgiven,” he says.
An American flag is raised in front of the Nebraska Capitol during the Patriot Day ceremony on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.
Nebraska’s Laney Choboy (6) celebrates a point during the match against Long Beach State on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. Nebraska was up 2-0 going into the third period.
Lincoln-local Philip Lass, 12, looks at a set of homemade LED-illuminated polyhedra during Make Lincoln at Turbine Flats on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The free, annual all-ages event features hands-on workshops, vendor booths and demonstrations from local creators in robotics, electronics, woodworking, textiles, painting, 3D printing, and more.
Lincoln High's Remy Chapman (11) attempts a pass on the run under defense by Omaha Central's Ke'Von Newsome (20) at Beechner Athletic Complex in Lincoln. Omaha Central was up 35-0 going into halftime.
Long-time Lincoln local Ted Hollinger, 91, sits on a bench at Holmes Lake Park on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, and looks out over the water. “The last few years since I’ve retired, I probably come out here every day,” he says. “I hate to see summer coming to an end.”
Lincoln East freshman Lucy Barrett (left) and senior Lucy Barrett (right) pose for a portrait Thursday at Doris Bair Softball Complex in Lincoln. Though they are not relatives, they share identical first and last names, and are close friends.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln East's Kennedy Johnson (11) sets the ball against Lincoln North Star on Tuesday at Lincoln East. The Spartans won the match 3-0.
Katie Kelly sits in her late mother's 1960 Lotus 7 sportscar as her husband Craig Sarachene fixes a sticker at the Tire Rack Sports Car Club of America Solo National Championships at the Lincoln Airpark, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.
Kayson Hanika, 6, and Emerie Wayne, 4, lie together on the sand on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County on Labor Day weekend.
Lincoln Southwest running back Ashton Traudt (2) runs the ball under defense by Columbus defensive end Caden Kapels (81) during the Silver Hawks' game against Columbus on Friday at UBT Stadium at Lincoln Northwest. Southwest was leading 14-6 at halftime.
Seward local Garin Metzger (left) drives his pontoon boat on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 at Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County during the start of Labor Day weekend. Pictured with him is his wife Linda Metzger (center-right), and their friends Shanda Laflin (center-left) and Pam Spicher (right).
Students raise their hands to ask questions while First Lady Suzanne Pillen (right) reads, Right This Very Minute: A Table-to-Farm Book About Food and Farming, during an after school program at Prescott Elementary School, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lincoln. On September 25, the Governor and First Lady proclaimed it was Agricultural Literacy Week and has been touring Nebraska schools participating in activities. Pillen led students, part of an after school Community Learning Center students, through a Nebraska Agriculture presentation.
Nebraska assistant coach Jordan Larson (left) talks with head coach John Cook speaks during a team practice on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
A farmer harvests a crop of soybeans using a combine just beneath a wind turbine, west of Fairmont on Sept. 26, 2023.
Nebraska players watch the video board as fans use their phone light to create a light show at the Devaney Sports Center, on Sunday.
Nebraska's Ally Batenhorst (first right) celebrates with her teammates after scoring the first set point against Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
The stadium lights at Memorial Stadium are reflected in the eyes of Nebraska's Janiran Bonner as he walks off the field following the game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Louisiana Tech's Smoke Harris is held back by Nebraska's Omar Brown while John Bullock goes flying past after missing a tackle in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
About 25,000 fans return to watch the fourth quarter action between Louisiana Tech and Nebraska, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Heinrich Haarberg (top) celebrates his touchdown against Louisiana Tech with teammate Henry Lutovsky on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Wahoo's Sam Edmonds (center) celebrates his touchdown against Columbus Lakeview with teammate Barrett Lavaley during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Wahoo.
Everett Elementary School fourth graders Jai'lisea Williams (from left), Ariana Neemeyer, Jaqueline Lima Mellado and Matias Mendez Hernandez look from a panel blind, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon near Denton.
Lincoln East's Mikhale Ford (first right) celebrates with his team after scoring a 51-yard interception return touchdown during the second quarter at Seacrest Field, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Lincoln.
Kay McGuire (left) holds up a small handmade notebook to show Grace Cooper (right) as they volunteer their time to create breast cancer care packages at Picnic Hill Create, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Lincoln. Volunteers at Picnic Hill Create, a Lincoln craft store, have been meeting three nights this month to prepare care packages for people who were recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Care packages include a handmade journal/notebook, handmade card, and other care items such as mints, lotion and a bookmark.
Muriel Graham, 94, talks with pilot Scott "Scooter" DeLong as she sits in a World War II-era Boeing Stearman plane at Lincoln Airport on Wednesday as part of Dream Flights, a program that takes veterans and their spouses to tour the sky. Graham's first flight was in 1946 with her cousin, who used to fly with her near Springview where she taught at a one-room schoolhouse. "I've always wanted to be a pilot," Graham said, "Married a sailor and I was left on the ground with three naughty girls and a dog and he was flying," she said. Her husband, Marvin, served in the Navy for 26 years as a Navy aircraft mechanic onboard an aircraft carrier. Wednesday's short flight took her to downtown Lincoln overlooking Memorial Stadium as well as the Capitol.
Woman of the Year Susanne Blue, recently retired director of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, speaks during the Inspire ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sept. 20, 2023.
Lincoln Southwest’s Makenna Murphy (6) and Delaney Madson (10) dance before a game against Kearney on Sept. 19, 2023, at Doris Bair Complex.
Five-year old Jack Kountze of Omaha picks an apple at Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard during the AppleJack Festival on Sunday in Nebraska City. The annual festival is expected to draw nearly 80,000 people to the area by the time it ends Sept. 24.
Nebraska's Derek Branch (left) and teammate Grant Tagge tackle Northern Illinois' Dane Pardridge in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (left) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Bryce Benhart during the second half of the match against Northern Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Illinois' Cade Haberman (left) and George Gumbs forces Nebraska's Heinrich Haarberg to fumble in the first quarter, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's Kwinten Ives jumps as he and his teammates run out from the Northeast tunnel before the game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska's defense walks out of the new tunnel before the game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Norris players take the field as the sun sets in the west during the second quarter at Waverly High School, on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Waverly.
Nebraska's Haley Peterson (left) is defended by Wisconsin's Ashley Martinez in the first half Friday at Hibner Stadium.
Lincoln East's Mikhale Ford celebrates with Owen Laessig (from left) after Laessig scored a touchdown during the second quarter at Seacrest Field, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
Nebraska’s Alina Felix (26) gets under a pop-fly on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 during an intrasquad scrimmage at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln.
Runners charge forward during the Harold Scott Invitational on Thursday at Pioneers Park.
Omaha native Adam Murphy takes a stroll hand-in-hand with Kenzie Houser (from Riverton, Kansas) on Thursday at Sunken Gardens in Lincoln. “It’s my first time here,” Murphy said. “It’s gorgeous — just a great place to be.”
A bomb squad robot responds to a suspicious package at 200 S 21st, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
Tommy Blanton looks out the window while he sits at a booth with a drink during a Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana signature drive kickoff event at Duffy’s Tavern on Wednesday.
Nebraska softball head coach Rhonda Revelle shouts instructions to her players during practice at Bowlin Stadium, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.
Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders leads his team on to the field before the game.
Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims (7) scrambles out of the pocket as he is pursued by Colorado's Shane Cokes (99) in the second quarter on Saturday at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
Colorado's Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig celebrates after Nebraska misses a field goal on Saturday at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
Vehicles cross over the mostly dry Platte River on U.S. 34 near Grand Island on Friday.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (top) spikes the ball past Creighton's Destiny Ndam-Simpson and Ann Marie Remmes during the fourth set at the Devaney Sports Center, on Wednesday in Lincoln.
Lincoln Southeast's Dallas Washington celebrates a touchdown after out running Lincoln East's Presley Hall in the third quarter at Seacrest Field, on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Lincoln.
Volleyball fans do the wave during a break in the action during the match between Omaha and Nebraska on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium.
A study found that one-third of residents living near AltEn had measurable amounts of pesticides commonly used in seed treatments in their urine.
An Omaha surgeon has been charged with manslaughter after prosecutors said he was driving nearly 70 mph over the speed limit when he caused a fatal crash on Dodge Street.
Authorities evacuated an area in North Platte because of a reported fire and "toxic smoke" coming from a rail car at Bailey Yard.
The Arbor Day Foundation, based in downtown Lincoln, received $50 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to plant trees in communities in need across the country.
Prosecutors allege that Zachary Scheich, the 26-year-old man accused of posing as a teen student at two Lincoln high schools, had 13 victims.
State Sen. Tom Briese, a second-term lawmaker from Albion, will become the Nebraska state treasurer on Nov. 1, according to Gov. Jim Pillen's office.
Grammy Award-winning country music duo Dan + Shay will play in Omaha in April.
New COVID-19 vaccines come at a good time, given a recent uptick in coronavirus activity.
After seeing how Duncan needed the My Place Bar and Grill following its closure, Levi and Abbey Wright decided to re-open the neighborhood business.
Several private universities in Nebraska reported steep rises in first-year enrollment but said students are deciding to matriculate closer to the start of the school year.
A 12-year-old Fremont girl who is in remission after being diagnosed and receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has a new bedroom courtesy of a national nonprofit.
Jared Barker was at a low point when he came to Open Door Mission. But he and seven others overcame addiction with help from the mission's New Life Recovery Program.
Mary Wortman, 60, died Wednesday after her 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee was struck by a 2022 Ram ProMaster City cargo van in Howard County.
Gov. Jim Pillen has signed a $10 million contract with a Utah consultant to find less-costly ways to run government while axing a state office already working on similar goals.
The former executive director of a Southeast Nebraska nonprofit is accused diverting nearly $220,000 of mostly public funds into her husband's food truck over a five-year period, auditors alleged.
Three generations of the McBride family have helped outfit customers from near and far in boots and hats through Ranch-Land’s 64 years of business.
A 76-year-old Nebraska man has been sentenced to probation after he reached a plea deal with prosecutors in an animal cruelty and neglect case involving livestock.
A new report raises concern about long-term solitary confinement in Nebraska prisons and notes that two inmates who spent years in solitary are slated to leave prison without supervision in December.
The proposal is billed as a step in a commitment to ensure safe, high-quality care for America's 1.2 million nursing home residents.
More than 500 school, community and government leaders gathered in Kearney on Tuesday for an annual conference to discuss Nebraska's early childhood education crisis.
Scott Phillips, a seventh grade math teacher at Aurora Middle School, was named 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year on Wednesday.
Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson sentenced Charles Temple to nine years and seven months to 23 years in prison.
ASHLAND — A new year is supposed to represent rebirth, a clean slate, a chance to set new goals. Less than a week into 2023, the plans made fo…
A 23-year-old Omaha man was sentenced Tuesday in the "senseless killing" of an Oklahoma man at a downtown bar in February 2022.
Tressa Alioth was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs. Her conviction stems from a July 2 incident in Bennington.
A Nebraska lawmaker is asking his colleagues to consider the state's biggest mental and behavioral health needs and set a "strong mental health agenda" for the 2024 session.
More than one in five youth who reported using e-cigarettes in a 2022 national survey also vaped CBD, according to a study led by UNMC researchers.
Nebraska's senior U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer announced Tuesday that she has been endorsed by Kellyanne Conway, a Fox News commentator and senior adviser to former President Donald Trump.
The Nebraska Community Blood Bank will no longer screen donations based on sexual or gender identity, following a new FDA policy.
North Bend Central School District Superintendent Patrick Ningen addresses the controversy over a racist homecoming sign shown on social media.
Like most other entities in Lancaster County, the NRD is still collecting more money despite lowering its tax levy because of a 22% overall increase in property valuations.
A 63-year-old man will be charged with misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in connection with a crash earlier this month that killed an Omaha doctor.
The Omaha Police Department identified three officers involved in an incident this month in which a 27-year-old man was fatally shot, allegedly after pointing a gun at bystanders and the officers.
The first challenger to Nebraska's senior U.S. senator Deb Fischer in 2024 just threw his hat into the ring.
A pumpkin growing in a tree in Omaha is drawing comments from neighbors. The 9-year-old boy who planted it is thrilled because he got the "pumpkin" tree he wanted.
UNL was developing a hybrid "responsibility center management" budget model where the majority of every tuition dollar paid followed students to the academic college in which they were enrolled.
Despite objections from their defense attorneys, four Omaha men accused of the first-degree murder of 15-year-old Synthia Elliott will be tried together early next year.
The number of Nebraskans working remotely has skyrocketed from 46,436 in 2019 to 110,093 last year, according to a U.S Census Bureau annual survey.
"I had no thought of being a state park superintendent," said Gene Hunt, now one of Game and Parks' longest-serving employees.
NU President Ted Carter said the university system was using a zero-based budgeting approach “to ensure we are making the most effective, efficient, and impactful use of every dollar.”
An upcoming event at Fort Kearny State Historical Park will finally recognize the Pawnee Scouts' service.
An Omaha man was found guilty of felony motor vehicle homicide after he was accused of intentionally hitting a woman with his car earlier this year, killing her.
Sentinel Fertigation was founded by Jackson Stansell while he was a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
An Omaha family will try to guess what the survey says on "Family Feud" this week.
Plattsmouth officials issued mandatory water restrictions last week while repairs are being made to the city's water treatment plant.
DNA recovered from an arm bone in 2021 near the North Platte River has been matched, resulting in solving the case of a 72-year-old man missing since 2016.
Lincoln resident Jordan Kurtzer was awarded the Carnegie Medal for his heroism last September helping rescue a driver from a pond in Southeast Lincoln.
Great Plains Piano Co., opened right before the pandemic, making owner Morgan Cowell wonder if he made the right decision. It appears he did, as business is booming.
State lawmakers heard from developers, advocates and community members in Omaha on Monday on how the Legislature can help improve the state's affordable housing crisis.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared at the Cathcart Rail facility west of Grand Island. Before delivering an address, he toured the plant, which is in Cornhusker Industrial Park.
Do you Ookla? Nebraskans who think the internet offered in their area is slow might want to get familiar with it.
The Lincoln woman accused of purposely running over and killing two men in March at an apartment complex is now competent to stand trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
The crash occurred along Omaha's L Street near 126th Street shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday. Police said the 75-year-old man died.
A standoff in Gering that began Tuesday afternoon was still continuing Wednesday afternoon, entering its 22nd hour.
The SCC Board of Governors said lawmakers indicated they would introduce bills to reverse any gains from a proposed property tax increase.
Prosecutors revealed new details about the killing of a Sarpy County Jail inmate allegedly perpetrated and covered up by other inmates at the jail.
A judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit that State Sen. Megan Hunt filed against a political action committee that made social media posts claiming she was grooming her transgender child.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign a bill that ensures schools in Nebraska and elsewhere can offer archery or hunting education programs without risking federal funding.
Sister Guadalupe DeWispelare, formerly of David City, recalls the journey of faith that's brought her to the Marian Sisters community of the Diocese of Lincoln.
The proposed change would reflect Union College's undergraduate and graduate program offerings and help it stand out among three other similarly named colleges, President Vinita Sauder said.
DAVEY — The before-and-after at Davey Park looks like something out of a catalog.
A California man allegedly defrauded dozens of investors in a multi-million dollar real estate Ponzi scheme based in Nebraska, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit.
A Texas man is in jail in Lincoln after he accidentally shot his 12-year-old grandson Saturday at a wedding in Lancaster County, deputies alleged. The boy's injuries aren't life-threatening.
Hall County has been trying to negotiate an increase in the rate paid by ICE, because the U.S. Marshals Service pays $105 a day for each inmate in the jail.
A Springfield man died after being hit by a dump truck just west of Palmyra in Otoe County.
In the three months petitioners have looked for support for an effort to repeal a Nebraska tax credit law, campaigns both for and against the initiative have raised more than $3 million between them.
A week after Matthew Innis was elected Lancaster County GOP chair in September, a judge signed an emergency protection order barring him from contacting his wife or possessing a gun.
Volunteers are caring for confiscated horses after the head of the Nebraska Epona Horse Rescue in Crete was injured recently.
Two men died when their garbage truck went into a ditch and rolled over just south of Tilden in northeast Nebraska.
Be prepared to hear a screeching alert on your cellphone — and everyone else’s cellphone — at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday (12:20 in Scottsbluff).
65-year-old Kenneth Brinton has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for possessing dozens of sexually explicit videos and images of children.
