A trio of Nebraska Supreme Court justices made a stop at the Chase County courthouse Wednesday, Aug. 2 as part of a tour through southwest Nebraska. The three justices included the Hon. William Cassel, center left, the Hon. Chief Justice Michael Heavican, seated, and the Hon. Stephanie Stacy, center right. Other county and court officials pictured with the justices include, from left, Commissioner Chuck Vette, State Court Administrator Corey Steel, County Magistrate Karen Mueller, the Hon. District Court Judge David Urbom, and County Clerk Debbie Clark, who also serves as Clerk of the Court. (Johnson Publications photo)
Chase County Commissioner Chuck Vette, center, and Nebraska Chief Justice Michael Heavican, left, visit with District Judge David Urbom during a visit of Supreme Court justices to Imperial Wednesday, Aug. 2. (Johnson Publications photo)
Supreme Court justices visit Chase County
Chase County got a rare visit last week from a trio of Nebraska Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice Mike Heavican.
Each summer, Heavicon takes several days to travel outside the Lincoln area. During his tours, he meets with judges, court and probation staff and county officials.
He was accompanied by Justices William Cassel and Stephanie Stacy and other court administration officials.
Stacy was only the second woman appointed as a justice to the state’s high court.
Heavican, who was appointed as chief justice in 2006, took special interest in the architecture of the courthouse. With camera in tow, he took a number of photos.
His tour began Monday July 31 and ran through Thursday, Aug. 3.
Other county seat courthouse visits included Grant, Benkelman, Hayes Center, Trenton, McCook, North Platte, Stockville, Beaver City, Alma, Elwood, St. Paul, Kearney, Grand Island and Aurora.
While at Stockville, Heavican presented a lifetime achievement award to Ron Werkmeister. He has served the county and district courts there for many years.
Heavican said the tour gives him the opportunity to receive input from county officials and employees on how to improve the court system.
“All the courthouses have represented a great expression of community pride,” he said, commenting on the well-kept lawns, trees and gardens.