Residents in several central Nebraska communities will have an opportunity to meet members of the Nebraska Supreme Court next week as the court makes their annual summer tour through the region.
The tour kicks off on Monday, August 10 in Merrick County, before proceeding to Howard and Sherman Counties. The first day concludes in Custer County, with a special proclamation ceremony in honor of Trial Court Week. Day two sees visits to Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Valley, Greeley, and Wheeler Counties. On the return leg of August 12, the Court will visit Holt, Antelope, Boone, Nance, Polk, and Butler Counties.
Communities in the area scheduled to host visits include Central City, St. Paul, Loup City, Broken Bow, Brewster, Taylor, Burwell, Ord, Greeley, O’Neill, Albion and David City. Along the way, justices and court staff will meet with county officials, courthouse employees, probation staff, local attorneys and members of the public.
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffery Funke said the annual tour allows the state’s highest court to strengthen relationships with local judicial offices while learning firsthand about courthouse operations across Nebraska.
The tradition began in 2008 under former Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice, Michael Heavican, who set a goal of visiting every courthouse in Nebraska.
After that goal was completed in 2023, the court continued the annual tours by revisiting different regions of the state. This year’s route was built around central Nebraska, including Custer County.
The tour includes more than Supreme Court justices. Representatives from information technology, trial court services and probation also travel with the group to discuss courthouse operations, technology needs and best practices with local staff. In addition to meetings with courthouse personnel, Funke said many stops are open to the public.
While in Broken Bow, the court is also scheduled to present a proclamation recognizing Trial Court Week before continuing the tour across central and northeast Nebraska.
