Custer County District Court records say 51-year-old Holli Erstrom, of Callaway, was sentenced last week. She’d pleaded no contest to attempted theft. Prosecutors had lowered the charge in exchange for Erstrom’s plea.

Prosecutors say Erstrom stole money while working as manager for the Callaway branch of Country Partners Cooperative.

Station KCNI reports that prosecution and defense attorneys recommended that Erstrom be given probation, noting that she had no criminal history. The judge ordered Erstrom to make restitution of more than $17,600 in addition to the probation.

Federal court records say Randy Kirby was sentenced last week and ordered to pay restitution of more than $130,000.

Prosecutors say Kirby operated a mental health practice called Transitions Counseling. Prosecutors say that between September 2013 and September 2016, Kirby submitted to Nebraska Medicaid false claims for reimbursement for services that he couldn’t show he’d rendered.

He pleaded guilty last October.

The state’s $7 million Rural Workforce Housing Fund gives nonprofit development organizations matching grants to construct or rehabilitate housing in rural parts of the state.

The goal is to create housing options for middle-income workers who don’t qualify for other housing assistance programs but don’t have enough for a down payment.

Adrian and Maria Ruiz were renting a home in Emerson as they struggled to find housing eight miles away in Wakefield, where Adrian Ruiz works. The couple was finally able to purchase a $185,000 home in Wakefield after receiving a no-interest loan through the program, which helped them afford the down payment needed for the three-bedroom home.

“It’s just a great feeling now being part of the community of Wakefield,” Adrian Ruiz said. “Now maybe we can give something back.”

Officials in Wakefield and nearby Wayne said the area lacks homes in the $80,000 to $150,000 range. Many workers have to commute from other cities, which makes it difficult for employers to retain workers.

“We’ve had employers tell us that the retention rate would be higher if there was more housing here,” said Megan Weaver, executive director of the Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation, which applied for the housing grant and administers it. “In these small communities, if you don’t have some kind of incentive for people to live here, they’re going to go live somewhere else.”

The two cities have raised $750,000 in local matching funds for the housing program. Three other homes are planned to be built in Wakefield, along with four rehabilitation projects. A triplex has been constructed in Wayne, and two single-family homes are being planned.

Lawmakers on Wednesday voted 25-22 against a proposed legislative rule that would have changed the current practice of choosing leaders by a secret ballot.

Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte, says he introduced the measure because it promotes transparency. Groene argues that the secret vote runs afoul of the state constitution.

Opponents say making the votes public would increase outside partisan pressure in the officially nonpartisan Legislature. The Legislature is dominated by registered Republicans, but Democrats have still been able to win some chairmanships in recent years.

Conservative state senators have raised the issue several times in recent years to force a vote that shows where all state lawmakers stand.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen said Wednesday that the current vote-counting machines are still accurate and secure, but replacement parts to fix them have become scarce and better equipment is now available.

The secretary of state’s office requested funding for the machines in a budget proposal to Gov. Pete Ricketts, who in turn recommended it to the Legislature earlier this month.

Evnen says the machines will help ensure that Nebraska’s elections remain secure, reliable and accurate. If lawmakers approve funding, county officials will receive new equipment and training prior to the May 2020 statewide primary election.

Evnen’s comments echo concerns raised by his predecessor, former Secretary of State John Gale.

A proposal to change the legislative rule was withdrawn Tuesday after lawmakers debated the issue. The proposal would have guaranteed a collective 10 ½ hours of extended debate during three rounds of consideration on each bill.

Some senators say legislative speakers need the flexibility to determine the length of debate, a practice that’s been in place for decades.

The number of filibusters has surged in recent years, raising concerns that Nebraska lawmakers aren’t using their time efficiently even though many senators say they’re critical to protect minority rights.

Some senators note that Nebraska’s one-house Legislature doesn’t have a second chamber to counter its actions.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Lincoln man to prison for burglarizing the Lincoln home of Nebraska football coach Scott Frost.

Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong on Tuesday sentenced 21-year-old Andrew M. Williams to three to five years in prison. He could be eligible for parole in just over a year.

In December, Williams pleaded guilty to burglarizing Frost’s home on July 29 as well as possession of methamphetamine in a separate case.

At the hearing, Williams apologized to Frost.

Two 17-year-olds also were arrested in connection with the burglary. They are awaiting trial in adult court.