Chase County Commissioners Jacci Brown, Dennis Kunnemann and Chuck Vette  reviewed a possible lawsuit against the county and city of Imperial during the March 26 commissioners’ meeting.
    The suit is related to a dispute between Ryan and Aaron Greene of Imperial and the entities over what the Greenes say is damage to their property from Imperial Police target practice.
    City of Imperial Administrator Jo Leyland and Chase County Clerk Debra Clark received letters concerning a notice of tort claim in April 2018 from attorneys for the Greenes claiming the city and county have denied a “private citizen the right to own and enjoy his property.”
    The city and county are joint members of the Southwest Nebraska Solid Waste Agency, which borders the Greenes’ land. The shooting range is located on property owned by the agency.
    Members of the Imperial Police Department used the range for shooting practice. The Greenes claim bullets landed on their property, creating a safety issue.
    The Sheriff’s Office also used the range but discontinued its use after a request from the Greenes.
    Charges were filed by Chase County Attorney Arlan Wine on behalf of the State of Nebraska against the Greenes following an altercation with Imperial police officers in May 2017.
    Felony criminal conspiracy charges against the Greenes were dismissed in October 2017.
    Aaron Greene won a directed verdict in a July 2018 county court trial, acquitting him of charges for assault in the 3rd degree and disturbing the peace.
    Three weeks ago, Ryan Greene was found not guilty of a misdemeanor third degree assault charge and a felony charge of making terroristic threats in a jury trial.
    Charges including two misdemeanors for disturbing the peace and a felony charges of making terroristic threats. were also dismissed.
    Wine said the county’s insurance company should handle the tort claim investigation and case. While the county did not respond to the April 2018 letter, Wine said he would contact the Greenes’ attorneys to say the county is consulting with its insurance company.

To read the full story, subscribe to the e-edition online or call the Breeze at 308-394-5389 to subscribe to the print edition.