Year in Review- First Quarter

Throughout this week we will be taking a look back at some of the top news stories of 2024. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has more.

On January 7, Israel Melvin allegedly killed his mother, 64-year-old Leonila Melvin at her home on Gladstone Street in Sheridan. According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim died from blunt force trauma to the head. The medical examiner concluded that a blunt object with sharp corners was used to inflict the trauma.  At an arraignment hearing in District Court Melvin pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental illness to the charge of murder in the second degree. Trial is scheduled for April 7, 2025. Melvin faces 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

A Mayoral appointment drew criticism from one member of the Sheridan City Council as the recommendation by Sheridan Mayor Rich Bridger to appoint Brandy Campbell to the City Planning Commission was an item on the consent agenda of Monday night’s Sheridan City Council meeting. Councilman Andrew Patceg made a motion to have the item removed from consent and placed on the agenda under new business.

The following is Mayor Rich Bridger’s response.

The Council voted 4 to 2 to confirm the appointment of Brandy Campbell to the Planning Commission. Councilors Patceg and Kristen Jennings voted against the appointment.

The first quarter of the year also included the tragic death of Sheridan Police Department Sergeant Nevada Krinkee, who was shot and killed by William Lowery while attempting to serve a trespass warning near the intersection of 5th Street and Val Vista Street. On March 1, hundreds of people lined Main Street and Coffeen Avenue for Krinkee’s memorial service procession that began at the Sheridan Police Department, and proceeded to Sheridan College, where the memorial service was held.

We’ll continue the year-in-review series Tuesday with a look at some of the top news stories from the second quarter of 2024.