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Let’s Work Together to End Drunk Driving!

Madison County, Nebraska — From August 21 through September 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be working alongside the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to deter drunk driving and prevent tragedies during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

During the 2024 Labor Day holiday (6 p.m. August 30 – 5:59 a.m. September 3), there were 505 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 505 fatalities, 34% (170) involved a drunk driver. Seventy-seven percent of the impaired drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2024, 40% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Sheriff Todd Volk. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.”

If a driver intends to drink during a Labor Day festivity, he or she should plan ahead for a safe ride home by securing a designated driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment and endangers others on the road.

If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information on impaired driving, visit NHTSA.gov/DrunkDriving.

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August 14, 2026

On August 13, 2026 at approximately 10:00 PM, arrest were made of two individual’s whom are being charged with the felony theft and criminal mischief of Madison County and State of Nebraska road signs. The amount of damage and replacement costs are over $4,000.00 at this time. The final amount is yet to be determined. These arrests came after a concern citizen reported information to the Sheriff’s Office.

Wyatt Wegener (24) of rural Madison County.

Colten Melcher (18) of Rural Madison County.

Both have been arrested and charged with the following:

Theft for Unlawful Taking or Disposition –Felony (28-511)

Criminal Mischief – Misdemeanor (60-6,130)

Signs, Markers, Devices, or Notices; Prohibited Acts (60-6,130)

This is still an on-going investigation and more arrests may be made. We appreciate the public’s concern and assistance in these arrests.

The damaged signs are still being replaced; it is believed that all of the “STOP” and “YIELD” signs have been fixed. If anyone knows that a sign used to exist in a rural area of Madison County and it is gone or damaged please send an email with the information to: signs@madisoncountyne.gov

 Sheriff Todd Volk