Five area high schoolers qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo with their performance in the State Finals Rodeo in Hastings this past weekend. North Platte resident Brandy Brown, who attends Maywood High School, won the state final in barrel racing. She and Hershey resident Shawnie Stone-Swedberg qualified for nationals in that event. Thedford’s Chauncy Hesseltine won the saddle bronc event at the state final and will compete at nationals in that event and in bull riding. Wellfleet’s Jaden Clark also qualified for nationals in saddle bronc. Hershey’s Tucker White, along with partner Rhett Nelson, secured a spot in nationals in team roping.
Month: June 2012
Future Husker Banderas Invited to Army All-American Bowl
A Lincoln native and future Husker will represent the state at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January. Josh Banderas, a linebacker from Lincoln Southwest High School, was invited to play in the game after participating in the Rivals100 Challenge in Atlanta over the weekend. Banderas is a four-star recruit according to Rivals. He rates as the 13th best linebacker in the country and the best player in the state of Nebraska. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl takes place January 5 in San Antonio.
Former Storm Zharkov Drafted by Oilers
A former Tri-City Storm player was selected in the National Hockey League Entry Draft over the weekend. Daniil Zharkov became the 20th former Storm to be drafted when he was picked in the third round with the 91st overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers. Zharkov played 36 games for the Storm in the 2010-2011 season, tallying eight goals and three assists. He was one of 39 players selected in the seven-round draft with ties to the United States Hockey League.
Toby Keith Plays Despite Severe Weather
Friday night fans gathered from all over nebraska to gather at the Wild West Arena for a good show. Severe weather did roll in around 
10 PM. Though the thunder was loud and the rain was heavy Toby Keith did go on to play for his loyal fans willing to do anything to see and hear a good show. Though because of severe weather an 45 minute intermission was placed after the first act Brantly Gilbert.
Some fans decided to leave the concert because of severe weather. Toby Keith took two hours to appear on stage.
Nebraska Democratic Party holds its state convention
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Democratic Party will elect new leaders and set the party’s platform at its state convention being held in Omaha this weekend.
The biennial convention starts Friday and runs through Sunday. It’s being held at the Ramada Plaza Omaha Convention Center.
On Friday, caucus groups and organizations within the party will hold meetings. The general assembly meets Saturday to vote on platform issues, new party leadership and delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in September.
Current state party chairman Vic Covalt is stepping down after two terms, and three people have announced plans to replace him.
Also Saturday, retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson and the Democratic nominee seeking to replace him, Bob Kerrey, will address the convention.
North Platte woman accused of stealing $6,700
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A 33-year-old Sutherland woman has been accused of embezzling from her employer in North Platte.
Local media says that Kelli Kapps was arrested on suspicion of theft, accused of stealing $6,700 from a dental practice.
North Platte police say Kapps began taking the money in April 2010.
Kapps didn’t immediately return a call Friday to a Sutherland phone listing for her. Online court records don’t yet list the case.
Tennessee woman given five years probation after beating hitchhiker
SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 33-year-old Tennessee woman connected to the beating of a hitchhiker in western Nebraska has been given five years of probation.
Stephanie O’Neal, of Clarksville, Tenn., had pleaded no contest to four counts of compounding a felony. Court records say she was sentenced on Thursday to the probation, 100 hours of community service and 90 more days in jail, which can be waived at the court’s discretion.
Prosecutors say O’Neal and a traveling companion, 31-year-old Justin Adolph, of Lynchburg, Va., picked up a hitchhiker on June 1 last year. He was found severely beaten about 12 miles west of Sidney but has since recovered.
Adolph was convicted of attempted first-degree assault and conspiracy. He was given 30 to 40 years in prison.
Friday Sports Day/Weekend Sports Schedule
FRIDAY
Interleague
Detroit at Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
Washington at Baltimore 6:05 p.m.
Atlanta at Boston 6:10 p.m.
Minnesota at Cincinnati 6:10 p.m.
N-Y Yankees at N-Y Mets 6:10 p.m.
Toronto at Miami 6:10 p.m.
Cleveland at Houston 7:05 p.m.
Colorado at Texas 7:05 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE ON ESPN RADIO 1410!)
Milwaukee at Chi White Sox 7:10 p.m.
St. Louis at Kansas City 7:10 p.m.
L.A. Dodgers at L.A. Angels 9:05 p.m.
San Francisco at Oakland 9:05 p.m.
Seattle at San Diego 9:05 p.m.
National League
Chi Cubs at Arizona 8:40 p.m.
SATURDAY
BASEBALL
National League
Chicago Cubs at Arizona, 9:10 p.m.
Interleague
Toronto at Miami, 12:10 p.m.
St. Louis at Kansas City, 1:10 p.m.
Colorado at Texas, 2:05 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE ON ESPN RADIO 1410!)
Detroit at Pittsburgh, 3:05 p.m.
Cleveland at Houston, 3:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 3:05 p.m.
Minnesota at Cincinnati, 3:10 p.m.
Atlanta at Boston, 6:15 p.m.
N.Y. Yankees at N.Y. Mets, 6:15 p.m.
San Francisco at Oakland, 6:15 p.m.
Washington at Baltimore, 6:15 p.m.
L.A. Dodgers at L.A. Angels, 6:15 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chicago White Sox, 6:15 p.m.
Seattle at San Diego, 9:05 p.m.
SUNDAY
BASEBALL
National League
Chicago Cubs at Arizona, 3:10 p.m.
Interleague
Toronto at Miami, 12:10 p.m.
Minnesota at Cincinnati, 12:10 p.m.
Atlanta at Boston, 12:35 p.m.
Detroit at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 12:35 p.m.
Washington at Baltimore, 12:35 p.m.
Cleveland at Houston, 1:05 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m.
St. Louis at Kansas City, 1:10 p.m.
L.A. Dodgers at L.A. Angels, 2:35 p.m.
Seattle at San Diego, 3:05 p.m.
San Francisco at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.
Colorado at Texas, 4:05 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE ON ESPN RADIO 1410!)
N.Y. Yankees at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
Championship series, game 1, at Omaha, Neb., 8 p.m.
MOTORSPORTS
Formula One, European Grand Prix, Valencia, Spain, 8 a.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup, Toyota/Save Mart 350, Sonoma, Calif., 3 p.m.
OTHER EVENTS
Golf
PGA Tour, Travelers Championship, Cromwell, Conn.
LPGA Tour, Manulife Financial Classic, Waterloo, Ontario
Champions Tour, Montreal Championship, Sainte-Julie, Quebec
European Tour, BMW International Open, Pulheim, Germany
Nationwide Tour, Wichita Open, Wichita, Kan.
Athletics
USATF, U.S. Olympic Trials, Eugene, Ore.
Landowners watch for hotspots, Firefighters return home
HARRISON, Neb. (AP) — Landowners have taken over the watch on hot spots remaining from the wildfire that blackened an estimated 5,000 acres in the northwest corner of Nebraska.
Officials say firefighters have been sent home. It’s expected that some spots will continue to smolder and smoke but won’t pose a threat of spreading outside the burned area.
It’s believed the fire began with a lightning strike Friday night about 10 miles northeast of Harrison. It was first reported to the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department at 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
There were no reports of injuries to residents or firefighters and no reports of damage to any structures.
Local Families Needed for Cultural Exchange Students
MINNESOTA (ASSE International Student Exchange Programs)- ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), in cooperation with the local high school, is seeking local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries around the world.
Students come with an enthusiasm to practice their English and experience American culture–food, sport, shopping and more. They will also share their own culture with host families. Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving both the students and families a rich cultural experience.
In addition, students have pocket money for personal expenses; and full health, accident and liability insurance. Students are academically selected onto program, and host families can choose their students from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.
To become a host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, please call the Midwestern Regional Office at 1-800-736-1760 or go to www.assehosts.com to begin your host family application. There are many students to choose from, so begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter into your family today!