A 49-year-old man escaped from his sport utility vehicle before it was rammed by a train in the Nebraska Panhandle.
Scottsbluff radio station KNEB reports that Claude Shelby was driving north on a county road west of Scottsbluff on Tuesday morning when he swerved to miss a deer.
Authorities say Shelby’s SUV ended up stuck on tracks at a rail crossing. But he got out of his vehicle before it was hit by the eastbound coal train.
Authorities say two adults and two young children were killed in an early morning house fire in the southern Colorado city of Pueblo.
Firefighters believe the children were about 3 months and 2 years old.
The fire was reported at about 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Pueblo police Sgt. Steve Etienne (EH’-tee-en) says flames and smoke were pouring from the home when firefighters arrived and no one escaped.
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire. So far, they’ve ruled out a cooking fire. Police have been involved but the fire department says that’s standard in fatal blazes and there’s no indication of any criminal intent.
A Thurston County Supervisor has reached a settlement with the state over allegations that he failed to file a mandatory financial disclosure form.
Greg Jump of Walthill acknowledged in settlement papers that he failed to submit a 2011 financial-interest statement with state authorities by the April 1 deadline. The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission approved the agreement late last week.
Authorities began investigating on Sept. 10, and Jump filed the statement later that month. He also agreed to comply with state disclosure laws in the future.
Jump could have faced a $2,000 fine for failing to submit the papers, but commission members opted not to assess a penalty.
The University of Nebraska Foundation says it received almost $165 million in donations and pledges this past fiscal year, the foundation’s third-best year for total gifts.
The foundation says it gave almost $124 million to programs at the four campuses and ended the year with $1.8 billion in assets, up from $1.7 billion in 2011.
The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that raises money to support University of Nebraska programs.
Officials say the latest draft of Nebraska’s revised social students standards contains more detail on what the state expects of its school districts, teachers and students.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the revision released Monday was more specific than a draft released in May, reflecting changes based on public input and evaluations from outside experts.
State officials want the standards focused on broad concepts, leaving details to districts around the state. The lack of detail had been criticized, however, after the May draft was released.
The standards have four content areas: history, economics, geography and civics. They are separated into various grade levels.
It is said that only your peers truly understand the skill, time and effort it takes to rise to the peak of excellence. The Nebraska Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus recognized Lisa Burke for just such an accomplishment last week at the annual Nebraska Travel Conference. Burke, the Executive Director of the North Platte/Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau since 2002 received NACVB’s 2012 Crystal Compass award.
According to Dana Markel, Director of the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau, “Upon arriving at the North Platte CVB, Lisa was compelled to elevate the CVB’s purpose beyond distributing tourism related material – she set out to establish a role in developing North Platte’s destination appeal and introduce more people to its culture and heritage. Lisa’s business plan has always emphasized ‘the experience’ as she has collaborated with local attractions, festivals and events to develop an experience that provides a visitor memory and a strong marketing message.”
From the other end of the state, Gering’s CVB Executive Director Karla Neidan-Streeks had this to say, “Not only has Lisa helped develop her community as a tourism destination, she has served as a take action leader on a state level. The Crystal Compass award recognizes individuals who have given of themselves to lead this association of statewide Convention and Visitor Bureaus which in turn, strengthens our state tourism industry.”
In addition to serving in various leadership capacities with the Nebraska Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Lisa has also been active in the Nebraska Travel Association and the Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition.
“Lisa Burke continues to lead her staff to thinking “what’s next”. Their office excels on building partnerships within the county and state for international positioning. Burke’s role as the Executive Director of the CVB requires seeing the big picture and working on the details to accomplish sustainability and growth. It has been a pleasure working beside such leadership,” Clarine Eickhoff, Advisory Board Chair.
Beyond developing the North Platte experience – Lisa has developed and lead a marketing strategy that has established new audiences which receive the North Platte message. Her efforts have succeeded in helping to attract visitor spending totaling just over $81 million in 2011, supporting 1,500 jobs in Lincoln County.
The Lady Sailor volleyball team is two wins away from a third straight trip to the state tournament. A tough subdistrict final matchup awaits them tonight in North Platte. Hear all about it right here on this week’s Sutherland Sailor sports update!
Here we go!
UNDATED (AP) — A new NBA season gets under way tonight and the Heat will raise their championship banner and hand out rings ahead of their opener against the visiting Celtics. Former Boston sharpshooter Ray Allen will be watching from the Miami bench after an offseason move. Current teammate and reigning league MVP LeBron James will be getting his first championship ring.
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and the revamped Lakers will host Dallas this evening. Los Angeles added two-time MVP Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the offseason. Bryant has been kept out of practice recently due to a foot injury and his status is up in the air. The Mavericks open without star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who is recovering from knee surgery and expected to miss at least the first 10 games of the season.
Washington at Cleveland rounds out the opening night slate.
Leyland has contract for 2013
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers are bringing back manager Jim Leyland. And his coaching staff also has been invited to return as well.
Next year will mark Leyland’s 22nd season as a major league manager and his eighth in Detroit. He led the Tigers to the World Series this year for the second time during his time in the Motor City. Detroit was swept out by San Francisco on Sunday.
The 67-year-old Leyland leads all active managers with 1,676 wins. That is good for 15th on the career list.
Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski says Leyland has done a fantastic job and the organization is thrilled to have him back. Leyland says he couldn’t dream of a better place to manage.
Wheeling-dealing begins
UNDATED (AP)— Baseball’s offseason business began with the New York Yankees exercising $15 million options on second baseman Robinson Cano and center fielder Curtis Granderson, two of the disappointments in their AL championship series loss to the Detroit Tigers.
In other baseball news:
__Oakland, the surprise AL West champion with a major league-low $59.5 million payroll, exercised a $4.5 million option for closer Grant Balfour. But the Athletics declined their half of a $10 million mutual option for shortstop Stephen Drew, who receives a $1.35 million buyout.
__Minnesota declined a $9.25 million option on right-hander Scott Baker, who missed the entire season because of a torn elbow ligament. The Twins are interested in keeping him at a lower salary.
__The Los Angeles Dodgers, who haven’t made the playoffs in three years, declined options on first baseman Juan Rivera ($4 million), right-hander Todd Coffey ($2.5 million) and catcher Matt Treanor ($950,000).
— Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Alex Gonzalez has become a free agent after coming off the 60-day disabled list. The team said Monday Gonzalez joined Brewers right-handers Shaun Marcum and Francisco Rodriguez in choosing free agency.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Washington at Cleveland 6:00 p.m.
Boston at Miami 7:00 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)
Dallas at L-A Lakers 9:30 p.m.
49ers strengthen grip on division lead
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers cruised to a 24-3 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals last night and took firm control of the NFC West at the halfway mark of their season.
Alex Smith threw touchdown passes to Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss to help the Niners build a 24-0 lead.
Smith connected on 18 of 19 passes. That’s an NFL record for most completed passes with just one incompletion.
The Niners defense lived up to its No. 1 ranking, holding Arizona to just seven yards on the ground. And they didn’t yield a TD for the fourth time in five games.
The Cardinals’ fourth straight loss after a 4-0 start drops them two games behind 6-2 San Francisco in the division race.
Inspirational move in Indy…Chiefs QB picture uncertain…Reid sticks with Vick
UNDATED (AP) — Colts head coach Chuck Pagano made it back to the team complex for a short staff meeting Monday.
It’s the first time Pagano has been back since being diagnosed with a form of leukemia Sept. 26. Interim coach and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians the surprise visit gave the team a boost and notes Pagano went home when he became tired.
In other NFL news:
— Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn is being evaluated for a possible concussion and his status for Thursday night’s game at San Diego won’t be known until later in the week. If he can’t go, Matt Cassel will be back under center for the Chiefs.
__ Three people familiar with the decision tell The Associated Press that Michael Vick hasn’t been benched by coach Andy Reid. Vick has struggled during the Eagles’ three-game losing streak. But Reid is hesitant to go with unproven rookie Nick Foles right now.
Kobe sits out final pre-season practice…Mavs release G West after pair of suspensions
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Kobe Bryant has missed the last week of practice with an injured foot. Ready or not, the NBA regular season is here.
Bryant sat out Monday while his teammates went through a lengthy workout ahead of tonight’s opener against Dallas, the first of four Lakers games in six days. The fifth-leading scorer in NBA history is resting his sore right foot.
Tuesday night’s other openers include the Washington Wizards at Cleveland and the defending NBA champion Miami Heat hosting the Boston Celtics.
In other NBA news:
— The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Delonte West after suspending him twice in less than two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team. The move created a roster spot for center Eddy Curry, who was picked up last week and could end up starting in the opener against the Los Angeles Lakers because of an injury to Chris Kaman.
— The Portland Trail Blazers have appointed AEG Sports executive Chris McGowan as the team’s new president and chief operating officer. Neil Olshey, the Blazers’ GM appointed in June, will manage all basketball operations.
On Monday, in Lincoln County District Court, a North Platte couple pleaded not guilty to child abuse. In a separate case, a NP woman pleaded guilty to an assault charge.
The NP couple, 27-year-old Heather and 23-year-old David Granados pleaded not guilty to child abuse. The couple was arrested on September, 17th, after an investigation which suspects that the two exposed their juvenile to illicit drugs.
Authorities say that Hair follicle tests from the child tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and THC, the active chemical found in marijuana.
The couple are scheduled to appear in court November 19th.
A North Platte woman pleaded not guilty in District Court when she made a plea deal.
Elizabeth Cardenas, 49, was accused of stabbing her husband in the back on July 17th. Cardenas was convicted on the charge of attempted second-degree assault which was lowered from an aggravated assault charge. The charge of tampering with a witness was dropped as part of the plea deal.
Cardenas is scheduled to appear for sentencing on December 12th.
Cardenas stabbed her husband in the back with a knife while he was cleaning broken glass from a drunken incident that the convicted Cardenas caused prior to the stabbing.
