Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 83
Singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary is 75
Keyboardist Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornadoes and the Sir Douglas Quintet is 73
Actress Sharon Gless (“Cagney and Lacey”) is 70
Actor Gregory Harrison is 63
Actor Tom Berenger is 63
Actor Kyle Secor (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) is 56
Comedian Chris Elliott is 53
Actress Lea Thompson (“Caroline in the City,” ”Back to the Future”) is 52
Singer Corey Hart is 51
Rapper DMC of Run-DMC is 49
Actress Brooke Shields is 48
Country bassist Ed Adkins of The Derailers is 46
Actress Archie Panjabi (“The Good Wife”) is 41
Actor Colin Farrell is 37
Trumpet player Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish is 36
Drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy is 33
Country singer Casey James is 31
Actor Jonathan Tucker is 31
Rapper Waka Flocka Flame is 27
Actor Curtis Williams Jr. is 26.
Month: May 2013
Entertainment History May 31
On May 31st, 1958, Sheb Wooley’s “Purple People Eater” hit the top of the pop charts and stayed there for six weeks.
In 1961, Chuck Berry opened Berry Park, an outdoor amusement park in Wentzville, Missouri.
In 1976, The Who got into the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the loudest rock band ever, when their concert in England measured 120 decibels. That record has since been broken.
In 1977, Emerson, Lake and Palmer began a tour of the U.S. accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra.
In 1978, The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno” album went gold.
In 1989, the first International Rock Awards Ceremony was held in New York City. The Traveling Wilburys’ “Volume One” was named album of the year, Guns N’ Roses won artist of the year, and newcomer of the year went to Living Colour.
In 1990, “Seinfeld” made its debut as “The Seinfeld Chronicles” on NBC.
In 1995, Ted Nugent placed his handprint and signature in cement in the Hollywood Rock Walk.
In 1996, singer Elsbeary Hobbs, who sang bass with The Drifters, died of throat and lung cancer in New York. He was 59.
In 1998, singer Geri Halliwell, better known as Ginger Spice, quit the Spice Girls.
In 2000, singer Johnnie Taylor died of an apparent heart attack at a hospital in Dallas. He was 62. He’s probably best known for songs like “Who’s Making Love” and “Disco Lady.” That same day, Latin bandleader Tito Puente (PWEN’-tay) died in New York from complications from open heart surgery. He was 77.
In 2006, Katie Couric appeared for the last time on NBC’s “Today” show after 15 years on the program. She left to anchor the “CBS Evening News.”
Virgil Neil Adle
Virgil Neil Adle, age 86 of North Platte, passed away May 30, 2013.
Virg was born February 12, 1927 in Cozad to Charles and Jessie (Montgomery) Adle. The family moved to North Platte in 1929 and he graduated from NPHS in 1945. He attended the University of Nebraska and played for the Cornhusker football team. In 1946 he enlisted in the US Navy and in 1949 he married Joy Lee (Dode) Soper. After they were married, he began working for his father-in-law, Gurney Soper, at Crawford Electric Construction Company. He also managed Cesco Electric Construction Co., later owning and operating the company for 45 years. He retired from the company at age 62. Over the years he belonged to various clubs including the Elks Club, Eagles Club, American Legion Club, Experimental Aircraft Association #562, Master Mason – Platte Valley Lodge #32, Tehama Shriners, Chapter 80 Aerobatic Club, and the Silver Wings Assoc. He began flying in 1943 and earned his private license in 1944. For 61 years Virg owned and flew many airplanes. He attended Husker football games for 50 years and attended all sports with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed boating, fishing and traveling in their motor home.
Virg is survived by his children Kim Adle (Kevin Short) of Papillion, and Pat (Karen) Adle of North Platte; grandchildren Scott (Rosie) Adle of Secor, IL, Ryan Adle of Papillion, NE, and Jeb Adle of the US Marine Corp; 3 great grandchildren James, Maria and John Adle of Secor, IL; brother-in-law Jim Soper of Austin, TX; niece Suzan Cooper of Roundrock, TX; nephew Jeff Soper of Austin; and great nieces and nephews Jensen, Brennan, and Lexie Cooper; sister-in-law Sharron Soper of Austin, TX.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joy Lee; parents; and 2 sisters Jeanette Adle and Ruth Swedberg.
Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Pastor Alison Frazier officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside. Register book signing will be Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6:00 PM and Monday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
‘Healing in the Heartland’ Concert Raises $6 Million for Oklahoma Tornado Relief
(AP) — Organizers of a televised benefit concert say they raised more than $6 million in pledges and ticket sales to help people in Oklahoma trying to recover after a deadly tornado last week.
A spokeswoman for the United Way of Central Oklahoma reported the updated figures Thursday after the “Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert” hosted by Blake Shelton and televised live on NBC.
Several country music stars with Oklahoma ties performed during the Wednesday night concert in downtown Oklahoma City. The included Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts. Other performers included Usher, Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan.
The money goes directly to the United Way of Central Oklahoma. It will distribute funding to agencies helping those affected by the May 20 tornado.
Nicki Minaj Not Returning to ‘Idol’
(AP) — Nicki Minaj is following Mariah Carey out the door on “American Idol.”
The hip-hop diva announced Thursday on Twitter that it is “time to focus on the music.”
Fox and “Idol” producer FremantleMedia say in a statement that they wish her the best.
Minaj became a new judge on the Fox talent competition last year along with Carey and Keith Urban. Minaj and Carey bickered on the show, creating a feud that was uncomfortable for both viewers and contestants.
Carey announced earlier Thursday that she wasn’t coming back to “Idol” so she can focus on her upcoming tour.
“Idol” veteran judge Randy Jackson announced ahead of the 12th season finale that he is also leaving the show.
Four Inducted Into NE Football Hall of Fame
Four former Husker greats, including a trio of defensive backs, lead the 2013 class of inductees into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.
All-American defensive back Keyuo Craver and All-Big Eight safeties Reggie Cooper and Russell Gary anchor an award-winning group of Blackshirts being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The trio of ball-hawking defenders is joined by All-Big Eight offensive lineman John Havekost, who helped his 1978 Husker team lead the nation in total offense.
All four of the Huskers being inducted into the Hall of Fame were either drafted or played in the NFL. Gary, a seven-year NFL veteran who played with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, brings the most NFL success to the group. Craver, who also spent three seasons with the Saints, also spent seven seasons in professional football by adding four years in the Canadian Football League.
Nebraska Wesleyan All-America wide receiver Tim Beebe will join the Huskers in this year’s class of Hall of Famers. Beebe earned All-America honors at NWU in 1987.
The Hall will also recognize Ernie and Jan Thayer of Grand Island with its Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award. Tom and Mary Hansen of Papillion will be honored with the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award.
The Nebraska Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. The College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Ind., in 1995.
This year’s Nebraska Football Hall of Fame class will celebrate with an induction dinner on the University of Nebraska campus on Friday, Sept. 20. The class will be introduced prior to Nebraska’s football game with South Dakota State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Recent Rains Help Alleviate Drought, But…
(AP) — The recent rain has helped alleviate drought in Nebraska, but most of the state remains dry with the worst conditions being reported out west.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday says that nearly 7 percent of Nebraska in the southeast corner of the state is no longer experiencing drought.
The National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says the other 93 percent of the state is still experiencing drought, but the severity of it has improved this spring.
Only 39 percent of Nebraska in the western half of the state is currently experiencing either extreme or exceptional drought. Three months ago, 96 percent of the state fell into one of those two categories of drought.
Lyman Man Charged with Making Threats with Gasoline
(AP) — A 23-year-old Panhandle man remains in jail, awaiting prosecution on allegations that he poured gasoline on his girlfriend’s sister and threatened to set her aflame.
James Browning, of Lyman, was arrested after a disturbance on Sunday morning.
Court documents say the sister of Browning’s girlfriend was trying to help the girlfriend get away from Browning when he threw the gas on the sister. The documents also say Browning threw items at the sister’s vehicle as they drove away and later threatened the sister’s husband with an ax when he showed up at Browning’s property.
Browning is charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats and two related misdemeanors.
Jail records say Browning remained in custody on Thursday. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call.
Wind Blamed for Fremont Residents Not Hearing Sirens
(AP) — Officials in Fremont say they’re getting plenty of feedback about warning sirens.
Mayor Scott Getzschman noted at a Tuesday City Council meeting that he’s spoken with people who didn’t hear the sirens as usual and others who heard them for the first time.
Getzschman says the sirens worked when they were sounded early Monday. They also sounded Wednesday night when the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Fremont County.
Emergency Manager Bill Pook says the issue Monday likely was the high wind, which could muffle the sound in one direction and carry it for a long distance in another direction.
Pook says people with concerns should listen for the siren on testing days. Fremont’s next one is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Omaha Authorities Cracking Down on Gangs
(AP) — Authorities in Omaha have arrested four men on suspicion of gang-related activity that includes gun and drug trafficking.
Local and federal authorities made the arrests Thursday as part of a nine-month investigation called Operation Purple Haze. It included undercover officers buying drugs, as well as tips from the public.
Authorities are now trying to find several other men wanted on drug charges.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says all the men are considered leaders in two of the city’s most notorious crime rings. He called the arrests “a major bust.”
Police have identified more than 70 gangs in Omaha.