July 2013 – Page 32 – North Platte Post Archive

Pilot Makes Emergency Landing Near Holdrege

Posted on July 19, 2013

(AP) — Authorities say a pilot has made an emergency landing of a small plane in southern Nebraska.

The Phelps County Sheriff’s Office says the Piper Turbo Arrow landed Friday afternoon on a dirt road north of the town of Holdrege. No injuries were reported.

Pilot Mark Budde, of Leoti, Kan., told authorities he took off from the Holdrege airport at noon. He says the plane lost power shortly after take-off, and he determined he didn’t have enough power to return to the airport.

Budde landed on a dirt road. The plane’s right wing caught nearby corn, spinning it into a field.

The station says damage was reported on the plane, some corn and an irrigation pipe.

Entry Into Eastern Nebraska Aquarium Now Free

Posted on July 19, 2013

(AP) — Officials have dropped a $1 fee to visit an aquarium in eastern Nebraska.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission said Friday that it will now be free to tour the Aksarben Aquarium at the Schramm Park State Recreation Area.

Officials say the move expands outreach efforts and accommodates more visitors.

The 12,000-square-feet aquarium, which opened in 1979, features exhibits that show species found in the state’s ponds, lakes and streams. It is open year-round.

Lincoln Bus Driver Who Punched Passenger Pleads Guilty

Posted on July 19, 2013July 19, 2013

(AP) — A Nebraska bus driver who was fired after being caught on video punching a rider has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.

Online court records show that 43-year-old Troy Fischer of Lincoln changed his plea Thursday. His attorney says Fischer will seek probation at his sentencing scheduled for Sept. 18. The charge carries a possible jail term of one year.

A surveillance video showed Fischer repeatedly punching passenger Torrance Rose on March 23. Fischer also is shown dragging Rose off the bus and leaving him on the roadway.

Fischer said he had told Rose he was on the wrong bus but that Rose didn’t seem to understand. Fischer said he’d felt threatened by Rose and pressed an emergency button on the bus seeking help before the confrontation.

Nebraska’s Jobless Rate Rose to Four Percent in June

Posted on July 19, 2013

(AP) — Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a point in June, hitting 4 percent.

The Nebraska Labor Department said in a report released Friday that the rate was unchanged from the 4 percent in June 2012.

The national rate remained unchanged last month at 7.6 percent, the same rate as May.

Supreme Court Vacates Scottsbluff Man’s Sex Abuse Conviction

Posted on July 19, 2013

(AP) — In a split decision, the Nebraska Supreme Court has vacated the convictions and sentence of a western Nebraska man accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl and beating her three brothers.

Last year, 36-year-old Eric Rocha, of Scottsbluff, was sentenced to 40 years to life for first-degree sexual assault of a child and three to five years on each of four counts of child abuse.

On Friday, a majority of the state’s high court agreed with Rocha that his trial attorney was ineffective for, among other things, not seeking to have separate trials on the sex abuse and child abuse charges.

But Supreme Court Judges Kenneth Stephan and William Cassel said such arguments should be addressed in postconviction relief action, not a direct appeal.

Rocha can still be retried.

Outback Bowl Extends Contract with BIG TEN Conference Through 2020 Bowl

Posted on July 19, 2013

TAMPA,FL — Outback Bowl officials have announced an agreement to extend the contract with the Big Ten Conference six additional years through the 2019 college football season. The agreement extends a 20-year relationship with the conference to play in Tampa on New Year’s Day at Raymond James Stadium.

“After celebrating a 20^th straight appearance in the city of Tampa last New Year’s Day, we are happy to announce that Big Ten teams will continue to take part in the Outback Bowl through the 2019 season,” Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany said. “Since the Big Ten made its first appearance at the bowl in 1988, nine different conference schools have had the opportunity to take the field in Tampa, and this bowl will continue to be a wonderful and rewarding postseason destination for student-athletes and fans. With a premier NFL facility in Raymond James Stadium and a large alumni base in the state of Florida, we think the Outback Bowl is another terrific addition to a national schedule of bowl competition.”

“We are proud and thrilled to extend our relationship with the Big Ten for six additional years,” noted Outback Bowl President/CEO Jim McVay. “The Big Ten and Outback Bowl are a perfect fit. We love the teams, bands, fans and the tradition and history of the conference. We appreciate our wonderful relationship with Commissioner Delany, the school presidents and Big Ten Athletic Directors. They are great partners.”

The Outback Bowl has hosted a Big Ten team in its game the past 20 years and 24 times in its 27-year history.

The 2014 Outback Bowl will kickoff at 1 P.M. on January 1^st. Special priority seating Membership packages can be purchased directly through the Outback Bowl office by calling (813) 874-BOWL. Non-membership tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster in September. For more information go to www.outbackbowl.com

Martinez, Abdullah on Walter Camp Award Watch List

Posted on July 19, 2013

Lincoln – Nebraska senior quarterback Taylor Martinez and junior I-back Ameer Abdullah have been named to the watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award on Friday.

Martinez and Abdullah are among six Big Ten players on the 50-player list for one of college football’s oldest awards, while Nebraska is one of 11 schools with multiple players on the watch list.

The 6-1, 210-pound Martinez has already shattered several Nebraska records in his first three seasons as Nebraska’s starting quarterback. Martinez has established NU records for career and season total offense, career passing yards and he ranks second among quarterbacks in career rushing yards. Martinez’s 39 career starts are the second-most of any returning player in the country, and his 2,858 career rushing yards are the most among active FBS players. Martinez was a first-team All-Big Ten pick by the Big Ten coaches in 2012.

Abdullah teamed with Martinez in 2012 to give Nebraska pair of 1,000-yard rushers. Abdullah rushed for 1,137 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore and helped Nebraska lead the Big Ten and rank eighth nationally in rushing offense. Abdullah also posted the sixth-best single-season all-purpose yardage total in NU history with 1,884 yards. Abdullah was a second-team All-Big Ten choice in 2012. Together, Martinez and Abdullah team up to give Nebraska a pair of 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in school history.

Semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award will be announced in mid-November. The 2013 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 125 FBS head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced live on ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, December 12. The winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation’s annual national awards banquet on January 11, 2014 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven.

2013 Walter Camp Player of the Year “Watch List”

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

Antonio Andrews, RB, Western Kentucky

Dri Archer, RB, Kent State

Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Kolton Browning, QB, Louisiana Monroe

Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA

Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona *

Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

Rakeem Cato, QB, Marshall

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina *

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

David Fluellen, RB, Toledo

Phillip Gaines, DB, Rice

Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

John Hubert, RB, Kansas State

Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas

Duke Johnson, RB, Miami Fla. #

Chuckie Keeton, QB, Utah State

Marqise Lee, WR, USC *

Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan *

Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M *

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M #

Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

Venric Mark, RB, Northwestern

Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska

AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama

Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State

C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama *

Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

Louis Nix III, DE, Notre Dame

Casey Pachall, QB, TCU

Keith Price, QB, Washington

Silas Redd, RB, USC

Bradley Roby, DB, Ohio State #

Tyler Russell, QB, Mississippi State

Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington

Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor

Yawin Smallwood, LB, Connecticut

Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State #

Tyler Tettleton, QB, Ohio

De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon

Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech

Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame #

Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU

Jason Verrett, DB, TCU #

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama

* 2012 Walter Camp First Team All-American # – 2012 Walter Camp Second Team All-American

The Walter Camp Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 21 awards boast 678 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visitwww.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.

The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a 12-day period this month. Fifteen of the association’s 21 awards select a preseason watch list and the NCFAA has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. Following is the complete 2013 preseason watch list calendar:

Mon., July 8: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award

Tue., July 9: Mackey Award / Rimington Trophy

Wed., July 10: Lou Groza Award / Ray Guy Award

Thurs., July 11: Bronko Nagurski Trophy / Outland Trophy

Fri., July 12: Jim Thorpe Award

Mon., July 15: Butkus Award / Rotary Lombardi Award

Tue., July 16: Biletnikoff Award

Wed., July 17: Davey O’Brien Award

Thurs., July 18: Doak Walker Award

Fri., July 19: Walter Camp Award

TUESDAY, JULY 23rd

Posted on July 19, 2013

TRI-CITY STORM COMING TO THE REC CENTER!!
It’s the Tri-City Storm Street Hockey Tour.
Kids age 4-14 are invited
NORTH PLATTE REC CENTER, 1300 S. McDonald
July 23, 1:00-3:00p
The Storm Street Hockey Tour is a healthy living initiative to grow the sport of hockey among children in Central Nebraska. Storm staff members are currently visiting local communities to set up a street hockey camps for local area youth. Ages 4-14 and skill levels are all welcomed. We’ll help teach, encourage and inspire kids to play hockey and have fun! Go Storm!

Nebraska Man Gets Probation in Iowa Drug Case

Posted on July 19, 2013

(AP) — A Nebraska man has been given three years of probation in an Iowa case involving synthetic marijuana.

69-year-old Frank Firoz was sentenced Thursday in Woodbury County District Court. His 15-year prison sentence was suspended.

Firoz had made a deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy as a habitual offender after prosecutors dropped two drug charges.

Police say an undercover officer bought green, leafy substances in July 2011 at Exotica, a now-closed store Firoz owned in Sioux City. Police say they found large quantities of suspected synthetic marijuana in the store.

Firoz still faces federal charges in Omaha, Neb., involving the sale of drug paraphernalia and chemical compounds found in synthetic marijuana and designer drugs.

Lincoln Attorney Appointed to NE Court of Appeals

Posted on July 19, 2013

(AP) — A Lincoln attorney has been named to the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

The office of Gov. Dave Heineman said Friday that he’s selected Riko Bishop to replace Judge Richard Sievers, who stepped down on May 31.

The 56-year-old Bishop works with a Lincoln law firm. Her work includes domestic matters, workers’ compensation and school law.

Bishop’s law degree came from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1992.

The governor’s office also announced that he’s named Lincoln lawyer Matthew Acton to the Lancaster County Court bench. Acton replaces Judge Mary Doyle, who retired.