July 2013 – Page 49 – North Platte Post Archive

NE State Board of Ed Launches Online Survey in Search for Leader

Posted on July 13, 2013July 13, 2013

(AP) — The Nebraska State Board of Education has launched an online survey to guide its search for the state’s next education commissioner.

The survey asks for opinions regarding the strengths and challenges of the Nebraska Department of Education and public education in the state. Respondents are also asked to identify the characteristics they deem most important for the next education commissioner to possess.

The survey may be accessed on the Nebraska Department of Education’s website at https://www.education.ne.gov/. The survey is open to the public and will be available through 6 p.m. on July 29.

Omaha to Host Beer and Bacon Festival

Posted on July 13, 2013July 13, 2013

(AP) — A festival celebrating suds and salty pork is coming to Omaha.

The first Beer and Bacon Festival will be held Aug. 3 at the Old Mattress Factory in downtown Omaha. The festival, organized by the Omaha Jaycees in cooperation with the Old Mattress Factory, will include a bacon competition with participants providing samplings of bacon-themed dishes. Various craft breweries will also be handing out samples.

The event benefits The Ronald McDonald House.

Information can be found and tickets purchased at https://www.omahabeerandbacon.com.

Rare Intestinal Illness Has Now Sickened 60 In Iowa, 35 In Nebraska

Posted on July 13, 2013

(AP) — The Iowa Department of Public Health says there are now 60 confirmed of the rare food-borne illness cyclosporiasis (cyclo-spoh-RYE-uh-sis), up from 45 cases reported Friday.

The illness is most commonly contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human feces containing the cyclospora parasite. Iowa typically has just one or two cases a year, usually travelers.

Officials believe fresh vegetables may be the culprit, but the investigation continues.

Consumers should wash fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of the illness, which causes diarrhea that lasts an average of 57 days.

Neighboring Nebraska reported 35 cases as of Friday. A Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message Saturday asking if more cases had been confirmed in Nebraska.

Nebraska Girl, 17, Killed in Crash

Posted on July 13, 2013

(AP) — A 17-year-old rural Battle Creek resident has died in a single-vehicle rollover crash in northeastern Nebraska.

Madison County Sheriff Vern Hjorth said Ashley Marx was killed Friday evening.

The sheriff says Marx was westbound on a rural road when she lost control and the vehicle rolled, ejecting her. Hjorth says Marx was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hjorth says Marx was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The accident was investigated by the Madison County Sheriff’s office.

Hjorth said a crisis team has been established to work with Battle Creek Public Schools students and others affected by the fatal crash.

Helen Stearns

Posted on July 13, 2013

Helen Stearns, 89, formerly of North Platte, passed away on July 9, 2013 in Rogers, AR. Helen was born June 7, 1924, to George and Barbara Engleman. Helen married Archie Stearns on April 28, 1945, and 2 children were born of their union, Sharon and Judy. Helen worked as a custodian for the North Platte public school system for 40 years. Helen and her family were members of the North Platte Berean Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Archie, her daughter, Sharon, 3 brothers, 6 sisters, and many other loved ones. She is survived by her daughter, Judy, of Bella Vista, AR, 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews who were precious to her. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on July 15, 2013 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte with Pastor Dean Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Crazy Concoction at School Lunch Sickens Cali Students

Posted on July 12, 2013

(AP) — School officials say lunchtime dares to drink a weird concoction that included hot sauce, carrots, salt and milk likely caused 22 students to get sick at a San Diego elementary school — if all of them were actually ill.

San Diego schools spokesman Jack Brandais says Friday that children at Audubon Elementary dared each other to drink from the mixture Thursday. Some reported upset stomachs and nausea afterward.

Teachers then made a general announcement to see if other students had stomach problems. Brandais says that call brought out students “who may not have had problems at all.”

Of the 22 students, 18 were taken to the hospital, and all were later released.

As a precaution, the school’s kitchen, cafeteria and outdoor lunch areas were sanitized overnight.

Michigan Woman Faces Trial in Fake Cancer Case

Posted on July 12, 2013

(AP) — An eastern Michigan woman accused of faking cancer has been ordered to stand trial on fraud and five other charges.

After hearing 10 witnesses over two days, a Sanilac County judge on Friday said prosecutors revealed enough evidence against Sara Ylen (WHY’-lin).

Authorities say the 38-year-old Lexington woman didn’t have cancer, despite receiving hospice care worth $100,000. Ylen also benefited from fundraisers, especially a 2012 church event that raised more than $10,000.

Ylen didn’t present any evidence in court to show she actually had cancer. Witnesses say she claimed to be a patient at the University of Michigan cancer center and an Illinois cancer center. But both say they never treated her.

In a separate case, Ylen is awaiting trial on a charge of making a false report of rape.

NE Officials Authorize Fish Harvest on Platte River in Buffalo and Platte Counties

Posted on July 12, 2013

(AP) — Officials have authorized fish salvage from the Platte River in Buffalo County to its confluence with the Loup River in Platte County.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will allow the harvest of stranded fish of all species except the pallid sturgeon. The salvage runs from Saturday through the end of July.

Officials say localized fish die-offs are occurring because of low water flows and high water temperatures.

The salvage area does not include the north channel of the Platte River from Kearney to Shelton. That serves as a refuge and receives return flows from a canal.

The approved methods of harvest still require a permit.

Grand Island Vows to Fight Governor’s Vets Home Decision

Posted on July 12, 2013

(AP) — A committee representing Grand Island in its bid to win a new state veterans home plans to fight Gov. Dave Heineman’s decision to select Kearney for the site.

The GI Home for Our Heroes Committee announced Friday that it will involve the Legislature in an effort to keep the Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Grand Island, where it currently has a 225-bed facility with about 375 employees.

The committee called the selection process unfair because the Veterans Home Selection Committee had private conversations with Kearney officials ahead of the bidding process.

Heineman announced Friday that Kearney beat out Grand Island, Hastings and North Platte as the site of the new veterans home. A message left with Heineman’s spokeswoman was not immediately returned Friday afternoon.

Game and Parks Commission to Consider Mountain Lion Season

Posted on July 12, 2013

The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners will consider creating the state’s inaugural mountain lion hunting season when they meet July 26 in Lincoln.

The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the third-floor conference room of Game and Parks headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St.

The commissioners also will consider staff recommendations for 2013 waterfowl, crow and falconry seasons. In addition, they will consider:

— a recommendation to allow restricted hunting in several state park areas.

— an interlocal agreement with the City of Gothenburg to rehabilitate Lake Helen.

— a flood protection levee easement for the Peru Dike and Drainage District No. 1 of Nemaha County to build, maintain and operate a levee by accessing Peru Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

— acquisition of 461 acres of land in Cherry County to be designated as Chat Canyon WMA.

Gov. Dave Heineman will make an appearance and draw the winning entry in the Nebraska Super Tag Lottery. More than 2,000 people paid $25 to enter the lottery for the four-species (deer, elk, antelope and turkey) hunting permit.