August 2013 – North Platte Post Archive

Cheese Plant Closure Will Cost Ravenna 170 Jobs

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — The announced closure of a cheese manufacturing plant in Ravenna will see the central Nebraska community lose more than 170 jobs.

Officials at Leprino Foods blame a diminishing dairy supply for the plant’s shutdown.

Leprino Foods has operated in Ravenna since 1998, when it purchased the facilities from Dairy Farmers of America. It produces mainly string cheese for its mozzarella cheese company, but also makes some whey products. The company announced Thursday that it would shut down Nov. 8.

Mike Reidy, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Leprino, says the plant uses 800,000 to 1 million pounds of dairy a day. During some times of the year, Reidy says, the company had to supplement the supply with milk from outside of Nebraska. .

Univ. of Nebraska President’s Son Cited for Possession of Marijuana

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — The son of University of Nebraska President J.B Milliken has been cited on suspicion of having marijuana on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

Authorities say 20-year-old freshman James Milliken Jr. was cited Friday morning.

UNL Police Sgt. Dave Dibelka says the younger Milliken was found with five grams of marijuana and a glass pipe on the top floor of a campus parking garage.

Police went to the garage around 3:15 a.m. for a report of suspicious activity.

The offense is an infraction, similar to a minor traffic offense, and Milliken was not arrested.

Omaha Man, 24, Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — A 24-year-old man accused of breaking into a home to rob and killing another man he found inside has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Endre Turner was convicted Friday of first-degree murder and a weapons count in the 2011 death of 21-year-old Richard Harrison. Police say Harrison’s mother discovered his bloody body in a closet on Sept. 29.

Prosecutors said during Turner’s trial that he killed Harrison to keep Harrison from being able to identify him to police.

In an unusual move, Douglas County District Judge James Gleason immediately sentenced Turner to life following the verdict. Life without parole is mandatory for first-degree murder, if the death penalty is not imposed.

NU VB: Huskers Sweep Billikens in Marcia E. Hamilton Classic Finale

Posted on August 31, 2013August 31, 2013

St. Louis, Mo. – The No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team (2-1) made quick work of Saint Louis on Saturday night, sweeping the Billikens 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-16) in front of 3,759 fans at Chaifetz Arena. Kelsey Robinson and Justine Wong-Orantes were named to the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic All-Tournament Team for their efforts over the weekend.

Amber Rolfzen and Kelsey Fien each had 10 kills for the Huskers, Fien recording just two errors for a .421 hitting percentage. Robinson had nine kills, while Cecilia Hall punched in seven hills and zero errors. Alicia Ostrander posted four kills, zero errors, a hitting percentage of .571 and six blocks to lead NU at the net.

Nebraska recorded a hitting percentage of .300 or better for the first time this season, chipping in a clip of .366. The Huskers held Saint Louis to a .139 hitting percentage. NU out-blocked the Billikens 7-5 and out-dug SLU 43-38.

The Huskers opened the first set with a 5-3 lead, aided by two quick kills from Amber Rolfzen. The two teams exchanged leads and posted 13 ties until a kill from Morgan Broekhuis gave NU a little separation at 22-20. Ostrander and Broekhuis teamed up for a block to give NU a 24-20 lead as the Huskers went on to take the first set 25-20.

Fien led NU in the first set with five kills, while Amber Rolfzen and Broekhuis all had three kills. Nebraska hit .371 for the set, while Saint Louis hit .273. Both teams had 12 blocks.

Hall and Broekhuis aided the Huskers early with two kills in the second set to give the Huskers a 9-5 lead. Hall continued to work for the Huskers, using two kills to bring Nebraska’s lead to 13-8. Hunter connected with Ostrander for a kill, making it 16-10, NU, pushing the Huskers to eventually take a 20-14 lead.

Amber Rolfzen, Hall and Ostrander each tallied four kills in the second set. Nebraska hit .452 for the set and held the Billikens to a hitting clip of .154.

The Huskers came out to a 5-4 lead in the third set with the help of a block from Ostrander. Robinson tallied back-to-back kills to spark NU and Amber Rolfzen punched in a kill to make it 12-8, Huskers. Ostrander kept coming with the block, giving Nebraska a 16-9 lead. The Huskers gained all the momentum and went ahead 20-13, going on to finish the third set with a 25-16 third-set win.

Nebraska returns home next weekend and will host Villanova on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. and Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.

NPCC Lady Knights Win Two at Colby Classic

Posted on August 31, 2013August 31, 2013

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (7-1) volleyball team bounced back Saturday with two wins in the Colby Classic. In the first game of the day the Lady Knights defeated the host Colby Community College Lady Trojans in four sets 3-1 (15-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-19). The Lady Knights then continued their strong play to defeat the Trinidad State Junior College Lady Trojans 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-15).

The Lady Knights started out slow Saturday morning as they could never get any momentum against the Lady Trojans as they dropped the first set 15-25. The Lady Knights stormed back to win a tightly contested second set 26-24 and third set 25-23 before winning the fourth set 25-19 to defeat Colby.

Joli Hopping paced the Lady Knights with 16 assists and two ace serves. Sabrina Hallahan led the Knights with 13 kills while Samantha Kennedy was also in double figure kills with 11 and led the team with three blocks. Shannon Liewer led the Lady Knights with 25 digs. Laura Beckman contributed double-digit assists with 12.

“We got off to an incredibly slow start against Colby (Community College),” said head coach Sally Thalken “with only five kills in the first set!” We fought back to win the second set which gave us momentum into the third. It was another dog fight. We showed some character to win the third in a tight set. We worked hard to get a lead and keep momentum to win the fourth. Colby is a really good team and our girls played really scrappy defense and stayed aggressive to earn the victory.”

In the second game of the day the Lady Knights again started out slow as they dropped the first set to Trinidad State 21-25. As they had earlier in the day the Lady Knights responded by winning the second set 25-18. The Lady Knights held onto the momentum as they cruised to identical wins in the third and fourth sets at a score of 25-15.

Samantha Byrn led the way against the Lady Trojans with 14 kills as the only Lady Knight in double figures. Sabrina Hallahan had 22 digs to pace the Lady Knights while Shannon Liewer was right behind with 21 digs. Laura Beckman led the Lady Knights with 16 assists while Joli Hopping had 13.

“Trinidad State is another big team with good volleyball players,” said coach Thalken. “We once again came out a little flat and lost the first set; frustrating that we can’t start faster. I am pleased that we came back. Our aggressive serves, really scrappy defense, hustle plays that keyed momentum and controlling the net brought home the win.”

“Overall I was pleased with the weekend. We all will enjoy the extended weekend as it will bring some needed rest for the legs and some girls that are not playing at 100 percent.”

The Lady Knights return to action on Thursday September 5 as they travel to Sterling, Colo. to take on the Northeastern Junior College Lady Plainsmen at 7 p.m. CST. The Lady Knights then return home on Wednesday September 11 to face Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference foe McCook Community College at 7 p.m.

Essays Being Accepted for Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — Nebraska students are being invited to participate in this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest, sponsored by the Nebraska Latino-American Commission.

Middle and high school students of all ethnicities and backgrounds are eligible to enter, and essays are welcome in English and Spanish. Each essay must be original, typed or legibly handwritten in blue or black ink. Typed essays must be double spaced. The word length is 250 to 400 words for middle school students and 500 to 700 words for high school students.

The deadline for entry is Sept. 18.

The top three essays in both middle and high school categories will be recognized at a ceremony on Oct. 4 at the State Capitol in Lincoln.

NSP Brings Seat Belt Program to Nebraska High School Games

Posted on August 31, 2013

Nebraska state troopers will be at state high school games around the state this fall to promote seat belt use.

The “Friday Night Lights” initiative is intended to help reduce serious injury and fatal crashes involving teenage drivers by showing them what can happen if they don’t buckle up.

Troopers will offer fans at the high school games rides in the patrol’s Seat Belt Convincer, which simulates a low-impact crash.

Teens will also be given the opportunity to take home a T-shirt. During breaks in the games, troopers will catapult T-shirts with a seat belt safety message into the stands.

Date

Location

Time

August 30

Fremont High School
Memorial Stadium
E. Military & Clarmar Avenue, Fremont

Fremont Tigers vs. Lincoln East Spartans

Crete High School
Simon Field-Doane College Campus
1307 E. 13^th Street, Crete

Crete Cardinals vs. Ralston Rams

7:00 p.m.

September 6

Fort Calhoun High School
710 N. 15^th Street, Fort Calhoun
Fort Calhoun Pioneers vs. Syracuse Rockets

Seward High School
Bulldog Stadium, Concordia College
800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
Seward Bluejays vs. Columbus Discoverers

Aurora High School
300 L Street, Aurora
Aurora Huskies vs. Alliance Bulldogs

St. Cecilia High School
521 N. Kansas Street, Hastings
St. Cecilia Bluehawks vs. Centennial Broncos

7:00 p.m.

September 13

Logan View High School
2163 County Road G, Hooper
Logan View Raiders vs. Concordia

Wilber-Clatonia High School
900 South Franklin Street, Wilber
Wilber-Clatonia Wolverines vs. Adams Central Patriots

Hampton High School
458 5^th Street, Hampton
Hampton Hawks vs. Giltner Hornets

Hastings High School
1100 W. 14^th Street, Hastings
Hastings Tigers vs. Alliance Bulldogs

Grand Island Northwest High School
2710 N. North Road, Grand Island
Grand Island NW Vikings vs. McCook Bison

7:00 p.m.

7:00 pm.

September 20

Blair High School
Krantz Field
440 N. 10^th Street, Blair
Blair Bears vs. Beatrice Orangemen

Adams Central High School
1090 S. Adams Central Avenue
Adams Central Patriots vs. Fairbury Jeffs

7:00 p.m.

September 27

Omaha South High School
4519 S. 24^th Street, Omaha
Omaha South Packers vs. Millard South Patriots

Fairbury High School
Athletic Complex- 1501 9^th Street, Fairbury
Fairbury Jeffs vs. Fillmore Central Panthers

Lawrence-Nelson High School
850 S. Nevada Street, Nelson
Lawrence- Nelson Raiders vs. Kenesaw Blue Devils

7:00 p.m.

October 4

Arlington High School
705 N. 9^th Street, Arlington
Arlington Eagles vs. Ft. Calhoun Pioneers

Minden High School
325 Yates Avenue, Minden

Minden Whippets vs. Kearney Catholic Stars

7:00 p.m.

October 11

Fremont Bergan High School
545 East 4^th Street, Fremont
Fremont Bergan Knights vs. Oakland Craig Knights

Gibbon High School
1030 Court Street, Gibbon
Gibbon Buffaloes vs. St. Paul Wildcats

7:00 p.m.

October 18

Gretna High School
11335 S. 204^th Street, Gretna

Gretna Dragons vs. Elkhorn Antlers

7:00 p.m.

October 25

Omaha North High School
Kinnick Stadium
8204 Crown Point, Omaha
Omaha North Vikings vs. Millard North Mustangs

7:00 p.m.

Woman Hospitalized After Columbus Apartment Fire

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — An apartment fire in the eastern Nebraska city of Columbus this week sent one woman to the hospital.

The fire occurred Wednesday and extensively damaged the building.

Rescue workers took a woman who lived in one of the building’s eight apartments to Columbus Community Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Fremont Teen to Be Charged as Juvenile in Fatal Crash

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — The case of a 16-year-old charged in the deaths of three other teens killed in a crash will be moved to juvenile court.

The Fremont teen is charged with willful reckless driving, racing on the highway and driving left of center.

Investigators say the teen was racing another car carrying four 16-year-old boys from Fremont in early June when the crash occurred.

Jackson Blick and Tyler Walling died at the scene. Trey Hansen died later at an Omaha hospital. Another 16-year-old was seriously injured and is recovering from his injuries.

Man Fleeing Police Runs Into Norfolk Building

Posted on August 31, 2013

(AP) — Police have arrested a 19-year-old man they say led officers on a chase through three counties before crashing his car into a building near downtown Norfolk.

The chase began in Wayne County, when a sheriff’s deputy tried to stop Brendan Brown. Officials say Brown fled and led officers in Wayne, Stanton and Madison counties on a high-speed chase that reached 100 mph.

Police say Brown fled on foot into an alley when his car crashed into a building in Norfolk. He was soon caught and arrested on suspicion of fleeing to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension and other counts.

He remains in a Madison County jail and could not be reached Saturday for comment.