A former employee at Voices 4 Families has been charged with a felony after she allegedly stole money from the organization.

At 11:30 am on August 7th, North Platte Police responded 417 North Dewey on the report of a theft from Voices 4 Families.

Officials with the organization told the responding Officer that Ashley Pankonin, a former employee, had stolen a company cell phone and possibly other property that belonged to the the non-profit group.

Officers learned that Pankonin had upgraded her company phone to a newer model after her employment had ended.  Police believe she planned on using the phone for personal use while the bill was being paid for by the business.

While the Officer was present, it was also noted that Pankonin had made an unauthorized withdrawal of $1,500 from the businesses account.  Police allege she planned to use the monies for personal use.

Additionally, it was also discovered that Pankonin had failed to return a laptop computer that belonged to Voices 4 Families.  The Officer spoke with Pankonin who stated that she wasn’t going to return the computer until the information it contained was removed.  She told Police she had taken the computer to another business that perfored work on computers.  It was determined that she had no intention of stealing the computer.

Following an investigation, it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Pankonin for Felony Theft by Deception because of the unauthorized withdrawal as well as the issue with the cell phone.

Pankonin was processed at the Lincoln County Detention Center and released.

Voices 4 Families is a non-profit family support organization, serving families in West/Central Nebraska whose children are diagnosed with mental, behavioral and/or emotional disorders and/or substance abuse.

A North Platte woman is being charged with a felony after she and her domestic partner engaged in a wrestling match.

At around 7:45 pm on Wednesday, Officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to a physical disturbance in the 800 block South Poplar.

Officers learned that two females were involved in an argument which turned physical when 35-year-old Dawn Herweh pushed her 42-year-old female partner down a flight of stairs inside the residence.  The two then began to wrestle, at which time Herweh began to choke the victim.

The victim told Police that she was in pain from the incident.

Following an investigation, Herweh was charged with misdemeanor 3rd Degree Domestic Assault, Felony Strangulation and misdemeanor Child Abuse/Neglect.  Police say the latter charge was filed because children were present during the altercation.

Herweh was arrested and jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

(AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration has approved funding for a $1.6 million project at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff.

Airport authority directors were told at their meeting Wednesday that the FAA blamed mandatory federal budget cuts for a delay in the final approval. The FAA will pay 90 percent of the project cost.

The expansion will provide restrooms and seating for 185 more people in the security area. Airport manager Darwin Skelton says the expansion will improve the facility’s ability to be a diversionary airport for Denver International Airport.

The work is expected to begin on Sept. 1 and be finished by early next year.