September 2013 – Page 27 – North Platte Post Archive

Rain Helps Some Nebraska Crops But Not Dryland Corn

Posted on September 17, 2013

(AP) — The recent rain that fell in Nebraska might help some crops, but the Agriculture Department says it arrived too late to do much for the state’s dryland corn.

The USDA says the rain should help improve germination of winter wheat planted in the fall. About 22 percent of that crop has been planted.

Nebraska’s corn crop rates 63 percent good or excellent overall. About 81 percent of the irrigated corn is in good or excellent shape compared to only about 36 percent of the dryland corn.

The USDA says 60 percent of the soybeans are in good or excellent shape.

The state’s corn harvest is just getting underway with about 2 percent of the crop harvested.

Nebraska Capitol Faces Mouse Infestation

Posted on September 17, 2013

(AP) — Workers in the Nebraska State Capitol have been armed with glue traps to battle an infestation of mice.

Mice have been seen scurrying along floorboards and have left droppings or raided food stores in the offices of several state senators, as well as the Legislature’s Fiscal Office and the offices of the secretary of state, auditor and treasurer.

Even the governor’s spokeswoman, Jen Rae Wang, found one in her desk.

Building maintenance workers have distributed scores of 5-by-8-inch “CatchMaster” glue boards to State Capitol offices to help combat the problem.

The unofficial count Monday was as many as 34 mice killed or captured.

Omaha Woman Pleads Guilty in Spa Prostitution Case

Posted on September 17, 2013

(AP) — An Omaha woman accused of using several spas as fronts for prostitution has pleaded guilty to three federal counts in the case.

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg announced Monday that 42-year-old Tammy Schuck pleaded guilty to conspiracy to promote a prostitution enterprise and to induce interstate travel to engage in prostitution. Schuck also pleaded guilty to inducing or attempting to induce interstate travel to engage in prostitution and another count of conspiracy to launder money.

Schuck faces up to 45 years in prison when she is sentenced.

Authorities say Schuck operated three “spas” in Omaha where customers — some from out-of-state — received sex acts from workers, rather than legitimate spa services, in exchange for money.

Nebraska Officials Search for Missing Gibbons

Posted on September 17, 2013

(AP) — Hall County officials are on the lookout for two missing gibbons.

The small primates were taken from a Doniphan home between midnight and 3 a.m. Monday.

Their owner, Nancy Stephens, says the black primates with white faces, hands and feet are 2 and 3 years old.

Stephens has owned Caylee and Cody since they were babies. She studies behavioral sciences, but the animals are also her pets.

Gibbons are on the endangered animals list. Stephens told police the gibbons are valued at $25,000 each.

Cody, a male, is two feet tall and weighs 12 pounds. He has a split ear and a bad left eye. Caylee, a female, is two feet tall and weighs about eight pounds.

NP Woman Charged After Running Over Brother and Taking Off

Posted on September 17, 2013September 17, 2013

Police have arrested a 20-year-old woman accused of hitting her teenage brother with her car, then leaving the scene of the accident.

Kyra Gray was arrested Monday night on suspicion of reckless driving, driving while her license was suspended and leaving the scene of an accident.

Police say Gray was involved in a disturbance with another party and fled in a vehicle, striking her 16-year-old brother in the process.

He was taken to the hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Gray was still in the Lincoln County jail on Tuesday morning and could not be reached for comment.

North Platte Weather Sept. 17

Posted on September 17, 2013September 18, 2013

Today: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 84. South wind 9 to 13 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 6 to 9 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Light and variable wind becoming north 12 to 17 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

[UPDATE] Deadspin Audio Catches Pelini in a Profane Tirade

Posted on September 16, 2013September 16, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini goes on a profanity-laced tirade against fans and two newspaper writers in audio that surfaced on the sports website Deadspin.

The audio posted Monday catches Pelini speaking with Husker Sports Network play-by-play man Greg Sharpe before his postgame radio interview following Nebraska’s win over Ohio State in October 2011. The conversation was off air.

Pelini had been criticized by fans and media in the days leading to the Ohio State game for the Huskers’ performance the week before in a 31-point loss at Wisconsin.

In the audio, Pelini repeatedly uses an expletive to refer to what he calls “fair-weather” fans.

Messages were left for Pelini, athletic director Shawn Eichorst and Husker Sports Network general manager David Witty.

[UPDATE]

The following is a statement from Pelini following the release of his comments made two years ago.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my comments from two years ago which became public today. I take full responsibility for these comments. They were spoken in a private room following the Ohio State game. I was venting following a series of emotional events which led to this moment. That being said, these comments are in no way indicative of my true feelings. I love it here in Nebraska and feel fortunate to be associated with such a great University and fan base. I again apologize to anyone whom I have offended.”

Statements from UNL Chancellor Perlman, Director of Athletics Eichorst

Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 16, 2013 – University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst issued the following statements Monday in response to recently published comments by Nebraska Head Football Coach Bo Pelini.

Harvey Perlman, Chancellor:

“I am aware of the publication of Coach Pelini’s comments, I am disappointed and in discussions with Shawn Eichorst about addressing the issue.”

Shawn Eichorst, Director of Athletics:

“I am disheartened and disappointed by the 2011 comments published today attributed to Coach Pelini about our dedicated and passionate fans and supporters. I have spoken with Chancellor Perlman and I have addressed the situation with Bo and expressed our deep concern.”

Heinemann Orders Nebraska Flags Lowered After Shooting

Posted on September 16, 2013

(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman says all U.S. and state flags in Nebraska will be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the Washington Navy Yard shooting.

Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Sept. 20. Heineman made the announcement in accordance with a proclamation from President Barack Obama.

A former Navy man opened fire Monday morning inside a building at the heavily secured Washington Navy Yard. Thirteen people were killed, including the gunman.

Pats’ Dennard Admits to Violation of his Probation

Posted on September 16, 2013September 16, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard has admitted to violating probation by drinking alcohol and driving in Nebraska in July.

Dennard’s admission came during a Monday appearance in Lancaster County District Court in Lincoln.

A judge will announce at a disposition hearing Dec. 5 whether his probation will be revoked. He remains free until then.

The probation violation stems from Dennard’s arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in Lincoln on July 11. He’s set to appear in court Oct. 8 to face misdemeanor charges of first-offense DUI and refusing a chemical test.

Dennard, who played college football at Nebraska, was placed on two years of probation for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest outside a Lincoln bar in 2012.

Neither Dennard nor his attorney commented after Monday’s hearing.

Heinemann: Grand Island Should Accept Loss of Vets Home

Posted on September 16, 2013

(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman says he understands Grand Island’s disappointment over the loss of its veterans home — but that the city needs to accept it.

Heineman responded to questions last week during Husker Harvest Days about how Kearney was awarded a new $121 million veterans home that will replace the outdated facility in Grand Island.

Heineman says bids of the four cities that sought the project can be found online.

But some say scoring on the bids doesn’t make sense. Grand Island state Sen. Mike Gloor said he was shocked to see that Grand Island and Kearney had the same score for available workforce. He says Grand Island should have scored higher since it already has a veterans home workforce.