September 2013 – Page 33 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Inmate, Transgender Partner Appeal Marriage Ruling

Posted on September 13, 2013

(AP) — A Nebraska prison inmate and his transgender partner are appealing a judge’s decision to dismiss their lawsuit against the state prison system, which they say has refused to let them marry.

The couple is challenging a Nebraska constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Lancaster County District Judge Steven Burns dismissed the case on grounds that the prisoner, Harold Wilson, and Gracy Sedlak failed to pay an $82 court filing fee. Sedlak previously identified as a man named John Jirovsky.

The 57-year-old Wilson is serving a 56- to 170-year prison sentence for attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault. The 27-year-old Sedlak can’t visit Wilson because of a three-year waiting period on former inmates visiting prisons.

Nebr. Supreme Court Suspends Omaha Attorney’s License

Posted on September 13, 2013

(AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has barred an attorney from practicing law until next year for failing to pay Nebraska Bar Association dues and representing clients after the bar had suspended his law license.

The state’s high court on Friday found that Robert L. Keith failed to pay his bar dues for 2012, but still appeared in court for three cases.

The high court also found that Keith had accepted payment in December 2011 to incorporate a family business, but failed to do so as promised. The state Supreme Court said Keith failed to respond to inquiries by its Counsel for Discipline regarding the two matters.

Keith has been suspended from practicing law until Jan. 1 and must apply for reinstatement to resume.

He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Nebraska Town Moves Closer to Restricting Sex Offenders

Posted on September 13, 2013

(AP) — Alexandria Village Board members have taken their first steps toward restricting where sex offenders may live in their southeast Nebraska community.

The board approved the proposed ordinance on its first reading Wednesday. Two more board approvals are needed for the ordinance to take effect.

It would bar sex offenders from living within 500 feet of schools, parks and day care centers and school bus stops on village property. There is a bus stop about two blocks from the home of the town’s only registered sex offender. The measure also would fine the landlords who rent to them.

The ACLU of Nebraska has told the board it has the right to pass restrictions but said the proposed ordinance exceeded the board’s authority.

Peggy Lee (Brinker) Halstrom

Posted on September 13, 2013September 13, 2013

Peggy Lee (Brinker) Halstrom, 84, of Grand Island, NE, formerly of Gothenburg died on Sept. 11, 2013 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island, NE.

She was born April 8, 1929 in Yetter, IA, daughter of Leo and Hazel (Arndt) Brinker.

Peggy grew up in Auburn, IA. After graduating high school she attended Iowa State Teachers College. On April 19, 1957, she married Harlan Halstrom at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They moved to Broken Bow, NE in 1968 and lived there until 1980. From there they moved to Burwell, NE and lived there until in 1984. In 1984 they settled in Gothenburg. Harlan passed away on October 8, 1992. Peggy remained in Gothenburg until 2008 when she moved to Grand Island, NE. Peggy has always enjoyed a good game of cards or bingo, especially casino games.

Surviving are sons, Tim (Kay) Halstrom of Farmington, NM; Tom (Alica) Halstrom of Grand Island, NE; Todd Halstrom of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren: Jackson, Elliott, Alex, and Matthew; and sister-in-law, Judy McNally; along with many other extended family and friends.

Peggy was preceded in death by husband, Harlan Jay Halstrom, parents, Leo and Hazel Brinker, and brother, Mal Brinker.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Sunday, September 15, 2013 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, September 16, 2013 at 10:00 am with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

NP Woman Charged with Trying to Run NPHS Student Down

Posted on September 13, 2013

A North Platte woman has been jailed on a felony charge after she allegedly tried to run a North Platte High School Student (NPHS) down with her car.

According to Police, Officers responded to the parking lot at NPHS at about 1:05 p.m Wednesday. They met with several individuals who reported that Kirsten Collins nearly struck a student with her car.

The victim told Police that Collins is an acquaintance of hers, and they do not get along.

The victim stated that she had been walking in the parking lot when she saw Collins’ car in the area. Collins allegedly stopped her vehicle, backed up and drove through the parking lot towards the victim at a high rate of speed. The victim told Officers she had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck. Witnesses corroborated the story.

After viewing surveillance video from the school, Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Kirsten and charge her with Attempted 2nd Degree Assault, or assault with a weapon.

Police say Collins is not a student at NPHS.

Mora Says Bruins’ Emotions to be Tested vs Huskers

Posted on September 13, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Jim Mora can’t imagine a more difficult situation for his UCLA football team.

Less than week after the death of receiver Nick Pasquale, the 16th-ranked Bruins visit No. 23 Nebraska on Saturday.

Mora says the Bruins must control their emotions and remain poised in a tough environment in Lincoln. He said the game can help his players channel their grief over the death of Pasquale, who was struck by a vehicle Sunday while he was walking in his hometown of San Clemente, Calif.

Both teams should know a lot more about themselves after Saturday, particularly on defense.

UCLA is 1-0 after beating Nevada 58-20 two weeks ago. The Huskers are 2-0 after last week’s 56-13 win over Southern Mississippi.

NPHS Students Team Up with UNL Extension to Promote ‘Get Fit’ Day

Posted on September 13, 2013

North Platte High School Students are teaming up with the University of Nebraska Extension to promote “Get Fit” Day in North Platte.

Extension Educator, Brenda Aufdenkamp, says each student in Anne O’Connor’s Introduction to Education class and a peer will teach as 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors to promote healthy living.

Aufdenkamp says 15 other Nebraska youth were selected as members of the state-wide team.

The students will receive training on educating young people about nutrition and making healthy choices.

The event will be held in North Platte on September 26th.

Driver Dies in Collision Near Wayne

Posted on September 13, 2013

(AP) — A driver has been killed in a collision between his car and a van on a state highway in northeast Nebraska.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred about 4 a.m. Thursday on Nebraska Highway 15 just north of Wayne.

The sheriff’s office says a southbound van driven by James Bauman, of Sioux City, Iowa, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with the car driven by Joseph Ramirez.

Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene. He was alone in his car.

The sheriff’s office says Bauman and his passenger, Nina Robertson, of Sioux City, Iowa, were taken to Providence Medical Center in Wayne.

The collision is being investigated.

Fencing Materials Available After 2012 Nebraska Wildfires

Posted on September 13, 2013

(AP) — Free fencing materials are available to Nebraskans who own property along U.S. Forest Service land that was burned in the 2012 wildfires.

The U.S. Forest Service is taking applications for the materials through Oct. 18 at the Pine Ridge Ranger District, less than three miles south of Chadron.

Eligible landowners have to sign an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. They also have to meet Forest Service specifications when installing the fence, and complete the project by an agreed-upon deadline. After an inspection, land owners will assume ownership of the fences and responsibility for ongoing maintenance.

Forest Service officials say fencing materials are limited. Anyone interested can call the district office at 308-432-0300.

Nebraska Robocalls Seek to Return Unclaimed Property

Posted on September 13, 2013

(AP) — Those getting an automated call from the Nebraska State Treasurer’s office in the next two weeks might want to hold the line.

State Treasurer Don Stenberg says his office will place robocalls to the home phones of thousands of Nebraska residents who own unclaimed property. The calls will begin Friday and continue for about two weeks.

The prerecorded message will include information about how to file claims with the state treasurer’s office.

The office is holding more than $125 million in unclaimed property for more than 350,000 people.

Stenberg says more than $7.4 million of unclaimed property has been returned to Nebraskans so far in 2013. That’s more than the $6.6 million that was returned in all of 2012.