September 2013 – Page 58 – North Platte Post Archive

UNL to Host Forum on Global Competition and Influence

Posted on September 3, 2013

(AP) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting a series of speakers for talks about global competition, social progress, and the United States’ influence abroad.

The university announced its schedule for the 2013-14 season of the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues. The first presentation is scheduled for Sept. 24.

This year’s theme is “U.S. & Them,” with speakers who will focus on how the United States measures up in terms of international influence, economic competitiveness and social progress. Discussions will focus on foreign policy, the national and global economy, education, American military policy and the weakening of the middle class.

The lectures will take place at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, starting at 7 p.m. A full schedule is available online.

Midwest, Plains Economic Index Rose in August

Posted on September 3, 2013

(AP) — An economic index compiled from a survey of business leaders in nine Midwest and Plains states rose slightly last month, the first increase since March.

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index hit 53.8 in August, compared with 53.5 in July.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the results point to growth for the final quarter of this year but at about half the rate of the first quarter.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Nebraska Lawmaker Expects More Republican River Lawsuits

Posted on September 3, 2013

(AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker says he fears more lawsuits will be filed if the state tries to limit groundwater irrigation near the Republican River.

The state has cited drought conditions in requiring extra conservation measures by irrigation districts using surface water and natural resources districts that manage groundwater supplies.

State Sen. Mark Christensen, of Imperial, said more lawsuits “appear pretty likely” if the state limits groundwater irrigation.

The state already has been sued by Kansas over use of the Republican River. A 1943 agreement allocates 49 percent of the water to Nebraska, 40 percent to Kansas and 11 percent to Colorado.

Another lawsuit filed by two groups of irrigators is challenging a plan to pump groundwater into the river to comply with the compact.

North Platte Weather September 3rd: September Off to a Hot Start

Posted on September 3, 2013September 3, 2013

Today: Sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 6 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Huskers Move on to Southern Miss

Posted on September 2, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team started its game two preparations for Southern Mississippi during a two-hour practice held inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields in shorts and helmets Monday afternoon.

Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck met with media after practice, noting that the team had a good practiceMonday after beating Wyoming 37-34 Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

“It was good, starting to introduce the prep for Sothern Miss, so it is a lot more teaching and listening and learning day today. You could see, I think they were eager to get out there and play.”

Beck added that it was nice to move on to week two of the season, after a close win against the Cowboys Saturdaynight.

“It was week one, for lack of a better term. We did some good things out there, just didn’t finish the game real well. We had some individual players break down, and it showed up and kind of hurt us later in the game.” Beck said, “We just didn’t focus at the end, and weren’t able to convert and finish the game the way I was hoping to finish.”

The high-powered Nebraska offense relied on its power running attack was more conservative in its play-calling on Saturday night. In hindsight, Beck wishes that he would have taken more chances during the season opener.

“Yeah there is no doubt, there is opportunities to be able to do it, but once again I kind of feel like we were running the ball pretty affectively. We were going to run it until they (Wyoming) stopped us, and I didn’t think there was any need to risk—and then that one pass at the end of the quarter got intercepted.” Beck said, “If you look back there were opportunities we could have took, probably should have took them in hindsight, but we didn’t.”

Nebraska boasted a four-man running combo Saturday night, which led the Huskers to 375 yards rushing against the Cowboys. Beck noted that he trusts running backs coach Ron Brown to continue to help the stable of running backs produce amazing stats.

“I trust Ron (Brown) to be able to know what they need to do.” Beck said, “It is not a sprint it is a marathon, we have a long season ahead of us, and we are going to need them all. It is good to get them touches and experience.”

True freshman running back Terrell Newby of West Hills, Calif., was one of those backs that helped NU record 375 on the ground. Beck said that he was really impressed with Newby’s play and to expect more carries to go his way.

“I was very pleased with what he did, again just kind of trust and rely on our coaches that is why they are here.” Beck said, “I wanted Terrell in the game because of his speed, and I wanted some fresh legs in the game, and he brought us that.”

Nebraska will continue preparations Tuesday as the team moves closer to its second game of the year. NU will face Southern Mississippi on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.

Big Ten Football Players of the Week

Posted on September 2, 2013

Offensive Player of the Week

Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois

Sr., QB, Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst

· Threw for a career-high 416 yards and two touchdowns in Illinois’ season-opening win over Southern Illinois

· Completed 28 of 36 passes, a 77.8 percent clip, and climbed into fourth on Illinois’ career total offense list with 7,480 yards

· Connected with Josh Ferguson for 53 yards and Jon Davis for 11 yards for two second-quarter touchdowns

· Records his second career Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor, the first coming as a freshman on Nov. 1, 2010

· Last Illinois Offensive Player of the Week: A.J. Jenkins (Oct. 3, 2011)

Defensive Player of the Week

Collin Ellis, Northwestern

Jr., LB, St. Gabriel, La./The Dunham School

· Became the first player in school history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in Northwestern’s road win against California

· Recorded his first interception in the third quarter, returning it 56 yards to give Northwestern the lead

· Intercepted his second pass midway through the fourth quarter, scampering 40 yards to the end zone to increase the Wildcat lead to 10 points

· Also finished with four tackles, including one for loss

· Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor

· Last Northwestern Defensive Player of the Week: Chi Chi Ariguzo (Sept. 10, 2012)

Special Teams Player of the Week

Sam Ficken, Penn State

Jr., K, Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso

· Was perfect in his kicking duties, converting all three field goals and both PAT attempts in Penn State’s 23-17 win over Syracuse

· Was successful on kicks from 36, 35 and 46 yards, the latter of which was a career long in the fourth quarter

· Has made 13 straight field-goal attempts dating back to the 2012 season

· Wins his second career Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honor after being honored on Nov. 26, 2012

· Last Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Sam Ficken (Nov. 26, 2012)

Freshman of the Week

Christian Hackenberg, Penn State

QB, Palmyra, Va./Fork Union Military Academy

· Threw for 278 yards on 22 completions and two touchdowns in his Penn State debut, guiding the Nittany Lions to a 23-17 win over Syracuse

· The second true freshman quarterback to start a Penn State season opener since 1910, Hackenberg connected on two touchdown strikes of 50 or more yards in the second half

· Teamed with Allen Robinson for a 51-yard score in the third quarter and Eugene Lewis on a 54-yard strike in the fourth

· Wins his first career weekly award

· Last Penn State Freshman of the Week: Kyle Carter (Oct. 22, 2012)

West Nile Found in Dead Panhandle Bird

Posted on September 2, 2013

(AP) — Health officials in northwest Nebraska say they’ve found West Nile Virus in a dead bird from Box Butte County, a sign the disease is still present in the area.

It’s the first infected bird found in Nebraska this year.

West Nile is passed through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.

Panhandle Public Health District Environmental Health Coordinator Tabi Prochazka says it means the virus continues to pose a risk.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says 22 human cases of West Nile Virus are confirmed in Nebraska this year.

Prochazka says use of mosquito repellant, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks when going outdoors at dawn and dusk help.

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Four Accidents Occur on I-80 in Just Over an Hour

Posted on September 2, 2013September 2, 2013

(AP) — Four accidents in just over an hour have been reported on Interstate 80 near Gretna in eastern Nebraska.

The accidents were reported by Sarpy County authorities between 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Authorities say most of the accidents were caused by people following too close.

Crews are continuing to clean up the wrecks, but recurring accidents are slowing the process.

Dispatchers say only one accident had a personal injury. The person was taken to an Omaha hospital. It isn’t immediately clear how severe the injury is.

Denton Man, Son Injured in Dove Hunting Accident

Posted on September 2, 2013

(AP) — A Denton man and his son are recovering after pellets from a shotgun blast struck them in the face while they were hunting doves.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says 27-year-old Francisco Barbosa Almazan, and his 8-year-old son were hurt while hunting doves at around 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County.

The commission says in a statement 23-year-old Arturo Garcia of Omaha, who was hunting in the same area turned quickly to shoot at a dove when pellets from his shot struck Almazan and his son.

Almazan was treated and released from a hospital. His son was held overnight for observation. A third member of their hunting party was not injured.

Denton is 13 miles southwest of Lincoln.

Scottsbluff Couple Lose Home, Dog in Fire

Posted on September 2, 2013

(AP) — A Nebraska Panhandle couple have lost their home and dog to a fire.

Authorities say Vance and Barbara Siedenburg awoke to smoke and flames around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at their rural Scottsbluff house. They fled to a neighbor’s house and called firefighters.

Assistant Fire Chief Paul Reisig of Scottsbluff Rural Fire Department says the house roof was already caving in when firetrucks arrived. Reisig says the total loss is estimated at $450,000.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Mike Turner says the blaze was caused by an electrical problem.