January 2014 – Page 2 – North Platte Post Archive

Royals Fans Soak Up Spring Fever as Snow Falls

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals ace James Shields says he is open to discussing a contract extension that would keep him in Kansas City past the end of this season, when he is eligible for free agency.

That news should make fans, already flying high over a strong finish a year ago, feel even better as they turned out for the team’s annual FanFest on Friday.

The Royals exercised their $13.5 million option on Shields’ contract shortly after finishing 86-76, their best record since 1989.

Shields told reporters he was open to discussing a new deal but that those talks have not begun. He also said rumors he was seeking a contract similar that of Zack Greinke, who signed a $147 million, six-year contract with the Dodgers, were untrue.

Whooping Cough Case Confirmed at Adams Middle School

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

A student at Adams Middle School in North Platte has been diagnosed with whooping cough.

Adams Middle School Principal, Jeff Steinbeck, contacted sixth grade students and their parents through an automated phone message and via email on Friday evening.

According to Steinbeck, seventh and eighth grade students at the school have already received the vaccination as part of their school mandated vaccine schedule.

“As a precaution against the spread of whooping cough, our District is advising that 6th grade students get a vaccination as soon as possible,” said Steinbeck.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

Officials from the West Central District Health Department will be administering the vaccine in the Adams Middle School Library this evening until 8:30 p.m.

Vaccines will be given until the current supply is depleted. More vaccinations will be offered early next week when additional doses are available.

There is no cost for the vaccine for those with insurance or medicaid, according to Steinbeck, and there are a number of “gift doses” available for those without insurance.

Students receiving a vaccination must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Omaha Man Gets Prison in Child Porn Case

Posted on January 31, 2014

(AP) — An Omaha man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for distributing child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Gilg said in a news release Friday that 44-year-old Michael Partain will receive five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

Prosecutors say Partain distributed child pornography videos to undercover FBI agents on two separate occasions.

A search of his home turned up more than 100 files of child pornography. Dozens of videos involved kids under the age of 10.

John Fox Says Broncos Ready for Sunday

Posted on January 31, 2014

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — After putting his team through its final full practice of the season on Friday afternoon, Denver Broncos coach John Fox declared his team ready to go for the Super Bowl.

The Broncos used the indoor field at the New York Jets practice facility for their nearly 90-minute practice after Fox determined that the outdoor synthetic field was too hard.

Yet the regimen came with another twist: Fox used the outdoor field for the 30-minute walkthrough before the practice, allowing for more exposure to the type of wintry elements that could be in play on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.

Animal Welfare Advocates Back Neb. Ownership Ban

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

(AP) — Animal welfare advocates spoke in support of a bill that would stop people from owning animals if they had been convicted of mistreating animals.

People favoring the bill Friday before the Judiciary Committee included representatives of the Nebraska Humane Society and an animal shelter.

Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, introduced the bill.

Chambers noted that people convicted of misdemeanor cruel mistreatment can be restricted from owning or living with an animal for up to five years, but the ban can’t be applied toward someone convicted of misdemeanor cruel neglect.

Chambers says the main difference between the two types of cruelty is how they are inflicted, but the animals can suffer equally.

No one testified against the bill and the committee took no immediate action.

NPPD Crime Log (Jan. 30-Jan. 31)

Posted on January 31, 2014

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

01/30/2014