March 2014 – Page 12 – North Platte Post Archive

Appeals Court Overturns 1 Conviction in Neb. Arson Case

Posted on March 26, 2014March 26, 2014

(AP) — The Nebraska Appeals Court has reversed one conviction of a 62-year-old Neligh (NEE’-lee) woman found guilty in an arson case.

The court said in a decision released Tuesday that there wasn’t enough evidence to convict Daphne Hansen of aiding consummation of a felony. That reversal will eliminate the sentence of six to 12 months in prison she was given. But Hansen still faces 24 to 30 months in prison for arson and conspiracy. She was convicted in May 2013.

Investigators say Hansen claimed a financial interest in a Neligh home and that she conspired with two other people to have the house burned down. No one was injured in the June 2010 blaze.

Hansen denied any involvement in the fire.

Duncan Leads Spurs over Nuggets 108-103

Posted on March 26, 2014

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tim Duncan had 29 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a fourth-quarter collapse to beat the Denver Nuggets 108-103 Wednesday night for their 15th straight victory.

Danny Green scored 16 points before leaving with a foot injury early in the second half. Tiago Splitter, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili had 10 points apiece for San Antonio (55-16), which maintained the league’s best record.

Aaron Brooks scored 25 points and Kenneth Faried had 24 points, including 15 points in a frenzied final quarter for Denver. Timofey Mozgov added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Quincy Miller had 11 points.

After leading by as many as 24 points and by 20 midway through the third quarter, San Antonio needed Duncan’s late heroics to preserve its win streak.

Denver went on a 34-20 run in the final 11 minutes.

MLB’s High-Tech Replay Room Opens Sunday

Posted on March 26, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — After deciding close calls on the field since 1876, baseball opens a high-tech control room this weekend where the fates of batters, pitchers, runners and fielders will be decided by umpires up to 2,600 miles away in the building where the Oreo cookie was invested.

Starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game at the San Diego Padres on Sunday night, the U.S. opener of the 2014 season, players, managers and fans will turn their attention to the ROC — the Replay Operations Center. In a dimly lit room of just under 1,000 square feet in the Chelsea Market in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, umpires and technicians will make the decisions that could decide games and championships.

NCAA ‘Disappointed’ with Northwestern Union Ruling

Posted on March 26, 2014

CHICAGO (AP) — The NCAA says it’s “disappointed” by a federal agency’s ruling that Northwestern University football players can form the nation’s first college athletes’ union.

The organization issued a statement on its website after Wednesday’s landmark ruling by a regional director of National Labor Relations Board that players are deemed employees under federal law.

The statement says that the NCAA strongly disagrees that student-athletes are employees. It also says student-athletes play “for the love of their sport, not to be paid.”

Union lawyers argued the Big Ten school’s football players are part of a commercial enterprise that generates hefty profits through their labor.

They also likened scholarships to employment pay, while Northwestern described scholarship as grants.

The NCAA says improvements are needed, but there is no need to abandon the current system.

Royals’ Perez Hit in Head by Pitch, Leaves Game

Posted on March 26, 2014

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals has been hit in the helmet by a pitch and left the game against San Diego.

The Royals say Perez didn’t sustain a concussion Wednesday. Perez relayed through the club that he’s “fine.”

Perez was hit by a breaking ball above his left ear. The Royals catcher fell to the ground and was down for a few seconds before walking off, holding the left side of his head.

Perez was hit by reliever Johnny Barbato in the third inning. An inning earlier, Perez hit a solo home run off San Diego starter Ian Kennedy.

Last week, Perez hit the line drive that struck Cincinnati reliever Aroldis Chapman and caused facial fractures.

Police: Bullets Hit No One in Beatrice Robbery

Posted on March 26, 2014March 26, 2014

(AP) — Beatrice police suspect a drug dispute is involved in a home invasion.

Three shots were fired inside the house early Tuesday morning, but no one was injured.

Police Lt. Mike Oliver says two men broke into the house and tied up four people there. Officers believe the men were searching for drugs or money. No arrests have been reported.

Oliver says the four people who’d been tied up were not cooperating with investigators.

Nebraska Lawmakers Advance Prison Reform Bills

Posted on March 26, 2014March 26, 2014

(AP) — Supporters of proposed changes to Nebraska’s prison system argue that providing more services to inmates can help reduce recidivism and lead to a drop in the state’s prison population.

Lawmakers Wednesday advanced a bill designed to address overcrowding in the state’s prison system. The bill faces two more votes in front of the Legislature.

Nebraska’s prisons were at 156 percent of their capacity as of Feb. 28.

The bill would increase funding for vocational training, mental health and substance abuse services.

Lawmakers also advanced a bill that would study the creation of a facility in Hastings designed to serve mentally ill inmates and to provide drug and alcohol treatment. That bill also faces two more votes in front of the Legislature.

Delegation from Ukraine to Visit Nebraska Capitol

Posted on March 26, 2014

(AP) — A delegation from Ukraine is set to visit the Nebraska Capitol for lessons in democracy.

Staff members from Ukraine’s parliament will meet with Nebraska state senators and other officials on Wednesday.

The visitors were selected by the Open World Program, run by the Library of Congress. The program was created to bring future leaders from former soviet republics to the United States to learn about democracy.

The program has hosted more than 17,000 young leaders from Eurasian countries since 1999, including mayors, lawmakers, judges, educators and entrepreneurs.

The Nebraska visit is hosted by the group Friendship Force of Lincoln.

Nebraska State Patrol Reaccredited by National Law Enforcement Group

Posted on March 26, 2014

(AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol has been reaccredited by a national law enforcement group.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies says the Nebraska Patrol earned its gold standard accreditation with excellence.

The Nebraska State Patrol had to show that it complied with nearly 500 standards the national group has set for law enforcement agencies.

State Patrol Superintendent Col. David Sankey says he’s proud of the accomplishment.

The accreditation is valid for three years as long as the Nebraska State Patrol continues to comply with the group’s standards.

The Nebraska State Patrol was first accredited in 1989.

Omaha Police Say Slain Suspect Had Gun in Car

Posted on March 26, 2014

(AP) — Omaha authorities say a wanted man had made threats and had a loaded handgun in his car when he was fatally shot by officers.

In a news release issued Tuesday night, Omaha police gave more details about the death of 30-year-old Willie Michalak (muh-HAH’-lihk) on March 19.

Officers sent to arrest Michalak that evening spotted him in a car parked on a driveway. Police say officers ordered Michalak to keep his hands in view, but Michalak cursed, threatened to shoot officers and said they’d have to shoot him. Police say Michalak then took his right hand off the steering wheel and reached toward his waistband. Police say that’s when five of the officers fired several shots.

Police say a loaded handgun was found on the car floor in front of Michalak.