March 2014 – Page 16 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Knights Volleyball’s Shannon Liewer Signs with Peru State College

Posted on March 25, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights’ Shannon Liewer signed a National Letter of Intent Tuesday afternoon to play volleyball next year at Peru State College, a NAIA institution, for her junior season.

“I am very excited to be continuing my career at the next level,” said Liewer. “North Platte Community College has been a great place for me the past two years and has prepared me for the next step in my career. I want to thank everyone at NPCC who has made my career here successful and very memorable.”

Liewer will join a Lady Bobcat team that went 21-14 overall in 2013, including a 4-5 conference record. The Lady Bobcats ended their season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Quarterfinals.

“I am unbelievably excited for Shannon to continue her career,” said Lady Knight’s head coach Sally Thalken. “She has been a huge part of our success here the last two years and we will greatly miss her. We hope that all of our players aspire to be like Shannon to continue their careers at the next level.”

Liewer was a captain in 2013 for the 22-15 Region IX Division II Runner-Up Lady Knights and etched her name in the Lady Knights Record Book in two season categories and three career categories. Liewer was named to the NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention team and All-Region IX Division II team earlier this year.

Liewer 2013 season goes down as the 8th best all-time for total digs as she finished with 831. Liewer played in 141 sets, good for a 5.9 digs per set average that places 10th all-time in season digs per set.

As a Lady Knight, Liewer ranks 6th all-time in career digs with 1,342. She has played in 274 sets in her career to place 5th all-time in career digs per set with a 4.90 average. Liewer also checks in at 17th all-time in career aces as she finished with 96. As a sophomore in 2013 she had 49 aces to go along with 47 as a freshman.

Royals Claim LHP Schuster off Waivers from Padres

Posted on March 25, 2014

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have plucked left-handed pitcher Patrick Schuster off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

The Royals also sent catcher Adam Moore to the Padres on Tuesday for cash considerations.

Schuster, who has not pitched above Class A, was placed on the 40-man major league roster. To clear roster space for Schuster, the Royals designated for assignment outfielder Carlos Peguero.

The 23-year-old Schuster had a 1.83 ERA in 55 games last year for Visalia in the California League. He struck out 45, allowed 30 hits, and walked 18 in 44 1-3 innings.

Alliance Woman Makes Plea Deal in Rodeo Theft Case

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — An Alliance woman has made a plea deal on allegations that she stole more than $2,900 from the Alliance Cattle Capital Rodeo Committee.

Alliance radio station KCOW and its Panhandle Post website say that 40-year-old Tera Gasseling on Monday pleaded guilty to attempted theft. Box Butte County prosecutors had lowered the charge and dropped another in exchange for her plea. She faces up to five years in prison.

Her sentencing is scheduled for May 14.

The theft occurred between Jan. 1, 2011, and March 14, 2012.

Hickson Has Surgery to Fix Torn ACL

Posted on March 25, 2014

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets say forward J.J. Hickson had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right knee on Tuesday.

Hickson hurt his ACL early in the fourth quarter of Denver’s loss at Dallas last Friday, when he went down along the baseline. This has been an injury-riddled season for the Nuggets, who were already without Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee and Nate Robinson after they each had season-ending operations.

The 25-year-old Hickson averaged 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds this season. He also had a team-high 26 double-doubles.

Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly said of Hickson: “We know he will attack his rehab with the same energy and hard work that he displays on the court every night.”

Mother Charged with Murder in Teen’s Starvation

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — Authorities say a North Dakota woman whose 13-year-old son weighed 21 pounds when he died in January has been charged with murder.

State Medical Examiner William Massello says Jessica Jensen’s son died from chronic starvation due to untreated juvenile appetite disorder. He listed the manner of death as homicide.

Court documents say Jensen, of Kenmare, told investigators that her son had a hormonal growth problem and that his pituitary gland did not function properly. She also said her son had not seen a doctor for several years.

Jensen is also charged with neglect for failing to properly care for her other two children.

Court documents don’t list an attorney for Jensen. She could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

Kenmare’s in northern North Dakota near the Canadian border.

Omaha Bar Owners Accused of Offering Prostitution

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — Three owners of a former exotic dance bar in downtown Omaha have been accused of using the business to offer prostitution services.

A grand jury on Friday indicted 66-year-old Louis A. Venditte, his wife, 65-year-old Ruby Venditte, and 64-year-old John W. Wagstaffe on prostitution and conspiracy charges. Court records do not list attorneys.

The indictment says women working the stage at Goodfellas were encouraged by the Vendittes to engage in sex acts for extra cash. The Vendittes are accused of accepting payments from customers seeking sex.

The Vendittes and Wagstaffe are also accused of not reporting their incomes for several years.

Law enforcement raided the bar while serving a search warrant last year. It has since closed.

High Court Seems Divided Over Birth Control Rule

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — The Supreme Court seems divided over whether employers’ religious beliefs can free them from a part of the new health care law that requires that they provide coverage of birth control for employees at no extra charge.

The case argued Tuesday involves family-owned companies that provide health insurance to their employees, but object to covering certain methods of birth control that they say can work after conception, in violation of their religious beliefs.

The Obama administration and its supporters say a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the businesses also could undermine laws governing immunizations, Social Security taxes and minimum wages.

Wal-Mart Recalling 174,000 Dolls Over Burn Risk

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — Wal-Mart is recalling 174,000 dolls because the toy can overheat and potentially burn consumers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday that the “My Sweet Love / My Sweet Baby Cuddle Care Baby Doll” has a circuit board in its chest that can overheat, causing the surface of the doll to get hot and burn someone.

Wal-Mart has received 12 reports of incidents, including two burns or blisters to the thumb.

Consumers should stop using the product, remove the batteries and return them to any Walmart store for a refund.

The electronic baby doll, made by Tak Ngai Electronic Toys Co. of China, was sold exclusively at Walmart stores from 2012 through 2014 for $20.

Historic Neb. Horse Racing Bill Nears Passage

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — A proposal that would let Nebraska voters decide whether to allow bets on previously run horse races is nearing final passage in the Legislature.

Supporters on Tuesday overcame a filibuster to try to keep the proposed constitutional amendment off the November ballot.

The measure by Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha would allow voters to decide if Nebraska should license and regulate wagering through video terminals that show old races. Information that would identify specific horses or races is removed before they’re shown.

Supporters say the measure would help save jobs in the state’s struggling horse-racing industry. Opponents say allowing the machine bets amounts to expanded gambling.

Lawmakers have to vote once more on the measure before it can appear on the ballot.

Nikko Jenkins to Get Bench Trial

Posted on March 25, 2014

(AP) — A man accused of killing four people in Omaha last summer will have his fate decided by a judge, not a jury.

On Tuesday, Douglas County District Judge Peter Bataillon granted a request by 27-year-old Nikko Jenkins to waive a jury trial and have a bench trial.

Jenkins is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the August deaths of Juan Uribe-Pena, Jorge Cajiga-Ruiz, Curtis Bradford and Andrea Kruger. He has pleaded not guilty, and claims he didn’t receive proper mental health treatment while previously in prison.

Earlier this month, Bataillon granted Jenkins’ request to act as his own attorney in the case, although a public defender will provide him advice.