April 2014 – Page 11 – North Platte Post Archive

Scottsbluff Man Sentenced for Jury Bribery

Posted on April 26, 2014

(AP) — A 33-year-old Scottsbluff man has been sentenced to up to three years in prison for trying to bribe a juror during his drug trial.

Brian Ross was sentenced Thursday to 18 to 36 months for the felony charge.

Prosecutors say Ross had spoken to a juror upon arriving at the courthouse in December for his drug trial. The juror joined the jury panel and listened to testimony, and then reported the conversation during the lunch break. The juror was replaced by an alternate.

The jury convicted Ross of felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanors counts of reckless driving and obstructing a police officer. He was acquitted of attempted assault.

In January, he was sentenced to 540 days on the three convictions.

Manning Already Contemplating Rematch with Colts

Posted on April 26, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When the NFL schedule-makers made things tough on the Broncos, Peyton Manning and his teammates went right back to work.

Manning said Saturday that almost as soon as they saw three playoff teams — starting with his former team, the Colts __ the NFL’s reigning MVP returned to the weight room for another session.

For Manning, there’s plenty at stake. Manning made an emotional return to the city he used to call home in October but departed with a 39-33 loss. He hadn’t come back to Indy until this weekend, though for a much different reason — to help raise money for the Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.

Omaha Police, Others to Observe Law Enforcement Memorial Week

Posted on April 26, 2014

(AP) — The Omaha Police Department and others will observe National Law Enforcement Memorial Week next month with a number of events.

The memorial week is observed May 11-17. Nebraska observances include a police vehicle display at the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game on May 10, a vigil walk by Omaha police in downtown Omaha on May 13, and a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at Omaha Police Central Headquarters on May 15.

On May 12, dignitaries, Grand Island city officials, and honor guards from around the state will conduct services at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial, near the entrance to Fonner Park in Grand Island.

A flag lowering ceremony will also be held on Offutt Air Force Base on May 16 to honor fallen police, military police and security officers.

Nurse Practitioners Take Issue with Nebraska Rules

Posted on April 26, 2014

(AP) — Nurse practitioners say the governor’s veto of a bill that would have allowed less oversight by physicians could limit efforts to attract more of the health care professionals to Nebraska.

Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed the bill last week, citing concerns for patient safety.

The bill would have removed a requirement that nurse practitioners have agreements with physicians, who are available for collaboration or referral if a patient’s condition has been unresponsive to current treatment and requires more of a team-approach.

Without the agreement, nurse practitioners can’t practice in Nebraska.

LaDonna Hart, president of Nebraska Nurse Practitioners, says nurse practitioners are having a harder time finding doctors who will sign the agreement.

Sen. Sue Crawford of Bellevue says she’ll bring the issue up again next session.

West Point Works to Boost Female Cadet Numbers

Posted on April 26, 2014

(AP) — Less than one in five cadets at West Point is a woman, and the academy’s new superintendent wants to change that.

With the Pentagon lifting restrictions for women in combat jobs, Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen Jr. has set a goal of boosting the number of women above 20 percent for the new class reporting this summer.

Women have been a presence at the nation’s military academies since 1976. But they remain in the minority, just as they do in the broader military.

Caslen became superintendent last year. He says an increased number of female cadets at the storied academy will do more than serve the Army when thousands of combat positions are slated to open to both sexes by 2016. He says it will help integrate women at the academy.

NP Public Schools Announce Administrative Assignments

Posted on April 26, 2014April 26, 2014

North Platte Public Schools Officials have announced several administrative assignments and one resignation in the district.

Jefferson Elementary Principal, George Schere, resigned last week to accept an administrative position with Hastings Public Schools.

A news release said Schere and his family have been wanting to move closer to family in the eastern part of the state. Schere served as principal of Lincoln and Jefferson Elementary Schools during his time in North Platte.

Superintendent, Marty Bassett, announced Denise DeGiovanni as the new principal at Jefferson Elementary, starting in the 2014/2015 school year.

Bassett said DiGiovanni has served North Platte Public Schools as a teacher, High Ability Learner Director, Instructional Coach and as principal of Hall Elementary.

“Mrs. DiGiovanni’s diverse experience will be an asset as the Jefferson principal,” Bassett said.

Bassett alson announced that current principal of Eisenhower Elementary, Mary Derby, will also serve as principal of Hall Elementary next year. He said Derby has experience leading two school buildings, having served a principal of both Hall and McDonald schools previously.

According to officials, these assignments complete the North Platte Public Schools administrative team for the 2014/2015 school year.

They say the district is excited about the opportunities that await students and families next year.

Avs Try to Regroup after Wild Tie Series at 2

Posted on April 26, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Avalanche coach Patrick Roy has shown all sorts of patience with his youthful squad this season.

That certainly won’t waver now just because the Colorado Avalanche are in an offensive slump.

The Minnesota Wild have outshot the Avalanche 78-34 in the last two games to tie the first-round series at two-apiece heading into Game 5 at Pepsi Center on Saturday night.

Roy does take some comfort in the fact that home teams in the Western Conference playoffs are a combined 15-1 so far.

Chief among them, more production, especially on a power play that’s scored just once in 15 chances. The Wild have actually found a way to slow down the high-flying Avalanche by clogging up the neutral zone and making it hard to get quality shots in the offensive end.

For that, Roy finds himself guilty. All season long, he’s preached shooting the puck with a purpose.

In playoff hockey, though, sometimes shooting with a rebound or a lucky bounce in mind works just as well.

The only thing keeping the Avalanche in these last two road games has been the play of Semyon Varlamov (var-LAH’-mawf), who seems to be getting better with every shot he faces.

And the Avs are banking that being back in their building will be an advantage.

Rockies Score 3 in 11th, Hold off Dodgers 5-4

Posted on April 26, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charlie Blackmon hit an RBI single in the 11th inning and the Colorado Rockies got home runs from Troy Tulowitzki and Corey Dickerson to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Friday night.

Adam Ottavino took over in the eighth for Rockies starter Jordan Lyles as a steady drizzle sent many in the crowd of 44,866 for cover. Ottavino retired the side in order before Boone Logan struck out his first two batters in the ninth — including Matt Kemp, who was ejected by umpire Angel Hernandez for arguing a called third strike.

It was Kemp’s seventh career ejection and the Dodgers’ first this season.

The drizzle had turned into a downpour by the 10th. Brandon Barnes pinch-hit for reliever Rex Brothers (2-2) with one out in the 11th and doubled to right field against Jamey Wright (1-1).

Female Athlete Joins Legal Fight Against NCAA

Posted on April 26, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a lawsuit filed in Minneapolis federal court on Friday, former Kennesaw State basketball player Ashley Holliday became what is believed to be the first woman to be a named plaintiff in an antitrust action against the NCAA.

The complaint, filed by Zelle Hofman, alleges that full scholarships granted by the NCAA do not cover the full cost of attending college.

The lawsuit cites studies alleging full-scholarship athletes often fall $3,000 to $5,000 short of what it takes to go to school while limiting an athlete’s avenues for making up the difference. The class-action lawsuit, similar to others around the country, is comprised of men’s and women’s football and basketball players who were given full scholarships.

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shariff Floyd is among the other named plaintiffs.

No Clear Consensus on Best Spring Game Format

Posted on April 26, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State let its players choose up sides for the Spartans’ annual spring football game, like a group of kids meeting up on the playground. Arkansas State auctioned off one of its coaching spots on eBay, allowing a fan to come in and call plays.

Oklahoma State scaled back its plans, inviting fans to watch a practice instead of a scrimmage.

Spring games have become offseason highlights in many parts of the country. Alabama and Penn State announced crowds of over 70,000 this year, and they certainly aren’t the only schools with fans who will turn out in droves for their football fix. But for coaches, these public scrimmages present an interesting challenge — in part because there seems to be no consensus on what format works best.