April 2014 – Page 23 – North Platte Post Archive

Former Kearney Pastor Sentenced for Sexual Assault

Posted on April 21, 2014

(AP) — A former Kearney church youth pastor faces up to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting three boys.

37-year-old Thomas A. Jones was sentenced Monday in Buffalo County District Court. Jones was convicted of two counts of felony sexual assault of child, two counts of felony third-degree sexual assault of a child and one count of attempted first-degree sexual assault of a child.

Prosecutors say the incidents took place in Kearney between 1999 and 2006. In each case, Jones exposed himself to the boys, touched their private parts or was involved in oral sex with them.

Jones was sentenced to 17 to 40 years in prison. With good time credit, he could be eligible for parole in 8 ½ years.

Heineman Signs Neb. Autism Coverage Bill

Posted on April 21, 2014

(AP) — An estimated 1,000 Nebraskans will receive insurance coverage for autism therapies under a new state law.

Gov. Dave Heineman signed the bill into law Monday standing alongside two families with autistic children.

The proposal allows for up to 25 hours per week of covered therapy until the insured person turns 21 years old. Required coverage would include applied behavioral analysis, a treatment method that has been shown to help autistic children learn to function better.

Certain insurance plans will be exempt from the autism requirement, including those that are sold in the individual and small group markets under the new federal health care marketplace.

Lincoln Police Investigate Suspected Homicide

Posted on April 21, 2014

(AP) — Police are investigating a woman’s death in southeast Lincoln as a homicide, and have taken her husband into custody.

The woman was found dead at a home near 84th Street and Pioneers Boulevard shortly after noon on Monday. Police did not identify the woman or her husband, saying they had not yet notified relatives.

Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs says officers were called to check on the woman after she failed to show up for work. Beggs says authorities are confident that there’s no immediate threat to the public.

Police have not said how the woman was killed. Beggs says the investigation is still in its early stages.

Nebraska Man Pleads No Contest in Death of Ex-Wife

Posted on April 21, 2014

(AP) — A Nebraska man accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and former divorce attorney has pleaded no contest in the death of his ex-wife.

Michael Petersen entered the plea Monday in Hall County District Court for the Buffalo County charge.

Petersen, of rural Glenvil, faced two counts each of first-degree murder and use of a weapon for the Nov. 13 slayings of 52-year-old Todd Elsbernd and 58-year-old Nancy Peterson.

Elsbernd was shot with a rifle outside his Grand Island law office. Police say that earlier in the day, Nancy Petersen was found dead outside her rural Buffalo County home.

Prosecutors agreed to drop the weapons charge against Michael Petersen in exchange for the plea in his ex-wife’s death. Michael Petersen has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from Elsbernd’s death.

Rockies Place Cuddyer on 15-Day DL

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer will go on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

The reigning NL batting champ said Monday before a game with San Francisco that the injury is “extremely frustrating” and more “nagging than anything else.” He said he can only run at about 70 percent. The move is retroactive to April 18.

Cuddyer is hitting .317 with three homers and 10 RBIs this season. A season ago, Cuddyer led the league with a .331 average.

Colorado recalled infielder Charlie Culberson from Triple-A Colorado Springs to fill Cuddyer’s spot on the roster. Culberson is available for the game Monday.

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez also was in the lineup a day after leaving the game with pain in his left knee.

US Marshal Shoots, Kills Defendant in Federal Court

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The FBI says a defendant has died after being shot by a U.S. marshal during an attack on a witness during a trial in federal court in Salt Lake City.

The FBI said 25-year-old Siale Angilau died Monday at a hospital. The agency says Angilau was shot in the chest as he rushed the witness with a pen in an aggressive, threatening manner.

Authorities said Angilau, who had not been restrained in the courtroom, was shot several times in front of a jury that had been selected on Friday.

Angilau was one of 17 people named in a 29-count racketeering indictment filed in 2010 accusing gang members of assault, conspiracy, robbery and weapons offenses.

Funding Sought to Keep Up Park in Central Nebraska

Posted on April 21, 2014

(AP) — Supporters have begun searching for more money to maintain Bader Memorial Park in central Nebraska.

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has decided not to continue its funding agreement with adjacent Merrick County to support the park. The popular park sits southeast of Chapman, in Merrick County.

Pat Carlson is director of Platte Peer Group, which manages the park. Carlson says receipts, donations and concessions bring in about $75,000 a year. She says the park needs about $110,000 a year to keep it maintained.

Franklin Tweets that He’s Moving to Left Guard

Posted on April 21, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are shuffling their offensive line this offseason and Orlando Franklin provided some insight into their plans Monday by tweeting that he’s moving from right tackle to left guard.

“Left guard, excited to learn and improve this offseason. I will give it my all,” Franklin wrote on Twitter.

He’d replace Zane Beadles, who left for Jacksonville in free agency.

That apparently means Manny Ramirez would stay at center and Chris Clark, who filled in at left tackle after All-Pro Ryan Clady went on IR with a foot injury in Week 2 last season, will switch sides and play right tackle.

The Broncos’ offensive line was dominated by Seattle in the Super Bowl and Peyton Manning was under constant pressure in Denver’s 43-8 loss.

Chiefs in Discussion with Smith Reps on Extension

Posted on April 21, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs are speaking with representatives of quarterback Alex Smith about an extension that would keep him in Kansas City beyond next season.

Smith said Monday that his agent, Tom Condon, has been talking with the team about a new contract. Smith is due to make $7.5 million in the final year of a contract signed in 2012, when he was still with the San Francisco 49ers.

Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid have both expressed their desire to keep Smith in Kansas City, but his play last season underscored his value. Smith completed 66 percent of his passes with a career-best 23 touchdowns and only seven interceptions while leading a team that had been 2-14 to an 11-5 record and the playoffs.

Grants Now Available to Improve Neb. Soil Health

Posted on April 21, 2014

(AP) — Federal grants are now available for projects to help improve Nebraska’s soil health.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says public and private groups can apply for the funding. Officials say a total of $150,000 is available, and the maximum award for any one project is $75,000. Applications are due by the close of business on May 16.

The Conservation Innovation Grants are designed to help speed the development of new technology and practices.

Grant proposals will need to focus on at least one of several soil health topics. Possible topics include the effect that cover crops have on soil erosion and soil moisture, grazing management, and the impacts of no-till compared with conventional tillage systems.