(AP) — A 28-year-old Lincoln man has been sentenced to jail for groping or slapping the backsides of women jogging on city trails.
Christopher Jackson was sentenced on Monday. Online court records say Jackson had pleaded no contest to three counts of sexual assault and one count of misdemeanor assault.
Lincoln police say women had reported separate incidents in September. They said their attacker would ride up on a bicycle from behind them and would reach out to grab or slap their buttocks.
NEW YORK (AP) — Issuing about the strongest rebuke that he could, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life Tuesday for making racist comments in a recorded conversation, the first step toward forcing a sale of the club and permanently removing Sterling from the league.
Silver also fined Sterling $2.5 million, and again expressed outrage.
“I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners to remove him,” Silver said.
Several owners immediately chimed in with support of Silver’s decision. Sterling, the league’s longest-tenured owner and someone with an estimated net worth of about $2 billion, did not offer any immediate comment.
The penalties, which were announced only three days after the scandal broke, are the harshest ever issued by the league and among the stiffest punishments ever given to an owner in professional sports. Silver said a league investigation found that Sterling was in fact the person on the audiotapes that were released over the weekend and immediately sent shock waves throughout the game.
“We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views,” Silver said. “They simply have no place in the NBA.”
Sterling acknowledged he was the man on the tape, Silver said.
Sterling still owns the team, but going forward he is immediately barred from attending any NBA games or practices, being present at any Clippers office or facility, participating in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team, or being part of any league business.
It’s unclear how Sterling will respond.
“This league is far bigger than any one owner, any one coach and any one player,” said Silver, who as commissioner has broad powers under what’s typically called the “best interest of the game” clause of the NBA constitution.
But Silver works for the owners, and he will need 75 percent of them — if all 30 teams vote, he’ll need 23 on his side — to force Sterling out of the league completely.
The fine will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the Players Association, Silver said.
“This has all happened in three days, and so I am hopeful there will be no long-term damage to the league and to the Clippers organization,” Silver said. “But as I said earlier, I’m outraged so I certainly understand other people’s outrage. This will take some time and appropriate healing will be necessary.”
After the announcement, the Clippers’ website had a simple message: “We are one,” it read.
“We wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver today. Now the healing process begins,” the Clippers added in a statement.
Sterling’s comments were released over the weekend by TMZ and Deadspin, and numerous NBA owners and players have condemned them. Even President Barack Obama weighed in on the crisis, the first of Silver’s brief tenure as commissioner.
“Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!!,” Miami Heat star LeBron James wrote on Twitter.
The league’s investigation started Saturday and players immediately began expressing intense displeasure with the situation, even going so far as to ask Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to get involved on behalf of the players’ union.
“When one rotten apple does something, or if you see cancer, you’ve got to cut it out really quickly,” Kevin Johnson said at a news conference in Los Angeles, flanked by NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and players like Steve Nash, Tyson Chandler, Luke Walton and Roger Mason Jr., among others. “And Commissioner Silver did that in real time. We’re so proud and thankful for him.”
The sanctions came a few hours before the Clippers were to play Golden State in Game 5 of a tied-up Western Conference first-round playoff series.
“When you get this many Lakers to stand up for the Clippers, you know something big is happening in L.A.,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “We are a single team here today, a team not only speaking out for what we’re against — racism, hatred, bigotry, intolerance — but what we’re for. We’re for great basketball.”
Before Silver took the podium, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted out a photo of the NBA Constitution, saying “It exists for a reason.”
Several sponsors either terminated or suspended their business dealings with the team on Monday, though individual deals that some of those companies have with Clippers stars like Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will continue and were not affected. Still, it was a clear statement that companies, like just about everyone inside the league, were outraged.
“Commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life,” Magic Johnson, who was referenced on the taped conversation involving Sterling, tweeted shortly after the league’s decision was announced.
Johnson’s role on the tape stemmed from Sterling’s female companion apparently posting a photo of her and the Hall of Fame player on her Instagram account. That photo has since been deleted, but raised Sterling’s ire nonetheless.
“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” Sterling asks the woman on the tape.
The issues raised when the tapes were released over the weekend represent just another chapter in Sterling’s long history of being at the center of controversy.
In the past, he’s faced extensive federal charges of civil rights violations and racial discrimination in his business dealings, and some of his race-related statements would be described as shocking.
He has also been sued in the past for sexual harassment by former employees, and even the woman who goes by the name “V. Stiviano” — purportedly the female voice on the tapes at the center of this scandal — describes Sterling in court documents as a man “with a big toothy grin brandishing his sexual prowess in the faces of the Paparazzi and caring less what anyone else thought, the least of which, his own wife.”
Stiviano is being sued by Rochelle Sterling, who is seeking to reclaim at least $1.8 million in cash and gifts that her husband allegedly provided the woman.
Silver said when he first heard the audio, he hoped it had been altered or was fake — but also said that from his 20-year relationship with Sterling, he suspected the voice was his.
“This has been a painful moment,” Silver said, “for all members of the NBA family.”
(AP) — At least 35 deaths have been reported from a large, stubborn storm system making its way through the South after pummeling the central U.S.
In Mississippi, officials say 12 people died Monday, nine in Winston County, where hard-hit Louisville is the county seat. Three others died in separate traffic incidents.
In Alabama, three people were reported dead, two in the northern part of the state and one in Tuscaloosa. There, officials say a University of Alabama student died Monday when he took shelter in a home’s basement and a retaining wall collapsed on him.
Tennessee officials say two people died in a home when a suspected tornado hit Monday night.
On Sunday, 15 were killed as a tornado blasted through Arkansas. One person died in Oklahoma, and two in Iowa.
Rita Lucile (Heppner) Johnson, 82, of North Platte passed away April 28, 2014 at her home. She was born February 2, 1932 in Hershey to Jessie M. and Emma Edna (Northouse) Heppner.
Rita graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1950 and attended North Platte College. She married Clarence “Johnny” Johnson on March 14, 1953. Rita owned a cleaning business and cleaned doctor’s offices, homes and beauty salons all while managing to raise 5 children. She loved to garden and had quite the green thumb! She also enjoyed square dancing and was a part of the “Cody Squareanaders”. She was a loving family woman but was not afraid to show how she was feeling about something. Rita was a member of the Nazarene Church, VFW, and American Legion Auxiliaries.
Survivors include children, Steven Lee (Phyllis) Johnson and Cynthia (Justin) Goforth all of North Platte, Terry (Jerry) Pitkin of Wisconsin, Linda Jobman and Tim Hansen of North Platte, and Tammy (Eugene) Pursley all of North Platte; 13 grandchildren, LeeAnn (Eddie), Mary, Jesse, Kayle, Brandon, Stacy (Doug), Jackie, Mathew, Minnie (Brent), Emma, Derek, Tyler, and Zachary; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a son-in-law, Steve Jobman.
Memorials may be made in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Parkview Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Brett Hathway officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
The American Red Cross is responding across the South and Midwest to help people affected by the massive storm system that has destroyed neighborhoods and left thousands without power.
Red Cross workers opened or supported community shelters in seven states Monday night including Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Virginia. More than 100 people sought refuge in the shelters and many more visited them for meals and information about what help is available. If someone needs to find a shelter, they can contact their local Red Cross chapter or access the Red Cross shelter map on redcross.org, which is updated every 30 minutes with shelter locations by address, city, state and/or zip code.
“Two well-trained disaster responders from Lincoln will deploy to hard hit Arkansas and Mississippi,” said Jill Orton, Region Disaster Officer. “These two men will join hundreds of other Red Cross workers who are providing immediate assistance to the residents who have been touched by this disaster.”
Red Cross workers are providing health and mental health services and Red Cross emergency vehicles are distributing food and relief supplies throughout the affected states as weather conditions permit. The Red Cross is mobilizing additional disaster workers and emergency vehicles to move into the affected states to provide additional help when it is safe to do so.
“It’s heart wrenching to see the destruction this storm has caused and that so many people have lost everything,” said Richard Reed, senior vice president, Disaster Cycle Services for the Red Cross, who is in Arkansas. “Red Cross workers are here now, providing shelter, food and comfort, and we’ll be here for weeks to help people as they begin to recover.”
More than 75 million people are still at risk from this storm system which threatens communities from the southeast coast to the Great Lakes and into the Mid-Atlantic region. Parts of Alabama and Mississippi face the highest threat today in communities already battered by the storm Monday.
DOWNLOAD TORNADO APP People should download the free Red Cross tornado app onto their mobile devices. The app includes a warning siren and alert when a tornado warning has been issued and an all-clear alert when the warning expires or is cancelled. Users can find Red Cross shelters and utilize the app’s “I’m Safe” button to let loved ones know they are okay. The Red Cross sent out 4.4 million severe weather notifications in the last 48 hours through its tornado app for tornado and thunderstorm watches and warnings.
TORNADO SAFETY People should know how their community will warn them about the storm. Other steps include the following:
A 19-year-old North Platte is facing felony charges after he allegedly rammed a vehicle during an argument.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, North Platte Police responded to the area of 16th and Custer at around 9:40 p.m. on April 19th.
It was reported that a red Firebird had rammed into a Nissan occupied by three juveniles at Cody Park during a verbal argument.
The 17-year-old male driver of the Nissan alleged that the Firebird nearly struck him before colliding with the Nissan and fleeing.
Officers identified the driver of the Firebird as Nathen Wheeler.
On April 28, Wheeler was located and questioned about the incident. Following further investigation, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Wheeler for felony attempted 1st degree assault and felony criminal mischief.
He was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.
(AP) — A former Lexington police officer been sentenced to 120 days in jail.
49-year-old Terrance Smith was sentenced on Monday. Smith had pleaded no contest and was convicted of attempted burglary. Two other charges were dropped in exchange for his plea.
Authorities say Smith entered Landmark Implement near Lexington after business hours on May 19 last year, while on duty and without a law enforcement purpose. Video surveillance shows Smith searching through drawers and cabinets in offices before leaving without taking anything of value.
Smith was fired shortly thereafter. He’d been on the force for seven years.
A North Platte man racked up the charges after he was pulled over for having a broken headlight.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, officers were on patrol at around 11:00 p.m., on Monday, when they observed a Chevy Blazer operating without a front headlight.
A traffic stop was conducted near 1st Street and Buffalo Bill Avenue, and officers made contact with the driver, 36-year-old Sean Heinemann.
During the stop, an officer observed a Winchester Lever Action 30/30 being intentionally concealed by Heinemann between his leg and the center console of the vehicle.
Heinemann was ordered out of the vehicle, and the firearm, which was loaded, was seized.
Further investigation revealed that Heinemann had a prior conviction for domestic violence, and was therefore prohibited from carrying a firearm.
A further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of ammunition, drug paraphernalia commonly used in the use and distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana, prescription pills, including Morphine, Tapentadol and Lorazepam, burglary tools, a large amount of jewelry and multiple knives.
Officers placed Heinemann under arrest and charged him with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, possession of burglary tools, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during a drug violation.
Additionally, Heinemann was cited for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of motor vehicle light requirements and fictitious plates.
Heinemann was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
PHOENIX (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki homered, had two doubles and drove in three runs to lead the big-hitting Colorado Rockies to an 8-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday night.
Baseball’s best offensive team so far this season, the Rockies roughed up Wade Miley (2-3) for seven extra-base hits in the first six innings, including a pair of homers.
Tulowitzki led off the sixth with his sixth homer and Justin Morneau added a two-run shot later in the inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Nolan Arenado had one of Colorado’s six doubles to stretch his hitting streak to a baseball-best 18 games and the Rockies had 12 hits overall.
Franklin Morales (3-1) allowed four runs in five innings and LaTroy Hawkins worked a perfect ninth for his eighth straight save.
Gerardo Parra homered, Miguel Montero drove in two runs and Paul Goldschmidt had three hits for Arizona.
