June 2014 – Page 49 – North Platte Post Archive

Man Makes Deal Over Threats at Nebraska College

Posted on June 11, 2014June 11, 2014

MADISON, Neb. (AP) — A Madison man has made a plea deal with prosecutors who say he brandished a BB handgun at three students at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

23-year-old John Ertzner pleaded no contest to making terroristic threats, a felony. Prosecutors will recommend a one-year sentence in return for Ertzner’s plea. His sentencing is scheduled for July 24.

Officials say Ertzner approached three students on March 7. They say he followed them on a campus road and stopped next to them when they stopped, pointing a gun at two of them.

Ertzner told an investigator he mistook the three for other men who’d chased him earlier in Norfolk. He said he’d put his BB pistol on his car console but didn’t point it at the students.

Woman Pleads Guilty in Death of Teen Babysitter

Posted on June 11, 2014

OGDEN, Utah (AP) — A woman accused of helping her husband dump their teenage babysitter in the woods is pleading guilty to desecration of a human body and other charges as part of a plea deal.

41-year-old Dea Millerberg agreed to the deal Wednesday in an Ogden court. She also pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and obtaining a prescription illegally.

Prosecutors say Dea Millerberg and her husband, Eric Millerberg, had a drug-fueled, salacious sexual relationship with 16-year-old Alexis Rasmussen that led to her death from an overdose in 2011.

Eric Millerberg was found guilty by a jury in February of child-abuse homicide and sentenced to up to life in prison — the maximum amount allowed under the state’s guidelines.

Dea Millerberg will be sentenced Aug. 21.

Fight Rages Over Definition of Tennessee Whiskey

Posted on June 11, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A battle between two worldwide liquor companies — owners of rival brands Jack Daniel’s and smaller rival George Dickel — is being waged over who has the right to label their whiskey as following authentic Tennessee style.

It’s among the epicurean battles being waged around the world over what food and drink should carry special status as local and unique.

British-based liquor conglomerate Diageo PLC on Tuesday prevailed in getting state regulators to drop an investigation into allegations that Dickel violated state law by aging its whiskey in neighboring Kentucky.

The calm is likely to be short-lived. State lawmakers this summer are expected to once again considerer changes to the legal definition of Tennessee whiskey, which is as entwined in the state’s identity as Maine lobsters and Maryland crab cakes.

McCook Board won’t Let New Teacher Resign

Posted on June 11, 2014

MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — The McCook school board won’t let a new teacher out of the contract she signed to teach this coming school year.

Tori Peters, of Omaha, agreed in March to teach eighth-grade science for the 2014-15 year. But in a resignation letter she submitted May 19, she asked to be released from her contract because of “major life-changing events,” which the board didn’t explain Monday night. She said she preferred to remain in Omaha to teach.

Superintendent Grant Norgaard told the board that he understood why Peters wanted to resign but that the board needed time to find a quality teacher. He said Tuesday that teachers can lose their certifications if they don’t fulfill contract obligations.

Attempts to reach Peters on Wednesday were not successful.

Nebraska Leads Nation in 5 Agriculture Categories

Posted on June 11, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska led the nation in five categories of agricultural production last year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its annual rankings Tuesday.

Nebraska ranked number one in the number of cattle on feed in the state and the amount of red meat production.

The USDA says Nebraska produced 82 percent of the nation’s crop of Great Northern dry edible beans last year.

The 2012 Census of Agriculture also showed that Nebraska produced 45 percent of the nation’s popcorn crop.

Nebraska’s 8.3 million irrigated acres of cropland were the most of any state. The USDA says 14.9 percent of the nation’s irrigated acres are in Nebraska.

Man Arrested in Shooting of 6-Year-Old Omaha Girl

Posted on June 11, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 6-year-old Omaha girl on her birthday.

Authorities say Eddie Poe is accused of being an accessory to a felony. Investigators have not described what role they think Poe played in the shooting of Taelor Fentress last Thursday.

Douglas County Jail records say Poe remained in custody on Wednesday, pending $7,500 bail. Online court records say Poe also was wanted on a bench warrant for not appearing at a court hearing on misdemeanor drug and driver’s licensing charges.

The little girl has left a hospital after surgeries. A bullet that went through a screen door at a house in northeast Omaha passed through her cheek and nose.

Southeastern Nebraska Troopers Plan DUI Checks

Posted on June 11, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State troopers in southeastern Nebraska have gotten a grant to conduct drunken driving checks and high-visibility patrols.

Troopers in Saline County will hold the special enforcement this weekend, beginning Friday and running through Sunday in an effort to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatal crashes.

The special enforcement effort is paid for, in part, with a $3,100 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.

Capt. Lance Rogers, based in Lincoln, says the patrol hopes that by increasing its presence, it hopes motorists are reminded to wear their seat belt and avoid driving impaired or distracted.

Couple Donate $1.75 Million to New Kearney High School

Posted on June 11, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a $1.75 million gift will let the new Kearney High School add 10,000 square feet of space for career and technical education programs.

The money comes from Scott and Rochelle Morris. Scott Morris is CEO of Morris Press and a graduate of Kearney High. His wife is a former educator for Kearney Public Schools.

Early designs for the addition show three different labs: auto, metals and wood shop.

Superintendent Brian Maher says he Scott D. Morris Institute will be ready for classes when the new senior high opens in fall 2016.

Storm Welcome New Staff, Promote Korte

Posted on June 11, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm have announced changes in the team’s front office, adding three Corporate Ambassadors and promoting staff member Alicia Korte.

The team’s newest full-time Corporate Ambassador is Andrew Snyderman, who comes to Kearney after earning his degree in sports administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Originally from the greater Pittsburgh area, Snyderman served as a promotional events intern with the MLB’s Cincinnati Reds during the 2013 baseball season.

Also joining the staff of Corporate Ambassadors are Kyle Olson and Noah Whitaker.

Olson, who served as the Storm’s in-game music director during the 2013-14 season, is in the process of earning his graduate degree in sports management from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Whitaker will also complete a B.S. in sports management from UNK this summer.

“We wanted to have a greater one-on-one presence throughout central Nebraska,” said Storm President Greg Shea. “Through these additions, we feel as though it will give us that strength. The key role of the ambassadors will be to introduce and reintroduce our product and present a newly created marketing tool to a radius of 50 miles and beyond.”

In addition, the team has promoted Korte to a new position as the Director of Group Sales and Fan Relations. Korte, who is preparing for her fifth season with the organization, will be in charge of organizing group sales, fundraisers and fan experiences during Storm home games.

The Columbus, Neb. native will also continue to organize the team’s community relations efforts, including player appearances throughout the central Nebraska region.

The Storm will once again head to Las Vegas for tryout camp this summer, and will hold evaluations June 16-21 at the Las Vegas Ice Center.

First Nationals Swept by Hastings

Posted on June 11, 2014

The North Platte First Nationals Seniors dropped to 10-10 on the season after getting swept by Hastings in a Cornhusker League doubleheader Tuesday.

North Platte lost the first game of the day 6-1 to Hastings. Hastings scored a run in each of the first two innings before pulling away with three runs in the fourth inning. Dalton Pflughaupt took the loss on the mound for the First Nationals. He pitched a complete game and gave up six runs, three earned, on 13 hits. He also struck out three batters. Drew Callaghan led North Platte at the plate by going 2-3 with a run scored.

North Platte started in a hole in game two as well. Hastings scored a run in the first inning and three more in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead. The First Nationals were able to cut the deficit in half by scoring two runs in the fourth inning, but Hastings scored four in the fifth inning to secure an 8-4 win. Alec Wesslund went 3-5 in the game for North Platte, Austin Chitty went 2-2 with two runs batted in and Luke Volz recorded the First Nationals only extra-base hit on the day with a double. Volz went 2-4 with two runs scored. Jayden Kruse started on the mound for North Platte and pitched four-plus innings, giving up seven runs, six earned, on just one hit. Kruse issued eight walks and struck out seven batters while taking the loss. Volz pitched the final two innings and gave up one run on two hits, struck out three batter and walked four. North Platte didn’t help themselves by issuing 12 walks in the game.

The First Nationals next play in a tournament in Canon City, Colo. North Platte plays Canon City at 3:30 pm on Thursday, followed by a game against Carlsbad, NM at 5:45 pm.