July 2014 – Page 10 – North Platte Post Archive

Arizona Cardinal John Abraham Charged with DUI

Posted on July 29, 2014

ATLANTA (AP) — Authorities say Arizona Cardinals linebacker John Abraham was arrested on a drunken driving charge a month ago in the Atlanta area.

Abraham has been absent from the team’s training camp since Friday.

DeKalb County Jail records show that the 36-year-old was taken into custody June 29 and released the same day.

The records show Abraham was charged with driving under the influence involving alcohol, as well as stopping, standing or parking in a prohibited place.

Records from the jail do not indicate whether the case had been resolved as of Tuesday, nor do they list an attorney for Abraham.

The Cardinals have said only that Abraham has been absent from camp for personal reasons.

Abraham has also played for the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets.

Omaha Couple with 7 Kids Killed in Rollover Crash

Posted on July 29, 2014

WEST POINT, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha couple have been killed in a rollover crash off a state highway in eastern Nebraska.

Cuming County Sheriff Bradley Boyum says the crash site and crumpled vehicle were found Monday morning about two miles south of West Point, just off U.S. Highway 275. The victims were identified as 40-year-old Yvonne Pivonka and her husband, 41-year-old Franklin Pivonka. Their bodies were found in a heavily wooded area.

Deputies believe the accident occurred sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, as the Pivonkas were heading home from a concert.

Relatives say the Pivonkas had seven children ranging in age from 3 to 20.

Nebraska Workshops to Educate Teachers About Bats

Posted on July 29, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Fulbright’s EcoLeadership Program have scheduled two educator workshops on bats.

The workshops are open to teachers of kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The teachers will be taught the natural history of bats as well as their importance to the ecosystem. Teachers also will be taught how to incorporate the study of bats into their science curriculums.

The first workshop runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice. The second is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 13 at TaHaZouka Park in Norfolk.

The workshops are free; registration is required. To register, teachers must send their names, school or organization names, email addresses and phone numbers to Lindsay Rogers, lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov.

NSP Plans Special Enforcement in Hall County

Posted on July 29, 2014

Efforts to reduce serious injury and fatality crashes with an emphasis on impaired driving will be the focus of a special enforcement planned for Hall County over the weekend.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Troop C-Grand Island, in conjunction with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, will conduct high visibility patrols in and around Grand Island and Hall County during the evening hours on Saturday, August 2.

“There is a lot going on this time of year and that means the potential for increased traffic volume,” said Troop C Commander, Captain Chris Kolb. “By increasing our visibility we hope to encourage voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws.”

Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limits, pay special attention in work zones, never drive impaired or distracted and always buckle up.

A $2,375 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) will help pay for overtime hours used by troopers and communication specialists during the special enforcement.

NCAA Settles Head Injury Lawsuit

Posted on July 29, 2014

CHICAGO (AP) — The NCAA has agreed to settle a class-action head injury lawsuit.

A federal court filing obtained by The Associated Press says the NCAA will create a $70 million fund to test current and former college athletes for brain injuries. Players can use the results later as grounds for suing for damages.

The NCAA also agreed to implement a single return-to-play policy spelling out how all teams must treat players who receive blows to the head.

The settlement applies to multiple sports, including football, hockey, soccer, basketball, wrestling, field hockey and lacrosse. It covers both men and women.

The filing Tuesday in Chicago notifies a judge that the parties have struck a deal after nearly a year of talks. Ten similar suits filed nationwide were consolidated into this lawsuit.

NP Man Accused of Strangling, Assaulting Girlfriend

Posted on July 29, 2014

A North Platte man has been charged with a felony after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend Monday night.

At around 10:40 p.m., on July 28, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance at the Blue Spruce Motel, 821 South Dewey.

Officers located a 37 year old female and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Nathan Edmund, a short distance away from the motel.

The female told officers that, following an argument, Edmund grabbed her face with his hands which prevented her from breathing.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, a neighbor intervened, and the victim was able to escape the room.

Brown said the victim also sustained injuries to her face as a result of the assault.

Following further investigation, officers determined there was probable cause to place Edmund under arrest and charge him with felony strangulation and 3rd degree domestic assault.

Edmund was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.

NE Nebraska Town Hires Its 1st City Administrator

Posted on July 29, 2014July 28, 2014

WISNER, Neb. (AP) — The small northeast Nebraska town of Wisner has hired its first city administrator.

Wisner hired Al Vacanti to be its city administrator, clerk and treasurer.

He’s replacing Barb Rabe who has been clerk and treasurer for nearly 26 years.

Rabe says Vacanti’s background as a lawyer and his experience as Scribner’s first city administrator and treasurer and clerk will help him in Wisner.

Vacanti says he enjoys city administration and will do his best for Wisner.

Part of Vacanti’s job will be helping Wisner’s volunteer mayor and city council comply with increasingly complex rules and regulations.

Officials: Little Risk of Ebola Outbreak in US

Posted on July 29, 2014July 28, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are monitoring the Ebola outbreak in Africa but say the risk of the deadly germ spreading to the United States is remote.

The Centers for Disease Control on Monday sent a health alert to U.S. doctors about the outbreak. There are no travel restrictions to the West Africa region hit by the disease. But last month, the CDC issued a mid-level travel advisory for health workers.

Two American aid workers in Liberia have tested positive for the virus and are being treated there. The family of one worker — a doctor — recently returned to the U.S. for a visit. The CDC said they are fine.

Officials stressed people are not contagious until they show symptoms, and the doctor’s family left Liberia days before he got sick.

Lakers Finally Confirm Byron Scott is New Coach

Posted on July 29, 2014July 29, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed Byron Scott is their new head coach.

The Lakers finally made the long-anticipated announcement Monday night in a news release.

Scott told reporters last weekend he had been hired by the Lakers, who haven’t had a head coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned April 30.

Scott is the former head coach for New Jersey, New Orleans and Cleveland, reaching two NBA Finals with the Nets. He was the NBA’s coach of the year in 2008.

Scott also was a shooting guard for the Lakers for 11 seasons, playing alongside Magic Johnson during the Showtime era. He was a teammate of Lakers star Kobe Bryant during his final NBA season.

Scott spent last season as an analyst on the Lakers’ television network.

Wada Earns 1st MLB Win as Cubs Beat Rockies

Posted on July 29, 2014

CHICAGO (AP) — Tsuyoshi Wada earned his first big league win, pitching seven strong innings Monday night as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-1.

Anthony Rizzo drove in two runs to back Wada (1-1).

In only his third career start in the majors, Wada cut through the Colorado lineup, allowing one run and five hits. It was a far cry from his last outing, when he lasted four innings and gave up five runs in a loss to San Diego.

The sole blemish on Wada’s performance came in the sixth when the Rockies got three hits, capped by Nolan Arenado’s RBI single.

Pedro Strop worked out of a jam in the eighth inning and Hector Rondon worked a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 16 chances.

Yohan Flande (0-3) struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings.