Mary L. Haugland, 73, of Parker, Colorado, formerly of Sutherland, Nebraska passed away July 15, 2014 at Saint Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. Mary was born June 7, 1940 in Sutherland to Jacob and Louise (Burklund) Haugland. She graduated from Sutherland High School and attended Burke’s Business College and Kearney State Teacher’s College. Mary taught country school for two years however most of her career was spent with the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. She took an early retirement to help care for her mother.
Mary loved wildlife and animals. She enjoyed camping and traveling as well as geneology. Animals were her passion and she spent many of her retirement years as a volunteer for the Denver Zoo.
Survivors include her brothers, Jim (Donna) Haugland of Sutherland, NE and Jerry Haughland of Chadron, NE; nieces, Jill (Bruce) white of Kingman, AZ and Jo (Richard) Lee of Sutherland; nephews, Charles Haugland and Michael Haugland; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be made in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland, NE with Pastor Erin Dunlavy officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland.
Month: July 2014
Beatrice 6 Member Could Receive More Damages
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — In its attempt to overturn damages awarded to two people wrongly convicted in a 1985 murder, Nebraska could end up paying more to one of them.
JoAnn Taylor and James Dean were among six people wrongfully convicted in the rape and murder of Helen Wilson.
State prosecutors appealed the $500,000 awarded to Taylor, who spent nearly 20 years in prison, and the $300,000 awarded to Dean, behind bars more than five years, arguing they weren’t eligible to collect damages because they perjured themselves by confessing.
On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld Taylor’s award, but reversed Dean’s, saying the trial judge improperly based Dean’s smaller award on the fact that he had spent less time in prison than Taylor. It ordered the lower court to recalculate Dean’s award.
Nebraskan Imprisoned for Sex Assaults on Daughters
COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — A 38-year-old man has been sent to prison for sexually assaulting his daughters and producing child pornography.
The man had pleaded no contest. Prosecutors dismissed some charges in exchange for the man’s pleas. The Associated Press is not using the man’s name, in order to protect the privacy of his victims.
The judge gave the rural Columbus man 30 to 50 years for sex assault and 10 to 15 years for incest. He was given seven to 10 years on the porn charges, to run after the other sentences are served.
A warrant affidavit says the man sexually abused his daughters, ages 7 and 9, while taking baths with them. The porn charges involved four girls ranging in ages from 7 to 11.
Jilian Rae Torres
Jilian Rae Torres, age 34 of North Platte, passed away Tuesday July 15, 2014 after courageously battling a multitude of health issues for many years.
Jilian was born on April 15, 1980 in Lexington, NE to Richard and Teresa (Majeski) Rumery Sr. She grew up in North Platte after losing her parents at young age. She became a CNA and worked at the Pawnee Hotel and Premier Estates. She married Mikey Torres, Jr. on May 16, 2013. She loved to sing, listen to country music, watch TV Land and spend time with her family.
Jilian is survived by her husband Mikey Torres Jr of North Platte; 3 step-daughters, Miranda (Ross) Spencer of McCook, Natasha Torres of North Platte, Laryssa Torres of North Platte; 2 step-sons Michael (Kassie) Torres and Steven Torres both of North Platte; 10 grandchildren; sister Angel (Borrego) Macias of Topeka, KS; 2 brothers Rick (Angie) Rumery of Friend, NE, Pat (Emily) Rumery of Lincoln; 9 nieces; 2 nephews; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; and a brother Jackson Rumery.
A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Reverend James Golka officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Sutherland. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 22, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Former NFL Players Sue Union over Concussions
NEW YORK (AP) — Former NFL players Christian Ballard and Gregory Westbrooks are suing the union for not providing accurate information about the risk of head injuries.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, with both claiming the NFL Players Association “withheld information from the players about the risks of head injuries.”
Ballard and Westbrooks named former union presidents Trace Armstrong, Troy Vincent and Kevin Mawae in the suit.
An NFLPA statement says: “This lawsuit has no merit and we will defend our union and our past presidents.”
Ballard, a defensive end in 2011 and 2012, left the Vikings last September. Coincidentally, he is being represented by the union in a grievance concerning about $240,000 in 2013 salary.
Westbrooks, now 61, played parts of seven seasons from 1975-81 as a linebacker and special teamer with four clubs.
Toxic Algae Warning Issued for Another Nebraska Lake
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State health and environment officials have issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County. An alert is continuing for Rockford Lake near Beatrice in southeastern Nebraska.
The alerts were issued following tests of the lakes’ water. Signs have been posted at the lakes, urging people not to swim in them. People can still use the lakes’ public areas for other activities.
Skin exposed to the toxin from certain strains of blue-green algae can develop rashes and blisters. Someone who drinks water containing the toxin is at risk for headaches, nausea and muscular pain.
Darlene Joyce Swanson
Darlene Joyce Swanson, age 79 of Dickens, passed away Thursday July 17, 2014 at Centennial Park in North Platte.
Darlene was born on January 24, 1935 in North Platte to Rastie and Mary (Hayworth) Stearns. She grew up in the area and graduated from North Platte High School. She married Gordon Swanson on July 12, 1952 and the couple lived in California while he was in the service. After Gordon’s discharge, they returned to ranch in Dickens and continued to live there until moving to Wallace four years ago. Darlene was the Postmaster at Dickens for many years; also she and Gordon tended bar in Wallace and were caretakers of the Dickens Cemetery.
Darlene is survived by her husband Gordon; 3 children Lynn (Kathy) Swanson of Wallace, Cindy Swanson of North Platte and Toad (Rod Wilson) West of Wallace; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister Maxine Gayman of North Platte; brother Terry (Valarie) Stearns of North Platte; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Darrell, Tom and Don; sister, Arlene; and son-in-law, Bob West.
Memorials are suggested to the Wallace Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday July 21, 2014 at the Dickens Cemetery. The family request closed toed shoes at the cemetery due to the cactus. A reception will follow services at the Wallace Legion Hall. Visitation will be noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday with family receiving friends from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
US Cellular Announces Expanded Nebraska 4G Service
U.S. Cellular, in conjunction with its partner King Street Wireless, announced that Nebraska residents primarily in rural areas will have 4G LTE services later this year. The company is adding more than 1,200 4G LTE cell sites across the country.
By the end of 2014, more than 93 percent of U.S. Cellular customers will have access to 4G LTE speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G.
Western Nebraska communities that will receive 4G LTE service from U.S. Cellular later in the year include Bartley, Beaver City, Brady, Culbertson, Curtis, Hershey, Imperial, Indianola, Maxwell, McCook, Mullen, Paxton, Stapleton, Sutherland, Thedford, Trenton and Wauneta.
U.S. Cellular customers in and around Omaha, Lincoln, Beatrice, Bellevue, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, La Vista, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, North Platte, Ogallala, Papillion, Seward, Wayne, West Point and York received 4G LTE access last October.
In addition to Nebraska, this latest U.S. Cellular network expansion adds vast 4G LTE coverage in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and North Carolina and also brings additional 4G LTE service to areas in Illinois, Maine, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
“We are a community carrier that is focused on Nebraska, and we provide a network that works where our customers live, work and play,” said Erryn Andersen, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Nebraska and Iowa. “This network expansion brings fast 4G LTE speeds to additional parts of Nebraska, and we will continue to provide our customers the best-in-class network, devices and technology that gives them access to experiences that enrich their lives.”
For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G.
NCAA Awaits Vote Next Month on Restructuring Body
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA’s board of directors will vote Aug. 7 on a modified proposal to change how the governing body works.
If approved, athletic administrators and the biggest schools would play a bigger role in rule-making. Schools then would have 60 days to override the decision.
The proposal creates a 24-member board, run primarily by presidents, to ensure the principles of college sports are enforced. But rule-making would be delegated to a new council, composed primarily of athletic directors.
Those from the five biggest conferences would have more voting power than the other five FBS football leagues. Some rules may apply only to the five major conferences.
Athletes would be on both committees.
NP Woman Accused of Driving Drunk with Child in Car
A North Platte woman is facing charges after she allegedly drove drunk with a child in her car.
At around 12:10 a.m., on July 18, officers with the North Platte Police Department were dispatched to the area of 500 West 9th Street on the report of a verbal disturbance.
A responding officer saw a vehicle blocking the street with two male subjects standing outside of it. Additionally, the officer observed a discarded beer bottle on the street in front of the car.
The officer stopped to determine if the vehicle was involved in the disturbance and identified the driver as Sheree Rodriguez.
The officer suspected that Rodriguez was under the influence of alcohol, and complied with her request to administer a preliminary breath test, which indicated she was over the legal limit to operate a vehicle.
According to investigator John Deal, Rodriguez had a 6-year-old child in the car with her.
As a result, Rodriguez was placed under arrest and charged with driving under the influence of liquor and child abuse.
No other arrests were made, but Deal said officers did break up a loud party in the area.
Rodriguez was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.