July 2014 – Page 42 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska GOP Chairman, Iowa Town at Odds

Posted on July 17, 2014July 17, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party and officials in Red Oak, Iowa, each say the other should pay to tear down an abandoned and deteriorating church in the southwestern Iowa community.

A company headed by Nebraska GOP Chairman J.L. Spray purchased a tax lien for the 124-year-old church near downtown Red Oak in 2012 and now owns the building.

The city says the building is dangerous and wants Spray to pay to have it demolished.

But Spray, a Lincoln attorney, says information provided during the tax sale made it appear that the building was in better shape than it was. He says after failed attempts to work out a compromise that it’s now the city’s responsibility to cover the cost of demolition.

Son, 41, Accused of Killing Dad in Omaha Suburb

Posted on July 17, 2014July 17, 2014

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A 41-year-old man has been convicted of shooting to death his father at the family home in Gretna, on the southwest side of Omaha.

Steven Braesch was found guilty Thursday in Sarpy County District Court of first-degree murder, a weapons charge and three counts of negligent child abuse. Investigators say Braesch shot his dad, 69-year-old William Braesch, five times within the clear view of three children under the age of 7. They are the slain man’s granddaughters.

Defense attorneys didn’t deny that Steven Braesch shot his father. They argued that it was manslaughter because it occurred during a heated argument. They also argued that Steve Braesch’s mental health problems contributed to his mental state.

Steven Braesch faces a life term when he’s sentenced on Oct. 6.

Nebraskan Dies After SUV Speeds Out of Car Wash

Posted on July 17, 2014July 17, 2014

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — An 83-year-old woman has died after her vehicle accelerated out of a truck stop carwash and struck the side of a ditch in Columbus.

The accident occurred around 8:40 a.m. Tuesday at the Sapp Bros. truck stop.

Police say Donna Wyman, of Silver Creek, was going through the carwash in her sport utility vehicle but failed to stop at its final step. Her vehicle accelerated out of the carwash, crashed through a fence and struck the ditch side.

Police Capt. Charles Sherer says crash investigators will be checking for any mechanical failure and whether Wyman suffered a medical problem that led to the crash.

Platte County Attorney Carl Hart says there was no indication that Wyman had any medical issues.

Brenda Kay Kolb

Posted on July 17, 2014

Brenda Kay Kolb, age 49 of Callaway, passed away July 17, 2014 at North Platte Care Center after a 13 year battle with cancer.

Brenda was born on March 23, 1965 in North Platte to Gene and Sharon (Booth) Kohl. She grew up in the area and graduated from Hershey High School in 1983. She worked at the Sutherland Care Center and various other nursing home and hospitals. She was involved in her community and was a member of the Callaway Methodist Church. She will be remembered as a loving and caring mother.

Brenda is survived by her children Jessica (David) Ray of Lincoln, Nicholas (April) Zierke of North Platte, Derrick Zierke of Callaway and Bre Anna Zierke of Arnold; 1 granchild Tyler Roddrick Zierke; parents Gene and Sharon Kohl of Hershey; grandmother Margaret Booth of North Platte; sisters Jody (Brian) Gosnell and Cora (Jim) Fox; brother Terry (Linda) Booth; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother Frank Kohl; grandfather Frank Booth; and grandparents Jenny and Val Payne and Melvin and Arlene Zierke.

A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday July 21, 2014 at the Callaway United Methodist Church with Pastor Ken Pitkin officiating. Burial will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Indictment Alleges Mail Carrier Stashed Deliveries

Posted on July 17, 2014

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The government says an Ohio mail carrier stashed thousands of pieces of undelivered mail at his home over 18 months.

The U.S. Postal Service began investigating last year after residents along the route in Columbus reported that DVDs had not arrived as expected.

Charles Moore has been charged with destroying or delaying mail.

Investigators found 13,000 pieces of mail on top of Moore’s freezer, in closets, in a bedroom and in the basement when they searched his home in July 2013.

Moore resigned from his job in October after being suspended. Court records don’t list an attorney. He faces five years in prison if convicted.

Man Dies After Car Runs Into Western Nebraska Lake

Posted on July 17, 2014

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — A 50-year-old man has died after his car ran into a Nebraska Panhandle lake.

Morrill County Attorney Travis Rodak says Brett Golden was pronounced dead Wednesday evening at Bridgeport State Recreation Area.

Rodak says Golden’s car hit a tree before entering a small lake near the beach area of the recreation area’s main lake. A couple of campers spotted the car, which was almost totally submerged. Golden’s body was found inside.

It’s unclear when the accident occurred. Golden was last seen leaving his home in the rural community of Redington around 9 a.m. Wednesday.

An autopsy has been ordered.

Air Show Returns to Offutt Air Force Base

Posted on July 17, 2014

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) — Offutt Air Force Base will host an air show this weekend after federal budget problems forced the cancellation of last year’s event.

The free event on Saturday and Sunday will feature both the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the F-22 Raptor aerial demonstration teams along with several other flying teams.

The public will have a chance to visit Offutt Air Force Base and learn more about the base on the southeast side of the Omaha area. Gates open at 9 a.m. and flying begins around noon.

A free shuttle bus will be offered from various locations around Bellevue, including the former Southroads mall and Bellevue East and West high schools.

More details of the air show and all the aircraft that will be on display are available online at www.offuttairshow.com .

Bodies in Omaha Home Were Those of Mom, Teen Son

Posted on July 17, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Autopsies have been ordered on the bodies of a woman and her 18-year-old son found at their west Omaha home.

Douglas County sheriff’s deputies identified the two as Cooper Flanagan and his mother, 54-year-old Maureen Flanagan. Deputies sent to check on the Flanagans’ welfare Wednesday morning found her body in the home’s basement and his in a car in the garage.

Chief Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Wheeler says it doesn’t appear to be a double homicide but would not say whether investigators suspect the deaths resulted from a murder-suicide. Lt. Mark Gentile says no suspects are being sought.

Gentile says the two hadn’t been seen since July 9 and that investigators think the mom and son had been dead for two days.

Abdullah Headlines Doak Walker Watch List

Posted on July 17, 2014

Nebraska senior I-back Ameer Abdullah has been named as one of the preseason candidates for the 2014 Doak Walker Award Thursday morning. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back.

The 5-9, 195-pound Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards in 2013, the most of any player returning for 2014. Abdullah owns 2,977 career rushing yards to rank third among active returning players in career rushing yards, and he leads all active players with 4,914 career all-purpose yards.

In addition to earning first-team All-Big Ten honors last season, Abdullah was one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. He is one of three 2013 Doak Walker semifinalists who are among the 2014 preseason candidates, joining South Carolina’s Mike Davis and Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. Abdullah is one of eight Big Ten running backs on the watch list.

The semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award will be named on Nov. 18, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will narrow the list to three finalists by Nov. 24. The recipient of the 2014 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on Thursday, Dec. 11, on the ESPN College Football Awards show.

The announcement of preseason watch lists wraps up on Friday when the preseason list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year is announced.

Durant, Rousey Win Top Athlete Honors at ESPYs

Posted on July 17, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Durant has won two ESPY Awards, including male athlete of the year, and mixed martial arts star Ronda Rousey earned female athlete honors, becoming the first UFC fighter to claim a trophy in the biggest category at the show.

Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder also won best NBA player on Wednesday night, ending LeBron James’ two-year reign in both categories.

Durant beat out fellow male athlete nominees Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos and boxer Floyd Mayweather during the show hosted by rapper Drake at the Nokia Theatre.

Rousey, the first female UFC champion, won over WNBA star Maya Moore, Olympic champion skier Mikaela Shiffrin and Brenna Stewart of national champion Connecticut.

The winners in most categories were determined by fan voting.