December 2014 – Page 6 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraskans Carry Less Debt Than Rest of the Nation

Posted on December 30, 2014December 29, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans generally owe less consumer debt than the rest of the nation, and federal regulators say they are more likely to repay it.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, says Nebraskans owed an average of $14,780 in consumer debt when first mortgages are excluded.

That’s lower than the national average of $17,205 in the third quarter and the regional average debt of $16,105 in the district covered by the bank.

The 10th Federal Reserve District covers Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.

The delinquency rate on consumer debt in Nebraska was 2.5 percent in the third quarter. That’s less than half the national delinquency rate of 5.8 percent and lower than the regional rate of 4.1 percent.

2nd Person Dies in Omaha Boarding House Fire

Posted on December 29, 2014December 29, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a second person has died following a boarding house fire in southeast Omaha.

The Omaha Fire Department says 27-year-old Eddie Valentine died Friday. An official cause of death is pending autopsy results, but a preliminary investigation suggests it was smoke inhalation.

Valentine and 37-year-old Demetria Sanchez were inside the boarding house when it caught fire on Dec. 23. Sanchez was pronounced dead a short time later.

Authorities say they’re still investigating what caused the fire.

Minnesota Knocks Off No. 12 Nebraska 72-69

Posted on December 29, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Amanda Zahui B. scored 20 points — including a pair of free throws with 6 seconds left — and blocked a last-second shot to secure Minnesota’s 72-69 win over No. 12 Nebraska on Monday in both team’s Big Ten opener.

Zahui B. was 7 of 11 from the floor and added 15 rebounds. Shayne Mullaney had 18 points for Minnesota (12-1).

Nebraska (10-2) led 67-61 with 2:46 left after Tear’a Laudermilk’s 3-pointer. But Minnesota clawed back with a 9-0 run, including a jumper and pair of free throws from Shae Kelley, to take a three-point lead with 17 seconds left.

Allie Havers’ short jumper made it 70-69 with 8 second remaining. After trading timeouts, Laudermilk put Zahui B. at the line. She made both, then on the other end blocked Emily Cady’s last-second bid to preserve the upset.

Cady paced Nebraska with 21 points and had 14 rebounds.

Lady Dawgs Advance to GNAC Semis, Boys Drop to Consolation (Updated Brackets)

Posted on December 29, 2014

The first round of the 2014-15 Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference tournaments saw the North Platte Lady Bulldogs basketball team advance to the semifinals and the North Platte boys fall to the consolation bracket on Monday in Hastings.

The second-seeded Lady Dawgs beat No. 7 seed McCook 48-22 to begin the tournament. Senior Jessy Hunt paced North Platte with 17 points. Fellow senior Kaitlynn Harvey had 11 points and junior Allison Kuenle was also in double-figures with 10 points in the win.

The Lady Bulldogs advance to the semifinals to play the third-seeded Kearney Bearcats. Kearney beat No. 6 seed Scottsbluff 73-24 in Monday’s first round. Tuesday’s semifinal game is at 2:00 pm at Hastings High School and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 with the pregame show starting at 1:45 pm. An updated bracket can be seen below.

The North Platte Bulldogs boys basketball team didn’t fare as well as the girls in the GNAC first round. The Dawgs lost to rival Kearney 58-43. The sixth-seeded Bulldogs were led by junior Rashawn Bryant with 13 points and senior Tra Harris came off the bench to score 11 points in the loss to the third-seeded Bearcats. North Platte lost senior center Josh Merz to an ankle injury in the second quarter and he didn’t return to the game.

The Dawgs play McCook in the consolation semifinals on Tuesday. The seventh-seeded Bison lost to No. 2 seed Scottsbluff 66-32 Monday. The North Platte-McCook game tips off at 3:45 and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410, following the girls game.

Cabela’s Bank Released from FDIC Consent Order

Posted on December 29, 2014December 29, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has terminated a consent order against World’s Foremost Bank, a Lincoln-based credit card operation set up by the outdoor outfitter Cabela’s.

The order was ended Nov. 4 but not announced until Monday. The original order in March required World’s Foremost Bank to pay a $1 million penalty and restitution to about 1.8 million card holders for what the FDIC said were deceptive and unfair acts. The bank agreed to the sanctions but did not admit or deny the violations.

FDIC spokeswoman LaJuan Williams-Young says a termination order typically indicates “that the bank has complied with the original stipulations” in the consent order. She declined to comment further. A bank representative didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Blues’ Brodeur Earns NHL Record 125th Shutout in Win over Avs

Posted on December 29, 2014

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Martin Brodeur stopped all 16 shots he faced and recorded his NHL-record 125th shutout and 691st victory as the St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on Monday night.

Dmitrij Jaskin, Chris Butler and Vladimir Tarasenko scored, and Paul Stastny had two assists for the Blues, who snapped a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) and avenged a 5-0 loss at Colorado on Dec. 23.

Jaskin beat Semyon Varlamov in between his pads for his third goal of the season 28 seconds into the second period, and Butler backhanded a shot over Varlamov’s shoulder for his first goal at 4:30 for St. Louis (22-11-3), 13-4-1 at home.

Tarasenko scored his team-leading 22nd goal from the high slot with 4:35 remaining.

The Avalanche (13-14-8) have dropped two straight after going 4-0-2 in their previous six games.

Husker Fans Pay Bill for Fired Pelini’s Meeting with Players

Posted on December 29, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of 51 Nebraska fans has paid the bill for Bo Pelini’s unauthorized use of a high school auditorium to meet with his players after his firing.

Lincoln Public Schools associate superintendent Liz Standish said Monday her office received a $262.50 money order from Brooklyn, New York, last week.

Cornhuskers fan Sarah Krusemark organized the online campaign that raised $810 through donations of $5 to $50. Krusemark plans to send the extra money to the Team Jack Foundation for pediatric brain cancer research.

An unidentified North Star High School staff member initially received the bill after failing to follow protocol in allowing Pelini to use the auditorium.

An audiotape from the meeting revealed Pelini’s expletive-filled criticism of athletic director Shawn Eichorst. Pelini is now the coach at Youngstown State.

Royals Announce Deal with Right-Hander Volquez

Posted on December 29, 2014

Edinson Volquez with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have announced the signing of right-hander Edinson Volquez to a $20 million, two-year contract that includes a mutual option for the 2017 season.

Volquez will make $7.5 million in 2015 and $9.5 million in 2016 under the deal announced Monday. His option year is worth $10 million with a $3 million buyout.

Volquez fills the last big hole by taking James Shields’ spot in the rotation. Shields became a free agent and it was unlikely the Royals would be able to keep him.

The Royals have already signed designated hitter Kendrys Morales and outfielder Alex Rios to fill two of their other pressing needs. They also signed pitcher Kris Medlen, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and could help contribute midway through the season.

Lions DT Suh Suspended for Playoff Game

Posted on December 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) â Detroit defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been suspended for this Sunday’s wild-card playoff game against Dallas for a violation of safety-related playing rules against Green Bay in the season finale.

The league announced Monday that Suh was suspended for stepping on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ left leg twice, once with each foot. Suh also applied pressure and pushed off Rodgers’ unprotected leg with his left foot, violating unnecessary roughness rules, the league said in a statement.

Suh, who will be reinstated next Monday, can appeal the suspension within three days. He can ask for an expedited appeal, which would be heard by either Derrick Brooks or Ted Cottrell, hearing officers employed by the NFL and the players’ union.

Davis Wins AP Female Athlete of the Year Honors

Posted on December 29, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Little League star Mo’ne Davis is The Associated Press 2014 Female Athlete of the Year.

A vote by U.S. editors and news directors selected Davis over second-place finisher Mt. St. Joseph freshman Lauren Hill — who played her first college basketball game while battling brain cancer — and three-time winner Serena Williams.

Davis, just 13, is the youngest winner ever. She became an instant celebrity in August when she became the first girl to win a Little League World Series game. In the opening game for Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons, she threw a shutout and struck out eight, giving “throw like a girl” a whole new meaning.

Davis says baseball isn’t her best sport. In eighth grade, she is currently playing point guard for her high school varsity basketball team.