January 2015 – Page 24 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Gun Advocates, Opponents Argue Over New Bills

Posted on January 22, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska gun control advocates and opponents are squaring off on a series of new measures in the Legislature.

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony Thursday on three pieces of legislation that would expand gun owner rights and one bill that would limit reckless firing.

The bills would allow for security teams at private schools to carry guns; for lawful aliens and military spouses to meet state residency requirements when applying for a handgun application; and for legal gun owners to store a gun in a vehicle parked outside a business where they’re employed.

A bill by Sen. Jerry Johnson of Wahoo would increase penalties for reckless shooting near buildings or property in smaller towns. The penalties are higher in Omaha and Lincoln.

Sheriff Suspends Douglas County Crime Lab Director

Posted on January 22, 2015January 22, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Douglas County crime lab director has been suspended and an investigation has been ordered for several cases handled by the lab.

Sheriff Tim Dunning put Tracey Ray on paid leave in October, and then on Jan. 6 suspended her without pay for 30 days. She’s appealing her suspension to the Douglas County Civil Service Commission.

A letter from Douglas County Chief Deputy Sheriff Tom Wheeler to Ray’s attorneys says a status review of cases she was working on “brought to light several potential issues involving the improper handling of evidence, to include packaging, labeling, storage and security.”

Ray was hired in 2010 after former crime lab chief David Kofoed’s (KOH’-fohd’s) conviction for planting evidence in a Cass County double murder.

Eight Huskers Wrestlers in First Coaches Panel Rankings

Posted on January 22, 2015

Eight Husker wrestlers earned spots in the NCAA’s first 2014-15 Coaches Panel Rankings, released on Thursday.

Three more coaches panel rankings will be released during the season, with the final poll being used to determine qualifiers for the NCAA Championships. The NCAA Championships are slated for March 19-21 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Senior All-American Robert Kokesh leads the way with the top spot at 174 pounds. Kokesh holds a perfect 22-0 record this season heading into this weekend’s dual action against Illinois and Rutgers. He finished fourth at the 2014 national tournament after taking third in 2013.

Three-time All-American James Green holds the No. 3 spot at 157 pounds in the first set of rankings. The senior from Willingboro, N.J. is 18-2 this season, and achieved top-eight finishes at the NCAA Championships during each of his first three years at Nebraska.

Sophomore Tim Lambert (No. 9 at 125) and junior Anthony Abidin (No. 9 at 141) round out the Huskers in the top 10 of their respective weight classes. TJ Dudley (19th at 184), Justin Arthur (20th at 149) and Collin Jensen (20th at heavyweight) are in the top 20, while Austin Wilson took the 26th spot at 165 pounds.

This weekend, the Huskers visit No. 12 Illinois on Friday night at 7 p.m. (CT) on BTN Plus before hosting No. 21 Rutgers at the Devaney Center on Saturday at noon on the Big Ten Network.

NCAA Division I Coaches Panel Rankings (Jan. 22, 2015)
125: #9 Tim Lambert
141: #9 Anthony Abidin
149: #20 Justin Arthur
157: #3 James Green
165: #26 Austin Wilson
174: #1 Robert Kokesh
184: #19 TJ Dudley
HWT: #20 Collin Jensen

Gasol Brothers to Start NBA All-Star Game; Lowry gets Spot

Posted on January 22, 2015

Pau and Marc Gasol have been voted the first brothers to start in the NBA All-Star game, while Toronto’s Kyle Lowry made a late surge in fan balloting and will start for the Eastern Conference.

Lowry passed Dwyane Wade and will start alongside Washington’s John Wall, the first time the East has had two first-time starters at guard since 2000.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry made his own late surge to pass LeBron James as the overall leading vote-getter, the league announced Thursday. Kobe Bryant was also voted to start at West guard, though that’s in jeopardy because of a torn right rotator cuff.

Pau Gasol of Chicago will start up front for the East along with James and Carmelo Anthony for the Feb. 15 game in New York. Memphis’ Marc Gasol joins New Orleans’ Anthony Davis and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin in the frontcourt.

1980 US Olympic Hockey Team to Relive Miracle on Ice Moment

Posted on January 22, 2015

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Most members of the gold medal-winning 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team are expected to return to Lake Placid in February to participate in a special event centered around the 35th anniversary of their famed Miracle on Ice.

The evening at Herb Brooks Arena on Feb. 21 will include video, audio and photos, as well as a tribute to team member Bob Suter, who died in September while coaching kids. His No. 20 jersey will be raised to the rafters of the 1980 Rink where the U.S. team produced stirring victories over the Soviet Union and Finland to win the gold.

The event is part of the eighth annual Hockey Weekend Across America, a three-day nationwide celebration of the sport, and NBC will have a live studio show from Lake Placid.

All 3 NFL Games in London Next Season to Have Early Kickoffs

Posted on January 22, 2015

LONDON (AP) — All three NFL games in London next season will have early afternoon kickoffs in the U.K., meaning fans back in the U.S. will have to get up early to watch.

The NFL announced Thursday that the Nov. 1 game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs at Wembley Stadium will start at 2:30 p.m. local time — 9:30 a.m. on the U.S. East Coast.

Early kickoffs had already been announced for the Oct. 4 game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (2:30 p.m. local; 9:30 a.m. EDT) and the Oct. 25 game between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars (1:30 p.m. local; 9:30 a.m. EDT).

The first NFL game at Wembley played with an early afternoon kickoff was this season’s game between the Lions and Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 26. All other London games had kicked off in the early evening, translating to a 1 p.m. start in the U.S.

NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood says “our fan research has shown overwhelming support for early kickoffs.”

The timing also allows the teams to fly home later the same day to begin their bye weeks.

Deputies: Florida Toddler Fatally Shoots Self with Dad’s Gun

Posted on January 22, 2015January 22, 2015

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — Officials say a Tampa Bay area toddler is dead after finding his father’s .380-caliber handgun in the family’s car and shooting himself.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say Kaleb Ahles was in the car Wednesday afternoon while 23-year-old parents Kevin Ahles and Christina Nigro loaded boxes as they prepared to move. Somehow, the boy opened the glove compartment, where Ahles stored the gun.

The parents told deputies they heard a loud pop and ran to the car. The mother performed CPR and the boy was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says the parents won’t face criminal charges because no one could punish them more than they’ll punish themselves. He called the incident a “tragic situation” where “everything happens the wrong way.”

Norma Jean Biere

Posted on January 22, 2015January 22, 2015

Norma Jean Biere, 80, formerly of Sutherland, passed away January 20, 2015 at Colorado Springs, CO. She was born April 18, 1934 to Lewis E. and Ruth (Paul) Lotter at Auburn, NE. On February 24, 1952, she was united in marriage to Raymond J. Biere at Auburn, NE. Norma was employed as a custodian at Gerald Gentleman Power Plant.
She is survived by two daughters, Connie (John) Snover of Ramah, CO and Cathy (Alan) Pipal of Arizona; a son, Daryl Biere of Ramah, CO; two granddaughters, Sheila Schafersman and Stacy (Mike) Kirchmann; four great grandchildren, Brittney, Colten, Dawson and Caleb; four great great grandchildren, Madison, Miranda and Marrissa, Braden; a sister, Colleen Routon of Fremont, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her parents; a grandson, Shawn Alan Snover; and two brothers, Daryl and Donald Lotter.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery at Sutherland. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends Friday, January 23, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Lincoln Man Pleads Not Guilty to Charge He Killed His Wife

Posted on January 22, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man whose wife’s body was found in a self-storage unit has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he killed her.

Thirty-three-year-old Kevin Miller entered the plea on Wednesday. He’s charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the slaying of 28-year-old Kelsey Miller. Her body was found Dec. 7 in the Lincoln storage unit.

Authorities say she was beaten and shot in the head.

Lincoln Youth Baseball Coach Accused of Child Sex Abuse

Posted on January 22, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police have arrested a Lincoln youth baseball coach following accusations he sexually abused a 12-year-old boy during private training lessons.

Prosecutors charged 33-year-old Jeff A. Hawks on Tuesday with third-degree sexual assault of a child.

Investigators say the child told them Hawks inappropriately touched him outside his clothing while they were alone during their sessions between August and December. Hawks’ attorney declined to comment to the Lincoln Journal Star.

Hawks recently served as board president of Lincoln Sox Baseball and has been involved with the organization for about three years.

The group’s vice president says it’s investigating the matter. He says Hawks is no longer involved with the organization.