January 2015 – Page 39 – North Platte Post Archive

Police: Mountain Lion Spotted Near Kearney School

Posted on January 17, 2015January 17, 2015

Kearney Police are on the hunt for a big kitty after a mountain lion was spotted near a school.

According to a post on the Kearney Police Department’s Facebook page, an officer was on patrol at around 4:00 a.m. this morning, when they observed a mountain lion in a residential area near Horizon Middle School.

Police say the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been notified, and are assisting police in locating the cougar.

Authorities say people should use caution while going outside this morning, and should always be aware of their surroundings, saying the cat could be anywhere in town.

If you spot the mountain lion, contact the KPD at 308-237-2104, or call 911.

Another possible mountain lion was reported in Kearney last May. Game and Parks officials later determined that it was just a dog.

Sheriff: Couple Tried to Smuggle Heroin-Laced Bible Into Jail

Posted on January 17, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — Law enforcement officials in southwest Ohio say two people attempted to smuggle a heroin-laced Bible into the county justice center.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mike Robison says an officer examined the Bible following a standard sweep of deliveries using a K-9 in December. The book was sent to the coroner’s office for testing after the officer noticed a coffee-like stain.

The coroner’s office confirmed the substance was heroin. A regional narcotics unit determined the stain contained about 30 to 40 hits of the narcotic.

Officials say 39-year-old Tehani Teepe sent the Bible to 28-year-old inmate Timothy King. Both have been charged with illegal conveyance of contraband into a correction facility.

No attorneys were listed for Teepe or King.

‘Dogs of Midtown’ Calendar to Benefit Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha Shelter

Posted on January 17, 2015January 18, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha business catering to the needs of four-legged customers is taking advantage of the new year to help the less fortunate.

Three Dog Bakery at Omaha’s Midtown Crossing is selling a “Dogs of Midtown” 2015 calendar for $10, with the proceeds going to the Nebraska Humane Society and its Omaha animal shelter.

Pam Wiese with the Nebraska Humane Society says Midtown Crossing residents and condominium owners nominated their dogs for inclusion in the calendar. Fourteen were chosen — with two months feature two dogs — and professionally photographed. Each month features a different, playful theme.

NP Attorney, Others Picked for Nebraska Advisory Council on Public Guardianship

Posted on January 17, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s new Advisory Council on Public Guardianship has been appointed.

The new members include Douglas County Judge Susan Bazis, social worker Julie Sebastian, of Omaha, and attorneys Lisa Line and Ann Mangiameli, both of Omaha; John McHenry, of Lincoln; and Mike McCarthy, of North Platte. Other members are mental health expert Dennis McNeilly, of Omaha; aging expert Patricia Cottingham, of Lincoln, developmental disability expert Bruce Cudly, of Lincoln, and at-large members Russ Leavitt, of Omaha, and Darla Schiefelbein, of Columbus.

The council will advise the state’s new Nebraska Office of Public Guardian, created last year by state lawmakers. The new office serves as a means of last resort as guardian or conservator for those where no family member or suitable individual is available.

Governor Ricketts Appoints Chief Operating Officer

Posted on January 17, 2015January 16, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has appointed the president of TD Ameritrade Clearing Inc. to serve as the state’s first chief operating officer.

Ricketts announced Friday that Felix Davidson will fill the new position.

Davidson has been president of TD Ameritrade Clearing Inc. since 2007. He previously held managerial roles for the company’s investor services and brokerage operations divisions. Ricketts is a former TD Ameritrade executive.

He served six years as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from the University of Nebraska.

The governor’s office says Davidson will focus on new business and technology strategies with the governor and agency directors.

Former Nebraska Govs. Charley Thone and Mike Johanns also created new staff positions in the office. Davidson will begin Feb. 2.

Senators Seek to Capitalize on Nebraska’s Wind Energy

Posted on January 17, 2015January 16, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of senators says Nebraska is losing in the nationwide push for renewable energy.

The senators announced proposals Friday to cultivate and market wind energy in the state.

The American Wind Energy Association ranks Nebraska fourth in the nation for wind energy resources, but Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm says state regulations prevent resource development. Haar announced a measure to remove barriers for construction of renewable energy facilities.

Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha unveiled a bill that would create a production tax credit for renewable energy facilities. Oklahoma and Iowa offer similar credits.

Other bills include measures to create a comprehensive energy plan by the end of the year and one to establish a longer-term and more stable tax structure for wind projects.

Father Dies, 3 Children Thrown from SUV in Northeastern Nebraska Crash

Posted on January 16, 2015

TABLE ROCK, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a father died and his three young children and dog were thrown from an SUV during a single-vehicle crash in northeastern Nebraska.

Dennis Schlund, of Humboldt, lost control of his vehicle sometime Thursday evening. The SUV rolled several times before stopping in a field, where it was discovered near Table Rock on Friday morning.

Pawnee County Attorney Jennifer Stehlik Ladman says Schlund was pronounced dead at the scene. His children, ages 7, 5 and 3, were flown to a nearby hospital. Their identities and conditions have not been released.

The dog, also injured in the crash, was taken to a Tecumseh animal shelter.

Authorities believe drug use was a factor in the crash. Stehlik Ladman says a toxicology test will be conducted.

Merrick County Sheriff Fined $3,000 After Hiring Wife

Posted on January 16, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska sheriff who gave his wife a department job has agreed to pay a $3,000 fine for violating state disclosure rules.

Merrick County Sheriff Kevin Campbell acknowledged in a settlement released Friday that he hired his wife part-time in August 2011, and was employing her full-time by August 2012.

Campbell was fined by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission for not filing a disclosure notice with the county clerk. The commission says he also failed to advertise the job as required when it became a full-time position.

Campbell says the violations were unintentional, but he accepts responsibility. He says the first disclosure filing was mistakenly sent to the county attorney instead of the clerk, and he didn’t realize he had to advertise again when the job became full-time.

Mariota Wins Manning Award for Top Quarterback

Posted on January 16, 2015

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota has added another award to his collection.

The Heisman Trophy winner was honored with the Manning Award for the nation’s top college quarterback Friday. The winner is determined by a vote from a panel of local and national media, as well as Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.

Mariota announced Wednesday that he had decided to forgo his final season at Oregon and declare his eligibility for this year’s NFL draft.

The 6-foot-4 dual-threat quarterback led the 13-2 Ducks all the way to Monday’s national championship game, but Oregon ultimately fell 42-20 to Ohio State.

In addition to the Heisman, Mariota has also won the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards for player of the year, the Davey O’Brien award for quarterback of the year, Pac-12 offensive player of the year, and the AP Player of the Year award.

Emmert: Settlement with Penn State was to Free Fine Money

Posted on January 16, 2015

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says the association agreed to a settlement with Penn State to ensure that $60 million in fines paid by the school could finally be distributed to victims of sexual abuse.

Emmert added Friday that the settlement was not an acknowledgement the NCAA overreached by getting involved in the Jerry Sandusky child-molestation case.

The NCAA announced the settlement before a scheduled trial on the legality of the 2012 consent decree it will replace.

The settlement also restores 112 football victories that had been vacated as part of the penalties placed on Penn State for the Sandusky scandal. Late Penn State coach Joe Paterno will have 111 victories restored to his record, making him the winnigest coach in major college football history again.