January 2015 – Page 51 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Groups Unveil School Funding, Property Tax Proposals

Posted on January 13, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker and several advocacy groups say they’ll work this year to increase state aid for schools while reducing what rural districts have to generate through property taxes.

Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis unveiled a proposal Tuesday to lower the percentage of agricultural land that districts can tax, while guaranteeing $500 per-pupil in state “foundation aid” for every school. The proposal would also allow districts to impose a local income tax, tied to a property tax cut.

Reducing the percentage of farm and ranch land that districts can tax would let more districts qualify for state equalization aid under Nebraska’s funding formula.

Renee Fry of the OpenSky Policy Institute says the bill would move local governments away from their reliance on property taxes while preserving state aid for schools.

NPCC Lady Knights Volleyball Signs Wolever

Posted on January 13, 2015January 13, 2015

The North Platte Community College Women’s Volleyball team continues to add more players for the upcoming volleyball season by signing Shelby Wolever from Brush High School in Colorado.

In an interview with the Fort Morgan Times Wolever said, “I was introduced to their coach, and last spring I went for a visit and got to practice with them a little bit,” Wolever said on the recruiting process. “This past summer I went to help them with their camp, and in the fall I went to a tryout there.”

“I really liked the college and the environment during my visit,” Wolever said on the school.

Wolever is a 5’ 8” setter. In her senior year she led the Brush High Beetdiggers with 195 assists, 123 digs, and 26 service aces. She also had 77 kills and 10 blocks.

During her career at Brush High School Wolever recorded 164 kills, 90 service aces, a 93.9 percent serving percentage, 653 assists, and 499 digs in 209 sets played.

Lady Knights Volleyball head coach Alexa Hopping said, “Shelby will be setting for us and will have a big job on her hands, which I believe she will do very well with.”

“She offers some height and jumps well and will be a good player for us,” Hopping added.

Wolever is the third Beetdigger to play volleyball for the Lady Knights. Sabrina and Sandrina Hallahan, being the two most recent, played for the Lady Knights during the 2012 and 2013 season.

Couple Who Lied to Nebraska Authorities Deported

Posted on January 13, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two people from the African nation of Benin are being deported after lying to authorities.

The office of U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says Cossi Deguenon married a U.S. citizen in 2011 and applied to become a permanent resident as the spouse of a citizen. Immigration authorities later concluded the marriage was a sham. The investigators learned that Deguenon had married fellow Benin citizen Micheline Bolarywa after obtaining a marriage license in Douglas County in 2009.

Immigration agents also learned that Bolarywa lied about being a U.S. citizen when she applied for a job.

Deguenon pleaded guilty to marriage fraud and was sentenced to the nine days he’d served in custody. Bolarywa pleaded guilty to lying under oath and was sentenced to the six days she’d served in custody.

Omaha Hospital: Health Worker Hasn’t Developed Ebola

Posted on January 13, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Officials at an Omaha hospital say an American health care worker who was exposed to Ebola in Sierra Leone has not developed the virus.

The patient arrived in Omaha on Jan. 4 for treatment in the biocontainment unit at Nebraska Medical Center. The hospital said in a news release Monday that the patient will remain in the unit throughout the virus’s 21-day incubation period, which began before he or she arrived at the hospital. A discharge date was not released.

The hospital says the patient doesn’t want to be publicly identified but authorized the condition update.

Nebraska Medical Center treated three people with Ebola last fall. One died and two recovered. One of the survivors, Dr. Rick Sacra, said Monday that he’s returning to Liberia, where he was infected.

Nebraska Man Gets 1 Year in Prison on Money Laundering, Drug Charges

Posted on January 13, 2015

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — A 70-year-old businessman from South Sioux City has been sentenced to about a year in prison after pleading guilty to drug and money laundering charges.

Frank Firoz pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court in Omaha to conspiracy to sell drug paraphernalia and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors say he and others intended to sell chemical compounds found in synthetic marijuana and a designer drug known as bath salts.

He’s been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. Firoz owned several head shops called Exotica in Lincoln, Omaha and South Sioux City.

Federal agents seized nearly $900,000 from bank accounts, his home and his stores.

Arkansas, North Dakota Abortion Limits Head to Appeals Court

Posted on January 13, 2015January 13, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — North Dakota and Arkansas are asking a federal appeals court in St. Louis to reinstate two of the nation’s most stringent abortion bans.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing oral arguments in the two cases Tuesday morning. The states are seeking to reinstate abortion restrictions approved by lawmakers in 2013 but overturned by lower federal courts in separate decisions.

The North Dakota law banned abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy and before many women know they’re pregnant. A U.S. District Court judge in Bismarck ruled the law unconstitutional in April 2014.

The Arkansas law banned abortions after 12 weeks. State lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Legislature overrode Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe’s veto.

NPPD Crime Log (Jan. 12-Jan.13)

Posted on January 13, 2015

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

01/12/2015 00:27:41 IMPROPER LN USAGE “1100 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 00:39:43 SPEEDING “900 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 02:35:02 OTHER DISTURBANCE “2300 E D ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 02:50:39 NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL “600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 03:30:08 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 07:38:01 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 08:00:15 SPEEDING “N GRANT AV /W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 08:11:32 CITIZEN ASSIST “2400 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 08:47:09 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1600 JACKSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 10:10:16 DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION “700 W 11TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 10:15:43 CAT-STRAY FR COUNTY CONTRACT “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 11:45:53 DOG-SURRENDER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 11:46:28 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “W FRONT ST /N CUSTER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 12:19:03 MOTORIST ASSIST “W FRANCIS ST /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 12:46:36 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “E D ST /S DEWEY
NORTH PLATTE, NE ”

01/12/2015 13:18:45 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 13:30:18 WELFARE CHECK “100 REID AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 13:41:26 SPEEDING “500 -600 Blk E Philip AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 13:49:00 CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 13:53:24 DOG-SURRENDER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 14:26:40 CITIZEN ASSIST “1300 MCDONALD RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 14:30:51 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “500 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 15:22:53 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC “100 S HAYES
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 15:37:31 TERRORISTIC THREATS “1100 S TABOR AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 16:06:14 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “W 3RD ST /N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 16:16:12 CITIZEN ASSIST “1300 W 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 16:38:37 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “100 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 16:55:18 NO PROOF OF INSURANCE “S DEWEY ST /E FRANCIS
NORTH PLATTE, NE ”

01/12/2015 17:04:30 CAT-SURRENDER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 17:04:16 CITIZEN ASSIST “700 E 13TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 17:14:11 CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 17:56:00 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “W 9TH ST /N AUGUSTA AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 18:11:20 REGISTRATION REQUIRED “W 4TH ST /N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 18:39:50 THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 19:55:43 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “400 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 20:04:41 REGISTRATION REQUIRED “12th / Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 20:09:53 PREF RIGHT OF WAY-STOP AND YIELD SIGNS “E 2ND ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 20:26:03 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1100 S Tabor
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

01/12/2015 20:39:34 CITIZEN ASSIST “1500 W 14TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 20:55:18 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “E PHILIP AV /S MEYER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 20:53:39 THEFT BY DECEPTION “2200 W 15TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 21:15:32 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “N MADISON AV / RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 23:03:40 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/12/2015 23:26:45 BURGLARY “2300 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 00:31:04 SEX OFFENDER PENALTY FOR VIOL “2300 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 00:40:36 WRONG WAY ON ONE WAY “E 2ND ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 01:47:56 NO NEBRASKA OPERATORS LICENSE “2000 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 02:52:38 LOITERING (CITY ORDINANCE) “3400 S Newberry RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 02:52:27 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “1600 W 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 03:27:02 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “1200 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 04:25:51 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 07:11:55 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “1600 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/13/2015 08:04:55 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

Facebook Launches Amber Alerts to Help Find Missing Children

Posted on January 13, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook users in the U.S. will soon receive Amber Alerts to help find missing children who may be located near them.

Facebook Inc. is working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to send the alerts to users’ mobile phones if they are in a search area where a child has been abducted. Facebook says people are already using its site to encourage their friends and family to help find missing children, and that several children have been reunited with their families as a result of information shared on the site.

Last March, a missing 11-year-old girl was found in a South Carolina motel room when a motel clerk called police after seeing an Amber Alert on Facebook, according to the company and reports at the time.

ESPN Scores Big in College Championship Game

Posted on January 13, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ohio State’s victory in the first championship game of the College Football Playoff produced ESPN’s highest overnight rating ever.

The network said Tuesday that according to Nielsen the Buckeyes’ 42-20 win over Oregon generated an 18.5 overnight rating.

That’s a 21 percent increase over the 2014 BCS national championship on ESPN between Florida State and Auburn, which drew a 15.3 rating.

Monday night’s title game also topped the 16.1 overnight rating for the 2011 BCS championship between Auburn and Oregon that had been the previous best in cable history.

Columbus, Ohio, was the No. 1 overall market at 51.2 while Portland, Oregon, was fourth at 37.6.

Overnight ratings measure the country’s largest markets. The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use. Final ratings are to come later Tuesday.

Ohio State is No. 1; TCU Finishes 3rd in Final AP Top 25, Nebraska drops Out

Posted on January 13, 2015

Ohio State is No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll and TCU finished third, in front of two teams that made the playoff ahead of the Horned Frogs.

The Buckeyes finished on top of the AP Top 25 for the fifth time in program history, matching Miami and Southern California for fourth most behind Alabama (nine), Notre Dame (eight) and Oklahoma (seven).

Ohio State beat Oregon 42-20 on Monday night in the first College Football Playoff national championship game and got all 59 first-place votes in the media poll.

The Ducks finished second in the rankings, matching their best finish.

The Horned Frogs, who were left out of the playoff but beat Mississippi 42-3 in the Peach Bowl, were ranked ahead of No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Florida State. The Tide and Seminoles lost playoff semifinals.

Michigan State tied Florida State for fifth.

The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, final records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous ranking:

	Record	Pts	Pv
1. Ohio St. (59)	14-1	1,475	5
2. Oregon	13-2	1,402	3
3. TCU	12-1	1,349	6
4. Alabama	12-2	1,297	1
5. Florida St.	13-1	1,212	2
5. Michigan St.	11-2	1,212	7
7. Baylor	11-2	1,098	4
8. Georgia Tech	11-3	1,071	10
9. Georgia	10-3	925	13
10. UCLA	10-3	908	14
11. Mississippi St.	10-3	767	8
12. Arizona St.	10-3	756	15
13. Wisconsin	11-3	724	17
14. Missouri	11-3	710	16
15. Clemson	10-3	683	18
16. Boise St.	12-2	653	21
17. Mississippi	9-4	543	9
18. Kansas St.	9-4	509	11
19. Arizona	10-4	499	12
20. Southern Cal	9-4	315	24
21. Utah	9-4	302	23
22. Auburn	8-5	216	19
23. Marshall	13-1	161	NR
24. Louisville	9-4	116	20
25. Memphis	10-3	94	NR

Others receiving votes: Notre Dame 28, Stanford 27, Nebraska 22, Air Force 21, Duke 18, LSU 12, Utah St. 11, Arkansas 10, Minnesota 9, Oklahoma 7, Texas A&M 7, N. Illinois 4, Colorado St. 2.