January 2015 – Page 79 – North Platte Post Archive

Richard E. Fuller

Posted on January 2, 2015

Richard E. Fuller, age 90 of North Platte passed away December 13, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Cozad. He was born June 22, 1924 in Hayes County, NE to James and Alice (Hajek) Fuller. Dick attended school at Hayes Center, and then enlisted in the United States Marines in 1942. He served in WWI in the Pacific Islands, where his regiment was accommodated for valiant service. He was wounded in action, for which he received the Purple Heart, and then was sent to San Diego, Balboa Hospital for his recovery before his honorable discharge. He returned home, back to the farm where he met the love of his life, Bessie Lorraine McCuiston. They were married October 8, 1949 and recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. To this union 4 children completed their family, James, Gail, Beverly, and Barbara. Dick worked at Northwestern Public Service and then hired on the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman/brakeman for 34 years. After retirement, fishing, gardening, and traveling were enjoyed.
Survivors include his wife, Bessie Lorraine Fuller of North Platte; children, Gail (Steve) Waltman of San Diego, CA and Barbara (Darwin) Thompson of Casper, WY; grandchildren, Brandi Walker of Kearney, Lesley (Dane) Lay of Ramona, CA, Andrea (Zeb) Lyon of Windsor, CO, Jason Thompson, and Bailey Thompson both of Casper, WY; great-grandchildren, Marley Lyon, Stella Lyon, Talon Lyon, Ruby Lay, James Walker, and Hailey Walker a sister, Beryle Burke of Vail, AZ; and a brother, Sheldon Fuller of Las Vegas, NV.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James; a daughter Beverly; siblings, Zona Wire, Bonnie Cook, Neva Harris, Arden Fuller, Mildred Law, Mary Lou (Don) Fries, and Darrell Fuller.
Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com
Celebration of Life Graveside Services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with full military honors with the Reverend Marion VonRentzel officiating. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Grand Island Man Convicted of Child Sex Assault

Posted on January 2, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Grand Island man who made a deal with prosecutors has been convicted on two charges stemming from child sex assaults in Buffalo County.

Sentencing is scheduled Feb. 20 for 30-year-old Noe Flores-Diaz. He pleaded no contest to third-degree sexual assault of a child and attempted first-degree sexual assault of a child. Court records say the incidents occurred between May 2011 and May 2013 and on June 9 last year.

Four other counts of felony sexual assault of a child were dismissed in exchange for his pleas.

Medical Marijuana a Challenge for Legal Pot States

Posted on January 2, 2015

SEATTLE (AP) — A year into the nation’s experiment with legal, taxed marijuana sales, Washington and Colorado find themselves wrestling not with the federal interference many feared, but with competition from medical marijuana or even outright black market sales.

In Washington, the black market has exploded since voters legalized marijuana in 2012, with legally dubious medical dispensaries opening and some pot delivery services brazenly advertising that they sell outside the legal system.

In Colorado, the number of patients on the medical marijuana registry went up, not down, since 2012, meaning more marijuana users there can avoid paying the higher taxes that recreational pot carries.

Officials in both states say they must do more to drive customers into the recreational stores. They’re looking at fixing the big tax differential between medical and recreational weed.

Report Shows Improved Midwest Economic Forecast

Posted on January 2, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly report shows an improved economic outlook over the next three to six months for nine Midwestern and Plains states.

A survey report issued Friday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index jumped to 54.4 in December from 51.3 in November.

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says drops in grain and fuel prices have helped companies with close ties to consumers.

No Charges for Nebraska Prison Officials in Jenkins Case

Posted on January 2, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Charges will not be filed against a Nebraska prison official who was accused of withholding information that would have led to a mental health commitment of inmate Nikko Jenkins. Jenkins later pleaded guilty to killing four people within weeks of leaving custody.

Gage County Chief Deputy Attorney Rick Schreiner on Thursday released his decision not to pursue charges against Mark Weilage. Weilage is an assistant behavioral health administrator with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Sen. Ernie Chambers accused Weilage of breaking state law by failing to divulge a diagnosis by a contracted psychiatrist that Jenkins was mentally ill and dangerous.

But Schreiner says Weilage’s actions were “consistent with the law as it applies to the mental health commitment” of Nebraska inmates.

Lincoln Firefighter Shocked Battling House Blaze

Posted on January 2, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A firefighter has been injured while battling a basement blaze at a Lincoln house.

Firetrucks were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. Thursday to a house about a mile south of the state Capitol. A family had gathered to share some pizza, but the smell of smoke interrupted the New Year’s Day meal. Two brothers found heavy smoke and flames in the basement.

Someone called 911, and the family members fled to safety.

Battalion Chief Jeanne Pashalek says the firefighter was to be hospitalized overnight for evaluation after apparently being shocked by a low-voltage source, such as an extension cord.

Oregon vs Ohio State in National Championship

Posted on January 2, 2015January 2, 2015

The Rose Bowl is coming to Texas for the first College Football Playoff championship.

Pac-12 champion Oregon and Big Ten champion Ohio State will meet in Arlington, Texas, at the home of the Cowboys on Jan. 12 to decide the national title in the first year of the new postseason system.

The Ducks (13-1) and Buckeyes (13-1) last played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in 2010. Ohio State won that game 26-17. Much more will be at stake this time around.

Fourth-seeded Ohio State upset Alabama 42-35 at the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.

Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Oregon blasted Florida State 59-20 at the Rose Bowl.

Now it’s Buckeyes-Ducks. Ohio State is looking for its first title since 2002. Oregon is seeking its first — period.

Sweet as Sugar: Buckeyes Upset Alabama 42-35

Posted on January 2, 2015

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cardale Jones came through again at the Sugar Bowl in his second career start and Ezekiel Elliott ran for 230 yards, leading Ohio State to a 42-35 upset of top-ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal Thursday night.

The Buckeyes advanced to play Oregon in the Jan. 12 national championship game at Arlington, Texas.

Jones threw for 243 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown to Devin Smith that put the Buckeyes ahead for good early in the third quarter. He also ran for 43 yards and converted a crucial third-down play on a 1-yard dive with Ohio State (13-1) clinging to a 34-28 lead.

On the next play, Elliott took a handoff, broke one feeble attempt at a tackle, and was gone for an 85-yard touchdown that clinched the victory with 3:24 remaining.

Alabama (12-2) was denied a shot at its fourth national title in six years.

Rose leads Bulls over Nuggets 106-101

Posted on January 1, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) — Derrick Rose scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Denver Nuggets 106-101 on Thursday night.

Jimmy Butler scored 26 for Chicago, and Pau Gasol added 17 points, nine rebounds and a career-high nine blocks.

The late surge by Rose lifted the Bulls to their 11th win in 13 games. The 2011 NBA MVP missed his first eight shots, including all seven in a scoreless first half, but the point guard dominated down the stretch, coming up with one big basket after another.

Wilson Chandler led Denver with 22 points. Ty Lawson scored 20, while Arron Afflalo had 19 points. Kenneth Faried added 18 points and 19 rebounds, but the Nuggets fell to 4-12 on the road.

Huskers in Second Heading into Final Day of Southern Scuffle

Posted on January 1, 2015

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Six Husker wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals of the Defense Soap & Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle after Thursday’s action from McKenzie Arena.

Nebraska is second in the team standings with 48 points heading into the final day as the Huskers trail four-time defending national champion Penn State by four points. Missouri rounds out the top three of the loaded 32-team field, which includes over half of last season’s top 25 team finishers from the NCAA Championships.

No. 1 Robert Kokesh (174) pinned all three of his opponents on Thursday to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. Kokesh, who improves to 18-0 on the season, will face 18th-ranked Kyle Crutchmer of Oklahoma State on Friday.

At 157 pounds, No. 2 James Green, the top seed, pinned Campbell’s Daniel Luty before collecting a 12-4 major decision over Craig Eifert of Cornell in the round of 16. Green, a three-time All-American, battles No. 19 Anthony Collica of Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals.

Spencer Johnson (197) picked up the biggest upset of the day with his 5-3 decision over top-ranked Kyven Gadson of Iowa State in the round of 16. Prior to that match, Johnson won by fall and decision to open the Southern Scuffle. He is set to face No. 15 Elliott Riddick of Lehigh in Friday’s quarterfinals.

No. 17 Tim Lambert (125), No. 20 Anthony Abidin (141) and No. 14 Collin Jensen (HWT) also advanced to the quarterfinals following Thursday’s action from McKenzie Arena. Lambert earned a pair of major decisions and added a decision on his way to the quarterfinals. Abidin opened with a decision before adding a major decision after a first-round bye. Jensen also had a bye, but collected a technical fall and decision on Thursday.

Eric Montoya (133) and Aaron Studebaker (184) each won two matches for the Huskers before falling into the consolation bracket. Justin Arthur (149), Austin Wilson (165), TJ Dudley (184) and Micah Barnes (197) each won one match on Thursday, but will begin Friday in the consolation bracket.

Wrestling unattached, Tyler Berger (149) and Derek White (197) each remain alive in the wrestleback bracket. Dustin Williams went 0-2 at 165 pounds and was eliminated.

The Southern Scuffle continues on Friday at 8 a.m. (CT) with the championship quarterfinals. The championship finals and medal matches are set for 6 p.m., after the semifinals and consolation bouts.