February 2015 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Knights Advance in Region IX Tournament with Win over Otero

Posted on February 28, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights basketball team defeated the Otero Junior College Rattlers 79 – 72 at McDonald – Belton Gymnasium Saturday in the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX Tournament.

The game was tied at nine with 12:35 minutes to play in the first half when the Knights went on a 12 – 2 run to take the lead with 8:08 to play. The Knights maintained the lead throughout the first half to lead 39 – 28 at halftime.

In the second half the Knights increased their lead to 64-49. The Rattlers weren’t finished as they went on a 24 – 11 run to cut the Knights lead to two 75 – 73 with 11 seconds to play. The Rattlers fouled CJ Polk who hit both of his free throws to put the lead up to four. On the ensuing play, the Knights Shyquinn Dix stole the ball and went to put up a shot. He missed the shot but Cameron Williams was right there to seal the victory with a slam dunk.

The Knights improve to 23-8 on the season. They were led in scoring by Williams, who finished the game with 19 points. Polk added 17 points and Dix added 14 points. Tyree Peter also scored in double figures with 11 points.

The Rattlers, who ended their season at 16 – 14 were led in scoring by Josh Blaylock with 18 points. Shun Williams had 17 points and Brandon Wilson added 11 points. Wilson recorded a double – double as he also grabbed 10 rebounds.

With the win the Knights advance to the quarterfinals of the Region IX tournament in Powell, Wyoming. Northwest College, who came into the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the North Sub –Region defeated Little Big Horn College 104 – 74 to retain the top seed and host the remainder of the tournament which will be held March 5 – 7.

The Knights next opponent is unknown. Region IX will re-seed the eight remaining teams for the matchups.

The tournament games for the Knights will be covered by Robert Lovell on ESPN Radio 1410 and www.northplattepost.com. For more information about the tournament go to www.npccknights.com for the updates and possible live stream broadcasts.

Kubat Delivers in 8-1 Win

Posted on February 28, 2015

Los Angeles, Calif. – Behind the arm of senior Kyle Kubat and a season-high 15-hit effort from the Husker offense, the Nebraska baseball team (5-4, 0-0 Big Ten) evened its three-game series with the Loyola Marymount Lions (7-3, 0-0 WCC) with an 8-1 win on Saturday afternoon at Page Stadium.

Following a pair of no decisions to start the season, senior Kyle Kubat picked up his first win of the year and the 16^th of his career on Saturday. The 6-1 lefty went 7.0 innings and allowed just five base runners on the afternoon, including three hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Kubat retired the Lions in order four times on the day, and from the first through the sixth innings he sat down 16 straight Lions.

After producing only seven hits in last night’s series opener the Husker offense found its rhythm early on Saturday, with eight hits through the first four innings. Six Huskers produced multiple hits on the afternoon, including three hits from Blake Headley. Headley notched two doubles for the third time in his career, while he and Tanner Lubach each recorded two RBIs.

Nebraska started an inning with a hit six times on the day, including a solo home run by Lubach in the seventh that cleared a 37-foot tall wall in left field.

LMU starter Trevor Megill lasted just 3.1 innings for the Lions, as the junior was touched for three runs on eight hits. It was a Megill’s shortest start since April 6, 2013 when he went 3.0 innings against San Diego.

LMU may have not scored in the game if it hadn’t been for a miscue by Kubat in the bottom of the first. After retiring the leadoff hitter, Kubat plunked Billy Wilson a 3-2 pitch and the Lions made it hurt, as David Fletcher followed with a RBI double. Kubat then went on to retire 16 straight Lions.

Jake Schleppenbach and Ryan Boldt each picked up their second hits of game in the third and unlike the first inning when both were stranded, the Huskers were able to cash in on the opportunity. Headley came up with one out and battled Megill in an extended at-bat, and on the 10^th pitch Headley delivered a two-RBI double off the right-center field wall that put the Huskers ahead 2-1. It was Headley’s third double of the year, as well as his ninth and 10^th RBIs of the season.

With Kubat cruising, the Huskers tacked on a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to give their senior starter a 4-1 lead. Steven Reveles drove in Austin Darby in the fourth with a double and Headley scored in the fifth on a sac fly from Lubach after Headley opened the inning with his second double of the game.

Nebraska pushed its lead to six runs in the sixth, with two runs coming on a LMU error. Luis Alvarado and Reveles opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and Schleppenbach executed a sacrifice bunt, but on the play reliever Tyler Cohen made an errant throw to first base that allowed two runs to score and Schleppenbach to coast into third base. Freshman Scott Schreiber followed with an infield RBI single, the first of his NU career, to put the Huskers on top 7-1.

The Huskers notched at least a run for the fifth straight inning in the seventh with Lubach’s home run. The solo shot was a no doubter, as it not only cleared the 362-foot sign in left-center field, but also the 37-foot tall blue monster.

Freshman Jake Meyers finished off the game for the Huskers, tossing a pair of shutout innings to cap the 8-1 win.

Tomorrow’s rubber match is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT). Lane Grindle and Ben McLaughlin will have the call on the Husker Sports Network, while LMULions.com will have a free video stream.

Delgado Late Basket helps Seton Hall Snap 6-Game Skid with Win over Jays

Posted on February 28, 2015

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Angel Delgado grabbed a rebound and scored with 16 seconds to play and Seton Hall rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat Creighton 67-66 on Saturday, snapping a six-game losing streak.

Delgado finished with 13 points — all in the second half — and 11 rebounds. Khadeen Carrrington added 13 points, including six in the closing 2:40 as the Pirates (16-12, 6-10 Big East) rallied from five points down to take a 65-64 edge with 1:22 left, their first lead of the game.

Austin Chatman, who had a game-high 23 points, put Creighton ahead with a jumper with 30 seconds to go but Delgado got the rebound of an Isaiah Whitehead miss and scored.

The Bluejays (13-16, 4-12) had at least three chances underneath in the closing seconds but James Milliken and Geoffrey Groselle each missed one.

Eva Louise (Edwards) Gilbert

Posted on February 28, 2015

Eva Louise (Edwards) Gilbert, age 60 of North Platte, peacefully passed away at her home on February 25, 2015.

Eva was born on March 7, 1954 in Joliet, IL to Richard and Romona (Rowe) Edwards. She spent her early years in Baton Rouge, LA before her family moved to Cheshire, CT where she graduated from high school in 1972. She married Michael Gilbert on July 5, 1980 in Salt Lake City, UT and the couple lived there until moving to North Platte in 1998. In North Platte Eva worked at Walmart before retiring in 2009.

She was an avid gardener as was evident in her beautiful yard and even participated in the State Master Gardener program. She was an open, honest and genuine person with a fervent thirst for knowledge. She was dedicated to natural healing and raising awareness about the consequences of Genetically Modified Organisms. She loved music of all kinds, playing the piano and singing her favorite hymns. She enjoyed traveling and cooking. She was a devout Christian who was eager to share her faith with others. Although she was a private person, she was devoted to making the lives of the people around her easier and more fulfilling. She was selfless, hardworking and loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. Eva was considered the cornerstone of the family she loved so dearly.

Eva is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 34 years Michael Gilbert of North Platte; children Michelle (Michael) Foulger of Salt Lake City, UT, Matthew (Wendy) Gilbert of North Platte, Edward Gilbert of North Platte, Elizabeth (John) Brown of Kearney, Melissa (Lathen McGowen) Gilbert of Omaha; her mother Romona (Alan) Craig of Lake Worth, FL; siblings Susan Gleason of Toms River, NJ, Charles (Lisa) Edwards of Horseheads, NY, Ellen (Steven) Tryniszewski of Naugatuck, CT; 11 grandchildren; her beloved dog Maggie; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and her father Richard Edwards.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday March 3, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Jon Stone officiating. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Authorities Seize 15 Tons of Marijuana at US-Mexico Border

Posted on February 28, 2015

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Federal authorities have seized more than 15 tons of marijuana in a near-record bust at a border crossing in Southern California.

More than 1,200 packages of marijuana valued at nearly $19 million were seized this week from a truck-trailer carrying mattresses and cushions at the Otay Mesa border crossing.

Authorities arrested the truck’s 46-year-old driver and seized the vehicle late Thursday.

The newspaper says the seizure was the second-largest in a single incident at a U.S. border crossing, trailing a more than 35,000-pound bust in 2013.

Blind Dog Rescued After Being Lost for 2 Weeks In the Cold

Posted on February 28, 2015

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A blind dog who wandered away from her Ester home during a cold snap has been reunited with her owner.

The 11-year-old Labrador retriever named Madera ventured away from home on Feb. 6, when the temperature dipped below 40 degrees.

Her owner Ed Davis says he didn’t expect to find her alive.

A man riding a bike accompanied by a bell-wearing dog located Madera in the woods last week, about a half-mile from the Davis’ home.

Davis says his dog lost 14 pounds but is in good health.

The man who rescued her, Constantine Khrulev, asked for the $100 reward money to go to the Fairbanks Animal Shelter Fund. Davis increased the donation to $250.

Madera is completely blind because of an autoimmune disease.

Grand Island Beekeeping Plan Sent Back to Drawing Board

Posted on February 28, 2015

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A Grand Island animal advisory board has sent a plan to allow beehives within city limits back to the drawing board.

An initial draft would have allowed one hive for every 1,500 square feet of property. With Grand Island lots starting at 6,000 square feet, the plan would have allowed even the smallest lot to hold up to four hives.

Brian Nilson, vice president of the Nebraska State Beekeeping Association, says most municipalities that allow beekeeping limit hive to two per lot.

As currently proposed, hives would need to be screened behind a 6-foot fence at least 15 feet away from any neighboring property line and at least 50 feet away from any house, excluding the beekeeper’s house.

Omaha Man Sentenced to Probation for Tax Evasion

Posted on February 28, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 44-year-old Omaha real estate agent accused of running a sports bookmaking operation has been sentenced to three years’ probation for federal tax evasion.

Todd Bartusek had faced up to five years in federal prison when he was sentenced Friday in Omaha’s U.S. District Court. He had pleaded guilty to the count in October.

Prosecutors say an Internal Revenue Service investigation determined that Bartusek worked as a bookie from 2007 through 2010 and didn’t report his income of at least $735,000 from the operation during that time.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon handed down the probation sentence, in part, because Bartusek had paid the income taxes on the income he had failed to claim.

Woman Dies in Midtown Omaha Crash

Posted on February 28, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A driver has died in a midtown Omaha crash that also severely injured her adult passenger, but spared an infant strapped into a car seat.

Witnesses tell police that a car illegally passed several other vehicles stopped at a red light, entered the intersection and was hit by another car passing through the intersection. The impact sent the first car into a tree, killing 35-year-old driver Lerosha Vaneese Forrest. A passenger in Forrest’s car, 43-year-old Ronnie Forrest, was taken to a hospital with severe head injuries.

A 1-month old baby girl in the car was uninjured.

Police say the driver of the other car also was uninjured.

Police: Man, 60, Crushed to Death at Ohio Machine Shop

Posted on February 28, 2015

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Police say a 60-year-old man has been crushed to death at a machine shop in Ohio.

An Akron police spokesman said the accident occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Friday and around 4:45 a.m. Saturday, when co-workers found him. The spokesman says co-workers used a crane to lift a large metal frame off the victim.

The spokesman would not identify the man but said he lived in the Akron suburb of Green.

The accident occurred at Logan Machine Co. Calls to the company seeking comment on the accident weren’t answered on Saturday.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration proposed $66,000 in penalties against the company in 2012 for eight serious safety violations and seven serious health violations.