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FDA Approves New Treatment for Varicose Veins

fdaWASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new technique for treating varicose veins by sealing them with a clear liquid that turns into a solid adhesive.

The VenaSeal system is approved for patients with varicose veins of the legs that cause pain, blood clots or other symptoms. The system includes syringes, guide wire and a catheter which is used to inject the liquid that seals the diseased veins. Doctors monitor the procedure using ultrasound imaging.

Previous techniques used to treat varicose veins involved drugs, lasers, radio waves or incisions. An FDA official said in a statement the new technique “can allow patients to quickly return to their normal activities, with less bruising.”

The VenaSeal system was developed by Covidien, which was recently acquired by Minnesota-based Medtronic Inc.

NPCC Students Encourage Jefferson 4th Graders

Cara Sanchez, NPCC student, helps Jefferson Elementary students Logan Schroeder and Gabe Vrchoticky, with math assignments on Friday.
Cara Sanchez, NPCC student, helps Jefferson Elementary students Logan Schroeder and Gabe Vrchoticky, with math assignments on Friday.

It was a win-win for both groups. North Platte Community College education students spentFriday morning at Jefferson Elementary mentoring fourth graders and helping them with math assignments.

The college students are enrolled in an exceptional children class at NPCC, and they will visit Jefferson seven times before the semester is over. Another class, children’s literature, goes to Head Start.

“The people who sign up for those classes plan to work with children in some form or another,” said Carol Sandau, NPCC education instructor. “They aren’t just people who want to become teachers. Some might be seeking a profession in social work or the criminal justice system. I’ve even had students who plan on doing youth ministry.”

Missy Hohnholt, Jefferson fourth grade teacher, said her students really look forward to the visits.

“The partnership has been awesome,” said Hohnholt. “The first day the college students were here, they introduced themselves, explained why they go to college and let the kids ask questions.”

According to Hohnholt, the visits have helped her class see the importance of studying hard, staying in school and eventually pursuing a degree.

“Their curiosity has really been sparked by all this,” said Hohnholt. “The college students are definitely great role models to have around.”

David P. Schmoker Memorial Service

David P. Schmoker, 57, of Mullen, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 @ Great Plains Health
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, March 2, 2015 @ 11 AM MST @ The Mullen Funeral Home
Memorials to Pioneer Memorial Rest Home, Mullen Ambulance, or Donors’ Choice

No. 21 Huskers Shoot for Road Win at Indiana Saturday

Nebraska-Huskers-BasketballThe No. 21 Nebraska women’s basketball team completes its Big Ten regular-season road schedule Saturday when the Huskers take on Indiana in Bloomington.

Tip-off between the Big Red (18-8, 8-7 Big Ten) and the Hoosiers (14-12, 4-11 Big Ten) at Assembly Hall is set for 11 a.m. (CT) with live national television coverage provided by the Big Ten Network with Eric Collins and Christy Winters Scott on the call.

Live radio coverage will be provided by the Husker Sports Network, with Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch calling the action on stations across the network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln, 93.3 FM in Omaha and 880 AM in Lexington.

Nebraska will try to end the regular season with a winning road record, entering the game with a 6-6 mark away from Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Huskers have dropped four straight on the road, but all four of those losses have come to teams currently in the top 35 in the official NCAA RPI.

The Huskers will take on Indiana on Senior Day for Hoosier Andrea Mize in Bloomington, but Indiana has fought its way to 14 wins behind freshmen and sophomores this season. In fact, Indiana’s freshmen and sophomores have combined for more than 99 percent of IU’s points on the year.

Nebraska will be hoping that the experience of its four senior starters can offset the loss of junior Rachel Theriot. The first-team All-Big Ten point guard underwent season-ending ankle surgery Thursday in Lincoln after missing her fifth straight game with an injury suffered in practice on Feb. 3. An honorable-mention AP All-American and the 2014 Big Ten Tournament MVP as a sophomore, Theriot was averaging 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists before the injury. She joins Minnesota’s Rachel Banham and Wisconsin’s Michala Johnson as returning first-team All-Big Ten players lost to injury for the season.

Nebraska’s California guards Tear’a Laudermill and Natalie Romeo have stepped up in Theriot’s absence. Laudermill, a second-team All-Big Ten pick a year ago, is averaging 18.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists the last five games, while Romeo has assumed a starting role and is averaging 12.0 points and 3.5 rebounds over the last five contests.

#21 Nebraska Cornhuskers (18-8, 8-7 Big Ten)
3 – Hailie Sample – 6-1-  Sr. – F – 7.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg
23 – Emily Cady – 6-2 – Sr. – F – 11.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg
1 – Tear’a Laudermill – 5-9 – Sr. – G – 14.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg
5 – Natalie Romeo – 5-7 – Fr. – G – 7.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg
13 – Brandi Jeffery – 5-7 – Sr. – G – 7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Off the Bench
33 – Rachel Theriot (OUT) – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 16.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg
22 – Allie Havers – 6-5 – So. – C – 4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg
31 – Anya Kalenta – 6-3 – Jr. – F – 4.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg
30 – Chandler Smith – 6-0 – Fr. – G – 1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg
34 – Jasmine Cincore – 5-8 – Fr. – G – 1.6 ppg, 0.2 rpg
12 – Emily Wood – 5-5 – Fr. – G – 0.3 ppg, 0.6 rpg
11 – Esther Ramacieri – 5-8 – So. – G – 0.1 ppg, 0.5 rpg
50 – Darrien Washington – 6-2 – Fr. – F – Redshirting
Head Coach: Connie Yori (Creighton, 1986)
13th Season at NU (259-150); 25th Season Overall (454-290)

Indiana Hoosiers (14-12, 4-11 Big Ten)
33 – Amanda Cahill – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 10.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg
43 – Jenn Anderson – 6-3 – So. – C – 8.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg
3 – Tyra Buss – 5-7 – Fr. – G – 11.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg
5 – Larryn Brooks – 5-5 – So. – G – 11.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg
23 – Alexis Gassion – 5-10 – So. – G – 8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Off the Bench
21 – Karlie McBride – 5-10 – So. – G – 8.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg
2 – Jess Walter – 5-11 – Fr. – G – 7.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg
10 – Taylor Agler – 5-9 – So. – G – 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg
40 – Lyndsay Leikem – 6-1 – So. – F – 2.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
30 – Maura Muensterman – 6-0 – Fr. – G – 0.9 ppg, 0.9 rpg
13 – Andrea Mize – 5-9 – Sr. – G – 0.6 ppg, 0.6 ppg,
Head Coach: Teri Moren (Purdue, 1992)
First Season at IU (14-12); 12th Season Overall (213-142)

Mother of Slain Western Nebraska Girl Detained to Testify

Dustin Chauncey
Dustin Chauncey

GERING, Neb. (AP) — The mother of a western Nebraska child who was slain in 2008 has been detained as a material witness against a man who’s scheduled to go on trial Monday.

Charyse Geurts is expected to testify next week in the trial of her former boyfriend, 28-year-old Dustin Chauncey. He’s charged in Scotts Bluff County District Court with child abuse resulting in the July 2008 death of 2-year-old Juliette Geurts.

Prosecutors had obtained a Nebraska order to detain Geurts, who was taken into custody in Texas. She arrived Wednesday at the Scotts Bluff County Jail. Prosecutors want to keep Geurts in custody until after her testimony is finished.

Judge Leo Dobrovolny has said he likely would rule Friday on whether the county may continue to hold Charyse Geurts.

Nebraska Lawmakers Pass Electric-Powered Bicycle Bill

bike-laneLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would treat electric-assist bicycles the same as regular bikes has passed in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators voted 48-0 for the proposal on Friday.

The bill would allow electric-assist bicycles to use bike lanes and bike paths. They would be regulated as bicycles instead of motor vehicles, which have stricter requirements.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion has said he introduced the bill so people with joint pain or other physical ailments can continue to ride bikes. An electric motor gives riders a power boost that can be used on steep hills.

The bill would apply to electric motors that produce no more than one horsepower, and which are able to propel the bicycle at no more than 20 mph.

Nebraska Senators Pass Bill to Restore Smoking in Cigar Bars

cigarLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The fate of Nebraska cigar bars is now in the hands of the governor after lawmakers approved a bill to once again allow smoking in the establishments.

Senators passed the bill Friday 45-3 in response to a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling. The court struck down a 2009 law last year that allowed smoking in cigar bars and shops, despite the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act.

The measure by Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill makes clear that state lawmakers intended to create a legal exemption for those establishments so they could continue to operate.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has five days to sign the bill.

Judge Rules Nebraska Not Liable in Boy’s Slaying by Mom

angela-manns
Angela Manns

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the state by the estate of an Omaha boy strangled by his mother.

Angela Manns admitted strangling her 12-year-old son, Michael Belitz, while he slept on Aug. 11, 2009. His decomposing body was found in a bathtub. Manns was sentenced to 34 to 35 years in prison.

Judge Mark Ashford in October last year granted a request by the state’s lawyers to dismiss the case, saying the state had established no “special relationship” with the boy to protect him from his mother.

The lawsuit by his estate said state officials failed to act on repeated warnings from the boy’s mother and other family members about his welfare.

The estate’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press.

YouTube to Release Kids App to Ease Parents’ Worries

youtubeSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — YouTube is going to release a mobile app that will only show video clips suitable for young children to help parents control what their kids are watching on the Internet.

The YouTube for Kids app scheduled to be released Monday will only work on smartphones and tablets running on Android, the software made by YouTube owner Google Inc. A version compatible with the iOS software powering Apple Inc.’s iPhone and iPad may be released in the upcoming months.

The app features thousands of kid-focused channels that provide both entertainment and education. The content is mostly tailored for children ranging from two to eight years old.

Ads will be shown with some of the clips to help funnel more revenue to Google, one of the world’s most profitable companies.

Big Ten Gauging Interest in Making Freshmen Ineligible

Big-Ten-LogoROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten is studying whether freshmen athletes should be ineligible to compete while they adjust to college life.

The league said Friday it has reached out to members to see if they are interested “in beginning a national discussion regarding a year of readiness for student-athletes.”

The Big Ten says it has provided background information to its schools, but no proposals have been made.

The University of Maryland’s student newspaper, The Diamondback, reported Thursday that the Big Ten has distributed a document titled “A Year of Readiness” that explores the idea of making freshmen ineligible in football and men’s basketball.

For decades, the NCAA barred freshmen from competing in all sports. That changed for football and basketball in 1972.

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