February 2015 – Page 9 – North Platte Post Archive

Storm Alumni Update: February 2015

Posted on February 25, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm are recognizing former forwards Trevor Moore, Soren Jonzzon and Matt Johnson as their alumni of the month in February. Each month during the season, the team has selected a group of former players based on their contributions on the ice at the next level.

Moore, who is in his sophomore season at Denver University, has scored points in each of his team’s games during February, including five goals in his past four games.

Through 29 games this season, Moore has 16 goals and 15 assists. In his career at Denver, the Thousand Oaks, Calif. native appeared in 71 games and has scored 30 goals and 33 assists. Moore’s 31 points has him 33rd among all Division I skaters. His goal total is also 21st.

Denver is ranked at No. 7 in the latest USCHO.com National Poll with an overall record of 18-10-2, while tied in third place in the highly competitive National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings with a mark at 11-8-1-1.

While with the Storm for two seasons during 2011-13, Moore was one of the team’s scoring leaders with 32 goals and 63 assists. In his final season in Tri-City, the forward led the team with 63 points on 20 goals and 43 assists in 62 regular season games.

Jonzzon, who is in his junior season with Quinnipiac University, has appeared in 31 games for the Bobcats, already surpassing his previous career high.

The Mountain View, Calif. native has five goals and seven assists for 12 points this season after just five points combined in his freshman and sophomore years. On Feb. 13, Jonzzon recorded the first multi-point game of his collegiate career against St. Lawrence.

Quinnipiac has an overall record of 20-8-4 on the year, and have first place in the ECAC with a conference record of 15-2-3. The Bobcats are currently 10th in the USCHO.com Poll.

The forward played 81 games during parts of two seasons with the Storm from 2010-12, scoring 18 goals and 31 assists.

Johnson, now a senior at Ohio State, earned the spotlight in a 5-3 win over rival Michigan on Feb. 20. The Stillwater, Minn. native had two goals and had the primary assist on the game-winning goal to lift the Buckeyes to victory.

This season the forward has 17 points on 12 goals and five assists, while appearing in 25 games. The 17 points is already a career high for Johnson, who did not reach double-digit scoring totals in any of his first three seasons in Columbus.

Ohio State has an overall record of 9-17-2 and is in 5th place in the Big Ten conference standings.

In two seasons with Tri-City from 2009-11, Johnson had 18 goals and 17 assists in 111 games.

The Storm host Western Conference leading Sioux City in Kearney for a two-game series this weekend. Friday’s contest begins at 7:30 p.m., whileSaturday’s gets underway at 7:05.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.

Nebraska Child Advocates Say Court Shackles Traumatize Kids

Posted on February 25, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Juvenile lawyers and advocates say Nebraska children as young as 10 are treated more harshly in court than adult offenders.

Lawmakers heard testimony Wednesday on a bill by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha that would prohibit restraints on juveniles during court appearances unless deemed necessary for courtroom security.

Currently all juvenile offenders transferred from detention centers appear in court in restraints. Child advocates say the practice damages children psychologically and affects their courtroom behavior.

Another measure reviewed by the committee would allow juveniles to choose to continue court-ordered services through age 21. Another would allow juveniles who commit low-level offenses to receive in-home treatment.

The committee took no action on the bills.

CBI to Use 30-Second Shot Clock

Posted on February 25, 2015

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — The College Basketball Invitational will use a 30-second shot clock to assist the NCAA in research on pace of play and scoring.

“The additional data we will receive from these games will be very meaningful to us as we meet this coming May,” Belmont coach Rick Byrd, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee chair, said Wednesday.

The 16-team postseason tournament opens with games March 17 and 18.

The NCAA uses a 35-second shot clock.

Huskers Visit LA for Three-Game Set with Loyola Marymount

Posted on February 25, 2015

After taking three-of-four from the BYU Cougars in Peoria, Ariz., last weekend, the Nebraska baseball team (4-3, 0-0 Big Ten) hits the road for the third straight weekend for a three-game series in Los Angeles, Calif., against the Loyola Marymount Lions (5-2, 0-0 WCC).

The Lions have played six of their seven games at home this season and are 5-1 at Page Stadium. The Lions opened the season with a series sweep of San Jose State and last weekend rallied to win the final two games of their series against Saint Joseph’s after dropping the series opener. The Lions lost their lone road game of the season, a 7-6 loss at San Diego State.

The Huskers and Lions have meet just twice all-time, with both meeting coming in 1988. Following a eight-day trip to Hawaii, the Huskers stopped in Los Angeles and played a pair of games against the Lions on their way back to Lincoln. The Lions took both games, 15-9 (3/29/88) and 10-7 (3/30/88).

This weekend’s games are scheduled for 8:05 p.m. (CT) on both Friday and Saturday, while the finale on Sunday is set for 2:05 p.m. (CT).

Seniors Chance Sinclair (1-1) and Kyle Kubat (0-0) are scheduled to throw on the first two games of the series for the third straight week. The Huskers have not announced a starter for Sunday’s finale.

Friday, Feb. 27 – 8:05 p.m. (CT)
Probable Starters: RHP Sinclair (1-1) vs. RHP Welmon (1-1)
TV: None
Stream: Free Radio (Huskers.com) | Video Stream (LMULions.com)
Radio: Husker Sports Network

Saturday, Feb. 28 – 8:05 p.m. (CT)
Probable Starters: LHP Kubat (0-0) vs. RHP Trevor Megill (1-0)
TV: None
Stream: Free Radio (Huskers.com) | Video Stream (LMULions.com)
Radio: Husker Sports Network

Sunday, March 1 – 2:05 p.m. (CT)
Probable Starters: TBA vs. RHP Tylor Megill (2-0)
TV: None
Stream: Free Radio (Huskers.com) | Video Stream (LMULions.com)
Radio: Husker Sports Network

Nebraska Eyes Medicaid ‘Redesign’ Bill to Close Coverage Gap

Posted on February 25, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lawmakers who want to close Nebraska’s health care coverage gap are taking a new approach after two previous attempts to expand Medicaid failed.

Sen. Kathy Campbell presented her Medicaid “redesign” bill to a committee Wednesday.

It would require the state to apply for a federal waiver to develop its own Medicaid plan, as other states have done. Residents who fall into the coverage gap would be pulled into the current Medicaid program until the federal waiver is approved.

The bill also would create a state task force to look for ways to deliver more efficient and effective care in the current Medicaid program.

Administrators in Gov. Pete Ricketts’ administration opposed the bill, saying it relies on promises from the federal government.

Dena Dawn Troxel-Hilyard

Posted on February 25, 2015

Dena Dawn Troxel-Hilyard, 43 years, of North Platte, NE, died at home on Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

Dena was born March 22, 1971, to Michael Delno and Beverly Rose Slack Troxel at Gothenburg, NE. She grew up in Sutherland, NE and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1989. Dena then attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and received a BS in Business Communications in 1993. Following graduation she married Todd Hilyard and they later divorced.

Dena managed a chiropractic clinic in Aurora, NE for several years before moving to Utica, NE then to Cozad where she worked at the Cozad Clinic for a couple years. She later moved to Gothenburg where she joined the American Lutheran Church, she had been a member since 2001. Dena commuted to Sutherland where she worked at the Gerald Gentleman Station then moved back to Sutherland and worked for Becker Farms.

Dena enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking. She especially loved to spend time with her children.

She leaves behind her children, Jackson and Jordyn Hilyard, of Holdrege, NE; her parents, Mike and Bev Troxel, of Sutherland; sister, Mandy Jo (Greg) Holmberg, of Wichita, KS; a niece and nephew, Avery and Easton Holmberg; uncles, Bill G. (Betty) Slack, of Brady, NE, and Gerald (Cheryl) Troxel, of Grandbury, TX; aunts, Evonne (Garry) Hicken and Carol Slack, of Gothenburg and Karen Anderson, of Rockville, IL; and numerous cousins and other family.

Dena was preceded in death by her uncles, Dennis Anderson and Richard Slack; and grandparents, Dwight and Jewel Troxel and Bill and Geraldine Slack.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland with Vicar JA Welsh officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.

The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for her children’s college education. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

DC Mayor: City to Legalize Pot Despite Threats from Congress

Posted on February 25, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington’s mayor says marijuana will become legal in the nation’s capital despite a threat from Republicans in Congress that city leaders could face prison time for implementing a voter-approved initiative.

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser said Wednesday that the city and Republicans disagree about whether the city is allowed to legalize pot. She says those legal differences can be resolved without either side “bullying” the other.

Possession of up to 2 ounces of pot for recreational purposes will become legal on Thursday at 12:01 a.m. The District will become the first place east of the Mississippi River with legal pot. Selling the drug will remain illegal.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican, says Congress explicitly banned legalization and that the city will face repercussions.

Fremont Schools to Implement Dual Language Program

Posted on February 25, 2015

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Fremont Public Schools has revealed plans to implement a dual language program for students in the district.

Brad Dahl, executive director of student services and business affairs for the district, on Wednesday said that a steady increase of English-language learners prompted the Fremont Board of Education’s decision to launch the program. It is slated to begin in the 2015-2016 school year with anywhere from 20 to 50 kindergarten students.

About 8 percent of students in the district receive English-language learner support, compared to the state average of 5.96 percent. Dahl says the district determined that those receiving support were not performing at the same level as their peers.

Dahl says the program will expand one grade level each year.

Nebraska Man Who Shot Himself Gets Prison for Gun

Posted on February 25, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 28-year-old Lincoln man who accidentally shot himself has been given two to six years in prison.

Kan Tap was sentenced on Tuesday. He’d been convicted of attempted possession of a firearm by a felon. He’d made a plea deal with prosecutors who lowered the charge.

Prosecutors say Tap shot himself in his left leg on April 7. He told Lincoln police several stories before admitting that he shot himself accidentally after picking up a gun on the floor of a car in which he was riding.

Tap’s attorney sought probation for Tap, saying Tap has endured a long recovery from his wound.

But Judge John Colborn said he couldn’t ignore Tap’s criminal history or the fact that he’d lied to police.

Beatrice Hospital Officials Announce Facility Expansion

Posted on February 25, 2015

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — Officials with Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center have announced plans for an expansion that’s expected to cost $7.2 million.

The 15-month construction project revealed on Wednesday will begin this spring, adding more than 17,000 square feet of space to the hospital.

Hospital officials say the expansion allows for additional room for different departments, including the Women and Children’s Clinic, the Infusion Center and the Rehabilitation Services unit. It will also renovate the Physician Clinic and reconfigure the parking to decrease the walking distance for patients.

The hospital has selected Altus Architectural Studios of Omaha, Caspers Construction of Beatrice and Sampson Construction of Lincoln, to lead the project.