March 2015 – Page 42 – North Platte Post Archive

Bill Proposes State Standards for Nebraska Livestock Permits

Posted on March 15, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers will debate a bill to create a set of statewide standards for county-issued permits for livestock operations.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse designated the measure his priority bill after a committee voted 5-2 last week to advance the bill to the full Legislature.

The bill would create a spreadsheet of scientific standards to be used by a board appointed by the governor as criteria to review county permit decisions.

Advocates say the bill prevents county boards from blocking operations based on bias. Opponents say the measure strips control from local authorities who have a better gauge on the needs of the county.

Opponent Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins says he will block the bill in debate if necessary.

Nebraska Man Dies in Fatal Fire in Elwood

Posted on March 15, 2015

ELWOOD, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska authorities are trying to determine what caused a fatal house fire in the town of Elwood over the weekend.

The Gosper County Sheriff’s office says 55-year-old Gary Beck died in the fire at his home early Saturday morning.

Firefighters were called to the home around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, but it was engulfed in flames when they arrived. The home was destroyed.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the fire.

Study Boosts Hope for New Class of Cholesterol Medications

Posted on March 15, 2015

SAN DIEGO (AP) — New research boosts hope that a highly anticipated, experimental class of cholesterol drugs can greatly lower the risk for heart attacks, death and other heart-related problems.

Studies presented Sunday at a cardiology conference in San Diego suggest that people taking one of these drugs had half the risk of dying or suffering a heart problem compared to others who were given the usual care, typically a statin drug such as Lipitor or Zocor.

Side effects remain a question, though, especially whether the drugs can harm thinking and memory.

One of the drugs is being developed by Amgen Inc. and the other by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi. The Food and Drug Administration will decide this summer whether to allow them on the market.

Varlamov helps Avalanche beat Flames 3-2

Posted on March 15, 2015March 15, 2015

DENVER (AP) — Alex Tanguay and Ryan O’Reilly scored 1:47 apart in the second period, Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots and the Colorado Avalanche held off the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Saturday night.

John Mitchell added another goal for the Avalanche, who went 2-1 on a three-game homestand to remain in the playoff chase. They have a few days off before embarking on a five-game trip.

Varlamov remains unbeaten in his last five starts. He made a crucial stop in the waning seconds to secure the win for Colorado.

David Jones and Lance Bouma scored for the Flames. Karri Ramo made 23 saves as he filled in for Jonas Hiller, who played the night before in a 6-3 win against Toronto. Calgary is 5-2-1 and holding onto a playoff spot after losing top defenseman Mark Giordano for the season because of a torn biceps tendon.

Storm Move Into First With Come From Behind Win

Posted on March 14, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – Three unanswered third period goals helped the Tri-City Storm (32-14-6) defeat the Omaha Lancers (29-15-7) and move into first place in the USHL’s Western Conference with a 5-3 victory on Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center.

Storm captain Garrett Gamez led the way with four assists, while Nick Master scored his third goal of the weekend and Chris Wilkie notched his league leading 31st goal of the seson.

The Storm finished the season with a record of 4-2-2 against the Lancers, splitting the series with their in-state rival. After eight games played, each team had a total 205 shots on net.

Tri-City erased three Lancer leads in the game, and didn’t lead until 4:45 of the third period.

Omaha took their first advantage early on, getting an unassisted goal by Matthew Meier at 6:15 of the first.

The Storm responded when Nick Master scored his third goal of the weekend from Gamez and Christopher Brown at 15:10 to take a 1-1 game into the first intermission.

Steven Spinner game the Lancers their second lead at 7:30 of the second period, making it 2-1 on a rebound in front with assists from Meier and Ryan Donato.

Tri-City tied the game six minutes later on a goal by Vince Pedrie that hit off a Lancer skate in front and got past netminder Zach Driscoll. Gamez and Master were both rewarded with assists on the play.

But Omaha re-took the lead heading into the second intermission on a power play goal by Shane Gersich at 15:18 of the second period.

It was all Storm in the third, as Tri-City tied the game for the third time on a deflection by Chase Berger at 3:49 of the final period. Berger’s ninth goal of the season came from defenseman Kevin Kerr and forward Kyle Eastman.

Tory Dello gave the Storm a 4-3 lead less than a minute later, scoring his second goal of the season on a wrist shot that beat Driscoll low blocker side. Gamez found the Notre Dame commit for the first assist, while Wilkie earned the second helper on the go-ahead goal.

With their first lead all weekend, Tri-City got the insurance they needed from Wilkie at 11:18 of the third. The tally was the Omaha native’s fifth goal against his hometown team this season, which leads the team.

Gamez picked up his fourth first assist of the game on Wilkie’s strike, while Nick Master was credited with his third point of the evening with the second assist.

Storm goaltender Alec Dillon picked up the victory, making 25 saves in the win. The Victoria, B.C. native leads the USHL with a goals against average of 2.12, and has earned 21 victories in 36 appearances this season.

The Storm will have a chance to clinch a playoff berth next weekend when they host the Des Moines Buccaneers for two games in Kearney. Friday’sgame begins at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s starts at 7:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Mason Appleton and Nolan Aibel…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
Omaha – Matthew Meier (unassisted) 6:15
Tri-City – Nick Master (Garrett Gamez, Christopher Brown) 15:10

2nd Period

Omaha – Steven Spinner (Ryan Donato, Matthew Meier) 7:30
Tri-City – Vince Pedrie (Garrett Gamez, Nick Master) 13:37
Omaha – Shane Gersich (power play) (Steven Spinner, Louie Rowe) 15:18

3rd Period
Tri-City – Chase Berger (Kevin Kerr, Kyle Eastman) 3:49
Tri-City – Tory Dello (Garrett Gamez, Chris Wilkie) 4:45
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Garrett Gamez, Nick Master) 11:18

PENALTIES

1st Period
Tri-City – Bench Minor – (Too Many Men), 2 min, 1:11
Omaha – Anthony Angello – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 3:11

2nd Period
Omaha – Jake Henderson – (Slashing), 2 min, 10:47
Tri-City – Jake Wahlin – (Tripping), 2 min, 14:52
Omaha – Steven Spinner – (Tripping), 2 min, 18:00
Tri-City – Conner Valesano – (Roughing), 4 min, 20:00
Omaha – Jake Henderson – (Roughing), 4 min, 20:00

3rd Period
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 12:30

Power Play

Omaha – 1/3

Tri-City – 0/3

Shots

Omaha: 8, 12, 8 = Total: 28
Tri-City: 8, 16, 4 = Total: 28

Saves
Omaha – Zach Driscoll – 23/28
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 25/28

NPCC Knights Softball Sweeps Southeast in Doubleheader

Posted on March 14, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights softball team extended their winning streak to seven by defeating the Southeast Community College Lady Storm in a double header winning both games by identical scores of 12 – 10.

The games were National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX Division II contests.

In the first game the Knights opened up the scoring in the first inning when Audrie Conner singled and later scored on Sara Villalobos’ single to centerfield. The Lady Storm answered back with two runs in their half of the first on runs by Alexis Graewe and Callie Pinkham. The Knights came right back in the second and scored three runs. Sara Runia started out the inning by singling to left field. Shelby Clark walked. Brittney Odum singled to left field and brought in Runia. Conner batted in Clark and Odum with a single.

The Knights added to their lead in the third inning by scoring another three runs to make the score 7 – 2. Shannon Lieber reached on an error by Lady Storm second baseman Pinkham. Jessica Jarvis was hit by the pitch. Runia then singled to right advancing the runners. Lieber scored on a ground ball by Clark. Caroline Motis doubled to drive in Jarvis and Runia.

The Lady Storm battled back by scoring two runs in both the third and the fourth inning, which included a two-run home run by Megan Hartman.

The Knights got back one of the runs in the top of the fifth when Odum hit a line drive home run over the center field fence making the score 8 – 6 in favor of the Knights.

The Lady Storm weren’t done. Hartman hit her second home run of the game to lead off the bottom of the fifth to make the score 8 – 7.

The Knights broke the game open in the top of the sixth when Mehana Chang singled and then scored when Villalobos reached on an error by shortstop Graewe. Christina Rodie came in to run for Villalobos and scored along with Jarvis on Runia’s fifth home run of the season to make the score 12 – 7.

The Lady Storm scored three more runs in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 12 -10. The Lady Storm tried to rally in the seventh when the first two batters walked. They were unable to capitalize on the walks and went scoreless in the seventh.

Runia pitched the complete game for the win. She allowed 10 runs on four hits and 10 walks and struck out 3 batters.

Conner and Runia each had three hits for the Knights in game one to lead the Knights offensive attack.

In game two, the game went back and forth until the Knights exploded with seven runs in their half of the fourth to take an 11 – 5 lead. Their onslaught was powered by a two-run home run by Odum scoring Motis and a three-run home run by Clark which scored Lieber and Tara Crouch. In the fifth inning Odum walked and scored on an error by Lady Storm first baseman Nicole Zelinski to make the score 12 – 5.

The Lady Storm in their half of the fifth mounted a comeback by scoring five runs to cut the Knight lead to two.

The Lady Storm, in their seventh had the tying run on second base with one out. Knights pitcher struck out Pinkham and Breanna Johnson to strand the runners and end the game. Lieber struck out nine batters in the game and allowed only two walks.

The Knights were led offensively by Lieber, who had three hits in the game.

On the day the Knights had four home runs, including two by Odum who has six on the season. The Knights have hit a total of 20 home runs in their 22 games.

The Knights improve to 10 – 12 on the season and 4 – 0 in Region IX Division II play. The Lady Storm drop to 7 – 13 on the season and 0 – 2 in Region IX play.

The Knights continue their road trip on Sunday when they travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa to face Iowa Western Community College. Game times are at noon and 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Huskers Clinch Series Against FGCU with 8-2 Win

Posted on March 14, 2015

Lincoln – With over 6,000 fans in the seats at Hawks Field for the second straight day, the Nebraska baseball team (11-6, 0-0 Big Ten) clinched a series win over the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles (8-11-1, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) with an 8-2 victory on Saturday afternoon. The Huskers will go for the sweep tomorrow at 12:05 p.m.

With a series attendance of 12,285 through two games, the mark already ranks fourth among non-conference series crowds at Hawks Field. NU’s series with Alabama in 2006 ranks first with a three-day attendance of 14,885. The Huskers need 2,601 fans tomorrow to break the mark.

Senior Kyle Kubat went 7.0 innings in the win and improved to 3-0 on the year. It was Kubat’s third start this season of at least 7.0 innings this season, and the lefty was efficient in his work as he needed only 10 pitches in an inning four times during the game to retire the Eagles.

Offensively, sophomore Ben Miller led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, while Tanner Lubach was 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Ryan Boldt also notched a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3, after recording three hits in the series opener.

For the fifth straight game the Huskers scored in the first inning, taking a 3-0 lead on Lubach’s three-run home run, his second of the season. Jake Schleppenbach started the frame with an infield single and after a sacrifice bunt by Luis Alvarado, Boldt worked a four-pitch walk. Lubach then put the Huskers on the board when he launched a 2-2 offering from FGCU starter Devin Smeltzer off the left-field foul pole.

With Kubat in control on the mound, NU’s offense pushed across another run in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Boldt led off the inning with a single, but Smeltzer cleared the bases with a 6-4-3 double play. Blake Headley and Miller started a two-out rally with a pair of singles, and then Headley scored when Smeltzer uncorked a wild pitch with Scott Schreiber at the plate. It proved even more costly three pitches later when Schreiber popped out to end the inning.

The Huskers plated three more runs in the fifth on three hits, increasing NU’s lead to 7-0 for Kubat. Miller notched his third hit of the game with an RBI single and Schreiber also recorded an RBI with a sacrifice fly.

After being shutout for the first five innings, the Eagles got on the board in the top of the sixth. FGCU loaded the bases with no out on three straight singles and were poised for a big innings, but Kubat was able to limit the damage to just two runs. NU’s offense got one of the runs back in the bottom of the frame when Boldt delivered a two-out RBI single that scored Wes Edrington from second base, who led off the inning with a single.

Kubat tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning, while Jeff Chesnut pitched a perfect eighth inning and freshman Nate Fisher finished off the game with a shutout ninth inning of relief.

A reminder that tomorrow’s finale has been rescheduled to 12:05 p.m., it was originally set to start at 1:05 p.m.

Nebraska CB Charles Jackson Out for Spring with Knee Injury

Posted on March 14, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska defensive back Charles Jackson will undergo minor arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will miss the rest of spring practice.

Coach Mike Riley also announced Saturday that cornerback Daniel Davie probably would miss a week of practice with an ankle injury.

Jackson and Davie were injured on consecutive plays during coverage drills on Wednesday. Riley said Jackson will be ready for summer conditioning.

Jackson was in line for work as a nickelback last fall but missed the entire season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Davie is a returning starter.

Huskers Complete First Full Week of Spring Drills

Posted on March 14, 2015

Nebraska completed its fifth practice of the spring on Saturday with a two-hour workout under sunny skies and spring-like temperatures in Lincoln. The Huskers worked in full pads on Saturday, and for the first time this spring the entire roster practiced simultaneously.

Nebraska had practiced in two groups for the first four workouts of the spring, but worked as one unit on Saturday, beginning the practice with special teams work. Head Coach Mike Riley said the Huskers will follow a similar practice schedule on Monday when Nebraska returns to the practice field, and evaluate the practice format for the remainder of the spring.

With the completion of Saturday’s practice, the Huskers are a third of the way through spring practice. Riley said the learning curve in the first year of a job is different than being entrenched at Oregon State for a dozen years, but he applauded the work of this team.

“After the first third of spring practice, it hits you right between the eyes what being at a place for a long time means,” Riley said. “We could roll the balls out on the first day and here it was kind of starting from scratch. But the work and attention to detail of these guys is very good, and I think we have some outstanding character leadership on this team.”

Riley also complimented the transition being made by four true freshmen defenders who joined the Husker program at semester. Avery Anderson, Eric Lee and Aaron Williams are working in the secondary, while Dedrick Young has impressed at linebacker.

“Those are mature young men,” Riley said. “The biggest compliment I can give them is that at students in college and as football players they kind of blend in.”

Riley updated the injury status of defensive backs Daniel Davie and Charles Jackson. Davie (ankle) is expected to return to practice later in spring ball, while Jackson (knee) will undergo minor surgery, but should be at full strength for summer conditioning and the season.

Nebraska returns to the practice field on Monday for the first of three practices next week. The Huskers will also work out on Wednesday and Friday before departing for Spring Break.

AP Source: Chiefs give Ron Parker 5-Year, $30M Deal

Posted on March 14, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back versatile defensive back Ron Parker on a five-year, $30 million contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Chiefs have not announced the deal.

Parker’s hometown newspaper, The Beaufort Gazette of South Carolina, was first to report Saturday that the free agent was returning to Kansa City.

Justin Turner, who represents Parker, fielded no shortage of offers for the fourth-year pro after a breakout year with the Chiefs. Parker split time at cornerback and safety, starting 15 of the 16 games he played last season. He finished with 94 tackles and an interception.