March 2015 – Page 46 – North Platte Post Archive

Omaha State Senator Briefly Hospitalized After Collapsing

Posted on March 12, 2015March 12, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A state senator from Omaha was briefly hospitalized after collapsing at the Nebraska Capitol.

Sen. Sara Howard was taken to a Lincoln hospital after losing consciousness from an apparent seizure in her office around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Howard was examined and released.

Her mother, former state Sen. Gwen Howard, says a CT scan showed no problems, but her daughter will undergo additional tests on Friday. Gwen Howard says her daughter has never had a seizure before.

The 33-year-old Howard was elected to the Legislature in 2012. She succeeded her mother, who left office due to term limits.

Omaha Man Gets Probation in Federal Contracting Fraud Case

Posted on March 12, 2015March 12, 2015

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Nebraska businessman to two years of probation for fraudulently landing $25 million in federal contracts intended for companies owned by disabled veterans.

Ram Hingorani, of Omaha, must forfeit $3.3 million seized from business and personal bank accounts but he’ll pay no additional restitution.

Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose to impose a two-year prison sentence.

Hingorani’s companies won 45 contracts to perform construction work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Des Moines and Omaha and at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. They were awarded bids for government projects under a program to encourage contracts for veterans injured during service.

Hingorani is not a veteran. He falsely claimed that an associate who was service-disabled was in charge of a company Hingorani controlled.

No. 23 Georgetown Advances in Big East with 60-55 Win

Posted on March 12, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — D’Vauntes Smith Rivera scored 25 points, including 12 of Georgetown’s final 14 of the game, and the 23rd-ranked Hoyas beat Creighton 60-55 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

The junior guard and first-team all-conference selection took over in the last 5 minutes when the second-seeded Hoyas finally took the lead for good over the upset-minded Bluejays, who finished last in the conference. His final points were two free throws with 3.2 seconds left.

The Hoyas (21-9) will face the winner of the Xavier-Butler game in Friday night’s semifinals. It is their first semifinal appearance since 2010. Georgetown has won the tournament seven times, tying former member Connecticut for the most titles.

James Milliken led 10th-seeded Creighton (14-19) with 17 points.

Former Knight Montalvo, Texas State Upset UT-Arlington 68-62 in Sun Belt Opener

Posted on March 12, 2015March 13, 2015

Ethan Montalvo with the NPCC Knights in 2014

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Emani Gant scored 19 points, Cameron Naylor added 15 and eighth-seeded Texas State opened the Sun Belt Conference tournament Thursday with a 68-62 upset of fifth-seeded Texas-Arlington.

Wesley Davis and Ethan Montalvo added 11 points apiece for the Bobcats (14-16), who earned a matchup with fourth-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Jamel Outler had 15 points and Anthony Walker and Lonnie McClanahan had 12 points and 7 rebounds each for the Mavericks (16-15), who made 12 of 13 free throws in the second half but were just 3 of 16 on 3-pointers.

Texas State, which had never won a Sun Belt tournament game before, led 33-29 at the half and stretched that to 54-42 on a Montalvo jumper at 8:53. Then the Mavericks went on a 12-0 run to tie the game on a Kevin Hervey jumper with 5:28 to play. But after that they went 0-8 from the field and Nayor’s consecutive three-point plays and dunk secured the upset.

Broncos Sign DE Vance Walker to 2-Year Deal

Posted on March 12, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Broncos continued their low-key approach to free agency with the signing of defensive lineman Vance Walker to a two-year, $4 million deal Thursday.

The versatile seventh-year pro is familiar to the Broncos because he’s spent the last two seasons in the AFC West.

Walker, who turns 28 next month, was a 3-4 defensive end for Kansas City last season and a 4-3 defensive tackle in Oakland the year before that.

He spent his first four season with the Falcons, who drafted him out of Georgia Tech, where he was teammates with Broncos star receiver Demaryius Thomas.

Storm Partner With CHS In Harvest For Hunger

Posted on March 12, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – This Saturday, as part of Ag Appreciation Night, the Tri-City Storm are partnering with CHS Agri Service Center to host a food drive, collecting donations for the Harvest for Hunger campaign.

Harvest for Hunger gathers funds, food and grain to help fight hunger locally. Contributions are made directly to local food banks or shelves.

The Storm are offering a special ticket discount to fans who bring a non-perishable food item to Saturday’s game against the Omaha Lancers.

For each item brought to the Viaero Event Center Box Office on Saturday, fans will receive $2 off a regularly priced ticket. This offer can only be claimed in person at the VEC Box Office.

“We’re proud to join forces with CHS Agri Services in a quest to help fulfil the needs that exist in central Nebraska with Harvest for Hunger,” said Storm President Greg Shea. “Our fans have continually supported charitable efforts in this region, and we look forward to seeing lots of food collected at the game.”

Tri-City has 10 games remaining in the 2014-15 season and will play seven in Kearney.

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

‘Firewater’ Remark Draws Ire of American Indian Team’s Fans

Posted on March 12, 2015

Winnebago Indians Logo

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An owner of a sports website apologized Thursday after one of its commentators used the term “firewater” in describing how supporters of an American Indian boys high school basketball team would celebrate its first-round victory at the state tournament.

WahooSportsOnline.com co-owner Bryce Cook said the comment was made by a volunteer who was assisting Cook and Kevin Stuhr as the site streamed the game online. Cook said the volunteer would not work for the site again.

The comment was made near the end of Winnebago High School’s 66-50 win over Wahoo in the Class C1 tournament Thursday.

Lance Morgan, president and CEO of the economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe, said the term “firewater” is upsetting because it refers to the stereotype of American Indians drinking to excess.

Ricketts Signs Bill to Increase Nebraska Marriage Fees

Posted on March 12, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Couples who want to marry in Nebraska will soon pay an extra $10 under a bill signed into law.

Gov. Pete Ricketts approved a bill Thursday that will increase the cost of marriage license fees from $15 to $25. Certified copies will rise in cost from $5 to $9.

The original bill would have raised the cost to $50 before lawmakers compromised at $25.

The Nebraska Association of County Officials says the $15 fee did not cover the costs of filing a marriage license and verifying the information.

The law will go into effect three months after the current legislative session ends.

‘Star Wars Episode VIII’ Snags a May 2017 Release Date

Posted on March 12, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — “Star Wars: Episode VIII” will blast into theaters on May 26, 2017, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced at a shareholder meeting Thursday.

Rian Johnson, known for the innovative time travel film “Looper,” is confirmed to write and direct. “Episode VIII” will take place after the events of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which opens Dec. 18.

Iger also announced that the first in a series of big-screen “Star Wars” stand-alone films is titled “Rogue One.” Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla”) will direct off of a script from Chris Weitz (“About a Boy”).

Felicity Jones, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in “The Theory of Everything,” is set to star in “Rogue One,” which will shoot in London this summer for Dec. 16, 2016, release.

Omaha Police Looking for Those Tearing Up Parks Using ATVs

Posted on March 12, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are looking for vandals who have torn up turf in city parks across Omaha.

The vandals appear to be using all-terrain vehicles to tear up the turf. Officials have found ruts, tire tracks and churned-up mud at city parks, soccer fields and even a remote-controlled airplane field.

Police say damage has been reported at Hawk Field and Standing Bear Lake in northwest Omaha, Zorinsky Lake soccer fields in southwest Omaha and Walnut Grove Park in Millard.

Police ticketed two juveniles in the northwest Omaha vandalism, but have not made any arrests or issued tickets for the vandalism at Zorinsky Lake or Walnut Grove Park.