May 2015 – Page 27 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Solar Energy Project Opts for Federal Certification

Posted on May 18, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The developer of a solar energy project planned for land just west of Lincoln has decided to seek federal certification instead of state approval.

Coronal Developmental Services officials hope to speed up the 5-megawatt project by getting self-certification through the Federal Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act. Coronal attorney Nelson Teague says the group has completed the self-certification process with many projects and is familiar with it.

Executive director Tim Texel of the Nebraska Power Review Board says it’s common for renewable generation facilities with 80-megawatt capacity or less to seek self-certification.

Lincoln Electric System has a 20-year contract to buy power from the project.

Man Who Wants to Open Strip Club Near Grand Island Sues Foes, County Board

Posted on May 18, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man who wants to open a strip club near Grand Island in south-central Nebraska has sued opponents to his plan and the Hall County Board of Supervisors.

Attorneys for Shane Harrington, of Lincoln, filed the lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Lincoln. He’s seeking $110 million from the board, several named individuals and everyone who signed petitions against his proposal.

Hall County Attorney Jack Zitterkopf had no immediate response Sunday, saying he hadn’t seen the lawsuit.

Harrington’s lawsuit includes allegations of defamation, interference with business relationships, antitrust violations and constitutional violations regarding free speech, equal protection and due process.

Harrington also wants a judgment against restrictions for sexual-oriented businesses in the Hall County zoning resolutions.

Farm Finances Weaker at Start of 2015

Posted on May 18, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Many farmers in the region are starting off the year in weaker financial shape than a year ago.

The Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, Missouri, says farm income declined again in the first quarter because crop prices are relatively low while expenses are up.

Corn prices were about 27 percent lower than a year ago at the end of April, and wheat prices were about 30 percent lower than last year.

The low grain prices help improve profits for livestock producers, but when corn is selling for less than $4 a bushel it’s hard for farmers to break even.

The 10th Federal Reserve District in Kansas City covers Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.

Motorcyclist Killed in Grand Island Collision

Posted on May 18, 2015

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A motorcyclist has been killed after an accident in Grand Island.

Police say the motorcycle was traveling south on Webb Road on Sunday afternoon when an SUV turning into the parking lot of Skate Island park collided with it. The Grand Island Fire Department said it used the Jaws of Life to remove the motorcyclist from the wreckage.

The motorcyclist’s name has not been released.

Robert Lee Lynch

Posted on May 18, 2015May 20, 2015

Robert Lee Lynch of Jacksonville, Florida passed away May 15, 2015 at the age of 77. Bobby was born in Auburn, Nebraska April 5, 1938 to Robert and Irene Lynch and spent his early years living on the Ab Armstrong family farm east of there. The family moved to North Platte after World War II where Bobby grew up and graduated from NPHS in 1957.
Bobby lettered in football, basketball, and track in Junior High and High School. Upon graduation, he was offered a college football opportunity in Arizona but he turned it down to join the Navy. He continued playing football in semi-pro leagues while he attended submarine training and served from 1957-1960.
Bobby returned to North Platte on military leave and married his high school sweetheart Marilyn J. Faimon June 18, 1960. They started their lives in Key West, Florida where he served as a Torpedoman on the diesel submarine U.S.S. Picuda (382). After Navy service, Bobby and Marilyn lived in Omaha and Denver before settling in North Platte in 1966 where they raised their three children.
Bobby worked as a licensed electrician for the UPRR for 24 years retiring in 1990. He also owned and operated a small business in North Platte for over 15 years – Lynch’s Electrical Services – “Your Shorts are Our Business”. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends camping at Lake Maloney and hunting and fishing in the sandhills and canyons around the Lincoln County, Nebraska area. In January 1980, as he tried to assist a fellow UPPR employee with a flat tire, Bobby was crushed by a maintenance truck. He survived severe injuries any lesser man would not have.
Another memory the family frequently shared was about a canoe trip Bobby took with his sons Mike and Tony during the fall of 1976 on the Dismal River. Early snowfall and fences impeded progress. He carried the canoe while the boys carried the backpacks cross country to a county road near Seneca. Bobby set up the tent and built a fire while the boys marked out SOS with cowpies and foot-stomping in the snow. The next day the camp was spotted by a Sheriff’s plane sent to find them. A small article later appeared in a local paper about a sighting of Big Foot in the area and the family often wondered if it was actually Bobby.
After his retirement from the UPRR, Bobby and Marilyn moved to Jacksonville, Florida to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He continued to work as a construction electrician until his full retirement in 2001. During retirement, Bobby enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, tending his fish and feeding the animals around his koi pond, traveling back to see family and friends in Nebraska, and enjoying life with his soulmate Marilyn. He also took pride in continuing the century long ownership and operation of the Armstrong farm where he spent his youth. Family and friends remember Bobby as a gentle giant who always put the needs of others first and would give the shirt off his back to those less fortunate. He especially enjoyed making and sharing his spaghetti dinner with cabbage salad with visitors to his home.
He is survived by wife Marilyn of Jacksonville, daughter Robin Lynch and son-in-law Paul Ebhardt of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son Michael Lynch and daughter-in-law Sally Thomas Lynch of Woodstock, Georgia, son Tony Lynch and daughter-in-law Tricia Lynch of Jacksonville, and brother Larry Lynch of Hermitage, Missouri. Special memories were made with his five granddaughters who he took great pride in: Kelly Ebhardt (Robin), Lauren and Caroline Lynch (Mike), and Taylor and Samantha Lynch (Tony). In addition, he is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous close friends.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project. Graveside services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Pastor George Cheek officiating. Visitation will be noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

South Platte Ebbing After Minor Flooding in Western Nebraska

Posted on May 18, 2015

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A flood warning remains in effect but the South Platte River has crested and is headed back down below flood stage in western Nebraska.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Taylor said Monday that the overflow caused only minor flooding in North Platte on some secondary streets and at Iron Eagle golf course. On Sunday the river crested around 4 inches over flood stage of 13 feet, and Taylor said it likely would be back under flood stage by late Monday or sometime overnight.

To the east, the Platte River was approaching flood stage of 6 feet on Monday morning in Kearney and is expected to crest about 4 inches above flood stage by late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Nebraska Adds Arkansas State to 2017 Schedule

Posted on May 18, 2015

Photo Courtesy Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations

The Husker football team will open its 2017 season against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium. The Nebraska Athletics Department announced the latest addition to the Huskers’ future non-conference schedule on Monday.

The Red Wolves will visit Lincoln on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, kicking off the 2017 campaign. The game will mark the third all-time meeting between the schools, with Arkansas State also playing at Memorial Stadium in 2009 and 2012. Nebraska defeated the Red Wolves 38-9 in 2009, and won 42-13 in the 2012 matchup.

Arkansas State has played in a bowl game five times since making the move to the FBS ranks. The Red Wolves have played in the postseason each of the past four years and have won three Sun Belt Conference titles in the past four seasons. In addition to its 2017 trip to Lincoln, Arkansas State has upcoming non-conference games against USC, Missouri, Auburn and Miami among others.

The addition of Arkansas State completes Nebraska’s 2017 schedule. The Huskers’ non-conference schedule also includes a Sept. 9 game at Oregon and a matchup with Northern Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017. The Huskers will also play nine Big Ten Conference games in 2017, including home contests against Rutgers, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Northwestern and Iowa.

The agreement with Arkansas State completes Nebraska’s schedules through the 2019 season. The Huskers will play four non-conference games and eight Big Ten games in 2015, before the conference shifts to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016.

NPCC Athletics Has Solid 2014–15 Seasons

Posted on May 18, 2015May 18, 2015

The North Platte Community College athletic teams enjoyed a solid 2014 – 2015 year filled with close calls, excitement, competitiveness and emotion.

Kevin O’Connor, men’s basketball coach and athletic director at NPCC, said, “We had a solid year with all the sports. The volleyball team were runner-ups in the region and the softball team winning the region.”

Volleyball

The Lady Knights volleyball season started out with the NPCC Subway Classic and ended in the finals of the Region IX Division II tournament losing to Central Community College, who finished second in the final regular season National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll.

The Lady Knights finished with a 20 – 18 record and produced three All-Region IX players: Erika Goodwin, Joli Hopping and Samantha Kennedy. Kennedy and Hopping were both selected for the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference team and along with Samantha Byrn, were selected to the All-Region IX tournament team.

Many former players came back to the college on Dec. 9^th to celebrate and recognize Sally Thalken’s retirement from coaching. Thalken coached the Lady Knights for 34 seasons. She was replaced by Alexa Hopping in December.

Hopping has been busy on the recruiting trail, so far signing seven players for the 2015 – 16 squad. Hopping said, “We have four returning sophomores. Each of them played at some point in the year with quality roles. The incoming freshmen are competitors. They were major players for their programs, and I can’t wait to get them in the gym.

Women’s Basketball

The Lady Knights basketball team finished the season with a 14 – 14 record. Five of the 14 losses were four points or less.

Three Lady Knight’s players: sophomores April Stull from Sweeney, Texas, Aliyah Brown from Omaha, as well as freshman Sarah Mahr from Sidney received All-NCCAC honors. Brown and Stull were also named to the All-Region IX Division II team. Mahr was selected for the All-Tournament team.

Lady Knights head coach Richard Thurin said “The season didn’t end like we wanted. We lost several close games. The ladies competed very hard all year.”

The Lady Knights set a new team record this past season for points allowed. They allowed an average of 58.8 points per game

Thurin said about recruiting, “I like the recruits that we have signed and am looking forward to signing other players that will make a difference.”

The Lady Knights have signed four new players for the 2015 – 2016 season.

Men’s Basketball

The Knights basketball team looked to continue their winning ways. They finished the season with a record of 24 – 9 and advanced to the semi-finals of the Region IX tournament, falling to the host team, Northwest Wyoming.

Sophomore Cameron Williams led the Knights in scoring on the season with 20.9 points per game. Williams will move on to play at Eastern Kentucky University, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program. Williams, along with Marco Pascolo, a sophomore from Udine, Italy, were selected to the All-NCCAC team. Williams and freshman Matt Thomas also were also selected to the All- Region team and All-Tournament team.

Besides Williams, four other Knights are moving on to play at the next level. Pascolo is taking his talents to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, an NCAA Division two school, Riley Rice and C.J. Polk are going to play at University of Minnesota at Crookston, also a Division II School.

O’Connor said, “We had a solid year with a few disappointing losses and did not make our ultimate goal, a trip to the national tournament. We did win the conference for the ninth time in the past 10 years and made it to the Region IX semifinals for the third consecutive year.

Softball

The Knights softball team started out the season slow, but improved throughout the season. It ended with a record of 19 – 29, but went 7 – 1 against Region IX Division II opponents.

Knights head coach Janelle Higgins said “Softball had a solid season in Region IX. We won the Region and advanced to the District Tournament. We have a great group of freshmen returning but will miss our leaders that moved on to four year programs.”

The Knights moving on are Shannon Lieber, who is going to play at Colorado State University at Pueblo, Brittney Odum, who will be going to William Penn University. Mehana Chang will be walking on at Western Oregon University and Sara Runia will walk on at Northern Colorado. The other sophomore on the squad, Christina Rodie, will also be attending the University of Northern Colorado but not playing.

Odum, Runia, Lieber, Baileigh Oleson and Sara Villalobos were selected for the All-Region Division II team. Runia, Lieber, Oleson, Villalobos and Jessica Jarvis were selected to the all-tournament team. Lieber, Villalobos, Chang and Jarvis were selected for the All-NCCAC team. Villalobos was selected as Region IX freshman of the year and head coach Janelle Higgins was named Division II coach of the year.

The Knights ended their season at the District G playoff against sixth rated Kirkwood Community College.

Higgins said, “We are back in full swing of recruiting as of this last weekend and will be in Colorado, Iowa and Nevada over the next three months to find a few 2015 athletes, but filling out 2016 and 2017 as well. Assistant Coach Soliel Atenza will be working the California tournaments this summer as well.”

Academics

Academically, the Knights athletic teams for this past semester had 24 of 51 athletes make the Mid-Plains Community College President’s or Dean’s List. Knight’s basketball player Marco Pascolo was named the Scholar Athlete of the year for the college, majoring in engineering with a 3.95 GPA.

O’Connor said that the school can be proud of how the student athletes have conducted themselves in the classroom and believes that NPCC will lead Region IX in number of academic All-Region players that were placed on the list.

With the new look of the gymnasium and added players, the 2015 – 16 NPCC athletics should continue to be solid and competitive in Region IX.

Waco on Guard After Biker Gang Shootout Leaves 9 Dead

Posted on May 18, 2015

WACO, Texas (AP) — Authorities are on guard in Waco after a shootout among rival motorcycle gangs at a restaurant left nine bikers dead and raised the specter of further violence.

Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton says authorities increased security to quell other possible attempts at criminal activity following the melee Sunday at Twin Peaks restaurant that also left 18 bikers wounded.

The violence erupted as members of at least five rival gangs gathered for a meeting.

Police say a dispute broke out, escalated to include knives and firearms and eventually spilled into the restaurant parking lot.

Parts of downtown were on lockdown Sunday night, and officials could be seen stopping and questioning motorcycle riders.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara says the nine dead were members of the Bandidos or Cossacks gangs.

Thomas Gannon

Posted on May 18, 2015

Thomas Gannon, 68, of Omaha, formerly of North Platte, died May 16, 2015. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Immaculate Conception Church in Ulysses. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation with family will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Chermok Funeral Home, David City. Rosary will follow at 7 p.m. at Chermok Funeral Home, David City. Memorials are suggested to the Ulysses V.F.D., Ulysses Library or to the family for later designation. Chermok Funeral Home, David City, is in charge of arrangements.