June 2015 – Page 21 – North Platte Post Archive

NP Man Accused of Threatening to Kill Girlfriend, Children

Posted on June 18, 2015

A North Platte man is facing several charges after he allegedly threatened to kill his girlfriend and her children.

Just before midnight on June 16, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to Tabor Ranch Apartments, 1102 South Tabor, after a 23-year-old female reported that her boyfriend, 29-year-old Zachariah Graham, had threatened to kill her.

According to police, the victim stated that she returned home from work and found that Graham was drunk.

She said Graham was acting threatening toward the children, ages 2, 3 and 5, who had been home with him during the day.

Graham then allegedly attempted to strike the female, but missed and began throwing items.

He then reportedly threatened to kill the female, himself and the children, before storming out of the house.

Police say Graham returned a short time later, then left again and kicked the neighbor’s car, causing around $250 in damage.

Officers found Graham attempting to leave, but he was detained and placed under arrest.

Graham was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed on charges of felony 3rd-degree domestic assault (prior convictions), three counts of child abuse and two counts of criminal mischief.

Earthquake Nudges Valentine Area

Posted on June 18, 2015

VALENTINE, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a light earthquake has rattled a portion of north-central Nebraska.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake occurred around 4:10 a.m. Thursday. Its epicenter was about 3 miles below ground at a spot about 7 miles south-southeast of Valentine. The agency says the tremor registered 3.3 on the Richter scale.

Eric Thacker is a dispatcher with the Cherry County Sheriff’s Office, and he says the office so far hasn’t received any reports of damage or injuries. But, he says, he and others in his office felt it

New Private School in Omaha Offers Free Tuition

Posted on June 18, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new private school in Omaha that won’t charge families a dime for their children’s education is wrapping up renovation work in preparation for its August opening.

The Lozier Foundation announced plans a year ago to convert a former church and school into a private school with free tuition.

Nelson Mandela Elementary will begin with kindergarten and first grade students. It will add a grade each year until it reaches fifth grade.

A foundation official says around 93 percent of students admitted into the school come from families that qualify for free or reduced-price meals. About 85 percent came from single-parent homes.

Ricketts Names Nebraska Dept. of Natural Resources Director

Posted on June 18, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts has chosen a former Wyoming state engineer and program director at an engineering firm to lead the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

Ricketts announced Thursday that he is naming Jeff Fassett to the position.

Fassett is the director of the Water Rights Strategic Program for HDR Engineering, Inc. He also has maintained a water rights and resources engineering practice in Wyoming and Colorado.

Fassett served as state engineer and chief water resource official in Wyoming from 1987 to 2000. He was the deputy state engineer from 1984 to 1987. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming.

The new director starts Aug. 3 at a salary of $145,000 a year.

Nebraskan Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Homicide

Posted on June 18, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A July sentencing has been scheduled for a 27-year-old Hickman man who’s pleaded guilty to allegations that he was driving drunk when his car hit and killed a bicyclist south of Lincoln.

Everett Hoesing faces up to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced on July 16. Court records say he pleaded guilty and was convicted on Wednesday in Lancaster County District Court.

Authorities say Hoesing’s car struck 57-year-old Douglas Dalke, of Lincoln, on Sept. 22. Authorities say Hoesing’s blood tested out at more than twice the legal limit to drive.

Missouri Man Sentenced for Hate Crime in 2013 Omaha Assault

Posted on June 18, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Missouri man convicted of a hate crime in connection to the October 2013 assault of a Marine in downtown Omaha has been sentenced.

36-year-old Gregory S. Duncan of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced Wednesday to 12 to 18 months in prison.

In February, Duncan was convicted of third-degree assault for punching Ryan Langenegger in the face after Duncan and his friends used derogatory names regarding Langenegger ‘s friend’s sexual orientation.

James Martin Davis, Duncan’s attorney, has said Duncan’s friends were responsible for the derogatory slurs.

Eastern Nebraska Teen Dies in Rollover Crash Off County Road

Posted on June 18, 2015

KENNARD, Neb. (AP) — A teenage girl has been killed in a rollover crash off a county road in eastern Nebraska.

The crash was reported about 4 p.m. Wednesday and occurred southeast of Kennard in Washington County.

Sheriff’s Capt. Kevin Willis says 16-year-old Meagan Swets apparently lost control of her pickup, and it rolled as it ran off the road into a farm field. Willis says the girl was ejected and died at the scene. She had lived in Blair.

The crash is being investigated.

Lance C. Wallin Service Times

Posted on June 18, 2015

Lance C. Wallin, age 72 formerly of North Platte, passed away June 16, 2015 in Haines City, FL. Memorial services will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday July 7, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with inurnment following at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.

Lynn Alvin Willard

Posted on June 18, 2015June 22, 2015

Lynn Alvin Willard, 91, of North Platte, formerly of Stapleton, NE, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Lynn was born April 19, 1924, to Harry John and Edna Louise Harnegal Willard at Madrid, NE. He grew up in the Chappell, NE area before the family moved to Hershey, NE where Lynn graduated from O’Fallon’s High School in 1942. Lynn farmed with his father before going to work for the Jim Armstrong Implement Dealership in Sutherland, NE.

On February 3, 1946, Lynn married Dorothy Marie Collins at the Methodist Church in North Platte. They rented a farm and worked the land from 1948 to 1954 then moved to Marino, CO to continue farming. They farmed in various areas in Colorado before returning to Hershey in 1966. Lynn and Dorothy moved in 1970 to the Garfield Table Road near Stapleton where they had lived for nearly 45 years until the fall of 2014 when they moved into North Platte.

Lynn was a member of the First Christian Church in North Platte, Platte Valley Antique Tractor Club, Good Time Dancers and the Nebraska Camp and Dancers.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Dorothy, of North Platte; daughters, Deb Merritt, of Omaha, NE, and Cheryl (Roger) Beem, of North Platte; four sons, Larry (Carmen) Willard, of Stapleton and Tim (Karen) Willard, Randy (Lisa) Willard and Douglas (Sharla) Willard, all of North Platte; 11 grandchildren, Tony Merritt, Mikel (Debra) Merritt, Brad Willard, Courtney Willard, Eric (Brodi) Willard, Nathan (Kristina) Willard, Sally (John Mark) Bell, Joshua (Sandy) Willard, Justin (Ashleigh) Willard, Amber Willard and Alex Willard.

Survivors also include 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lila Rapp, of Kansas City, KS, and Eunice Brown, of North Platte; brother-in-law, Lewis Collins, and sisters-in-law, Ruth Wilhelmson, Irene (Bob) Miller, all of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Lynn was preceded in death by an infant son, Tommy; his parents, Harry and Edna; father and mother-in-law, Milton and Edna Collins; brothers-in-law, George Wilhelmson and Clarence Brown; sister-in-law, Charlene Collins; and a grandson, Brian Willard.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Timothy Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday with family greeting friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church or North Platte Animal Shelter. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Storm Cut Down Tryout Camp To Four Teams

Posted on June 18, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm have narrowed its player pool to just 66 players after the first three days of 2015 Tryout Camp. The remaining skaters have been divided into four teams, each named after a former Storm standout in Jaden Schwartz, Scott Parse, Kenny Brooks and Adam Wilcox.

Headlining Team Schwartz is returning forward Jake Wahlin, along with first round draft pick Alex Limoges and affiliate forward Austen Long.

Leading Team Parse will be returners Dan Labosky and Jason Krych, in addition to Walker Duehr who came over in a trade with Sioux City during last month’s USHL Draft.

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