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Gun that Prompted Warning at UNL Turned Out to Be BB Gun

university-of-nebraska-poliLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — What looked like a powerful handgun that prompted a campus warning at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln turned out to be a BB gun.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln police tweeted a warning just after 6 p.m. Sunday about a possible gun sighted near Cather Hall. The campus police followed up 20 minutes later with a tweet that said the situation had been resolved.

Sgt. Jeff Hohlen (HOH’-lehn) said Monday the gun turned out to be a BB-firing replica of a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol that for years was standard U.S. military issue.

Hohlen says officers following up on the sighting found the replica gun in a bag inside a student’s dorm room. He says the student wasn’t cited but also says the student’s actions would be reviewed by university officials.

Nebraska Corrections Department Looking to Fill Administrative Jobs

ne-department-of-correctionsLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services is looking to fill key administrative jobs.

The department announced a national search Sunday to replace deputy directors Larry Wayne and Frank Hopkins, who retired, and behavioral health administrator Dr. Cameron White, who is taking another state job.

Wayne and White were both summoned to testify last year before a legislative committee investigating the state’s handling of inmate Nikko Jenkins, who killed four people in Omaha after he was released. The committee later issued a report recommending that Wayne be fired.

A corrections department spokesman says White has accepted a job at the Department of Health and Human Services. White has worked in the corrections department for last 18 years.

Corrections director Scott Frakes says he plans to have the positions filled by August.

Lincoln Police: Man Stole TV, Bacon from Home, Passed Out on Lawn

lincoln-policeLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary after police say he left a friend’s home after drinking and passed out on a stranger’s lawn in Lincoln.

A 29-year-old man was cited on suspicion of burglary and suspicion of possession of marijuana. Police say he was found Saturday morning passed out next to a 42-inch TV with a package of bacon hanging out of his pocket.

According to police, the suspect broke into a house and took the TV and bacon. Capt. Bob Farber said the suspect told an officer than he got the bacon from a grocery store, but wasn’t sure where the TV came from.

Farber said the suspect had been drinking at a friend’s house and was on his way home.

Joyce D. Stack


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Joyce D. Stack, 81 of North Platte, passed away June 13, 2015 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg. She was born September 8, 1933 in Lexington, NE to Charles T. and Myrtle K. (Feddersen) Wood. Joyce attended Oconto Public Schools and on September 17, 1950 married Darrell L. Stack. The couple made their home on a ranch at Oconto and moved to North Platte in 1972. Joyce attended Josephs College of Beauty, graduating in 1977 and worked at Regis Beauty Salon for 16 years. She was an excellent gardener who had a green thumb, she enjoyed quilting, painting, and working with Darrell making many lawn ornaments, many of them Husker themed. Joyce was an excellent cook, with her specialty being meatloaf! She was always there to lend a helping hand to her husband, children, and grandkids. Joyce and Darrell were married 64 years, where they were never apart. Working together, they were true soul mates.
Survivors include her husband Darrell of North Platte; daughters, Rochelle (Larry) Fletcher and Patricia Porter all of North Platte; grandchildren, Travis Fletcher of North Platte, Teresa Evans of Dakota Dunes, SD, and Michael Porter of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Lainee Evans, Logan Evans, Rowan Fletcher, and Makena Porter; siblings, Gary (Marty) Wood of Chappell, NE, Donna Stack of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Clarice (Fritz) Kleinknecht of Callaway, NE, and Rodney (Sandy) Wood of Lexington, NE; and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Wood of Callaway.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Lester Wood, Norma Burkey, Kenneth Wood, Audrey Lammert, Alan Wood, Charles Wood, and an infant brother, Calvin; and an infant grandson.
Memorials may be made in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson .com.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Reverend Robin Storer officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Clinton William Kalblinger


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Clinton William Kalblinger, age 93 of Valentine, passed away June 14, 2015 at North Platte Care Center.
Clinton was born on March 14, 1922 in Valentine, NE to William “Bill” Melvin and Dora (Petersen) Kalblinger. He grew up in the area and graduated from Mission High School, in Mission, SD. He worked on his father’s farm-ranch until his marriage to Hope Delores Engles in 1945. To their union three children were born, William Lawrence, Jeanne Delores and Mark Steven. Clinton appreciated the land and received many awards for soil conservation. When he lost his health, he was cared for at home by his wife Hope until his recent move to North Platte Care Center.
Clinton is survived by his wife Hope; children William (Ruth) Kalblinger of North Platte and Mark (Terry) Kalblinger of Valentine, NE; grandchildren Keesha (Addison) Tolentino, John Kalblinger, Abbey (Nathan) Mulder, Michael (Muriah) Kalblinger and Eric Kalblinger; 4 great grandchildren; and sister Wilma Hooper.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Jeanne Delores (Kalblinger) Blaesi; and brother Stanley Kalblinger.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. (CT) Wednesday June 17, 2015 at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine, NE with Reverend Corey Jenkins officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday June 16, 2015 with family receiving friends from 6:00 until 8:00 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte.

Helen Jean Raetz


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Helen Jean Raetz, 87, of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, June 15, 2015, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Helen was born February 9, 1928, to Nels and Stella Malvina Kummer Nelson at Columbus, NE where she grew up. Helen graduated from Columbus High School in 1945 then attended Doane College. She graduated from college in 1949 with a BA in Music and Education then taught school in McCook, NE and North Platte.

On June 3, 1951, Helen was united in marriage to Albert Henry Raetz at Columbus. They moved to California so Albert could attend optometry school in Los Angeles and Helen continued her teaching career in Santa Monica. In 1953 they settled in North Platte where Albert started his optometry practice and Helen operated the Raggedy Ann and Andy Preschool until 1987 when they retired to the country. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Albert passed away in 2013.

Helen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was active in various activities which included the Mission Sewing Group, P.E.O. Chapter AK, Monday Musical, Friday Antique Club and the Heartland Quilt Group. She also enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of the Flat Rock Duplicate Bridge Club and earned her Life Master Duplicate Bridge Certificate.

She is survived by her sons, Albert “Bradley” Raetz (life partner, Katherine Casey), of West Palm Beach, FL, and Stanley (Wendi) Raetz, of Lincoln, NE; two grandchildren, Sam and Rex Raetz, of Lincoln; sister-in-law, June Nelson, of Columbus; and other family.

Along with her husband, Albert, Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Stella Nelson; brother, Dale Nelson; and two sisters, Pamela Long and Donna Smith.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside Service will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2015, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Polly Deppen-Williams officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church.

George Wayne Nason


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George Wayne Nason, age 80, passed away on Saturday, June 13th, 2015 from cancer. George was born January 18th, 1935 on the Nason homestead in Sheridan County, 10 miles northeast of Alliance, Nebraska to Ralph Hilton Nason and Emma Amelia (Kline) Nason. George graduated from Alliance High School in 1953. He was united in marriage to Mary Jo Andrews in Alliance on February 23rd, 1955. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends at the North Platte Senior Center. In 1957, George began his pursuit of his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. He graduated from Utah State University in 1961. George then became employed through the Nebraska Game and Parks, working in Bassett, Alliance and finally the North Platte office as the District Game Supervisor. He retired from the Game and Parks Commission in 1998. George was also well known in the North Platte community for his bird Taxidermy business that he enjoyed for many years.
George enjoyed all phases of his life. He loved his work at Game and Parks as well as his active retirement. George began golfing and developed many friendships with whom he met regularly on the golf course. He began playing guitar at a young age and would play and sing with his family frequently. In recent years, George enjoyed playing and singing with Nels Clang and others at the Senior Center. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his life. He loved to accompany his children and grandchildren on hunting, fishing and camping trips. In addition to his golf, music and hunting, George enjoyed collecting bugs, watching the weather and spending time on his pastureland near Alliance. Whenever something broke down, George insisted on fixing it himself. He was very creative in designing and building many projects. One major accomplishment for George began in 1977 when, with the design help of his wife, Mary he built their current home. He has enjoyed caring for italong with the surrounding three acres of vegetable garden, lawn, trees and flowers. George was a true friend and loving father, husband and brother.
George was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Keith Nason. He leaves his brother, Benjamin Nason, two sisters Beth (Bob) Emerick and Ruth (Maynard) Edgar, and his wife Mary. He also leaves his children, Jody Marshall of Winston Salem, NC, Lori (Mike) Brunswig of Fort Collins, CO, Tom Nason of Grand Junction, CO, and Mindy (Jim) Bates of Platte Center, NE; eight grandchildren, Tina, Carly, Aaron, Melody, Tyler, Lehl, Abigail and Allison; and four great grandchildren (affectionately called “wee tads”).
Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the North Platte Senior Center and may be mailed to Mary at 4401 Heritage Drive, North Platte, NE 69101. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lana G. Pryke


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Lana G. Pryke, 62, of North Platte, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and friends, after a lengthy illness, June 13, 2015 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. She was born October 13, 1952 in Alton, IL, to Harold and Jessedell (Miller) Daech. She attended the Alton, IL school system and graduated from high school in Decatur, IL. Lana was an enthusiastic Girl Scout and Cub Pack leader and Sunday school teacher. She worked as a pharmacy tech for Osco. She also worked for the Nebraska Power Company. She loved all animals. She is survived by her longtime companion, Mel Luft, and his daughters, Heidi Evans and Carmel Lowry; her son, Sheldon Bruce (Kelley) Pryke; grandson, Sloan Gene Pryke; a sister, Terrah (Mike) Velloff; a brother, Mike (Marsha) Daech; other grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentememorial.com. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be 3:00 p.m. today, Monday, June 15, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Fr. Mark Seiker officiating. Carpenter memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Weather-June 15


Forecast Graphic June 15 2015
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South southeast wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Man Accused of Stealing Donation Jar for NP Girl with Terminal Cancer

Robert Charles Bergen
Robert Charles Bergen

A North Platte man is facing charges after he allegedly stole a donation jar from a local convenience store.

At around 4:45 a.m., on June 10, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to Caseys, 2421 Rodeo Road, on the report of a theft.

Staff at the store alleged that the suspect, later identified through surveillance video as 30-year-old Robert Charles Bergen, entered the store while an employee was busy and stole a donation jar containing around $250.00.

Police say the jar was being used to collect money for 3-year-old Olivia Swedberg, who was diagnosed with intrinsic pontine glioma, a terminal brain cancer, in May.

Officers searched thoroughly but were unable to locate Bergen.

Later in the day, an off-duty officer observed Bergen walking on foot near 4th Street and Buffalo Bill Avenue.

He reported it to dispatchers, and officers were able to locate Bergen as he was crossing the Buffalo Bill viaduct.

Bergen was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

He’s been charged with theft.  Bergen also had two active Lincoln County warrants for failure to appear.

Police did not say if the money was recovered.

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