LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker is turning to the public for ideas on how to grow the state’s rural economy and population.
Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha said Monday that he is seeking the input as part of a legislative study of how to expand rural businesses and communities. The study could lead to new measures introduced in next year’s session.
Harr says the public can send ideas via email to bharr@leg.ne.gov, or by contacting his office at the Capitol.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The family of an Omaha man who drowned while trying to save his children is hosting a fundraiser to try to cover the cost of his funeral.
The benefit is scheduled for Monday evening at an Omaha restaurant. Authorities recovered the body of 31-year-old Elias Salvador early last week.
Family members say Salvador was trying to save his daughters and two other children after they were swept into the Missouri River at NP Dodge Park on the northern edge of Omaha.
Relatives say the children were wading in shallow water when the sand gave way and the children were knocked off their feet. All four children were saved, but relatives say Salvador was unable to hold onto a tree branch that had been extended into the rushing waters.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a car in Scottsbluff.
Scottsbluff police say they responded to the incident shortly after 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The pedestrian was taken to Regional West Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Authorities say the car was driven by 29-year-old Magdeline Pouiere of Scottsbluff. Police were not releasing the pedestrian name until officers could notify relatives.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The federal agency that oversees railroads is asking digital mapping companies to alert users as they approach track crossings.
The Federal Railroad Administration announced Monday that, so far, Google has agreed.
The effort comes as deaths from train-on-vehicle collisions increased in 2014 over 2013 — a rare rise in recent years. This year included major accidents near New York City, Los Angeles and in North Carolina.
It’s not yet clear when the audio and visual cues will begin popping up.
For its part, Google Maps said through spokeswoman Mara Harris that it is sees a chance to make the maps more useful.
Agency spokesman Matthew Lehner said the railroad administration also has asked Apple, TomTom, MapQuest and Garmin to participate.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln school officials are increasing their transportation budget in an effort to attract more bus drivers.
Lincoln Public School officials are putting $113,000 into their proposed budget so the transportation department can guarantee that drivers will work at least six hours a day.
Bill McCoy, the district’s transportation director, hopes the offer will entice more people to apply for the part-time jobs. The district has to shuttle more than 2,700 students to and from school each day.
Lincoln Public Schools is adding bus routes to keep up with a growing number of preschoolers and about 400 high school students who will attend the new Career Academy.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan says he plans to retire after next season.
Ryan made the surprising announcement on Monday. Ryan says he considered retiring after the Badgers lost in the national championship game to Duke, but athletic director Barry Alvarez told him to take some time to think about it.
After mulling his future for a few months, the 67-year-old Ryan says he has decided to coach one more season. He also says he hopes longtime assistant Greg Gard will be chosen to replace him.
Ryan has coached the Badgers for 14 years. He led them to the Final Four in each of the past two seasons.
The North Platte Police Department has released enforcement stats from the two weeks of the Nebraskaland Days celebration.
Officer Rodney Brown said calls for service were down this year compared to last, but says that may be attributed to the increased presence of the Nebraska State Patrol and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Brown said grants made it possible for these agencies to have an increased presence at this year’s celebration.
The following is a breakdown of calls for service comparing this year’s celebration to last year’s:
Calls for Service at WWA
6/17/2015 20:55 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 CITIZEN ASSIST CLR – CLEARED SCENE
6/20/2015 23:25 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/21/2015 0:01 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/26/2015 19:54 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 CITIZEN ASSIST 603 – CLOSED BY OFFICER-NARRATIVE
6/26/2015 20:36 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 450 ARRESTED JUV/CLEARED
6/26/2015 21:21 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/26/2015 21:28 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/26/2015 21:39 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/26/2015 21:55 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 450 ARRESTED JUV/CLEARED
6/26/2015 23:09 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 ASSAULT ON OFFICER- 3RD DEG 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/26/2015 23:52 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET 603 – CLOSED BY OFFICER-NARRATIVE
6/27/2015 19:04 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/27/2015 19:51 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/27/2015 20:07 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/27/2015 22:27 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 ESCORT- ALL OTHER CLR – CLEARED SCENE
6/27/2015 22:52 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 ESCORT- ALL OTHER CLR – CLEARED SCENE
6/27/2015 23:36 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE 400 – ARRESTED ADULT/CLEARED
6/28/2015 0:12 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 MIP 450 ARRESTED JUV/CLEARED
6/28/2015 1:32 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 H&R W/ PEDESTRIAN 750 – OPEN/INVEST SUSPENDED
6/28/2015 1:57 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 FOUND PROPERTY 700- OPEN
6/28/2015 12:37 WILD WEST ARENA, 2800 W CHARLIE EVANS DR NORTH PLATTE NE 69101 FOUND PROPERTY 700- OPEN
A 25-year-old Curtis woman is facing assault charges after she allegedly slapped a North Platte Police Officer.
At around 11:10 p.m., on June 26, officers at the Wild West Arena, 2400 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, were attempting to assist a highly intoxicated female who required medical attention.
According to police, a friend of the subject, Megan Romshek, became belligerent and defiant toward the officers as they tried to help the intoxicated female.
Police say Romshek continued to interfere and an officer attempted to restrain her.
At this point, police say Romshek slapped the officer in the face.
Romshek was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center, where she was jailed on charges of 3rd-degree assault on an officer and obstructing an officer.
HOWARD CITY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say five people have been injured in an accident at a tractor pull near Grand Island.
The incident happened Sunday afternoon in Howard City, leaving four men and woman injured. Two of them were critically injured.
According to a press release from Howard County Sheriff Tom Busch, a tractor and sled collided with event staff, participants and multiple vehicles.
The victims were transported to CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Mary Helen Haythorn, 61, of Maxwell, NE, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Gothenburg, NE.
Mary Helen was born April 30, 1954, to Howard Conrad and Sue Ann Cochran Haythorn at Sutherland, NE and grew up on the ranch at Maxwell. She graduated from Brady High School in 1972 then attended the University of Denver. Mary Helen returned to Nebraska and became a care giver to many people and families, including her own. She also enjoyed writing Keno at Shores for many years.
Mary Helen was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte. She served on the Brady Funeral Committee and Brady Alumni Committee. Mary Helen loved her family, especially her nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her father, Howard Haythorn, and brother, Harry B. (Londa) Haythorn, of Maxwell; sister, Margaret E. (Darrell) Ruh, of Kenesaw, NE; nieces and nephews, Ambrea (Levi) Nelson, Harry M. (Josie) Haythorn, Emily E. Haythorn (Matt Smith), all of Maxwell, Ahna Ruh and Walker Ruh, of Kenesaw, NE, and Amanda (Joshua) Hays and Justin (Charity) Ruh, of Greeley, CO; 14 great-nieces and nephews, Riker, Bryson, Gavin, Timothy James ‘T.J.’, Jade, Nicky, Paige, Harry E., Elizabeth, Sarah, Kellin, Dax, Kai and Mataiya; aunts, Beldora Haythorn, of Ogallala and Jane (Bryce) Lundell, of Cheyenne; cousins, Craig (Jody) Haythorn, of Arthur, NE, Sally Haythorn, of Ogallala, NE, Judy (Jerry) Shannon, of Mesa, AZ, Sandy (Gordon) Walsh, of South Lake, TX and Cathy (Tom) Kerwin, of Naperville, IL; other cousins and family and her many friends.
Mary Helen was preceded in death by her mother, Sue Ann.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte with Father Jeffrey Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at the Brady Cemetery. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Childrens Transportation Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation or Brady Public School Foundation Fund.
