June 2015 – Page 53 – North Platte Post Archive

Broncos 1st-round pick Shane Ray signs contract

Posted on June 1, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Shane Ray, Denver’s first-round draft pick, has signed his rookie contract, worth approximately $9 million over four years. It includes a signing bonus of nearly $5 million.

Ray practiced with the Broncos for the first time Monday, taking part in on-field individual drills for the first time since sustaining a turf toe injury five months ago.

A linebacker from Missouri, Ray was considered a top-15 pick in the draft but slipped to No. 23 after being cited for marijuana possession that week.

Tight end Jeff Heuerman, a third-round pick from Ohio State, is the only unsigned member of the Broncos’ draft class. He’s recovering from an operation to repair a torn left ACL, which he suffered at the Broncos’ rookie minicamp.

Rockies prospect has spleen removed to speed up recovery

Posted on June 1, 2015

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies prospect David Dahl elected to have surgery to remove his spleen so he could speed up his return to the field following an outfield collision.

The centerfielder crashed into an infielder while trying to make a running catch during a game Thursday in New Britain, Connecticut. Had he waited for his spleen to heal, Dahl would’ve missed the rest of the season.

By having the spleen removed in a procedure Monday, Dahl may return in four to six weeks. His agent, Adam Karon, said that “it was something he was willing to tackle in exchange to play again this year.”

Karon said the Rockies were supportive of Dahl’s decision.

Without his spleen, Dahl will need a regular series of vaccinations to avoid infection.

Abidin Wins Runner-Up at University Nationals

Posted on June 1, 2015

**Anthony Abidin led the Huskers on Sunday wrestling at 65kg. (Photo Courtesy Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations)**

Akron, Ohio – The Huskers collected six medals at the 2015 University Nationals-Freestyle in the University Of Akron’s Stile Athletic Field House on Sunday.

Anthony Abidin led the NU with a second place finish at 65kg. The Dix Hills, N.Y., native compiled a 33-6 overall record at 141 pounds as a junior in the 2014-15 season. Abidin won an 8-5 decision against Missouri’s Matthew Manley before getting defeated by a 10-0 tech fall to North Carolina’s Evan Henderson in the first place match.

Tyler Berger and Tim Lambert each earned third place finishes in their respective weight classes. Berger competed at 70kg and won by a 9-4 decision over Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer of Iowa State in the 3rd place match. Lambert competed at 57kg and downed Phillip Laux of the University of Iowa by an 11-2 decision in the 3rd place match.

Micah Barnes earned a 5th place finish at 80kg. Barnes defeated Nicolas Kee by a 10-0 tech fall in the 5th place match. Collin Jensen (HWT) also brought home a medal. Jensen defeated Columbia University’s Garrett Ryan by a 10-3 decision in the 7th place match. Aaron Studebaker (86kg) was defeated by a 6-3 decision in the 7th place match by Penn’s Canaan Bethea.

NSP Ends ‘Click It or Ticket’ Campaign

Posted on June 1, 2015

(Lincoln, Neb.)- Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) issued 321 citations and warnings for violation of Nebraska’s seat belt law during the national “Click It or Ticket’ enforcement campaign (May 18-31) encompassing the heavily traveled Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Enforcement efforts designed to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes by getting motorists to buckle up every trip, every time, were paid for thanks in part to a $24,100 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

In addition to the 321 seat belt citations and warnings, troopers issued 47 child restraint citations and warnings, arrested 71 motorists for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and wrote 5,285 speeding citations and warnings. Roadway assistance was provided to 523 motorists during the special enforcement period.

The following statistics reflect statewide activity by NSP during the “Click It or Ticket” enforcement:

Campaign Seeks to Put Nebraska’s Death Penalty on the Ballot

Posted on June 1, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Death penalty supporters have announced a new referendum campaign to place the issue before voters following last week’s legislative vote to abolish capital punishment.

Organizers announced the formation Monday of Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, which will gather signatures to try to overturn the new law. If approved, the issue would go before voters in the 2016 statewide election.

Campaign board members include Omaha City Councilwoman Aimee Melton, former State Board of Education member Bob Evnen, and Judy Glassburner, Nebraska Republican Party Third District Vice-Chair.

Supporters have until Aug. 27 to submit enough signatures for a referendum. At current voter registration levels, they will need at least 56,708 signatures. Spokesman Chris Peterson says the group is reaching out to supporters and will announce more details in the next few days.

Man Convicted of Killing Girl, 4, in Oven Wants New Trial

Posted on June 1, 2015

AUBURN, Maine (AP) — A federal magistrate says a Maine man convicted of killing a 4-year-old girl by placing her in an oven should be allowed to argue he was too mentally ill to file a timely appeal.

The judge’s recommendation provides a possible avenue for 66-year-old John Lane to seek a new trial three decades after he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

The Auburn man was convicted of murder in 1985 for placing Angela Palmer in an oven, turning up the heat and blocking her escape by putting a chair under the handle of the oven door.

Lane contends his lawyer was ineffective and says drugs provided in prison left him “cognitively diminished, if not incapacitated.” The state attorney general will seek to uphold his conviction and sentence.

Missouri River Not a Barrier Between Cooperating Cities

Posted on June 1, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, are separated by the Missouri River, but officials say a recent food festival suggests that the water isn’t a barrier to collaboration between them for events.

The Council Bluffs parks director says the river “can pull us together.” The two cities are tied by a pedestrian bridge.

The Taste of Omaha this past weekend spilled over into Iowa for the first time, and an event organizer says attendance might have reached more than 125,000 during the three-day festival.

The Loessfest last month in Council Bluffs had sponsorships from Omaha, enabling the festival to stage free concerts, movies and other entertainment.

A consulting team last year suggested cooperation on the riverfront could benefit both communities.

Search Firm Sought in Finding Next UNL Chancellor

Posted on June 1, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials with the University of Nebraska have started the process of looking for the next chancellor of its Lincoln campus.

University officials say a search firm and a university-appointed committee will be used to help find a replacement for Chancellor Harvey Perlman. Perlman says he plans to leave the chancellor’s office next summer to return to the law school faculty.

A school spokeswoman says administrators already have asked search firms to submit proposals for conducting the search. It likely will be several weeks until a search firm is named.

Man Treated for Injuries After Fire Guts Nebraska Panhandle Home

Posted on June 1, 2015

BAYARD, Neb. (AP) — A man has been treated for smoke inhalation and burns he suffered in a fire at his home in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Firefighters were sent to the structure in rural Bayard about 8:15 a.m. Saturday. The man reported that he’d smelled smoke while talking on his cellphone. He got his dog out of the house and then drove to a neighbor’s house to call 911 because he’d left his phone inside the blazing structure.

The man was treated at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. His name hasn’t been released.

Bayard Fire Chief Mike Harimon says the fire was blamed on old wiring and a faulty ceiling fan.

Sherrie M. Harper

Posted on June 1, 2015

Sherrie M. Harper, 53, of North Platte, passed away May 29, 2015 at her home. She was born Aug. 25, 1961 to Leonard and Luaine (Page) Harper at North Platte. She graduated from North Platte High School with the class of “79”. She then went on to get her Associate of Arts degree at Mid-Plains. Sherrie was employed as a clerk at Nebraska Machinery Shop for over 17 years. She loved gardening, collecting antiques and especially her family. She is survived by her father, Leonard Harper of North Platte; three sons, Rich (Jessica) of North Platte, Shane of Indiana and Will of North Platte; two granddaughters, Alyssa and Maddison Reed; three sisters, Virginia Harper, Carol (Scott) Aldrich and Diane Harper; four brothers, Randy (Annie), Vince (Dianne), Kent (Lindy) and Scott (Kim); a special friend, Jerry Stoddard; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her mother, Luaine Harper. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be 10:30 am Monday, June 15, 2015 at the Bethel Church with Pastor Andy Pull officiating. Inurnment will be at the Gaslin Cemetery south of Brady. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.