July 2015 – Page 21 – North Platte Post Archive

Tiny City of Humboldt Works to Restore Old Auditorium

Posted on July 21, 2015

HUMBOLDT, Neb. (AP) — Residents and leaders in the tiny city of Humboldt hope that renovation work on an old auditorium will transform it back into a center for dances, community and school events and Saturday night roller skating parties.

The building hasn’t been used for the past 15 years or so because its mechanical, heating and plumbing systems are outdated. The city’s auditorium board is working on a plan to upgrade mechanical systems and add air conditioning.

The city received a $375,000 state grant in June. With the city’s match, that will cover the first phase of the restoration project. Officials say renovation work could be underway by winter.

The board’s chairman says additional funds will be needed and estimates the project could cost up to $2.5 million.

Nebraska Court of Appeals Upholds York Man’s Homicide Sentence

Posted on July 21, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Court of Appeals says the five- to 10-year prison sentence of a York man for a fatal crash that killed an Aurora teacher was not too lenient.

The decision came Tuesday in the appeal by York County prosecutors, who argued that Otis Newcomb’s sentence last year was “excessively lenient.”

Newcomb pleaded no contest in July 2014 in a plea deal that lowered a vehicular homicide charge and dismissed another charge.

Authorities say Newcomb had been drinking when the van he was driving on Highway 34 near York in November 2013 collided with a pickup. A passenger in the pickup, 31-year-old Lauren Akerson, was killed. Others in the pickup were injured.

The appeals court says that while the sentence may have been somewhat lenient, “it was not excessively so.”

Local Yazidis Forced to Flee Iraq Want Cemetery in Lincoln

Posted on July 21, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Members of a religious minority who say they were forced to flee their homes in Iraq by Islamic extremists want to establish a cemetery in Lincoln.

Many desire a cemetery so they can maintain their sense of community and social identity. Nearly 300 Yazidi families live in the city.

Shekh Hassan, speaking through an interpreter in his apartment, says local Yazidis used to send their dead back to Iraq for burial.

But he says that option has become more difficult and dangerous now that many Yazidi cemeteries have been destroyed or overrun by the Islamic State group.

The executive director of the Good Neighbor Community Center is helping local Yazidis establish a nonprofit to collect donations to purchase land for a cemetery.

Illinois Slaying Suspect Turns Up in Nebraska

Posted on July 21, 2015

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — Northeast Nebraska authorities say they’ve found a man wanted on an Illinois warrant that alleges murder.

Norfolk police say 21-year-old Rickey Winfield was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon. Online records say he remained in Madison County Jail on Tuesday, awaiting his return to Illinois.

Police say witnesses at an unrelated disturbance pointed out Winfield, who they say had been talking about a Chicago slaying. He was arrested without incident.

A Chicago police spokesman said he couldn’t provide any information about Winfield or the case.

Man Arrested for Impersonating Police in Lincoln

Posted on July 21, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of impersonating a police officer and trying to pull over drivers in Lincoln has been arrested.

A 20-year-old man was arrested July 17 and cited on suspicion of three counts of misdemeanor impersonating a peace officer.

Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood said two women told police a man tried to pull them over early June 21 by using flashing lights and a loudspeaker in an unmarked silver Ford Crown Victoria. Flood said the women pulled into a gas station and called police, refusing to get out of the car.

According to Flood, a man in a similar car tried to pull over a 21-year-old man later that same day. The 21-year-old man refused to get out of his vehicle.

Miley Cyrus to Host MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on July 21, 2015

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Miley Cyrus is twerking back to the MTV Video Music Awards as the show’s host.

The 25-year-old singer-actress revealed on her social media accounts Monday that she’s helming the Aug. 30 ceremony.

Cyrus announced the gig by posting a photo of herself in an alien costume with sandwich boards that read “MTV won’t let me perform” and “so I’m hosting this year’s VMAs.”

A scantily clad Cyrus shocked audiences with a rump-shaking performance alongside Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

Cyrus won the video of the year trophy at last year’s show and invited a young homeless man named Jesse Helt on stage to accept the trophy on her behalf.

The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on MTV from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Lexington Woman Fatally Injured in Crash, Police Say

Posted on July 21, 2015

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old Lexington woman has died after a rollover crash on the north side of the south-central Nebraska city.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Sunday as Elizabeth Thomas drove south into Lexington on Nebraska Highway 21. Police say her car ran off the roadway into a ditch, hit a culvert and rolled, ejecting Thomas. The car came to rest in a parking lot.

Police say Thomas died after being taken to Lexington Regional Health Center.

13 Killed in Nebraska Traffic Crashes in June

Posted on July 21, 2015July 21, 2015

JUNE TRAFFIC FATALITY TOLL
13
During the month of June 2015, thirteen persons were killed in traffic crashes on Nebraska
roadways, according to data collected by the Nebraska Department of Roads.
 These 13 fatalities occurred in 11 crashes
 None of the 7 vehicle occupants killed was using a safety belt
 None of the fatalities occurred on the interstate, four happened on non-interstate highways, and nine
took place on local roads
 Six of the fatalities occurred in urban locations
 Four of the fatalities were motorcyclists
 Two of the fatalities were pedestrians

YEAR-TO-DATE TOTALS
2015 FATALITIES FATAL CRASHES
January – June 110 99

COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEARS
YEAR FATALITIES FATAL CRASHES % CHANGE v. 2015
(FATALITIES)
2014 107 93 + 2.8
2013 99 87 + 11.1
2012 92 86 + 19.6
2011 81 76 + 35.8
2011-2014 Avg. 95 86 + 15.8
 There were 24 fatalities in June of 2014
 Sixty-nine of the 85 vehicle occupants killed so far during 2015 (81%) were not using safety belts

ATV Training Starts Aug. 1 at NPCC

Posted on July 21, 2015

The Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise will launch a free Youth ATV Training on Aug. 1 at the North Platte Community College North Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive in North Platte.

There are two sessions to choose from: 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Classes will be divided by age group, 6-9 and 10-16. Six students from each age group will be allowed in each session.

“We’ve had great interest so far,” said Angela Raby, area director of the Center for Enterprise.

“Seats are filling up fast. We’ve had some great help from local businesses and associations in spreading the word.”

The curriculum, developed by Central States Safety Driver Training, will consist of a combination of safety instruction and guided, hands-on ATV operation. Participants will practice turns, stops and terrain navigation.

Instruction topics will include ATV injury and fatality statistics, how ATV size can contribute to rollover injuries and fatalities, the dangers of carrying passengers and material on ATVs, risks of traveling on public roads and safety procedures and practices.

Those who complete the program successfully will receive a certificate that aligns with insurance company requirements.

ATVs in different sizes will be used during the trainings. Parents must stay for classes attended by children younger than 10.

Other requirements include:

Closed-toe footwear (preferably over the ankle)
Long, non-flare pants
A long-sleeved shirt or jacket
Approved eye protection (will be provided if a participant does not have any)
A helmet (will be provided if a participant doesn’t have one)

Several other ATV training dates have been scheduled, including:

Sept. 12, Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building, McCook
Sept. 19, Chase County Fairgrounds, Imperial
Sept. 26, Nebraska Department of Roads, 307 East D St., Ogallala
Oct. 3, Valentine (location to be determined)
Oct. 10, Custer County Fairgrounds, Broken Bow
Space is limited in all the classes. People can register by calling (308) 535-3678.

The trainings are possible thanks to a more than $24,000 grant from the CHS Foundation, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. The money is administered through the NPCC Foundation.

North Platte Weather-July 21

Posted on July 21, 2015

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southeast wind 6 to 13 mph.

Tonight

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.

Wednesday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southeast wind 8 to 13 mph.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 67.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.