PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A Papillion man has been found guilty of shooting his family’s two dogs with a BB gun, killing one of them.
56-year-old Barry L. Richey was convicted Wednesday. He had pleaded no contest to two counts of cruel neglect of an animal. According to prosecutors, Papillion law enforcement responded to a disturbance at Richey’s home on April 20.
Police say Richey’s wife told officers she took her dogs to the veterinarian and learned both dogs had been shot several times with a BB gun.
Richey’s sentencing hearing has been set for October.
Pictured back row, left to right are: Jonathan Rosenberg, Mariesha Brown, Shantel Barta and Kaylin Schultz, of North Platte; Rachel Zeigler, of Ainsworth; Katherine Nesi, of Valentine; Kimberly Starr, of McCook; Chelsey Shaul, of Ainsworth; Jeffery Walent, of Sargent; Rebecca Rossenbach, of Anselmo; Marti Turner, of Burwell and Heidi Kulp, of Arnold. Middle row left to right are: Anessa Kivett, of Hershey; Samantha Parrett and Sophie Schreiber, of North Platte; Brooke Piester, of Gothenburg; Courtney Hallett, of North Platte; Stephenie Nelson, of Stapleton; Tasha Schroder, of North Platte; Staci Dack and Katelyn Rabas, of McCook; Daile Coleman, of Bassett; Brittany Dowse, of Sargent and Chandra Bitterman and Kelsey Hauser, of Broken Bow. Front row left to right are MPCC nursing instructors: Addie Robinson, Marina Makovicka, Brett Niemeth, Nicole Kissinger, Lana Albrecht-Watson and Kathy Harrison.
Twenty-five graduates of the Mid-Plains Community College Licensed Practical Nursing program received their LPN pins Thursday. They were recognized during a ceremony at North Platte Community College.
Pictured back row, left to right are: Jonathan Rosenberg, Mariesha Brown, Shantel Barta and Kaylin Schultz, of North Platte; Rachel Zeigler, of Ainsworth; Katherine Nesi, of Valentine; Kimberly Starr, of McCook; Chelsey Shaul, of Ainsworth; Jeffery Walent, of Sargent; Rebecca Rossenbach, of Anselmo; Marti Turner, of Burwell and Heidi Kulp, of Arnold.
Middle row left to right are: Anessa Kivett, of Hershey; Samantha Parrett and Sophie Schreiber, of North Platte; Brooke Piester, of Gothenburg; Courtney Hallett, of North Platte; Stephenie Nelson, of Stapleton; Tasha Schroder, of North Platte; Staci Dack and Katelyn Rabas, of McCook; Daile Coleman, of Bassett; Brittany Dowse, of Sargent and Chandra Bitterman and Kelsey Hauser, of Broken Bow.
Front row left to right are MPCC nursing instructors: Addie Robinson, Marina Makovicka, Brett Niemeth, Nicole Kissinger, Lana Albrecht-Watson and Kathy Harrison.
Due to upstream water supply conditions, the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District does notplan to lower water levels at any of its lakes associated with the Supply Canal (including Jeffrey, Midway, Plum Creek and Johnson lakes) in August/September to complete the irrigation season.
Lake McConaughy’s elevation has declined only half a foot in July (from elevation 3,263.3 feet on July 1 to elevation 3,262.8 on July 30), largely due to higher than normal inflows during the month, as well as good flows in the South Platte River.
South Platte flows were sufficient to meet many downstream demands, reducing the need for releases from Lake McConaughy, which is situated on the North Platte River.
Lake McConaughy is considered full for operational purposes at elevation 3,265.0 feet.
Mike Riley and the Huskers just added a huge piece to their 2015 roster. 4-star RB from South Oak Cliff HS in Dallas, TX, Jordan Stevenson has signed his national letter of intent with Nebraska just days after his release from Wisconsin. Stevenson was released from his LOI at Wisconsin after failing to meet the admission requirements at Wisconsin. Stevenson did meet the NCAA standards for eligibility and will be eligible to compete immediately in 2015.
I’m officially a Nebraksa corn Husker Go #GBR🔴⚪️ I will touchdown tomorrow #HuskerNation stay tune lets ride BIG RED truly blessed🏈🔴⚪️
Ranked as the 17th best running back in the 2015 class, Stevenson rushed for 2,511 yards and 31 touchdowns last season as a senior at South Oak Cliff HS. Stevenson immediately adds depth to a position that has no clear front-runner for the job this fall at Nebraska, who will need to replace last year’s star RB Ameer Abdullah.
Jack Eakins Doucet, 65, of Everett, WA, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015, in Everett.
Jack was born to Ardis (Eakins) and Joseph Doucet on January 19, 1950, in Sutherland, NE and grew up in North Platte. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1968 then married Pat Topp on August 30.
He worked for Municipal Light and Water before attending Cheyenne AeroTech. Jack later went to work for Boeing in Everett.
He served in the National Guard and was a member of the American Veterans Motorcycle Club. Jack enjoyed his family, fishing and riding his Harley.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, of Everett; sons, Russell (Amy), of North Platte and Dave (Anita); a daughter, Kristine; his grandchildren, Nick, Kaitlyn, Levi, Katelyn, Dennon, Tim (Ashley), Chelsea and Jonathon; a great-grandson, Braydan; a brother, Doug (Rosetta), of North Platte; sisters, Charlene (Mick) McFadden and Barbara (John) Van Pelt, all of Paxton; his special dog, Lucy; and many nieces, nephews and other family.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; a brother, Joseph; brother-in-law, Lyle Ecker; and his niece and nephew, Shelley and Jeff Ecker.
Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Richard Karr officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at the funeral home. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Nebraska junior defensive tackle Maliek Collins and sophomore receiver/punt returner De’Mornay Pierson-El are among 11 Big Ten players named to the conference’s preseason Players to Watch list Thursday morning. A media panel voted for the top five players from both the East and West Division, with one additional honoree because of a tie.
Nebraska was one of four schools with two players on the list, including Wisconsin in the West Division and Ohio State and Michigan State in the East Division.
The 6-2, 300-pound Collins will man the interior of the Nebraska defensive front in 2015. Last season, Collins emerged as a dominant force at defensive tackle, leading the team with 14 tackles for loss, while adding 4.5 sacks. He was at his best against the toughest foes, with 12 of his 14 tackles for loss coming in Big Ten Conference games or the bowl game against USC. Collins was named co-Defensive MVP for the Huskers in 2014, and was a second-team All-Big Ten pick.
Pierson-El enters the 2015 season poised to be one of the conference’s top dual–threat options. He was one of the nation’s top punt returners last season and showed the ability to be an elite receiver late in the 2014 campaign. Pierson-El ranked second nationally in punt return average in 2014, and tied for the national lead with three punt return touchdowns. He was a second-team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of Amercia and a freshman All-American by several organizations in 2014.
The complete list of Big Ten football preseason Players to Watch appears below:
Joe Blanton traded for cash. Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have traded right-hander Joe Blanton to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.
Blanton, 34, was designated for assignment Tuesday, when Johnny Cueto reported to the Kansas City following his trade from Cincinnati. Blanton was 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA in four starts and 11 relief appearances this season.
A former first-round draft pick, Blanton is 87-91 in 11 major league seasons.
William ‘Bill’ B. Votaw, 100, of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, July 27, 2015, at the Grand Island Veteran’s Home.
During W.W.I Bill was born on June 9, 1915, to Eli B., Sr. and Clara Grace Swink Votaw at Wellfleet, NE. He grew up on a farm northeast of Wellfleet and graduated from Curtis High School. Following his education he farmed with his family.
Bill was united in marriage to Opal Wisner on November 15, 1942, at North Platte. Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1945 during W.W.II. After his discharge, Bill returned to Nebraska. He and Opal settled in a home north of North Platte and that is where he resided until 2013 when he moved to the Grand Island Veteran’s Home. After nearly 68 years of marriage Opal passed away in 2010.
Bill farmed, drove a truck, was a mechanic and hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked in the Round House and later in the Car Department.
Bill was a member of P.R. Halligan Post #136 American Legion and the First Christian Church. He loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed his grandkids and great-grandkids. Bill was an all-round handy man who could fix anything and loved to create something new out of something old.
He leaves behind his children, Jim (Shirley) Votaw, of Anderson, SC, Carolyn (Richard) Weekly and Judy McConnaughey, all of North Platte, and Belinda (Mickey) Miller, of Tryon, NE; sister-in-law, Bette Votaw, of Lincoln, NE; 13 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and other family.
Along with his wife Opal, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Eli and Grace; four brothers, Eli B. ‘Bus’ Jr., John, Abner and Delmar Votaw; four sisters, Lillie Mae Shanafelt, Janet Zezula and Ella and Amy Votaw; and a grandson, Charles W. Johnston.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Cindy Ballard officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Wellfleet Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church Youth Fund.
Sunny, with a high near 90. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 95.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
The North Platte First Nationals Junior Legion put together one of the best state tournament runs in recent memory over the past five days in Fremont. After falling 3-1 vs. Millard North in their opening round game, North Platte fought off elimination with four straight wins to reach the state title game against the defending state champion Grand Island. It took extra innings to defeat Millard South in the semi-finals, their second straight extra inning win, before setting up the state championship match-up with Grand Island.
Grand Island struck first with a run in the top of the first inning, but the First Nationals answered right back in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead after one. It remained 2-1 in favor of North Platte into the fourth inning when Grand Island put up six runs to take the lead for good. Grand Island added another pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh, North Platte’s rally came up short with just one run scored as Grand Island held on to win their second consecutive Class A Junior Legion State Championship with a 9-3 victory.
North Platte finishes the year with a 36-13 record and a state runner-up finish, their best finish since the 1994 state championship team. It’s their sixth overall state runner-up or better finish at the state tournament.
North Platte Juniors Best State Finishes
1994 – State Champions
1989 – State Champions
1973 – State Champions 2015 – State Runner-Up 1993 – State Runner-Up
1970 – State Runner-Up
Game 6 – Final Box Score – State Championship (Wednesday) Grand Island 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 – 9 R, 11 H, 2 E
North Platte 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 – 3 R, 5 H, 3 E
WP: Mount
LP: Wroot
Notes: For Grand Island Billy Mount pitched a complete game giving up 5 hits and 3 runs while striking out 13. At the plate for Grand Island Casey Burnham was 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored, Tucker Krzycki was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI, Trey Randall was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored. For North Platte Braiden Ruffin was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored, Kade Wroot was 2 for 4.
Game 5 – Final Box Score – State Semi-Finals (Wednesday) North Platte 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 – 11 R, 12 H, 5 E
Millard South 1 | 3| 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 – 10 R, 10 H, 5 E
WP: Vieyra
LP: Wagner
Notes: For North Platte Braiden Ruffin was 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, Kade Wroot was 3 for 6 with 2 RBI and a run scored, Caden Comer was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Peyton Vieyra pitched the final 3 2/3 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run to earn the win. For Millard South Joe Folkers was 2 for 6 with an RBI and 2 runs scored, Kyle Perry, Dylan Wagner and Marcus Vera all had 2 RBI.
Game 4 – Final Box Score – Elimination Game (Tuesday) North Platte 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 – 11 R, 10 H, 6 E
Grand Island 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 – 7 R, 5 H, 6 E
WP: Comer
LP: Sextro
Notes: Caden Comer pitched 3 shutout innings in relief allowing 0 runs and giving up 1 hit and striking out 1 to earn the win. He also had a hit with an RBI and scored twice. Braiden Ruffin was 3 for 5 and scored 3 runs, Austin Orr was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and scored 2 runs, Trev Chase was 2 for 4 with a run scored. For Grand Island Casey Burnham was 2 for 5 with an RBI and scored 2 runs, Cole Evans added a hit with 2 RBI.
Game 3 – Final Box Score – Elimination Game (Monday) North Platte 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 – 3 R, 5 H, 1 E
Lincoln Southeast 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 – 1 R, 5 H, 0 E
WP: Comer
LP: Jurgens
Notes: North Platte’s Caden Comer pitched 6 1/3 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 strike outs. Cade Wroot threw the final 2/3 of an inning to get the save. For North Platte Trev Chase was 2 for 2 with 1 RBI and Austin Orr was 1 for 2 and scored twice. For Lincoln Southeast Aiden Bennett was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Crew Charlton was 1 for 3 and scored the only run.
Game 2 – Final Box Score – Elimination Game (Sunday)
Omaha Central 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 – 0 R, 4 H, 1 E
North Platte 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 – 3 R, 5 H, 2 E
WP: Sawyer
LP: Eubanks
Alec Sawyer pitched a complete game allowing 4 hits, 0 runs and striking out 5. Austin Orr was 1 for 1 with an RBI, scored a run and walked once. Jacob Harvey had 2 RBI. For Omaha Central, Yogi Eubanks pitched a complete game allowing 3 runs of which only 2 were earned and struck out 1.
Game 1 – Box Score – First Round (Saturday)
Millard North 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 – 3 R, 5 H, 2 E
North Platte 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 – 1 R, 2 H, 2 E
WP: Ritzdorf
LP: Wroot
Notes: For Millard North Jordan Ritzdorf threw a complete game 2 hitter to get the win. He gave up 1 unearned run, with 10 strikeouts. At the plate for Millard North Josh Heller was 2 for 2 with a solo home run. For North Platte, Kade Wroot threw 4 and 2/3 innings gave up 2 earned runs struck out 5 and suffered the loss. At the plate Trev Chase was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
