July 2015 – Page 41 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Card Processing Contract Could Save State $550,000

Posted on July 10, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has signed a new contract for card processing services that could save the state $550,000 over five years.

State Treasurer Don Stenberg says the new contract with U.S. Bank will go into effect on Oct. 1. The state’s current payment card processing provider is First National Bank and TSYS Merchant Solutions.

Stenberg says state officials expect to see greater volume as more Nebraska residents shift from using cash to credit and debit cards when making payments. The state processed more than $154 million in credit and debit card transactions last year, up from the $153.9 million in 2013.

All state agencies, including the University of Nebraska and state colleges, are required by law to process their card transactions under the state contract.

Judge Orders 12-Year-Old Omaha Murder Suspect to Remain in Custody

Posted on July 10, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has ordered a 12-year-old suspect in a deadly Omaha shooting to remain in a youth detention center.

The boy had his first court appearance Friday, with prosecutors saying he is a member of one of Omaha’s most violent street gangs. His pretrial hearing was set for July 21.

The boy is one of three suspects charged with first-degree murder in the June 29 slaying of 31-year-old Jamymell Ray. Prosecutors say Ray was shot when the boy and two teens lured him and another man to a park on the premise of a marijuana deal.

The youngest suspect was arrested Tuesday in Minneapolis. The other two suspects, ages 15 and 17, were arrested in Omaha last week.

Editor’s Note: The Omaha Police Department has identified the suspects as 17-year-old Jamal Milton, 15-year-old Shuntayvious Primes-Willis and 12-year-old Jarrell Milton.

Families Invited to ‘Nebraska Water Wonders’ at Lake McConaughy

Posted on July 10, 2015

LINCOLN – Bring the family to Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area this summer for a series of fun and educational water-related presentations.

These free Nebraska Water Wonders events will be held July 19, Aug. 9 and Aug. 30 from2-4 p.m. at the Visitor/Water Interpretive Center.

The topic for July 19 is aquifers. Family members of all ages can learn about the Ogallala Aquifer, enjoy an edible aquifer and even build an aquifer they can take home. Water usage will be discussed at the Aug. 9 presentation and the history of Kingsley Dam will be explored on Aug. 30.

The events are sponsored by the Nebraska Water Center Foundation and Cooper Foundation. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.

Contact Nancy Armstrong at nancyarmstrong@opsd.org for more information.

Collins Named to Outland and Nagurski Lists

Posted on July 10, 2015

Collins was named to the Outland and Nagurski watch lists on Friday. (Photo Courtesy Travis Shafer/NU Media Relations)

Nebraska junior defensive tackle Maliek Collins continues to roll up the preseason honors. On Friday, the Kansas City native was named to the preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top interior lineman, while the Nagurski Trophy is presented to the nation’s top defensive player. Both awards are selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Earlier this week, Collins was named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club.

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.

Collins was one of 15 Big Ten players named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and among 11 Big Ten linemen on the Outland Trophy list.

Nebraska has a long tradition with the Outland Trophy. Husker players have won a nation-leading nine Outland Trophies, most recently Ndamukong Suh in 2009. The Outland Trophy is presented each year at a banquet in Omaha. Suh also captured the Nagurski Trophy in 2009.

Lincoln Woman Gets $75K in Libel Lawsuit Against Crime Stoppers

Posted on July 10, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A jury has awarded $75,000 to a Lincoln woman in a lawsuit that accused police and the local Crime Stoppers organization of libel and slander.

A posting on the Crime Stoppers website had accused 26-year-old Shayla Funk of using someone’s stolen credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM.

A video had shown Funk withdrawing cash from her own account in April 2013, but because of an incorrect time stamp on the video, the bank had given police video of the wrong person.

Funk sued the Lincoln-Lancaster County Crime Stoppers Inc. and the Lincoln Police Department. She contended they libeled her by calling her a thief in posts on the Crime Stoppers website and slandered her in two television segments.

Body of Hiker in Colorado Identified as Alliance Teen

Posted on July 10, 2015July 10, 2015

By Kalin Krohe-Panhandle Post

The family of missing Alliance resident Jason Berglund announced today that a body discovered by a Colorado hiker has been confirmed to be that of Jason Berglund.

The 18-year-old Berglund disappeared after leaving the University of Nebraska at Kearney on Wed., October 22.

A statewide effort involving social media and area newspapers and radio stations was initiated to find the missing teen.

The Berglund family has no further details, and asks for privacy and prayers during this difficult time.

Sheriff Confirms Identities of NP Teens Pulled from River, Rules Out Foul Play

Posted on July 10, 2015July 10, 2015

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says two North Platte teens who were pulled from the South Platte River earlier this week have been positively identified.

In a statement Friday, the LCSO said autopsies have been completed on the bodies of Lexi Wiezorek and Noah Ramos.

The sheriff’s office says the results of the autopsy positively identified both teens and ruled that their death was caused by drowning.

The statement said the investigation at the scene, examination of the vehicle and follow-up of all leads, along with the autopsy, show “without question” that the teens’ deaths were accidental.

The LCSO says the investigation into the case in now closed, and they thanked the community for their assistance throughout this ordeal.

They also offered their prayers to the families.

Noah Martin Ramos

Posted on July 10, 2015

Noah Martin Ramos, 18 years old, of North Platte, NE, died as the result of a automobile accident on Monday, May 18, 2015, in North Platte.

Noah was born May 1, 1997, to Martin Patrick Ramos and Christina Marie White in North Platte. He grew up in North Platte and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Noah had attended school at St. Patrick’s and was currently attending North Platte High School where he completed the 11th grade.

During his freshman year, Noah attended Boystown in Omaha and excelled at school, football, basketball and swimming. During basketball season he lead his class to the Freshman State Championship.

Noah had always been a tremendous athlete. He started wrestling at age 4 and continued until he was 15. He helped lead his Pee Wee football team to a championship and in later years was a Golden Glove Boxer. Along with his sporting activities, Noah enjoyed skateboarding, shooting, hunting and spending time in nature. During the summers, he volunteered at the Wayne Dowhower Softball Complex where he worked the softball fields and loved riding the Cushman.

Noah was devoted to his family and his biggest attribute was watching out for children and animals; he loved to help the underdog. Noah will be remembered for always being a big kid at heart; his smile and kindness will live on.

Noah leaves behind his mother and stepfather, Christina and Mike Miller, and father and stepmother, Martin, Sr. and Janette Ramos; brothers, Martin ‘Midgey’ Ramos, Jr., Micah Miller, Tanner (Shaylee) Miller and Jaden Miller; sisters, Carissa Guy, Myah Ramos, Olivia Ramos, Aspen Sullivan and Jocelyn Jividen; grandparents, Mary White, Rod and Debbie Miller, and Margaret Ramos, all of North Platte.

Survivors also include his great-grandparents, Mary Hunt, Marvin and Norma Peterson, and Maurine Miller; aunts and uncles, Jennifer (Steve) Prince, Matt White, Jessica (Romano) Polanco, Mario (Elena) Ramos, Angelica (Joseph) Scoville, CheeRee Perez, Ofy Leyva, John (Jody) Miller, Carlos Ramos and Inez Ramos, Jr.; a nephew, Easton Joseph James Guy; and many cousins and other family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph Herschel Max White and Inez Ramos, Sr.; great-grandpas, Jim Hunt, Whitey White and Melvin Miller; and a cousin, Marcella Sanchez.

Cremation was chosen. Christian Wake Service will be 6 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2015, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Golka. Inurnment will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Noah Ramos Benefit Fund at NebraskaLand National Bank.

Man’s Nebraska Life Sentences, Convictions Upheld for Killing Family

Posted on July 10, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld the first-degree murder convictions and three life sentences of a man who killed two Brazilian missionaries and their 7-year-old son in Omaha.

Jose Oliveira-Coutinho alleged numerous errors by the trial court in his appeal. On Friday, the state’s high court rejected them all.

Oliveira-Coutinho was one of three Brazilian men charged with killing Vanderlei Szczepanik, his wife, Jacqueline, and their son, Christopher. Valdeir Goncalves-Santos was sentenced to 20 years for his role. The other man remains in Brazil.

Prosecutors say the men beat Vanderlei Szczepanik to death and hanged his wife and son before throwing their bodies in the Missouri River. The family was last seen alive in December 2009. Christopher’s body was recovered in 2011, but his parents’ bodies were never found.

Alexis “Lexi” Nichole Wiezorek

Posted on July 10, 2015

Alexis “Lexi” Nichole Wiezorek, 17, of North Platte, passed away May 18, 2015 as the result of an auto accident. She was born December 6, 1997 to Mark and Nichole (Weitzel) Wiezorek at North Platte. Lexi attended North Platte High School and was going into her senior year. She loved to hunt, fish, and all water sports. Lexi loved life, and especially loved her family and friends. Her family includes her mother and step-father, Nichole and Paul Wiezorek; her father, Mark Wiezorek; her siblings, Kylee, Sam and Dylan Wiezorek; grandparents, Rod and Deb Weitzel, Jim and Deb Wiezorek; great grandmother, Charlotte Weitzel; uncles and aunts, John and Jenny Zachry all of North Platte and Steve and Kenna Smith of Minden; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Harold Weitzel, Bob and Roene Trompke, Clifford and Alberta McCarty, Janice Foster, Anton Wiezorek and Donald Wiezorek; and an infant brother, Daniel Wiezorek. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory. A Celebration of Lexi’s life will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2015 outside the Presbyterian Church, 1901 Leota. The family request casual wear at the service. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.