February 2016 – Page 13 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Tourist Dies in Hit-and-Run Accident in Puerto Rico

Posted on February 21, 2016

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in Puerto Rico say a tourist from Nebraska has been killed during a hit-and-run accident on one of the island’s main highways.

Police said Friday that 43-year-old Justin Zakrzewski was walking before dawn on Friday when he was struck and killed by a vehicle operated by an unidentified driver. Police closed the Baldorioty de Castro highway in the capital of San Juan for a few hours after the accident.

Police said they did not have the victim’s hometown. They said they are investigating whether he was staying at a hotel near where the hit-and-run accident occurred.

Nebraska Again Pumping Water Into Republican River

Posted on February 21, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Millions of gallons of water are being pumped into the Republican River again this year to ensure that Nebraska farms in the area can continue operating while Kansas gets the water it is entitled to.

This is the third year in a row that Nebraska pumped groundwater into the river to satisfy its obligations under its compact with Kansas and Colorado.

But the amount of water being pumped into the river this year is about 60 percent less than past years because the three states reached a new agreement on managing the river’s water.

The use of the river’s water is governed by an agreement that says Nebraska gets 49 percent of the river’s water, Kansas receives 40 percent and Colorado gets 11 percent

Gas Prices Drop 5 Cents Over Past 2 Weeks

Posted on February 21, 2016

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of gasoline has dropped 5 cents over the past two weeks, to $1.77 a gallon.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday that the price is 56 cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago.

Lundberg says it’s less likely that gas prices will continue to slide because crude oil prices are almost unchanged from a month ago.

In the Lower 48 states, the highest average price of regular gasoline was $2.40 per gallon in San Diego. The lowest was $1.42 in Tucson, Arizona.

The U.S. average diesel price is $2.07 per gallon, down 6 cents from two weeks ago and 88 cents per gallon under its year-ago point.

NPCC to Auction Off Surplus Computers

Posted on February 21, 2016

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Those looking for a bargain on a computer can find one in central Nebraska this month.

North Platte Community College is offering up about 80 computers next week. The college will hold a silent auction on all of its surplus computers Tuesday in the student lounge on the north campus in North Platte.

Bidding will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Winners must pick up their computers by 6 p.m.

NPCC physical resources assistant Pam Burks says about 40 laptops and 40 desktop computers will be up for auction, along with projectors, DVD/VCR players, miscellaneous cables and unused HP toner cartridges.

Nebraska Could Be Latest State to OK ‘Right to Farm’ Law

Posted on February 21, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could have a tougher time passing new restrictions on farming and ranching under a proposed ballot measure.

The proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee the right to “engage in farming and ranching practices” and prevent the Legislature from passing new regulations without a compelling state interest.

If approved by voters, Nebraska could become the third state to adopt a right-to-farm constitutional amendment. North Dakota voters approved a similar measure in 2012, followed by Missouri in 2014. Oklahoma will also consider a right-to-farm amendment in November.

The proposal by Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell comes four years after Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to enshrine hunting, fishing and animal-harvesting rights in the state constitution.

Prosecutor: Lack of Communication Allowed Suspect to Flee

Posted on February 21, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Douglas County’s top prosecutor say a lack of communication among government agencies allowed a 19-year-old man charged with motor vehicle homicide to flee justice.

A week after the Jan. 29 crash on an Omaha street, Eswin Mejia posted $5,000 bail to be freed. Authorities say he then skipped a urine test, and officials now can’t find him.

A review of the case by the Omaha World-Herald shows Mejia — a Honduras national — was found to be a low risk to flee despite having twice failed to appear in court for other offenses. Federal immigration authorities declined to detain Mejia.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine criticized the case’s handling, saying “there has to be a common-sense communication between the feds and the state.”

Nebraska Woman Charged with Theft of Thousands in Iowa

Posted on February 21, 2016

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo, Nebraska woman has been charged in Iowa with stealing between $22,000 and $222,000.

44-year-old Beth Beutler (BITE-ler) was arrested Friday morning in western Iowa and charged with 38 counts of forgery. Authorities say she also faces charges of theft and ongoing criminal activity.

Police say Beutler used a checking machine to withdraw thousands of dollars. The machine allows truck drivers to access funds from across the country by giving a clerk at a truck stop an authorization code to pay for fuel, service or get cash.

Police say Beutler got the authorization codes from McMullen Brothers Trucking in Carter Lake, where her husband works, and used them at Pilot Travel Center in Council Bluffs.

Lincoln Man Sentenced to Jail for Impersonating Officer

Posted on February 21, 2016

DATELINE (AP) — A 21-year-old Lincoln man has been sentenced to nearly two years in jail for impersonating a police officer.

Al Williams Jr. was sentenced Friday after being found guilty in December of two counts of impersonating an officer, attempting to obstruct police and disturbing the peace — all misdemeanors. Online court records show he was sentenced to 21 months.

Authorities say Williams pulled over or tried to pull over several drivers last year. One victim included a woman he stopped, ordered out of her car and forced her to get on her knees while her 6-year-old child was in the car.

Police say he tried to avoid arrest and was hiding on an elderly couple’s porch when officers found him.

Nebraska Board to Discuss Management Plan for Pheasants

Posted on February 21, 2016

TEKAMAH, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission plans to discuss a management plan for pheasants when it meets Thursday in Tekamah (teh-KAYE’-muh).

Staffers will present a draft of what’s being called the Nebraska Mega Plan. Among its goals are increasing the number of pheasants in the state and increasing hunter access to land where pheasants can be found.

The commission agenda also includes a public hearing on changes regarding the removal of meat from elk carcasses before they’re taken to check stations.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club and Kennel north of Tekamah.

Buckeyes Edge Huskers in OT

Posted on February 21, 2016

Jack McVeigh scored 16 points to lead the Huskers against Ohio State on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Stephanie Carpenter/Nebraska Communications)

Lincoln – Jack McVeigh led three Huskers in double figures with 16 points, but Nebraska dropped a 65-62 overtime decision to Ohio State on Saturday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena

Nebraska had erased an 11-point second-half deficit to take 56-54 lead on a 3-pointer from Andrew White III with 52 seconds left in regulation. Continue reading “Buckeyes Edge Huskers in OT”