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First Flu-Related Death Reported to Nebraska Health Officials

Medical-ChartLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials say the first flu-related death this season has been reported in the state.

Officials with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that a young child in a region of northeastern Nebraska has died from the flu.

Test results showed the seasonal flu virus was a factor in the child’s death, but the child also tested positive for several other respiratory viruses.

The child was in a region that includes Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton counties. The child also spent time in an area that includes Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 13 children have died nationally from the flu this season.

Health officials say the flu continues to circulate at moderate levels in Nebraska.

Bellevue Police ID Man Who Died After Arrest

bellevue-policeBELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Bellevue police say a man has died after he stopped breathing during an arrest.

Authorities say Alex Zoucha, of Bellevue, died after a struggle with officers in which they shot him with a stun gun.

Officers were dispatched around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and found Zoucha trying to break into a house.

Officials say Zoucha didn’t respond to their demands, prompting them to use a stun gun with little effect until he suddenly became unresponsive.

Officers performed CPR, and Zoucha was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The four officers, Allison Evans, Holly McQuaid, Ashley Meyers, and Anthony Orsi, were placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy.

State law says that whenever someone dies in custody or while being arrested, a grand jury must review the case.

Senator: Nebraska Needs Drone Policies to Protect Privacy

Don McCullough from Santa Rosa, CA, USA (commons.wikimedia.org)
Don McCullough from Santa Rosa, CA, USA (commons.wikimedia.org)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator says lawmakers need to start looking at ways to keep unmanned aircraft from violating people’s privacy.

Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell presented a bill to a legislative committee Thursday that would require a property owner’s written consent for a drone to shoot footage while operating less than 200 feet above the property.

The bill is unlikely to advance this year, but Kuehn says he introduced it to start a conversation with those directly affected.

Opponents say the bill could hinder legitimate uses for the technology, such as researching thunderstorms or reporting a news story.

The Nebraska Rural Electric Association says the technology could help workers inspect power lines in rural areas, but also raised concerns that other drones could damage that infrastructure.

Kearney Residents Organize Plan for Train-Viewing Platform

Kearney,-NEKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Kearney residents are organizing plans to create a safe spot for rail enthusiasts to watch trains from the south side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Organizers hope to celebrate the city’s train history by building a platform for train enthusiasts to enjoy a view of the rails.

At one point, the city had two train depots, Union Pacific and Burlington. Both have since been demolished.

The observation deck would be located in a lot of the former Burlington Station.

Organizer Pat Compton says that the visitor attraction would unite with the city’s other historical sites, including the Trails and Rails, the Firefighters Museum and The Archway.

City Manager Mike Morgan says organizers would have to present the idea to the City Council if the city owns the land.

 

Judge Dismisses Last Defendant in Lincoln Misdiagnosis Suit

lawsuit-settlementLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed the last defendant in a Florida man’s lawsuit over a misdiagnosis that left him at a Lincoln hospital for 19 years.

The decision in John Montin’s case came on the heels of a ruling earlier this month that dismissed more than 12 others who treated Montin. Corrine McCoy, a former Lincoln Regional Center director and one-time member of his treatment team, was the only defendant left.

Montin accused McCoy of attempting to impose behavioral restrictions on him while trying to limit his court access.

Senior U.S. District Judge Lyle Strom said Tuesday that McCoy was entitled to be dismissed from the lawsuit because there wasn’t any evidence that she took action that caused him to abandon his legal efforts.

NPCC Men’s Basketball to Host Trinidad in First Round on Saturday

npcc tsjcNorth Platte — The North Platte Community College Knights basketball team, seeded fourth in the South Sub-Region will host the number five seed in the south, Trinidad State Junior College in the first round of the Region IX men’s basketball tournament at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on the South Campus of North Platte Community College.  Tip-off is set for 3 pm on Saturday, February 27. Continue reading “NPCC Men’s Basketball to Host Trinidad in First Round on Saturday”

North Platte Weather-February 26

Forecast Graphic February 26 2016Today
Sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 73. West southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest 17 to 22 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 19 to 24 mph decreasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night
A chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Blustery.
Tuesday
A chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. Blustery.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Husker Comeback Falls Short at Penn State

Shavon Shields led NU with 25 points in the loss at Penn State. (Photo Courtesy Nate Olsen/Nebraska Communications)
Shavon Shields led NU with 25 points in the loss at Penn State. (Photo Courtesy Nate Olsen/Nebraska Communications)

State College, Pa. – Nebraska erased an 18-point second half deficit, but Shep Garner’s free throw with 7.2 seconds left broke a 55-all tie, as the Huskers fell at Penn State 56-55 on Thursday evening.

The Huskers (14-15, 6-10 Big Ten) had an opportunity to steal a road win, but Shavon Shields jumper at the buzzer was off the mark, as Penn State (15-13, 6-9 Big Ten) held on for the victory. Continue reading “Husker Comeback Falls Short at Penn State”

Family of ‘Cops’ TV Crew Member Killed by Omaha Police Sues

copsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The brother of a crew member for the TV show “Cops” who was killed by a police bullet in 2014 while filming a shootout has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Omaha.

The lawsuit filed by Trevor Dion, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, says that Omaha police were negligent in the Aug. 26, 2014, death of his brother, Bryce Dion.

Bryce Dion was killed during a shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Omaha as officers interrupted an armed robbery.

The suspect, Cortez Washington, fired a realistic air gun during the confrontation, and officers returned fire. One bullet fired at Washington hit Dion through a gap in his bulletproof vest. Washington also was killed.

The officers involved were briefly placed on leave, but returned to their jobs following an investigation.

Senators Reject Bill to Ease Liability for Police Chases

Sen. Dan Watermeier
Sen. Dan Watermeier

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have made it more difficult for passengers in getaway cars to sue if they are injured during a high-speed chase with police.

Senators came up short two votes Thursday of the support needed to overcome a filibuster, effectively killing the measure for the rest of the year.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse says he introduced the bill in response to a 2012 Nebraska Supreme Court case involving a man who was paralyzed during a police chase.

The passenger received $1 million in damages from the county even though he had been drinking in the car and had drug pipes in his pockets.

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