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Month: February 2016

Wounded Nebraska Deputy Returns Home to Warm Welcome

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deuel-county-sheriffCHAPPELL, Neb. (AP) — A Deuel County sheriff’s deputy who was shot four times while helping serve arrest warrants more than 11 weeks ago has returned home to a warm welcome.

Dozens of people lined streets Monday in Chappell (CHA’-puhl) to greet Deputy Mike Hutchinson, who was released from a hospital in Greeley, Colorado, where he’d been flown for treatment. Authorities say the man Hutchinson had intended to arrest came out of his Big Springs front door shooting as Hutchinson and four other officers pulled up to serve the warrants.

Sheriff Scott DeCoste returned fire, killing 66-year-old Neil Stretesky. The warrants charged Stretesky with violating conditions of his bail for assault and attempted murder in Sedgwick County, Colorado, and a misdemeanor in Nebraska’s Keith County.

Nebraska Death Penalty Foes to Launch Statewide Campaign

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lethal-injectionLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska death penalty opponents are launching a statewide campaign with a new name.

The group Retain a Just Nebraska will announce the next phase of its campaign Wednesday at the Capitol. The organization previously operated under the name Nebraskans for Public Safety.

Retain a Just Nebraska will ask voters to reject a proposal that would keep the death penalty legal in Nebraska. Lawmakers abolished capital punishment in May, but death penalty supporters responded with a petition drive that suspended the new law until voters decide the issue in the November general election.

Nebraska currently has 10 men on death row. Gov. Pete Ricketts has said the state will not pursue any executions until voters decide whether to keep the death penalty.

Woman Gets 6 Months for Role in Nebraska Cattle Thefts

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jailOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 43-year-old woman has been given jail time and told to make restitution for helping to steal cattle in Nebraska’s York County and selling them in southwestern Iowa.

Amy Springer, formerly of Omaha, Monday was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay nearly $1,800 to a feedlot owner in York County. Court records say Springer pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a felony after prosecutors reduced the charge from theft and dropped a burglary count.

Prosecutors say she and Ervin Jacob stole two steers from the feedlot and sold them at a sale barn in Massena, Iowa.

The 58-year-old Jacob has pleaded not guilty to theft and burglary charges. His trial is scheduled to begin April 19.

Death of Boys Town Resident, 18, Under Investigation

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boys-townBOYS TOWN, Neb. (AP) — Douglas County authorities are investigating the death of an 18-year-old resident at Boys Town.

The Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that the body of Larry McBryde, of Erwin, North Carolina, was found on the floor of his room around 7:15 a.m. Monday. He’d last been seen around 10:45 p.m. Sunday.

The Sheriff’s Office says investigators have found no signs of injury, struggle or other disruption in the room. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

Boys Town was founded as an Omaha orphanage in 1917 by the Rev. Edward Flanagan and now is situated in western Omaha, serving as a residential center for troubled youth. Spokeswoman Lauren Laferla says counselors and grief support will be available to the youths and staffers on campus.

CDC: 14 More US Reports of Possible Zika Spread Through Sex

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cdcNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are investigating more than a dozen possible Zika infections that may have been spread through sex.

The 14 cases all involve men who visited areas with Zika outbreaks, and who many have infected their female sex partners, who had not traveled.

Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquito bites. But there have been at least two reported cases of sexual transmission, including a recent case in Texas.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the 14 cases include two pregnant women whose infections have been confirmed. Tests are pending for their male partners.

Zika virus causes — at worst — only mild symptom in most people. But in Brazil, health officials have reported an apparent link between Zika infection and a rare birth defect.

North Platte Man Imprisoned for Assault, Other Crimes

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Jerry Kindle
Jerry Kindle

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A 25-year-old North Platte man has been given 13 to 20 years in prison for several crimes.

Jerry Kindle was sentenced Monday in Lincoln County District Court. He’d pleaded no contest and was convicted of assault and other crimes after prosecutors lowered or dropped charges that included one for attempted murder.

Kindle was arrested in April 2015 for beating and shooting another man at the Blue Spruce Motel in North Platte and partaking in an assault at a local grocery store.

DOJ Drug Sweep Nets Nearly 60 Arrests in NP, Other Cities

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The Department of Justice took the next step in a year-long narcotics investigation earlier today by making a “sweep from Central to Western Nebraska.”

Local, county, state and federal law enforcement assisted in the service of the warrants, which resulted in at least 18 arrests in North Platte and Lincoln County alone.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office in Omaha, who coordinated the effort, the arrests came after an investigation that has been ongoing for about a year.

Investigator John Deal, with the North Platte Police Department, said NPPD officers assisted with the arrests but were not authorized to comment any further on the investigation.

The US Attorney’s Office says more information will be released on Wednesday morning, with a News Conference to follow on Friday.

According to records at the Lincoln County Detention Center, the following individuals are be held on federal warrants:

  • Anthony Apodaca
  • Virgil Apodaca
  • Lee Benson
  • Mary Bockman
  • Jody Casillas
  • Tia Eggers
  • Teresa Enninga
  • Christopher Gonzales
  • Edward Hagert
  • Rachel Humphrey
  • Jesse Klemptner
  • Tyce Miller
  • Donald Morrissey
  • Louis Ortega
  • Sheri Queen
  • Martin Radel
  • Roxane Reynolds
  • Brett Smyth

The indictments against the individuals above are unknown at this time.  However, we do know the indictments are all drug related. Photos were not available of all those arrested.

This is a developing story, check back for updates and further details.

 

Delores Jane Krebs Pending Notice

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Delores Jane Krebs, age 86 of North Platte, passed away at her home on Tuesday February 23, 2016. Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday February 29, 2016 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

2 NP Businesses Sell Alcohol to Minor During Compliance Checks

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state-patrol-logoOn Friday, February 19, the Nebraska State Patrol conducted alcohol compliance checks at retail outlets in Frontier and Lincoln Counties.

During the effort, five businesses were checked in Frontier County and 10 businesses were checked in Lincoln County. Two of the 15 businesses checked, Amoco North/Wicked Fast and Hunan Moon, both in North Platte, were found to be non-compliant after selling alcohol to a minor. The retail outlets checked included convenience, liquor and grocery stores as well as restaurants and bars.

Law enforcement performs compliance checks to ensure that businesses are complying with the state’s alcohol laws and to decrease youth access to alcohol.

The compliance checks were conducted thanks in part to a grant from Region II Human Services.

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