Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska football team practiced for just over two hours on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields on Thursday afternoon.
Head Coach Mike Riley spoke to the media following practice noting the team’s improvements since this time last season, especially in the quarterback position. Continue reading “Huskers Continue to Grind Before Break”
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A North Platte man, who has scuffled with police before, is facing a felony charge following an alleged drunken disturbance on Wednesday afternoon.
At around 4:19 pm, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the 100 block of North Ash Street, after it was reported by a neighbor that Dustin Smith was yelling profanities and threatening to assault people.
Officers arrived and witnessed Smith yelling profanities at the neighbor.
According to Investigator John Deal, the officers attempted to get the intoxicated Smith to go inside, but he refused and struggled with officers as they attempted to place him in handcuffs.
When officers attempted to place Smith in the patrol car, Deal said he again struggled and refused to get in.
Eventually, Smith was subdued and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.
He’s been charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Due to a prior conviction, the resisting arrest charge was enhanced to a felony.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new warden has been appointed to oversee a southeast Nebraska prison that has faced numerous problems.
Longtime corrections employee and administrator Brad Hansen will begin his new role at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution on Monday. Hansen replaces Brian Gage, who resigned.
The leadership change follows a series of high-profile disturbances at the prison, including a May 10 riot that caused extensive damage and left two inmates dead. Last week, three corrections officers were assaulted.
Hansen began his career with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in 1977, as a corrections officer in the Nebraska State Penitentiary. He later became a unit administrator.
Corrections Director Scott Frakes says corrections leaders are held to a high standard, occupying a unique position of trust and responsibility.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — All but one of the finalists for top jobs at the University of Nebraska would remain hidden from the public under a bill slated for final approval in the Legislature.
Lawmakers advanced the measure through a second-round vote Thursday after supporters overcame a filibuster to try to block it.
The legislation by Sen. John Murante of Gretna would require the university to publicly identify just one finalist for university president and chancellor positions. The finalist would be subject to a 30-day vetting period.
Current law requires the university to release names and application materials for the top four finalists before a hire is made. Murante sponsored the bill on behalf of University of Nebraska Regent Howard Hawks.
The vote was 36-8.
DENVER (AP) — Rampant teen sexting has left politicians and law enforcement authorities around the country struggling to find some kind of legal middle ground.
To many public officials, prosecuting students for child porn seems like overkill. But many aren’t ready to let students off the hook altogether.
Dozens of states have adopted or are considering new, more lenient laws that would apply in cases of teenagers sharing nude selfies among themselves.
The debate is underway in Colorado, and it’s revealed deep divisions about how to deal with the phenomenon.
Lucille P. Ritz, age 95 of North Platte, passed away March 16, 2016 at Great Plains Health with her son by her side. She was born March 28, 1920 at Edison, NE to Harvey and Lena (Bard) Stump. On July 11, 1941 Lucille was united in marriage to Earl Ritz at Norton, KS. She worked at the Lincoln County Treasurer’s Department of Motor Vehicles for 28 years. She was a member of the 1st Christian Church and Order of the Eastern Star. Lucille loved to travel and playing cards with her friends. She is survived by her son, Jeff (Dotty) Ritz of Omaha; four step-grandchildren, Julie (Shawn) Clark, Tina (Mike) Gillain, Sherry (Ryan) Cable, and Lowell (Jasmine) Heller; and seven step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl; daughter, Jeri Lynn; two brothers, Floyd and Allen Stump; a sister, Wilma Keller; and special friend, Ed Purcell. Graveside services will be 1:00 pm Monday, March 21, 2016 at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family receiving friends will be from 10am to noon on Monday. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Children’s Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Motorcyclists will go at least another year without the Nebraska wind in their hair as state senators continue to back the state’s mandatory helmet law.
Senators rejected a bill Thursday by Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins that would have allowed motorcycle riders 21 and older to ride helmetless.
The proposal fell three votes short of the 33 required to end debate and force a vote.
Supporters say riders should have the right to choose in matters of personal safety.
Opponents say the current law saves lives and repealing it would ultimately drive up the state’s Medicaid costs.
Connie Sue (Armstrong) Bohnas, age 55 of North Platte, passed away Wednesday March 16, 2016 at Great Plains Health.
Connie was born on August 1, 1960 at St. Mary’s Hospital in North Platte to Clark and Katherine (Dailey) Armstrong. She grew up in Arizona and graduated from Snow Flake High School with the class of 1978. After high school she attended college and graduated from Northland Pioneer College in Belly Button, AZ. She married Arlen Bohnas on May 17, 1985 in Arizona. The couple lived in Arizona and Oregon before moving to Nebraska in 2015. She enjoyed family genealogy and making porcelain dolls from scratch including their clothing and painting them. She took on an active role in caring for her son Jeremy after a motorcycle accident. Connie will be remembered as a big hearted ray of sunshine to her family.
Connie is survived by her loving husband Arlen, and children Jeremy and Trisha all of North Platte; step children Arlen Jr. and Crista Ray of WA; brother Clayton (Goldie) Armstrong of Springerville, AZ; 15 grandchildren; aunts Virginia (Armstrong) Fay and Ester Webster of North Platte; uncles Earl (Ila) Dailey, Don (Beverly) Dailey of Arnold, NE, Raymond (Sharon) Armstrong of Gothenburg; as well as many cousins and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Clark and Katherine Armstrong; brother Clark Marvin Armstrong; sister Carol Lou Armstrong; and grandparents Harold and Maxine Armstrong, and Clayton and Mabel Dailey.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday March 21, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Chaplain Robin Storer officiating. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until service time Monday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A report on preliminary survey findings shows the average value of Nebraska’s agricultural land dropped about 4 percent over the past year — the second decline in as many years.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln survey report says that as of Feb. 1, the statewide land value was $3,135 an acre on average, compared with $3,250 a year earlier and $3,416 in 2014. The decline comes as producers face lower prices for crops and livestock.
Rental rates for dryland and irrigated cropland declined 5 to 10 percent across the state.
Survey respondents included real estate salespeople and brokers, appraisers, bankers and mortgage experts.
