April 2016 – Page 22 – North Platte Post Archive

September Trial Set for Western Nebraska Body-in-Barrel Case

Posted on April 14, 2016

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — A September trial has been scheduled for a 24-year-old Nebraskan accused of killing a Colorado man and stuffing his body into a barrel that later was found in a western Nebraska creek.

Online court records say Zachary Mueller pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Morrill County District Court in Bridgeport to first-degree murder and related weapons charges. He is accused of killing 33-year-old Pedro Dominguez, of Greeley, Colorado. A farmer found the barrel near Bayard, Nebraska, on Dec. 4. Authorities say Dominguez had been shot in the back of the head.

Mueller’s trial is set to begin Sept. 6.

Judge Dismisses Nebraska Inmates Flying Spaghetti Monster Religion as Parody

Posted on April 14, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Nebraska prison inmate who said he believes in the divine Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Stephen Cavanaugh’s lawsuit was dismissed Tuesday as the judge granted a motion from the state’s attorneys.

U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said in his ruling that “FSMism” is not a religion as outlined by federal law. Gerrard says it is a parody intended to advance an argument about science, the evolution of life and the place of religion in public education.

Cavanaugh filed the lawsuit in 2014, seeking $5 million and a court order mandating that inmates who practice FSMism receive the same rights and privileges as inmates who practice other religions.

Police: Woman Crashes Stolen Beer Truck on UNL Campus

Posted on April 14, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police say a 38-year-old woman stole a semitrailer carrying beer and then crashed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Authorities say they believe the woman got into the truck Wednesday and locked the semitrailer’s door while the driver was unloading the vehicle at a convenience store.

Lincoln police Officer Katie Flood said when police got to the store, the woman drove out of the lot and hit a police cruiser. A pursuit ensued before the chase was called off for safety reasons.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln police say they found the vehicle on the school’s East Campus crashed near the veterinary science building parking lot. School police Capt. Jerry Plessel said the woman was cited for criminal mischief and willful reckless driving.

Lincoln police arrested the woman on suspicion of auto theft, fleeing arrest, attempted assault on a police officer and driving under the influence.

Lawrence “Larry” H. Pierce

Posted on April 14, 2016April 14, 2016

Lawrence “Larry” H. Pierce, age 75 of Sutherland, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Cozad.
Larry was born April 10, 1941 in Ogallala. He was adopted in December 1945 by Jess and Nellie (German) Pierce of Ogallala. He attended high school in Pine Bluffs, WY and finished his education in North Platte. On May 10, 1962 he married Judith “Judy” Elaine Logan in Kimball, NE. The first 14 years of their marriage he worked mostly on ranches, then in 1976 he went to work for Nebraska Public Power District where he retired in 2006 after 30 years of faithful service. Larry loved his family very much and enjoyed teaching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to fish and hunt.
Larry’s survivors include his wife Judy of Sutherland; son, Patrick (Joyce) Pierce of North Platte; grandson Matthew (Tonya) Pierce of North Platte; great grandchildren Tyson and Brooklynn; granddaughter, Lyndsay (John) Jolliffe of North Platte; great grandchildren Braylee and Bentley; daughter Kimberley (Randy) Musser of Tryon; granddaughter Danyalle (Josh) Salisbury of North Platte; great grandchildren Gage and Presli; granddaughter Jacinda Perez of North Platte; great grandchildren Jasiah and Jase; granddaughter Brandy (Corey) Farley of Whitelake, SD; great grandchildren Akane, Ian, Ethan, Aden, Orion; grandson Donald (Catrina) Musser of Hershey; granddaughter Sara (McKinley) Musser-Williams of New Castle, WY; great granddaughter Audrey; grandson Jonathan (Julie) Musser of Hershey; granddaughters Emily and Tara Musser both of Tryon; daughter Cynthia Wilkening of North Platte; granddaughter Chandra (Danny Hartman) Wilkening of North Platte; granddaughter, Lois (Sam) Okyere of Sacramento, CA; great grandsons Braxton and Wesley; daughter Shawna Welsh of North Platte; granddaughter Kandyce Walters of North Platte; great grandsons Jacoby and Fabian; grandson Joseph Walters of North Platte; granddaughter Allison (Michael) Steele of North Platte; great grandchildren Deondray and Kahne; grandson Levi Welsh of Sutherland; granddaughter Shaunee (Joe Mortonson) Welsh of North Platte.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anna June Pierce; great granddaughter Adi Walters; great-grandson Isaiah James Pierce; his grandparents; aunts; uncles and cousins.
A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Sutherland Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2016 at the Hershey Baptist Church with the Reverend Kevin Hendricks officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Paxton Cemetery. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday April 20th and 21st at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Marseleen A. Wilkinson

Posted on April 14, 2016

Marseleen A. Wilkinson, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Tuesday April 12, 2016 at Great Plains Health.
Marseleen was born on July 31, 1930 in Max, NE to Clyde and Irene (Clabaugh) Pursley. She graduated from Benkelman High School. She married Leon Wilkinson on September 11, 1948. She was a 4-H Leader for many years and a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, where she served several years as president. She was also a rural school teacher for a few years and worked several years at the Stratton Hospital. Marseleen will be greatly missed. “Hugs & Kisses”.
Marseleen is survived by her son Robert (Lynda) Wilkinson of North Platte; daughter Candy (Larry) Reichert of Warrensburg, MO; grandchildren Heath (Pam) Reichert of Warrensburg, MO, Lori (Pat) Alvarez of Bellevue, NE, and Leslie Wilkinson of Omaha, NE; great grandchildren MacKenzie (Chris) Anderson, Sydnee (Gabriel) Penaherrera and Yizrael Alvarez of Bellevue, NE; great great grandchildren Rawlins of Bellevue, NE and Gabriel, Jr., of Omaha, NE; sisters Mary Emma Maris and Evelyn Rowley; brother John Pursley; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Irene Pursley; infant brother Leland, brother Lester “Bud”; and sister Lila Schwartz.
Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Auxiliary of Stratton, NE or The Stratton Country Market and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday April 16, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Chaplain Robin Storer officiating. Inurnment will be at the Stratton Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday April 15, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Weather-April 14

Posted on April 14, 2016

Today

Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Friday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. South southeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night

Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 50. Southeast wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 56. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday Night

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 41. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday

Showers. High near 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night

Showers. Cloudy, with a low around 39.

Monday

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55.

Monday Night

Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 40.

Tuesday

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

Vernon Lee Yanken Death Notice

Posted on April 14, 2016

Vernon Lee Yanken, age 75 of North Platte, passed away Tuesday April 12, 2016 at Great Plains Health. Cremation was chosen and private family services will be held at a later date. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nebraska Lawmakers OK New Limits on Property Seizures

Posted on April 13, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could eliminate a system to seize property from suspected criminals amid concerns it creates an incentive for law enforcement to use a controversial federal process.

Lawmakers voted 38-8 Wednesday on a bill that would require a criminal conviction before law enforcement could seize property. The measure by Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue would also ban property transfers to federal law enforcement unless it’s worth more than $25,000.

Advocates say the bill would ensure police use the state process, which funnels 50 percent of the forfeiture proceeds to Nebraska schools, rather than the federal program, which repays law enforcement up to 80 percent of the money and does not support state schools.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has five days to act on the bill.

Nebraska to Allow Immunity for Human Trafficking Victims

Posted on April 13, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Adult sex trafficking victims who get caught working as prostitutes could receive immunity from prostitution under a new Nebraska law.

Gov. Pete Ricketts signed the measure on Wednesday.

Nebraska already provides legal immunity to juvenile sex trafficking victims, and the proposal by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln would extend the protection to adults. Advocates say current law punishes victims who are controlled or coerced by pimps.

The bill is the latest in a series of steps that Nebraska officials have taken to fight human trafficking.

The legislation would also create a state fund the cover the cost of medical exams for people who have been sexually assaulted.

6-Year-Olds Accused of Taking Pickup for Joyride in Kansas

Posted on April 13, 2016

NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — Police say two 6-year-old boys took a joyride in a pickup truck through a central Kansas town, damaging five other vehicles and two mailboxes along the way.

Newton police Sgt. Josh Millspaugh says the boys’ three-block journey ended about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday when they rammed another truck.

One of the boys was taken to a Wichita hospital with minor lacerations. The other was released to a parent.

Millspaugh said it was “surprising” to see such young occupants when he responded to the scene.

He said the boys didn’t say where they were going, but had collided with cars and a full-sized van, and occasionally drove through yards.

Millspaugh says he didn’t know the relationship between the boys. The truck they drove belonged to a parent.