July 2016 – Page 33 – North Platte Post Archive

Court upholds dismissal of college board from lawsuit

Posted on July 2, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees from a lawsuit over the 2010 disappearance of a 19-year-old Peru State student.

The mother of Tyler “Ty” Thomas sued the board, saying it violated Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools, by failing to protect Ty Thomas from harm.

Thomas disappeared after encountering Joshua Keadle, a fellow Peru State student now in prison for raping another teen. Thomas has since been declared dead.

A federal judge dismissed the college board from the lawsuit last year, saying that while officials could have done more to protect Thomas, attorneys for Thomas failed to show deliberate indifference by college officials.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed on Friday.

Alcohol problems in Whiteclay consume county’s budget

Posted on July 2, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A tiny Nebraska village that sells millions of cans of beer each year near a South Dakota Indian reservation is consuming a sizeable chunk of the surrounding county’s budget.

Sheridan County Commissioner James Krotz says law enforcement accounts for roughly 35 percent of the county’s budget, largely because of Whiteclay on the border of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. His comments were disclosed Friday in documents obtained through an open-records request by activists who want to shutter Whiteclay’s four beer stores.

The stores sold the equivalent of 3.5 million cans of beer last year despite having only a dozen residents. Local residents, officials and business owners have been meeting at Gov. Pete Ricketts’ urging to try to address panhandling and violence in the village, but they haven’t reached an agreement.

Health alerts issued for Pawnee, Richardson county lakes

Posted on July 2, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State health and environment officials have issued health alerts for toxic blue-green algae at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County.

Officials say in a news release Friday that the alerts were issued following tests of the lake water. An alert has ended at Harlan County Reservoir.

Skin exposed to the toxin from certain strains of blue-green algae can develop rashes and blisters. Someone who drinks water containing the toxin is at risk for headaches, nausea and muscular pain.

Deliberations expected to resume in 2nd Beatrice Six trial

Posted on July 2, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Jurors are expected to resume deliberations Friday in the second trial of a lawsuit filed against Gage County by people wrongfully convicted in a 1985 rape and slaying.

Closing arguments were made Thursday and deliberations began. The six people — James Dean, Kathleen Gonzalez, Debra Shelden, Ada JoAnn Taylor, Joseph White and Thomas Winslow — were wrongly convicted of killing Helen Wilson in Beatrice and served a combined 77 years in prison before DNA testing cleared them in 2008. They’ve become known as the Beatrice Six.

The first trial last year ended in a mistrial.

Jurors were asked Thursday to award the six at least half a million dollars for each year they spent in prison — more than $37.5 million total.

Midwest economic survey points toward slow growth

Posted on July 2, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Figures from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states have dropped slightly but still suggest economic growth ahead.

A report issued Friday says the Mid-American Business Conditions index hit 50.1 in June, compared with 52.1 in May.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says gains for nondurable-goods producers more than offset continuing losses for regional durable-goods manufacturers.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

2 kids safe after abduction in Omaha; mother arrested

Posted on July 2, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two children are safe after being abducted from a home in northwest Omaha.

Omaha police say the children’s mother and three other people barged into the home a little before 6 p.m. Thursday and took the 5- and 7-year-old kids. Police soon shared information with other agencies about a minivan involved, and a Nebraska state trooper later spotted the vehicle on Interstate 80 near Waverly and pulled it over.

The children were found inside, unhurt. Authorities say four adults were arrested.

The names of those involved haven’t been released. Authorities say the children’s mother isn’t supposed to have contact with the children.

Post Podcast: ‘What’s Your Issue’: Help Bring a BMX Track to NP

Posted on July 1, 2016July 11, 2016

We had a conversation with Brandon McCook who is working to bring a venue that will provide for BMX racing, R/C races and much more. Have a listen! If you’d like to support this great cause, here’s some ways you can help:

GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/308BMX

Buy a t-shirt to support the cause: www.booster.com/308bmxtrackinnorthplatte

https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1/bmx-track-brandon-mccook-podcast

Robert (Bob) Rogers

Posted on July 1, 2016July 1, 2016

Robert (Bob) Rogers departed this life June 30, 2016 in Mullen, NE. He was born October 1, 1933 to Andrew and Mary Bogart Rogers and raised in the New York City Borough of Queens.

After completing High school he was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Richardson Alaska during the Korean War. On May 25, 1959, he married Joan Macke in Mullen, NE. To this union 4 children were born. Bob was active in St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Meals on Wheels, and was a member of the American Legion. Bob was in partnership with his brother-in-law running Macke’s grocery until his retirement. He was a fan of high school sports, especially wrestling and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his wife Joan, children Roxanne (Doug) Nellor of MO, Rhonda (Todd) Hoyt of Overton, Mitchell (Alicia) of CO, Matthew (Kaylyn) of Kearney, eleven grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother and 1 grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Pioneer Memorial Rest Home.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 5, at 10 am MDT at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen. Burial will follow at Cedarview Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Post #109, Mullen.

Rosary will be held at 7 pm MDT at St. Mary’s on Monday. Visitation will be Monday from 1 to 5 pm MDT with the family being present from 4 to 5 pm MDT.

Memorials are to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Pioneer Memorial Rest Home in Mullen.

Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

NP couple charged with felony child abuse

Posted on July 1, 2016

Felony child abuse charges have been filed against a North Platte couple following a month-long investigation.

On Sunday, May 29, an officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to Great Plains Health on the report of possible child abuse.

Hospital staff reported that a minor child was found to have a laceration on the top of her head and bruises on her face and buttocks.

The officer then met with the child’s mother, 28-year-old Sharon Smith, regarding the allegations made by hospital staff.

According to officer Jeremiah Johnson, as the officer continued his investigation, Smith grabbed the child, ran out the door and left in a vehicle. Johnson says GPH security attempted to stop her but was unsuccessful.

Officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of West Hahn Avenue and South Ash Street.

The child was placed in emergency protective custody and returned to the hospital for treatment. Officers then went to the Smith residence and removed another minor child from the home Smith shared with her husband Thomas.

On June 30, Johnson says NPPD completed its investigation and placed Thomas and Sharon under arrest.

They were jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on a charge of felony child abuse.

Marvin Eau Claire Dewey

Posted on July 1, 2016July 1, 2016

Marvin Eau Claire Dewey, 77 of North Platte, passed away June 29, 2016 at his home. He was born June 18, 1939 to Eau Claire and Marge (Crawford) Dewey at Ansley, NE. Marvin attended school at Brady Public Schools, graduating in 1957. Marvin was proud to be part of the 1957 State High School Championship Basketball Team. After graduation, he entered in the United States Navy and proudly served his nation. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Marvin was united in marriage to Janice Whipple on December 4, 1961. To this union 3 children were born, Tamela Jo, Kandi Kae and James Lee. In his early years, he helped his father run the Lincoln Highway Garage in Brady. After moving to North Platte, Marvin then worked for Sears, as a Television Service Tech, and then as an Electrician for Union Pacific Railroad, retiring in 2004. Marvin was a master mechanic, electrician and carpenter, and enjoyed time tinkering in his shop repairing or building appliances, motors or furniture for family and friends. He enjoyed storytelling to his children and grandchildren of hunting and fishing excursions in his younger days. One of his greatest accomplishments was facing cancer with courage, and without fear or complaint. The lasting legacy he leaves his family and friends, is that even in our darkest hours, muster the strength to face each challenge with faith and hope. Loved ones will especially miss his knowledge about so many things mechanical, he truly could fix or build about anything. Marvin is survived by his wife, Janice Dewey; children, Kandi Kae (Mark) Bailey and James Lee Dewey; grandchildren, Brent Scott, Landon (Chelsea) and Jordan (Kelsey Ohlson) Bailey and Jamie Jolee Dewey; great granddaughter, Jaci Ann Bailey; a sister, Sue (Don) House; aunt, Joyce Dewey; brother and sisters-in-law, Tom (Jeannie) Whipple and Marlene Myers; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Tamela Jo; a grandson, Garrett Ryan Bailey; a brother-in-law, Ed Myers. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to Make A Wish Foundation. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the funeral home with military honors. Marvin had requested casual dress to the services. Cremation will follow. A private family burial at the Gaslin Cemetery near Brady will be at a later date. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.