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Explosion levels a house in Omaha; 1 woman dies, others hurt

OMAHA-FIRE-AND-RESCUE-BADGEOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — One person died and at least two others were injured when an explosion leveled a house in Omaha.

The blast was reported in north-central Omaha around 12:15 p.m. Monday near 65th and Sprague streets.

Fire Battalion Chief Tim McCaw says paramedics took two women to an Omaha hospital, and fire officials say one later died.

A 14-year-old boy was seriously hurt and taken to the hospital privately.

Authorities didn’t release the names of those hurt and injured.

Nearby homes were moved off their foundations, and McCaw says the damaged home was reduced to its foundation.

McCaw says the explosion ruptured a gas line, but that wasn’t the source of the blast.

Fire officials say Omaha police homicide investigators have been called to the location, adding the move was “standard procedure.”

4 soldiers arrested in Colorado home invasion

armyCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Police say four Fort Carson soldiers have been arrested in connection with a home invasion involving a family they knew.

The soldiers, who range in age from 19 to 21, were arrested on suspicion of burglary, menacing and child abuse after turning themselves in Sunday night in Colorado Springs.

Police say a husband and wife and their two young children were at home when the four soldiers walked in, one carrying a handgun.

The family told police that the man threatened to shoot them and demanded property. When they refused, they said the soldiers left and told them they would return.

Fort Carson spokeswoman Dani Johnson says Army officials are cooperating with the police in their investigation.

Thomas Edward Mengel

mengel

Thomas Edward Mengel, age 76, of North Platte, NE died Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

Tom was born May 13, 1940, to Francis Marion and Virginia F. McBride Mengel at Rock Springs, WY. He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1959. Tom then joined the U.S. Navy in September and later served on the USS Hancock. Following his discharge in 1963 he returned to North Platte.

On August 27, 1961, Tom was united in marriage to Edith LaRue Clark at Fort Lewis, WA. Together they raised four children and shared a lifetime of love.

Tom hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1963 as an IBM Clerk and was known to those he worked with as “Pliers”. After 40 years he retired in 2003. Along with his job, Tom also made time to serve as a volunteer fireman, drive a school bus and serve on the Maxwell Village Board and Maxwell Athletic Club.

He was baptized in the Berean Fundamental Church and was a member of the V.F.W. Post #1504, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and F.O. Eagles Aries #2839. Tom was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Over the years he taught children about bow hunting, archery, hunter safety and helped with an Awana church group. Most of all, Tom loved his family. He enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids play sports.

Tom leaves behind his wife of 55 years, LaRue, of North Platte; their children, Rochelle (Mark) Miller, of North Platte, Thomas (Sharlene) Mengel, of Bellevue, NE, Tylon Mengel (Karen Thummel), of Colby, KS, and Trent (Pam) Mengel, of LaVista, NE; sister, Patricia Hanson, of Sandy, UT; sisters-in-law, Ann (Don), Carrie and Susan; and brothers-in-law, Danny, Dennis (Heidi) and Tom.

Survivors also include 18 grandchildren, Chris (LeAnn), Brandy (Shane), Lisa (John), Shane (Lindee), Marcus, Hunter, Jillian, Kala (Shawn), Sean, Skyler (Richard), Haley, Morgan (Ben), Brianna, Taylor (Coulter) Braden, Teigan, Jacobbie and Kegan; 14 great-grandchildren, Casey, Natalia, Cooper, Jacob, Jordan, Jenna, Emerson, Braelee, Landyn, Reese, Zander, Easton, Baylor and Ruger; nieces, Julie (Tom), Lisa (Jerry), Christy (Tom), Megan and Genny (Jay); nephews, Barrett (Susie), Casey (Ashlie) and Derek (Cindi); many great-nephews and great-nieces including, Cheyenne, and her mother, Tami, and Maggie; and other family members.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Virginia; brother-in-law, Richard Hanson; mother-in-law, Charlotte Woodall; and father-in-law, Lon Clark.

Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with George Cheek officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Maranatha Bible Camp.

Trial delayed in western Nebraska barrel body case

Zachary Mueller
Zachary Mueller

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — A homicide trial has been delayed for a Nebraskan accused of killing a Colorado man and stuffing his body into a barrel.

Court records say a new trial starting date of Nov. 14 has been set for 24-year-old Zachary Mueller. He’s pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and related weapons charges. He’s 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 was to begin Sept. 6, but a judge delayed it on a motion by Mueller’s lawyer.

Mueller is from Bridgeport.

Embattled board member says he won’t seek re-election

metro-community-college-updOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The embattled board chairman of an Omaha community college says he won’t resign but will not run for re-election in November.

Fred Conley repeated at a news conference Monday that he’s done nothing wrong.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development banned Conley from participating in federal contracts for three years because he failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest while serving on the Omaha Housing Authority board. He’s been under pressure to leave his Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors position, lest his continued presence jeopardize Metro’s federal funding. The college received $32.7 million in federal student aid in the 2014-15 school year.

Conley has filed a federal lawsuit to overturn the Housing Department’s action.

Lincoln mothers plan memorial for soldiers killed after 9/11

soldierLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two mothers who have lost children to war are working with the city of Lincoln to erect a memorial that honors Nebraska soldiers who’ve died after 9/11.

Maria Medrano-Nehls and Joyce Peck have teamed up with Lincoln Parks and Recreation to create the memorial, which will be placed in the Veterans Memorial Garden in Antelope Park.

The Veterans Memorial Garden board has approved the design. On black granite, the memorial will say “In honor of all Nebraska’s fallen soldiers post 9/11,” followed by “Never Forgotten.” Other details include a list of fallen soldiers, along with their rank and date of death.

It will cost about $22,000 in private donations to build the monument. The mothers hope to have the memorial completed next year.

Motorcyclist died in Omaha highway crash, authorities say

fatal-motorcycle-crashOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a motorcyclist has been killed in an Omaha highway crash.

The crash occurred around 2:20 a.m. Monday. Police say the motorcyclist was on a ramp from westbound Interstate 80 headed to U.S. Highway 75 south when he lost control of his bike.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His name hasn’t been released.

Crash near Maxwell claims the life of 8-year-old Idaho girl

fatal-accidentAn 8-year-old Idaho girl is dead following an accident on Interstate 80 near Maxwell on Sunday evening.

At around 6:46 p.m., an injury accident involving two semis was reported on I-80 near Mile Marker 192 eastbound, about two miles east of Maxwell.

The Nebraska State Patrol says a semi traveling eastbound, driven by 59-year-old Rana Singh, of Chino, California, was rear-ended by another eastbound semi, driven by 40-year-old Serget Kalinovskiy, of Meridian, Idaho.

The collision caused the semi driven by Kalinovskiy to turn onto its side, ejecting Kalnovskiy and his daughter, Victoria.

Investigators say bystanders immediately began CPR on Victoria and continued to do so until the North Platte Fire Department arrived on the scene.

Both of the Kalinovskiys were transported to Great Plains Health, where Victoria was pronounced dead on arrival.  Serget Kalinovskiy suffered minor injuries and was treated and released.

It was unknown if Singh sustained any injuries.

I-80 was closed for about four hours while the accident was investigated.  Drug or alcohol use is not believed to be a factor.

Troopers say this accident is a good example of how dangerous following another vehicle too closely can be.  They recommend allowing two seconds between you and other vehicles.

The crash remains under investigation.

 

 

North Platte Weather-July 25

forecast graphic july 25 2016Today
Sunny, with a high near 88. Light east southeast wind becoming southeast 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind 8 to 14 mph.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Friday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 91.

Public meeting set on plan for lakes McConaughy, Ogallala

lake-macOGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — A public meeting has been scheduled for next month in Ogallala on the master plan for Lake McConaughy (muh-KAH’-nuh-hay) and Lake Ogallala.

The meeting is to begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Keith County Fairgrounds exhibit hall.

There will be a presentation about development and management of the lakes and a public input session.

The plan is still in development, overseen by an advisory committee composed of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staffers, lake concessionaires, landowners and economic development personnel from Keith County and the city of Ogallala.

The 20-year plan will guide the operation of recreational activities at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala.

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