Month: September 2016
NPCC Lady Knights Volleyball Lose Two on Day One of Pizza Hut Invite
North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights Volleyball team lost their first two matches of the Pizza Hut Invitational in Sterling, Colo., losing to Region IX Division I opponents Sheridan College Lady Generals and Casper College Lady Thunderbirds. Continue reading “NPCC Lady Knights Volleyball Lose Two on Day One of Pizza Hut Invite”
Flags in Nebraska to fly at half-staff on Patriot Day
Governor Pete Ricketts announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on September 11, 2016.
Governor Ricketts also issued the following statement in observance of Patriot Day:
“On Patriot Day, we remember the Americans killed in the largest terrorist attacks ever committed on American soil, and the brave law enforcement and firefighters who responded. The stories of their sacrifices inspired Americans in the days following September 11, 2001, and their many acts of heroism helped us come together as a country and combat the evil of terrorism. These stories continue to inspire us today as we wage war against Islamic extremism at home and abroad. We will never forget.”
On Patriot Day, the Governor will attend the 9/11 Minute of Silence at Stinson Park in Omaha and the 9/11 Remembrance and Military Tribute in Papillion.
Speedy trial argument in fatal crash case rejected
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a Wyoming man who argued that his speedy trial rights in a fatal crash case were violated and that all charges against him should be dismissed.
Edward Hood, of Sheridan, Wyoming, was charged with six counts — including driving under the influence — in the December 2013 crash on U.S. Highway 26 in western Nebraska that killed 62-year-old Terry Hofer of Ogallala and seriously injured another passenger in Hofer’s car.
Hood successfully argued to suppress blood and urine samples taken from him after the crash, and prosecutors unsuccessfully appealed.
Hood argued that the speedy trial clock should not have been stopped for prosecutors’ appeal. On Friday, the high court disagreed and ordered the manslaughter case against Hood to proceed.
Erica Jenkins’ robbery convictions, sentences upheld
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld the robbery convictions and prison sentence for the sister of Nikko Jenkins, who was convicted of killing four Omaha residents in 2013.
Erica Jenkins had appealed her convictions for her role in luring Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge Cajiga-Ruiz to an Omaha park in August 2013 and robbing them before Nikko Jenkins killed them. She was sentenced to 60 to 100 years for the two robbery counts.
The high court on Friday said it found no merit to any of Erica Jenkins’ arguments, including that prosecutors’ acquisition of her cellphone records amounted to an unconstitutional search.
Erica Jenkins is also serving a life sentence for helping her brother kill another of his four victims, Curtis Bradford.
New blue-green algae alert issued for Big Indian Creek Lake
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — The state has issued a new health alert at Big Indian Creek Lake in southeast Nebraska’s Gage County.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says samples taken earlier this week at the lake indicated high levels of a toxin produced by blue-green algae blooms.
The department also says earlier alerts at Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County, Rockford Lake in Gage County, Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County will continue.
Skin exposed to the toxin can develop rashes and blisters. Someone who drinks water containing the toxin is at risk for headaches, nausea and muscular pain.
Carlos D. “Bud” Votaw
Carlos D. “Bud” Votaw, age 82 of Wellfleet passed away Thursday September 8, 2016 at Great Plains Health due to the results of a stroke suffered in May 2015. He was ready to join loved ones in heaven and be pain free.
Bud was born on August 5, 1934 in Curtis, NE to John R. and Eva (Poteet) Votaw, according to his mother, the hottest day of the year! He grew up on the family farm northeast of Wellfleet, attended Community Center School, District 70 in Lincoln County through the 8th grade and graduated from the Curtis Aggies (Nebraska School of Agriculture) in 1952. In 1958 Bud was drafted into the Army, stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1959 to return to farming and ranching with his father. On November 22, 1959 Bud was married to Charlene A. Rose of North Platte and was blessed with 57 years with his best friend and love of his life. Bud loved farming and ranching for 20 years, growing irrigated corn and wheat and raising registered Angus cattle, and having a buffalo herd later in life, which was an interesting experience as well. Bud was employed at the North Platte Regional Airport for 11 years as maintenance supervisor. After retiring again, and with his love of cooking, Bud’s Steakhouse and Camp Ground at Lake Maloney south of North Platte, was the next endeavor. After health problems he retired again, this time back to his home on the farm in rural Wellfleet where he enjoyed his hobbies of cooking, gardening, wood working, reading, puzzles, attending church functions and enjoying time with his family. He was a 4-H leader and sponsor of the Wellfleet UMYF, coached girls softball, was a member of the Oddfellows, Eagles, Moose, Elks, and Harmony Community Club and Country Gardeners. He was a member of the Wellfleet United Methodist Church and served on the Administrative Council. He was on the Maywood Public School Board for a term, serving as treasurer.
Bud is survived by his wife Charlene of Wellfleet; 3 children Cindy Cynova of Denver, CO, Camille Votaw of North Platte, and Christopher (Shelby Forrester) Votaw of Oconto, NE; 7 grandchildren Charity (Justin) Harvey of Westminster, CO, Mandi (Nate) Smith of Crested Butte, CO, Cody (Monica) McCown of Albuquerque, NM, Jaide Votaw of Kearney, NE, Zebediah Greeley of North Platte, Denton Votaw of Callaway, and Danielle (Jud Gallardo) Greeley of North Platte; 6 great grandchildren, Vivienne and Aliyah Smith, Ace and Ryder McCown, Holden Gallardo, and Gwendolyn Harvey; his siblilngs Jeanenne (Darryl) Pickett of AZ, David (Barbara) Votaw of Holdrege, NE, John (Norma) Votaw of Wellfleet, and Debby (Bob) Adams of WA; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by son Craig Allen Votaw; his parents John and Eva Votaw; and parents-in-law Charles and Hazel Rose.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday September 12, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Tammy Aubushon officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Wellfleet Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday September 11, 2016 with family receiving friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Drugs seized, man arrested along Interstate 80 in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man has been arrested after drugs were seized from his vehicle along Interstate 80 in Omaha.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy made a traffic stop around 11 p.m. Thursday and soon became suspicious of the driver. A department dog was taken to the scene, and the dog alerted officers to the odor of drugs.
The Sheriff’s Office says 18 pounds of marijuana and about a pound of suspected hashish butter were found in the car’s trunk, along with drug paraphernalia.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale and other crimes. Online court records don’t show Friday whether he’s been formally charged.
Nearly $260K judgment for wrongly accused woman upheld
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld a nearly $260,000 judgment against the city of Lincoln and a local Crime Stoppers organization for wrongly accusing a woman of theft on TV and online.
The high court in its ruling Friday rejected the city’s arguments that Shayla Funk was not entitled to damages.
Funk sued the Lincoln Police Department after her image from bank surveillance video appeared on the Lincoln-Lancaster County Crime Stoppers website with the claim that she was a “crook” who made ATM withdrawals using a stolen credit card. Police also made the claim on local TV news.
But the bank had given police video of the wrong person — a problem the Supreme Court said could have been avoided if police had simply verified the accuracy of the video.
Man who police say was recruited as killer takes plea deal
AURORA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man accused of being recruited to kill another man’s wife has taken a plea deal.
Court records say 30-year-old Derrick Shirley, of Bradshaw, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 1. He pleaded no contest last week to a felony charge of possessing a firearm while committing a felony. Prosecutors lowered the original charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
Investigator say 38-year-old Robert Honken paid Shirley $400 to kill Honken’s wife. They say Shirley did surveillance around the woman’s Hamilton County home but never tried to kill her.
Honken has pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities say he also tried to hire another person, but that man turned out to be an undercover officer.
Honken’s trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 14.