Month: December 2016
Authorities ID man killed in Douglas County car crash
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a man who was killed in a fiery car crash on the northwest side of Omaha.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 32-year-old Gary McGaha, who lived in Omaha.
The Sheriff’s Office says McGaha lost control of his car around 6:15 p.m. Friday. It ran off the slippery roadway, rammed into a tree and burst into flames.
HIGHLIGHTS: North Platte girls can’t overcome slow start in 48-21 loss at Norfolk
Cherry County board rejects wind farm permit request
VALENTINE, Neb. (AP) — The Cherry County Board of Commissioners has voted against providing a permit for a proposed wind farm.
The board voted 2-0 Monday to reject Bluestem Sandhills’ application. Bluestem wanted to build a 30-turbine farm over several thousand acres.
Critics of the plan cited fears about noise problems and damage to the environment.
Bluestem Vice President Eric Johnson says it’s possible Bluestem will seek permission to erect fewer turbines in an area near Kilgore. Bluestem Sandhills has discussed the possibility of reducing the number of wind towers to 17 by employing larger turbines.
Barbara Ann “Loftus” Johnson
Barbara Ann “Loftus” Johnson, 84, of North Platte, passed away on December 18, 2016. She was born on May 24, 1932 in Lushton, Nebraska to Galen and Doris (Sloniger) Loftus. Barbara was an only child, living her younger years in Julesburg, Colorado before moving to North Platte. She graduated from St. Pat’s High School with the class of 1949. Barbara worked at Northwestern Bell and then married Bud Johnson. To this union three children were born, Edward (Pam) Johnson, Marcia Collins and Carol (Donald) Dailey. After Barbara raised her children, she worked for Leonard and Mendal Hirschfeld at Hirschfeld Clothing as a very accomplished seamstress. Barb could take any garment and tailor make it for a perfect fit. She loved working with her hands, sewing and making beautiful cross stitch pieces and she was very proud of her work. Each Christmas, family was excited to see what Christmas ornament they would receive. Bud and Barb spent many hours at the lake enjoying their cabin, fishing and their many friends. Barbara was a very loving , kind and caring lady and will be missed by many. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. She is survived by son, Ed (Pam) Johnson of North Platte; daughters Marcia Collins of Omaha, and Carol (Don) Dailey of North Platte; grandchildren; Julie (Ben) Miller, Tony Johnson, Jason (Gina) Sommer, Danny (Rachele) Dailey, David (Cashia) Dailey, Amber Gamble, Adam Dailey, Brian (Yadira) Collins, Andrea Cortes, 20 great-grandchildren, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, a granddaughter and her husband, Michelle and Mike Speer and their daughters. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Memorials have been established to Great Plains Hospice and the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 22 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Dawson PPD warns customers of suspicious phone calls
Dawson Public Power District is warning its customers of a potential scam. Reports of suspicious phone calls demanding payment or risk having power disconnected were received by Dawson PPD.
Dawson PPD customers are encouraged to contact the utility if they receive a phone call requesting payment. Call Dawson PPD’s office at 800-752-8305 as the number the “representative” provides is most likely routed to the scammers themselves.
“Dawson PPD encourages its customers to protect themselves from fraudulent activities,” said Connie Hird, Supervisor, Consumer Accounts and Records. “If you suspect the phone call is a scam, please call us to verify the disconnect notice and contact your local authorities.”
The District notifies customers of delinquent bills three times prior to disconnecting a service: a reminder on the utility bill, a formal disconnect notice in the mail and finally an automated phone call.
Customers may securely pay their bill through an automated phone system, online via DawsonPower.com, the SmartHub mobile app or Dawson PPD’s offices in Lexington, Kearney and North Platte.
South Dakota man accused of stealing car in Lincoln County as it warmed up
While it’s sure nice to get into a warm vehicle in the morning, warming up your vehicle can also make them an easy target for thieves.
On Monday at around 9:49 a.m., Lincoln County deputies responded to the report of a stolen vehicle from a residence on North U.S. Highway 83, north of North Platte.
The Sheriff’s Office says the residents had started their 1999 GMC van, which was parked in front of their house, so it could warm up.
A short time later, the residents observed a male subject enter their yard, get into the vehicle and take off, striking another vehicle and a barbed wire fence before heading northbound on Highway 83.
Multiple deputies from the LCSO responded to the area, and area law enforcement was notified.
As Logan County Sheriff Sean Carson was on patrol, looking for the stolen vehicle, he observed the vehicle crossing the Lincoln/Logan County line and initiated a traffic stop.
Carson made contact with the driver, identified as 31-year-old Alec Burnette, of Mission, South Dakota, and took him into custody without incident.
Lincoln County deputies arrived a short time later and transported Burnette to the Lincoln County Detention Center.
He was jailed on charges of felony theft and criminal mischief.
The van, which had minimal damage, was returned to its owner.
Wayne Douglas Diener
Wayne Douglas Diener, age 71, of North Platte, NE, died Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Great Plains Health.
Wayne was born October 13, 1945, to Harry Lynn and Elsie Adeline Smith Diener in North Platte and grew up in Albion and Ord, NE. He graduated from Albion High School in 1963 and had earned his Eagle Scout Award. Wayne then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln before proudly serving in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971. He eventually received his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from Eastern Washington University at Spokane, WA.
Wayne’s work had an impact on all lives. While working for Notifier Corp. in Lincoln, he designed the first microprocessor based fire/burglar alarm system around 1978 and worked on one of Notifier’s security systems installed in the World Trade Centers. Wayne later worked for Otis Elevator Company and designed the major controller for their next generation of elevators. From there he went to work for Keytronic in 1991 and designed upgrades to IBM computer keyboards. By 1999 Wayne was employed by Qualcom and given the task of developing the system that allowed manufacturers to design cell phones, called 2G at that time then 3G. So every time you use a cell phone, there’s a little part of Wayne in it.
Wayne retired in 2000 then returned to North Platte in 2011 due to health concerns and to be closer to his family.
He is survived by his sister, Nancy (Louis) Stoeger, of Maywood, NE; brother, Gale (Catherine) Diener, of Spokane, WA; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Diener and Elsie Watkins, and stepfather, Clarence Watkins; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Doug Durbin; and niece, Shaylynn Hagan.
Cremation was chosen. Graveside Memorial Service with Military Honors will be 10 a.m. Monday, January 2, 2017, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
North Platte’s Kenzie Wiseman joins Doane University softball program
North Platte’s Kenzi Wiseman is transferring to Doane University to play softball for the Lady Tigers.
The former North Platte softball stand-out signed her National Letter of Intent to Southwest Minnesota State University in 2015. She was named the starting catcher her freshman season and appeared in eight games before a serious intestinal virus ended her season. She finished with a .330 batting average, including three doubles. She also threw-out five base-runners from her catching position for the NCAA Division II Lady Mustangs.
Wiseman will join the Lady Tigers for the 2017 winter/spring semester and will practice with the team, but sit out of competition to maintain her four years of athletic eligibility.
The Doane softball program is on the rise under fifth-year head coach Renae Littrell. They won the GPAC championship in 2015 and have qualified for the NAIA national tournament back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016. The Doane coaching staff was also named the NAIA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
North Platte Weather-December 20
TodayMostly sunny, with a high near 46. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 13. Northwest wind 12 to 17 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 45.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow before 7pm, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Christmas Day
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 9. Blustery.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 28.