We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

City Council looks at entertainment districts

omahaOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Under a proposed city ordinance to create entertainment districts in Omaha, residents would be able to drink alcohol outdoors in some parts of town.

The City Council will vote Tuesday to create entertainment districts, where many eateries open into a common area for dining and drinking. Assistant City Attorney William Acosta-Trejo says that the project will be similar to Lincoln’s Railyard.

Representatives of Aksarben Village and the Capitol District say their areas will apply to become entertainment districts if the proposed ordinance passes.

Project Extra Mile policy and research coordinator Chris Wagner says entertainment districts could lead to underage drinking and binge drinking. Nebraska Liquor Control Commission chairman Bob Batt says the possibility of binge drinking is not concerning because the districts won’t promote it.

Theresa Jean Kesterson

kestrson

Theresa Jean Kesterson, age 87, of North Platte, NE, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Great Plains Health.

Theresa was born September 24, 1929, to Ervin Earl and Marguerite Anna Wendeborn Vencill at North Platte where she grew up and later graduated from North Platte High School in 1947.

On September 21, 1947, Theresa was united in marriage to Junior Arthur Kesterson at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte. The couple made their home in North Platte where they raised their daughter, Judy, and were longtime members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Theresa had worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses including Walt Nielsen Chevrolet and the Conoco Bulk Plant.

Theresa and Art enjoyed riding the motorcycle together, camping and spending time at their cabin at Lake Maloney. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandkids.

Theresa leaves behind her husband, Art, of North Platte; daughter, Judy (Bill) Frazier, of Marion, IA; two grandchildren, Tracy (Chad) Criswell and Ann (Adam) Rohret, all of Altoona, IA; five great-grandkids, Noah, Alexandra, Arthur and Charlotte Criswell and Adalynn Rohret; brother-in-law, George McCammon, of North Platte; a niece and nephew; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Marguerite Vencill; sister Cleda Dowhower McCammon; brother-in-law, Wayne Dowhower; and great-grandson, Jacob Criswell.

Cremation was chosen and services will be at a later date. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Donor’s Choice.

Lancaster County authorities release name of driver killed in crash

lancaster-county-sheriffLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a 25-year-old woman killed in a Lancaster County crash.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as Melissa Vifquain, who lived in Lincoln.

The crash was reported around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, just east of Denton. Sheriff’s Office says Vifquain was alone in her car when it went out of control, ran down an embankment and rammed a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office says crash investigators suspect Vifquain had been drinking alcohol.

University of Nebraska at Omaha spending under extra review

Hank Bounds (Couresy UNL)
Hank Bounds (Couresy UNL)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The university system president is providing extra oversight on spending at the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus that he’s not requiring at the three other university campuses.

President Hank Bounds confirmed that he’s reviewing any new nonroutine expenditure of $10,000 or more. He says the state’s budget bind and particularly tight financial margins at the Omaha campus prompted his move.

Bounds also says the extra oversight is no slight to Omaha’s chancellor, John Christensen, who is retiring in the middle of the year.

Christensen says the directive indeed reflects the state’s budget challenge and also is based on the fact that a new person will be in his office this year.

Nebraska senator faces criticism for women’s march retweet

Sen. Bill Kintner
Sen. Bill Kintner

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state senator who had cybersex with a woman on a state computer is facing criticism again for a retweet suggesting that demonstrators at a women’s march weren’t attractive enough to be sexually assaulted.

Republican state Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion on Sunday retweeted a comment by conservative personality Larry Elder that mocked three women pictured with signs protesting Donald Trump’s comments about touching women inappropriately. Above the photo, Elder wrote: “Ladies, I think you’re safe.”

Kintner’s retweet drew immediate criticism online and from the Nebraska Democratic Party. The blunt-spoken lawmaker paid a $1,000 fine last year after he admitted to engaging in mutual masturbation on Skype with a woman who tried to blackmail him.

Kintner declined to comment Monday but suggested he would issue a statement later.

Nebraska governor kicks off fitness challenge with walk

nebraska-150th-300-250LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is leading a small group around the second floor of the state Capitol to mark the beginning of a year-long fitness program tied in with the state’s 150th anniversary.

The governor Monday urged Nebraska residents to stay active, whether that consists of walking, biking or yoga.

Ricketts touted a website, NE150Challenge.com, where residents can track their miles and minutes of physical activity and earn virtual badges connected to the state’s sesquicentennial. The site also helps people find parks and trails.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO says it’s important to exercise with a friend who can provide encouragement.

Donna Louise Bryant

donna-bryant

Donna Louise Bryant, age 85, formerly of Paxton, passed away January 18, 2017 at the McKee Medical Center in Loveland, CO.

Donna was born on March 9, 1931 in Paxton, NE to John Ray “Jack” and Opal Mae (Beveridge) Dinnel.  She graduated from Paxton High School in 1948.  On July 31, 1948 she married Rolley “Rod” Bryant in Alma, CO and to this union three children were born, Rick, Diane and Christy.  Donna enjoyed cooking and decorated beautiful cakes using her “secret” recipe.  She loved her daschund dogs, her flower beds and enjoyed designing them in the winter months.

Donna is survived by her children Rick (Diane) Bryant of Wallace, Diane Stubbs of Drake, CO and Christy (Chris) Lyons of Aurora, TX; 7 grandchildren Shawna Keeler, Angela Mortenson, Kelly Holt, Jesse Stubbs, Cody Bryant, Zac Bryant and Jeremy Stubbs; 6 great grandchildren; as well as other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Rod in 1996; and brothers Jack and Tom Dinnel.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday April 1, 2017 at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with Pastor Bob Witt officiating.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Varney Daryl “Butch” Bancroft

bancroft

Varney Daryl “Butch” Bancroft, age 75 of Vermillion, SD passed away Thursday January 19, 2017 in McCook, NE.

Butch was born on May 3, 1941 in Redfield, SD to Leonard and Genevieve (Bennett) Bancroft.  He grew up in Burke, SD and graduated from Burke High School with the class of 1960.  He married Karolee Gatson on June 10, 1962.  He served in the US Marine Corp from 1965 until 1968, serving in Vietnam.  After his discharge, he worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company (which later became AT & T) for over 40 years.  After leaving AT & T, he opened T.D.C. where he worked on phone systems in South Dakota.  He enjoyed hunting and was very artistic with his drawings and making wooden houses.  He loved his family, especially his children and grandchildren.  He was much loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

Varney is survived by his wife Karolee of North Platte; daughters Kori Simonson of North Platte and Kara Bancroft of Sidney; 5 grandchildren, Brett Bancroft, Kira Westman, Tate Simonson, Elizabeth Westman and Kevin Westman; siblings Marilyn (Chuck) Clanton, Larry Bancroft, and Ronald Bancroft all of Rapid City, SD; as well as other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Sharon Bell.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  He will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis, SD at a later date.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

North Platte Weather-January 23

forecast-graphic-january-23-2017Today
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of rain before 7pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 7pm and 8pm, then a slight chance of snow after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday
A 40 percent chance of snow. Patchy blowing snow after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of snow. Patchy blowing snow before 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 18. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 30. North northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 35.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Conference to provide overview of Nebraska charity oversight

bellevue-universityBELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A February conference in Bellevue will provide an overview of state laws applicable to charities and their assets.

The Nebraska attorney general’s office says it will provide experts, and there will be others from other state agencies and the FBI.

The conference is scheduled to run from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9 at Bellevue University. Online registration is available at https://bit.ly/2k7GkNf. Call Jon Titus at 402-557-7812 for more registration information.

The conference will cost attorneys $37.50. They will receive continuing legal education credit. The cost for other people is $30.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File