WINNEBAGO, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed the death of a man injured by an explosion and fire at his northeast Nebraska home.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that 88-year-old Tony Pycha died Friday at an Omaha hospital. Pycha was found in the wreckage of his home south of Winnebago on Dec. 19.
The Sheriff’s Office and fire investigators say a malfunctioning propane heater caused the blast and resulting fire.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have chosen Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk as their new speaker.
Scheer was elected by secret ballot Wednesday with a 27-22 vote on the legislative session’s first day. Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg had also sought the position.
As speaker, Scheer will control the daily agenda, work to resolve conflicts among lawmakers and serve as an ambassador for the one-house, nonpartisan Legislature. He says he will work to preserve the Legislature’s independence from the executive and judicial branches and will not be intimidated, but he also pledged to collaborate.
Scheer replaces former state Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney, who left office because of term limits.
Williams and Scheer are both registered Republicans.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A former Council Bluffs candidate for mayor has been charged with stealing vending machines in Nebraska.
Online court records say 33-year-old Matthew Hartfield has pleaded not guilty to a dozen misdemeanor counts of theft. His trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 31 in Douglas County Court.
The thefts started occurring in November. Police say sometimes a well-dressed man would enter an Omaha store, measure a machine and take it, saying he’d bring back a larger machine.
The vending machines’ owner estimated his loss at $10,000.
The Daily Nonpareil reports (https://bit.ly/2hRAcrI ) that Hartfield ran for mayor in 2009 and was beaten by incumbent Tom Hanafan.
Adams and Cooley Rat Pack Jazz will take their audience on a nostalgic trip to the past with music from “The Golden Era of Song” in a matinee performance presented by the North Platte Concert Association at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts, Fifth and Bailey streets.
Sponsors of this concert are Dr. Chris and Julie Johng, and Michael and Julie Jacobson.
Johnny Adams, vocalist, and Ron Cooley, guitar, have worked together musically for many years, though they have known each other even longer, growing up in the same neighborhood in Omaha. Both are versatile musicians who are songwriters and have worked with Chip Davis and Mannheim Steam Roller for many years.
They will be joined by upright bassist Andy Hall, saxophonist Dennis Strawn and percussionist Carlos Figueroa.
The combo will play music made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole.
Rat Pack Jazz is well known throughout eastern Nebraska and the Midwest. A member of the Butler County Arts Council praised Rat Pack Jazz for their talent, professionalism and rapport with the audience. Other organizations have also been very complimentary of the ensemble’s concerts.
Admission is with membership in the North Platte Concert Association. Memberships are available by contacting Pat Hoban, 1412 W. Fourth St., at 308-534-4699. The cost of season memberships is $50 for adults, $100 for families (parents or guardians with minor children) and $15 for students.
RALSTON, Neb. (AP) — Young immigrants who want to learn English are getting help from other students in Ralston who also struggled to learn the language.
17-year-old Perla Anguiano Carrizales enrolled in the English Language Learners program in August 2015.
The Ralston High School student says that a year after she joined, she was getting good grades. She hopes to get a college scholarship and wants to be a nurse, and is also now helping other students with their English.
Perla and three other students volunteer with the program, which has seen a steady increase in participation.
There are usually 13 to 16 students in the district’s beginner class, which is a joint effort with Papillion-La Vista Community Schools. There were 25 students at the end of November.
AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that a body found in an icy pond in suburban Denver is that of a 6-year-old boy who apparently wandered off from his home on New Year’s Eve.
An autopsy performed Wednesday showed David Puckett didn’t suffer any traumatic injuries. But the coroner’s office said additional tests were needed to determine exactly how he died.
Police are also still investigating what led up to his death. They have previously said they don’t suspect foul play.
Dozens of law enforcement officers and volunteers searched for him after his family reported him missing Saturday. The pond in the park near his home wasn’t searched until Tuesday when a dog picked up a scent there.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police say officers have arrested a man suspected of setting a fire at a Lincoln veterinary center.
Investigators also are checking into whether the man was involved in several other arsons in the north Lincoln neighborhood.
The 43-year-old was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of arson and burglary at Pet Care Center in the Belmont area. Online court records don’t show that he’s been formally charged yet. No staffers or animals were injured by the pet center fire set Sunday evening.
Authorities say the five other fires under investigation include two at Belmont Baptist Church on Oct. 3 — one early in the morning and another late that night.
Della M. Anderson, 83, of North Platte, passed away December 31, 2016 at Great Plains Health.
She was born on November 11, 1933 in North Platte, to Harry “Dick” and Eva Mae (Powell) Kelso. Della graduated from North Platte High School and later attended two years of Nursing School. She worked as a nurse at Ogallala Hospital and Sutherland Care Center. Della loved to fish, cook, and enjoyed knitting.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Jeff Anderson. Della is survived by her children, Rick (Donna) Anderson, Marlene Anderson, Vina (Bill) Finch, Neil (Jeana) Anderson, Diana (Ron Green) Anderson, Kathy (Mike) Tindell; brother, Don (Arlene) Kelso; fifteen grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; two nephews and one niece.
Private services will be held at a later date. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
Laura Mae (McIntosh) Graves, age 41 of North Platte, left her place here on earth December 31, 2016 with family and loved ones by her side at the University of Colorado in Aurora, CO.
Laura was born on June 2, 1975 in North Platte to Frances McIntosh. She moved with her family to Aurora, CO, Evanston, WY, Salt Lake City, UT and Denver, CO, but eventually planted her roots back in Nebraska. She attended school in North Platte and received her GED. She was united in marriage to Curtis D. Graves on January 30, 1997 and to this union 2 children were born, Breonna Rae and Curtis Daniel Jr. In 2009 they were blessed with their special son Tristen Tyrael Graves. Laura’s passions in life were her children, for whom she only wanted the best of everything. She cared for the elderly and worked as a CNA before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed playing with and caring for her children and nieces and nephews, Tre’sha, Mya, Tayi, CeAnn, Millie, Lincoln, Dasyn, Elijah and Queyontae. She truly cherished making memories to last a life time.
Laura is survived by her mother Frances McIntosh; step-father Willie Purvis; husband Curtis Graves; children Breonna (Tristen Houlden) Graves, Curtis Daniel Graves, Jr., and Tristen Tyrael Graves; her siblings Anthony (Amber) McIntosh, Stevie (Nikki Woodward) McIntosh and Willie E. Purvis III; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins; as well as special friends Randisa Purvis, Sherleen and Randy Smith, and CeCillia Childers.
She was preceded in death by her biological father Larry Jones; maternal grandparents Marvin McIntosh and Elvira Clark Blackledge; paternal grandparents Ray Graves and Sharon Graves; aunts Linda McIntosh, Kathryn Wiegel, Doris Snow; uncle Simon Martinez; cousin Travis Martinez; unborn Baby Graves; and her pet pomeranian Jazzy.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A celebration of Laura’s life will be held 4:00 p.m. Saturday January 7, 2017 at the Salvation Army Church, 1020 North Adams, with Captain Tony Bowers and Breanne Bowers officiating. A continued celebration and the sharing of cherished memories will be held in the gymnasium immediately following. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements.
David Herschel White, age 58, of North Platte, NE, died December 29, 2016, at his home in North Platte.
David was born February 5, 1958, to Herschel Delbert and Carolyn Jean Vollmer White in North Platte where he grew up and attended school. He later married Jena Humphrey and they later divorced.
David worked as a disc jockey for Eagle Radio, Hot 97.1 and KELN, and was a member of the Pigeon Club.
He is survived by his siblings, Michael (Rachel) Welch and Cheryl White, of North Platte, and Angie Welch (Derek Peavey), of Golden, CO; niece and nephew, Breanna and Lathan Welch; and other family members.
David was preceded in death by his father, Herschel White; mother and stepfather, Carolyn and Frank Welch; and infant brother, Timothy Welch.
Cremation was chosen. A gathering of family and friends will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Cheryl’s house, 2602 West First Street in North Platte. Condolences may be shared online at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
