February 2017 – Page 15 – North Platte Post Archive

May trial set for woman charged as accessory in Lexington slaying

Posted on February 14, 2017

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A May trial has been scheduled for a 34-year-old woman accused of trying to conceal a man’s slaying in Dawson County.

Online court records say Melissa Callahan, of Lexington, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony accessory to murder. Her trial is set to begin May 9 in Lexington.

Authorities say in court records that Callahan was present when Jose Regalado-Mendez shot to death Jose Hernandez in October and then helped move the body and conceal the slaying. Hernandez’s remains were found Dec. 12 near a farmhouse north of Lexington.

Facebook may be behind new Papillion data center

Posted on February 14, 2017

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — Documents filed with Sarpy County indicate that Facebook may be considering building a data center in the area, which is already home to data centers for other large companies.

A company spokeswoman declined to comment, saying only that Facebook is evaluating potential data center sites.

Facebook has not confirmed the site, but the data center applications are signed by an LLC with the same California address as Facebook’s headquarters. Another address in the applications is that of a law firm that has previously represented Facebook in a number of acquisitions.

If the company selects the site south of Papillion (puh-PIHL’-yuhn), it’ll operate among Yahoo and Fidelity which also have data centers in the county.

Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Andrew Rainbolt says the data center could see a groundbreaking by this spring.

Nebraska prairie dog management law in crosshairs once again

Posted on February 14, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s longest-serving lawmaker is once again trying to repeal a law that could allow county officials to kill black-tailed prairie dogs on private property if a neighbor complains.

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha says the 2012 law violates property rights by allowing the government to trespass on private land without a warrant or other due process safeguards. He proposed a repeal measure Tuesday to the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are native to Nebraska and considered an important species to maintain the region’s ecological balance, but some ranchers view them as pests because they tear up valuable grassland.

Only Sheridan County in northwest Nebraska has made use of the law. County Commissioner Jack Andersen says the law helps local officials deal with landowners who don’t manage their property.

Woman in 2013 school stabbing could see probation revoked

Posted on February 14, 2017February 14, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A woman who attacked a high school classmate in Lincoln more than three years ago has waived a preliminary hearing to determine whether she violated her probation in the case.

19-year-old Sarah Piccolo appeared in Lancaster County District Court on Tuesday. Prosecutors are seeking to have her five-year probation sentence revoked after she was charged with arson late last year in an Omaha case. Police in Omaha say Piccolo set a fire in a Metropolitan Community College bathroom on Nov. 5. That case is pending a mental health evaluation for Piccolo.

If she’s found guilty of violating probation, she could get up to 20 years in prison for the 2013 stabbing of a Pius X classmate in a bathroom of the school.

Nebraska lawmaker wants to add members to panel, cut pay

Posted on February 14, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker has proposed adding two additional members to a commission that regulates railroads, landline telephones and pipelines.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion told a legislative committee Tuesday his bill would ensure rural Nebraskans are better represented by the Public Service Commission. It would result in five conservative-leaning districts and two liberal-leaning ones.

The measure could have implications for the Keystone XL pipeline because the commission must approve the pipeline’s route in Nebraska.

The bill also would reduce commissioners’ annual salary from $75,000 to a $150 per diem not to exceed $22,500 a year and allow them to work another job. Former Commissioner Anne Boyle says commissioners already work full-time jobs serving the public and earn their salaries.

Margaret “Marg” Pitner

Posted on February 14, 2017

Margaret “Marg” Pitner, 67, of North Platte, passed away Feb. 13, 2017 at home.

Online condolences may be shared atwww.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Michelle Ann Ryan

Posted on February 14, 2017

Michelle Ann Ryan, age 39, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home on Monday, February 13, 2017.

Michelle was born June 13, 1977, to Joseph and Ruth Ann Beran Cox at North Platte where she grew up. Michelle graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1996 and worked at K-Mart while in school and most recently for Orscheln’s.

On March 21, 1997, Michelle was united in marriage to Richard Michael “Mike” Ryan III in North Platte where they made their home. After their daughter, Kylie Marie, was born, Michelle enrolled at Mid-Plains Community College and earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration.

Michelle was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the V.F.W. Auxiliary. She loved Mexican food, Husker football and volleyball, and going to classic rock concerts. Michelle especially enjoyed being home with her family and watching Kylie compete in various sporting activities. She was the most gentle, loving person you could know.

She leaves behind her husband, Mike, and daughter, Kylie Ryan, and in-laws, Mary Ryan and Richard and Cyndi Ryan, all of North Platte; grandparents, Jesus and Maria Medrano, of Grand Island, NE; her sister and brothers, Shawna Ryan (Matthew Northrup), of Grand Island, Tim Ryan, of Omaha, NE, and Anthony Ryan, of Kearney, NE; aunts and uncles, Sue Keith, Joan (Dennis) Lyons, Dave (Gayle) Beran and Marcie (Robert) Sandoval, all of North Platte; Thomas (Elsa) Beran, of Ankoeek, MD, Robert (Andrea) Medrano, of Omaha, James Medrano, of Kansas City, MO, Francis (Rodney) Maret, of McCook, NE, and Jesse (Kaylee) Medrano and Tina Medrano, of Grand Island; three nieces, Shaleena, Cristeena and Gabriela, all of Grand Island; her dog, Rio; as well as many cousins and other family.

Michelle was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ruth Cox; and grandparents, Shirley and Ivan Beran.

Christian Wake Service will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father C.P. Varghese celebrating. Cremation will follow the mass.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared online at odeanchapel.com In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Special Olympics.

Omaha teen who tossed baby from window to be sentenced as juvenile

Posted on February 14, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old girl from Nebraska who admitted throwing her newborn out of a second-floor window will be sentenced as a juvenile in the baby’s death.

Police say she gave birth Sept. 30 at her mother’s apartment in Omaha, Nebraska, tossed the child out the window then told her mom, who called 911. The Associated Press generally doesn’t name juveniles charged with crimes.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Monday that what the girl did wasn’t planned, and that “it was more of a panicked reaction.” An autopsy determined that the baby was in her seventh month of development.

The teenager could be given probation or be placed in a group home or detention center at her March 24 evaluation hearing.

Lincoln man accidentally shot himself in foot, police say

Posted on February 14, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police say a Lincoln man has accidentally shot himself with a handgun.

Officers were sent to the man’s home around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Police Capt. Bob Farmer says the 28-year-old man reported that he was putting the gun into his holster when it fired, striking him in a foot.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment. His name hasn’t been released.

Ex-village clerk gets probation for stealing from community

Posted on February 14, 2017

RIVERTON, Neb. (AP) — A former village clerk in south-central Nebraska has been given six months’ probation for stealing from her community.

Court records say 32-year-old Kelly Jackson also was fined $1,000 at her sentencing Monday in Franklin County Court. She’ pleaded no contest to misdemeanor theft after prosecutors lowered the charge from a felony count.

Court documents say a state audit alleges that Jackson took nearly $16,000 from Oct. 1, 2013, through Jan. 31, 2015, from the village of Riverton, which has about 90 residents.

Several former and current village board members told investigators that a village official signed blank checks so Jackson could pay village bills. Officials say Jackson instead wrote checks to herself.