February 2017 – Page 16 – North Platte Post Archive

North Platte Forecast-February 14

Posted on February 14, 2017

Today

Sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy, with a west wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north northwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 24. North wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light north northwest after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind around 8 mph.

Thursday Night

Clear, with a low around 29.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 65.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 60.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday

A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday Night

A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Washington’s Birthday

Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Nebraska campaign to raise awareness of opioid addiction

Posted on February 13, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new advertising campaign is seeking to raise awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse before it becomes a major public health crisis in Nebraska.

The statewide campaign announced Monday includes public service advertisements in radio and television outlets and newspapers.

Attorney General Doug Peterson says the campaign is a pre-emptive effort to keep Nebraska from experiencing the same problems as Ohio, New Hampshire and other states where opioid abuse has become an epidemic.

Gov. Pete Ricketts says state officials want to make sure the public is educated about the problem.

The partnership that launched the campaign includes state and federal officials as well as the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and the Nebraska Press Association.

Nebraska launched a prescription drug monitoring program earlier this year.

Nebraska lawmakers eye bill to raise smoking age to 21

Posted on February 13, 2017February 13, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could become the third U.S. state to raise its smoking age to 21.

Sen. Merv Riepe of Omaha presented a bill to a legislative committee Monday that would apply to smoking, chewing tobacco and alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes.

Riepe says adolescents are particularly vulnerable to addiction because their brains aren’t fully developed. He says raising the age also could keep cigarettes from younger teens because they’re more likely to be around 18-year-olds than 21-year-olds.

The Nebraska Nurses Association, Nebraska Hospital Association, and American Lung Association support the bill. They say it could save lives and money.

Advocates for vaping say e-cigarettes are less dangerous and shouldn’t be included. Opponents also contend raising the smoking age takes away rights from teens old enough to join the military.

Assault suspect says Creighton fraternity made him take drugs

Posted on February 13, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old charged with assaulting a woman with a knife at Creighton University over the weekend says he was forced to take drugs beforehand while trying to join a fraternity.

Christopher Wheeler’s attorney Matthew Burns said in court that the drug Wheeler took contributed to his erratic behavior.

Prosecutors say Wheeler went into an 18-year-old woman’s room Saturday and asked for someone else before using a pocket knife to cut her throat.

Wheeler has been banned from Creighton’s campus and plans to live with his parents in Kansas City, Kansas, once they pay $10,000 bond. He is charged with second-degree assault.

Creighton University suspended Phi Kappa Psi fraternity after the weekend incident. Members won’t be allowed to wear their fraternity gear on campus.

Sasse forms advisory committee for Nebraska federal offices

Posted on February 13, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse has formed an advisory commission to review candidates for federal offices such as U.S. attorney and U.S. marshal in Nebraska.

Sasse announced Monday that former Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr and businesswoman Cynthia Milligan will serve as the commission’s co-chairs.

The Nebraska Justice and Judicial Nominations Advisory Commission will review applications, interview candidates and make recommendations to Sasse about potential nominees. Sasse says he wants the independent judgment of Nebraska leaders to fill the positions.

Commission members include a law school dean, prosecutors, private attorneys and a retired FBI agent.

Completed applications are due by March 13.

NPCC Lady Knights volleyball signs Jade Max from Ogallala

Posted on February 13, 2017

Jade Max from Ogallala High School signs a letter of intent to play for the North Platte Community College Lady Knights Volleyball team. Pictured is Seated, L-R, dad, Steve Max, Jade, mom Jill, Ogallala Head Coach Steve Morgan. Standing NPCC Head Coach Alexa McCall.

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team announce the signing of Jade Max from Ogallala to play for the NPCC Lady Knights in the 2017 season.

Max, a defensive specialist played at Ogallala High School coached by Steve Morgan.

In her senior season, Max played in 87 sets and had 138 defensive digs, four assists and 28 service aces. She had a 90.1 serving percentage.

Lady Knight Head Coach Alexa McCall said ‘Jade comes from a solid program and we are excited to see what she can do to help us.”

Max is the seventh signing for the Lady Knights 2017 season. Carly Moss from Loveland, Colo., Carlie Wytulka from Nucla, Colo., Luisa Hernandez from Yuma, Colo., Shaylee Johnson from Fleming, Colo., Jordyn Simpson from North Platte, and Taylin McNair from Imperial are the other signees.

Mary Dorthy Neal Johnston

Posted on February 13, 2017

Mary Dorthy Neal Johnston, 91, of Thedford died Feb. 11, 2017 at the Pioneer Memorial Rest Home in Mullen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford.

Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Catholic DCCW, Hillcrest Cemetery or Pioneer Memorial Rest Home.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., with the Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Thedford. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Ieleen Larreau

Posted on February 13, 2017

Betty Ieleen Larreau, age 89, of Hershey, NE, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2017, at the Sutherland Care Center.

Betty was born May 5, 1927, to Ernest Eugene and Cora Ellen Kilmer Purcell at Arnold, NE, and grew up in Kilmer Valley near Garfield Table. Betty was raised in the Baptist church and was active in the Arnold Baptist Church. In 1945 she graduated from Arnold High School.

Betty later met and married Leland Lee Larreau. Due to the January Blizzard of ’49, the couple postponed their nuptials until February 13, 1949, when they were united in marriage during a double ring ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Arnold. They shared a beautiful wedding day with Betty’s twin sister, Bonnie Jean, and her new husband, Wayne Maline, of Gothenburg, NE.

Betty and Leland made their home on the farm southeast of Arnold and were blessed with five children, Sue Ellen, Brent, Jim, Jackie and Joseph. The Larreau family eventually moved to North Platte for five years then to an acreage south of Hershey in 1975 where Leland built their home with the help of family. Betty and Leland were together for nearly 67 years when he passed away in 2015.

Betty was a great wife, mother and cook. She loved music and could play the piano by ear. She also had a strong faith in Christ and was a member of the Walker Road Church of Christ in North Platte. Betty always looked forward to her afternoons, spending time drinking coffee and eating pie with her friends at the Hershey Truck Stop.

She is survived by her children, Sue Ellen Foster and Joseph Larreau, both of North Platte, Brent (Stella) Larreau and Jackie (Eric) Brown, all of Hershey, and Jim Larreau, of Golden, CO; her twin sister, Bonnie Maline, of Gothenburg; brother, Dwayne Purcell, of Phoenix, AZ; and sister-in-law, Carmen Purcell, of Arnold.

Survivors also include 10 grandchildren, Cora (Luke) Fisher, Tyson (Tara) Foster, Erica Brown, Logan Brown, Skyler Brown, Leah Larreau, Lindsey Larreau, Marci (Jason) Frame, Kandace Torres and Lane (Sarah) Larreau; 11 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Tanner, Isaac, Simon, Shawn, Kayley, Ben, Samuel, Joey, Kale, and Lilton; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Leland, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Cora Purcell; sister, Zolmia Horn and baby Hazel; brothers, Edward and Wilbur Purcell; son-in-law, Ivan Foster; brothers-in-law, Wayne Maline and John Horn; and sisters-in-law, Eileen Purcell and Barbara Purcell.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared online at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hershey Senior Center or Church of Christ.

Leland Dwight Finecy

Posted on February 13, 2017

Leland Dwight Finecy, age 91 of North Platte, passed away February 8, 2017 at Centennial Park Nursing Home.

Leland was born September 27, 1925 in Arcadia, NE to Lowell and Georgia (Hendrickson) Finecy. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1943. He was recognized in high school as the best punter on the football team. Lee immediately entered V12 Naval Officer’s Training School during WWII. During his training, he sang in the base church. Almost immediately afterward, the Commanding Officer called him into his office and told him he needed to transfer to the entertainment unit where he spent the rest of his military service entertaining troops, many of which were wounded and hospitalized, on the east coast with many well known music stars. Lee attended and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in the early 1950s with a degree in music and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He had many tenor leads in operas performed at Wesleyan under the direction of “Pop” Bennett. Lee and Johnny Carson performed on a weekly radio program on WOW radio in Omaha.

Lee was united in marriage to his wife, Anna Margaret Hawkins in 1962. He taught music in the Mullen, York, and Broomfield, CO school systems, as well as Mid-Plains Community College. He received his Masters Degree from Kearney State College and went on to receive his doctorate from the University of Colorado. He also was the Minister of Music at the Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver. Lee owned a music store in North Platte for many years and gave private voice lessons to many students in the area. He was extremely proud of his student’s successes. Lee was an avid St. Louis Cardinal, Bronco and Husker fan. He also loved the outdoors, camping and woodworking.

Lee is survived by his sister, Beth (Dr. William) Hasemeyer; a nephew Bill Hasemeyer; nieces Pam Thompson and Amy Hasemeyer; a great niece Kaylee Thompson all of North Platte along with several other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Margaret in 1983; an infant sibling; his parents and grandparents; his brother-in-law Oliver Hawkins; as well as several other family members.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday February 14, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Monday February 13, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Mother of Notre Dame president dies after Omaha accident

Posted on February 13, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say the mother of the University of Notre Dame president has died after a parking lot accident in her hometown of Omaha.

The university in South Bend, Indiana, said 88-year-old Helen Jenkins died early Monday morning at Nebraska Medical Center from injuries suffered Friday. Omaha police say Jenkins was walking in the Westroads shopping center lot when she was bumped by a car and fell, striking her head.

The university says its president, the Rev. John Jenkins, celebrated Mass with his 11 siblings at their mother’s bedside before she died. Helen Jenkins’ husband, Dr. Harry Jenkins, died in 2004.

John Jenkins will preside Wednesday at his mother’s funeral Mass in Omaha. The university says that at his 2005 Notre Dame inauguration, John Jenkins said he looked to his mother for inspiration.