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Officials: Inmate found unresponsive in prison cell has died

nebraska-corrections-patch-LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State prison officials say an inmate found unresponsive in his cell at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution has died, and a criminal investigation into the death has been launched.

A news release Wednesday from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says 22-year-old Terry Berry Jr. was found in his cell Saturday. He was taken to a Lincoln hospital, where he was declared brain dead on Monday. He was taken off life-support Wednesday.

Berry was serving a 3- to 4-year sentence for felony forgery and a jail assault conviction from Platte County. He was up for a parole next month and set for release in December.

Nebraska Legislature won’t address Medicaid expansion

medicaidLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska legislative committee has decided to take no action on expanding the state’s Medicaid program until it knows what course the federal government will take on health care.

The Health and Human Services Committee opted Wednesday not to kill or approve a bill that could give Medicaid coverage to about 90,000 low-income Nebraska residents. The state is one of 19 that declined to expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act.

An initial effort to repeal the Obama administration’s signature health care program failed, but Congress is continuing to work on a replacement.

State Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward, a member of the committee, says he did not want to kill the Medicaid expansion bill outright because a Republican replacement could provide state block grants Nebraska could use for funding.

Containment predicted for north-central Nebraska timber fire

us-forest-serviceHALSEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials have predicted 100 percent containment later Wednesday of a fire that’s burned several dozen acres of trees and grassland in north-central Nebraska.

The U.S. Forest Service said in a news release Wednesday that rain and favorable weather conditions will aid the efforts.

The fire began late Monday afternoon about seven miles west of Halsey in the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. No injuries have been reported.

Officials think the fire was started by a person but haven’t been able to pinpoint what happened.

Lawrence “Larry” Pierre DeMilt

Lawrence “Larry” Pierre DeMilt, 73, of Severance, Colorado, departed this world April 9, 2017, at his home.

Larry was born in North Platte on Nov. 12, 1943, to Carroll and Betty (Oberg) DeMllt.

After high school, Larry served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. After his discharge from the Air Force, he operated a dairy farm near Fort Collins, Colorado, for many years. Larry served Severance as mayor and owned a construction company until his health declined.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carroll, and sister, Carolyn Bryant.

Survivors include his son, daughter and grandchildren; mother, Betty (Dale) Shaner; and sisters, Ann McCants of Lincoln, Jan Mumm and Beth (Alan) Gray, both of Ceresco, Sandy Kelly of Plattsmouth, Sheila (Kevin) Feeney and Cheri (Jon) Bodeman, both of North Platte.

Online condolences may be shared at northerncoloradocrematory.com.

Private inurnment will be at a later date at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors.

Terri J. Lynn Bray

Terri J. Lynn Bray, 45, formerly of North Platte, passed away April 9, 2017, when the good Lord opened his arms to her. Heaven received another angel.

She was loved by many and will be missed beyond words.

She is survived by her daughter, Amber (Shannon) Walker of Bend Oregon; son, Bryce Harmon of New Town, North Dakota; two grandchildren, Alohi and Malia Walker of Bend, Oregon; mother, Yvonne Hiatt of North Platte; sisters, Bonnie (fiancée, Jody Butler) Bray of Ogilvie, Minnesota, Pauline (Bud) Linder of Cozad and Lesa DeCent of North Platte; and brother, Ronald (Heather) Bray of Holdredge.

Cremation was chosen. She went home to live with her daughter.

Nonprofit group commits $30M for new Omaha VA facility

department-of-veterans-affairsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A nonprofit corporation has signed an agreement with federal officials to raise $30 million for a new veterans outpatient clinic in Omaha.

The corporation was created by Heritage Services, a nonprofit civic group that was instrumental in creating such projects as the Holland Performing Arts Center and TD Ameritrade Park. The agreement was announced Wednesday.

In December President Barack Obama signed a measure allowing a public-private partnership to build the clinic on the campus of Omaha’s Department of Veterans Medical Center. The $30 million from the local group will be added to $56 million already appropriated for the Nebraska/Western Iowa Health Care System clinic.

VA officials have said what will be called the Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Center will offer primary, specialty and ambulatory care and operate radiological and surgical facilities.

Omaha Chief backs officer who shot man who simulated drawing gun

officer-involved-shootingOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha police chief and Douglas County prosecutors say an officer was justified in shooting an unarmed man who reached into his waistband and then simulated bringing a gun to bear on the officer.

Dillon Trejo was hospitalized Monday afternoon after being shot by Officer Brooks Riley, a seven-year veteran.

The events began when a man robbed a convenience store and then drove about two miles away to steal a pickup truck. A subsequent chase ended when the pickup stopped and the driver — now identified as Trejo — got out to flee.

Police say Riley fired twice when Trejo turned, reached into his waistband and simulated raising a handgun and pointing it at the officer.

Chief Todd Schmaderer (SHMAH’-dur) said Tuesday that Riley acted in a reasonable manner.

Nebraska man sentenced to life in prison has died, department says

Joe Rodriquez
Joe Rodriquez

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 65-year-old Lincoln prison inmate has died.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says Joe Rodriquez died at 11:55 p.m. Sunday at the State Penitentiary. His cause of death has not yet been determined, but officials say he was being treated for a long-term medical condition.

The department says Rodriquez had been serving a life sentence for two counts of first-degree murder in Hall County. His sentence began Sept. 12, 1988.

Arthur Levi Castor

arthur-levi-castor

Arthur Levi Castor, Jr., age 65, of North Platte, NE, died Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Good Samaritan Health Care Center in Alliance, NE.

Arthur was born May 3, 1951, to Arthur Levi, Sr. and Lola Bernice Brown Castor in North Platte and grew up in Maxwell. Arthur graduated from Maxwell High School then started working as a painter for his dad. He later worked for Doris Gregg Painting and Advanced Painting until he had a work related accident that left him disabled.

Arthur was raised in the Assembly of God Church and was a past member of the Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his mother, Lola Castor, of Alliance; siblings, Roger Castor and Sharon (LeRoy) Perkins, of Maxwell, Linda Houchin and Alice Foster, of North Platte, Esther Castor, of Lusk, WY, and Gladys (Bud) Welch, of Alliance; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Arthur was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Castor, Sr.; sister, Barbara Bates; nephew, Michael Reed; nieces, Melissa Bates and Angela Zimmerman; and the love of his life, Patty Jo Bowen.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 1 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore Pastor Joe Cissell officiating. Inurnment will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials are to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Alliance Hospice

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