May 2017 – Page 10 – North Platte Post Archive

Woman gets probation for role in tax refund fraud scheme

Posted on May 23, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Gresham woman has been given three years of probation for her role in an income tax refund scheme.

Court records say 36-year-old Kathy Hansen was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Omaha. She also must make restitution of nearly $11,600.

She’d pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. Authorities say Hansen knew a crime was being committed and failed to notify law enforcement.

Officials say that in 2014, Hansen opened a bank account with nearly $12,000 in illegally obtained tax refunds. Investigators say the refund fraud scheme was operated by people believed to be outside the U.S. The deposited funds were sent by Hansen to people in Nigeria.

Nebraska school choice advocates applaud bill’s advancement

Posted on May 23, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Private school administrators, parents and advocates say they’ll keep pushing Nebraska lawmakers to pass school choice legislation next year.

They gathered Tuesday at the Capitol to thank a legislative committee for endorsing a bill that would give tax credits to individuals and businesses that donate to private school scholarship funds. The committee’s action sets the bill up a one of the first issues lawmakers debate when they return in January.

Archdiocese of Omaha superintendent of schools Patrick Slattery says Omaha Catholic schools have seen 1,000 new students in recent years and don’t have enough financial aid. He says the tax credits will encourage donors and let all families have a choice.

Critics argue the tax credits are a back-door way of subsidizing private schools while taking money from public schools.

Harlan F. Biere

Posted on May 23, 2017

Harlan F. Biere, 80, of North Platte, passed away May 20, 2017 at his home. He was born Oct. 3, 1936 to George and Mary (Schmidt) Biere at Auburn, NE. Harlan graduated from Stella High School in 1955 and went on to graduate from Peru State College. On June 24, 1956, he was united in marriage to Donna Dee Osborn in Auburn. He was employed at Cooper Nuclear Plant in Brownville, NE. In 1978, they moved to North Platte, where he was employed at Gerald Gentleman Station. Harlan also worked construction for a number of years.

He is survived by his wife, Donna of North Platte; a son, David (Cindy) Biere of North Platte; his daughters, Debra Sweet of North Platte, Julie (Steve) Talbot of Lincoln and Carla (Scott) Swanson of Gering, NE; brothers, Harold Biere, Marvin (Evelyn) Biere both of Auburn and Arlan (Carolyn) Biere of Creston, IA; 12 grandchildren, Mark, Brian, Cody, Nicole, Jamie, Derek, Stephanie, Dusty, Jordan, Tarissa, Tristan and Memphis; great grandchildren, Brody, Jake, Tayla, Chase, Drew, Adam, Trinity, Brooke and Ryker; and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond (Norma) Biere and a sister-in-law, Jean Biere.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:30 am Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at the Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 pm Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Carol Marie Weir

Posted on May 23, 2017

Carol Marie Weir, age 71, of Hershey, NE, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at the Cozad Care Center.

Carol was born March 16, 1946, to Ward and Maxine Clark in North Platte, NE, where she grew up and attended school. On December 26, 1962, Carol was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Eugene Weir in North Platte. They lived in North Platte until March of ’71 when they moved to Hershey. Carol and Jerry were married for nearly 55 years and raised five children.

Carol loved her family. She especially enjoyed playing UNO and Yahtzee with her grandkids.

She will be missed by her husband, Jerry, of Hershey; their children, Terry (Lisa) Weir, of Wahoo, NE, Myron (Stephanie) Weir and Jed (Trisha) Weir, of Hershey, Greg Weir, of Charlotte, NC, and Brenda Anderson, of North Platte; 14 grandkids; seven great-grandkids; her brother, Marlin (Mable) Clark, of North Platte; sisters, Virginia (Terry) Tyma, Donna Jameson, Sandra Smith and Erma Johns, all of North Platte, Betty (Larry) Smith and Karen (Dwight) Siebler, both of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law, Vee Weir, of Wallace, NE; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Deborah Weir, of North Platte; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Ward and Maxine Clark; parents-in-law, John and Ethel Weir; brothers-in-law, Edward Weir and Gene Jameson; and sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Lane Dikeman.

Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, northwest of Hershey. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flower, memorials are to the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department.

Pamela Mae Whitaker Death Notice

Posted on May 23, 2017

Pamela Mae Whitaker, age 65, of North Platte, NE, passed away at her home on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

She will be laid to rest in Black Foot, ID, and there will be no services.

Pam is survived by her daughter, RayLynn (Fernando) Martinez, of North Platte; and other family.

Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Blast at Grande Concert investigated as terrorism

Posted on May 22, 2017May 22, 2017

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that authorities say killed several people. (all times local):

3 a.m.

Greater Manchester Police say they are working with national police and intelligence agencies in what is being treated as a terrorist incident.

Police said Tuesday morning they are still gathering information about the incident and are setting up a telephone hot line to help people locate loved ones. Police said there are 19 confirmed deaths.

Authorities are also asking the public to stay away from the area around Manchester Arena where an explosion disrupted a crowded pop concert by American artist Ariana Grande.

The British government is planning an emergency Cabinet meeting for later Monday morning.

___

2:45 a.m.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says the government is working to learn the full details of the blast that killed 19 people at an Ariana Grande concert Monday night.

May says the government is trying to establish “the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.”

She said her thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.

The government is expected to call an emergency cabinet meeting to deal with the incident.

___

1:20 a.m.

Greater Manchester Police say 19 people have been confirmed dead in an explosion at Manchester Arena that is being treated as a possible terrorist attack.

Police said roughly 50 people were injured. Police said the incident started at 10:35 Monday night at an Ariana Grande concert.

Emergency vehicles were on the scene helping the injured and bomb disposal units were later seen outside the venue.

There was mass panic after the explosion at the end of the concert, which was part of Grande’s The Dangerous Woman Tour.

___

1:05 a.m.

Bomb disposal units were seen at Manchester Arena after an explosion during an Ariana Grande concert.

They were called after reports of an explosion that police said caused fatalities.

There were few immediate details and trains into the area were suspended.

A representative of Grande’s US record label says the singer is OK and they are investigating what happened.

___

11:55 p.m.

Police says there are “a number of fatalities” after reports of an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in northern England.

Police advised the public to avoid the area around the Manchester Arena Monday night.

There were no immediate details of what happened during the concert by the American singer.

Video from inside the arena showed concertgoers screaming as they made their way out amid a sea of pink balloons.

Area State Track Results

Posted on May 22, 2017

North Platte HS
Alli Skala
–Discus, 4th place, 119-7.0
–Shot Put, 6th place, 37-4.5
Delano Hernandez
–Pole Vault, t8th place, 12-6.0
Jacob Harvey
–Pole Vault, 2nd place, 14-2.0
Payton Smith
–High Jump, 4th place, 6-4.0
Trevon Weaver
–Long Jump, 2nd place, 22-5.0
–100 Meter, 2nd place, 10.5
–200 Meter, 4th place, 21.8
Joey Larson
–Discus, 5th place, 140-1.0
Elliott Purdy
–Discus, 8th place, 135-9.0
Nick Bocott
–300 Meter Int. Hurdles, prelims, 42.21

North Platte St. Patrick’s HS
Amanda McClellan
–Pole Vault, t12th place, 9-0.0
Gracie Rippen
–Pole Vault, 4th place, 10-0.0
Allie Montgomery
–High Jump, 20th place, 4-8.0
Rebecca Pasquinelly
–Discus, 15th place, 100-10.0
Kaleigh Kummer
–Triple Jump, 4th place, 35-4.5
–300 Meter Hurdles, prelims, 49.31
Girls 400 Meter Relay
–14th place, 53.2, (Hayley Homan, Amanda McClellan, Kaleigh Kummer, Jordyn Childears)
Girls 1600 Meter Relay
–14th place, 4:25.2, (Gracie Rippen, Madison Kleewein, Kaleigh Kummer, Hayley Homan)
Ethan Munson
–High Jump, no mark
Jaydn Brown
–Long Jump, 21st place, 19-0.5
James Schroll
–100 Meter, prelims, 11.57
–200 Meter, prelims, 23.26
Lane Knisley
–100 Meter, prelims, 11.91
Garrett Foust
–400 Meter, prelims, 52.1
–300 Meter Int. Hurdles, prelims, 43.7
Chase Ochs
–400 Meter, prelims, 52.4
–800 Meter, 15th place, 2:05.3
Gary White III
–110 Meter Hurdles, prelims, 16.18
Boys 400 Meter Relay
–DNF, (Jacob Swift, Lane Knisley, Gary White III, James Schroll)
Boys 1600 Meter Relay
–10th place, 3:31.9, (Gabe Vyzourek, Chase Ochs, James Schroll, Garrett Foust)

Brady HS
Michaela Jurjens
–Pole Vault, 2nd place, 10-0.0
–300 Meter Hurdles, 6th place, 47.9
Tara Callahan
–Shot Put, 2nd place, 39-6.0
–Discus, 1st place, 117-6.0
Emery Swan
–400 Meter, 5th place, 59.96
–800 Meter, 1st place, 2:20.1
Girls 1600 Meter Relay
–4th place, 4:13.5, (Michaela Jurjens, Joya Most, Emily Mann, Emery Swan)
Colton Lovitt
–Long Jump, 3rd place, 20-4.0
Christian Gentry
–Discus, 18th place, 109-11.0
Noah Jurjens
–1600 Meter, 19th place, 5:01.5
Boys 3200 Meter Relay
–9th place, 8:47.4, (Noah Jurjens, Colton Lovitt, TJ Roe, Tyrell Rossman)

Maxwell HS
Sydney Mullin
–Long Jump, 14th place, 15-11.0
–Triple Jump, 14th place, 32-9.0
–100 Meter, prelims, 13.33
–200 Meter, prelims, 28.32
Nicole Howitt
–Discus, 4th place, 112-11.0
Caden Messersmith
–Pole Vault, 19th place, 10-0.0
Will Huffman
–Long Jump, 13th place, 18-10.0
–Triple Jump, 16th place, 39-9.0

Paxton HS
Mason Schimonitz
–High Jump, t20th, 5-6.0
Roper Chandler
–Shot Put, 3rd place, 49-9.0
Bennett Perlinger
–1600 Meter, 12th place, 4:54.5
Boys 3200 Meter Relay
–5th place, 8:39.6, (Emmit Rosentrater, Mason Schimonitz, Kaden Schow, Bennett Perlinger)

Stapleton HS
Lucas Harbur
–Triple Jump, 12th place, 40-3.25
Trenton Harbur
–100 Meter, prelims, 11.64
–200 Meter, prelims, 24.46
–400 Meter, 6th place, 51.3
Nathan Holmes
–3200 Meter, 15th place, 11:10.0

Mullen HS
Addy Vinton
–High Jump, 1st place, 5-2.0
–100 Meter Hurdles, 6th place, 16.4
–300 Meter Hurdles, 8th place, 48.7
Haley Jones
–800 Meter, 4th place, 2:27.0
Molly Paxton
–3200 Meter, 11th place, 12:48.1
Girls 1600 Meter Relay
–10th place, 4:19.7, (Addy Vinton, Brittni McCully, Aubrey Frye, Haley Jones)
Lane Edis
–High Jump, 9th place, 5-10.0
Tell Spies
–Discus, 9th place, 132-0.0
Luke Christen
–800 Meter, 9th place, 2:06.8
–1600 Meter, 4th place, 4:43.7
Lance Moore
–110 Meter Hurdles, 1st place, 14.9
–300 Meter Int. Hurdles, 1st place, 40.9
Samuel Vinton
–300 Meter Int. Hurdles, prelims, 45.84
Boys 400 Meter Relay
–7th place, 45.8, (Daniel Young, Lance Moore, Lane Edis, Brode McIntosh)
Boys 1600 Meter Relay
–3rd place, 3:33.9, (Justin Wiens, Lance Moore, Lane Edis, Brode McIntosh)

Wallace HS
Hannah Nelson
–Long Jump, 21st place, 15-0.5
Peyton Messersmith
–Triple Jump, 18th place, 29-0.0
Margaret May
–200 Meter, prelims, 29.31
Madisen Messersmith
–400 Meter, prelims, 1:04.82
Girls 1600 Meter Relay
–13th place, 4:25.2, (Jayden Widener, Peyton Messersmith, Margaret May, Madisen Messersmith)
Micah Swedberg
–High Jump, t13th, 5-8.0
–400 Meter, 4th place, 51.0
Jared Sullivan
–Triple Jump, 22nd place, 38-3.25
Boys 1600 Meter Relay
–14th place, 3:45.4, (Tyler Daniels, Jared Sullivan, Robbie Nelson, Micah Swedberg)

Gothenburg HS
Kasey Wellman
–Long Jump, 7th place, 16-3.5
–Triple Jump, 16th place, 31-7.25
Amaya Ackerman
–Long Jump, 8th place, 16-0.75
Arleigh Costello
–Shot Put, 11th place, 35-11.75
Andie Geiken
–400 Meter, prelims, 1:01.47
Kayla Weyers
–800 Meter, 19th place, 2:30.67
Girls 1600 Meter Relay
–7th place, 4:11.80 (Kayla Weyers, Kasey Wellman, Andie Geiken, Madison Harpole)
Girls 3200 Meter Relay
–11th place, 10:08.65 (Liliana Sitorius, Madison Harpole, Courtney Harpole, Kayla Weyers)
Tyce Hruza
–Pole Vault, 2nd place, 14-0.0
Wyatt Hotz
–Pole Vault, t8th place, 12-6.0
Patrick Hudson
–Discus, 16th place, 126-4.0

Hershey HS
Bailie Vanarsdall
–1600 Meter, 20th place, 5:55.7
–3200 Meter, 19th place, 12:28.4
Ashley Hassett
–100 Meter Hurdles, prelims, 17.61
–300 Meter Hurdles, prelims, 50.68
Kyler Banks
–Pole Vault, 7th place, 13-6.0
Jason Davis
–Shot Put, 19th place, 44-6.0
Monte McNeil
–800 Meter, 5th place, 2:00.6
Eli Huebner
–1600 Meter, 23rd place, 4:58.1
–3200 Meter, 19th place, 10:55.0
McKade Smith
–300 Meter Int. Hurdles, prelims, 42.75
Boys 3200 Meter Relay
–14th place, 8:38.5, (McKade Smith, Dalton Ebmeier, Eli Huebner, Monte McNeil)

Sutherland HS
Bailee Fear
–Long Jump, 3rd place, 16-4.75
–Triple Jump, 17th place, 33-1.5
–100 Meter, prelims, 13.38
Dani McNeel
–Discus. 18th place, 91-8.0
Haeven Schuster
–200 Meter, prelims, 28.66
Morgan Burke
–3200 Meter, 22nd place, 13:03.4
Garrett Elfeldt
–Pole Vault, t8th place, 13-6.0
Blake Scott
–Pole Vault, 11th place, 13-0.0
Jade Paxton
–3200 Meter, 21st place, 11:06.1

Charles ‘Neb’ Clouse, Jr.

Posted on May 22, 2017

Charles ‘Neb’ Clouse, Jr., 87, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Broken Bow.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 12 noon at McCain Cemetery west of Arnold. Interment will be at McCain Cemetery. Visitation hours will be held on Monday from 1pm to 7pm at the Arnold Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Colorado man facing sex assault, other charges after incident at Platte River Mall

Posted on May 22, 2017

A Colorado man is facing numerous charges in Lincoln County after he allegedly caused a disturbance at the Platte River Mall in North Platte.

According to Investigator John Deal, officers responded to the report of a disturbance at the mall at around 4:54 p.m., on May 21. It was reported that the male subject involved in the disturbance, later identified as Michael Cook, had fled the scene on foot.

An officer saw a man matching Cook’s description near Sunmart, 601 East Francis Street, and made contact with him.

Officers spoke with a security guard and other witnesses and learned that Cook had approached several juveniles and told them he was the owner of one of the stores and could get them discounts. Deal says it was reported that Cook grabbed one of the females by the arm.

Additionally, a female employee at Claire’s reported that Cook entered the store and told her he was a “secret shopper.” The employee said Cook grabbed a Justin Bieber backpack and about $100 worth of merchandise, then made contact with the female employee’s breasts and told her she was “good looking.”

When it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Cook, Deal says he told officers he, “wasn’t going anywhere with them,” and pulled away. Officers eventually got him into a patrol car and transported him to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

He’s been charged with five misdemeanor counts, including, assault, sexual assault, resisting arrest, shoplifting and disturbing the peace.

Harold Duane Allen

Posted on May 22, 2017

Harold Duane Allen, age 67, of North Platte passed away May 17, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

Harold was born on September 29, 1949 in McCook to Wilbur L. and Betty L. (Lieter) Allen. He grew up in the McCook, and Colorado areas. Harold was married to Joan Staley in Colorado. To this union 2 children were born, Trina, and Greg. The family moved to Missouri in the early 80’s and returned to Nebraska in the early 90’s.

Harold enjoyed hunting, fishing, target shooting, watching wrestling, spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. He was very generous with what he had.

Survivors include his father, Wilbur Allen of Stapleton; children, Trina (Heather) Davis of Missouri and Greg Allen of Arnold; grandchildren, Birttanya Allen, Geoffery Allen, Brooklynn Allen, Gillian Allen, Brenden Allen, and Gwendolen Allen; sister, Vicki Allen of Stapleton; brother, Ron Allen of North Platte; numerous nieces and nephews; other family members; and many friends.

He was preceded by his mother, Betty; wife, Joan; brothers, Wilbur, and Steve; and several aunts and uncles.

Memorials may be made in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Gandy Community Church with Pastor Frank Scott officiating. A luncheon will follow. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.