LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Convicted felons who finish their prison sentences will still have to wait two years before they can vote in Nebraska.
Lawmakers on Monday fell short of the support needed to override Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill that would have eliminated the two-year waiting period. Senators needed 30 votes to override the governor, but the vote was 23-23.
The failed override attempt will keep a more restrictive voting law than found in 37 states and the District of Columbia.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, says lawmakers who voted to sustain the veto supported “a past bill that is based and founded in racism, exclusion and fear.” People of color make up about 15 percent of Nebraska’s population but nearly half of its prison population.
Dickinson State – The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is the regional champion in the men’s team standings, following a rodeo at Dickinson, N.D. on Saturday. Pictured front row, left to right are: Riley Weehler, Maloy, Iowa; Shane Weber, Burwell; Tyler Murray, Wheaton, Kan.; Lane Kennedy, Orleans; Garrett Wickett, Norfolk; Kris Rasmussen, Riverdale; Trey Engel, Silver Creek; Kaleb Fritz, Creighton and Wyatt Killion, Ainsworth. Middle row, left to right: Rowdy Moon, Sargent; Nate Bausch, Waterbury; Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D.; Kaylen Smith, Allen; Mara Christian, Elwood; Kaile Jacobson, Haiku, Hawaii and Shania and Charmane Macomber, Whitman. Back row, left to right: Rhett O’Connor, Paxton; Chandler Comfort, Gem, Kan.; Trenton Solida, Phillipsburg, Kan.; Reece Weber, Valentine; JW Schroder, Taylor; Hunter Baker, Cattaraugus, N.Y.; Sam Elliott, Prineville, Ore. and Garrett Heinert, Papillion. Standing: Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach, and Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach.
The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team will enter the College National Finals Rodeo as the number one men’s team in the Great Plains Region.
MPCC has been sitting at the top of the leaderboard in the men’s team standings since September. It won its first rodeo ever as a team during the MPCC Stampede and consistently placed high at subsequent competitions.
That includes wins at Hastings in April and at Dickinson, N.D. on Saturday – which ultimately secured the year-end championship.
“I’m probably most proud of the fact that while we’ve been doing well all along, at the end of the season, the team didn’t let the foot off the gas – it was mashed to the floor the whole time,” said Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach. “That winning mentality is what it takes to be successful in a career and throughout life in general.”
MPCC is also leading the region in a handful of individual events. Rowdy Moon, of Sargent, is the Great Plains Region bareback riding champion. Garrett Wickett, of Norfolk, is number one in the bull riding, and Chandler Comfort, of Gem, Kan., is the top team roping heeler.
“Rowdy has been consistent all season, and that hard work has paid off,” said Elliott. “I think he’s ready for whatever nationals throws at him. He qualified last year and finished 19th. He rode all three of his horses, but had some things to work on technique-wise. That experience is going to help him this time around. He’s been there, done that.”
Wickett didn’t qualify for nationals last year, but is a sophomore, so also has an extra year of competition experience.
“Wickett impressed me a lot this year,” said Elliott. “He has been going to professional rodeos as well as to college rodeos and is borderline next level ready right now. I wouldn’t put it past him to go into Casper and really shine.”
Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach, said Comfort is one of the most focused and dedicated freshmen he’s ever been around.
“He’s fun to work with, and he takes care of business,” said Nokes. “I don’t know anyone who has a rope in his hand more hours of the day than Chandler. He’s good for a reason, and I expect him to do great things.”
Altogether, MPCC is sending seven contestants to nationals. That’s four more than went last year. The other qualifiers include Wyatt Killion, of Ainsworth, who is sitting second in the regional team roping heeler standings, and Kris Rasmussen, of Riverdale, who is second in the region in steer wrestling.
Steer wrestler Cyler Dowling, of Newell, S.D., and saddle bronc rider Lane Kennedy, of Orleans, are also headed to the CNFR. They are both ranked third in the region in their events.
“Overall, we’ve had a great year,” said Nokes. “We’ve had a lot of fun in the practice pen and are lucky to have a group of kids who not only want to win really bad, but also mesh well. They practice for one another, not just for themselves, and it shows in how high they placed. Their attitude and support of each other makes them tough to beat.”
The public will have a chance to meet the MPCC Rodeo Team members who qualified for nationals during a send-off from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at Schmick’s Market in McCook.
James “Jim” B. Runner, age 60, of Grand Island, NE, died Friday, May 5, 2017, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
Jim was born October 31, 1956, to J. Blaine and Betty (McConnell) Runner in Sutherland, NE. He grew up in Nebraska, living in the rural areas of Hershey, Mullen and Ashby. Jim started school in Mullen and went on to graduate from Hyannis High School in 1975. During high school, he was an FFA officer, participated in range judging, played football and ran track.
Jim then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a year and was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. In 1976, he joined the U.S. Army and during his two years served at Ft. Riley, KS, as well as other locations.
Jim enjoyed building things and loved airplanes and motorcycles.
He is survived by his parents, Blaine and Betty Runner, of Sutherland; sisters, Bonnie (Cliff) Quick, of Callaway, NE, and Ruth (Pat) Fleecs, of Sutherland; nephews, Caleb (Cynthia) Quick, of North Newton, KS, and Jake Fleecs and Collin Fleecs, both of Sutherland; great-nieces, Esther, Cora and Abigail Quick; and other family.
Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Ida Runner and Gordon and Bonnie McConnell; and nephew, Andrei Quick.
Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2017, at the Sutherland United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow in the O’Fallons (Riverside) Cemetery northwest of Hershey. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at the church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — About 200 relatives of Nebraska and Iowa service members will be honored during a day of public and private events.
The Gold Star families will be guests of the Honor and Remember Nebraska Chapter at a private commemorative dinner on Saturday.
Chapter President Jim Meier says the families will then be bused to TD Ameritrade Park for the seventh annual Families of the Fallen Walk, where they’ll march into the stadium before the beginning of a college baseball game.
After the game, the names of the service members who died in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting will display on the stadium’s jumbo screen.
George Lutz says he started Honor and Remember and began distributing flags to Gold Star families to tell them their sacrifice is remembered.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a Powerball lottery ticket worth $1 million has been sold in Grand Island.
The lottery says the ticket was sold at the Casey’s General Store on North Eddy Street. It matched the first five numbers drawn Saturday night — 11, 21, 31, 41 and 59 — but not the Powerball number of 21. The Power Play number was 3.
No one won the jackpot, which is expected to reach $165 million for Wednesday’s drawing.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The western Iowa sheriff’s deputy who was killed during a jail escape is being remembered for the way he treated everyone with respect.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers filled the floor of an arena Monday in Council Bluffs to honor Pottawattamie County Deputy Mark Burbridge. Burbridge was fatally wounded last Monday when an inmate returning from court grabbed a gun and shot Burbridge and another deputy. He was captured after a police chase in nearby Omaha, Nebraska.
Burbridge’s three children shared memories of him and his regular trips to auto parts stores so he could fix up his beloved classic cars.
Daughter Karley Burbridge says her dad was her hero not just for his work protecting the community but also for protecting her from the monsters under her bed.
Alice Marilyn (Townley) Darling, 93, passed away on May 4, 2017 at Linden Court in North Platte, Nebraska.
She was born July 14, 1923 in Boulder, Colorado to Richard and Lela Belle Townley. She was the second of three girls. Shortly after Marilyn was born, her parents moved their family back to the farm at Danbury, Nebraska. Marilyn went to school through 10th grade at Laurel Dell, walking each day with her sisters. She finished high school in Lebanon, Nebraska. In August of 1941 she moved to Las Angeles, California and married Milo Burton Darling. In 1942 they returned to the family farm near Danbury, Nebraska where they spent the next 34 years. During that time their son Richard was born. Upon leaving the farm, they spent 15 years in McCook, Nebraska. While in McCook, Marilyn worked at DeGroffs Department Store in the dress department, enjoying her work there. She and Milo moved to North Platte, Nebraska in 2000 to be near family. Marilyn was an active volunteer in RSVP. They lived in their own home for 11 years and then to Centennial Park and finally to Linden Court.
Marilyn is survived by her son, Richard (Sue) Darling of North Platte; granddaughters Emily (Chris) Bessette of Winter Garden, Florida and Jessica (Riley) Hughes of North Platte and great grandsons Ethan, Jack, Grey, Alexander and Lucas; great granddaughter Georgia; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by Milo in August 2016, her parents and her sisters.
Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 8th and 9th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be at a later date. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Sherry A. Hupfer, 78, of North Platte, passed away May 4, 2017 at Cozad Care Center.
She was born on July 16, 1938 to Thomas and Fern (Allen) Schuler in Ogallala, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to John R. Hupfer on August 14, 1955 in North Platte. Sherry was employed as a lifeguard at Cody Park Pool when it first opened and also at the North Platte Child Development Center and McFarlands Greenhouse during her lifetime. She loved spending time with her family and tending to her roses. She was a member of the First Christian Church.
Sherry was preceded in death by her husband, John; an infant child, Wendy Hupfer; son, Randy Hupfer; grandson, Chad Burk; brothers, Gordon “Beaver” Schuler and Tommy Schuler; a sister, Lily Kucera and a brother-in-law, Jerry Brewer.
She is survived by son, Ricky (Lona McAllister) Hupfer; daughters, Diana (Mark) Burk and Judy Hupfer; granddaughters, Mitzi (Leroy) Kramer, April (John) Perkins and Chelsea Burk; grandsons, John (Heather) Hupfer and Josh (Jessica Kimberlin) Hupfer; great grandchildren Taylor, Holden, Logan, Mason, Kaidin, Baylie and Zachary; a sister, Lois Brewer and a sister-in-law, Sandie Schuler.
Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be 1- 5 p.m. Sunday, May 7, with family receiving friends from 1- 3 p.m., at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 8th at First Christian Church. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. A memorial has been established to First Christian Church in her name. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts’ tax package may have failed this year, but some advocates and senators say they still hope to salvage property tax legislation in the session’s final days.
Senators say Ricketts’ comprehensive tax proposal faltered because it focused too much on the income tax. The bill died last week when supporters fell six votes short of the 33 needed to overcome a filibuster.
Lawmakers are trying to craft a plan that focuses primarily on property taxes. Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson declined to give specifics but says it will need urban and rural support to pass.
Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, the Revenue Committee chairman, says he doesn’t believe it will happen this year. He still wants to see a proposal with income tax cuts.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials are warning residents to be prepared for ticks as the weather warms up.
State epidemiologist, Dr. Tom Safranek, says tick-related illnesses — including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever — can be serious. He and other health officials recommend dressing in long-sleeve shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, as well as using a DEET bug repellent or permethrin-treated clothing.
Resident should shower as soon as possible after being outdoors and conduct frequent tick checks after being outdoors. Remove any attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
After removing a tick, watch for signs of illness such as rash or fever in the days and weeks following the bite, and see a health care provider if these develop.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Convicted felons who finish their prison sentences will still have to wait two years before they can vote in Nebraska.
