LINCOLN – At a news conference this morning, Governor Pete Ricketts announced he had relieved the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Colonel Brad Rice of his duties following a review into how use of force investigations are conducted by NSP.
“Today, I have relieved State Patrol Colonel Brad Rice of his duties,” said Governor Ricketts. “My decision was based on the initial findings of the review being conducted by my Chief Human Resources Officer. My team will commence a search immediately for the next Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol to lead this agency which is vital to protecting Nebraska’s public safety.”
“Over the past week, my review has focused on how recent use of force investigations have been conducted,” said the Governor’s Chief Human Resources Officer Jason Jackson. “This review found interference into the internal investigation process of the State Patrol and violations of internal policies among other concerning issues at the highest levels of the agency’s leadership.”
The Governor has named Administrative Services Major Russ Stanczyk, the senior member of the command staff, as Interim Superintendent of the State Patrol effective immediately.
At the news conference, Jackson said that in addition to the Governor’s dismissal of the Colonel that two other command staff had been placed on paid administrative leave. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Schwarten is among those being placed on leave.
A total of six personnel are being placed on paid administrative leave, including the command staff named above.
Jackson has turned over initial findings from his review to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further investigation. Jackson’s review continues into other matters.
John Denton Streiff, age 73 of Tryon, passed away Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Great Plains Health.
John was born on October 17, 1943 in North Platte to John August and Opal Lucille (Huffman) Streiff. He graduated from McPherson County High School in 1961 then went on to college at Ft. Collins, CO before returning to his family’s ranch west of Tryon. He married Connie J. Seifer on October 19, 1969 in Paxton, NE. The couple settled on the family ranch which they continue to operate. He had a love for Morgan horses, Hereford cattle and his Chevy vehicles. He loved the Sandhills and the ranch life. John loved his friends and family, and especially enjoyed his grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife Connie of Tryon; children Dawn (Brett) Haake of Thedford, Gina (Jeff) Davis of Rushville, Lana (Gregg) Klein of North Platte, Lynn (Jebb) Rhods of McCook, Josh (Debbie) Streiff of Tryon and Roka (Justin) Klein of Hidden Timber, SD; grandchildren Chase and Brady Haake, Ashton and Delani Davis, Kinsey Rhods, Greysen Streiff and Baby Klein; as well as numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Opal Streiff; and sister Lorraine McIntosh.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family for a scholarship fund for John’s grandchildren. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday July 3, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, with Micah Dunn officiating. Burial will follow at the Miller Cemetery in Tryon. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday July 2, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Marian Ann Wenhold Jared, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at the age of 76, after a short battle with cancer.
Ann, the daughter of John Harold and Margaret Benner Snyder Wenhold, was born April 13, 1941, in Hagersville, PA. She grew up in Pennsylvania with her sister, Mary Beth, and graduated from the Quaker Town Community High School with the Class of ’59. Ann then went on to graduate from the Gale Institute in Minneapolis, MN, and joined Delta Airlines. She worked as a teletypist, reservation agent and did some ticketing. During her seven years with Delta, Ann was able to travel extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Prior to her work with Delta, Ann had worked in the local hospital in Pennsylvania.
Ann later met Allen Jared and they were united in marriage in San Francisco, CA, on August 31, 1968, in the Oakland Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Quentin L. and Mary Cook as their escorts. The couple made their home in North Platte where they owned and operated Jared Floral and Bridal Shop for over 30 years. Ann and Allen were married for nearly 49 years and had a son, John Allen.
Ann was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a kind, caring woman who enjoyed helping others. She spent many years volunteering at various organizations including the hospital, Red Cross and her church, and was a life time member of P.T.A. Ann also helped with the Boy Scouts of America for 34 years and was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest honor in volunteer service you can get.
Ann had many hobbies which included crocheting, reading, researching genealogy, Facebooking, and all kinds of technology. Ann loved bowling and had fun on her senior league that met at 1 p.m. every Tuesday. At the age of 75, Ann earned her Associates Degree in General Studies. She especially loved her family and friends and enjoyed doing different activities with all of them, whether it was picnics or parties, she loved everything that made life good. In essence, Ann lived her life as a moving experience.
She leaves behind her husband, Allen Jared, their son, John Allen Jared, and grandchildren, Jasmin (Kaitlyn) Blaesi and Kean Jared, all of North Platte; sister, Mary Beth Wenhold, of Perkasie, PA; her family of choice, Scott and Rebekah Odle, of North Platte, and their children and grandchildren; and other family.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Wenhold, and many of their siblings.
Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore or prior to the service at the church. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
The family would like to thank all those who came to visit Ann and for all those who prayed for her.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Department of Homeland Security officer has been charged with kicking a handcuffed man in the head.
Jason Michael Rouswell was indicted Thursday on a charge of violating the civil rights of a man outside a Social Security Administration office in Pomona in October.
Prosecutors say the 46-year-old Los Angeles resident is an inspector with the Federal Protective Service.
Video of the incident obtained by KCBS-TV (https://cbsloc.al/2dFdkrE ) shows a beefy looking officer in uniform kick a man lying face down on a street with his hands cuffed behind his back. The indictment says the kick injured the man.
Rouswell didn’t immediately respond to a message sent to a work email address in his name. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office says Rouswell doesn’t have a lawyer yet.
ADEL, Iowa (AP) — For the first time since the 1930s, Iowa residents can legally buy and set off fireworks this Fourth of July, thanks to a new law.
But in the state’s population center of Des Moines and elsewhere, calls for “fun, freedom and fireworks,” are running into local concerns about the danger and simple annoyance of bottle rockets, roman candles and firecrackers.
Officials in many Iowa cities have approved rules that block most fireworks sales and largely prohibit people from setting off the loud and colorful explosives.
It’s led to complaints by some sellers, court action by a fireworks wholesaler and a threat by a lawmaker to reduce local control in the next legislative session.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Thunderstorms have loosed a barrage of hail on eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, shattering windshields, damaging roofs and shredding field crops and urban gardens.
Authorities say a tornado touched down Thursday just south of Wynot in northeast Nebraska, ripping apart a shed and damaging a home. No injuries have been reported.
Hailstones as big as baseballs were reported in the Omaha metropolitan area, including neighborhoods that had been clobbered by howling winds and tornadoes on June 16.
Omaha Public Power District says power outages occurred overnight. At 5:15 a.m. Friday, the utility was reporting 170 Omaha customers without electricity.
Quarter-size hail damaged buildings and heavy rain flooded streets in Sioux City, Iowa.
LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a driver died after the minivan he was driving went out of control and rolled after striking a utility pole in central Nebraska.
The crash occurred around 10:50 p.m. Monday, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) west of Lexington. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office says the westbound minivan rolled several times after striking the pole, ejecting the driver. The driver died later at Lexington Regional Health Center.
The Sheriff’s Office identified him as 24-year-old Jose Ricardo Velasquez Jr., who lived in Lexington.
The crash is being investigated.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a wheat virus outbreak has reached epidemic levels and is decimating fields in the southern Nebraska Panhandle.
The wheat streak mosaic virus is spread by mites and can reduce yields. The Nebraska Wheat Association earlier this month reported as many as 85 percent of southern Panhandle fields have been affected, particularly in Deuel and Garden counties.
Many southern Panhandle farmers have given up on their fields before harvest and filed crop insurance claims. Plant experts say the virus has been found elsewhere in the state as well.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant pathologist Stephen Wegulo says the mild temperatures last fall allowed a buildup of wheat curl mites, which transmitted the virus to fall-planted winter wheat.
HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) — An 86-year-old man has been fatally injured while walking in south-central Nebraska.
The accident occurred around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Holdrege. Authorities say Holdrege resident Aldon Thieszen was crossing a street when he was stuck by a vehicle. Authorities say Thieszen died later at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.
Its driver has been identified as 23-year-old Cattrina Stock, of Republican City.
The accident is being investigated.
