LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln police say someone stole an assault rifle, a radar gun and other items after breaking into a Nebraska State Patrol sport utility vehicle.
The theft occurred early Sunday when the SUV was parked in a southeast Lincoln residential driveway. Police say the thief pried open the front passenger door.
A handgun also was stolen from a car parked in the home’s garage.
No arrest has been reported.
GERING, Neb. (AP) — National park rangers in western Nebraska are connecting with students in Afghanistan via the internet as a learning opportunity.
Park Superintendent Dan Morford, lead interpreter Lesley Gaunt and Chief Ranger Justin Cawiezel were at the Scotts Bluff National Monument on Sunday to give more than 60 Afghan students a virtual tour through an iPad.
The students from schools in Kabul, Jalalabad and Bamiyan asked about the National Park Service, the economic impact and why people want to see the parks.
The internet connection between the countries was set up by the Lincoln Learning Centers and the U.S. embassy. Scotts Bluff was chosen because it’s a sister park to Band-e Amir, Afghanistan’s sole national park.
RULO, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old boy has been killed in a southeast Nebraska collision.
The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 159, about 1½ miles (3 kilometers) west of Rulo.
The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office says an eastbound pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck and then a trailer it was towing.
The Sheriff’s Office says the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been identified as Easton Vonderschmidt, who lived in Rulo. The other driver has been identified as 48-year-old Bob Campbell, of Rulo. He was taken to a Falls City hospital and then to a Lincoln hospital.
North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team has announced the signing of Jamesia Holliman to the 2017-18 basketball team.
Holliman, a 5’ 4” point guard, is from Macon, Ga., played for Westside High School In two years of varsity action, Holliman averaged 7.2 points per games, had 3.4 rebounds per game, 2.6 rebounds per game and 2.3 steals per game.
For her AAU team, she was coached by Ervin Josey. She made the all-star team for three seasons, averaging 10 points a game and six assists per game.
“I am very happy to have Jamesia on board with us next year. Her ability to see the floor and get the ball to the open person will be a great attribute to the type of ball we’re going to play next year.” Lady Knight Interim Head Coach Ashley Bell said, “She works hard, tries to give you everything she has for forty minutes, plays aggressive and is a go –getter. I can’t wait to see her start next year and see her improvement
Holliman is the sixth recruit to sign with the Lady Knights basketball team for the 2017-18 season. The others are Naria Hall of Wichita, Kan., Hannah Johnson of Hershey, Nahatabaa Nacona from Chinle, Ariz., Tiara Hartfield, from Houston, Texas; and Jasmine Satterwhite, from Austin Texas.
Arlene L. Chamberlain, age 90, of North Platte passed away July 15, 2017 at Great Plains Health. She was born on March 29, 1927 in Denver, CO, the daughter of Robert L. and Laura A. (Frew) Heinzle. Arlene graduated from North Platte High School. She worked as Woolworth’s, Pawnee Hotel, Schweser’s Opportunity Center, and Sands Motor Inn. She was married to Leo E. Chamberlain on December 23, 1966. Leo passed away November 28, 1978.
Arlene was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was an avid bowler and dancer. Arlene was also a member of Legion Auxiliary 153, Eagles 2938, and Moose Lodge Auxiliary 638. She also enjoyed her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet Wheelock of North Platte; daughters-in-law, Cheryl Meseraull and family of North Platte, and Kathy (Pepper) Dotson of North Platte; step-daughter-in-law, Penny Ferrin and family of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Kamie Jo (Aaron) Stephen, Laurie Ann (Chris) Ruff, Robin (Russell) Eitzen all of North Platte and Vickie Lynn (Dana) Baker of Anchorage, AK; step-granddaughters, Carrie Mercer, and Michelle Greathouse; 9 great-grandchildren; foster grandson, Mitch Murphy and family; good friends, Jarred and Lois Adkins; great-great-grandson, Tyren Brezeena; favorite nieces, Sharon Bohan, and Rhonda Stewart; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo; the love of her life, Shadow Adkins; son, Michael Dean Meseraull; grandson, Todd A. Meseraull; great-grandson, Arik Mercer; brothers, Dude (Opal) Heinzle, and Bill Heinzel; sisters, Margaret (Clifford) Swanson, Ruth Spencer, Norma Bohan, and Donna (Rob) Robinson; nephew, Ron Swanson; and step-son-in-law, Charlie Ferrin.
Memorials may be made to the Gift of Hope Cancer Foundation and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia “Ginger” Maxine Bybee, age 81, of North Platte passed away at her home July 13, 2017. She was born August 5, 1935 to Leonard “Jeff” and Maxine (Saum) Florom in Maywood, Nebraska. The family moved to North Platte in 1941 where Ginger attended school, graduating with the North Platte High School Class of 1954.
As a young girl, Ginger spent many summers in Curtis with her cousins, hiking, swimming, and riding horses. She was the oldest of 6 children and up until her death she loved spending time with her extended family. She always had a story to tell.
For many years Ginger owned the hair studio Cuts R Us in the Parkade Plaza in North Platte and later retiring from Shopko. In 2004 she met and married Mason Kenneth Bybee, they moved to Farmington, CA and lived there until his passing. She loved California, but did miss her Nebraska home.
Ginger is survived by her brothers, Harvey Florom of North Platte, and Robert (Peggy) Florom of Pueblo West CO; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; two special “kids” Gracey her dachshund and Riley her corgi.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mason; sisters, Jean Goff, and Gwendolyn Irwin; brother, Kevin Florom; sister-in-law, Jeanette Florom; and grandparents, Mary and Bob Florom, and Harvey and Opal Saum.
A memorial has been established to Paws-itive Partners and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen and graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2017 at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Clint Walker officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
CHAPMAN, Neb. (AP) — A Colorado man has been killed in a central Nebraska highway accident.
The collision occurred Friday afternoon on U.S. Highway 30, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) southwest of Chapman. Merrick County authorities say a westbound minivan and an eastbound pickup truck collided. It’s unclear what led to the collision.
The minivan driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been identified as 74-year-old Robert Campos, who lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Authorities say his passenger and the pickup driver were taken to a Grand Island hospital.
MCCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 65-year-old man has died after being pinned under an all-terrain vehicle in eastern Nebraska.
The accident occurred in a pasture about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west and a half-mile (1 kilometer) north of McCool Junction. York County Sheriff Dale Radcliff says Harry Herron’s body was found around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Herron had been seen in the field around noon Saturday, spraying weeds, so it’s assumed the accident occurred later Saturday. The sheriff says it appears Herron was driving up a steep embankment when he hit a washout, and the four-wheeler tipped over, pinning him underneath.
PILGER, Neb. (AP) — A number of businesses have been rebuilt in and around an eastern Nebraska village since experiencing severe damage from a tornado.
Businesses and homes had been destroyed in a 2014 tornado that ripped through Pilger (PIHL’-gur). The wreckage included Pilger’s Village Office, where building permits for homes and businesses go through the village clerk and utilities superintendent.
The village has since rebuilt the office, which includes improvements such as a storm shelter and storage space.
A ribbon cutting ceremony this month celebrated the reopening of the village’s Midwest Bank. Pilger Pride general manager Aaron Becker says his convenience store opens this month as well.
Village Clerk Kim Neiman says that she’s glad “to have everything in one place again.”
COZAD, Neb. (AP) — A former employee who stole from a rural Cozad church has been given three years of probation.
Court records say 34-year-old Candice Hasbrouck was sentenced Monday in Dawson County District Court in Lexington.
She’d pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge after prosecutors reduced it. Prosecutors say she embezzled more than $46,000 from St. John’s Lutheran Church, which she’d served as treasurer since 2009.
