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Betty Jean McEvoy

Betty Jean McEvoy, age 94, of North Platte, died June 11, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

Betty was born June 25, 1922 in Pittsburg, KS to David Wilson and Jean Alice (Paden) Webb, I.  She was the middle child of three, having one older brother, David, and one younger brother, Olin. When Betty was five her family moved to Louisville, NE.  She graduated from Louisville High School as valedictorian in 1940.  She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1945 and from Bryan School of Nursing in 1946 with B.S. and R.N. degrees.  Betty’s first job as a registered nurse was in North Platte at Memorial Hospital.  After moving to North Platte she met and fell in love with Louis “Pat” McEvoy.  They were married in Louisville, NE October 6, 1946.  Pat and Betty owned the Ideal Dairy in North Platte for a short time.  After selling the dairy, Pat began working as a mail carrier and Betty became a homemaker.  She also taught private piano lessons for several years.  They had four children, Jean Louise, Mary Jo, Patrick Webb, and Peter Lee.  After their youngest child was in junior high, Betty began working as a nurse for Dr. Robert F. Getty.  She continued working for Dr. Getty for 20 years and upon her retirement from his office worked for the Red Cross for four years.  Betty joined the First United Presbyterian Church on July 2, 1950.  She and Pat were very active in the church for over 50 years.  During her 67-year membership she was a Mariner, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served in the quilting group and sewing club.  She was known fondly as “Nurse Betty” at church camp.  Betty was a long-time member of Monday Musicale, Sandhills Symphony, Diamond Kiwanis, Tout Bird Club, Antique Club, and RSVP.  She was an excellent pianist and accompanied many soloists, ensembles, and various other groups throughout west-central Nebraska.  Betty enjoyed playing duets with her daughters, Jean and Mary Jo.   She occasionally played for church services at Linden Court when she was a 93-year-old resident there.  Betty was also an accomplished cellist.  Betty’s parents taught her bridge when she was in high school; she loved playing this game her entire life.  She and Pat were in several bridge groups, as well as pinochle and canasta card clubs.  Hand-quilting was one of her favorite pastimes and Betty continued to create beautiful quilting projects until her death.  She was an avid shopper, with shoes and purses being particular favorites.  She was delighted when spring came, as that meant having and going to garage sales with friends.  Betty and Pat enjoyed camping, fishing, birding, reading, and working difficult crossword puzzles.  They loved to travel with friends and family and had many memorable trips throughout the United States and abroad.  After retirement they became “snowbirds,” spending many winters in Texas and Arizona.  In 2011 Betty and Pat celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Betty is survived by her four loving children, Jean (David Schnitzler) McEvoy of Severn, MD, Mary Jo (Ralph) Gosnell, of North Platte; Patrick (Shirley) McEvoy, of Hershey, Peter (Madeleine Gauthier) McEvoy, of Washington, DC; brother, Olin Webb of Denver, CO; sister-in-law, Barbara Peltier of White Bear Lake, MN.  Betty is also survived by seven grandchildren, Thomas (Amelia Stoll) Gosnell, Rebecca (Jeff) Brittenham, Jennifer (D.J.) Canfield, Patrick (Ellen) McEvoy, Peter McEvoy, Sean ( Ivy Yuan Li) McEvoy, and Mitchell (Laura Bay) McEvoy; three step-grandchildren, Clayton (Stevi) Rawles, Rocky (Lindsey) Rawles, and Jimmy (Steph) Rawles; eight great-grandchildren; two unborn great-grandchildren; sixteen step-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Arthur “Pat” McEvoy, June 3, 2012; her parents, David Wilson Webb I and Jean Alice (Paden) Webb; brother, David Webb II; sisters-in-law Mary Webb and Ardis Webb; and a host of dear friends and other family members.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Presbyterian Church or to the North Platte Meals on Wheels Program and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday July 14, 2017 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with Pastor Scott Mustion officiating.  After the service a lunch reception will be held at the First United Presbyterian Church at 1901 West Leota in North Platte.  Betty’s friends unable to attend the memorial service are welcome to attend the luncheon.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday July 13, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

NP man may face charges in crash on North Highway 83

A 39-year-old North Platte man may face charges following a multi-vehicle crash on North Highway 83 Monday afternoon.

At around 4:25 p.m., Lincoln County deputies responded to the report of a multi-vehicle injury accident near Mile Marker 101, about 15 miles north of North Platte.

Deputies say a southbound Ford Van, driven by Koby Cooper, crossed the center line and struck a northbound Chevrolet S-10 pickup, driven by 73-year-old Florence Lemmer, of Stapleton.  A short time later, a semi hauling plastic barrels of Hydrochloric Acid approached the scene and swerved to avoid hitting the vehicles.  Deputies say this caused the semi, driven by 35-year-old Todd Stapleton, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, to drop one of its containers on the highway, spilling acid.

Authorities say Cooper, Lemmer and a passenger in Lemmer’s vehicle, 88-year-old James Chapman, also of Stapleton, all sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Great Plains Health for treatment. Stapleton was not injured.

Deputies on the scene were exposed to fumes from the acid but remained on the scene.

Chief Deputy Roland Kramer says deputies suspect that Cooper was under the influence of some kind of narcotic at the time of the crash.  They are awaiting the results of chemical tests and say Copper may be charged in the incident at a later time.

The investigation is ongoing.

In addition to LCSO, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, North Platte Fire and Rescue and the Arnold Fire Department also responded to the scene.

NPCC Lady Knights basketball adds two players to 2017 class

Naria Hall of Wichita, Kans.

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team has announced the signing of two players to the 2017-18 team.
Naria Hall of Wicita, Kan., and Hannah Johnson of Hershey, Neb., will join the Lady Knights this fall.

Hall, who played her high school basketball at Wichita South High School, played last season at Colby Community College. At Colby, Hall averaged 5.2 points per game, two rebounds per game, 23 assists, and 28 steals in 29 games.

Hannah Johnson of Hershey, Neb.

Johnson, graduated from Hershey in 2016. Johnson averaged 7.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.8 assists per game, and 1.3 steals per game.

These two will join Nahatabaa Nacona from Chinle, Ariz., Tiara Hartfield, from Houston, Texas; and Jasmine Satterwhite, from Austin Texas on the Lady Knights basketball team for the 2017-18 season.

Francis Carl “Frank” Peck, Sr.

Francis Carl “Frank” Peck, Sr., of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by his family and joined his loving wife, Erla, on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at Great Plains Health, at the age of 85.

Frank was born in Salsaw, OK, on September 12, 1931, to Carl E. and Ruth Mae Edis Peck while the couple was on their way to settling in North Platte. Frank and his siblings grew up along the North Platte River and attended public schools. Along the river is where Frank found a love for hunting, fishing, camping and swimming, which carried him through his golden years and was passed down from his children to his great great-grandchildren.

After his schooling, Frank went to work for the Union Pacific Fruit Express, McLaughlin’s, Cement Products and Purdyman Sand and Gravel, and also owned and operated his own tractor salvage business. In 1954 Frank started working for James E. Simon and through the years, helped him build the company. Frank retired from Simon Contractors 40 years later.

In 1948 Frank met a beautiful, young lady, Erla Lucille Telitz, in North Platte and before the couple could marry, they had to build a home together. With the house completed, they were united in marriage on November 22, 1950. Frank and Erla raised seven children and celebrated over 65 years of marriage together. The couple enjoyed life and their retirement. They loved traveling together in their RV from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Frank was a member of the First Baptist Church, Moose Lodge, Eagles and a ski club. In his younger days, he and his brothers loved tinkering with race cars. He was also a Golden Glove Boxer who proved dynamite did come in small packages.

Frank will be greatly missed and remembered as a “Jack of all trades, Master of All.” And as Frank would say, “Be good, and if you can’t, have fun!”

He leaves behind his children, Frank, Jr. (Cheryl) Peck, Chris (Ron) Richardson, Deanna (Frank) Savage, Jeanna (Joe) Koubek, Steve (Lorena) Peck and Tanya (Todd) Gayman, all of North Platte; and grandchildren, Travers (Jodi) Richardson, Vicki (Brent) Langemeier, Trent (Melissa) Richardson, Robby (Meghan) Peck, Tylan Gayman, Jamie (Aaron) Koubek, Kandace (Grady) Carpenter, Tusten Gayman, Jade (Brittany) Koubek, Jaustin Koubek, Lane (Sidney) Carpenter and Rick (Dawn) Erdman.

Survivors also include his great-grandchildren, Karsen (Jimmy) Falcon, Lane Richardson, Jordan (Michael) Beisner, Kaden Langemeier, Kyler Peck, Brittney Richardson, Mekennah Kemp, Maylah Langemeier, Madden Fattig, Jaylen Koubek, Andrew Richardson, Kambree Kemp, Steven Richardson, Madelyn Koubek, Coy Gayman and Jaxon Koubek; great great-grandchildren, Greah Falcon and Taylar Beisner; brother, Bill, Sr. (Vina) Peck, and sister, Carol (Dale) Douglas, of North Platte; as well as many other family members and good friends which he considered family.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Erla, daughter, Kathleen Jo Peck, and grandson, Frankie Lloyd Peck; his parents, Carl and Ruth Peck; and brother, Don Peck.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at the First Baptist Church and casual dress is requested please. Inurnment will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

At least 16 killed in military plane crash in Mississippi

ITTA BENA, Miss. (AP) — Officials say a U.S. military plane used for refueling crashed into a field in rural Mississippi, killing at least 16 people aboard and spreading debris for miles and creating a fiery wreckage.

Leflore (le-FLOR’) County Emergency Management Agency Director Frank Randle told reporters at a late Monday briefing that 16 bodies had been recovered after the KC-130 spiraled into the ground about 85 miles (135 kilometers) north of Jackson in the Mississippi Delta.

Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Burns said in a statement that a KC-130 “experienced a mishap” Monday evening but provided no details. The KC-130 is used as a refueling tanker.

Nebraska community adds campsites for eclipse viewers

Google Maps

RAVENNA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska community has developed 125 lakeside campsites for people journeying to see the total eclipse of the sun next month.

75 recreational vehicle sites and 50 for tent campers have been set up near Ravenna (ruh-VEH’-nuh). The city sits about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Kearney in central Nebraska, along the forecast path of the Aug. 21 total eclipse.

Officials say state campsites have been booked up, and other Nebraska accommodations along the path are hard to find.

The Ravenna Economic Development Corp. is advertising Eclipse Camping at Buffalo County Lake east of Ravenna. Each site must be reserved for all four days of the town’s eclipse celebration, Aug. 18-22. RV sites cost $300 for that span; tent sites are $100.

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Dead fish piling up along shore of west Omaha lake

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Officials aren’t sure what’s killing the fish piling up along the shore of a lake in west Omaha.

Brook Bench is director of the Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department, and he said it’s not the first fish kill reported at Lake Zorinsky.

Omaha Public Works asked people to stay away from the lake in June after a storm-related power outage at a nearby sewage lift station caused let untreated sewage flow overland into the lake. That advisory was later lifted. It’s unclear whether the sewage intrusion is involved in the fish kill, however.

2 plead not guilty in northeast Nebraska bank robbery case

BANCROFT, Neb. (AP) — Two men have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a northeast Nebraska bank robbery.

Court records say Jeffrey Bonneau and Lenn Zuhlke entered the pleas Monday in U.S. District Court in Omaha. Both are charged with bank robbery. Bonneau also is charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Both men live in Bancroft.

Authorities say Bonneau robbed the First Bank of Bancroft in Bancroft of more than $6,700 on April 20 and later crashed on an all-terrain vehicle as he tried to flee the area. Court documents don’t say what Zuhlke did to merit the charge.

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