GERING, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old student attempted to sexually assault a teacher at a western Nebraska high school.

The boy was arrested around 7:20 a.m. Monday, a few blocks from Gering High School in Gering. Court records say the boy is charged with attempted sexual assault, terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony. Police say the boy used a pocket knife to menace the teacher, who was not injured.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t name juveniles accused of crimes.

Four people are facing theft charges in connection with a theft at a new home construction site near Lake Maloney.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a new home construction site near Lake Maloney on November 20.

The deputy met with the homeowner who reported that someone had entered the home and removed several thousand dollars worth of tools.

As the deputy investigated, he discovered a wallet that did not belong to anyone who was on the scene.

Investigators contacted the owner of the wallet, identified as 29-year-old Andrew Boggs of North Platte, and took him into custody.

Deputies then made contact with 24-year-old Marcus Bailey, also of North Platte.  Bailey was taken into custody and a search warrant was executed on his home in the 1000 block of West Third Street. Inside the home, deputies reportedly located numerous items that had been stolen from the construction site near Lake Maloney. Additionally, they discovered thousands of dollars worth of various construction tools, methamphetamine,  and drug paraphernalia.

Then, on November 21, deputies made two more arrests in connection with the case. 30-year-old Eric Devaney, who was already incarcerated, was charged with burglary and possession of stolen property and 29-year-old Bill Cheever, Jr., who was charged with possession of stolen property and distribution of a controlled substance. Investigators located more tools from the Lake Maloney case in Cheever’s home on North Buffalo, in North Platte.

Boggs was jailed on charges of burglary and possession of stolen property and Bailey was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Student veterans from Nebraska and Iowa have joined together in a nine-day march to raise awareness of veteran suicide ahead of a football game between the two universities.

The student veteran organizations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Iowa organized the 347-mile (almost 560-kilometer) march from Iowa City, Iowa to Lincoln, Nebraska. The march started Wednesday and will conclude Thursday, just before Friday’s football game.

The groups hope to bring attention to the problem of veteran suicide. Studies show that about 20 veterans die by suicide every day.

This is the second year the groups have marched. Veterans march about 20 miles every morning and afternoon while carrying 20 pound (more than 9 kilogram) backpacks with their personal belongings.

During the evening hours of Friday, November 17, Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol conducted alcohol inspections in Lincoln County.

The project was supported in whole or part by Grant #93.959 under the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Region II Human Services, and the Nebraska DHHS Division of Behavioral Health.

A total of 17 businesses were checked, with three selling alcohol to a minor for a non-compliance rate of 18%. Two of the businesses failed to check the minor’s ID. The businesses included convenience stores, restaurants, liquor stores, and grocery stores.

The businesses that sold alcohol to a minor were:

Brady Get-N-Go – Brady

Casey’s General Store #1759 – North Platte

R & C Petroleum – North Platte

Businesses that fail the inspections are referred to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and the clerks are cited for Procuring Alcohol for a Minor.

This operation was done in conjunction with a selective enforcement by Troop D – North Platte. That enforcement resulted in citations or warnings for: Speeding (5), Possession of Marijuana – less than one ounce (1), Driving Under Suspension (1), No Registration (2), and Light Violation (1).

NEW YORK (AP) — Ikea has relaunched the recall of 29 million chests and dressers following the death of an eighth child.

CEO Lars Petersson said the company wants to increase awareness of the recall for several types of chest and dressers that can easily tip over if not anchored to a wall.

The death of a California toddler, who was found trapped underneath an Ikea Malm dresser in May, has raised questions about whether Ikea has effectively spread the word about the recall, which was first announced in June 2016.

Petersson said Ikea has had an “extensive communication” campaign through social media and its website. The Swedish company emailed 13 million people about the recall two months ago, he said.