HARTINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A South Dakota man and his father are due in court May 14 to face charges stemming from the death of a 21-year-old woman after an all-terrain vehicle crash in northeast Nebraska.
The June 29 crash last year near Fordyce killed 21-year-old Jessi Anderson, a South Dakota State University student.
Nebraska court records say 26-year-old Derrik Nelson was driving the ATV after consuming alcohol for several hours before the crash. He’s charged with vehicular homicide, failure to render aid, and other crimes.
His father, 64-year-old J. Douglas Nelson, is charged with being an accessory. Prosecutors say he disassembled the ATV after the crash in an effort to hide evidence.
The men surrendered Monday and bonded out of jail. Their attorneys didn’t immediately return calls Wednesday from The Associated Press.
LODGEPOLE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say an investigation has determined that a Nebraska Panhandle woman shot to death her husband and then herself.
Deputies found the bodies of 51-year-old Michelle Lee Marlatt-Arledge and 52-year-old Mark Arledge at their Lodgepole home on April 19. The deputies had been sent there to investigate a report of elder abuse. A woman inside the home said, “Just a minute,” when deputies knocked on the front door. They entered after hearing a gunshot and found the bodies in separate rooms.
A news release from Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub said Tuesday that Mark Arledge is believed to have died three days earlier after his wife shot him several times.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha City Council has broadened the mayor’s power to pardon people.
The measure approved Tuesday lets the mayor pardon people convicted of just about any criminal offense prosecuted under city code, including failing to restrain a dog or keeping a dirty yard. The power had been limited to offenses such as trespassing, prostitution and disorderly conduct.
The expansion doesn’t permit the major to pardon someone convicted of breaking a federal or Nebraska law.
Mayor Jean Stothert (STAH’-thurt) had sought the increase, saying she wanted to give residents another opportunity when they’re seeking employment.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new watchdog report says spending on lobbyists at the Nebraska Capitol has reached another record high.
The report released Wednesday by Common Cause Nebraska says more than $17.4 million was spent on lobbyists last year, up from roughly $16.8 million the prior year. The totals have increased consistently each year since at least 2013.
Jack Gould of Common Cause Nebraska says lobbyists can “open nearly any door” with current state laws. He says lobbyists can wine, dine and entertain public officials, donate to their campaign funds, host fundraisers and solicit campaign money from their clients.
The report says the number of paid lobbyists has grown as well, to 377 last year from 364 in 2016.
WASHINGTON (AP) — FPI Management, a property company in California, wants to hire dozens of people. Factories from New Hampshire to Michigan need workers. Hotels in Las Vegas are desperate to fill jobs.
Those employers and many others are quietly taking what once would have been a radical step: They’re dropping marijuana from the drug tests they require of prospective employees. Marijuana testing — a fixture at large American employers for at least 30 years — excludes too many potential workers, experts say, at a time when filling jobs is more challenging.
“It has come out of nowhere,” said Michael Clarkson, head of the drug testing practice at Ogletree Deakins, a law firm. “I have heard from lots of clients things like, ‘I can’t staff the third shift and test for marijuana.'”
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s attorney general sued 16 state lawmakers on Tuesday to prevent the corrections director from having to testify before a committee about his department’s lethal injection protocol.
Attorney General Doug Peterson filed the lawsuit on behalf of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes.
The lawsuit seeks to block a subpoena issued by the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee following a complaint by state Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, a fervent death penalty opponent.
Attorneys general have filed similar lawsuits in the past in cases that involve separation-of-powers disputes between the state’s executive and legislative branches, but such moves are unusual.
“It has happened, but it’s rare,” said Clerk of the Legislature Patrick O’Donnell.
O’Donnell, who also was named in the lawsuit, said the Legislature will likely hire an outside attorney to defend him and all of the affected lawmakers.
The Nebraska attorney general is generally responsible for representing state officials in legal actions, but state law allows the Legislature to hire its own lawyer in matters such as Tuesday’s lawsuit. Lawmakers didn’t consult the attorney general’s office before they issued the subpoena, said Suzanne Gage, a spokeswoman for Peterson. Peterson, a Republican, supports capital punishment.
“The Attorney General took the action of filing the lawsuit in order to uphold the law, which is his duty,” Gage said in an email.
Frakes is an appointee of Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, but his department has faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers because of persistent overcrowding and staffing problems and a series of high-profile incidents, including two riots and an escape in the last three years. Chambers and other committee members want to know more details about how the department selected the drugs it hopes to use on at least two death-row inmates.
Chambers contends the department’s new execution protocol is unconstitutional and has questioned whether state officials followed the correct procedures for putting it into place. Frakes was ordered to appear before the committee at a public hearing on May 8.
The complaint came as state officials try to begin the process required to execute two of Nebraska’s 11 death row inmates. The Department of Correctional Services faces several lawsuits from civil liberties groups over the protocol and its refusal to release records that would identify its supplier of lethal injection drugs — information the department released in the past without objections. Legislation that would have given the department the authority to withhold such information stalled in the 2017 session.
Nebraska’s last execution took place in 1997.
The lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court alleges that the subpoena to force Frakes to testify violates Nebraska’s constitutional separation of powers. Peterson asked a judge to quash the subpoena and bar lawmakers from taking similar actions in the future.
It also contends that Frakes was directed to testify before the wrong committee. The Judiciary Committee, which includes Chambers, has been known to grill Frakes in past hearings. The lawsuit argues that the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee should have jurisdiction.
The lawmakers named in the lawsuit are members of the Judiciary Committee and Executive Board, even though some members voted against calling a hearing or issuing the subpoena. The Executive Board’s permission was needed to issue the subpoena, and three of its members voted against doing so.
Sen. Laura Ebke, the chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee and one of the defendants, said she had just received a copy of the lawsuit and couldn’t comment. Ebke said the committee was still planning to hold its hearing.
“We’re reviewing our options,” she said.
Sen. Dan Watermeier, the Executive Board’s chairman, said he had expected the attorney general to challenge the subpoena.
Watermeier said the question of issuing the subpoena was limited to whether it was frivolous and part of the committee’s jurisdiction. He said he didn’t consider it frivolous and believes the Judiciary Committee was the appropriate committee to handle it.
Chambers didn’t immediately respond to a phone message left at his home.
Randall Lynn Sawyer passed away on the morning of Saturday April 21st at his home in Ajo, Arizona. Randy was born October 22nd, 1954 in North Platte, Nebraska to Clarence (Sonny) and Mabel Marlene (Roach) Sawyer. He competed in track and football for North Platte High School and graduated in 1973. In 1979 he married Shelly Rankin and they had two sons, Tony and Chris. He worked as a glazier in North Platte before becoming an air traffic controller and moving to Longmont, Colorado in 1982. Randy worked at Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont for 24 years, retiring in 2006. Randy enjoyed camping and boating with his family at Lake McConaughy. He was an excellent cook, an accomplished pool and foosball player and had a multitude of hobbies, ranging from stargazing to macramé. He was a fan of all Denver professional sports, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, and the music of James Taylor. After retiring, he enjoyed spending his time camping, fishing, and travelling in his RV with his dog, Pardner.
He is survived by his mother, Marlene of North Platte; sons, Tony (Annia) of Erie, CO and Chris of Broomfield, CO; siblings Mike (Celine), Scott and Julie (Marty Beyer) Skinner all of North Platte and Pam (Steve) Graupensperger of Albany, OR; grandchildren Calvin, Zach, Kadence, and Cohen; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
There will be a celebration of life at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte on Saturday, May 19th from 3-5 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the National Park Service.
Karla Lynn Bryant, 68, of Gothenburg, died April 29, 2018, in Gothenburg.
She was born on April 2, 1950, in Lexington, the daughter of Paul and Lola (Tharp) Heins.
Karla lived in the Cozad area until moving to Gothenburg in 1967. She attended school at District 29 south of Cozad and Cozad High School before graduating from Gothenburg High School. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, earning a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy; Nebraska Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology; and Kearney State College.
Karla begin working as a physical therapist in 1973. In the 1990s, she started serving many of the area schools. Karla truly loved working with the kids, something she continued to do until her passing. She incorporated as Karla Bryant, PT, PC in 2003. Karla was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nebraska Chapter, Pediatric Section, Private Practice Section and Neuro-developmental Treatment Association.
She married Cedric Bryant on May 23, 1971, in Gothenburg, and to this union daughters Amanda and Alison were born. The couple later divorced. Karla was a member of the Gothenburg Community Playhouse and Gothenburg First United Methodist Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was most special to her, along with her family and friends.
She liked to play cards, board games and puzzles. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, biking, hiking, therapeutic riding and riding the motorcycle. She enjoyed a wide variety of sports, especially softball and baseball. She participated in Wellsprings Camp for many years.
Karla was preceded in death by her parents; nephew, Chad Gronewold; and grandparents, Fred and Sophie Heins, Cyrus, Myrtle and Luella Tharp.
Survivors include her two daughters, Amanda (Corey) Rossell of Gothenburg and Alison (Matt) Feik of Cozad; brother, Byron Heins; sister, Myra (Dale) Gronewold; granddaughter, Makenzie Rossell; three grandsons, Tra Rossell, Bryant Feik and Austin Feik; former husband, Cedric Bryant; two sisters-in-law, Judy (John) Jensen and Loretta (Robert) Todd; brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Bryant; boyfriend, Charles Bean of Cozad; lifelong friend, Iris Desmarteau; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, along with many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to AWANA, Gothenburg First United Methodist Church, Banner United Methodist Church or Farnam United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 4, at Cozad First United Methodist Church, 1515 B Street, Cozad, with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad. The memorial book may be signed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, May 3, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, which is in charge of arrangements.
Kim Lee Keeling, 54, of Sutherland passed away unexpectedly April 30, 2018 in North Platte.
He was born on December 28, 1963 in Muskogee, OK to Ronald and Sharon (Eytchison) Keeling. Kim graduated in Oklahoma at Fort Gibson High School. He attended Northeastern State University and then joined the Navy Reserves where he was a Corpsman. He graduated from Northeastern and continued his work with the Union Pacific Railroad. He married Shari Goff in December 1987 in Muskogee. In 1998 they moved to Sutherland where Kim worked in the Environmental and Haz Mat departments where he was a manager, and was currently the Program Manager of Hazardous Materials.
Kim developed Booty Farms in 2002 where they did produce and seasonings, involving his whole family and many kids in the Sutherland community.
Kim touched many lives, he never knew a stranger, and was always giving with his time and advice. He was very close to the Lord and loved and shared his faith. He was a member of the Sutherland Presbyterian Church where he was a Deacon and an Elder. Gardening was his passion and he loved working in the dirt. His family was the true center of his life and he will be remembered for his patience, kindness, and as a great teacher.
Survivors include his wife, Shari of Sutherland; children, Kyle (Meesha) Keeling, Mik Keeling all of Sutherland, and Jennifer (Josh) Summers of Greeley, CO; father, Ron (Carolyn) Keeling of Fort Gibson, OK; grandchildren, Kaxtin Keeling of Sutherland, Justin (fiancée, Samantha Kirk) Wilson, Brinkley Duncan, Hayden Lathrop all of Tulsa, OK; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Knapp, and Tenley Duncan both of Tulsa, OK; mother-in-law, Patricia Goff of Sutherland; siblings, Steven Keeling of Kansas City, MO, Holly Keeling, and Jake (Lindsay) Keeling all of Fort Gibson, OK; aunts, Jeanne Carpenter of Broken Arrow, OK, Joann Lee of Slidell, LA, and Sue Carlow of Houston, TX; niece, Terra Goff-Blackburn of Cornith, TX; two nephews, Kade and Kolt Keeling; and numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother Sharon; grandparents, Herb and Blanche Eytchison, and Joe and Velma Edith Keeling; and a brother-in-law, Randy Goff.
Memorials are suggested to the Diabetes Association or to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Scott Mustion 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.
Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 84, of North Platte earned her angel wings April 30, 2018 at her home.
Mary was born February 27, 1934. She spent her days with the loves of her life, her devoted soulmate Ron, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her dogs, Sam, Satch, and Mildred. Mary lived for and immensely enjoyed family, holidays and get-togethers, her flowers and gardening, travel and camping, baking and cooking for holiday meals, collecting angels, country music, scrapbooking and crafts, reading, visiting with friends, and shopping.
Mary is survived in life by her husband Ron, son Mike (Joan) Epping, daughters Kris (Sherm) Forden, Connie (Curt) Cook, Kim (Randy) Hongsermeier, grandchildren, Margaret (James) Desjarding, Joseph (Alanna) Epping, Mike (Alicia) Epping, Deri Forden, Heidi (Pat) Kelley, Heather Cook, Jon (Andrea) Hongsermeier, and Jay Hongsermeier, great-grandchildren, Conner and Brenna Epping, Tristan and Miles Epping, Lakin Forden, Akoia Forden, Teegan, Tatum, and Natalie Kelley, and Amelia DeVaughn, sister-in-law Barbara Deeter and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law Ella Johnson, grandson Deone Forden, brother-in-law Mark Deeter, and close family friend Marian Fisher.
Online condolences can be made at www.carpentermemorial.com. A Memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. A Celebration of Life will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.
Mary loved fiercely and lived life with tenacity. She would invite all to do the same.
HARTINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A South Dakota man and his father are due in court May 14 to face charges stemming from the death of a 21-year-old woman after an all-terrain vehicle crash in northeast Nebraska.
