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Month: June 2018

Lincoln police see increase in sexual assault reports

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln’s police chief says the #MeToo movement has propelled an increase in sexual assault reports to his department.

Chief Jeff Bliemeister told The Lincoln Journal Star that one-third of the 128 rapes reported between Jan. 1 and May 23 occurred at least one year before officers were notified. The Police Department’s analysis shows only 11 percent of the reported sexual assaults in 2015 occurred at least one year prior.

The average report in 2018 was made 17 months after the rape occurred, according to the department’s findings.

Bliemeister credited the reporting trend to the dozens of accusers who made sexual misconduct allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and others in the entertainment industry. The #MeToo movement gained momentum in October after journalists documented the allegations, sparking women across the U.S. to speak out about the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment.

“There’s nothing else that had occurred that would lead to that kind of change,” Bliemeister said.

The majority of those coming forward to report rape are women and girls ranging in age from 11 to 25, according to the department’s analysis.

“There are groups who feel they’ve been empowered by this particular awareness movement and they want us to know but they fully recognize from the beginning of their reporting that prosecution could be difficult,” the police chief said.

These cases are being handled by investigators that are specifically trained to handle rape cases in which substantial time has passed, Bliemeister said. Investigators in these cases face challenges such as a lack of physical evidence, lost digital evidence and witnesses who have trouble recalling what happened, he said.

Bliemeister said he’s encouraged by seeing more victims come forward to report these crimes, which have long held a stigma.

NLD Buffalo Bill Rodeo Day two

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North Platte, Neb. (June 14, 2018) – Tie-down roper Randall Carlisle made his first trip to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte on Thursday, and he hopes he’s making a fresh start.

 

The Athens, Louisiana cowboy made an 8.4 second run to take the lead in the second round.

 

The two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) qualifier has had some bad luck lately, not drawing well and not winning any money. The calves tie down ropers compete on are drawn randomly by their ear tag number, and lately Carlisle’s haven’t been the best pick of the herd. “I’ve had too many kickers or something always happens,” he said. His run in North Platte “finally broke the ice. I am pretty happy. I’m thankful to have a good calf.”

 

Carlisle and his traveling partner Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, met in North Platte at the rodeo; they’ll travel together for the next several months, during the busy rodeo season. After competing in slack on Thursday morning, they headed to Reno, Nev. to compete at the rodeo there on Saturday morning. After that, they turn the rig north for rodeos in Wainwright and Sundre, Alberta. Then they will fly to Greeley, Colo. for the Greeley Stampede June 22 through July 4. Their rig and three of their horses will head towards rodeos in Prescott, Ariz. and Pecos, Texas, while they compete on another horse that was driven to Greeley from North Platte in a second rig. Then it’s up to Cody, Wyo. Carlisle estimated they will make nineteen competition runs in six days over the busy July Fourth holiday. Solomon has a driver who helps; Carlisle’s girlfriend helps drive as well. He loves the competition, but not the driving. “Other than that, it’s good,” he said. Rodeo is “better than having a day job. You get to see a lot of country.”

 

Carlisle is ranked thirty-third in the PRCA world standings; his traveling partner Solomon is ranked eleventh.

 

Other leaders from Thursday’s slack and performance are bareback rider Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. (80 points); steer wrestler Justice Johnson, Bismarck, N.D. (4.0 seconds), and team ropers Brian Dunning, McClave, Colo., and Tad Sheets, Goodland, Kan. (6.3 seconds). Saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., had the high score for the night; his 80 points sits second overall. Barrel racer Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas had a time of 17.50 seconds to be the fast time for the night. Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla. scored 82 points to be the high score for the performance.

 

Night number three of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo takes place on Friday, June 15 at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Tickets are available online at www.NebraskaLandDays.com, at the NLD office or at the gate.

 

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High scores and fast times from the second performance, June 14, 2018

North Platte, Nebraska – Buffalo Bill Rodeo

 

Bareback riding

1. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 80 points on Beutler and Son  Rodeo Co.’s Sure Motion; 2. Blake Smith, Zap, N.D. 79; no other qualified rides.

 

Steer wrestling

2nd go-round

1. Justice Johnson, Bismarck, N.D. 4.0 seconds; 2. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah 5.4; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho 6.4; 4. Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark. 7.0.

 

Tie-down roping

2nd go-round

1. Randall Carlisle, Athens, La. 8.4 seconds; 2. Joey Dickens, Loveland, Colo. 8.5; 3. Trent Creager, Stillwater, Okla. 8.6; 4. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 12.0.

 

Saddle bronc riding

1. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb. 80 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo Co.’s Jack Knife; 2. Preston Burr, Stratford, Texas 77; 3. Roper Kiesner, Ripley, Okla. 72; 4. Rhett Fanning, Martin, S.D. 66.

 

Team roping

1. Brian Dunning, McClave, Colo./Tad Sheets, Goodland, Kan. 6.3 seconds; no other qualified runs.

 

Barrel racing

1. Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas 17.50 seconds; 2. (tie) Jennifer Hiler, Greeley, Colo. and Ali Armstrong, Lexington, Okla. 17.77 each; 4. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas 17.84.

 

Bull riding

1. Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla. 82 points on No. 124; 2. Colten Beaty, Seymour, Texas 65; no other qualified rides.

 

** All results are unofficial.

Mark W. Hasenauer

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Mark W. Hasenauer, 66, of Stapleton, passed away June 12, 2018 at home.  He was born October 9, 1951 to Erwin and Melissa (McDermott) Hasenauer at North Platte.

Mark graduated from Stapleton High School and after graduation he joined the United States Army, serving two tours to Vietnam.  On October 13, 1972, he was united in marriage to Linda Johnson at Dillon, South Carolina.  Mark was employed for over 40 years for the Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist.  He was a member of the North Platte Berean Church, and the Stapleton V.F.W. and Legion.  Mark loved his cattle.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of Stapleton; two sons, Chris (Kim) Hasenauer of Stapleton and Richard (Mayank) Hasenauer of Oklahoma; two grandsons, Chris and Zach; a brother, Marvin (Sharon) Hasenauer of Tryon; a sister, Bonnie Bonnici of California; many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Gary; and a sister, Phyllis Stackhouse.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  A memorial has been established in his memory.  Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2018 at the Berean Church in North Platte with the Reverend John Stone officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.    Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family receiving friends Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Troopers seize over 150 pounds of weed in traffic stop near York

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two men and seized 149 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 80.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2017 Dodge Caravan for failing to signal near York, at mile marker 353. During the stop, the trooper observed a vacuum-sealed bag of marijuana plainly visible inside the vehicle.

Troopers and deputies from the York County Sheriff’s Office searched the vehicle and discovered 149 pounds of marijuana. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $447,000.

The driver, Robert Rosenwasser, 56, of Florida, and Milton Coore, 53, of Jamaica, were arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no Drug Tax stamp. Both men were lodged in York County Jail.

Law restricting Nebraska’s nonpartisan candidates overturned

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By TESS WILLIAMS, Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A law that made it more difficult for Nebraska’s nonpartisan candidates to seek higher office was overturned and ruled unconstitutional Thursday as part of an agreement with the secretary of state.

Secretary of State John Gale settled a lawsuit that was brought by Omaha businessman Kent Bernbeck and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska. As part of the agreement, a federal judge declared the law unconstitutional and ordered Gale not to enforce it.

The 2016 law increased the number of signatures candidates need to collect to gain ballot access from 4,000 to over 120,000, which is 10 percent of registered voters. The law made Nebraska’s signature requirement one of the highest in the nation. Thirty-seven states require fewer than 10,000 signatures for candidates to gain ballot access.

Bernebeck launched an independent bid for state treasurer partially to bring attention to the restrictions on nonpartisan candidates. He said the 3,000 percent increase was unconstitutional because it prevented nonpartisan candidates from running and took options away from voters.

To qualify for the November election, Bernbeck will now need to collect 4,000 signatures. He declined to comment on if he has begun the process. If Bernbeck’s name appears on the ballot, he will challenge the Republican-backed state Sen. John Murante of Gretna, who introduced the law. Murante will otherwise be unopposed.

“I got the law overturned and I exposed a politician who was maybe doing this for impure motives,” Bernbeck said. “At this point it’s up to the people of Nebraska to decide if they support my candidacy.”

Bernbeck filed the lawsuit at the end of May and said he did not expect the law to be repealed so quickly.

Murante said he respects the opinions of the secretary of state and court, but argued the Legislature “passed the measure with bipartisan support and in a transparent fashion.”

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha attempted to challenge the law earlier this year when he planned to run for governor as an independent candidate. He initially planned to start his own party to avoid the high signature requirement, but instead joined the Democratic Party to launch his campaign. Krist dropped his lawsuit after switching his party affiliation.

“This law was a slap in the face to 21 percent of registered Nebraska voters who are non-partisans,” he said in a statement Thursday.

The Latest: Keystone XL opponent says ‘fight is not over’

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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The Latest on developments with the Keystone XL oil pipeline (all times local):
5:25 p.m.

An attorney for an organization opposing the Keystone XL oil pipeline says the “fight is not over” after the South Dakota Supreme Court dismissed a legal appeal from project foes.

Robin Martinez, an attorney for conservation and family agriculture group Dakota Rural Action, said Thursday the high court’s decision is “disappointing.” But Martinez says the organization is regrouping and evaluating its options.

A TransCanada Corp. spokesman says the pipeline developer is pleased with the ruling, which found the courts lacked jurisdiction to hear pipeline foes’ cases and dismissed their appeal.

The Cheyenne River Sioux and Yankton Sioux tribes and Dakota Rural Action appealed to the high court after a judge affirmed state regulators’ approval for the pipeline.

It would move crude oil from Canada across Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines feeding refineries along the Gulf Coast.
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1:55 p.m.
A TransCanada Corp. spokesman says the Keystone XL oil pipeline developer is pleased with the South Dakota Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a legal appeal from opponents fighting the project.

The high court ruled Wednesday that a lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear pipeline foes’ cases and ended their appeal.

The project would move crude oil from Canada across Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines feeding refineries along the Gulf Coast.

TransCanada spokesman Terry Cunha said Thursday the company is working to get needed land easements for the pipeline in Nebraska.

But Nebraska landowners have filed a lawsuit challenging the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s decision to approve a route through the state.

A separate federal lawsuit brought by Montana landowners and environmental groups seeks to overturn President Donald Trump’s decision to grant a presidential permit for the project.
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10:08 a.m.
South Dakota’s Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal from opponents of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, saying a lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear their cases.

Groups fighting TransCanada Corp.’s pipeline appealed a judge’s decision last year upholding regulators’ approval for the pipeline to cross the state.

But the high court ruled Wednesday that justices didn’t “reach the merits of the case” because the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal of the Public Utilities Commission’s decision.

Attorneys for appealing groups haven’t returned telephone messages requesting comment. TransCanada hasn’t responded to an email seeking comment.
The project would move crude oil from Canada across Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines feeding refineries along the Gulf Coast.

NLD Buffalo Bill Rodeo Day One!

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North Platte, Neb. (June 13, 2018) – Some of the best cowboy and cowgirl talent in the nation converge on North Platte each June for the annual Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

 

World champions and those in the top fifteen in the world standings will compete for over $100,000 over the four days of the rodeo, June 13-16.

 

But it was a weekend warrior who leads the steer wrestling after the first day of competition.

 

Steer wrestler Tee Burress, Piedmont, S.D., leads the pack of 86 steer wrestlers after competition on June 13 with a time of 3.6 seconds.

 

The 33-year-old cowboy has a wife, three kids and a business to run at home, so he chooses to rodeo on weekends.

 

He has competed at the North Platte rodeo six or eight times since he began rodeo, but the first time he came, it was in the bull riding.

 

He rode bulls for several years, switching over to the steer wrestling at age 21, “when I gained twenty pounds,” he joked.

 

Burress and his father Marty co-own a construction company, which gives them more freedom in their schedule. His dad ropes at local rodeos. “Dad likes to rope, so when he goes and ropes, I stay home,” Burress said, “and when I go and steer wrestle, he stays home. It works out good.”

 

Burress and his wife have a daughter, who is nine, and sons who are ages four and five. The boys love rodeo. “You can’t keep them away from the arena,” Burress said. “I suppose in another year or two, I’ll have to slow down more to take them to rodeos.” The boys aren’t looking to ride bulls, like their dad did. “Their mother has talked them out of bull riding. They’re talking about being steer wrestlers and ropers,” he said. “I keep telling them they can ride one of those (roping) steers, but they look at me funny. But that’s fine. They can do what they want.”

 

In the saddle bronc riding, it was a rematch between a cowboy and a bucking horse.

 

Oklahoma cowboy Hardy Braden, who won his event at the 2017 Buffalo Bill Rodeo, drew the same horse this year that he rode last year, Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Painted Desert.

 

Last year, he scored 86.5 points. This year, it was 81, good enough for the lead but probably not good enough to last through the next three nights of rodeo.

 

His eight second ride was a battle; the horse turned back towards the chutes instead of going straight out. “It’s a little harder for a bronc rider to spur when the horse is turning back. I was trying to stay off her head the best I could and stay in the saddle, but it was a fight towards the end.”

 

Last year was magical for Braden. He spent most of the rodeo season in the top 15 in the world standings and qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR). While in Las Vegas for ten days of the WNFR, he earned about $160,000, which he didn’t spend on frivolous things. “The government got a big chunk of it,” he said, “and we invested some of it.” He didn’t buy any more cattle for his herd; (“I have all the cows I can handle”) but he did buy a “toy,” a utility vehicle to be used around his ranch. “I could use it as a tax write-off,” he said. “I figured, why not?”

 

Braden is ranked twenty-fourth in the world standings; the top fifteen on September 30, the end of the rodeo year, go on to compete at the WNFR. He’s not concerned about his ranking; he knows the busiest and richest part of the rodeo season is about to start. “There’s still a lot of year left. The months of July, August and September are pretty nuts.” Braden knows qualifying a second time is “attainable. If things go right, and you can draw decent, it’s very attainable.” Drawing good horses to ride is the key. “It’s just trying to find a good dance partner.”

 

After the morning’s slack and the evening competition, other leaders are bareback rider Grant Denny, Minden, Nev. (81 points), tie-down roper Jordan Ketscher (8.3 seconds), team ropers Curry Kirchner, Ames, Okla. and Chase Boekhaus, Rolla, Kan. (4.4 seconds), barrel racer Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas (17.41 seconds) and bull rider Kenan Isabell, Gatesville, Texas (84 points).

 

The 2019 Miss Rodeo Nebraska was crowned, with the title going to Eva Oliver of Merriman, Neb. The twenty-year-old cowgirl is a student at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, where she is studying veterinary technology. She will serve as lady in waiting until January 1, 2019, when she will begin her reign, and will represent the state at the 2019 Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas. She is the daughter of Chuck and Stacie Oliver. 

 

The second of four nights of rodeo takes place Thursday, June 14 at 8 pm. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show awareness of breast cancer, and proceeds will be donated to the Callahan Cancer Center in North Platte. Tickets are available at www.NebraskalandDays.com  and at the gate.

 

The results from the first day are below (note all results are unofficial): 

 

Results, 1st Performance and slack, June 13, 2018.

North Platte, Nebraska – Buffalo Bill Rodeo

 

Bareback riding

1. Grant Denny, Minden, Nev. 81 points on Shattered Dream; 2. Justin Pollmiller, Weatherford, Okla. 75; no other qualified rides.

 

Steer wrestling

First go-round results

1. Tee Burress, Piedmont S.D. 3.6 seconds; 2. Jon Herl, Goodland, Kan. 3.9; 3. (tie) Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. and Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D. 4.0 each.

 

Tie-down roping

First go-round results (the first go-round was completed with tonight’s performance)

1. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif. 8.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas and Cody Huber, Albia, Iowa 8.4; 4. Stetson Vest, Childress, Texas 8.8; 5. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas 8.9; 6. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 9.0.

 

Saddle bronc riding

1. Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla. 81 points on Painted Desert; 2. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Fla. 80; 3. (tie) Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D. and Dawson Dahm, Tomahawk, Calif. 79 each.

 

Team roping

1. Curry Kirchner, Ames, Okla./Chase Boekhaus, Rolla, Kan. 4.4 seconds; 2. Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss./Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas 5.3; 3. Jr Dees, Aurora, S.D./Quincy Opela, Stapleton, Neb. 5.4; 4. Cole Cooper, Sheridan, Wyo./JC Flake, Mesa, Ariz.

 

Barrel racing

1. Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas 17.41 seconds; 2. Shelby Janssen, Coleman, Okla. 17.5; 3. Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo. 17.85; 4. Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas 18.26.

 

Bull riding

1. Kenan Isabell, Gatesville, Texas 84 points on Classic Tide; no other qualified rides.

 

** All results are unofficial.

Nebraska man rescued from western Iowa lake

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Nebraska man is expected to recover from his near drowning on a western Iowa lake.

The Iowa Natural Resources Department said in a news release Wednesday that the man fell into the water Saturday evening at Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs from a personal watercraft driven by his wife. Conservation officer Adam Arnold says another person on a personal watercraft spotted the man and took him to safety on shore. He was soon taken to a Council Bluffs hospital.

The injured man was identified as 54-year-old Lawrence Wieneke. His wife was identified as 59-year-old Geralyn Wieneke. They live in Omaha.

Western Nebraska sheriff’s deputy accused of child abuse

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RUSHVILLE, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a western Nebraska sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after being accused of physically abusing a child.

The Nebraska State Patrol says in a news release Wednesday that Sheridan County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Henry has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse and strangulation, stemming from an incident that happened Tuesday. The patrol did not give details on the incident.

Officials say the child was taken to an area hospital and appears to be in good health.

Henry was booked into the Dawes County Jail in Chadron.

A message left Wednesday for Sheridan County Sheriff Terry Robbins seeking comment on Henry’s employment status was not immediately returned.

Milford man sentenced to prison for setting wife on fire

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SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A Milford man convicted of setting his wife on fire has been sentenced to up to six years in prison.

37-year-old Jeremy Koch was ordered Tuesday in Seward County Court to serve a minimum of three years. Koch had pleaded no contest to first-degree assault in an agreement with prosecutors that saw three other counts dropped.

Officers say Koch sprayed his wife with aerosol brake fluid and lit her on fire Jan. 10 following an argument at their rural Milford home. She was treated for burns at an area hospital.

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