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Month: January 2019

Indians stun Knights in McCook

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McCook – Records do not matter when the North Platte Community College Knights and the McCook Community College Indians face each other.

The Knights came into the game with a 15-1 record and 4-0 in Region IX South Sub-Region play.

The Indians upset the Knights Tuesday evening, 84-76, at the Peter and Dolores Graff Event Center.

The Indians jumped out to a 14-point lead at 20-6 to open up the game.

The Knights came back and outscored the Indians 31-11, the remainder of the half to lead the Indians 37-32 at halftime.

In the second half, the Knights built their lead up to eight points at 59-51.

The Indians rallied back and went on a 12-4 run to tie the score at 63.

With the score tied at 70, the Indians outscored the Knights 14-6 to secure the victory.

The Knights, now 15-2 overall, and 4-1 in the South Sub-Region were led in scoring by Da’May Jones, from Houston, Texas, who scored 20 points. DaVonte Tharpe, from Macon, Ga, added 14 points, and Courtney Murrell, from Carrollton, Texas, had 13 points.

Jakub Karwowski, from Warsaw, Poland, had nine rebounds and Edgars Kaufmanis, from Valmiera, Latvia, added eight rebounds.

The Indians, now 9-11, and 2-3 in South Sub-Region play, had five players score in double digits led by AV Banks with 17 points. Miles Black had 16 points, Tyrek Battle-Holley added 15 points. Mardrez McBride scored 11 points and Peanut Cunningham scored 10 points.

Amadou Dieye had nine rebounds for the Indians

The Knights travel to Lamar Community College on Saturday for another Region IX South Sub-Region game.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

19-year-old takes plea deal in fatal collision case

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COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old driver is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 26 for the Platte County crash death of a motorcyclist.

Court records say Daisy Gonzalez, of Madison, pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor vehicular homicide. Prosecutors dropped a related charge in return for her plea.

The records say the collision occurred Aug. 2 at the intersection of Nebraska Highway 91 and 490th Street. The records say her minivan collided with the motorcycle driven by 22-year-old Joshua Gasper, of Columbus. He died days later of his injuries.

Sentencings set for two 18-year-olds accused of school plot

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CAMBRIDGE, Neb. (AP) — A March 4 sentencing hearing is scheduled for two 18-year-olds accused of planning to attack a high school in south-central Nebraska.

Furnas County Court records say Joseph Williams, of Oxford, and Aron McMains, of North Platte, pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor attempted terroristic threats. Prosecutors had lowered the charges from felony counts.

Court records say Williams, McMains and two 17-year-old boys had been discussing an attack on Cambridge High School for months. When one student transferred to a different school, they tried to recruit another student.

One of the students told police he thought the plan was a joke but wasn’t sure whether the others felt that way.

Both 17-year-olds are seeking to be prosecuted as juveniles.

NSP disposes of grenade found in Southeast Nebraska dumpster

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NSP Photo

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad have safely disposed of a grenade found in a dumpster in Talmage.

The grenade was found in a dumpster as a home was being cleaned out. The resident of the home had passed away. Those who found the grenade contacted the Otoe County Sheriff’s Office who contacted the NSP Bomb Squad for assistance.

NSP Hazardous Device Technicians safely removed the grenade from the area and destroyed it with a counter charge.

“If you ever find a grenade or other explosive device, call the authorities immediately and do not attempt to move it,” said Lt. Dain Hicks, Commander of the NSP Bomb Squad. “These devices can be extremely dangerous and must be handled by trained experts.”

NSP has Hazardous Device Technicians stationed throughout the state to work with local authorities for this type of situation.

Elva Louise Evans

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Elva Louise Evans, 93, of Grand Island, formerly of Sutherland, died Sunday, January 20, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Village in Grand Island, Nebraska.  Elva was born on April 8, 1925 at Arcadia, Kansas to Frederick Albert Arnold and Sarah Margaret Galvin Ricketts.  She grew up in Kansas and Missouri and graduated in 1943 from Bronaugh High School in Missouri.  On July 4, 1943, Elva was united in marriage to Vencil Mondell Evans in Bronaugh, Missouri and they lived in Wichita, Kansas.  They moved to Sutherland, Nebraska in 1962 and opened the Tack Room in 1970.  After Vencil died in 1992, Elva eventually moved to Grand Island.  She attended the Hershey Baptist Church.

She is survived by her sons, Ron (Diane) Evans of Marianna, Florida, Denny (Vickie) Evans of Spokane, Washington, Ray Evans of Grand Island, and Robert Evans of Evanston, Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Ellie Evans of Trenton, South Carolina; and other family.  Along with her husband, Vencil, Elva was preceded in death by their son, Dough; her parents; brother, Robert and Ivan Ricketts; and sisters, Fannie Goddard, Mayme Zilliox, Bernece Galvin, Audra Ricketts and Leatha Griffith.

Cremation was chosen.  Inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery on July 3, 2019.  The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com.  Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte is in charge of the arrangements.

D. Jean Fritz

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D. Jean Fritz, 90, of North Platte, passed away January 25, 2019 at Linden Court. She was born on January 12, 1929 to William and Mary (Johnston) Gugelman at Stockville, Nebraska.

Jean attended grade school in Orafino, Nebraska and graduated from Curtis High School with the class of 1944.  She went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln earning a teaching degree.  On May 25, 1947, Jean was united in marriage to H. Earl Fritz in Kansas.  They lived in the Eustis and Farnam areas, moving to North Platte in 1988.  Her greatest joy was her family.  She loved music, sewing, gardening, and bowling.

Jean is survived by her children, Vicky Fritz of North Platte, Connie Taylor of Moorefiled, Nebraska, Denise (Stan) Reed of Oak Harbor, Washington, and Tonya (Tony) Hergenrader of North Plattte; daughter-in-law, Vicki Fritz of Farnam; eight grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl in 2003; son Terry Fritz; son-in-law, Terry Taylor; grandchildren, Jeremy Fritz and Kacy Taylor; a great grandson, Keegan Taylor; three sisters and one brother.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2109 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation with family receiving friends will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory.  Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Carepenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Adrian F. “Herb” Szwanek

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Adrian F. “Herb” Szwanek, age 88, of North Platte passed away January 27, 2019 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.

Herb was born on September 16, 1930 in Cotesfield, NE to James and Lizzie (Duester) Szwanek.

Herb graduated from Elba High School in 1949.  He worked for farmers; and then the railroad for a short time before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1950.  After being discharged, he went back to the Union Pacific Railroad as a signalman, then transferring to the Maintenance of Way department as a crane operator.  Herb married Mary Anderson on August 23, 1958 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold.  He retired from the railroad September 30, 1992.

Herb was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and a member of the 4th degree Knights of Columbus.  He loved his yard, full of peonies, rose bushes, and a garden.  He enjoyed the outdoors and mechanic work and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of North Platte; children, David (Mary) Szwanek, Kirk (Pam) Szwanek all of North Platte, Jeff (Robin) Szwanek of Lincoln, and Rod (Lori) Szwanek of Omaha; brothers, Frank (Mildred) Szwanek of Mullen, and Ed Szwanek of Evanston, WY; sisters, Verna Nabity of Sacramento, Ca, Katherine Kyhn, Sylvia Chelewski both of Grand Island, and Rose Marie “Rosie” (Paul) Kilian of Omaha; numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Shirley Szwanek; brothers-in-law, Leo Nabity, Ron Chelewski, and Monty Kyhn; and a step-grandson, Robbie Mills.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic School Endowment Fund or to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Christian Wake Service will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Matthew Nash as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Man convicted in 1997 slaying listed as escaped

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Anthony Gafford
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a man convicted of a 1997 Omaha slaying escaped a Lincoln work-release center six days after his victim’s son was killed.

The Nebraska Correctional Services Department says 40-year-old Anthony Gafford left the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln at 6 a.m. Saturday to go to work but never returned. The department’s Laura Strimple said Tuesday that there’s been no change in his escaped status.

Gafford was convicted of second-degree murder and a weapons charge and sentenced to 30 to 50 years for fatally shooting Jacque Holbert in September 1997. Prison records say his scheduled release date is Dec. 11, 2022.

Holbert’s son, 21-year-old Jacque “Jack” Holbert IV, was fatally shot Jan. 20 in Omaha. No arrests have been reported.

Man charged with manslaughter in North Platte hit-and-run 

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Ryan Baade

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – Authorities have charged a driver with manslaughter for the death of a pedestrian in North Platte.

Lincoln County Court records say 34-year-old Ryan Baade, of North Platte, also was charged Monday with failing to stop and render aid. He’s being held in the Lincoln County Jail pending $250,000 bail. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for Baade. His next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Police say 65-year-old David Kohlmeier was struck while crossing a street around 6:45 a.m. Friday by a vehicle that fled the scene .

Farm group coalition endorses Nebraska property tax plan

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A coalition of major Nebraska agricultural groups has endorsed a proposal designed to lower property taxes and ensure state funding for K-12 schools by raising cigarette and alcohol taxes and eliminating other tax breaks.

Members of the Nebraska Agriculture Leaders Working Group hailed the proposal Monday as “the best bill from which to start.”

The bill would eventually guarantee that all Nebraska schools get at least 50 percent of their basic education funding from the state. Many rural schools currently receive no state equalization aid.

The bill includes some controversial proposals, including the elimination of sales tax exemptions for groceries.

Farm groups and the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson, say the bill could change and they’re willing to consider other ideas.

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