Arlene D. Sawyer, 84, of North Platte passed away on February 27, 2019 at Great Plains Health. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Matthew Nash officiating.
Month: February 2019
Shawna Leigh Tatman
Shawna Leigh Tatman, of North Platte, died unexpectedly at Great Plains Health on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. She was 56 years old.
Shawna was born on December 17, 1962 at Cheyenne, Wyoming to Jerry Lee and Joyce Elaine (Stumpf) White. Shawna was raised by her mom and they lived in Cheyenne until her sophomore year in high school when they moved to North Platte, Nebraska. Shawna graduated from North Platte High School in 1981, then attended Mid-Plains Community College. She soon began working at the North Platte Senior Center and that led to a 37 year career, with the past 15 years serving as the Director. Shawna was recognized for her work as the 2018 Woman of Achievement.
On February 16, 1984, Shawna was united in marriage to Michael Hart Tatman in North Platte. she loved her work, her dogs, and her family – they were her life. Shawna was the proudest Mema who loved each of her grandkids to the moon and back.
Shawna also cared about the welfare of children and was a child liason with the Guardians of the Children where she was know as “Sapphire.” Shawna was on a Thursday night pool league and a member of the Eagle’s Auxiliary. When not working, she enjoyed being home, working in her flower beds, taking pictures of outdoors and being a part of family gatherings. Shawna and Mike loved riding their Harley and watching home improvement shows. She was a kind, compassionate woman who was taken from us much too soon.
She is survived by her husband, Mike of North Platte; children, Misty Tatman and her husband Anthony Plunk of North Platte, Mitchell and wife, Amber Tatman of Stapleton, Christopher and wife, Jami Tatman of North Platte and Stephanie and husband, Daniel Seamann of Hershey; 12 grandchildren, Isaiah, Elijah, D’Avion, Dalton, Raymond, Abi, SAvannah, Laramie, Mason, Jemma, Jeremiah, and Gracie; her mother, Joyce White of Cheyenne; mother-in-law, Sue Tatman of North Platte; father and his wife, Jerry and Ann White of Lingle, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Page (Phil) Cardenas of Cheyenne; nieces, Sarah and Elizabeth Cardenas; and other family.
Shawna was preceded in death by her grandparents, Herman and Henrietta Stumpf; and father-in-law, Ron Tatman.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the First Christian Church in North Platte with Pastor Jan Ekstedt officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Instead of flowers or plants, memorials are to the Senior Center to help others.
Modesta Hernandez
Modesta Hernandez, formerly of Hershey, passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at Great Plains Health, at the age of 93. Modesta was born on November 4, 1925 in Stamford, Texas to Issac and isabella (Tobar) Garza. She grew up in Texas and later moved to Hershey, Nebraska.
On November 7, 1945, Modesta married Demetrio Jose ‘Pete’ Hernandez in North Platte, Nebraska. They lived in Sutherland, Nebraska for a short time, then moved to Texas and returned to Nebraska in 1954, settling in Hershey. Modesta worked for TRW in Sutherland and Ogallala, Best Linen and Great Plains Hospital in North Platte, and the Sutherland Care Center , from which she retired.
Modesta was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She liked fishing, crocheting and watching ‘Days of Our Lives.’ She loved her dog, Bear, and her family and enjoyed spending time with them all.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Erlinda and Joe Mata of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Arthur and Janet Hernandez of Aurora, Colorado, and Fermin and Sharon Hernandez, Richard Sr and Donna Hernandez and Michael and Gloria Hernandez all of North Platte; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a great great-grandson; brother Lucio Garza of Hershey; sister, Guadalupe Wood of Rochester, Minnesota; her dog, Bear; as well as many other family members.
Modesta was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; daughter, Heneritta; son, Joseph Hernandez; sister, Mary Lou McRae and Christina Hernandez; brothers, Domingo and Nile Garza; sister-in-law, Connie Garza; and granddaughter, Rachel Hernandez.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte with Celebrant Father Matthew Nash. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, with family greeting friends from 4 – 6 p.m. followed by a Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, which is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com
Demaryius Thomas arrested, accused of vehicular assault
DENVER (AP) — Former Denver Broncos and Houston Texans receiver Demaryius Thomas has been arrested on allegations including felony vehicular assault stemming from a crash earlier this month.
Thomas was taken into custody Wednesday after turning himself in and was also being held on allegations of reckless driving and not having proof of insurance, both misdemeanors, police said Thursday.
Thomas was involved in a crash on Feb. 16, a few days after he was released by the Texans. In a statement laying out the reasons for his arrest, police said Thomas was driving over 70 mph, more than twice the 30 mph speed limit, at around 12:20 a.m. near downtown Denver when his SUV went off the road and went airborne, flipping end-over-end, after hitting a median. The SUV landed on its wheels and one of his two passengers suffered serious injuries, the document said.
Thomas and the other passenger also were taken to the hospital after the crash.
Thomas’ agent, Todd France, did not immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Thomas played seven games for Houston last year, making 23 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns, before his season ended prematurely when he tore his left Achilles tendon.
He was acquired in October from Denver for a fourth-round draft pick to fill in after Will Fuller tore a knee ligament. The Texans and Broncos also switched seventh-round selections for this year’s draft.
For his nine pro seasons, Thomas has 688 catches for 9,330 yards with 62 touchdowns. He has made four Pro Bowls and won the Super Bowl following the 2015 season with the Broncos. The 31-year-old was a first-round pick by the Broncos in 2010 and spent his entire career there before last year’s trade. He is the second-leading receiver in Broncos’ history, with 9,055 yards and 60 touchdown receptions.
NP man arrested in string of car thefts
A North Platte man has been arrested following a string of car thefts on Thursday morning.
On February 28, 2019, at 1:30 AM, officers responded to the 1400 block of South Dewey in regards to a stolen vehicle. The victim reported they had left their vehicle running outside while they were inside the business shopping. When they came outside it was gone.
The following is a timeline of calls involving stolen vehicles.
At 753 AM, that vehicle was recovered at Airport Rd and Highway 30.
At 409 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the area of Rolling Hills and Thunderhead.
At 422 AM, that vehicle was recovered in the 2600 block of N Airport Rd.
At 428 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the 6000 block of East Thunderhead Drive.
At 808 AM, that vehicle was recovered at 1st and Hayes.
At 750 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the 2600 block of Wright Ave, and recovered at the same time in the 1900 block of Rodeo Rd.
At 724 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the 2000 block of West 15th St.At 842 AM, that vehicle was recovered from behind Bridge Street auto.
At 725 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the parking lot of the Lincoln Highway Diner.
At approximately 0930 AM, that vehicle was recovered in the area of 6th and McCabe.
At approximately 0920 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the 2000 block of East 4th. The caller observed the vehicle being stolen and followed the suspect, causing him to dump the vehicle approximately two blocks away. The caller was on the phone with 911 dispatchers the entire time, communicating the suspect’s actions.
Officers with the North Platte Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office located the suspect, 23-year-old Anthony McEntee, in the area and he was arrested.
Charges are pending, and police say of the stolen vehicles have been recovered and there is no further danger to the public.
Pop Warner bans three-point stance and some kickoffs
LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) — Pop Warner will become the first national football program at any level to eliminate the three-point stance in further efforts to make the sport safer for young players.
The nation’s longest-serving youth football organization said Thursday the ban will be introduced in Pop Warner’s three youngest divisions this season. It’s aimed at changing how offensive and defensive linemen engage in contact when the ball is snapped.
Under the new rule, players in Tiny Mite (5 to 7 years old), Mitey Mite (7 to 9) and Junior Pee Wee (8 to 10) will not be allowed to position themselves on the line with their hand on the ground before the snap. Instead, they must either be upright or in a modified squat position with their hands on their legs.
“We believe this change is another step in creating a safer, better football experience for young people,” said Jon Butler, executive director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “By moving away from the three-point stance at our youngest levels we are changing how players are introduced to the sport and how they learn to play the game. We are also setting the stage for our higher levels of play to adopt the change. Because our sport has been willing to evolve over the past 150 years it is safer than ever, while maintaining what makes it so great.”
Pop Warner will use the 2019 season to assess the new rule in the younger divisions and will consider implementing it later for the program’s higher levels.
Also changing in September: no kickoffs at the Pee Wee (9 to 11 years old) level. Pop Warner’s in 2016 rule barred kickoffs in its three youngest age groups. The ball following a score or to start a half will be placed at the 35-yard line.
Study: US pedestrian deaths hit highest number since 1990
DETROIT (AP) — The number of pedestrians killed on U.S. roads last year was the highest in 28 years, according to a report from a safety organization.
Using data reported by states, the Governors Highway Safety Association estimates that 6,227 pedestrians were killed last year. That’s up 4 percent from 2017 and 35 percent since 2008.
The association blames the increase on factors that include distracted or impaired drivers, more people walking to work, and more SUVs on the road, which cause more severe injuries in collisions with people on foot.
It also says most deaths happen on local roads at night and away from intersections, and it called for safer road crossings. Night crashes accounted for more than 90 percent of the increased deaths over the past decade.
“While we have made progress reducing fatalities among many other road users in the past decade, pedestrian deaths have risen 35 percent,” Jonathan Adkins, the association’s executive director, said in a statement issued Thursday. “The alarm bells continue to sound on this issue.”
The report also called for law enforcement and safety education campaigns to make sure drivers and walkers can safely coexist, as well as for road safety audits.
It said that 23 states saw declines in pedestrian deaths during the first half of last year, with six states reporting double-digit drops.
Harold Dudley Stroud
Harold Dudley Stroud, of North Platte, died at home surrounded by his
family on Monday, February 25, 2019, at the age of 81.
Harold was born March 23, 1937, to Alexander Dudley and Mable Louise
(Pellett) Stroud at Garland, Kansas. He grew up in Kansas where he
attended Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville then graduated from
Fort Scott High School in 1955. Harold moved to Coffeyville and worked
for Exnerdodge, Fadelers, Armstrong Ice Cream, Co. and Sears.
On September 15, 1956, Harold married Carol Sue McPheeters at
Coffeyville and they had three children, Steve, Roger and Katheryn.
They first lived in Sedan, Kansas for nine months while Harold managed a
gas station then returned to Coffeyville so he could work for Sears. In
August 1971 Sears transferred the family to North Platte then a short
time later Harold hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as an
electrician. He retired from the railroad in 1999.
While working on the railroad Harold and Carol owned Stroud Development,
where Harold designed, built and remodeled houses and Carol helped him
and did the bookwork. He continued building and remodeling until three
years ago when he had to stop due to his health.
Harold enjoyed traveling and taking his family to Canada, Mexico and 46
states. Carol and Harold were married for 45 years when she died in
August 2001.
On June 19, 2009, Harold married Cynthia Burton in North Platte and she
added four children, Teresa, Stephen, Nathan and Cameron, to the family.
He is survived by his wife, children, many grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
Along with his wife, Carol, Harold was preceded in death by their son,
Steve; son-in-law, Dee Greeley; his parents and all his siblings.
Funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2019, at the
North Platte Baptist Church on Rodeo Road with Pastor Bill Reeves
officiating. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Odean Colonial
Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online
condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers,
memorials are to Great Plains Hospice.
Local professional MMA fighter announces UFC debut
(North Platte, Nebraska, February 26, 2019) – Local 10-0 professional mixed martial arts fighter Ryan MacDonald will host a press conference on February 27 at 3pm in the Commons Lobby at NebraskaLand National Bank, 1400 S. Dewey St. Macdonald will announce his UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) debut on March 23 in Nashville, as back in his hometown fans gather for Midwest Championship Fighting’s 17th local show – St. Paddy’s Beatdown 7. MacDonald’s opponent for the bout will be Chris Gutierrez (12-3-1) (UFC 0-1).
Fans attending the St. Paddy’s Beatdown will be treated to a watch party during the show, as fight promoter Russ Jones will pause the local fights to show the MacDonald fight on the arena big screens in front of his hometown fans. MacDonald, who has been preparing for nine years for his UFC debut, is familiar with North Platte crowds at the MCF events filling the arena with shouts of ‘Ryan’.
MacDonald’s UFC debut was slated to happen in 2017, but was delayed due to his older brother, Kyle MacDonald’s suicide two weeks before the fight. Kyle was Ryan’s earliest fan and mentor, always pushing him to persevere and follow his dreams. Ryan is certain that everything happens for a reason. He has continued to train hard in the intervening two years and is excited about the opportunity to fight in Nashville while appearing via the big screens in front of his hometown fans.
Eligible hunters may apply for auxiliary mountain lion permits
LINCOLN, Neb. – Applications for an auxiliary mountain lion hunting season will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from March 1-5.
Up to four permits will be drawn for the auxiliary season in the North Subunit of Nebraska’s Pine Ridge, which is March 15-31. Only hunters who held a North Subunit permit but did not harvest a mountain lion during the earlier North Subunit season may apply.
From 1 p.m. Central Time on March 1 through 11:59 p.m. on March 5, eligible North Subunit permit holders may apply for the auxiliary season permit drawing at outdoornebraska.gov/
The auxiliary season will close once up to four mountain lions, or two females, are harvested. The number of permits to be drawn will be equal to the auxiliary season’s harvest quota, which cannot exceed four. The quota will be determined following the Feb. 28 close of the North Subunit season.
The North Subunit is the area of the Pine Ridge north of Highway 20 and west of Highway 27. Hunting on public land will not be allowed during the auxiliary season, but dogs may be used. All other mountain lion hunting rules remain the same.
Once open, the status of the season will be posted on Game and Parks’ mountain lion harvest season webpage (outdoornebraska.gov/
No more than eight mountain lions will be harvested in Nebraska this year. Three males and one female lion already have been taken during the South Subunit season in January.
A harvest will allow the mountain lion population to remain resilient and healthy, while halting growth or moderately reducing the population size. This will reduce the population density in the Pine Ridge to one similar to that of other states that allow mountain lion hunting.
To read more mountain lion hunting regulations, go to outdoornebraska.gov/