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Nebraska school district sues to identify its Twitter critic

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A southeast Nebraska school district wants a court to help it learn who is behind a Twitter account that has targeted the district and superintendent.

Friend Public Schools says the unknown person behind the Friend Bulldog account has made false, libelous and defamatory statements accusing Superintendent David Kraus or the district of public indecency and other offenses. The account has been active since last fall.

In a Jan. 7 post, Kraus’ face was positioned over actor Jim Carrey’s in a poster for Carrey’s movie “Liar Liar.” Another post from September of last year compared Kraus to Adolf Hitler.

The district’s attorney, Justin Knight, also said in the lawsuit filed last week that the Twitter account might be mistaken for the district’s official one because it uses a picture of the Friend Bulldog mascot.

“The goal is to clear the reputations of the individuals that have been targeted in the account,” Knight said.

District officials made other efforts to contact the online critic and resolve the issue — including an open invitation from the school board — but those weren’t successful. Knight said the district didn’t decide to file the lawsuit until after several other district employees were singled out. The district in Friend, Nebraska, is about 40 miles southwest of Lincoln.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported on the lawsuit first.

On Saturday, the person behind the Twitter account posted, “The name’s Doe, John Doe.” The individual later added, “I can’t believe you guys guessed my real name!”

The person didn’t immediately respond to a Twitter message that The Associated Press sent Monday seeking comment.

A spokeswoman for Twitter said Monday she was looking into the case and couldn’t immediately comment. But the social media company describes online how it handles legal requests for user information. Twitter says it tries to notify users about a request and then reviews the request before deciding whether to comply or object to it.

VA buys land to expand western Nebraska cemetery

MAXWELL, Neb. (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs says it’s bought land to expand a national veterans cemetery in western Nebraska.

The VA announced Monday that Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell will be expanded to nearly double its current size. The VA says it bought 18 acres (7.3 hectares) on the north side of the 20-acre cemetery, providing room for at least 15,000 more graves.

The VA says it paid Donna Sundstrom nearly $116,000 for the land.

Fort McPherson National Cemetery was established in 1873. The VA says there are two more national cemeteries in Nebraska: Omaha National Cemetery, which is in Sarpy County on the south side of Omaha, and Forest Lawn Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot, in Omaha.

There are also state veterans cemeteries at Alliance and in Grand Island.

Police suspect Iowa inmate in 2013 killing in Omaha suburb

Ricardo Paul Escobedo Jr.
RALSTON, Neb. (AP) — Police have issued a murder warrant for an Iowa inmate in connection with the 2013 killing of a woman whose body was found in her apartment in an Omaha suburb.

Police in Ralston said Monday they had issued the first-degree murder warrant for Ricardo Paul Escobedo Jr., who was serving time in the Iowa State Penitentiary for a drug charge.

He’s charged in the Oct. 28, 2013, killing of Aimee Kearns, who was shot-to-death in her apartment, apparently because she owed money for illegal drugs.

Police say the arrest came after authorities matched DNA from blood found at the Ralston apartments to Escobedo’s DNA.

The 27-year-old Escobedo is expected to be transferred to the Douglas County jail.

Authorities say one or two others could be involved in the killing.

Police investigating fatal shooting in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Omaha.

Police were called to Creighton University Medical Center-University Campus a little before 10 p.m. Sunday after the wounded person arrived at the hospital. Police say he died after he was transferred to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy.

He was identified as 28-year-old Robert Williams Jr.

No arrests have been reported.

Florida energy company considers Nebraska for solar project

Photo: Air Force Civil Engineer Program
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Florida-based company that is looking into building a wind farm in Nebraska is beginning to research the viability of solar projects in the state too, according to a company spokesman.

NextEra Energy Resources spokesman Bryan Garner told The Lincoln Journal Star that the company is looking into a potential 423-megawatt solar farm in northeast Nebraska. The potential project would be the largest solar project in Nebraska and the Midwest.

The amount of available land in Nebraska makes the state attractive for projects, Garner said.

NextEra has already taken steps to move forward with the project, Garner said. The company has signed a lease for 2,500 acres in Pierce County and is also seeking an interconnection agreement with the Southwest Power Pool, which operates a regional electric grid and wholesale market.

Construction on the solar project could begin in 2022 if it’s found to be feasible, Garner said.

NextEra is already operating multiple wind farms in Nebraska, including the 75-megawatt Steele Flats wind farm near Diller and the 90-megawatt Cottonwood wind farm in Webster County. The company is also constructing a 160-megawatt Sholes wind farm in Wayne County, and is exploring expanding its wind generation efforts to southern Lancaster and northern Gage counties.

The Pierce County project would be the company’s first solar installation in Nebraska. NextEra has more than 30 solar projects in the U.S. and Canada.

Nebraska employers to pay less in unemployment taxes in 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska businesses will pay less unemployment insurance taxes this year than they did in 2018.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Monday that the average tax rate for the year is 0.7 percent in 2019, which is a decrease of 0.06 percentage points from the previous year. That translates to an estimated $4.3 million less in taxes.

Officials say the decrease was driven by a dramatic decrease in continued unemployment claims and benefits paid out. Ricketts says much of the decrease is driven by Nebraska’s first-in-the-nation “reemployment program” that requires nearly all benefit recipients to enroll in an individualized plan to find a new job to remain eligible for unemployment.

Nebraska also has one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates.

Lee D. Vencill

Lee D. Vencill, age 50 of North Platte, died Thursday, January 31, 2019 at his home.

Lee was born on January 17, 1969 in North Platte, Nebraska to Larry D. Sr and Carole (Wonka) Vencill.  He attended North Platte  High School and then went to work for Cleveland Technologies, a subcontractor for the Union Pacific Railroad.  After they closed, Lee worked at various places including Simplot, Beveridge Well Drilling, and delivering medication for a pharmaceutical company.  He worked in the family business, trucking with Vencill Trucking, and later became a driver for Paulsen’s, which he has worked for the last 15 years.  Lee had a heart of gold and would help anybody he could.  He loved his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and his dogs.  He will always be remembered as a kind, gentle person who enjoyed his simple life.

Survivors include his parents, Larry Sr. and Carole Vencill; siblings, Lori (Tom) Bell, Larry Jr. (Tina) Vencill, Lyndy (Dave) Fleecs, and his twin, Lisa (Bill) Rosenof, all of North Platte; his children, Rusty (Deedra) De Garmo and Shiela De Garmo, all of North Platte; grandchildren, Porter, Billie, Mackenzie, Gavin; nieces and nephews, Makayla, Ashley, Michael, Casey, Bethany, Matthew, Krystien, Lauralee, Lydia, Anthony, Eddie, Tatianna, Hannah, and Desiree; aunts Janice Jones and Clara Vencill; and many great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Adolph and Eleanor Wonka and Myrtle and Arthur Single; and uncles Ton Jones and Fred Vencill.

A memorial has been established to Pawsitive Partners and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.  Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 6, 219 at Adams & Swanson Chapel with the Rev. Matthew Nash officiating.  Inurment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Register book signing will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home at 421 West 4th Street in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Dean Langmacher

Donald Dean Langmacher, age 88 of rural Paxton, Nebraska, passed away Thursday January 31, 2019 at the Perkins County Health Services Hospital.

Don was born December 19, 1930 to William “Bill” and Olinda (Heinrich) Langmacher in his grandparent’s farmhouse south of Paxton.  He attended District 70 country school through 8th grade and graduated from Paxton High School in 1948.  He lived all his life on the farm and with guidance from his uncles, began farming at the age of 12.  Farming was not just a job, but a way of life for Don.  He was a steward of the land and loved what he did.  He was drafted into the military in 1952 and served in the US Marine Corps until May of 1954.  On May 22, 1955 Don was united in marriage to Marcia Butenschoen in Arapahoe, Nebraska.  Four children were born to this marriage.  Don was very civic-minded and served on the board of several local organizations:  Paxton Schools, Paxton Rural Fire Department, Farmers Coop Elevator, the area FHA, and Ogallala Community Hospital.  He also belonged to the Lions Club, American Legion, and the Lutheran Church.  He served on the church council and was instrumental in forming New Life Lutheran Church in Paxton.  Don enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and goose hunting.  He will be remembered for his generosity, his work ethic, his willingness to adopt innovative farming techniques and embrace modern technology, as well as his love of family.

Don is survived by his wife Marcia; daughters Trudy (Bill) Connors of Kearney, Julee (Dave) Green and Dana (Mike) Loeffler of Paxton, and Pam (Troy) Schon of Valparaiso; grandchildren Alicia (Matt), Ashley (Ryan), Cheyanne, Jordan, Alexander and Weston; great grandchildren Shayle, Kinsley, Adlea and Sable; sisters Dorothy (Vance) Bricker of Lexington and Kathy (Chuck J.) Griffith of North Platte; sister-in-law Audre DeVries of Cambridge; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Paxton Ambulance Fund or New Life Lutheran Church in Paxton.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. MT (11:30 CT) Monday February 4, 2019 at the Paxton United Methodist church with Reverend Hector Merced officiating.  Burial will follow at Paxton Cemetery.  Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (CT) Sunday February 3, 2019 with Family Receiving Friends from 1:00 until 3:00 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Trial set for woman accused of using cigarette to burn child

YORK, Neb. (AP) — A May trial is scheduled for a York County woman accused of using a cigarette to burn an 8-year-old child.

District court records say 28-year-old Ashley Eckard pleaded not guilty last week to felony intentional child abuse. Her trial is set to begin May 14.

The records say Eckard, of McCool Junction, used the cigarette Sept. 15 to burn her daughter three times on a hand. The records also say her mother told the girl to say the wounds occurred while playing in a bouncy house.

NPHS Wrestling: Southwest Invite results

Southwest Invite Results for North Platte

113
Joel Niles (10-18) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Quarterfinal – Breckin Sauvage (Oberlin) 18-14 won by fall over Joel Niles (North Platte) 10-18 (Fall 1:06)
Cons. Round 1 – Isaac Goshert (Arapahoe) 24-12 won by major decision over Joel Niles (North Platte) 10-18 (MD 15-1)
120
Skyler Geier-Dodson (29-15) placed 4th and scored 11.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Skyler Geier-Dodson (North Platte) 29-15 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Skyler Geier-Dodson (North Platte) 29-15 won by decision over Trevor Brown (Southern Valley) 22-17 (Dec 5-3)
Semifinal – Jeremy Larson (Brady) 40-4 won by fall over Skyler Geier-Dodson (North Platte) 29-15 (Fall 1:48)
Cons. Semi – Skyler Geier-Dodson (North Platte) 29-15 won by fall over Anthoney Williams (Republic County) 11-8 (Fall 0:38)
3rd Place Match – Kaleb Talkington (Republic County) 28-5 won by fall over Skyler Geier-Dodson (North Platte) 29-15 (Fall 3:08)

126
Treyton Nichols (8-12) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Treyton Nichols (North Platte) 8-12 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Joel Priest (Hitchcock County) 27-8 won by fall over Treyton Nichols (North Platte) 8-12 (Fall 1:57)
Cons. Round 2 – Curtis Hansen (Republic County) 9-19 won by fall over Treyton Nichols (North Platte) 8-12 (Fall 2:53)
132
Alex Rodriquez (21-20) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Alex Rodriquez (North Platte) 21-20 won by fall over Erwin Flores (Rawlings County, Ks) 9-8 (Fall 2:53)
Quarterfinal – Cory Carlson (Sutton) 40-4 won by fall over Alex Rodriquez (North Platte) 21-20 (Fall 1:01)
Cons. Round 2 – Alex Rodriquez (North Platte) 21-20 won by fall over Wyatt Muths (Wauneta-Palasade) 1-28 (Fall 0:40)
Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Kerns (Southwest) 16-10 won by fall over Alex Rodriquez (North Platte) 21-20 (Fall 3:11)

145
Jordan Schultz (17-15) placed 3rd and scored 14.0 team points.

Quarterfinal – Jordan Schultz (North Platte) 17-15 won by fall over Gunnar Sheetz (Republic County) 9-17 (Fall 1:28)
Semifinal – Joe Hinrichs (Sutton) 39-3 won by fall over Jordan Schultz (North Platte) 17-15 (Fall 1:35)
Cons. Semi – Jordan Schultz (North Platte) 17-15 won by decision over Eddie Hanson (Rawlings County, Ks) 15-9 (Dec 8-5)
3rd Place Match – Jordan Schultz (North Platte) 17-15 won by fall over Zeik Florea (North Platte) 14-19 (Fall 0:49)

145
Breckyn Brown (12-23) place is unknown.

Quarterfinal – Joe Hinrichs (Sutton) 39-3 won by fall over Breckyn Brown (North Platte) 12-23 (Fall 0:15)
Cons. Round 1 – Breckyn Brown (North Platte) 12-23 won by fall over Gunnar Sheetz (Republic County) 9-17 (Fall 4:31)
Cons. Semi – Zeik Florea (North Platte) 14-19 won by fall over Breckyn Brown (North Platte) 12-23 (Fall 0:23)

145
Zeik Florea (14-19) placed 4th.

Quarterfinal – Zeik Florea (North Platte) 14-19 won by fall over Eddie Hanson (Rawlings County, Ks) 15-9 (Fall 3:21)
Semifinal – Shawn Anderson (Southern Valley) 29-11 won by fall over Zeik Florea (North Platte) 14-19 (Fall 0:48)
Cons. Semi – Zeik Florea (North Platte) 14-19 won by fall over Breckyn Brown (North Platte) 12-23 (Fall 0:23)
3rd Place Match – Jordan Schultz (North Platte) 17-15 won by fall over Zeik Florea (North Platte) 14-19 (Fall 0:49)

152
Luke Rathjen (10-23) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Luke Rathjen (North Platte) 10-23 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Andrew Hubert (Republic County) 24-12 won by decision over Luke Rathjen (North Platte) 10-23 (Dec 5-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Luke Rathjen (North Platte) 10-23 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 – Josh Paisley (Cambridge) 22-23 won by major decision over Luke Rathjen (North Platte) 10-23 (MD 14-3)

152
Dominique Vieyra (4-15) place is unknown.

Champ. Round 1 – Josh Paisley (Cambridge) 22-23 won by fall over Dominique Vieyra (North Platte) 4-15 (Fall 1:33)
Cons. Round 1 – Dominique Vieyra (North Platte) 4-15 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Dominique Vieyra (North Platte) 4-15 won by fall over Riece Haines (Dundy County-Stratton) 1-11 (Fall 2:33)
Cons. Round 3 – David Waterman (Oberlin) 11-19 won by fall over Dominique Vieyra (North Platte) 4-15 (Fall 0:33)

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