February 2019 – Page 3 – North Platte Post Archive

Driver gets jail, probation for motorcyclist’s crash death

Posted on February 27, 2019

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) – A 19-year-old driver has been given jail time and probation for the Platte County crash death of a motorcyclist.

Court records say Daisy Gonzalez, of Madison, was sentenced Tuesday to a year of probation. She also must serve five days in jail starting Aug. 2 and 15 more days starting Feb. 1 next year unless waived by a judge.

She’d pleaded no contest 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.

Nebraska could raise registration fees on electric vehicles

Posted on February 26, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Motorists who register an electric car in Nebraska could end up paying higher fees under a bill presented to a legislative committee Tuesday as a way to compensate for lost gas tax revenue.

Supporters said the measure would help the state and local governments preserve Nebraska’s roads as electric vehicles grow increasingly popular.

The bill would gradually raise the registration fee for alternative-fuel vehicles from the current $75 to $125 by 2024. The extra revenue would go into the state Highway Trust Fund, which is used to maintain state, city and county roads.

The increase “is a fair way for everyone to fund the Department of Transportation and the roads we all drive on,” said Sen. Bruce Bostelman, of Brainard, who sponsored the bill. “As long as we continue to drive on our roads, we must continue to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of those roads going forward.”

Bostelman said the proposed increase was based on the average $150 in gas taxes that gas-vehicle drivers pay in Nebraska each year.

He said the increase would bring Nebraska into alignment with the rates many states already charge. Bostelman said 19 states, including Nebraska, charge an annual fee for alternative-fuel vehicles, and most of those charge between $100 and $150.

The bill wouldn’t apply to hybrid vehicles or those that run on diesel or compressed natural gas.

Nebraska will register an estimated 1,250 alternative fuel vehicles in 2020 and another 1,500 by 2021, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The number of registered alternative fuel vehicles in Nebraska surged last year, from 405 in 2017 to 772 in 2018.

“Should alternative fuel vehicle use increase, the tax revenue generated from the motor vehicle fuel tax will decrease,” Bostelman said.

Nebraska has more than 100,000 miles of roads and 20,000 bridges, mostly owned by counties and cities. Roughly 10,000 miles of road and 3,500 bridges belong to the state.

Michael O’Hara, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club’s Nebraska chapter, said his group supports the increase “and if anything, it’s too low.”

Loy Todd, president of the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association, said the bill was an important way to capture state revenue as consumers gradually shift to electric vehicles.

“If we want good roads in the state, we’ve got to pay for them. No question about it,” he said.

No one testified against the bill. Members of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee took no immediate action.

Bill to boost civics lessons in Nebraska schools advances

Posted on February 26, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill intended to boost civics lessons in classrooms.

The measure won first-round approval in the Legislature Tuesday on a 42-3 vote.

The bill by state Sen. Julie Slama, of Peru, gives school districts three options to teach students. One is to administer the naturalization test used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services once before they complete eighth grade and again before they complete 12th grade.

Another option would require students to attend or participate in a government meeting and complete a project about what they learned.

The third option would require students to complete a project or paper and a class presentation on holidays such as Veterans Day, Constitution Day or Native American Heritage Day.

Schools would only have to choose one option.

Former sheriff’s deputy faces another sex assault charge

Posted on February 26, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former sheriff’s deputy is facing another sexual assault charge in southeast Nebraska.

Lancaster County Court records say 30-year-old Nicholas Bridgmon, of Pleasant Dale, is charged with sexual assault of a minor. Investigators say Bridgmon had sex with a 15-year-old girl at a Lincoln apartment in August 2007, shortly after he turned 19. He’s already been charged in Johnson County with forcible sexual assault that authorities say occurred in July 2007.

His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Tuesday from The Associated Press.

The Nebraska State Patrol says in court documents that investigators have linked him to at least five potential victims. The patrol investigation began with a polygraph test for a patrol job he was seeking.

Seward County Sheriff Mike Vance says Bridgmon resigned Friday.

New trial date for priest accused of sex assault on woman

Posted on February 26, 2019

ORD, Neb. (AP) — A new trial date has been set for a Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting a woman in central Nebraska.

Valley County District Court records say without explanation that the new date is June 24 for the Rev. John Kakkuzhiyil (kah-kuh-ree-AL’). He’s pleaded not guilty to a charge of forcible sexual assault. His trial was set to begin May 6.

The woman who accused him has obtained a protection order against the cleric. She says he assaulted her in November when she went to his Ord home on business. She says she blacked out after having a couple of drinks with him.

The Grand Island Diocese says Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt placed Kakkuzhiyil on leave Dec. 15 upon learning that the Nebraska State Patrol was investigating the allegations.

Nebraska AG subpoenas hundreds of Catholic churches

Posted on February 26, 2019

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials have subpoenaed more than 400 Roman Catholic churches and institutions in the state seeking any records related to child sexual assault or abuse.

The move was announced Tuesday by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, which had last summer asked Nebraska’s three Catholic diocese to voluntarily turn over records of child sex abuse dating back decades. The office says the Nebraska Department of Justice appreciates the churches’ voluntary cooperation, but believes “subpoenas are necessary in order to ensure all reports of impropriety have been submitted to the appropriate authorities.”

The subpoenas seek all records or information related to any child sexual abuse that has occurred by those employed or associated with each church or institution, whether previously reported or not.

An attorney general spokeswoman did not immediately return a message Tuesday seeking more information on the subpoenas.

Cal’s Tony Tuioti hired as Nebraska’s defensive line coach

Posted on February 26, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has hired California’s Tony Tuioti to replace Mike Dawson as defensive line coach.

Coach Scott Frost announced the addition of Tuioti on Tuesday. The 42-year-old was a Golden Bears assistant the past two years, coaching outside linebackers in 2017 and the defensive line in 2018. Tuioti spent 2016 at Michigan, where he oversaw recruiting as the director of player personnel. Tuioti also has coached at his alma mater of Hawaii and with the Cleveland Browns.

Tuioti, who played defensive line for the Rainbow Warriors from 1996-99, signed a two-year contract paying him $375,000 annually.

Dawson was on the Central Florida coaching staff that followed Frost to Nebraska after the 2017 season. Dawson resigned two weeks ago to join the New York Giants staff.

2018-19 Postseason: Knights Postseason Scenarios

Posted on February 26, 2019February 26, 2019

Postseason basketball is here and for fans of North Platte Community College, there is still a lot of things that are up in the air.

For the Women, the regular season is over and they know what their fate will be. They ended the regular season in second place:

	Division Record	Region 9 Record	Overall Record
Central Community College-Columbus	4-0	4-1	10-13
North Platte Community College	1-3	3-13	5-22
Southeast Community College	1-3	1-5	9-19

That means the Women will host the first round of the Region IX playoffs against Southeast Community College. That game will be played on Wednesday, Feb 27th. The Knights have gone 1-1 against the Southeast Storm this season. The first matchup the Knights lost 81-74 at home on Jan 28th. The Knights then beat Southeast in Beatrice on Feb 9th 77-62.

The winner of that game will then go on to the finals of the Region IX tournament to play Central Community College. That game will be played in Columbus on March 4th.

Should the Knights beat both Southeast and Central, they would then host the District F championship (which spends one year in Region IX and one year in Region XIII, this year Region IX will host) for the opportunity to then move on to the national championship.

The Women’s national championship will be March 19-23rd in Arkansas.

For the Men, one game remains in the regular season and it is a very important one. On February 26th the Knights will travel to Scottsbluff to play the Cougars for first place in the South sub-district of Region IX. Here are the standings headed into that game:

	Division Record	Region 9 Record	Overall Record
North Platte Community College	9-2	15-2	22-3
Western Nebraska Community College	9-2	14-3	22-7
Otero Junior College	6-5	6-5	20-8
Trinidad State Junior College	5-6	5-6	18-9
Lamar Community College	4-8	4-8	16-14
Northeastern Junior College	4-8	5-11	12-17
McCook Community College	3-9	4-11	11-17

The Knights are 1-0 against Scottsbluff this season, beating them in North Platte on Jan 25th, 81-74. After the game on the 26th, the Region IX playoffs will start. Where the Knights play and how many rounds is dependent on what happens the night of the 26th.

Knights beat Scottsbluff: The Knights will be the #1 seed in the Region IX South sub-district and will earn that all important first round bye. This automatically punches their ticket to Sheridan, WY for the Region IX tournament where they will be re-seeded. That tournament will take place on March 7-9. Headed into the Tournament with the #1 seed in the South Sub-district will help the Knights earn a favorable draw for the first round.

Knights lose to Scottsbluff: The Knights drop to #2 and will have to win another game in order to earn their spot in Sheridan. Should this happen the Knights will host McCook at home on Saturday, March 1st. McCook is one of two teams in the South sub-district to get a win over North Platte this season. The Knights split their games against the Indians, losing the first 84-76 on Jan 29th in McCook. The Knights got revenge at home on Feb 20th with a big win, 91-68.

Should the Knights win the Region IX tournament that earns an automatic entry into the National Championship tournament. If the Knights make it to the final day of the Region IX tournament there is still a chance the Knights can earn an “at large” bid into the national championship. As it stands Region IX has two teams ranked in the top 25 on the season (Sheridan and Casper) and Western Nebraska has spent time ranked this season. All of that goes into consideration when discussing “at large” bids.

The Knights have been to the national tournament twice in their history. The furthest they have gotten is the second round.

Marliyn K. Ruiz

Posted on February 26, 2019

Marilyn K. Ruiz, age 84 of North Platte, passed away February 22, 2019 at Great Plains Health with her family by her side. She was born on June 26, 1934 at North Platte, to Walter and Leota (Miller) Anthony. Marilyn grew up in North Platte until the age of 14 when she attended the Nebraska School for the Deaf.

On July 1, 1961 she was united in marriage to Sotero Ruiz. Marilyn was a devoted full-time mother and grandmother and was employed by the United States Postal Service for 18 years. Marilyn had a strong faith in Jehovah God and was a member of the North Platte congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She enjoyed classic western movies, puzzles, crafts, and reading.

Survivors include her husband, Sotero, of North Platte, son; Richard Ruiz of Lincoln, daughters; Linda (Barry) Nalley of North Platte and Audrey (Mark) Ruiz Lambert of Morehead, KY, brother; Jimmy (Carolyn) Anthony of Grand Island, sisters; Audrey Clouse of North Platte and Elaine (Leland) Spanjer of Cozad, grandsons; Richard (Tracy) Housman Jr., David Housman, Derek Nalley, Joel (Monique) Ruiz, and Joseph Ruiz, great grand-children, Tucker Nason Housman, Leo Milton Housman, Isabella Rose Ruiz, and Emilio Quin Ruiz, sister-in-law; Dixie Anthony, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Neal, Otis, and Jackie Anthony, and a sister; Dorla Keup.

Private family services will be held. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Joseph A. Miller

Posted on February 26, 2019

Joseph A. Miller, 91 of North Platte died February 24, 2019 in North Platte, NE and went to his reward above. Joe was born to Theodore William and Katherine Antonia (Maystadt) Miller in Holstein, NE on February 12, 1928.

Joe attended Snow Flake country school, 5 miles south of Norman for 8 years, and Norman High School for 2 years before transferring and graduating from Minden High. He held a farm job for a year before enlisting in the United States Army where he attended basic training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He also attended special vehicle training and was sent to Luzon, Philippians. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Nebraska to work on the farm with his father for a year, before moving to Bettendorf, Iowa where he worked for two years. Joe was married to Evelyn Beck at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Minden, NE on August 10, 1950. To this union were born five children. Joe returned to the Heartwell and Minden area where he would farm for 39 years, before retiring in 1983 and moving to Sun Lakes, AZ where he and Evelyn lived for 25 years. The two kept a summer home in North Platte and returned in 2004 to be closer to family.

Joe was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the American Legion, VFW, and the Kearney Elks. He had many hobbies, in his earlier years Joe enjoyed taking his family in the motor home and on boating trips. He was an avid Husker fan, attending games regularly since 1958. He was a member of the Touchdown Club and never missed a game on radio or TV in his later years. He loved golfing, woodworking, and building things for his family. He spent many hours on the computer. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of North Platte; children, Barbara Jo Miller, Renee (Dale) Gant, Carol (Steve) Rea, Lynn (Mark) Larson all of North Platte, and John (Debbie Heavey) Miller of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Mike (Stacy) Gant of Honey Creek, IA, Joe Gant of North Platte, Chris (Crystal) Rea of Oklahoma City, OK, Brian (Erin) Rea of Lincoln, Greg (Lisa Lashley) Rea of North Platte, Lucas (Haley) Larson of Waverly, Alyssa (Justin Graham) Larson of Omaha, Tyler and Makayla Miller of Phoenix, and their mother, Pam Miller; great-grandchildren, Morgan, Regan, Taryn, Bodi, Natalie, Kennedy, Amelia, Lyla, Baylie, Ayla, Paetyn, Owen, & Madelyn; sister, Helen Vieger of Mesquite, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lavern (Dolly) Miller, Paul (Hazel) Miller, and Tony (Dorothy) Miller; sisters, Jeanette (Earl) Parr, and Josephine (Ray) Tyndale; and a great-granddaughter, Adelyn Rea.

Memorials are suggested to the Holy Spirit Endowment Trust and online condolences may be shared at www.admasswanson.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. March 4, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Vidya Sagar Arikotla as celebrant. Burial to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside. Christian Wake service will be 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Visitation will be noon – 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.