March 2019 – Page 14 – North Platte Post Archive

NP woman cited for drunk driving after early morning crash

Posted on March 18, 2019March 18, 2019

A North Platte woman has been cited for drunk driving following an early morning crash.

On March 18, at 147 AM, an officer responded on the report of a traffic accident.

It was reported that the crashed vehicle had been driven the wrong way on Rodeo Rd, then it hit a curb and landed in the ditch on the southwest corner of Buffalo Bill and Rodeo Rd.

The driver was determined to be 34 year old Sally Hipwell. The officer suspected that Hipwell was under the influence, and she did fail a preliminary breath test. Further testing was done at the LCSO jail, producing a result of .264.

Hipwell was charged with driving under the influence, however, due to injuries and the need for further medical treatment she was cited and released at the Great Plains Health.

United Way of the Midlands creates flood relief fund

Posted on March 18, 2019March 18, 2019

Flooding has reached record levels at 17 locations in Nebraska. Hundreds of homes have been damaged and hundreds are staying in shelters. Nearly 300 people have been rescued from high water across the state. In one county alone, Sarpy County, up to 500 homes have been damaged.

In response to requests, the United Way of Ellis County is providing information for the Nebraska and Iowa Flood Relieve Fund. The United Way of the Midlands (Omaha, Nebraska) has created the Nebraska and Iowa Flood Relief Fund.

Contributions to this fund can be made by visiting https://www.unitedwaymidlands.org/floodrelief or texting FLOODRELIEF (all caps and one word) to 41444.

One hundred percent of every donation will be directed to nonprofit programs meeting people’s needs for emergency shelter, food and more in Nebraska. Donors can also direct their gift to another community affected by flooding in Nebraska or Iowa by providing the city name. United Way of the Midlands will then distribute those funds to the local United Way chapter serving that area. United Way of the Midlands is also assisting those affected by flooding through its 2-1-1 Helpline which serves Nebraska and southwest Iowa.

At that link you will find a way to text donations or send donations to Nebraska Flood Relief.

Charles Lee ‘Chuck’ Wheeler

Posted on March 18, 2019

Charles Lee ‘Chuck’ Wheeler, age 91, of North Platte, died Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, Nebraska.

Chuck was born on September 12, 1927 to Jewell and Aletha (Goodman) Wheeler at Avalon, Missouri. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in the Avalon area. After graduating from high school, Chuck worked for Sears & Roebuck in Kansas City.

While working, he met Shirley Hope McNutt, and the two were married on April 11, 1948 at Woodston, Kansas. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri for a while then returned to Kansas before moving to North Platte, Nebraska in 1978. Chuck worked for himself doing construction work, then joined the Maintenance Staff at North Platte Public Schools in 1981 and worked until retiring.

He enjoyed working with his hands and gardening, and attended the Nazarene Church.

Chuck is survived by his sons, Carl Wheeler of Powell, Wyoming, Dale (Claudia) Wheeler of Texas, Len Wheeler of North Platte, Paul Wheeler of Wellington, Colorado, and Mark Wheeler of North Platte; seven grandchildren; and other family.

He was precede in death by his wife, Shirley; their daughter, Gayle Wheeler; and his parents, Jewell and Aletha Wheeler.

Graveside service and burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 in the Ashrock Cemetery in Woodston, Kansas. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte is in charge of the arrangements.

Leslie James “Jim” Warner

Posted on March 18, 2019

Leslie James “Jim” Warner, 89, of North Platte, died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Jim was born on April 25, 1929 at Stockville, Nebraska to Jesse Otis and Marjorie Ruth (Wollam) Warner. He grew up south of Hershey, Nebraska where he attended country school, then Sutherland High School in Sutherland, Nebraska, and farmed with his dad. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a short time due to the death of his father. Since he was needed at home to work and help the family, Jim was honorably discharged in 1947.

Jim worked on the family farm and rode bulls and saddle broncs at rodeos. He loved horses and went on to have a 35 year career as a professional jockey. He rode numerous races throughout Arizona and California and didn’t quit riding and rodeoing until retiring in 1985.

Jim married Gloria Padilla. They had three children and later divorced. On February 2, 2008, Jim married Georgena “Genie” Allen in Benson, Arizona. They lived in Arizona, Sutherland and Arnold before moving to North Platte five years ago.

Along with his horses and rodeoing, Jim loved to dance and was quite good at it. He was also a member of Otto V. Johnson Post #128 American Legion in Sutherland.

Jim is survived by his wife, Genie, of North Platte; children, Pam (Ron) Box of Quitman, Texas, Jesse Warner (Michael) of San Diego, California, Jolene (Paul) Ness of Phoenix, Arizona, and Anna Barrio of Phoenix, Arizona; and their mother, Gloria Warner of Phoenix, Arizona; step-kids Randy Allen of Arnold, Nebraska, Kevin (Kelly) Allen of North Platte, and Kim (Tad) Geiser of Kearney, Nebraska; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Peggy (Don) Rotert of Sutherland; brother-in-law, Dean Valentine of Sutherland; as well as many other family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Warner; mother and stepfather, Marjorie and Clarence Frels; brothers, Ron and Merrill “Bud” Warner; sisters, Patricia Fitch and Opal Barclay; and sister-in-law, Mary Warner.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared online at odeanchapel.com.

Dixie Rose Greenwood

Posted on March 18, 2019

Dixie Rose Greenwood, age 86 of North Platte, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Linden Court in North Platte, Nebraska. Dixie was born on November 19, 1932 in Sutherland, Nebraska to Edward and Mary (Miller) Jennings. The family later moved to North Platte where she attended school and graduated with the class of 1950. She married Lawrence W. Greenwood on June 20, 1951 in North Platte and the couple lived in San Diego, California while Larry was in the Navy. In 1953 they returned to North Platte where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Dixie was devoted to her children and enjoy her time at home until she entered the work force in 1969. She worked for U.S. West for several years, then the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Home Administration until her retirement in 1992. She discovered a passion for genealogy, garnering her the title of Family Historian. Her meticulous research resulted in detailed annals for both the Jennings and Greenwood families. She had a great talent for design and decorating and took pride in making her home picture perfect. Dixie most enjoyed time spent with family and relished her role of Grandmother.

Dixie is survived by her children, Christine (Mike) Johnson of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Daniel (Ann) Greenwood of Arvada, Colorado, Robyn (Jeff) O’Connor of North Platte, and Raegan (Mark) Skillstad of North Platte; daughter-in-law, Jana Greenwood of North Platte; 12 grandchildren, Maggie, Kate, Luke, Courtney, Allison, Adam, Jordan, Randi, Kelsie, Shane, Aiden and Kinsey; 10 great grandchildren; brother, Ralph Jennings of North Platte; sister-in-law Mary Ann (Clyde) Lockwood of North Platte; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary Jennings; husband, Larry Greenwood; son, Edward Greenwood; and siblings, Bonnie Neely, Nettie Frost and Dale Jennings.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 19, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Gas theft in Logan County leads to pursuit

Posted on March 18, 2019

Two South Dakota residents are in the Lincoln County jail after a gas theft in Logan County led to a pursuit that ended in Lincoln County.

On March 17, 2019, at 6:18 p.m., Deputies were advised of a Gas Theft from Kimber’s Gas Station in Stapleton, NE. It was reported an older white van had received fuel and did not pay for it. The vehicle reportedly left southbound from Stapleton on U.S. Highway 83.

A Deputy responded to the area and observed the vehicle south of the Logan / Lincoln County Line. The Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle but it refused and began driving at high speed away from the Deputy. The Deputy pursued the vehicle on the Highway and various county roads. The Deputy at one point had the vehicle stopped in a driveway and the occupants at gunpoint. The vehicle then drove at the Deputy and the pursuit was continued.

The vehicle eventually began the driving northbound on Cattlegrowers Road and went off-road, just south of the Lincoln / Logan County Line. The vehicle became stuck and a male and female occupant ran into a tree grove.

Local ranchers, the Logan County Sheriff and his Deputy responded to assist. The Ranchers provided UTV vehicles so the Deputies could continue to pursue the subjects.

Eventually, the two suspects were caught by Lincoln and Logan County Deputies in a field south of the tree line.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as thirty-two-year-old Derrick Schween of Rapid City, South Dakota. The female passenger was eventually identified as twenty-six-year-old Brittany Santos Delgado of Rapid City, South Dakota. Mr. Schween was charged with Flight to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and multiple other traffic offenses.

Santos Delgado was charged with Obstructing a Police Officer, False Reporting and Resisting Arrest. She also has Felony Warrants from South Dakota for Possession of Methamphetamine.

The investigation is ongoing and it appears Narcotics was a contributing factor.

‘Underdog’ Knights ready for challenge

Posted on March 18, 2019

It’s not often a basketball team overcomes a two and a half-month winless streak (12 games) to earn a berth in any post-season tournament — let alone on the national stage — but that’s what the North Platte Community College women have done and they are embracing the chance to keep playing basketball for at least two more games.

After a 4-22 start to the season, North Platte has put together a four-game win streak (three in the post-season) that earned them a slot in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Tournament. The Knights, who are the 16^th seeded team among the 16 teams still playing, will take on top-seeded and No. 1 ranked, Illinois Central Community College Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Pioneer Pavillion, Harrison Ark.

“We had a solid week of workouts as we prepared for Illinois Central and the National Tournament,” said first-year North Platte Coach Jeff Thurman. “Our focus, energy, and effort was present all week. We are definitely looking forward to this amazing opportunity for our program and our student-athletes.”

It’s a national tournament field with 10 of the 16 teams ranked in the NJCCA top 20, and three more teams receiving votes but just outside the top 20. There are 12 teams with 20-win seasons and all but North Platte have won at least 15 games. So there is really no question, what sort of approach the Knights – who lost 17 of their first 19 games — will take for the tournament.

“We have been the ‘underdog’ all postseason and it’s worked well for us this far,” Thurman said.

North Platte opened the Region IX Tournament with a 78-67 win at home Feb. 27 over Southeast Community College (9-20) then went to Columbus March 3 to beat Central Community College (10-15) 68-60 for the Region IX Division II title. That set up the District F championship at North Platte’s McDonald Belton Gym March 9 against United Tribes Technical College of Bismark, N.D. The Thurnderbirds came into the game 15-16.

United Tribes led 22-19 with 3:22 left in the second period when a wide-spread power outage knocked out electricity on the south side of North Platte. After a 30 minute delay, the game was moved to North Platte St. Pat’s high school and there the Thunderbirds went on a run and led by 13 points mid-way through the third period before the Knights staged a comeback and won 57-55 in what Thurman called “a program-changing win.”

“Our student-athletes play with so much heart and willingness not to quit — which as a coach is something that I’m most proud of,” Thurman said. “We will be no different this week down in Arkansas.”

After a 1-6 start to the season, the Knights posted a 77-75 win over Air Force Prep on Nov. 17. The next win didn’t come until Feb. 2 when North Platte beat Lamar Community College (Colo.) 59-58. The Knights had gone winless in December and January to fall to 2-17 on the season.

An important 77-62 win on Feb. 9 over Region IX foe Southeast Community College on the road in Beatrice Neb. proved to be a critical Region IX win as the team went 3-5 in February.

Coach Jeff Thurman was named the Region IX Coach of The Year and three players were named to the all-Region IX team including sophomores Nahatabaa Nacona, (Chinle, Ariz.) and Madisyn Francis, (Houston, Texas) and freshman Emily Joseph, (St. Petersburg, Fla.).

The team is averaging 57.8 points per game and giving up 72.5 points per game. North Platte shot 31.7 percent from the field this year, 23.6 percent from the 3-point line, and 63.7 percent from the free-throw line. The team averages 35.1 rebounds per game and 13.3 turnovers.

Individually, Nacona leads the Knights with 11.5 points, per game. She is shooting 35.6 percent from the field and 24.1 percent from the 3-point line. Her backcourt mate Francis is averaging 11.4 points per game, shooting 25.6 percent from the field and 24.1 percent from the 3-point line. In the District F championship the two sophomores hit key free-throws down the stretch combining for a nine-for-12 showing. On the season Nacona is shooting 79.2 percent from the line and Francis 75 percent.

Emily Joseph (St. Petersburg, Fla.) is averaging 10.9 points per game. Freshman Katie Cox (New Port Richey, Fla.) leads the team with 7.2 rebounds per game.

“As for Illinois Central, we have a tough task ahead but we’re eager to play and are embracing the challenge,” Thurman said.

ABOUT THE MATCHUP WITH ILLINOIS CENTRAL

The Cougars have an overall record of 31-1 and enter the tourney on a 31-game winning streak, with their only loss coming to North Iowa Area (currently ranked No. 2 in the nation) on Nov. 2nd. Illinois Central has a rich tradition with six NJCAA national championships; this year’s squad added to the tradition by notching the program’s 1,300^th win in school history on Dec. 29. They have been a very balanced team all season with many different statistical leaders, but strong defense and unselfishness is what has punched their ticket to nationals. They are led by the trio of Summer Stoewer (13.4 points per game, 2.8 assists), Abby Coates (12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds), and Marquitta Easley (12.4 points, 2.8 assists), with Coates having made the nationals’ all-tourney team as a freshman. Point guard Kathy Pinnock-Branford leads the team in assists at 4.6 per game.

“Our half-court defense has to be like it’s been the last three games and we have to stop them in transition as well,” Thurman said. “If we can do those two things along with limiting second-chance opportunities, we will out ourselves in a great spot.”

A win Tuesday would put North Platte into the quarter-final game against the winner of the game that follows between 13^th ranked and No. 8 seed South Suburban (Illinois) and 18^th ranked and No. 9 seed Union College (New Jersey). The quarter-final game would be played Thursday at 6 p.m.

A North Platte loss would put the Knights into the consolation round Thursday at 11 a.m. against the loser of the South Suburban/Union College game.

All Tournament games will air live on NJCAA TV (www.njcaatv.com). Broadcasts will be available for download (purchase) following the conclusion of each game.

For more information about the tournament you can visit the official tournament web site at:

www.northark.edu/campus-life/athletics/NJCAA-Tournament/

NJCCA DIVISION II

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

FIRST ROUND GAMES

Here is the schedule for the first-round matchups Tuesday at the Pioneer Pavillion in Harrison, Ark. (seedings in parenthesis). All times Central.

9 a.m. – (3) Kansas City Kan. (26-4) vs, (14) Chesapeake (20-5)

11 a.m. – (6) Pima (18-11) vs. (11) Lake Michigan (22-5)

1 p.m. – (7) Cape Fear (21-4) vs. (10) Metropolitan (Mo.) (15-9)

3 p.m. – (2) North Iowa Area (21-5) vs. (15) Wayne County (Mich.) (17-12)

6 p.m. – (1) Illinois Central (27-1) vs. (16) North Platte Community College (8-22)

8 p.m. – (8) South Suburban (Ill.) (25-5) vs. (9) Union County (N.J.) (23-4)

Wednesday games

11 a.m. – (4) Moraine Valley 29-1 vs. (13) Lackawanna (Penn.) (23-5)

1 p.m. – (5) Niagara County (29-0) vs. (12) Sinclair (Ohio), 22-4)

Authorities say 2 fatally injured in Saline County collision

Posted on March 18, 2019

WESTERN, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say two people were fatally injured when two pickup trucks collided on a state highway in southeast Nebraska.

The collision occurred a little after 4 p.m. Sunday on Nebraska Highway 15, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of Western. The Saline County Sheriff’s Office says a northbound pickup was pulling a trailer when it collided with the southbound pickup.

One person in each truck died – one at the scene and one later after a hospital. Two other people in the southbound pickup and one in the northbound pickup were injured.

The names of those involved haven’t been released. The collision is being investigated.

The Latest: Up to 500 homes damaged in 1 Nebraska county

Posted on March 17, 2019

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Latest on flooding in the Midwest (all times local):

4 p.m.

Flooding in Nebraska has badly damaged up to 500 houses in one county alone.

Greg London of the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that one levee broke Thursday along the Platte River, and another broke Saturday. He estimates that up to 400 houses and cabins in the area known as Hanson’s Lake are damaged, including many that are completely submerged. Another 100 or so homes are damaged elsewhere in the county.

The area is near where the Platte and Missouri rivers converge. A Missouri River levee nearby also breached on Thursday.

London says many of the damaged homes are likely ruined. He says that while the area has had flooding before, this year’s disaster is “unprecedented.”

___

This update has been corrected to show the name of the county in Nebraska is Sarpy, not Sharpy.

___

3:15 p.m.

Flooding has reached record levels at 17 locations across Nebraska.

The state’s emergency management agency says more record crests are expected in various rivers by Tuesday.

Nebraska has had much of the worst of the late-winter flooding that’s been seen across the Midwest. Hundreds of homes are damaged and the state says 660 people are staying in shelters.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency says the Missouri River is expected to crest Sunday at 41 feet (12.5 meters) in Plattsmouth — 4 feet (1.22 meters) above the record set in 2011. Serious flooding there is expected to continue through next weekend.

Crest records also were set along the Platte and Elkhorn rivers. The Elkhorn reached 24.6 feet (7.5 meters) Saturday in Waterloo, breaking the 1962 record by 5 1/2 feet (1.68 meters).

Nearly 300 people have been rescued from high water across the state. At least one person has died in floodwaters in the state. A second death from flooding was reported in Iowa.

___

3 p.m.

Officials say residents of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who evacuated their homes due to flooding can return.

Heavy rainfall and melting snow have led to dangerously high water in creeks and rivers across several Midwestern states. Even as the water receded in Green Bay, other parts of the Midwest are still under water or are bracing for flooding. In far southwestern Iowa, residents were being evacuated Sunday as floodwaters overtopped levees. And in St. Joseph, Missouri, volunteers are filling sandbags to help secure a levee protecting an industrial area.

Green Bay Metro Fire Department lifted its emergency evacuation order at 10 a.m. Sunday for an eight- to 10-block area around the East River. The Green Bay Press Gazette reports city inspectors were out placing placards on front doors identifying those not currently inhabitable because they have no heat and those that are safe to re-enter.

___

1:55 p.m.

Flooding along the Missouri River is causing long delays for Amtrak passengers.

The passenger rail service said Sunday that its Missouri River Runner service between St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, will have delays up to five hours because of flooding and rail congestion.

Amtrak says all Missouri River Runner trains will be canceled Monday. The service typically travels twice daily between Missouri’s two metropolitan areas.

___

12:40 p.m.

The flooding Missouri River has damaged dozens of buildings at an Air Force base in Nebraska.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that about one-third of the Offutt Air Force Base is under water. A spokeswoman for the base says 60 buildings, mostly on the south end of the base, have been damaged, including about 30 completely inundated with as much as 8 feet (2.4 meters) of water.

Among the buildings badly damaged are the headquarters building and a hangar.

Offutt’s lone runway is expected to remain closed until Tuesday afternoon.

Airmen had been filling thousands of sandbags, but the newspaper reports that the sandbagging effort has been halted.

___

11:40 a.m.

Residents in parts of southwestern Iowa are being urged to leave their homes as a torrent of Missouri River water flows over and through levees.

Heavy rainfall and snowmelt forced river levels across four Midwestern states to dangerous levels. Two deaths were blamed on the high and forceful water, and two other men have been missing for days.

While river levels on Sunday were starting to level off in Nebraska, residents in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri were bracing for the worst still yet to come. Flooding has also been reported in Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The Missouri River reached a record 30.2 feet (9.2 meters) Sunday in Fremont County, Iowa, in the state’s far southwestern corner. People in parts of Bartlett and Thurman were being evacuated as water broke through or overtopped levees.

County Emergency Management Director Mike Crecelius says it isn’t just the amount of water, it’s the swiftness of the current that creates a danger.

___

11:20 a.m.

Flooding caused by heavy rain and snowmelt is blamed for two deaths in the Midwest, and two others are missing.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in Nebraska and Iowa as levees succumbed to the rush of water. Flooding has also been reported in Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Authorities say 52-year-old Aleido Rojas Galan of Norfolk, Nebraska, died Friday night in southwestern Iowa. Officials say Galan and two others were in a vehicle that drove around a barricade and was swept away. The other two men survived.

On Thursday, 50-year-old James Wilke of Columbus, Nebraska, died when a bridge collapsed as he used a tractor to try and reach stranded motorists.

A Norfolk man was seen on top of his flooded car late Thursday before being swept away. Water also swept away a man after a dam collapse. Both men are still missing.

2 dead, 2 missing in Midwestern flooding

Posted on March 17, 2019

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Flooding caused by heavy rain and snowmelt is blamed for three deaths in the Midwest, and two others are missing.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in Nebraska and Iowa as levees succumbed to the rush of water. Flooding has also been reported in Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

On Thursday, 50-year-old James Wilke of Columbus, Nebraska, died when a bridge collapsed as he used a tractor to try and reach stranded motorists.

A Norfolk man was seen on top of his flooded car late Thursday before being swept away. Water also swept away a man after a dam collapse. Both men are still missing.