FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say one person was killed and another injured when they fell while working on a future chicken processing plant in Fremont.
First responders were called around 9:40 a.m. Thursday to the Costco site. Fremont police say the two men fell about 40 feet from a basket in which they were working. A 56-year-old man died and a 26-year-old man was flown to an Omaha hospital. Their names haven’t been released.
Fremont Fire Capt. Jamie Meyer says the younger man was pinned 30 feet above the ground and was rescued by firefighters.
Company authorities say the two men were employees of contractors working on the site.
The plant is expected to process up to 2 million birds a week after it goes into full operation.
Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy presented the Presidential Award to Ashley Linke, of Cozad, Thursday during an honors convocation in North Platte.
By Heather Johnson (Mid-Plains Community College)
Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy presented the Presidential Award to Ashley Linke, of Cozad, Thursday during an honors convocation in North Platte.
The Presidential Award is given to an outstanding student who has excelled in academics, leadership and service to the college and community.
The college’s various student organizations were recognized during the convocation as were the more than 200 students who received scholarships. The following awards were also presented.
Division Awards
Applied Technologies
Diesel – Justin Neilsen, Paxton
Automotive – Jade Osborn, North Platte
HVAC – Benjamin Glading, Oberlin, Kan.
Electrical – Kaleb Sughroue, Bartley
Business and Technology
Business Office Technology – Ramona Steward, Lewellen
Graphic Design – Angela Evans, Sutherland
Information Technology – Jennifer Beckman, Imperial
Humanities and Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts – Chelsea Leal, North Platte
Health Occupations
Dental Assisting – Katy Esquivel Cruz, Lexington
Nursing, First Year – Jenna Young, Hershey
Nursing, Second Year – Ronda Haumann, Thedford
Nursing LPN – Cortney Scott, North Platte
Mathematics and Science
Mathematics – Matthew Haynes, North Platte
Science – Patricia Tofilau, North Platte
Agriculture – Dustin Myers, Grand Island
Cabinet Awards
Presidential – Ashley Linke, Cozad
Vice President of Instruction – Justine Gall, Ogallala
Vice President of Student Services – Jocey Nelson, Sutherland
Faculty Achievement Award – Courtney Johnston, Criminal Justice/Sociology instructor
LINCOLN, Neb. – Lake Ogallala’s trout fishery has been enhanced with the stocking of 10,000 rainbow trout by the Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery from April 4-15.
In addition, the Grove Trout Rearing Station completed a second spring stocking April 16 at Columbus’ Pawnee Park West Lake, Norfolk’s TaHaZouka Park Lake, and West Point’s Neligh Park Pond. It stocked additional trout April 17 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake.
The second trout stockings of some lakes came from a surplus created when the Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake was not stocked for the spring.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.org to learn about the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new Take ’em Fishing challenge or to purchase a permit.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police in Lincoln say a fourth arrest has been made in the shooting death last year of a Lincoln woman.
Police say in a news release that 33-year-old Ira Morrow was arrested Thursday on suspicion of a federal count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Three other men also have been charged in the July 31 shooting of 36-year-old Jessica Brandon at the Lincoln home she shared with her fiance. Police say surveillance cameras caught several men casing the house and later forcing their way into the home and firing several shots in a drug-related robbery.
Police say Morrow was identified as being among the men in the video.
Earlier this year, a grand jury indicted Tawhyne Patterson Sr. and brothers Damon Williams and Dante Williams each on a count of using a firearm resulting in murder and a robbery count.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of rural bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states shows about one of every five expects an increase in farm loan defaults stemming from last month’s devastating Midwest floods.
The Rural Mainstreet survey for April, released Thursday, shows the survey’s overall index dropping from 52.9 in March to 50 this month. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says “43.8 percent of bank CEOs indicated that the recent floods were having a negative impact on their local economy.”
Bankers also noted that farm loans for April surged as the borrowing index climbed to 81.3, the highest recorded since the survey began in 2006.
Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.
Clara I. Negley, age 78, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.
Clara was born on August 5, 1940 in Gandy, Nebraska to Walter G. and Lydia A. (Tappan) Carland. She grew up and attended schools in North Platte and later earned her GED, which she was so proud of. Clara married Robert C. Goudy and they had one child, Rhonda Jane Goudy. After their divorce, she married Harold F. “Punk” Harriman and had two more daughters, Rebecca Lynn Harriman and Jennifer Spring Harriman. She was later married to Elmer B. Negley who adopted Rebecca and Jennifer and loved them as his own until his death. Clara worked at TWR in Ogallala, Nebraska and at Gibson’s Discount Center in North Platte, Nebraska for a number of years. She also babysat numerous babies and children and loved each and every one of them, just like her own. She raised several nieces and nephews, plus other non-family members. She had a very loving heart and never turned anyone away. Clara was famous for her fried chicken and the best popcorn in North Platte; even adults trick-or-treated her house on Halloween just for her popcorn. She loved watching wrestling, and everyone knew not to bother her when it was on. She enjoyed reading, working puzzles, embroidering, and listening to Christian music on Saturdays. She was a Seventh Day Adventist most of her life.
Clara is survived by daughters Rhonda (Steve) Battershell of Paxton, Nebraska, Becky Negley of Sutherland, Nebraska, and Jennifer Brown of North Platte; 5 grandchildren, Stevie (Danie Scovill) Battershell, Heather (Bernie Smith) Battershell, Benjamin Brown, and Lydia Brown all of North Platte, and Shawn Alegria of Sutherland; 5 great grandchildren, Jacob and Alexis Battershel of Columbus, Nebraska, Rebecka Cordova, Stephanie Lee and Kaysen Brown of North Platte; 1 great great grandson, Jace Sanchez of North Platte; sister Janet Razes; special friend Punk; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was anxiously awaiting her 6th great grandchild, a great granddaughter, due in August.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers George, Seymour, Walt, Loren and Charles Carland; and sisters Mary Clifton, Esther Legas, and Marilyn Teall.
Memorials are suggested in her name. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2019 at Admas and Swanson Funeral Home, 421 West 4th Street in North Platte with Dixon Powers officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m .until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2019 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is charge of arrangements.
Thomas E. Bosch, 69, of Farnam, Nebraska, died April 15, 2019 in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born September 3, 1949 in Lexington, NE, son of John George and Clara Belle (Crampton) Bosch. Tom grew up on the family farm north of Farnam, he graduated from Farnam High with the class of 1967. He then went to Junior College in North Platte for two years before continuing his
education at Kearney State College. He graduated in 1972 a Business Administration degree.
Tom married Sandy Maline on August 16, 1970 at Gothenburg, Nebraska. Tom had to make the decision to join the National Guard or go to Vietnam. He was sent to Kentucky for four months of Guard training. After his training, he returned home to the family farm where he spent the rest of his life. A daughter and son were born into the family.
When Tom was 39 he was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that changed his life. For many years, he continued farming, although it was hard and he had to push thru the fatigue and pain. He eventually retired from farming and let his son Kelly take over the family farm. Tom filled his time the last few years watching old westerns and reading. With so much TV watching, he became involved in politics and would have enjoyed following the 2020 election. While he was still able, he enjoyed gardening. He later got garden boxes he could access from the sliding glass doors.
Survivors include his wife, Sandy Bosch of Farnam, NE, daughter, Stacie (John) Harrington of Bloomfield, IA and their children – Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and Brandon; son Kelly Bosch of Farnam, NE; brother, Milan (Sherl) Bosch of Chadron, NE, sister, Patty (Eldon) Reese; one nephew and seven nieces.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathleen Jo Bosch. Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Friday, April 19, 2019, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Monday, April 22, 2019 at 2:30 pm with Pastor Joseph Carty officiating. Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska. Memorials may be given to Camp Arrowhead, 75352 Road 431, Lexington, NE 68852. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested eight people and seized numerous controlled substances during several recent traffic stops.
At approximately 11:50 a.m. MT Wednesday, a trooper performed a traffic stop on an eastbound Hyundai Accent for speeding at mile marker 2 on Interstate 76. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle and found approximately 50 pounds of marijuana concealed in two trash bags. The driver, Joshua Garrett, 25, and passengers, Natalya Garrett, 21, and Morgan Dismuke, 23, all of Omaha, were arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound. Joshua Garrett was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail. Natalya Garrett and Dismuke were lodged in Lincoln County Jail.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. CT Wednesday, a trooper stopped a Dodge Ram for failure to signal a turn at the Interstate 80 exit at mile marker 366 near Utica. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed 2,760 units of THC vape oil. The driver, Colin Bode, 47, of Pennsylvania, and passenger, Manuel Jardine, 73, of Hawaii, were both arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound and lodged in Seward County Jail.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. CT Wednesday, a trooper observed a Chevrolet Malibu fail to signal a turn at the intersection of Road 755 and Road 426 in Dawson County. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. A search revealed 18 ounces of marijuana, 100 THC edibles, 22 grams of THC wax, and drug paraphernalia. The driver, Nicholas Herko, 29, of Lockport, New York, and passenger, Savannah Bixler, 35, of Tuscon, Arizona, were arrested for drug offenses. Bixler attempted to bite multiple troopers and tried to spit on a trooper. Bixler was also lodged for resisting arrest. Both were lodged in Dawson County Jail.
At approximately 2:20 a.m. CT Thursday, a trooper observed an eastbound GMC SUV speeding near mile marker 397 in Lincoln. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. A search of the vehicle revealed 93 pounds of high-grade marijuana, over 1 pound of shatter, 1,827 THC vape pens, a small amount of THC edibles, and a handgun. The driver, Karmel Thomas, 40, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and other changes. Thomas was lodged in Lancaster County Jail.
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon and Walmart on Thursday are kicking off a two-year pilot established by the government to allow low-income shoppers on government food assistance in New York to shop and pay for their groceries online.
ShopRite will join the retailers early next week, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
The USDA has long required that customers using electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, pay for their purchases at the actual time and place of sale. So the move marks the first time SNAP customers can pay for their groceries online.
ShopRite and Amazon are providing the service to the New York City area, and Walmart is providing the service online in upstate New York locations. The agency said the pilot will eventually expand to other areas of New York as well as Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. The pilot will test both online ordering and payment. SNAP participants will be able to use their benefits to purchase eligible food items but will not be able to use SNAP to pay for service or delivery charges, the agency said.
“People who receive SNAP benefits should have the opportunity to shop for food the same way more and more Americans shop for food — by ordering and paying for groceries online,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue in statement. “As technology advances, it is important for SNAP to advance too, so we can ensure the same shopping options are available for both non-SNAP and SNAP recipients.”
Perdue said he looks forward to monitoring how the pilot program increases food access and customer service to those it serves, specifically those who have trouble visiting physical stores.
More than 40 million individuals receive food stamps in the U.S., according to the USDA.
The 2014 Farm Bill authorized the USDA to conduct and evaluate a pilot for online purchasing prior to national implementation. The USDA says the move was intended to ensure online transactions are processed safely and securely.
Amazon said those who qualify don’t need to be Prime members to buy groceries with their benefits. They’ll get free access to its AmazonFresh service, which delivers meat, dairy and fresh produce to shoppers’ doorsteps. And they’ll also be able to use Prime Pantry, which delivers packaged goods like cereal and canned food. However, they’ll need to spend over a certain amount to qualify for free shipping: $50 at AmazonFresh and $25 at Amazon.com. The online shopping giant launched a website, amazon.com/snap, where people can check if they qualify. Amazon said it’s working with the USDA to expand service to other parts of New York state.
Amazon.com Inc. was on the initial list for the government pilot, but Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart Inc. made the list later. Still, the world’s largest retailer was able to get around it by offering in late 2017 the ability for its customers in limited locations to order items through its online grocery pickup service and then pay for it in person at the stores.
“Access to convenience and to quality, fresh groceries shouldn’t be dictated by how you pay,” said Walmart in a statement emailed to The Associated Press Thursday. “This pilot program is a great step forward, and we are eager to expand this to customers in other states where we already have a great online grocery.”
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for 2019 deer, antelope and elk hunting seasons when it meets April 24 at Ponca State Park.
The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the park’s Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center. The park is located at 88090 Spur 26E in Dixon County.
A public hearing is scheduled for proposed amendments to Commission orders pertaining to season dates, bag limits, permit quantities and areas open for deer, antelope and elk hunting.
Hunters should be aware that staff will be presenting additional changes at the meeting to the big game orders posted for review. Those additional changes are in response to severe March weather in northwest Nebraska and deer depredation issues in southwest and central parts of the state, and would affect the following three deer management units as follows:
Pine Ridge – Decrease Any Deer (but no antlerless mule deer) permits to 1,200 and increase Any Whitetail permits to 1,000.
Loup West Season Choice Area – Decrease permits to 300 and change bag limit to two Antlerless Only deer.
Frenchman West Season Choice Area – Expand unit boundary eastward.
Also on the agenda is a public hearing for input regarding the listing and delisting of state threatened and endangered species in the Commission’s District 3, which is northeast Nebraska.
In addition, the Commission will consider at staff recommendation to approve the acquisition of 74.97 acres in Banner County adjacent to Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area and designation of it as an addition to the area.
The Commission also will hear several staff updates, including the new, Take ’em Fishing promotion, which challenges anglers to pledge to take a new or lapsed angler fishing for a chance to win prizes.
There also will be a report on big game research, a presentation on the fish, wildlife and park resources in northeast Nebraska, and an environmental report.
FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say one person was killed and another injured when they fell while working on a future chicken processing plant in Fremont.
