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Month: April 2019

Nebraska court says airman’s jail sentence not too lenient

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has reversed a lower court’s ruling that found an airman’s sentence for attempted child sex assault too lenient.

The decision came in the case of 42-year-old Jason Gibson, who was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in 2017 when he contacted a then-18-year-old DeArch Stubblefield and set up sex with a 15-year-old girl. Gibson was later sentenced to six months in jail and five years’ probation, with the judge noting Gibson’s military service and lack of criminal history.

Prosecutors appealed, and the Nebraska Court of Appeals in November agreed that Gibson should be resentenced to prison.

But on Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals’ finding, saying that while the sentence was lenient, it was not “clearly against justice or conscience, reason and evidence.”

Stubblefield, who was a star football player for Bellevue West and also had no criminal history, was sentenced to up to 40 years in prison for his role.

Jury awards former worker $1.47M in privacy lawsuit

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A jury has awarded a former worker a $1.47 million judgment in a lawsuit filed after she and other servers learned they’d been video recorded changing clothes at the Lincoln restaurant.

Court records show the jury made the award April 1. The woman had sued the Tilted Kilt restaurant franchisee, Famous Brands Group, and her former manager at the Lincoln restaurant, Dustin Lindgren. She and other servers learned in 2014 that Lindgren had used his smartphone to take the videos. The restaurant has since closed.

In 2015 Lindgren was sentenced to probation and 180 days in jail for his actions.

The judge had told the jury it was already established that Lindgren had violated her privacy and that Famous Brands had negligently supervised and retained Lindgren. The jury’s only duty was to determine what Lindgren and Famous Brands should pay.

Famous Brands’ attorney didn’t immediately return a message Friday from The Associated Press. Efforts to reach Lindgren were unsuccessful.

Lincoln man sentenced to prison for bank, store robberies

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man found guilty earlier this year of the armed robberies of a bank and several convenience stores has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors for Nebraska announced the sentence of 27-year-old Shawn Brooks in a news release Friday.

Brooks was convicted by a federal jury in January of 13 robbery and gun-related counts. The jury also found that Brooks should receive enhanced sentences for brandishing a gun during some of the robberies and for firing the gun during the bank robbery.

Prosecutors say Brooks and a co-defendant, Marcus Remus, robbed the bank and five convenience stores, all in Lincoln, in 2016. Brooks fired a gun several times at bank employees during that robbery. Remus is accused of shooting a gas station clerk in the pair’s final robbery before being arrested.

James Michael Stickelman

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James Michael Stickelman, 70, of North Platte, formerly of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died April 10, 2019 in North Platte, NE. He was born on January 26, 1949 in North Platte, the son of James Marvin and Patricia Evangeline (Hiles) Stickelman. Jim grew up south of Brady and graduated from Brady High School with the class of 1968. Jim also lived in Gothenburg and Grand Island before making North Platte his home. While living in Gothenburg, he attended the United Methodist Church.

Jim served his country in the US Army during Vietnam War from 1971-1973. In the Infantry, he brought men to the front lines and was a radio transmission and communication specialist and also serviced the half-tracks. Jim was honored to be of service to his country and often reflected back on that time in his life.

For a while, Jim was married to Carol K. Brown. They had a daughter, Angela, and a son, Michael. Jim was very proud of his kids and grandkids and loved to spend time with them. He was an avid billiard player and was always up for a game of pool. He enjoyed the horse races and gambling. He had a special fondness for strawberry milkshakes!

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Pat Stickleman, his sister, Mary Lou Stickleman, and a brother-in-law, Herbert McMichael.

Survivors include his daughter, Angela Stickelman-Wee of North Platte; his son, Michael Stickelman of Brady; grandchildren, Ashlyn, MaKayla (Kayla), Michael, Charles (Chaz), Lillian, Elliaunna, and Alejandera; great grandchild, Violet; sisters Patricia Ann Stickelman-McMichael of California and Cynthia Joyce Stickeltan (Stephen W. Foldesh) of Arizona; brother, Harry James Wesley Hiles Stickelman of North Platte, Nebraska; along with many extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel at 620 Tenth Street in Gothenburg, Nebraska on Sunday, April 14, 2019, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm with the family present. Funeral Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, April 15, 2019 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Liberty House, 420 West 4th, North Platte, NE 69101.  To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com

Dorothy Roselea Marquardt McVay

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Dorothy Roselea Marquardt McVay, 91, of North Platte passed away April 11, 2019 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.

Dorothy was born the fourth child in a family of ten siblings in the family to Clifford and Carolyn (Burns) Murray on April 9, 1928 in Curtis, NE.  When she was just a few weeks old the family moved to Kimball, NE where Dorothy grew up and attended school through the 9th grade.  In May of 1943, the family moved to a farm near Venango and she attended high school there.  While going to school in Venango, Dorothy traveled on the bus to North Platte to volunteer with the Canteen.  On December 17, 1944 she married Herbert Marquardt at St. Francis, KS.  The couple moved to a farm south of Venango and lived there for 7 ½ years.  Their three children, Darell, Carolyn, and Bonnie were all born while they lived there.

Dorothy was confirmed into St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Venango in the fall of 1945.  She taught Sunday School there for 8 years.  Their church membership was transferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Julesburg.  There she served one term as Trustee.  Dorothy was a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Venango since 1947.

In the early spring of 1952, the family moved to a farm south of Julesburg, CO.  Dorothy lived there until the late summer of 1999, when she moved to North Platte, NE, after the passing of Herbert on May 20, 1997.

On November 17, 2001 Dorothy married Orville McVay and the couple resided in North Platte.  Orville passed away July 3, 2009.  Dorothy and both Herbert and Orville enjoyed winters in Arizona for several years.

Family was very important to Dorothy, she loved her family, and enjoyed spending time her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Herbert, and Orville; brothers, Donald, Wayne, Melvin, Dean, and Elmer; a sister, Wilma; daughter-in-law, Deanna; granddaughter, Amy; mother and father-in-law; brothers-in-law, Arthur and Herman Marquardt, Jim Benker, Morris Pirrie, and Albert Baurele; sisters-in-law, Hilda Benker, Mildred Baurele, and Maxine Marquardt.

Survivors include her son, Darell (Cindy) Marquardt of North Platte; daughters, Bonnie (Jeff) Vancura of North Plate, and Carolyn (Steve) Smith of Denver CO; sisters, Cora Maye (Alvin) Harmon of Imperial, Glenda (Don) Bradley of McCook, and Ardell (Ed) Befort of North Platte; 7 grandchildren, Kimberly, Jason, Marla, Jay, Troy, Sherri, and Jenni; 14 great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Kyle, Daisha, Kennedy, Taylor, Trevor, Caitlynn, Casey, Samantha, Alison, Logan, Kalatin, Kaely, and Anthony; 3 great-great-grandchildren; stepson, Jim McVay; step-grandson, Nicholas and son Hunter; brother-inlaw, Marvin (Lorraine) Marquardt; and a sister-in-law, Elsie Pirrie.

Memorials may be made in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Graveside Services will be 11:00 a.m. MDT Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the Julesburg Cemetery in Julesburg, CO with the Reverend Bob Deardoff officiating.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Nebraska GOP calls out graduation speaker’s abortion stance

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Nebraska Republican Party says a Jesuit college in Omaha should rescind its invitation asking former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey to speak at its commencement, citing his position on abortion.

The state party’s executive director, Ryan Hamilton, released a statement Thursday saying that Creighton University should find a different commencement speaker and “take a stand for their pro-life values.”

Hamilton says Kerrey voted against banning late-term abortions while in the Senate.

Kerrey, who also formerly served as Nebraska’s governor, says he won’t speak at the May 18 commencement ceremonies if his presence will be a distraction.

Kerrey says he supports Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. He says it doesn’t make him “pro-abortion,” but rather “pro-civil rights.”

The university declined to comment.

Troopers respond to more than 150 weather-related incidents

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) responded to dozens of weather-related incidents during the latest round of winter weather.

“We certainly hope that this is the last blast for winter,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “But our troopers and dispatchers were ready and answered the call once again, as they’ve done many times over the last several months.”

Troopers performed 125 motorist assists during the storm, which dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas of Nebraska. NSP also responded to 21 crashes and assisted other agencies with 29 incidents. Long stretches of Interstate 80 and several other state highways were closed for about 24 hours during the worst part of the storm.

“We’d especially like to salute the team from the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT),” said Colonel Bolduc. “NDOT crews continue to exceed expectations in adverse conditions. The quick decision making to close specific roadways during dangerous weather conditions has undoubtedly prevented crashes.”

While the snow has passed, there are still some snow-covered roads in some areas of northern and western Nebraska. NSP encourages drivers in those areas to check Nebraska 511 for the latest updates on road conditions. Any driver who needs assistance on the road can call *55 from any cell phone to reach the NSP Highway Helpline.

Powerful system leaves behind heavy snow in western Nebraska

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Photo: Flickr Creative Commons
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) – People in western Nebraska might be able to see the sun after it rises Friday morning, now that a powerful snowstorm has blown through.

Thursday’s spring blizzard was the second “bomb cyclone” storm system to hit the region in a month. It left behind more than a foot of snow (30.5 centimeters) and deeper drifts in spots, thanks to winds that gusted to more than 60 mph (96.6 kph).

Region 22 Emergency Management Director Tim Newman told Scottsbluff station KNEB that he was snowed in at his Banner County home with drifts more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) high.

Travel remains problematical. The Nebraska Transportation Department reports that several highways are packed with snow and remain closed.

The area forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures approaching 40 degrees.

Omaha middle school administrator charged in child sex case

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Todd Compton

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha middle school administrator has been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 47-year-old Todd Compton, a seventh-grade administrator at Davis Middle School, has also been charged with third-degree sexual assault of a child. He faces at least 23 years in prison if convicted of both counts.

A judge ordered Compton held Thursday with bond and to have no contact with children.

Compton has been placed on administrative leave by Omaha Public Schools.

Compton’s attorney, Joseph Howard, said in court Thursday that the allegations against Compton are false and called the alleged victim “disgruntled.”

Omaha City Council to consider ban on plastic grocery bags

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Photo: uline.com

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha City Council is set to consider an ordinance that would ban single-use plastic bags from grocery stores.

Television station KETV reports that City Council members Pete Festersen and Ben Gray introduced the ban.

Festersen says the ordinance would ban plastic bags in food sales establishments — mainly grocery stores. He says it would not initially apply to convenience stores, gas stations or dry cleaners, or discount retailers like Walmart and Target. It also would not ban plastic produce bags.

Festersen says the ordinance should appear on the City Council agenda next week, along with a proposed waste collection contract.

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