May 2019 – Page 8 – North Platte Post Archive

Abortion drug notice bill heads to final vote in Nebraska

Posted on May 23, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A bill that would require Nebraska abortion providers to give women information about possibly continuing their pregnancy after taking the first of two abortion drugs is headed to a final vote in the Legislature.

Lawmakers advanced the measure Thursday through a second-round Thursday despite criticism that the information isn’t backed by scientific evidence. The vote was 36-9 after supporters overcame a legislative filibuster.

Sen. Joni Albrecht, of Thurston, says the bill ensures that women have a right to know all of their options when they considering an abortion with medication.

Opponents say the bill is premised on a faulty and unethical study.

Wisconsin is considering a similar bill. Kansas’ Republican-dominated Legislature passed a measure but failed to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.

Rosters, coaches named for MCC Wild West all-star game

Posted on May 23, 2019

Rosters and coaches for the 2019 McCook Community College Wild West all-star volleyball classic have been announced and include four players who will begin their Lady Indian careers at the game in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. The game is set for June 22 at 3 p.m.

This all-star game (previously operated through the Sertoma Club) features area high school graduates, including four of the newest members of the MCC volleyball team. Admission is $8 for adults $5 for children 18 and younger with children four and younger admitted free.

McCook High School graduate Jayceea Hanson, a Lady Indian recruit, will make her post-high school debut in the game and will be joined by McCook High School teammate Robin Grigg on the East Squad. The team will be coached by Athena Messinger and assisted by Nick Nothnagel.

Other team members include Nicole Elizabeth Dewey of Southwest, Alex Ellermeier, of Medicine Valley and Arapahoe teammates Joslyn North and Chloe Carlson.

Gothenburg has four players on the east squad including: Lauren Johnson, Amaya Ackerman, Kendal Wahlgren and Ainsley Rickertsen. Three players from North Platte St. Pat’s were selected and include: Calli Groseth, Kaleigh Kummer, and Hayley Homan.

Rounding out the East team are Lexington’s Jennifer Nava, Elwood’s Baylee Diefenbaugh and Bertrand’s Lindsay Schutz.

The West squad has a distinct MCC flavor with 2018 graduate Dylann Bylund (Colorado Springs) to coach the team and assisted by another 2018 grad in Sidney Kizer (Northglen, Colo.).

Their team includes three incoming MCC freshmen in Hershey’s Emily Barr, and four players from Ogallala including future Lady Indians Mackenzie Anderson and Madison Mendoza as well as Emma Krab and Leslie Fair. Barr will be joined by her former Hershey teammates Channing Holm and Ashley Hassett.

Dundy County-Stratton teammates Grace Frederick and Adalene Krutsinger were named to the West all-star team along with Wauneta-Palisade’s Monique Gooden, Chase County’s Allison Owings, and Hitchcock County’s Amanda Horinek and Kyleigh Scott.

North Platte High School’s Abbie Hedgecock and Peyton Donovan Negley round out the team.

Most park areas open for Memorial Day weekend

Posted on May 23, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. – Park-goers will find most of the 76 park areas in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s park system open for Memorial Day weekend.

Nebraska State Parks offer fun activities for people to have fun and create family memories outdoors. With so many diverse areas, park visitors can find adventure or solitude. Some of the most popular activities include camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, huddling around a campfire, hiking, biking, watching wildlife, horse trail rides, Jeep rides, Go Ape treetop ropes course, and family-friendly shooting ranges.

A few parks that were affected by spring flooding and have limited access, camping or services. An update on some park areas includes:

Two Rivers State Recreation Area – The park is open for camping and day use, with some limitations. Electrical service has been restored to most electrical campsites. The Riverside day use area is accessible, however, the Riverside, Cottonwood and equestrian campgrounds are closed temporarily.

Willow Creek SRA – The park is open for camping and day use and electrical service has been restored to most electrical campsites.

Fremont Lakes SRA – The 5 mph/no wake restriction on Lake 10 and Victory Lake (Lake 15) was lifted May 22. A 5 mph/no wake restriction remains in effect for Lakes 16 and 20. Game and Parks urges boaters to heed all safety buoys, signage, and boating regulations.

Game and Parks continues to provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation as it can.

Mormon Island SRA – On May 23, the updated Cedar campground on the park’s east end will open. Contractors have added 38 30/50-amp electrical pedestals; water hydrants will be added later this summer. The campground offers 38 campsites with many located along the edge of Lake 2. Seven of the sites are designated pull-through campsites to accommodate large recreational vehicles and can provide 80-amp service. The campground offers a modern restroom facility with private showers and a large picnic shelter. Half of the campsites will be available on the Nebraska Game and Parks reservation system. Contact the park for camping availability at 308-385-6211.

Schramm Education Center at Schramm Park SRA – The new state-of-the-art nature center and aquarium officially opened May 1 and is open daily 9 to 5.

For a listing of park areas and their status, check out outdoornebraska.gov/weatherclosures/.

Activities are scheduled throughout the park system. For a listing, visit calendar.outdoornebraska.gov/. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a park.

10 events for an unforgettable summer in Nebraska

Posted on May 23, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (May 23, 2019) – Believe it or not, the summer season is here once again, and with it comes the best time for traveling and vacationing. This summer in Nebraska is packed with exciting activities for the whole family that you will not want to miss!

“Whether you’re interested in agriculture or the arts, education or entertainment, Nebraska has something for you this summer. We encourage everyone to get out and experience this summer’s unique calendar of events,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism executive director.

Check out these 10 summer events happening all across Nebraska!

1. NEBRASKAland Days – North Platte, NE June 12-June 22
https://visitnebraska.com/north-platte/events/nebraskaland-days
Celebrate the true Nebraskan culture with activities for everyone including a rodeo, golf scramble, and more. Finish out the festival with performances by Jake Owen and Kane Brown.

2. Nebraska Folk & Roots Festival – Lincoln, NE June 15
https://visitnebraska.com/lincoln/events/nebraska-folk-roots-festival
You’re in for a full day of good fun and great music with activities and concerts featuring local bands, national touring artists and even Grammy Award winners.

3. College World Series – Omaha, NE June 15-June 26
https://visitnebraska.com/omaha/events/college-world-series
Hit a home run by heading to the NCAA College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park this June and join in celebrating the CWS’s 70^th year in Omaha.

4. 122^nd Annual Diller Picnic – Diller, NE June 27-June 29
https://visitnebraska.com/diller/events/122nd-annual-diller-picnic
Take your picnic game to the next level with this fun- and food-filled weekend in southeast Nebraska. Tractor pulls, mud drags and fireworks make this a great summer getaway.

5. Pony Express Rodeo – Gothenburg, NE July 3-July 4
https://visitnebraska.com/gothenburg/events/pony-express-rodeo
Celebrate Independence Day with the pony-express race, parachute demonstration and a special kid’s night for all the mini cowboys and cowgirls.

6. Living History Weekend – Steele City, NE July 6-July 7
https://visitnebraska.com/steele-city/events/living-history-weekend
A unique opportunity to watch history come alive (literally) with live demonstrations and tours through historic buildings in Steele City. This event provides an interesting, and educational, experience for the whole family.

7. Oregon Trail Days – Gering, NE July 11-July 14
https://visitnebraska.com/gering/events/oregon-trail-days
Enjoy a carnival, food fair and so much more at the longest-running celebration in Nebraska. Plus, adults can enjoy a little fun of their own at a wine- and beer-tasting event Saturday night.

8. 39^th Annual Wayne Chicken Show – Wayne, NE July 12-July 14
https://visitnebraska.com/wayne/events/39th-annual-wayne-chicken-show
You may want to brush up on your chicken lingo and poultry puns because from the Omelet Feed to the National Cluck-Off, this egg-cellent event is all chicken, all the time.

9. Nebraska’s Big Rodeo – Burwell, NE July 24-July 27
https://visitnebraska.com/burwell/events/nebraskas-big-rodeo
Experience a classic western rodeo with riding, racing and roping, as well as a “Little Rodeo” for the kiddos, and get a taste for Nebraska’s lively heritage.

10. Nebraska State Fair – Grand Island, NE August 23-September 2
https://visitnebraska.com/grand-island/events/nebraska-state-fair
End the summer with a bang by heading down to Fonner Park for the Nebraska State Fair; 11 days full of great entertainment, delicious food and agricultural competitions and displays that provide something for everyone. Enjoy some evening entertainment with concerts by Brett Eldridge, Little Big Town and more!

For more information on events in Nebraska, as well as trip ideas, check out VisitNebraska.com.

Group formed to recall Omaha mayor ends its efforts

Posted on May 23, 2019

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A group formed to recall Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert (STAH’-thurt) has halted its efforts.

The Coalition to Recall Stothert says on its Facebook page that the effort “isn’t possible with little funding and not enough volunteers.” Eric Scott had filed the paperwork to obtain recall petitions, and he says it was “too much to take on for a group of citizens with no political experience.”

Organizers had said last month that they were getting support from people angry about potholes, city trash contract changes and Stothert’s interactions with critics.

The mayor said in her written response to the recall filing that Omaha is “safe, economically strong and well-managed.”

The Republican was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017.

Here is the latest Big Ten Conference sports news 5-23

Posted on May 23, 2019

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Juwan Howard is coming back to Michigan. The former member of the Fab Five basketball team has agreed to a five-year deal to coach the Wolverines. Michigan is giving the Miami Heat assistant coach his first shot at being a head coach, other than during the NBA’s summer league. He replaces John Beilein, who left to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Cole McDonald allowed five hits and struck out nine in eight innings and bottom seed Iowa knocked off regular-season champion Indiana 4-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes were swept by Indiana in a three-game series in March and had lost five straight entering the tournament. They play Nebraska on Thursday night. Indiana meets Minnesota in an elimination game.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Spencer Schwellenbach’s bases-loaded double highlighted Nebraska’s five-run third inning and the fifth-seeded Cornhuskers went on to beat No. 4 seed Minnesota 8-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. Matt Waldron scattered six singles, walked none and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings as the Cornhuskers won for the fifth time in six games. They’ll play Iowa on Thursday night. Minnesota meets top-seeded Indiana in an elimination game.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dillon Dingler broke open a tie game with an RBI single in the eighth inning and Ohio State beat Michigan 2-1 in the Big Ten Tournament. Three pitchers combined to toss a one-hitter for the Buckeyes (32-24).

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Maxwell Costes and Justin Vought each hit two-run homers in the eighth inning and Maryland beat third-seeded Illinois 6-2 in the opener of the Big Ten Tournament. Michael Massey pulled the Fighting Illini into a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the fifth inning before Maryland took the lead in the eighth.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey says the NCAA is granting too many waivers that allow players who transfer to compete immediately. He calls the requirement that players sit out a year a useful “deterrent” to players switching schools. Brey made his comments at a meeting of the Knight Commission, a nonprofit that pushes for reform in college sports. He says the ease of getting a waiver is making players more eager to transfer.

Huskers strike early, beat Gophers 8-2 in Big Ten Tournament

Posted on May 23, 2019

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Spencer Schwellenbach’s bases-loaded double highlighted Nebraska’s five-run third inning, and the fifth-seeded Cornhuskers went on to beat No. 4 seed Minnesota 8-2 in the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.

Matt Waldron (6-3) scattered six singles, walked none and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings as the Cornhuskers (29-20) won for the fifth time in six games. They’ll play eighth-seeded Iowa on Thursday night.

Angelo Altavilla tripled in two runs to help Nebraska get out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and Schwellenbach broke open the game in the third.

The Gophers loaded the bases loaded with one out in the eighth, but reliever Robbie Palkert got Eli Wilson to line out and struck out Cole McDevitt.

Minnesota starter Patrick Fredrickson (2-4) allowed eight runs, six earned, in 2 2/3 innings. The defending tournament champion Gophers (26-26) play top-seeded Indiana in an elimination game Thursday.

Former teacher pleads not guilty in student sex case

Posted on May 23, 2019

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) – A former Hastings teacher accused of having sex with a teenage student and providing her alcohol has pleaded not guilty.

Adams County Court records say 23-year-old Tyler Hedlund filed the plea Wednesday to a charge of intentional child abuse. A trial date has not been set.

The records say Hedlund had sex with the 16-year-old girl several times at his Hastings home and that he gave her alcohol there and bought alcoholic beverages for her and three of her friends.

Hedlund had been teaching and coaching football at Hastings St. Cecilia.

Jury convicts man of murder for shooting outside Omaha store

Posted on May 23, 2019

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A jury has found a 30-year-old man guilty of first-degree murder and two weapons crimes in Omaha.

Douglas County District Court records say the jury returned the verdict Tuesday against Forrest Cox III. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Laron Rogers was shot on March 6, 2017, during a marijuana deal outside a convenience store.

Cox’s is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 8 to life in prison.

3 deaths in Missouri as tornado strikes state capital

Posted on May 23, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A tornado has caused heavy damage in Missouri’s capital city as severe weather swept across the state overnight, causing three deaths and trapping dozens of people in the wreckage of their homes.

The National Weather Service confirmed that the large and destructive tornado moved over Jefferson City shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

Gov. Mike Parson said three people died. Missouri Public Safety said they were killed in the Golden City area of Barton County. The governor is praising first responders who have worked through the night to free people from homes that have been ripped apart in the storm.

Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams says no deaths were reported in the capital, but 20 people have been rescued by emergency personnel.