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Passenger accused of stopping train working on plea deal

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of stopping an Amtrak train in south-central Nebraska is working on a plea deal.

Federal court records say a plea change hearing has been scheduled July 12 for 26-year-old Taylor Wilson, of St. Charles, Missouri. He’s pleaded not guilty to attempting to disable a train and attempting to interfere with an engineer or conductor. The charges stem from an Oct. 22 incident as the train headed to Chicago. Authorities say Wilson entered a secure area of a locomotive and enabled an emergency brake. The train stopped in Oxford, Nebraska, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) southwest of Omaha.

His attorney, Jerry Sena (SEE’-nuh), declined Thursday to provide any specifics. He did say, however, that any deal likely would include resolution of a weapons case pending in Missouri.

More Nebraska tribes file opioid painkiller lawsuits

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The three remaining Nebraska tribes have filed lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of opioid painkillers.

The Winnebago Tribe, Omaha Tribe and Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska filed lawsuits Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha. The Ponca Tribe and Knox County filed a lawsuit April 25.

Their attorney, Dave Domina, has said the companies misled medical professionals and misrepresented the dangers and addictive risks of their drugs.

More than 400 cities and counties across the country have sued drugmakers and distributors for costs associated with the addiction crisis. In March a U.S. Senate committee was told that Native Americans and Alaska Natives saw a fivefold increase in overdose deaths between 1999 and 2015.

University criticized for handling of campus confrontation

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A major professors association has criticized the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for its handling of a confrontation between a university lecturer and a student recruiting for a conservative group.

The American Association of University Professors said in a report issued Thursday that the university succumbed to political pressure in suspending lecturer Courtney Lawton and later barring her from teaching there.

Officials say Lawton made an inappropriate hand gesture at second-year student Kaitlyn Mullen, who was recruiting last August for Turning Point USA. Lawton also called Mullen a “neo-fascist.”

University Chancellor Ronnie Green says he disagrees with the association report.

An AAUP committee in June could recommend censure to an AAUP national council at the group’s annual meeting. A vote on the recommendation could follow.

Husband, wife killed when minivan collides with semitrailer

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TAYLOR, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say an 85-year-old woman and her husband died after their minivan collided with a semitrailer in central Nebraska.

The accident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday near Taylor in Loup County. The Nebraska State Patrol says the northbound truck on U.S. Highway 183 struck the minivan as it attempted to turn south off Nebraska Highway 91.

The minivan was driven by 87-year-old Alphis Casteel. He and his wife, Norma, were pronounced dead at the scene. They lived in Sargent.

The truck driver was taken to an Ord hospital for treatment. He’s been identified as 62-year-old Michael Mooney. He lives in Broken Bow.

H. Jack Fisher

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H. Jack Fisher, 97, formerly of Sutherland, passed away May 6, 2018, at Lancaster Manor in Lincoln.

Jack was born on July 30, 1920, in DeQueen, Arkansas, to Harmon and Bessie (Durham) Fisher. He was raised by his stepfather, Fred Lawson, and grew up in the Imperial area.

He joined the CCC’s in 1938 and was a truck driver and mechanic. While in the CCC’s, he helped build the roads at the Scotts Bluff Monument in Scottsbluff.

In 1944, Jack married Ilene Krauter, and they lived in the Paxton-North Platte area. They had three children, Doreen, Alice and Jack.

Jack was a mechanic most of his life and owned garages in North Platte and Paxton. In his younger years, he worked for Nielson Chevrolet in North Platte, Otis W. Beach in Ogallala, Cooksley Ford in Broken Bow, Bullock Chevrolet in Grant and Sidles in North Platte, as well as other garages in the ’40s through the ’70s. In the 1970s and ’80s, he worked for Humphry’s in Ogallala as a machinist. He also operated Frontier Gas Station in Paxton for several years.

Jack never knew a stranger. His loves were his family, cars, car races and Nebraska football. He had a new car every year, and most of the time, they were Chevrolets.

In 1996, Jack married Doris (Dot) Doty, and they made their home in North Platte until 2013, when they moved to Lincoln to live with Duane and Betty Hartman.

Jack was preceded in death by Ilene, his wife of 40 years; son, Jack L. Fisher; son-in-law, Ken Brand; sister, Mary Ellen Harris; and nephew, Duane Hartman.

He is survived by his wife, Dot of Lincoln; children, Doreen (John) Stout of Sutherland and Alice Brand of Jefferson, Georgia; granddaughters, Debra Stout and Shelly (Phil) Compton, both of Sutherland, Melanie (Perry) Sexton of Cumming, Georgia, Stephanie McCauley of Hartwell, Georgia, and Brandi (Mark) Lemon of North Platte; his grandsons, Richard (Shelly) Stout of Hershey and Scott Fisher of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Jayden McCauley and Cameron McCauley of Hartwell, Grant Sexton of Cumming, Rustin Lemon of North Platte, Elizabeth “Tootsie Wootsie” and Natalie “Sparky” Compton, both of Sutherland; brother, Ashe (Connie) Jones of Overland Park, Kansas; special niece, Betty Hartman of Lincoln; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 11, at the Paxton Cemetery with Pastor Dale Fischer officiating. Trump Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of arrangements.

Daniel D. Hoover

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Daniel D. Hoover age 75, of North Platte passed away May 8, 2018 at his home.  Dan was born on September 2, 1942 in Sidney, Nebraska at Taylor Hospital to Benny and Lois (Bolin)  Hoover. When he was six days old his mother, brother and sister moved to California to be with his father who had gone to work in the shipyards for CCC. His family moved back to Hershey and then Keystone, Nebraska and settled in North Platte when he was five years old.

He grew up in North Platte and attended North Platte High School where he graduated and later entered the United States Air Force. He served at Dyas Air force Base for four years and received a medal of honor for his service. Dan had high security clearance drawing flight plans. He was highly respected and recognized for his work. Dan married the love of his life, Donna Davis on October 24, 1970.  Early in the marriage he worked for Ozzie’s installing carpet with his brother, Tom. He worked at UPS for 26 years and enjoyed working in the community of Gothenburg. Dan was well-known in the community and was often referred to as Dan the UPS man. In 1981, Dan was in a life threatening accident and was life-flighted to Omaha.  His heart stopped seven times and he was not expected to live. God gave him back to us for another thirty-seven years.

Dan and Donna raised three children in the home they shared for 47 years. Dan was an example to his children and all who were around him in his love for his wife and family. He exemplified a servant’s heart to family, friends and those in need. He was a Deacon and member of Bethel Church.

Dan enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and car shows with his brother-in-laws. He also enjoyed woodworking and helping with projects. He had a Saturday tradition of going to breakfast with his daughter. Dan loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the apple of his eye.

Dan was preceded in death by his dad, Benny Hoover; mother, Lois Hoover; brothers, Donald (Marlene) Hoover, and Thomas Hoover; and father-in-law, Harold Andersen.

Survivors include his wife, Donna of North Platte; sons, Brent (Sherri) Hoover, and Jeff (Megan) Hoover all of North Platte; daughter, Becky (Casey) Hoaglund of North Platte; grandchildren Tiffany, Taylor, McKenzie, Chloe, Jenna, Caedmon, Carson, Ellie, Jacob and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Noah, Mason and Payden and expected twins; siblings, Louise (Robert) Cullinan, Terry (Tami) Hoover of North Platte; step-sister and step-brothers, Janet (Joe) Steffen of Beatrice, Mark (Carol) Andersen of Louisiana, Eldon (Cindy) Andersen of Hershey, Gene (Trina) Andersen of York; cousin, Glenda (Gary) Phipps of Whitman, NE; and many friends and family.

A memorial has been established to the Deacon’s fund at Bethel Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Bethel Evangelical Free Church with the Reverend Noah Palmer officiating.  Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be noon – 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Leslie Sue Burke

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Leslie Sue Burke, 68, of North Platte passed away May 8, 2018 at her home.

Leslie was born on October 10, 1949 in North Platte to Lester and Marian (Whipple) Saathoff.  Her father passed suddenly one month before she was born.

Leslie graduated from North Platte High School in 1968.  She married Bill Burke on July 16, 1971.  To this union two boys were born, Jason and Keith.  Leslie worked at Great Plains Regional Hospital for 14 years as a CNA.  She was a member of RSVP, volunteered at the Thrift Center and Christmas wrapped at the mall for RSVP.  She enjoyed crocheting, craft shows, and gardening.

Survivors include her husband, Bill of North Platte; sons, Jason of Thornton, CO, and Keith (Amanda) of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren, Eric, Anna, Levi, and Delaney; siblings, Hervy (Donna) Saathoff  of North Platte; Garrett (Sue) Saathoff of WA, Arthur (Mary Lou) Saathoff , and Bonnie (Bob) Smith all of North Platte; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lester Saathoff; and mother and step-father, Marian and Willie Christensen.

Memorials are suggested in her name to the Gift of Hope and online condolences may be shared at www.adamswanson.com.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Reverend Clint Walker officiating.  Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.  Visitation will be noon-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Scottsbluff council OKs site for solar power farm

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SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — The Scottsbluff City Council has approved a location for a proposed 5-megawatt solar power farm to provide more low-cost energy to its residents.

At Monday’s council meeting members agreed on a site just south and east of the Landers Soccer Complex north of the city.

Scottsbluff City Manager Nathan Johnson says a required study by the Nebraska Public Power District could start as early as 2019, with the project completion by the end of the year.

Patrick Hanrahan is assistant manager for the NPPD retail division, and he says the solar array would provide $2 million to $2.5 million savings in energy costs over the 25-year agreement period.

NPPD would purchase 100 percent of the electrical output and sell solar shares to residents and businesses interested in adding a solar component to their electric power mix.

Officers catch inmate who’d fled southeast Nebraska jail

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HEBRON, Neb. (AP) — The Thayer County sheriff and a deputy have captured an inmate who escaped from the county jail in Hebron.

Authorities say 29-year-old Lance Powers fled custody Monday while being escorted from his cell to another location in the jail. He ran out the front door of the Sheriff’s Office, which sits next to the courthouse, with Sheriff David Lee in pursuit.

Several people helped Lee by pointing out Powers’ path through town. Lee and Deputy Marty Rose caught him near the city swimming pool.

Powers had been jailed awaiting action on accusations of nonpayment of child support, failure to appear and driving under suspension.

Authorities investigating 3-year-old’s death in Chadron

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CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy in northwest Nebraska.

Chadron radio station KCSR reports that the boy was reported unconscious and not breathing around 11 a.m. Saturday in a Chadron residence.

The boy’s name and other information about what happened have not been released.

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