LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new watchdog report says spending on lobbyists at the Nebraska Capitol has reached another record high.
The report released Wednesday by Common Cause Nebraska says more than $17.4 million was spent on lobbyists last year, up from roughly $16.8 million the prior year. The totals have increased consistently each year since at least 2013.
Jack Gould of Common Cause Nebraska says lobbyists can “open nearly any door” with current state laws. He says lobbyists can wine, dine and entertain public officials, donate to their campaign funds, host fundraisers and solicit campaign money from their clients.
The report says the number of paid lobbyists has grown as well, to 377 last year from 364 in 2016.
WASHINGTON (AP) — FPI Management, a property company in California, wants to hire dozens of people. Factories from New Hampshire to Michigan need workers. Hotels in Las Vegas are desperate to fill jobs.
Those employers and many others are quietly taking what once would have been a radical step: They’re dropping marijuana from the drug tests they require of prospective employees. Marijuana testing — a fixture at large American employers for at least 30 years — excludes too many potential workers, experts say, at a time when filling jobs is more challenging.
“It has come out of nowhere,” said Michael Clarkson, head of the drug testing practice at Ogletree Deakins, a law firm. “I have heard from lots of clients things like, ‘I can’t staff the third shift and test for marijuana.'”
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s attorney general sued 16 state lawmakers on Tuesday to prevent the corrections director from having to testify before a committee about his department’s lethal injection protocol.
Attorney General Doug Peterson filed the lawsuit on behalf of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes.
The lawsuit seeks to block a subpoena issued by the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee following a complaint by state Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, a fervent death penalty opponent.
Attorneys general have filed similar lawsuits in the past in cases that involve separation-of-powers disputes between the state’s executive and legislative branches, but such moves are unusual.
“It has happened, but it’s rare,” said Clerk of the Legislature Patrick O’Donnell.
O’Donnell, who also was named in the lawsuit, said the Legislature will likely hire an outside attorney to defend him and all of the affected lawmakers.
The Nebraska attorney general is generally responsible for representing state officials in legal actions, but state law allows the Legislature to hire its own lawyer in matters such as Tuesday’s lawsuit. Lawmakers didn’t consult the attorney general’s office before they issued the subpoena, said Suzanne Gage, a spokeswoman for Peterson. Peterson, a Republican, supports capital punishment.
“The Attorney General took the action of filing the lawsuit in order to uphold the law, which is his duty,” Gage said in an email.
Frakes is an appointee of Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, but his department has faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers because of persistent overcrowding and staffing problems and a series of high-profile incidents, including two riots and an escape in the last three years. Chambers and other committee members want to know more details about how the department selected the drugs it hopes to use on at least two death-row inmates.
Chambers contends the department’s new execution protocol is unconstitutional and has questioned whether state officials followed the correct procedures for putting it into place. Frakes was ordered to appear before the committee at a public hearing on May 8.
The complaint came as state officials try to begin the process required to execute two of Nebraska’s 11 death row inmates. The Department of Correctional Services faces several lawsuits from civil liberties groups over the protocol and its refusal to release records that would identify its supplier of lethal injection drugs — information the department released in the past without objections. Legislation that would have given the department the authority to withhold such information stalled in the 2017 session.
Nebraska’s last execution took place in 1997.
The lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court alleges that the subpoena to force Frakes to testify violates Nebraska’s constitutional separation of powers. Peterson asked a judge to quash the subpoena and bar lawmakers from taking similar actions in the future.
It also contends that Frakes was directed to testify before the wrong committee. The Judiciary Committee, which includes Chambers, has been known to grill Frakes in past hearings. The lawsuit argues that the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee should have jurisdiction.
The lawmakers named in the lawsuit are members of the Judiciary Committee and Executive Board, even though some members voted against calling a hearing or issuing the subpoena. The Executive Board’s permission was needed to issue the subpoena, and three of its members voted against doing so.
Sen. Laura Ebke, the chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee and one of the defendants, said she had just received a copy of the lawsuit and couldn’t comment. Ebke said the committee was still planning to hold its hearing.
“We’re reviewing our options,” she said.
Sen. Dan Watermeier, the Executive Board’s chairman, said he had expected the attorney general to challenge the subpoena.
Watermeier said the question of issuing the subpoena was limited to whether it was frivolous and part of the committee’s jurisdiction. He said he didn’t consider it frivolous and believes the Judiciary Committee was the appropriate committee to handle it.
Chambers didn’t immediately respond to a phone message left at his home.
Randall Lynn Sawyer passed away on the morning of Saturday April 21st at his home in Ajo, Arizona. Randy was born October 22nd, 1954 in North Platte, Nebraska to Clarence (Sonny) and Mabel Marlene (Roach) Sawyer. He competed in track and football for North Platte High School and graduated in 1973. In 1979 he married Shelly Rankin and they had two sons, Tony and Chris. He worked as a glazier in North Platte before becoming an air traffic controller and moving to Longmont, Colorado in 1982. Randy worked at Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont for 24 years, retiring in 2006. Randy enjoyed camping and boating with his family at Lake McConaughy. He was an excellent cook, an accomplished pool and foosball player and had a multitude of hobbies, ranging from stargazing to macramé. He was a fan of all Denver professional sports, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, and the music of James Taylor. After retiring, he enjoyed spending his time camping, fishing, and travelling in his RV with his dog, Pardner.
He is survived by his mother, Marlene of North Platte; sons, Tony (Annia) of Erie, CO and Chris of Broomfield, CO; siblings Mike (Celine), Scott and Julie (Marty Beyer) Skinner all of North Platte and Pam (Steve) Graupensperger of Albany, OR; grandchildren Calvin, Zach, Kadence, and Cohen; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
There will be a celebration of life at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte on Saturday, May 19th from 3-5 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the National Park Service.
Karla Lynn Bryant, 68, of Gothenburg, died April 29, 2018, in Gothenburg.
She was born on April 2, 1950, in Lexington, the daughter of Paul and Lola (Tharp) Heins.
Karla lived in the Cozad area until moving to Gothenburg in 1967. She attended school at District 29 south of Cozad and Cozad High School before graduating from Gothenburg High School. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, earning a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy; Nebraska Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology; and Kearney State College.
Karla begin working as a physical therapist in 1973. In the 1990s, she started serving many of the area schools. Karla truly loved working with the kids, something she continued to do until her passing. She incorporated as Karla Bryant, PT, PC in 2003. Karla was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nebraska Chapter, Pediatric Section, Private Practice Section and Neuro-developmental Treatment Association.
She married Cedric Bryant on May 23, 1971, in Gothenburg, and to this union daughters Amanda and Alison were born. The couple later divorced. Karla was a member of the Gothenburg Community Playhouse and Gothenburg First United Methodist Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was most special to her, along with her family and friends.
She liked to play cards, board games and puzzles. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, biking, hiking, therapeutic riding and riding the motorcycle. She enjoyed a wide variety of sports, especially softball and baseball. She participated in Wellsprings Camp for many years.
Karla was preceded in death by her parents; nephew, Chad Gronewold; and grandparents, Fred and Sophie Heins, Cyrus, Myrtle and Luella Tharp.
Survivors include her two daughters, Amanda (Corey) Rossell of Gothenburg and Alison (Matt) Feik of Cozad; brother, Byron Heins; sister, Myra (Dale) Gronewold; granddaughter, Makenzie Rossell; three grandsons, Tra Rossell, Bryant Feik and Austin Feik; former husband, Cedric Bryant; two sisters-in-law, Judy (John) Jensen and Loretta (Robert) Todd; brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Bryant; boyfriend, Charles Bean of Cozad; lifelong friend, Iris Desmarteau; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, along with many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to AWANA, Gothenburg First United Methodist Church, Banner United Methodist Church or Farnam United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 4, at Cozad First United Methodist Church, 1515 B Street, Cozad, with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad. The memorial book may be signed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, May 3, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, which is in charge of arrangements.
Kim Lee Keeling, 54, of Sutherland passed away unexpectedly April 30, 2018 in North Platte.
He was born on December 28, 1963 in Muskogee, OK to Ronald and Sharon (Eytchison) Keeling. Kim graduated in Oklahoma at Fort Gibson High School. He attended Northeastern State University and then joined the Navy Reserves where he was a Corpsman. He graduated from Northeastern and continued his work with the Union Pacific Railroad. He married Shari Goff in December 1987 in Muskogee. In 1998 they moved to Sutherland where Kim worked in the Environmental and Haz Mat departments where he was a manager, and was currently the Program Manager of Hazardous Materials.
Kim developed Booty Farms in 2002 where they did produce and seasonings, involving his whole family and many kids in the Sutherland community.
Kim touched many lives, he never knew a stranger, and was always giving with his time and advice. He was very close to the Lord and loved and shared his faith. He was a member of the Sutherland Presbyterian Church where he was a Deacon and an Elder. Gardening was his passion and he loved working in the dirt. His family was the true center of his life and he will be remembered for his patience, kindness, and as a great teacher.
Survivors include his wife, Shari of Sutherland; children, Kyle (Meesha) Keeling, Mik Keeling all of Sutherland, and Jennifer (Josh) Summers of Greeley, CO; father, Ron (Carolyn) Keeling of Fort Gibson, OK; grandchildren, Kaxtin Keeling of Sutherland, Justin (fiancée, Samantha Kirk) Wilson, Brinkley Duncan, Hayden Lathrop all of Tulsa, OK; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Knapp, and Tenley Duncan both of Tulsa, OK; mother-in-law, Patricia Goff of Sutherland; siblings, Steven Keeling of Kansas City, MO, Holly Keeling, and Jake (Lindsay) Keeling all of Fort Gibson, OK; aunts, Jeanne Carpenter of Broken Arrow, OK, Joann Lee of Slidell, LA, and Sue Carlow of Houston, TX; niece, Terra Goff-Blackburn of Cornith, TX; two nephews, Kade and Kolt Keeling; and numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother Sharon; grandparents, Herb and Blanche Eytchison, and Joe and Velma Edith Keeling; and a brother-in-law, Randy Goff.
Memorials are suggested to the Diabetes Association or to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Scott Mustion officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 84, of North Platte earned her angel wings April 30, 2018 at her home.
Mary was born February 27, 1934. She spent her days with the loves of her life, her devoted soulmate Ron, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her dogs, Sam, Satch, and Mildred. Mary lived for and immensely enjoyed family, holidays and get-togethers, her flowers and gardening, travel and camping, baking and cooking for holiday meals, collecting angels, country music, scrapbooking and crafts, reading, visiting with friends, and shopping.
Mary is survived in life by her husband Ron, son Mike (Joan) Epping, daughters Kris (Sherm) Forden, Connie (Curt) Cook, Kim (Randy) Hongsermeier, grandchildren, Margaret (James) Desjarding, Joseph (Alanna) Epping, Mike (Alicia) Epping, Deri Forden, Heidi (Pat) Kelley, Heather Cook, Jon (Andrea) Hongsermeier, and Jay Hongsermeier, great-grandchildren, Conner and Brenna Epping, Tristan and Miles Epping, Lakin Forden, Akoia Forden, Teegan, Tatum, and Natalie Kelley, and Amelia DeVaughn, sister-in-law Barbara Deeter and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law Ella Johnson, grandson Deone Forden, brother-in-law Mark Deeter, and close family friend Marian Fisher.
Online condolences can be made at www.carpentermemorial.com. A Memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. A Celebration of Life will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.
Mary loved fiercely and lived life with tenacity. She would invite all to do the same.
Chief Mike Swain of the North Platte Police Department announced his retirement Tuesday on Facebook. Swain will stay on the job until October. Thanks, in advance, for your service Chief! Here’s the Facebook post and the post for the position:
Audrey Irene (Kellie) Brown was born August 20, 1938 at Wauneta, NE. She was the oldest child of James Henry Kellie and Audrey Marie (Matson) Kellie. She departed this life to be with her Lord April 30, 2018 at Great Plains Health at the age of 79 years. She lived nearly all her life in Nebraska except for the years she and her husband pastored in Colorado.
Audrey attended elementary school in various country schools in rural Nebraska. She attended High School three years in Imperial, NE and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1956. She also attended Lakewood Commercial College in Lakewood, CO and Mid Plains Voc-Tech College in North Platte, NE.
Audrey attended The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Imperial and then Sutherland. She gave her heart to the Lord on Sunday afternoon, October 2, 1954 at The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Imperial, NE. Rev. R.G. Flexon was the evangelist at that revival. She joined The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Sutherland on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956. On June 23, 1956, she dedicated her life to Christ for full time service at Camp Bethel at Sutherland, NE. She was sanctified on May 15, 1960 at The Pilgrim Holiness Church at Arthur, NE.
Audrey was united in marriage to Melvin Laverne Brown at Lodgepole, NE on February 14, 1958, celebrating 60 years together this year. To this union were born three daughters and one son; Sandra JoAnn, Sylvia Diane, Laverne Dale, and Karla Ann. She loved her family very much and showed it in many ways. She enjoyed making quilts and handmade items for them. Each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren received a quilt she had quilted. She said, “Each quilt covers them with my prayers.”
Audrey was a bookkeeper all of her adult life. Following the tragic deaths of her family, she wrote a book entitled, “Alive…But Alone” and took great satisfaction in public speaking and presenting her story of how she survived. Two highlights of this part of her life was when she appeared on the Sally Jessy Raphael show in New York, New York and when she presented seminars at the Governor’s Conference on Crime in Omaha, NE. All who knew her know of the great pain and suffering she endured at the deaths of her family, but she was amazingly strong through it all. She demonstrated the fact that the grace of God does work even in our darkest hours. Audrey was a faithful helper to her husband in his ministry. She especially loved doing Women’s Ministries. She was a past President of the North Platte After Five Christian Women’s Club in North Platte, NE. At the time of her passing she attended Bethel Evangelical Free Church until failing health made attending impossible.
She leaves to mourn her beloved husband, Melvin; children, Sandra (Thomas) Hazen of Spring Hill, KS, Sylvia (Eddie) Hansen, Laverne (Gegetta) Brown, Karla (Charles) Downey all of North Platte, ten grandchildren, Mitchall (Jessica) Hazen, Brent (Lisa) Hazen and Ryan (Heather) Hazen all of Olathe, KS, Brandon Hansen of North Platte, Brady (Maria) Hansen of Lincoln, Kaitlyn Hansen , Ashlee Brown both of North Platte, Travis Brown of Windsor, CO, Emma and Ella Downey of North Platte; seven great grandchildren, Kayla, McKenzie and Cooper Hazen, Kimberlynne and Camden Hazen, Jesse and Jason Hazen all of Olathe, KS.
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, James Henry and Audrey Marie Kellie; brother, David Kellie; sister, Jennie Rowley; nieces, Florence and Deanna; nephew, Daniel Kellie; two grandchildren who were called back to heaven before they were born, one child of Laverne and Gegetta Brown (un-named) and Erin Regan Downey, child of Karla and Charles Downey. These precious babies await us in heaven.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at Bethel Evangelical Free Church. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
Sandra Gay Tappan passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona on April 25, 2018 at the age of 78.
Sandy was born October 8, 1939 in Greybull, Wyoming to Darrell Clayton Fellows and Arlene Joy Fellows. She graduated high school in Cozad, Nebraska in 1956 and attended the Nebraska Christian College until 1958. Sandy and Lawrence Edward Tappan were united in marriage on October 19, 1958 and had one son Rocky Joe Tappan born on February 2, 1962.
Sandy worked as a legal secretary until Rocky was born, then stayed home to raise him. She and Larry moved several times for his work. First as a plumber in Cozad, then policeman in North Platte. In 1972 the family moved to Texas, to follow Larry’s work, from truck driver in La Porte to deputy sheriff of Chambers County. Sandy went back to work, when Rocky was in high school, as an executive assistant. After Rocky’s graduation, Larry and Sandy became over the road truck owner/operators. She ended up at Exxon in Baytown as an executive assistant then to product specialist.
Larry and Sandy retired in 1998, and moved back to Nebraska. They purchased several homes to remodel then sell, and a farm to make the Double T Campground. Hearing of opportunities and better climate for Sandy’s breathing they moved to Arizona City, Arizona. After Larry passed away, Sandy continued to live there until her health required a move to Tucson for assisted living.
She enjoyed friends and family, playing all kinds of games (having her favorites and could beat you at scrabble without even blinking), painting, shopping, gardening, sewing, decorating, bible study, and singing. Her church family was a big part of her life.
Sandy is survived by her son Rocky Joe Tappan and daughter in law Doris of La Grange, Texas, her brothers Dick Fellows of Brady, NE, Kevin Fellows and wife Vicki of Etoile, TX, sisters, Pat France and husband Bill of Kearney, NE, Sharon Nejedly of North Platte, and many nieces, nephews and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, brother Joel Fellows, sister June Carpenter and husband Donald (Pal) Carpenter, brother in law Frank Nejedly, sister in law Mary Fellows, nephews Arthur (Art) Carpenter and John Carpenter.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
There will be a graveside service where Sandy will be laid to rest next to Larry at the McCain Cemetery in Stapleton, NE, under the direction of Carpenters Memorial Chapel of North Platte at 2:00pm Saturday May 5, 2018.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new watchdog report says spending on lobbyists at the Nebraska Capitol has reached another record high.
