DORCHESTER, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 67-year-old driver died after his pickup truck crashed in southeast Nebraska’s Saline County.
The crash occurred Saturday, about 6½ miles (11 kilometers) south of Dorchester. The County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday that the pickup ran off the roadway when attempting to turn right. It ended up on one of its sides.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been identified as Norman Sokolik, who lived in rural Dorchester.
His wife, 63-year-old Karen Sokolik, was taken to a Lincoln hospital.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would expand the kinds of guns firearms teams can keep on college campuses has won final approval from Nebraska lawmakers.
Senators voted 46-0 on Thursday to let college- and university-sanctioned teams possess rifles, pistols and shotguns on campus. Current state law only lets them have rifles.
Sen. John Lowe, of Kearney, says his bill would give sports teams the option to store, compete or train with such firearms on campus.
The measure passed with little fanfare. Lawmakers have introduced a variety of gun-related bills this year, but few are likely to advance.
The measure still needs approval from Gov. Pete Ricketts to become law.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man accused of helping to kill a Nebraska man has been given another starting date for his murder trial.
Thirty-year-old Daniel Levering has pleaded not guilty to the July 23 slaying of 36-year-old Vincent Walker, who lived in Winnebago, Nebraska.
The new date: July 17 in Woodbury County District Court. His other starting dates: Oct. 17, Jan. 23, March 20 and April 17.
Police say Walker was washing his car when he was confronted by three people. Police say the group then assaulted him, with one stabbing him and another hitting him repeatedly with a baseball bat. Walker later died at a Sioux City hospital.
Authorities have not reported the arrests of the two other suspects.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska judge has rejected a former Creighton University student’s argument that his fraternity hazed him into a state of intoxication so severe that he unwittingly slashed a woman’s neck.
While hazing by Phi Kappa Psi may have been a part of the February 2017 attack, Christopher Wheeler took many steps on his own that contributed to his level of intoxication, such as illegally purchasing vodka and smoking marijuana, Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman said.
“Permitting an involuntary intoxication defense in the context of fraternity hazing would open the floodgates to similar defenses by criminal defendants simply because they were pressured into conformity,” Stratman wrote.
The 20-year-old also failed to provide evidence that he would’ve been physically harmed if he hadn’t participated in the activities, she said.
“A fear of being ostracized by Phi Kappa Psi is insufficient” to claim involuntary actions, Stratman wrote.
Wheeler’s friends have said that he was behaving strangely when he returned from a party at the fraternity. Wheeler entered the dorm room of a 19-year-old student he didn’t know and swiped at her neck with a pocketknife, scarring the woman but not seriously injuring her, according to court records.
Wheeler is charged with second-degree assault and weapon use and is due to stand trial next month. He rejected a plea bargain that would’ve dismissed the weapons count if he pleaded guilty to the assault charge.
Wheeler’s attorney, Steve Lefler, sought to put the fraternity on trial. He also alleged that fraternity members may have tampered with the bong Wheeler was smoking from by slipping in hallucinogens. However, tests on the bong revealed no substances besides marijuana and three other fraternity brothers who used it reported no unusual effects, Stratman said.
Fraternity officials have denied any wrongdoing. Creighton investigated and suspended the fraternity following Wheeler’s arrest.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy is likely to continue improving slowly in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says crop prices have improved a bit, but remain relatively weak. That’s hurting business.
The overall Rural Mainstreet index slipped slightly to 54.7 in March from February’s 54.8. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy in the months ahead.
Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state government tax collections came in higher than projected in February.
The Department of Revenue reported Thursday that net tax collections for the month were $296 million, which is nearly 2 percent higher than the state’s certified forecast.
The department says net sales-and-use taxes were more than 1 percent below the forecast. Net individual income tax receipts were more than 1 percent higher than projected, net corporate income tax receipts were nearly 99 percent higher than expected and net miscellaneous taxes were more than 7 percent higher than expected.
The comparisons are based on the forecast set by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board in October.
Gov. Pete Ricketts says officials must continue to proceed with caution. By law, the additional review will go to the state’s cash reserve.
The North Platte Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce their 2018 “Teacher of the Year”, “Staff Member of the Year,” and “Administrator of the Year;” award winners. These exemplary district employees will be honored at our upcoming Education After Hours event on April 6th
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There is two Teacher of the Year Award Winners.
Lane Swedberg
The 2018 6-12th grade “Teacher of the Year”, is Madison Middle School Math Teacher Lane Swedberg Lane Swedberg graduated from Wallace High School and then continued his education at Chadron State College. He has his Bachelor’s degree in Middle School Education with Field Endorsements in both Math and Science. Lane is heavily involved outside the classroom coaching middle school football and basketball as well as a varsity track. He assists with quiz bowl, student council, and FCA. He is also active in community theater most recently starring as Mr. Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Tara Foster
The 2018 PreK-5th grade “Teacher of the Year”, Lake 4th Grade Teacher Tara Foster. Tara Foster is originally from Tryon Nebraska. She graduated from McPherson County High School in 1998 and graduated from Chadron State College in 2002. She taught at Our Redeemer Lutheran school for three years, before taking a job at Lake Maloney School teaching 3rd and 4th grade. Mrs. Foster started a STEAM team of third and fifth graders that meet every Monday after school to build their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. She is also part of the NPPS science curriculum writing team and technology team, HAL coordinator for Lake and is very active with the schools PTO.
Dan Koehler
The 2018 “Staff Member of the Year” is McDonald Elementary Custodian Dan Koehler Affectionately called “Big Dan” by students and staff at McDonald Elementary, Dan Koehler was nominated and awarded staff member of the year. An avid musician Dan brings his songs alive for the students by singing happy birthday with his guitar and even giving guitar lessons to students who earn them by doing good. Dan not only cleans the school, he is an active participant in assemblies and school projects. He is excellent at his job and creates a culture at McDonald that includes and appreciates everyone.
Greg Fruhwirth
The 2018 “Administrator of the Year”, is Washington Elementary Principal Greg Fruhwirth. Greg Fruhwirth graduated from Larimore High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Elementary and Special Education, and a Master’s degree is in Educational Leadership from Colorado State. He is married to Barb who is employed as a 1st-grade teacher at Eisenhower. They have 3 children. In 2013 He became the Principal at Washington Elementary. Before Washington, he was a principal at Wray Elementary for 8 years in Wray, Colorado. His teaching career lasted 25 years, he taught Special Education, 4th and 6th Grade in Fowler, Colorado. Greg also coached Girls Basketball, Football, Baseball, and Track. Greg’s contribution to NPPS has led to Washington Elementary becoming a district leader in student performance. Greg is often seen participating in school events throughout the district and running distance races around the state.
Nominations for these outstanding staff members were made by students, parents, community members and employees from the North Platte Public School District. These awards recognize and encourage superior professional effort to improve instruction and to cultivate the continuation of education excellence in our schools. Teacher and Staff Member Award Winners will receive a plaque and a $250 cash award. Administrators will receive a plaque and $1000 extra budget authority for their building/administrative area.
Awards will be presented at North Platte Public Schools Foundation “Education After Hours” event on Friday April 6th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express. Tickets are $25 each ($20 for NPPSD staff) and available online at nppsf.org or at the Foundation office. Please call 696-3325 in advance to schedule pick up.
Roland Stanley Coker, age 89, of North Platte, NE, died Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at Great Plains Health.
Roland was born June 2, 1928, the only son of Mainard Peyton and Edith (Brown) Coker in Sutherland, NE, where he grew up. Roland graduated from Sutherland High School then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he earned his BA degree.
Roland proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in England and at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha. Following his discharge in 1954, Roland returned to Nebraska and went to work for the U.S. Postal Department in North Platte. He worked for the post office until retiring in 1988 as Director of Finance.
On May 6, 1956, Roland was united in marriage to Yolanda Davis in North Platte where they made their home. The couple had two sons, Daniel and Scott, and were married for 41 years when Yolanda died in 1995.
Roland was involved in the North Platte community and with various organizations. He served as Scout Master when the boys were younger and later belonged to the North Platte Woodcarvers and the Senior Center where he was on the Community Action Partnership Board of Directors. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church and P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion.
Roland was an active member of Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM where he served as Treasurer from 2007 until his death. He also belonged to the North Platte Shrine Club, Euphrates Chapter 15, Zabud Council 6, Palestine Commandery 13, North Platte York Rite and Tehama Shrine. Roland enjoyed participating in the various activities of the Masonic Temple and Shrine Club, whether it was a corn feed, parade or fundraiser, Roland was there to help. He was also a proud veteran who volunteered with the North Platte Veterans’ Honor Guard. Roland liked visiting with people and always had a story or two to share.
He is survived by his sons, Daniel (Sheila) Coker, of Blair, NE, and Scott Coker, of North Platte; and other family.
Along with his wife, Yolanda, Roland was preceded in death by his parents, Mainard and Edith.
Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Inurnment with military honors and Masonic Rites will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Senior Center or the church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Rosella “Zell” M. Meier, 74, of Kearney died Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at her home. She was born November 27, 1943 in Kearney to Gilbert and Esther (Schake) Zimmerman. She grew up in Kearney and attended Zion Lutheran Grade School then graduated from Kearney High School. She then graduated from Kearney State College in 1965 and taught school in Minden for 2 years.
On June 4, 1969 she married William “Bill” Meier in Kearney. She obtained her Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and then taught Physical Education at Kearney State College.
In 1969 Rozella was hired as the first volleyball coach at Kearney State College. When she retired after 24 years of coaching in 1993, her teams had compiled a 643 – 228 record. Her 643 victories are 10th on the all-time coaching list of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. In 1988, she was one of the first five to be inducted into the NAIA Volleyball Hall of Fame.
After retirement from UNK Rozella worked with her husband as owners and operators of Zimmerman Printers in Kearney until they sold the business in 2006. At that time, she and her husband became interested in country dancing, and then taught country dance at the college. In 2007, Rozella and Bill opened Meier’s Ballroom in Gibbon where they taught country line dancing and hosted many events. The last function at the ballroom before they sold it in 2017 was to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Rozella was a member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney and she and her husband enjoyed traveling and motorcycle riding.
Surviving relatives include her husband Bill of Kearney; her daughters, Kelli Meier of Phoenix, AZ and Kambi Jecminek and husband Nathan and grandchildren Taylor and Maximus of Denver.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran in Kearney. Rev.’s Michelle and Rick Carlson will officiate and burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation is planned Friday, March 23rd, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home in Kearney.
Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church or the University of Nebraska Foundation to support volleyball scholarships at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Online condolences may be submitted by visiting www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.
DORCHESTER, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 67-year-old driver died after his pickup truck crashed in southeast Nebraska’s Saline County.
