Authorities say the man fell about 80 feet shortly before 4 p.m. Friday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was later identified as 39-year-old Rafael Ayala Orozco. He lived in Grand Island.
Authorities are investigating what happened.
Author: Post Staff
More than 340 pounds of marijuana seized in Seward County
SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man and seized more than 340 pounds of marijuana in eastern Nebraska.
The Seward County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy pulled over a speeding sport utility vehicle Friday on Interstate 80. The office says the deputy smelled marijuana, and a drug dog taken to the scene alerted officers to the drug’s presence as well.
The office says the pot was found inside the SUV. The driver was arrested on marijuana and related charges. Court records don’t show that he’s been formally charged.
The value of the drugs was estimated at more than $1.5 million.
Ricketts leads walking group to tout Nebraska health program
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts is touting a Nebraska state program designed to promote health and wellness.
Ricketts led a walk around the State Capitol on Monday to encourage residents to exercise regularly and use the NE150 Challenge for motivation.
The NE150 Challenge is a year-long, web-based wellness program that lets participants track their physical activity miles and minutes. Participants earn virtual badges as they meet certain benchmarks. The program created by the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission has attracted more than 5,000 residents, and organizers say it will continue under the same name for the foreseeable future.
The NE150 Challenge is free for individuals and families, and companies can join a corporate competition program for $500.
Work to begin on rebuilding Nebraska road leading to shrine
GRETNA, Neb. (AP) — Work will soon begin to fix an eastern Nebraska road that leads to a religious shrine.
The Sarpy County Board approved a $438,000 construction bid from High Plains Enterprises to rebuild Pflug Road last week. The county engineering office had originally estimated that the project would cost around $900,000. The road is being pulled apart by erosive soil and has been closed since last summer.
“It’s been a long frustration,” said Jim Warren, who represents the area on the County Board.
The rural road leads to the Holy Family Shrine near Gretna. Attendance has dropped about 25 percent since the road’s closure, according to Matt Sakowski, the shrine’s caretaker. The glass-walled shrine had 40,000 visitors in 2016. The attraction relies on contributions from visitors.
“People, they do call to check on road conditions,” Sakowski said. When told the road is still closed, “they tell us ‘We’ll wait until the road is fixed,’ ” Sakowski said.
The shrine is also typically a stop for bus tours from surrounding states, but busses have had a difficult time navigating the detour to the attraction.
“Once Pflug Road gets fixed, the buses will have a much easier road to take to get to the shrine,” Sakowski said.
Work will begin when the weather is warmer. Officials expect the road to reopen in the spring.
“We’re really happy,” Sakowski said. “We know that by springtime things are going to be back to normal.”
Coalition forms to support University of Nebraska amid cuts
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Business and community leaders have formed a group to support the University of Nebraska system as budget cuts loom.
The group is called One Nebraska Coalition. It took out newspaper ads across the state over the weekend as part of its effort to share the good news of the university.
Gov. Pete Ricketts has proposed a midyear cut of 2 percent for the system, the state colleges and many state agencies. They would face another cut, of 4 percent, in 2018-19. State revenue reports have been disappointing for many months.
Former state Sen. Mike Flood is chairman of the coalition’s board, and he told the Omaha World-Herald that the coalition isn’t quarreling with the governor. Rather, the coalition wants to support the system over the long run.
Amazon, JPMorgan, Berkshire creating new healthcare company
SEATTLE (AP) — Amazon, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, and the New York bank JPMorgan Chase are teaming up to create healthcare company “free from profit-making incentives and constraints.”
Buffett, in a prepared statement Tuesday, called the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in the U.S. the “hungry tapeworm on the American economy.”
The ambitious goal, they say, is in the early planning stages, but the seismic nature of the announcement sent a shockwave through the health industry.
Shares of healthcare companies are falling in early trading.
Della Irene Baker
Della Irene Baker, age 92 of Maywood, passed away Saturday January 27, 2018 at Great Plains Health.
Della was born November 8, 1925 in Valentine, NE to William and Winifred (Read) Foster. She married Douglas Joseph Baker on May 3, 1944 in Ainsworth, NE and to this union 4 children were born, Douglas Lynn, Beverly Diane, Timothy Grant and Bruce Allen. The couple lived in Valentine, NE until 1948 at which time they moved to the Goose Creek Area Ranch until 1964. They lived in North Platte until 1974, and the last 44 years have lived in Maywood area. Della worked at Beeline Motor Freight in North Platte and when they moved to Maywood, she owned and operated the Maywood Café and Della’s Ceramics. She enjoyed making many crafts and art, and her hobbies included fishing in Michigan, playing shuffleboard, gardening, canning, baking, crocheting, knitting and sewing. She created many keepsakes for her family and enjoyed listening to her kids play and sing. Della was active in Rebecca’s Lodge of Nebraska where she held all state level offices and served as president for 2 years. She was also active in the Women’s Auxiliary of the VFW.
Della is survived by Douglas, her husband of 73 years; children Timothy (Patricia) Baker of Curtis, NE, and Bruce (Tammi Benson) Baker of Lamar, NE; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; siblings Mary Catherine Peterson, Norma Jene Cramer, Lee Brown, Barbara (Orville) Morlang, Sharon Brinda, Phyllis (Dan) Mayhew, Jack Foster and Robert (Gloria) Foster; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her son Douglas Lynn; daughter Beverly D. McCarty; and siblings Ida Mae (Jay) Hayford, Betty (Wally) McKay, Don (Esther) Foster, and Bud (Nancy) Foster; and brother-in-laws Russell Peterson, Harold Cramer, Bill Brown, and Delmer Brinda.
Memorials are suggested to either the Maywood or Curtis EMT’s and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 3, 2018 at the Maywood Community Building with Pastor Dale Heimer officiating. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday February 2/2/108 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Esther Belle Runnells Death Notice
Esther Belle Runnells, age 90 of North Platte, passed away Friday January 26, 2018 at Linden Court. Cremation was chosen and private family services will be held at a later date. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Keenan to be honored at Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation event
J.Patrick Keenan will receive Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation’s “Above and Beyond Award” at the Foundation’s “Red & Black” recognition event Friday night, February 2.
Community Foundation president Kimberly Steger praised the personal qualities of Keenan along with his extraordinary commitment to the Community Foundation and to many other community and state organizations.
Keenan has served 14 years on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. He currently serves as Vice President and has been a long-time member of investment and grant committees. Pat and his wife Kathleen established a charitable fund at the Community Foundation that has helped a great many worthy local causes, Steger said.
Keenen was born in North Platte and graduated from St Pat’s High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For many years, he worked in the soft drink industry at Great Plains Bottlers and Canner until he and his brothers sold the business in 1998.
Keenan currently is manager of Keenan Management LLC which owns and operates hotels and develops commercial property. Locally he is involved with Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn and with building a new Tru by Hilton Hotel.
Keenan also serves on the City’s Quality Growth Fund Committee, the statewide Economic Development Strategy Steering Committee and on the Boards of Sandhills State Bank and the Platte Institute for Economic Research.
He is past president of the Nebraska Soft Drink Association, past chair of Board of Great Plains Regional Medical Center and past president of North Platte Development Corporation.
Keenan received the William Booth Award in recognition of over 25 years of services to the Salvation Army, including leadership of the organization’s local Board of Advisors and the campaign to build the local Salvation Army Center.
Pat and his Kathleen were named to the North Platte Catholic Schools’ Wall of Honor for their long-time service and many contributions including leadership in the campaign for building McDaid Grade School and McGahan Activity Center.
Keenan commented, “We have a great community with lots of people doing things that benefit the entire community. It is tremendous what the funds of the Community Foundation have done to help so many people in this area.”
“We are excited to honor Pat Keenan for how he has supported our mission to help worthy causes. Both Pat and his wife Kathleen have been remarkable in making this community a better place in many ways,” said Eric Seacrest, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.
On Friday evening, February 2, Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation will hold its annual “Red & Black” buffet event at the Holiday Inn Express. During the event there will be recognitions and entertainment. For reservations to attend the event, call 534-3315.
The Community Foundation administers and awards scholarships and grants to nonprofit causes from more than 275 charitable funds, each with its own charitable purpose.
For more information about Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, contact Eric Seacrest, executive director at: Office 534-3315, Cell 530-3663.
UNMC College of Dentistry offers free dental care to kids
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Dentistry will hold its annual Children’s Dental Day next week.
The event provides free dental care to 175 children from seven communities on Friday at the college in Lincoln.
The services provided will include cleanings, extractions, fillings, root canals and stainless steel crowns.
Since 2001, the college has treated more than 6,000 children and provided services valued at more than $3 million to low income and underserved children in the state.
This year, children from Crete, Columbus, Hastings, Grand Island, Fremont, Omaha and Lincoln are expected to attend. Some of the children will be seeing a dentist for the first time.