PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in eastern Nebraska say a man was crushed to death by a tractor he was working on.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that the incident happened Thursday, while 64-year-old Michael Hannon, of Omaha, was making repairs on the tractor at the Papillion business where he worked. Investigators say the tractor lurched forward, causing a large rear wheel of the vehicle to crush Hannon.
Officials say Hannon had been alone when the accident happened. A coworker found him.
Paramedics pronounced Hannon dead at the scene. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Papillion police are investigating.
Omaha man was crushed to death Thursday by the wheel of a tractor after the vehicle lurched forward while he was working on it.
A North Platte police officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation of a traffic accident they were involved in.
According to Chief Daniel Hudson, in the early morning hours of April 19, officers responded to the report of a two-vehicle collision.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says two vehicles were involved, including one driven by an off-duty officer, Sarah Jones.
LCSO says a blood test revealed Jones was over the legal limit to operate a vehicle. She was released for treatment of minor injuries. The two occupants of the other vehicle were treated for minor, non-life threatening injuries at the scene.
Police did not release any other details of the accident, other than saying Jones has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
The investigation will be handled by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office.
Here are some photos of the accident provided by a reader:
LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued the following statement in observance of the Easter holiday, which is celebrated on April 21, 2019.
“Holy Week, culminating in Resurrection Sunday, is a time of reflection, remembrance, and rejoicing.”
“On Holy Thursday, we reflect on Jesus Christ’s new command: to love others with the same love He modeled to humankind.”
“On Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. In the spectacle of an innocent man condemned to die on a cross, we are confronted with the depth of human sinfulness and our need for forgiveness, as well as the greatness of Christ’s sacrificial love.”
“On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. In His triumph over death, we celebrate the gift of salvation and the hope of eternal life given to us through His sacrifice.”
“This Easter holiday, I invite all Nebraskans—whatever your faith tradition may be—to recommit ourselves to showing Christ’s love to our neighbors, extending forgiveness to others, and inspiring hope for a better future.”
“Susanne, the kids, and I wish all Nebraskans a happy and blessed Easter.”
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The general manager of a northern Nebraska tomato plant is accused of knowingly using a staffing company that supplied workers who were living in the country illegally.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Rick Karnes and his company, O’Neill Ventures, have been charged with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. His next court hearing is set for May 2 in Lincoln. Federal records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for Karnes.
Prosecutors have said O’Neill Ventures used false names for the workers to hide their identities from enforcement officials and failed to verify the employees could legally work in the U.S.
The case was filed months after agents raided businesses in Nebraska and Minnesota that officials say knowingly hired immigrants who were in the U.S. illegally.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Officials say Nebraska’s unemployment rate remained unchanged last month at 2.8%.
The Nebraska Labor Department said in a news release Friday that the preliminary March rate was a tenth of a point under the year-ago figure of 2.9%. It also was well below the March’s national figure of 3.8 percent, which is down two-tenths of a point from 4 percent a year ago.
It’s the eighth straight month the Nebraska figure’s been 2.8 percent. It’s unclear whether the figure is likely to change soon because of any jobs lost in the massive spring flooding that caused more than $3 billion in damage in the Midwest. A department spokeswoman says she can’t immediately comment.
The preliminary nonfarm employment figure last month was more than 1.01 million, down 1,172 over the past year and up 2,396 over March.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A federal grand jury in Nebraska has indicted a Massachusetts man on allegations that he interfered with a flight attendant, causing the plane’s pilot to make an unscheduled landing in Omaha.
U.S. District Court records say Timothy Columbare is charged with interference with flight crew members. An Omaha court hearing for him is scheduled for May 16. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for Columbare, who lives in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
The records say Columbare interfered with the attendant on a Southwest Airlines flight that had taken off March 19, 2017, from St. Louis and was headed to Seattle. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Omaha, Mike Norris, declined Friday to provide specifics on what Columbare is alleged to have done.
Two North Platte men have been indicted by a Federal grand jury on child pornography charges.
According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s office, Mathew S. Goad, age 33, of North Platte, Nebraska, and Cory D. Preitauer, age 28, of North Platte, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment.
Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to produce child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
Count II charges the defendants with production of child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
Count III charges Preitauer with production of child pornography-parent or guardian beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
Count IV charges Goad with distribution of child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
Count V charges Goad with possession of child pornography beginning on or about March 29, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say one person was killed and another injured when they fell while working on a future chicken processing plant in Fremont.
First responders were called around 9:40 a.m. Thursday to the Costco site. Fremont police say the two men fell about 40 feet from a basket in which they were working. A 56-year-old man died and a 26-year-old man was flown to an Omaha hospital. Their names haven’t been released.
Fremont Fire Capt. Jamie Meyer says the younger man was pinned 30 feet above the ground and was rescued by firefighters.
Company authorities say the two men were employees of contractors working on the site.
The plant is expected to process up to 2 million birds a week after it goes into full operation.
Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy presented the Presidential Award to Ashley Linke, of Cozad, Thursday during an honors convocation in North Platte.
By Heather Johnson (Mid-Plains Community College)
Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy presented the Presidential Award to Ashley Linke, of Cozad, Thursday during an honors convocation in North Platte.
The Presidential Award is given to an outstanding student who has excelled in academics, leadership and service to the college and community.
The college’s various student organizations were recognized during the convocation as were the more than 200 students who received scholarships. The following awards were also presented.
Division Awards
Applied Technologies
Diesel – Justin Neilsen, Paxton
Automotive – Jade Osborn, North Platte
HVAC – Benjamin Glading, Oberlin, Kan.
Electrical – Kaleb Sughroue, Bartley
Business and Technology
Business Office Technology – Ramona Steward, Lewellen
Graphic Design – Angela Evans, Sutherland
Information Technology – Jennifer Beckman, Imperial
Humanities and Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts – Chelsea Leal, North Platte
Health Occupations
Dental Assisting – Katy Esquivel Cruz, Lexington
Nursing, First Year – Jenna Young, Hershey
Nursing, Second Year – Ronda Haumann, Thedford
Nursing LPN – Cortney Scott, North Platte
Mathematics and Science
Mathematics – Matthew Haynes, North Platte
Science – Patricia Tofilau, North Platte
Agriculture – Dustin Myers, Grand Island
Cabinet Awards
Presidential – Ashley Linke, Cozad
Vice President of Instruction – Justine Gall, Ogallala
Vice President of Student Services – Jocey Nelson, Sutherland
Faculty Achievement Award – Courtney Johnston, Criminal Justice/Sociology instructor
LINCOLN, Neb. – Lake Ogallala’s trout fishery has been enhanced with the stocking of 10,000 rainbow trout by the Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery from April 4-15.
In addition, the Grove Trout Rearing Station completed a second spring stocking April 16 at Columbus’ Pawnee Park West Lake, Norfolk’s TaHaZouka Park Lake, and West Point’s Neligh Park Pond. It stocked additional trout April 17 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake.
The second trout stockings of some lakes came from a surplus created when the Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake was not stocked for the spring.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.org to learn about the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new Take ’em Fishing challenge or to purchase a permit.
