Post Staff – Page 379 – North Platte Post Archive

Conagra Brands plans $500M redevelopment project in Omaha

Posted on December 8, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Conagra Brands plans to redevelop its downtown Omaha property with a $500 million mix of housing, a hotel, restaurants, offices and green space.

The company announced Friday that Hines, a Houston-based real estate firm, will lead the project.

One of the Conagra buildings would be razed to allow space for a two-lane plaza. Nine new buildings would be erected over the 10-year project span.

Four other Conagra buildings would remain. They were remodeled last year as the Conagra workforce was downsized to about 1,200 after the company headquarters was moved to Chicago.

Omaha man gets 35-45 years for stabbing ex-roommate 42 time

Posted on December 8, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha man has been imprisoned for the brutal Lincoln stabbing of a former roommate.

Court records say 23-year-old Joshua Johnson was sentenced Thursday to 35 to 45 years in prison. Authorities say he stabbed 22-year-old William Lyons 42 times at an apartment parking lot, causing Lyons to lose the use of his right hand.

The records say Lyons told police he’d lived with Johnson for a few months in Kearney while Lyons was there on a football scholarship. Lyons says Johnson had been kicked off the team and that the two sometimes did deals for marijuana.

The records also say the two had arranged to meet at the parking lot on March 3 and that Johnson attacked Lyons shortly after Johnson got into Lyons’ vehicle.

Marilyn Grace Downing

Posted on December 8, 2017December 8, 2017

Marilyn Grace Downing, age 87 of Mullen, passed away Wednesday December 6, 2017 at Pioneer Memorial Rest Home in Mullen.

Marilyn was born on September 10, 1930 in Mullen, NE to William H. and Sarah T. (Thomas) Bramer. She spent her school years in the Mullen Public School. After graduation she attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. She was a lifetime member of the University Alumni Association and an avid fan of the Cornhuskers. Marilyn married Daniel C. Deibler, Jr. and together they had 6 children, Pamela, Daniel C. III, Scott, Christopher, Douglas and Gail. After Dan’s death in 1966, Marilyn married Howard V. Downing. Howard passed away in 1996. Marilyn was a 75-year member of the United Methodist Church in Mullen, where she actively served on many committees. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, a long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and she also served as Coordinator of the Red Cross Bloodmobile in Mullen for over 20 years.

Marilyn is survived by her 6 children; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents William and Sarah Bramer; husbands Daniel Deibler and Howard Downing; and grandson Michael Jeffrey Deibler.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Mullen United Methodist Church, the Mullen Ambulance Service, Pioneer Memorial Rest Home, or Cedarview Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. MST on Monday, December 11, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Mullen with Reverend Insung Kim officiating. Burial will follow at the Cedarview Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

NPCC volleyball adds two more to 2018 class

Posted on December 7, 2017

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team has announced the signing of two players for the 2018 season, Bailey Chintala, from Fleming, Colo., and Hannah Biesecker from Kimball, Neb.

Bailey Chintala from Fleming (CO0 High School signs letter of intent to play volleyball for the NPCC Lady Knights. Pictured (seated) mother, Lisa Chintala, Bailey, and father, Dana Chintala. Standing is sister, Whitney.

Chintala, a 5’ 4 outside hitter played for Fleming High School. Bailey is the sister of former Lady Knight and All-Region IX player Megan Chintala.

Bailey played varsity for four seasons. In her career, she had 719 kills and 1598 defensive digs and a .184 kill efficiency.

Lady Knights Head Coach Alexa McCall said, “We are super excited to get Bailey! She is a great player with a high volleyball IQ and will be an impact player for us. She comes from a great family and is a hard worker and we are glad that she will be a Lady Knight.”

Chintala is the daughter of Dana and Lisa Chintala.

Hannah Biesecker from Kimball High School signs letter of intent to play volleyball for the NPCC Lady Knights. Pictured (L-R) parents, Drew and Sheryl Biesecker, Hannah, and Kimball volleyball coach Jeri Ferguson.

Biesecker, a 5’ 10 middle and outside hitter, played three seasons for the Kimball High School Longhorns. In her career, Hannah played in 234 sets and had 509 kills, 123 defensive digs, 51 blocks, and 90 aces.

“Hannah will add some depth for us as she is a versatile player that can play some different positions,” McCall said. “She adds some height and is a raw athlete. It will be fun to see her grow as an athlete and volleyball player here at NPCC.”

Biesecker is the daughter of Drew and Sheryl Biesecker.

Chintala and Biesecker Sydney Mullin from Maxwell, Gabby Menghini from North Platte, and Haiden Kreber from Sutherland in the 2018 recruiting class for the Lady Knights.

Marilyn G. Downing

Posted on December 7, 2017

Marilyn G. Downing, age 87 of Mullen, passed away Wednesday December 6, 2017 at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home. Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be
shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Services will be held 10:00 a.m. (MT) Monday December 11, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Mullen. Burial will follow at the Cedarview
Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Grand jury finds charges warranted against ex-Omaha officers

Posted on December 7, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A grand jury has concluded that criminal charges are warranted against two former Omaha police officers in the June stun gun-related death of a mentally ill man.

The Douglas County grand jury also made several recommendations in its conclusion Tuesday, suggesting that an Omaha police sergeant’s failure to seek to have 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels committed to a mental health facility.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine in July announced charges against former officers Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty, separate from the grand jury process.

Police video shows Payne using a stun gun repeatedly on Bearheels, and McClarty is seen punching Bearheels outside an Omaha convenience store. Some of the blows came after Bearheels was on the ground and not resisting.

Payne has been charged with felony assault. McClarty is charged with misdemeanor assault.

Nebraska law requires a grand jury probe when someone dies in police custody.

Police say man died at hospital after being shot in Omaha

Posted on December 7, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a man died after being shot on the south side of Omaha.

Officers sent to investigate the report of a shooting found the wounded man. Police say he died after being taken to Nebraska Medical Center.

He’s been identified as 32-year-old Matthew Johnson.

No arrests have been reported.

TransCanada plans pipeline meetings in 3 Nebraska cities

Posted on December 7, 2017

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — The TransCanada pipeline company plans to hold meetings in three Nebraska cities to discuss its Keystone XL project.

Company spokeswoman Robynn Tysver says TransCanada knows that many landowners have questions about the pipeline and the alternative route approved by the Nebraska Public Service Commission last month.

The company is arranging what it’s calling Landowner Engagement Centers in Columbus, Norfolk and Seward starting Monday and running through Thursday. They will open at noon and close at 8 p.m. each day. Landowners are invited to visit with company representatives at the informal gatherings.

The Divots Conference Center will be the Norfolk site. In Columbus TransCanada officials will be at the Ramada Columbus Hotel and Convention Center. The Cobblestone Hotel will be the Seward location.

Air Force sergeant jailed for 6 months in sex-with-teen case

Posted on December 7, 2017

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — An Air Force master sergeant accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl has been given six months in Sarpy County Jail.

Court records say 41-year-old Jason Gibson, of La Vista, was sentenced Wednesday. He also must serve five years of probation. The records say he’d pleaded no contest to attempted sexual assault of a child.

Prosecutors say Gibson and a co-defendant, former Omaha youth pastor Klint Bitter, had contacted a third man, 19-year-old DeArch Stubblefield, to set up a meeting with the girl.

The records say Bitter has pleaded not guilty to child sexual assault and is scheduled to go on trial April 16. Stubblefield, a former Bellevue West football player, has pleaded guilty to attempted sex trafficking and other crimes and is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.

Nativedad R. “Nettie” Reyes

Posted on December 7, 2017

Nativedad R. “Nettie” Reyes, age 93, of Hershey, passed away December 5, 2017 at Great Plains Health surrounded by her family.

She was born on January 1, 1924 in El Paso, TX to Manuel and Maria (Rodriguez) Roman. Manuel was killed in a car accident and Maria then married Sacramento Ledesma who raised Nettie. She grew up in Garden City, KS before coming with her family to McCook, and then to the Hershey/North Platte area. She married Elias “Julius” Reyes in Ogallala. The couple made their home in Hershey where Nettie worked in the potato fields, counting sacks, bringing her children along with her. She later went to work for Goodalls and TRW, retiring from there. She returned to work after TRW became Suzuki, and again, retired at the age of 77.

Nettie was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and former member of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Hershey. She enjoyed gardening and cooking, loved being outside with her hat on, and always welcomed her grandchildren at any age for overnight stays.

Survivors include children, Donald (Tommie) Reyes of Hershey, Belinda Potter of Colorado Springs, CO, Vicky (Jessie) Martinez of North Platte, Genevieve Reyes Young of North Platte, and Mary Allen (Tim) Udell of Plainview, NE.; 20 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Elias; sons Felix and Steven; an infant great grandchild and a great-granddaughter, Julicia Reyes; sisters Angelina Ortega and Dora Stubbs; and brother John Ledesma.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Services will be 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 8, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Matthew Nash as celebrant. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. The family requests those attending wear casual attire. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.