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Neglect case against Kearney day care owner dropped

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KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have dropped a child abuse and neglect case that had been filed against a Kearney day care owner.

Court records say Meredith Spencer had pleaded not guilty to the charges in August. Prosecutors said at the time that someone called police July 13 after spotting the children walking unsupervised along a busy street. Police say the 8-year-old, a 6-year-old and two 5-year-olds were unharmed.

A prosecutor said Spencer’s case was dropped after an investigation revealed the incident wasn’t as bad as initially thought.

Omaha police more prepared 10 years after mall shooting

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Law enforcement officials in eastern Nebraska say they’re better armed and trained nearly a decade after a deadly mall shooting.

Omaha Police Sgt. Jeff Baker said the department’s tactics are now focused on getting officers to the active shooter as fast as possible. Fire officials are also better trained to work with police in order to quickly provide victims aid.

A 19-year-old killed eight people and himself at the Von Maur department store in December 2007.

A review of the response to the shooting found that the Douglas County 911 center had trouble dealing with the massive volume of information that was coming in about the shooting. Officers didn’t receive important information quickly enough, which delayed their response.

Nebraska federal court chief judge announces retirement

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The chief judge for Nebraska’s U.S. District Court has announced her plans to retire to senior status, creating an opening on the federal bench in Omaha.

Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp announced her plans Thursday, saying she’ll maintain a full caseload after she takes senior status effective Dec. 1, 2018. Her transition to senior status will coincide with the end of her seven-year term as chief judge.

Nebraska has three active federal district judgeships — two in Omaha, and one in Lincoln. Such judgeships are filled by presidential nomination and U.S. Senate confirmation. Generally, President Donald Trump would confer with Nebraska’s two U.S. senators, Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse, for recommendations to fill the bench.

Nebraska inmate serving life dies at Lincoln hospital

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska prison officials say a man serving life in prison has died following a long-term medical condition.

68-year-old Michael Juranek died Wednesday night at a Lincoln hospital. Prison officials say he had been treated for an illness at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Officials did not reveal the nature of the illness.

Juranek was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and additional time for a weapons count in the 2011 stabbing death of his 52-year-old roommate, Jimmy McBride, in south Omaha.

Juranek’s cause of death has not been determined. State law requires a grand jury investigation anytime someone dies in state custody.

Man dies after being struck by train in southeast Nebraska

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WAVERLY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man walking along railroad tracks in southeast Nebraska was struck and killed by a locomotive.

The man was struck around 1:40 p.m. Thursday near Waverly High School in Waverly. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Tom Brookhouser says the train horn sounded several times, but the man didn’t move away from the tracks to safety.

Investigators are trying to identify the man.

Roger Glen Porter Sr.

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Roger Glen Porter Sr., age 70, of North Platte, passed away November 25, 2017 at his home.  He was born on November 30, 1946 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Edwin and Lorraine (Taylor) Porter.

Roger grew up in Council Bluffs.  He enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division.  After his discharge, he married Patricia Kotinek in Denver, CO.  To this union three children were born, Roger Jr., Neville and Kathleen.  Roger lived in the Denver area for many years, moving all over the country, and returned to Nebraska to be closer to family.

He loved to fish, travel, play 8 ball and 9 ball pool, enjoyed doing leatherwork and the Colorado Rockies.

Survivors include his children, Roger (Rachel) Porter Jr. of Omaha, Neville “Ned” Porter of North Platte, and Kathleen “Kathy” (Moose) Epperson of Omaha; grandchildren, Jamie Porter, Sarah Porter, Ian Porter, Grace Porter, Elijah Porter, Veronica Porter, Eric Epperson, Christina Epperson, and Rebekah Epperson.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made to DAV or the VFW.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Graveside Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 4, 2017 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating.  Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Doris I. Edwards

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Doris I. Edwards, 85, of Pierre, SD, formerly of North Platte passed away November 28, 2017 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota.  She was born on August 8, 1932 to George and Gladys Burch in North Platte, NE.

After her husband passed away, Doris went to Pierre, SD to be with her sister Bev.  She enjoyed her remaining time with Bev and Blaine.  At this time she did some traveling to places she had not been.  Doris enjoyed going to North Dakota to their family farm.  She also enjoyed sitting on the deck watching the birds and squirrels and doing things in the yard.  She enjoyed the company of her family, our dog and cats and watching TV shows (especially shows such as Daniel O’Donnell).  Doris passed away after a short illness and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her sisters, Leona (Don) Eyten of North Platte, and Bev (Blaine) Olson of Pierre, SD; a brother-in-law, Dee Sheets of Durango, CO; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Leeds of Kearney and Mary De La Fe of California; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Shirley Parks of Pierre, SD, and Glenda (Tiny) Parker of North Platte.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, George; sisters, Lila (Roy) Christner, and Pat Sheets; and husbands, Chuck Kaiser and Charles Edwards.

Memorials may be made in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Graveside Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Pastor Joe Sukraw officiating.  Visitation will be noon – 9:00 p.m. Monday at Adams & Swanson funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Trial set for man accused of stabbing to death neighbor

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MADISON, Neb. (AP) — A February trial has been scheduled for a man accused of stabbing to death a neighbor at a northeast Nebraska apartment complex.

Court records say 49-year-old Rodolfo Castaneda-Morejon pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Madison County District Court in Madison. His trial is set to begin Feb. 12.

Castaneda-Morejon is accused of killing 39-year-old Yosvanis Velazquez Gomez at the Norfolk complex on Aug. 25.

Court records say Castaneda-Morejon told investigators he confronted Gomez about an inappropriate text message sent to Castaneda-Morejon’s girlfriend, suspecting the two were having a secret relationship. The records also say Castaneda-Morejon acknowledged stabbing Velazquez Gomez several times.

Former patrol investigator pleads not guilty in drugs case

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska State Patrol investigator has pleaded not guilty to drug charges.

Court records say 44-year-old Christopher Kober entered pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to acquiring drugs by fraud or diversion and possession with intent to sell. A trial date has not been set.

A federal indictment lists the drugs as painkillers and opioids and says they were stolen from January 2016 to March 17 this year during drug take-back operations, overdose investigations and other means.

Kober was fired in June following an internal patrol investigation. He lives in Bellevue.

Man pleads not guilty in Grand Island slaying

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GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A 23-year-old has pleaded not guilty to killing another man in Grand Island.

Court records say Ahmed Said entered the plea Tuesday in Hall County District Court. His trial is scheduled to begin April 16.

Police say Said is charged with second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon in the April 13 slaying of 41-year-old Abdulma Khamis. Police say Khamis was fatally struck with a blunt object and was found unresponsive a couple blocks west of Pier Park.

Said also pleaded not guilty to an unrelated jail assault charge.

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