We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Children’s Hospital buys adjoining land in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Children’s Hospital & Medical Center has agreed to spend nearly $10 million on an adjoining parcel of land next to its facility in central Omaha.

Children’s plans to keep seven of the 12 acres it is buying. The remaining land just west of the hospital will be redeveloped for a mix of retail uses.

Children’s CEO Dr. Richard Azizkhan told the Omaha World-Herald that this deal will ensure the hospital remains in its current location for decades.

After this deal, Children’s will have roughly 22 acres at its main campus near 84th Street and West Dodge Road.

‘Thor: Ragnarok’ rumbles to $121M box-office debut

NEW YORK (AP) — “Thor: Ragnarok” thundered to one of the year’s best box-office debuts, opening with an estimated $121 million in North American theaters.

The robust debut for the third “Thor” movie was a welcome shot in the arm for Hollywood and theater owners who have just suffered through a terrible October at the box office.

“Thor: Ragnarok” also bucked the trend of diminishing returns for sequels. The 2011 “Thor” debuted with $65.7 million; 2013’s “Thor: The Dark World” opened with $85.7 million.

The big opening cements the unlikely breakthrough of New Zealand director Taika Waititi, who shepherded the $180 million production to Marvel’s best reviews since 2008’s “Iron Man.”

The weekend’s other new nationwide release was the holiday-themed comedy sequel “A Bad Mom’s Christmas.” It grossed $17 million over the weekend.

Average US gas price jumps 7 cents to $2.58 for regular

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline jumped 7 cents nationally over the past two weeks to $2.58.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that the spike is a result of several factors, including higher oil prices.

The current price is 32 cents above where it was a year ago.

Gas in San Francisco was the highest in the contiguous United States at an average of $3.25 a gallon. The lowest was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at $2.14 a gallon.

The U.S. average diesel price is $2.82, up 6 cents from two weeks ago.

5 young inventors picked in toy contest

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Five young toy inventors have been chosen as finalists in Fat Brain Toys’ annual contest.

The Omaha-based toy retailer will help the winner show off their idea at the 2018 American International Toy Fair in New York City. They will also receive a $2,500 scholarship.

The five finalists range in age from 9 to 13. They’ve come up with ideas like ping-pong without a table and a build-your-own pinball machine.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of toy industry veterans and an online vote. The top online vote-getter will receive an extra vote in the contest.

 

Omaha Police investigate fatal highway shooting

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha Police are investigating a fatal shooting that left one man dead and another man wounded.

Police say the shooting happened around 12:45 p.m. Sunday on U.S. Highway 75 near the Hamilton Street exit.

Police say someone in a suspect vehicle shot at the victim’s vehicle while both vehicles were travelling south on the highway.

Both victims were taken to the hospital after the shooting. One was in serious condition and the other was in critical condition.

Norfolk man found competent to stand trial for murder

MADISON, Neb. (AP) — A Norfolk man accused in the August stabbing death a neighbor at a Norfolk apartment complex has been found competent to stand trial.

48-year-old Rodolfo Castaneda-Morejon appeared in Madison County District Court on Friday for his arraignment hearing on the first-degree murder charge. The arraignment was postponed, but a judge found Castaneda-Morejon to be mentally fit enough to stand trial.

Castaneda-Morejon is accused of killing 39-year-old Yosvanis Velazquez Gomez at the 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.

Omaha lawyer’s license to practice suspended for 1 year

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has suspended an Omaha lawyer’s license to practice law for a year after he lied for years about checking on the welfare of an incapacitated adult.

Rodney Halstead had been appointed in 2009 to serve as guardian to the ward, who was confined to a nursing home, and was required to file annual reports on the ward’s condition. Court records say Halstead reported through 2015 that he had routinely checked on the ward’s condition.

But investigators say he hadn’t checked on the ward in years. Instead, Halstead reported all was fine at the nursing home, even though the ward had been moved from the home — unbeknownst to Halstead — in 2011.

No harm came to the ward during the six years Halstead falsified his reports.

Nebraska inmate awaiting sentencing dies in hospice care

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 58-year-old state prisoner awaiting sentencing has died in hospice care following an undisclosed illness.

The Douglas County Department of Corrections says in a news release that Charles McNeal was pronounced dead Friday afternoon while under hospice care. The release says McNeal had been hospitalized since Sept. 22 and was recently transferred to hospice care.

Nebraska law requires an investigation whenever someone dies in custody. Douglas County officials say that investigation has already begun.

McNeal had been convicted in early September of three counts of sexual assault of a child younger than 12. Court records say the assaults on the child took place between August 2012 and the end of 2014.

McNeal had been scheduled to be sentenced for those convictions on Nov. 17.

 

Robert B. “Bob” Lowe

Robert B. “Bob” Lowe, 89, lifelong resident of North Platte, died November 1, 2017 at Linden Court.

Mr. Lowe was born February 2, 1928 to Theodor and Lena (Wangen) Lowe, Jr.  He graduated from North Platte High School and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he played in the Marching Band.

He served in the United States Marines in the Mediterranean and is the model for the Marine Statue at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial in North Platte. He was proud of his service and proud to be a United States Marine.

Mr. Lowe took over his father’s real estate business and sold real estate and insurance for more than 50 years in North Platte.

He served as commissioner for Lincoln County for several years.  Robert always looked for the good in people and always wanted to serve others.  He worked hard and gave generously. He was a quiet and trusting man.  He enjoyed spending time at Cody Park feeding the animals.

He was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Legion, V.F.W. Post 1504, Lincoln County Historical Society, Masonic Lodge, Oddfellows, Elks, Eagles, and Salvation Army.  Survivors include his niece, Barbara (Rick) Kuncl of Maumee, Ohio, his great-niece, Kristine (Steven Beall) Montgomery of Hudson, Ohio and a great-great nephew, Jeffrey Montgomery of Chicago, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald V. Lowe of North Platte.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The American Cancer Society for Lymphoma. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 6, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Steve Berke officiating.  Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors by the North Platte Veteran’s Organizations.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

 

 

 

Richard D Kimball

Richard D Kimball, 84 of North Platte passed away October 31, 2017 in Windsor Colorado. He was born April 19, 1933 at Berwyn, Nebraska to Claude and Helen (Turner) Kimball. Richard graduated from North Platte High School in 1951 and joined the US Air Force in 1952. Richard married Yavette Smith 1953-1972. He moved back to North Platte in 1972. He worked for Wiemmers and Bain Real Estate as an agent and appraiser. In 1978, he worked as ranch manager at Rosedale Ranch. Richard married his longtime companion, Helen Studley in 1998.

Richard was very proud of his service in the US Air Force from 1952-1972 in the Korean and Vietnam eras. He worked as a navigator and instructor and had over 5000 hours in B-47’s and B-52’s. He had attained the rank of Major prior to his retirement in 1972. He received many air and combat awards.

Richard had a love for the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a founding member of the NRA Whittington Center, Raton, NM. His love for aviation was extensive and he had his 1st pilot’s license in 1954. He went on to get his commercial and float plane licenses. He loved to fly and it took him to many wonderful places where he made many lifelong friends. He especially enjoyed flying to Alaska with his wife Helen. He treasured his airplane and said there was never a landing you couldn’t walk away from. He was involved in many Make-A-Wish air races; he belonged to the Navion Society, EAA and was a young eagles pilot. He helped launch the Civil air patrol in North Platte.

He is preceded in death by his parents Claude and Helen Kimball, his brothers Delbert and Claire, and sister Jolene Becker, stepson Ron Studley, and great grandson Ayden Trammell.

Dick is survived by his wife Helen (Studley) Kimball, children Rick, of Williston, ND and Piper Kimball (Bill Reynolds) of Cotati, CA. Step children Mark (Donna) Studley, Speed KS, Mary Studley, Dan Studley both of North Platte, Deb Studley. 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren

He is also survived by his sisters Betty (Clarence) Yancy of Golden CO, Karen (Don) Rogers of Ft Collins, CO and a brother Craig Kimball of North Platte

Memorials suggested to EAA or Civil Air Patrol

Celebration of life will be 11: 00 Saturday, November 4, 2017 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating.  Cremation was chosen.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File