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Lynette Baker

Lynette Baker, 78, of Leavenworth, KS, formerly of North Platte, passed away September 8, 2017 at Health Resort of Kansas City.  She was born August 19, 1939 to Niels and Florence (Essley) Nielsen at Gandy, Nebraska.  On July 7, 1957, she was united in marriage to Melvin E. “Shack” Baker in Stapleton.  They lived in Maxwell for 17 years and then moved to North Platte.

Lynette enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling and decorating cakes.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela (Keith) Beurskens of Leavenworth, KS; a son, Bradley (Celeste) Baker of Merino, CO; grandchildren, Zachary, Elizabeth, Carl, Brookley, Melissa and Dyllon; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Lorain Bartmess; two brothers, Donald (Esther) and Darold (Braun) Nielsen; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Melvin “Shack”; two sisters, Lenora Moore and Leora Smith; three brothers, Deane, Darwin and Donzel “Donnie”  Nielsen.

Online condolences may be share at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Derald Dale Taylor

Derald Dale Taylor, age 81, passed away Friday September 8, 2017 at Sutherland Care Center.

Derald was born January 17, 1936 in Iowa City, IA to Dale and Josephine (Soesbe) Taylor.  He attended school thru the 8th grade.  He joined the National Guard.  Derald was an avid Nascar fan.  He drove semi trucks for many years for Transport America and Leonard Express of Cedar Rapids, IA, retiring in 2014.

Derald is survived by his sister Donna Gelski and brother Robert Kaufman; and nephews Robert Kaufman, David, Kevin and Mike Gelski.

He was preceded in death by his mother Josephine and his father Dale Taylor.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday September 12, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday September 11, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

McCook lifts restrictions on outdoor watering

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MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — McCook has ended outdoor watering restrictions on residents and businesses.

The city imposed the restrictions Monday because of a power problem at the city’s water treatment plant.

Throughout the summer residents have been asked to use as little water as possible on their lawns because of the high demands on the water plant.

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Omaha police say man died when pickup struck utility pole

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a man died after his pickup truck struck a utility pole in Omaha.

The accident was reported around 10:45 p.m. Saturday. Police say the pickup ran off a roadway before ramming the metal pole.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified him as 22-year-old Chase Kruse, who lived in the Elkhorn area on the west side of Omaha.

Nebraska sees spike in butterfly population

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Several Nebraska cities are seeing an abundance of butterflies.

Nebraska Extension, a branch of the University of Nebraska, received reports last week of at least 100 painted lady butterflies in some Omaha flower gardens. The gardens usually draw only a few dozen.

Extension entomologist Jody Green says painted ladies’ migrations could be 9,000 miles spanning six generations. She says the butterflies found in cities like Omaha and Lincoln may be migrating, or getting ready to lay eggs for the next cycle.

Iowa State University entomologist Royce Bitzer attributes the butterfly boom to the ample rains earlier this year in California, where painted ladies start their migration. The rain resulted in more flowering plants for nectar, which boosted the butterfly population.

Green says the butterflies won’t damage plants or harm humans.

Assault case against ex-Omaha police officer moving forward

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The case is moving forward against a former Omaha police officer charged with felony assault after the death of a mentally ill Oklahoma man who had been shocked with a stun gun.

Douglas County Judge Marcena Hendrix ruled Monday that prosecutors have enough evidence to pursue the case against Scotty Payne.

Mandee Kampbell, who trains Omaha officers on stun-gun use, testified that none of the 12 times Payne used his stun gun was appropriate.

Police video shows Payne using a stun gun June 5 to shock 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels at a convenience store. Another officer is seen punching Bearheels. That officer is charged with misdemeanor assault.

Some blows came after Bearheels was on the ground and not resisting.

Police have said Bearheels fought officers. He died at a hospital.

Hastings police: Man found dead in alley was shot to death

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — Hastings police say a man whose body was found in a residential area had been shot to death.

The body of Jose Hansen, of Hastings, was found about 6 a.m. Monday.

Police expanded the scene of the investigation when a blood trail was found leading to the alley where the body was discovered.

No arrests have been reported.

More than 30 applied for Nebraska patrol superintendent job

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol’s new superintendent was chosen from a field of more than 30 candidates from around the nation.

Harbor Police Chief John Bolduc of San Diego was unveiled last week as Gov. Pete Ricketts’ choice to lead the agency. The governor’s office released the applications of the four finalists on Monday after three inquiries and an open records request from The Associated Press.

In his application letter, Bolduc pitched himself as a “cultural change agent” with management experience from several different law enforcement agencies.

The other finalists were Michael A. Kopy, a staff inspector for the New York State Police’s internal affairs bureau; Nebraska State Patrol Capt. Mike Jahnke; and Nebraska State Patrol Capt. Andrew “Buck” Duis.

MPCC Rodeo Team begins new season in Wisconsin

The best is yet to come.

That’s how Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach, feels about the team’s performance at the Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo in River Falls, Wis. over the weekend.

It was the first competition of the 2017-18 season, and the results weren’t quite what everyone had hoped for.

“All in all, we’ve had worse rodeos, but I know the competitive nature of our team members, and I know they are not happy,” said Nokes. “We had a couple of bad draws and a couple instances where we thought our horses were ready, but they weren’t.”

The mental aspect of competing also played a part.

“Some of the mistakes by our upperclassmen were made because they were trying too hard,” said Nokes. “They wanted to go in there, make stuff happen and defend our title, when in reality, they needed to relax a little and have more fun. No doubt this weekend will be better.”

The results of the rodeo were as follows:

  • Steer wrestling – Tyler Murray, of McCook, second
  • Team roping – Reed Murray, of Belvue, Kan., and Lane Kennedy, of Orleans, third; Seth Pearson, of Oconto, and South Dakota State University’s Reis Bruley, fourth; Kaile Jacobson, of Hershey, and Trenton Solida, of Phillipsburg, Kan., fifth
  • Breakaway Roping – Maura Christen, of Elwood, fifth
  • Men’s Team – fifth
  • Women’s Team – fourth

“I look for big things from Tyler this year,” said Nokes. “He did an outstanding job and really showed his maturity in Wisconsin. Injuries plagued him in the past, but he has been 100 percent for just shy of a year now. That has made a huge difference in his aggression level and confidence.”

Seven MPCC team ropers made it to the short go at River Falls – four of whom were freshmen. MPCC was also represented in the short round in breakaway.

“We had some freshmen in the team roping who really stepped up,” said Nokes. “Reed Murray, Tyler’s cousin, is a freshman this year. He roped alongside Lane Kennedy, who rode saddle broncs for us at nationals last summer. Lane got his hand caught in the dally – otherwise they probably would have won either first or second.”

The team will have a chance to move up in the standings as it competes at its hometown rodeo, the MPCC Stampede, Friday and Saturday at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Performances will start at 7 p.m. each night. Admission is payable at the gate. It’s $10 for adults and free for children 10 and younger.

Bicyclist found dead in southeast Nebraska

ROCA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a bicyclist has been found dead in southeast Nebraska’s Lancaster County.

A garbage truck driver discovered the body a little before 10 a.m. Monday about 2 miles (3 kilometers) northeast of Roca. People had seen the man riding a bike in the area earlier in the morning.

Sheriff’s Capt. Ben Houchins says investigators don’t think the man was struck by another vehicle and say a medical problem may have caused him to fall.

The man’s name hasn’t been released.

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