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North Platte woman dies in Frontier County motorcycle crash

CURTIS, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a North Platte woman died after her motorcycle left the road and flipped into a ditch.

Frontier County Sheriff Dan Rupp says the crash happened about noon Sunday when 52-year-old Lori Paulsen was riding a motorcycle with a group of friends and her husband. It was reported that they were on Highway 23, just east of Curtis, when Paulsen’s motorcycle veered onto the shoulder and then flipped into a ditch.

Paulsen was taken to a North Platte hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Man struck by vehicle during domestic dispute at Lake Maloney campground

Deputies say a North Platte man was struck by a vehicle during a domestic disturbance at a Lake Maloney campground.

On August 27, at around 8:00 p.m., Lincoln County deputies were called to the Kansas Point camping area at the Lake Maloney Inlet after it was reported that a man had been struck by a pickup.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the man, identified as 46-year-old James Branam, had been involved in a domestic dispute with his wife, 56-year-old Tina Branam., both of North Platte.

Deputies say when the Tina went to leave, James grabbed the passenger side of the vehicle and was drug down the gravel road and was eventually run over by the vehicle’s rear tire.

James was transported to Great Plains Health for treatment. The severity of his injuries is unknown at the time.

The investigation is ongoing but, at this point, no charges have been filed. It is believed that alcohol was a factor in the incident.

 

MPCC named one of the Top 10 community colleges in the nation

Mid Plains Community College

Mid-Plains Community College is one of the Top 10 community colleges in the nation.

That’s according to SmartAsset, a financial technology company that provides transparent, automated and accurate advice on big personal finance decisions.

SmartAsset recently conducted a study to determine the best community colleges in the nation, and MPCC ranked seventh out of the 808 schools analyzed. It was the only college in Nebraska to make the Top 10 list.

“Mid-Plains Community College’s mission is transforming lives through exceptional learning opportunities for individual student success,” said MPCC President Ryan Purdy. “This recognition demonstrates that we are meeting this mission, while staying true to the value of being accessible and affordable.”

Information for the study came from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Results were based on comparisons of the following factors: student-to-faculty ratio, cost of tuition and fees and graduation and transfer rates.

“According to our data, Mid-Plains Community College is a great option for students who appreciate a lot of one-on-one time with teachers and faculty,” said Kara Gibson, public relations associate at SmartAsset. “MPCC has a faculty-to-student ratio of nine, which ties for the second-lowest rate in the Top 10. In addition, MPCC should be affordable for most students as annual in-state tuition and fees run up a relatively low bill of around $2,900.”

More information about the study can be found at: https://smartasset.com/student-loans/best-community-colleges-2017.

More information about MPCC and programs it offers is available at mpcc.edu.

Nebraska-based nonprofit shifts away from residential care

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — As a Nebraska-based organization that helps at-risk youth celebrates its 100th birthday in Omaha, the nonprofit is focusing less on the residential care model that made it well-known.

Boys Town officials announced in June that the organization was closing residential care sites in New York, Texas, California and Florida.

The organization began a century ago when a young Irish priest welcomed homeless boys into a run-down mansion in downtown Omaha. The residential care model involves placing groups of six to eight children with emotional and behavioral issues in single-family homes with married couples. The average stay is 12 to 18 months with the goal of returning kids to families.

The site closings leave nine Boys Town sites in six states and the District of Columbia.

2 sentenced for credit card scheme in northeast Nebraska

MADISON, Neb. (AP) — Two people have been sentenced for a credit card scheme that defrauded people and businesses in northeast Nebraska.

31-year-old Jorge Navarro and 31-year-old Yaima Lugo, both of Madison, were sentenced Friday in Madison County District Court.

Court records say the two had used the cards to make several local purchases. Investigators say falsified credit/debit cards, gift cards, driver’s licenses and Social Security cards were found at the couple’s house during a search.

Navarro was sentenced to three to six years on drug and fraud charges. Lugo was sentenced to two to four years on charges of fraud and of providing false information.

Elizabeth “Betty” Janette Peterson

Elizabeth “Betty” Janette Peterson, age 92 of North Platte, passed away Friday August 25, 2017 at Centennial Park Retirement home in North Platte.

Betty was born on January 24, 1925 in Spaulding, NE to Frank and Anna (Rothleutner) Bernt.  She grew up on a farm outside of Spaulding and graduated from Spaulding Academy.  After high school she attended Business College in Omaha and worked for MGM in Omaha.  She married Lester C. Peterson on June 2, 1947 in Omaha.  The couple lived in Omaha until 1958 when they moved to North Platte where she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital doing clerical work.  She later worked at Great Plains Health until her retirement.  When her sons were in Boy Scouts in the 1960s she was a Troop Mother.  She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church where she contributed much of her time, as well as volunteering with RSVP.

Betty is survived by 3 children, Gary (Jocile) Peterson of Akron, CO, Dave Peterson of Lincoln, and John “Smiley” (Becky) Peterson of Stapleton; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; sister Mary Kay (Bernard) Fairbanks of Spaulding, NE; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lester in 1992; daughter Joan Mulinix; and brother Jerome Bernt.

Memorials are suggested to RSVP and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday August 29, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday August 30, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday August 28, 2017 and from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday August 29, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Jack Dean Bond

Jack Dean Bond, 80, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Jack was born July 30, 1937, to George and Lela Alberta (Van Deusen) Bond in Syracuse, Missouri. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating from Northeast High School in 1954. After high school, Jack joined the United States Air Force Reserve. He was called to active duty in 1961, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1962.

On March 15, 1958, Jack was united in marriage to Sandra K. Grazier. Jack and Sandra made their home in Kansas City then relocated to North Platte in 1970. Jack retired as General Manager of Central Nebraska Packing Company. Jack, along with three partners, also founded Animal Spectrum, a company that formulated and produced specialized diets for exotic animals. He was an active member of the AAZPA.

After retiring, Jack traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and numerous countries. He especially enjoyed spending time with his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member and deacon of the First Christian Church, as well as a member of the V.F.W. Post #1504, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion, Eagle’s #2839, B.P.O. Elks #985 and Coyotes. Jack never met a stranger and was a charitable person, always willing to lend a helping hand. He will be greatly missed.

Jack is survived by his wife, Sandra, of North Platte; daughters, Victoria Cady, of North Platte, and Cassandra (Terry) Leet, of Torrington, Wyoming; brothers, Van (Alice) Bond, of Prineville, Oregon, Gary Bond and David (Dana) Bond, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Ronald (Jeannie) Bond, of Carolina Beach, North Carolina; sisters, Ruth Moran and Wanda Decker, of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Rachel (Aaron) Finken, Megan Fausnaugh, Leneé (Aurelio) Godina, Micaela (Tyler) Papousek, Emily Cady, Matthew (Megan) Leet and Kaitlyn Leet; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Fausnaugh; his parents, George and Lela Bond; sisters, Virginia Jamison and Carol Baccala; and son-in-law, Robert Cady.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Jan Ekstedt officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ (220 North Vine Street, North Platte, NE, 69101).

Chuck Johnson

Chuck Johnson, of North Platte, NE, died at Great Plains Health on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at the age of 71.

Chuck was born in North Platte on June 10, 1946, to Edwin Albin and Wilhelmina Elizabeth Lange Johnson. He grew up in North Platte and graduated from high school in 1965. He first went to work as a lineman then hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1968, working in the Car Department. Chuck worked until 1993 when he took a disability.

On August 12, 1967, Chuck married Diane Lynn Epler in North Platte. They had raised three children, Steven, Stacey and Tami, and had just celebrated their 50th anniversary. When the boys were younger, Chuck coached them in Little League and their team won two state championships. As they got older, Chuck enjoyed watching them play Legion Baseball, and when his grandsons were old enough, they too played baseball. But baseball wasn’t his only sport, Chuck loved golfing with Stacey and Pete and watching the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Royals.

Most importantly, Chuck loved his family and dog, Yogi. He was a devoted husband and a kind, loving father and grandfather. His favorite place was simply being with his family. He will be missed so much.

Chuck leaves behind his wife, Diane, of North Platte; sons, Steven (Tracy) Johnson and Stacey (Tiffany) Johnson, of North Platte; daughter, Tami (Demian) Bongle, of Whitefish Bay, WI; 10 grandchildren, Trevor, Jordie, Madison, Cooper, Carter, Alex, Maggie, Carsen, Taylor and Daniel; sisters, Helen (Bill) Haney, of Tryon, NE, and Charlene (Floyd) Danczak, of Johnstown, CO; brothers, Roy Pounder, of Illinois, Richard Pounder, of Colorado and Larry Johnson, of North Platte; sisters-in-law, Betty Olson, of Lincoln, NE, and Linda Janecek, of North Platte; brothers-in-law, Jeff Olson and Robert (Michelle) Epler, all of North Platte; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Wilhelmina Johnson; and sister, Alice Pounder.

Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 28, 2017, at the First Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Authorities investigating death of Nebraska inmate

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a 57-year-old man who’d been serving murder and other sentences at a state prison in southeast Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says Ronald Fort died around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh. Officials say Fort was in his Tecumseh prison cell when a medical incident occurred, so he was taken to the hospital.

The department says Fort had been serving a combined sentence of nearly 32 years for convictions on second-degree murder, manslaughter and a weapons crime.

Under state law, a grand jury conducts an investigation whenever anyone dies in custody or while being arrested.

Cargill plans upgrade of Gibbon grain elevator

GIBBON, Neb. (AP) — Cargill plans to invest $18 million in upgrades to one of its Nebraska grain elevators near Gibbon.

The project will significantly expand the capacity of the grain elevator and increase the speed at which grain trucks can be unloaded.

Cargill officials say the grain elevator will be able to hold 2.7 million bushels of grain once the project is completed in 2019. That’s up from the current capacity of 700,000 bushels.

The elevator will also be able to unload 65,000 bushels per hour. That’s up from the current 25,000 bushels per hour.

The elevator will remain open while the work is being done.

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