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Ex-gymnastics coach in Omaha to face child porn case count

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Bryce Fogg

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a gymnastics coach accused of producing child pornography in Nebraska and arrested this summer in Kansas is back in Omaha after fighting extradition.

Prosecutors say 27-year-old Bryce Fogg photographed and videotaped females without their knowledge while he worked at a gym in Omaha. Police reports say he’d recorded images of a 14-year-old girl and 22-year-old woman in “private compromising positions” without their consent.

He was arrested in July in Emporia, Kansas, where he’d moved for another coaching job.

Fogg is charged with one count of visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct of a child. His next court hearing is set for Aug. 23.

NP police warn residents to look for counterfeit money

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The following statement was issued by the North Platte Police Department:

The North Platte Police Dept. has received several reports of counterfeit bills being passed at area businesses.

There are two types of bills that we are seeing.  The first are known as “Chinese Training Money”.  These bills have red Chinese symbols printed on the front and back of them.  They do not have many of the security features such as color shifting ink, security strip and, watermarks.

The second type of bills are “Motion Picture Money” or “Prop Bills”.  These are used as props in movies by legitimate companies and have printed on them “For Motion Picture Use Only” in multiple areas.  The bills also lack the security features of real money.

Counterfeit pens should be effective on both types of bills and the best way to tell if they are fake is by just taking a brief amount of time to inspect and feel the bill.  They are real enough looking at a glance to be passed if the recipient isn’t paying attention.

While it is not illegal to merely possess the bills, it is a felony to intentionally attempt to pass them as real currency.

We ask that citizens and businesses be vigilant in watching for these types of bills and to call the police immediately if someone attempts to pass them as real currency.

2 accused of passing fake money at NP bank

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Two people are in jail on felony charges after they allegedly attempted to pass a fake $100 bill.

On Monday, at around 12:24 p.m., a North Platte police officer responded to Nebrakaland National Bank, 1400 South Dewey, after an employee reported that someone had passed a counterfeit bill.

The officer made contact with the employee who advised that a car had come through the drive-thru with a female driver and male passenger.

The driver gave the teller the bill and requested change, according to Investigator John Deal.

Deal says the employee immediately noticed that the bill had “For Motion Picture Use Only” on the front of it.

The teller seized the bill and the vehicle left, but not before the teller was able to get the license plate.

A short time later, a citizen reported that the same vehicle was driving recklessly in the 1400 block of Burlington Avenue.

An officer was able to locate the vehicle parked in the area but didn’t observe it driving recklessly.

The vehicle was occupied by 19-year-old Baillie Simmerman and 20-year-old Anthony Fleecs, who Deal says fit the description of the couple that passed the fake bill at the bank.

Both were taken in for questioning where it was revealed that Fleecs had gotten the bill from a friend.  Deal says neither one would say who the friend was.

It was determined that there was probable cause to arrest both Simmerman and Fleecs for 1st-degree forgery, a felony.

The investigation is ongoing.

NPCC volleyball opens season hosting No. 15 Northeast

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North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team will open their regular season at home on Wednesday night, August 23, against the Northeast Community College Lady Hawks at 7:00 PM.

The National Junior College Athletic Association Division II preseason # 15 ranked Lady Hawks, coached by Amanda Schultze, have four sophomores, and seven freshmen finished the 2016 season with a 27-13 record, and are the defending District D champions.

The Lady Knights finished the 2016 season at 14-25.  The Lady Knights, coached by Alexa McCall, have five returning sophomores: Mikenna Curlee from Peetz, Colo.; Antonya Schaffert from Otis, Colo.; Madi Gilg from Gothenburg; Cheyanne Kuhlmann from Imperial; and Aly Camacho from Scottsbluff. Joining the returning sophomores are freshmen Taylin McNair from Imperial, Carly Moss fromWindsor, Colo. ; Shaylee Johnson from Fleming, Colo; Carlie Wytulka from Nucla, Colo; Luisa Hernandez from Yuma, Colo.; Jordynn Simpson from North Platte; Jade Max from Ogallala, Neci Sundquist from Dayton, Wyo.; and Amanda Kroeger from Ogallala.

McCall said, “We are excited for the girls to officially take the court.  They have had a good two weeks of preseason and are ready to play Northeast.”

The match will be broadcast on ESPN 1410 radio and www.northplattepost.com.  It will also be livestreamed at www.npccknights.com.

Joseph W. Boyd

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Joseph W. Boyd, 71, passed away Aug. 18, 2017.

Joseph W. Boyd was born on Nov. 29, 1945.

He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 25 years, four years in Omaha as an apprentice, and 21 years in North Platte as a carman. He continued to live in North Platte until 2007, when he and his wife, Linda, moved back to Omaha.

Joe is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Jeff, Kevin and Ben; daughter, Jodi; 13 grandchildren; five sisters; one brother; many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church in North Platte, North Platte Catholic Schools, Holy Name Catholic Church-Omaha, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church-Omaha, or Christ the King Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at heafeyheafey.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 So. 86th St., Omaha. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Omaha. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, at Christ the King Catholic Church, followed by vigil services at 7 p.m. Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler, 12100 W. Center Road, Omaha, is in charge of arrangements.

Harold “Jack” McConnell

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Harold “Jack” McConnell, 87, of Lewellen, passed away Aug. 19, 2017, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Harold “Jack” Eugene McConnell was born on June 2, 1930, in Hershey to Dewey W. and Ethel E. (Bodell) McConnell. He grew up around Hershey and graduated from high school there.

On June 20, 1948, Jack married Francis “Frannie” Kramer. They soon welcomed a son, Barry Lee, who then passed away, forcing him to join the armed services. He served in the U.S. Navy from December 1951 until December 1955.

The family grew in 1954 when their son, JJ, was born while the family was living in Cherry County north of Mullen. Luke was born in 1957. They continued to ranch for family in the Cherry County area until 1967, when they moved to Lewellen, where they have resided since.

Jack was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Rifle Association and Grace Lutheran Church.

Jack will be fondly remembered for his passion for fishing and hunting, and he met many other outdoorsmen from many parts of the county. He loved his family dearly, especially his grandchildren. Jack and Frannie recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Norma Karre; and his half-siblings.

Jack is survived by his wife, Frannie of Lewellen; sons, JJ of Sterling, Colorado, and Luke of Arthur; four grandchildren, John, Brennen, Beau and Sage; great-grandson, Daxton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Grace Lutheran Church in Lewellen. Online condolences may be shared at holechekfuneralhomes.com.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Ash Hollow Cemetery near Lewellen with Vonnie Brown of the Lewellen Grace Lutheran Church officiating. The United States Navy will provide military honors. There will be no visitation. Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations, Oshkosh, is in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis Lorraine Blackmore

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Phyllis Lorraine Blackmore, 81, of North Platte, passed away August 19, 2017, at Linden Court Nursing Home.

Phyllis was born September 1, 1935, in Holt County on the family ranch.  She was the second born child to Asa and Bonnie (Sammons) Watson.  She grew up in Chambers and Atkinson.  On June 15, 1952, she married Robert Blackmore. To their union five daughters were born: Lou Ann Pressler (Bob) of Fort Worth, Juli Deterding (Greg) of North Platte, Sue Mulligan (Jim) of North Platte, Becky Spady (Jeff) of Mandan, ND and Bonnie Dingus (Mitch) of Pleasant Hope, MO.  There are nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Phyllis worked for the North Platte Public School System in her early years, and Educational Service Unit 16 which she retired from in 1998.  She had a special fondness for special needs children.  Phyllis loved flower gardening and yard work.  Her patio bloomed year after year with beautiful flowers.  She loved angels, antique dishes, and church work at the First Baptist Church.  She was especially fond of Westie Dogs and fluffy cats.  She loved her daughters, grandchildren, and great children and was called “Gramma B”. She spent the last four years of her life at Linden Court Nursing Home.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a sister, Sharon Dexter.

She is survived by her five daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren; four sisters, Charol Tibbetts, Beth Cihal (Bill), Nancy Everett (Rol) and Joyce Easton.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to E.S.U. #16. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at First Baptist Church.  Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. at the Chambers Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

John Bryan “Jack” Kyne

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John Bryan “Jack” Kyne, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at the Sutherland Care Center, at the age of 88.

Jack was born July 28, 1929, at Tryon, NE. He was one of 12 children born to Everett Elden and Cora Faye Kyne. He grew up and attended school in McPherson County then joined the U.S. Army in 1954. After serving 16 months in Korea, Jack was honorably discharged in 1956.

Following his discharge, Jack returned to Nebraska and went to work for the State Highway Department for 8 years before hiring on with the Union Pacific Railroad. He worked as a Fireman/Oiler for 24 years then retired.

Jack accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a baptized member of the North Platte Baptist Church. He was a member of the church for over 30 years and was a life member of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion.

Jack loved hunting and fishing, with big game hunting being his favorite. He was a member of the North American Hunting Club and a life benefactor member of the NRA. He also enjoyed bowling and had bowled two 700 series in his lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his parents and all 11 of his siblings, Nora Keesler, Gladys Keesler, Theda Lucille Kyne, an infant sister, as well as his brothers, Marion, Wallace Ray, Elden, Cort, Leonard, Harlow and Elno “Tag” Kyne.

Jack is survived by his many nieces and nephews including Virginia Hambleton and Norman Kessler, of Nampa, ID; sister-in-law, Sharon Kyne, of El Cajon, CA; his special friends, Ken and Lisa Neitzel and Lynette Britton, all of North Platte; and other family and friends.

Graveside Funeral Service with military honors will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2017, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with Pastor Bill Reeves officiating. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Police say 8-year-old killed crossing street in east Omaha

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say an 8-year-old child has been fatally injured while walking across a street in east Omaha.

The accident was reported around 4:20 p.m. Monday. Police say the child didn’t enter the street at a crosswalk and was struck by a passing car.

Police say the child was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a hospital. The child has been identified as Jalen Duncan, who lived in Omaha. The car driver has been identified as 23-year-old Noel Rangel.

The accident is being investigated. No arrest or citation has been reported.

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