LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have blamed lightning for a fire that damaged a University of Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity building.
The fire was reported around 8 a.m. Sunday and took about 20 minutes to control. Fire Capt. Dave Engl says the building is rented to Kappa Sigma for office space.
No injuries have been reported. Damage was estimated at $50,000.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — As local governmental units prepare to vote on budgets and set property tax rates for next year, Lincoln officials are struggling with what to do about a property tax windfall.
Lincoln City Council passed a resolution in March defining windfall as the increased property tax revenue resulting from the higher residential property valuations.
Lincoln has seen a nearly 9 percent valuation increase from last year due to rising home prices and the county assessor’s decision to reassess residences across the area one year ahead of schedule.
Some City Council candidates promised this spring to shield property tax payers from the windfall.
The Lincoln Independent Business Association PAC says local elected officials should reduce tax rates and not tap into the windfall.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Some University of Nebraska system faculty members say a big drop in vehicle mileage reimbursement will be tough to weather.
The system intends to drop reimbursement when faculty members use their own car from about 50 cents per mile to 25 cents per mile beginning next month, citing challenges with the state budget.
System extension educators and faculty members in rural settings say the decision is especially burdensome for them because they drive long distances to work as well as to programs, meetings and events.
System President Hank Bounds says reducing mileage reimbursement is one of many ways to deal with a $49 million budget gap caused by state funding problems and rising costs. The system hopes to save about $550,000 a year with the drop.
MEMPHIS, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old has been fatally injured and another hospitalized after a car crash in eastern Nebraska.
The accident was reported around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of Memphis in southeast Saunders County. The Sheriff’s Office says the northbound vehicle went out of control and rolled several times.
The Sheriff’s Office says passenger Nolan Thomas Beckenhauer, of Ceresco, was pronounced dead after being flown to a hospital. The driver, Conner David Buettner, of Manley, has been reported in stable condition at an Omaha hospital.
YORK, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a man who apparently was struck by a vehicle on a rural road in York County.
Deputies found the man’s body in a roadside ditch Saturday night, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west of York. They’d been sent to check a report about an abandoned vehicle, which was found on the roadway.
Sheriff Dale Radcliff identified the victim as 41-year-old Chad K. Chapman, of York.
The driver of the vehicle believed to have hit Chapman contacted the sheriff’s department and that the matter was now considered a “hit accident.” He says it initially had been handled as a hit and run.
Radcliff says an autopsy was performed Sunday.
Robert Leon Morrison, 73, of North Platte, passed away April 29, 2017, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1944, to Clarence P. and Darlene (Landry) Morrison on a farm outside of Gandy, where he grew up before moving to Arnold. Robert graduated from Arnold High School with the class of ’62.
He moved to North Platte in 1963 and began working at Snell Electric. On Dec. 14, 1963, he married his beautiful wife, Sandra Jameson. In 1973, they purchased Snell Electric; in 1984, Hansen Plumbing and Heating; in 1985, Cox and Hyde Refrigeration; and in 1986, changed the name to Snell Services Inc.
He was a North Platte Ambassador and served on the Nebraskaland Days board as well as North Platte Chamber of Commerce, where he served a short time as president of both the Ambassadors and Chamber of Commerce.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, socializing and spending time/spoiling his grandkids.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Darlene; and a brother, Ronnie.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Todd (Deb), Monica (Roger) Fuhrman and Brad (Brooke), all of North Platte; grandchildren, Jason (Tonya) Morrison, Chad Knoedler, Chad Triplett, Jesse Morrison, Derek Knoedler and Kasch and Karsen Morrison; great-grandchildren, Brookelynn, Syncere, Chance, Hannah and Hailey; a sister, Judy Groome of Denver; a brother, Jim of Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Keystone Fire and Rescue of Keith County. Online Condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, at Rivers Edge Golf Course. Cremation was chosen.
Robert Wayne Biltoft, age 75, of North Platte, NE, died Friday, August 18, 2017, at Great Plains Health.
Bob was born December 26, 1941, to Earl and Mildred Vandeventer Biltoft in Todd County, SD. The family lived in Nebraska, in the New Port and Bassett area, and resided in an old basement with 10 kids. Bob went to school through the 8th grade then worked various construction jobs.
While working he met Carolyn Beth Keith and they were married on April 3, 1960, in Geneva, NE. They moved to Thedford, NE, in the late ’60’s and Bob went to work for Pearson Livestock, hauled cattle for various ranchers then started his own haying business. He was a skilled fabricator who did lots of handy work for people around the area.
After Carolyn died in 1998, Bob moved to Sutherland, NE, then to North Platte where he spent his time fishing. Bob enjoyed working in the yard and was always willing to lend a helping hand to others, but he especially loved his grandkids.
He is survived by his sons, Loren (Mona) Biltoft, of Hoxie, KS, Leigh Biltoft, of Spokane, WA, and Lynn (Kaylen) Biltoft, of Columbus, NE; six grandchildren, Jeff, Amber, Jordan, Brandy, Sean and Logan; nine great-grandchildren; his brother, John (Patty) Biltoft, of Alabama; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.
Along with his wife, Carolyn, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mildred; sisters, Dora May Cross and Doris Biltoft; and six brothers, Melvin, Elmer, Raymond, Marvin, Frank and Charles Biltoft.
Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial.
Jauneta J. Dugan Williams, 91, of North Platte, passed away Friday, August 18, 2017 at Linden Court. She was born June 29, 1926 in Carmen, OK to Russell and Minnie Ada (Cellan) Dugan. She attended school in Dickens and Wallace, NE. She married Ernest P. Williams March 25, 1961 in Cheyenne, WY.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in North Platte, NE. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include a son, Albert D. (Karen) Scott of North Platte, NE; step-daughter, Janet J. Williams of Page, AZ; sisters, Rosa Baker of Kearney, NE, Ida (Curtis) Ingels of North Platte, and Beverly (Don) Lee of Madrid, NE; brothers, Donald Dugan of Lincoln, NE, and Robert (Marie) Dugan of North Platte; 13 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Jauneta was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Ronald Scott; daughter, Donna Burrows; step-son, James P. Williams; daughter-in-law, Dianne Scott; son-in-law, John Burrows; sister, Wynona Corbin; and brothers, Max, Ralph, and Leroy Dugan.
In lieu of flowers, online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A memorial has been established in her name to Calvary Baptist Church in North Platte, NE.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Logsdon officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Powerball officials say there was no grand prize winner in the latest drawing, meaning one of the nation’s largest lottery jackpots will continue growing.
Maura McCann of the New Hampshire Lottery says no ticket matched all six numbers following Saturday night’s drawing. The winning numbers are: 17, 19, 39, 43, 68 and Powerball 13.
The new jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing is $650 million, which would be the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history.
The prize has grown so large because no one has matched all six balls in more than two months, so the jackpot has grown after every drawing.
The odds of winning the giant prize is one in 292.2 million.
Powerball is played in 44 states as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — Trial has been set for a truck driver charged a 2016 crash in western Nebraska that killed six people.
The trial for 54-year-old Tony Weekly Jr. of Baker, Florida, has been set for Dec. 12.
Weekly has pleaded not guilty in Keith County District Court to six counts of motor vehicle homicide for the July 31, 2016, crash near Brule.
Investigators say Weekly was distracted and didn’t slow down in an Interstate 80 construction zone, smashing into the back of a minivan carrying a Minnesota family of five. Jamison and Kathryne Pals and their three children, ages 3, 2 1/2 and 23 months, all died in the crash.
Another man injured in the crash, Terry Sullivan of Denver, died later.
