KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for a man who admitted starting a fire at a woman’s Kearney apartment.
Court records say Clifford Sellers pleaded guilty to arson after prosecutors dropped a burglary charge. No one was injured in the Jan. 22 fire.
The judge ordered the mental tests for Sellers at Sellers’ sentencing hearing.
GERING, Neb. (AP) — Scientists have visited a western Nebraska city to recruit volunteers to take photographs of the United States’ first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in 99 years.
Gering was visited Monday by Laura Peticolas, a senior fellow at the University of California-Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory, and Chris Cable, a consultant with the laboratory’s education group Multiverse.
The scientists are gathering volunteers to take photographs of the Aug. 21 eclipse for a video project. The 2- to 3-minute video will be pieced together with images from various points along the eclipse path.
The data will help NASA better understand the sun.
The project is seeking 1,500 volunteers with specific equipment, including a DSLR camera, a lens minimum of 300 mm, a tripod and the ability to identify GPS coordinates.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 59-year-old Plattsmouth man has been sentenced to five years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $833,000 in restitution to Plattsmouth State Bank for a check-kiting scheme.
Mark Tichner was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Omaha on Monday. He was also fined $50,000 at his sentencing.
He pleaded guilty in March to bank fraud.
Prosecutors say FBI investigators found Tincher used a fraudulent check-kiting scheme to float checks to the Plattsmouth bank, Arbor Bank, Murray State Bank and Glenwood State Bank between April 2010 and June 2010.
Prosecutors say Tincher used the scheme to artificially inflate bank balances for his business purposes.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Federal officials have dismissed a petition seeking review of a decision to close the downtown Grand Island post office.
The U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission earlier this month dismissed the petition by the Hall County Board of Supervisors. The commission said in dismissing the petition that it has no jurisdiction in the matter because the postal plans constitute a post office relocation rather than a closure.
In April, the U.S. Postal Service announced that Grand Island’s main post office will relocate from downtown to a building on the western edge of town in an effort to save money.
The building that houses the downtown post office, owned by Union Pacific Railroad, is set to close by June 2018.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s agriculture secretary is traveling to China to celebrate the arrival of the state’s first beef shipment in 14 years.
Greg Ibach is scheduled to visit Beijing and Shanhai June 29-30. Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the trip Tuesday, saying the state will benefit greatly by capturing a share of China’s beef import market.
Ricketts says Nebraska is home to four of the six eligible suppliers that are currently approved to ship beef to China.
Ibach is expected to participate in a series of promotional events along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and various industry leaders.
Ibach is also slated to meet with key Chinese beef importers.
Diana Claudette Classen, age 76, of North Platte passed away Tuesday June 20, 2017 at Great Plains Health.
Diana was born on November 30, 1940 in Billings, MT to William and Hope (Richel) Classen. She grew up in Billings where she graduated from high school. Diana married Roscoe “Clark” Hartley March 26, 1962 in Sheridan, WY. She took care of her family in North Dakota, and Arkansas. She moved to North Platte in 1995 to be closer to family. Diana was a very loving mother and grandmother who always did what she could to take care of her family and will be remembered as an excellent cook.
Diana is survived by her children, William Ray (Vickie) Hartley of Russellville, AR, Amanda (Dean) McConnell of Sutherland, Charmaine (Brian Kramer) Willard of North Platte, and Hannah (Doug Sr.) Jenkins of Russellville, AR; grandchildren, Cathy (David) Wallies, Eva (Freddy) Zogg, Gary “Clark” (Lauren) Wilkison, Marsha (Steve) Coleman, Marvin McConnell, Wynonna Willard, Casey, Jennifer and Chris McConnell, Dustin Howell, Doug Jenkins Jr., Michelle Howell, Jesse Jenkins, Kaylan (Darshawn) Pumphrey-King, Nathan Howell, and Brittany Jenkins; great-grandchildren, William Sundin, Jim Wallies, Adam Wallies, Alicia Wallies, Brandon DeCent, Bruce Zogg, Breanna Zogg, Harley Zogg, Ziva Zogg, Molley Coleman, Gage Coleman, Marston Coleman, Jax Coleman, Zoey Porter, Ashlynn, Hailey Howell, Zavannah Monday, Fayleen, Emma Jenkins, Evan Barfield, and Blake Barfiled; and a brother, Melvin Classen of Seattle, WA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roscoe “Clark”; great-granddaughter Piper; and a sister, Charmaine Yvonne Classen.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday June 29, 2017 at Victory Church of God with Pastor Dean Bailey officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Elma Glennis Naviaux Newman, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away at the Waterford Nursing Home in Omaha, NE, on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at the age of 101.
Elma was born August 1, 1915, to Clarence Earl and Sarah Olive Pollard Campbell at Kaycee, WY. Elma grew up in Wyoming, living in Kaycee and Buffalo. She graduated from Buffalo High School then moved to Cheyenne to work as a secretary. Elma later met Eugene Elliott Naviaux and they were married in Cheyenne in 1937. They lived in Huntington, OR, and Omaha before settling in North Platte in 1945. Elma went on to work as a secretary for Nebraska Public Power District in North Platte and was there 25 years before she retired. Elma and Eugene were married for 25 years when he died in August of 1962.
On January 24, 1964, Elma was united in marriage to Irwin Spencer “Josh” Newman in North Platte where they continued to live. Over the years Elma and Josh enjoyed spending summers in Glenhaven, CO, and were members of Winter Dance.
Elma was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 70 years and a past member of B.P.O. Does. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed the Campbell family reunions.
She is survived by her daughters, Glennis (Ron) Baker, of North Platte and Sandy Naviaux, of Omaha; stepchildren, Leslie Newman, of Oxford CA, Loris (Dick) Michael and Linda (Tom) Melia, of Sandpoint, ID, and Peggy Brodsky, of Atlanta, GA; five grandchildren and 15 step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and 27 step great-grandchildren; 2 step great great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.
Along with her husbands, Eugene Naviaux and Josh Newman, Elma was preceded in death by her son, Bill Naviaux; parents, Clarence and Sarah Campbell; brother, Lee Campbell; sisters, Carman Kostenbauer and Cleo McPherron; stepsons, Don and Larry Newman; and granddaughter, Nicky Naviaux England.
Cremation was chosen. Graveside Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2017, in the North Platte Cemetery with Pastor Steve Nofel officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice.
Renee Joyce Wilkins, age 85 went to be with the Lord on Friday June 23, 2017 at Cozad Care Center in Cozad, NE.
Renee was born May 19, 1932 in McPherson County to Orval E. and Della (Hall) Black. She worked alongside her father in Black’s Cash Store and attended school in McPherson County, graduating with the class of 1950. After graduation she served in the US Navy for 2 years where she met her husband Brozy “Bud” Wilkins. They were married May 16, 1954 and to their union 3 children were born: Brozy “Butch” III, Brenda, and Ed. While Bud was in the service they lived in various places including Virginia, Texas, and Spain. When Bud retired they lived for a while in Florida, back in Tryon, and finally in Kearney, NE. Joyce loved playing board games and cards, and taught her grandchildren and some nieces and nephews how to play games from an early age. She liked camping and fishing and she and Bud had purchased a motor home just before he passed away. They had many wonderful times spent with her 3 sisters and their spouses sharing holidays together and lots of camping journeys together. She was active in her Baptist Church in Kearney, serving on the visitation committee and being chair of her Baptist Women’s Group.
Joyce is survived by her 3 children, Brozy “Butch” Wilkins III of Pinehurst, TX, Brenda (Mike) Peters of Gothenburg, NE, and Orval Edward (Lori) Wilkins of Pleasanton, NE; 9 grandchildren Brozy “Buck” Wilkins IV, Chad (Mindy) Wilkins, Marci (J.T.) Blackwell, Deke Wilkins, Shea (Jennie) Wilkins, Nick Wilkins, Stephanie (Dave) Rodriguez, Amy Case, Craig Wilkins; daughter-in-law Wanda Wilkins; 14 great grandchildren; sister Jerry (Gary) Neal of North Platte, NE; 2 half sisters Jodeen Carroll of Lexington, NE and Shelly (Jeff) Arensdorf of Tryon, NE; 1 half brother Ed Black of Tryon, NE; and 1 step sister Susan Crapo of Yankton, SD.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud; an infant son; an infant grandson Cody Wilkins; sisters Joanne Jennings and Janis Nielsen; brothers-in-law Darwin Nielsen and Dale Jennings; infant niece Kylee Neal; step brother Rick Black; step sister Beth Ehrbar; and her stepmother Leah Black.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be graveside 1:00 p.m. Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Miller Cemetery in Tryon with military honors. Pastor James Paine will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday June 27, 2017 and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until noon, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two young men have been shot at a party in eastern Nebraska.
The shooting occurred in rural Washington County, south of Fort Calhoun. Authorities say deputies were called to a Fort Calhoun residence around 2 a.m. Sunday, where one of the wounded men had been taken by a friend. The wounded man was identified as 19-year-old Jordan Franklin, of Wahoo. He was taken to an Omaha hospital.
The other wounded man was identified as 18-year-old Caleb Thompson-Scheleiger, also of Wahoo. He also was taken to an Omaha hospital.
Deputies say a 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and use of a firearm.
PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a fire that destroyed a Sarpy County home spread to two others nearby.
Bellevue firefighters arrived first at the home, around 11:45 p.m. Sunday. The home sits southeast of Papillion (puh-PIHL’-yuhn).
The arriving firefighters say the home already was engulfed, and flames had spread to the second home and was melting siding on the third home. Papillion, Bellevue, Ralston and Omaha firefighters combined to put out the blaze.
No injuries have been reported. The fire cause is being investigated.
