Post Staff – Page 574 – North Platte Post Archive

Tax package backed by Nebraska Gov. Ricketts stalls

Posted on May 2, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A tax cut package backed by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has stalled in the Legislature.

Supporters on Tuesday failed to overcome a filibuster led by opponents who argued it would have favored the wealthy and not done enough for agricultural land owners. Lawmakers voted 27-9 to end legislative debate, six short of what was needed.

The plan would have lowered Nebraska’s top personal and corporate income tax rates, adjusted the way agricultural land is valued for tax purposes, capped statewide property tax growth and expanded the earned income tax credit for low-income residents.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, who sponsored the bill, says he was extremely disappointed with the vote. Smith says it illustrates how difficult it is to pass income tax legislation in the Legislature.

Texas youth elected by peers as mayor of Boys Town, Nebraska

Posted on May 2, 2017

BOYS TOWN, Neb. (AP) — A Texas teenager has been elected mayor of Boys Town, Nebraska.

The Rev. Edward Flanagan, who founded the home for wayward youth, conceived the self-government system in 1926 as a tool to build character and a sense of community among its residents. Boys Town is small incorporated village on the western edge of Omaha.

Jason Landin, of Laredo, Texas, was elected Tuesday as the 117th mayor. The new vice mayor is TiJaih Davis, of Baltimore.

The 16-year-old Landin runs track and cross country and is a student council member. Davis is 17 and a football captain who also runs track.

The election process was made famous in the 1938 movie “Boys Town.” Mickey Rooney portrayed Whitey Marsh, a young tough who turns his life around and becomes Boys Town mayor.

Bill to help Nebraska teen moms graduate high school passes

Posted on May 2, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that would require schools to accommodate pregnant and parenting students.

Senators voted 31-7 to pass the measure Tuesday over continued objection from conservative rural senators who say schools in their districts do not need a policy to take care of their students. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard failed to amend the bill to limit it to schools Douglas and Lancaster counties.

The bill would require schools to give breastfeeding students a space to express and store milk and adopt written policies for how to handle absences and coursework.

Nebraska will debate bill to hold back kids who can’t read

Posted on May 2, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that would require schools to accommodate pregnant and parenting students.

The bill would require schools to give breastfeeding students a space to express and store milk and adopt written policies for how to handle absences and coursework.

Robert Leon Morrison

Posted on May 2, 2017May 3, 2017

Robert Leon Morrison, age 73 of North Platte, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

He was born February 22, 1944 to Clarence P. and Darlene (Landry) Morrison on a farm outside of Gandy, NE, where he grew up before moving to Arnold, NE. 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 the 14^th of December 1963 he married his beautiful wife, Sandra Jameson. In 1973, they purchased Snell Electric, 1984 Hansen Plumbing and Heating, 1985 Cox and Hyde Refrigeration and 1986 changed 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 Ambassador’s 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, Brad (Brooke) all of North Platte; grandchildren, Jason (Tonya) Morrison, Chad Knoedler, Chad Triplett, Jesse Morrison, Derek Knoedler, 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 NE. Online Condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Cremation was requested. A celebration of Bob’s life will be at a later date, due to health concerns in the family. Those wishing to sign his memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

George K. Campbell, Sr.

Posted on May 2, 2017

George K. Campbell, Sr., age 83, of North Platte, Neb., passed away April 29, 2017 at the Sutherland Care Center. Born Mar. 21, 1934 in Wallace, to Thomas and Laura (Boyes) Campbell, he grew up on a farm near there before moving with his family to a ranch west of Dickens. George attended Lily Dale Country School, Dickens, and then Wallace Elementary schools. In 1951 he graduated from Curtis Agricultural High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in May 1955, served 16 months in Korea, and returned stateside to Fort Lewis, Wash. where he completed his enlistment and was discharged in February 1957. He worked on the family ranch and in construction after his military service. On the Fourth of July in 1960, he married the love of his life, Janice (Wright), in North Platte. The couple lived there for more than 10 years before moving northwest of town to a small ranch where they raised nine children, cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, pets, and a big garden. George became a truck driver, working for several local companies including Consolidated Freightways, before retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Teamsters Union, American Legion, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He had an infectious sense of humor; an affinity for nicknaming kids, trucks, and dogs; an appreciation for the Sandhills and Platte River Valley; and an unwavering love of his wife of 56 years and their family.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Laura; a brother, Thomas Duane; a nephew, Bradford Thomas; and his parents-in-law, Loyd and Pearl Wright.

He is survived by his wife Janice of North Platte; children George Jr., (Sonja) of North Platte, Teresa (Mike) Reitcheck of Chadron, Lisa (Don) Laurell of Lincoln, Tamara (Darin) Busch of Doniphan, Debora (Mark) Stickley of Hershey, Douglas (Danella) of Hershey, Joseph (Harriet) of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jeffrey (Jennell) of Cairo, and Randal of Dickens; 21 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren (and one on the way); a sister, Karen Preston of Enid, OK; sister–in–law, Mary Jean of Herndon, VA; several cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Church or to Great Plains Home Health and Hospice. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m., at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte followed by burial with military honors at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Early autopsy results suggest Nebraska man died of exposure

Posted on May 2, 2017

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Preliminary autopsy results say a Scottsbluff man whose body was found in a ditch likely died of exposure.

Scottsbluff Police Capt. Brian Wasson says toxicology test results aren’t expected for at least two weeks. Wasson said Monday that nothing found by investigators so far suggests 45-year-old Billy LaDeaux died as a result of a crime.

Two teenage boys found the body around 5:45 p.m. Saturday. Family members last saw LaDeaux on Thursday night. He lived in Scottsbluff.

Attempt to extend tax levy authority for Nebraska NRDs fails

Posted on May 2, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would allow Nebraska’s natural resources district to continue levying a temporary 3-cent property tax for every $100 of valuation has stalled in the Legislature.

The proposal failed to overcome a filibuster on Tuesday. Lawmakers voted 31-9 to force an end to legislative debate, two votes shy of the minimum needed.

The bill by Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson was backed by a leading advocate for the state’s natural resources districts. The levy only could have been used for implement groundwater management activities. Opponents say it conflicts with the Legislature’s efforts to lower property taxes.

Nebraska Vietnam veterans recognized with honor flight

Posted on May 2, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Hundreds of Vietnam War veterans in Nebraska’s capital were given a warm welcome home more than four decades after returning from war.

650 Vietnam veterans from Nebraska were flown to Washington to visit the Vietnam War memorial and pay tribute to their fallen comrades. More than 58,000 Americans died in the war.

The veterans took four Honor Flight jets back to the Lincoln Airport Monday night and were greeted by thousands waving U.S. flags.

It was a homecoming many of the veterans didn’t receive when they returned from the war. Rick Siebert of Fairbury says only his parents were at the airport to greet him.

The airport ceremony was organized by Patriotic Productions.

Six NPCC Knights Hoopsters Named to All-Nebraska Team

Posted on May 1, 2017

North Platte – The Omaha World Herald has announced the 2016-17 All-Nebraska Two-Year College Basketball teams.

Six North Platte Community College Knights and Lady Knights were named to the teams.
On the men’s side, Diontae Champion was named as honorary captain. Samuel Kearns was a member of the second team and Mike Amius was named honorable mention.

On the women’s team, a pair of Lady Knights were named to the first team, Jessica Lovitt and Thomesha Wilson. Allison Tichy was named honorable mention.

Champion, a sophomore from Arlington, Texas, averaged 14.8 points per game for the Knights and was a first team All-Region IX player and Most Valuable Player of the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference. Champion is the 21st leading scorer in the history of Knights basketball with 930 points. Champion has signed to continue his college career at the University of New Orleans.

Kearns, a freshman from San Antonio, Texas averaged 12.8 ppg for the Knights this past season and led the Knights in assists with 93. Kearns also broke the school record for three-point percentage in a season at 53.4 percent, which was the fourth best percentage in the nation. Kearns was also an All- NCCAC selection.

Amius, a sophomore from Lake Worth, Fla., averaged 11.8 ppg and six rebounds per game. Amius broke the Knights record for career field goal percentage at 68.0 percent. His 70.1 field goal percentage this season was the sixth best in the nation. Amius will continue his playing career at Western Carolina University next season.

Lovitt, a sophomore from Mullen, played both volleyball and basketball for the Lady Knights. Lovitt averaged 12.4 ppg in basketball. She was named to the All-Region IX Division II team, the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team and the All-NCCAC team. She was also an All-Region IX Volleyball player the past two seasons. Lovitt was also an All-Nebraska honorable mention in volleyball. Lovitt has signed to play basketball at Chadron State College next season.

Wilson, a sophomore from Omaha averaged 13.6 ppg and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Lady Knights this past season. Wilson was also named to the All-Region IX Division II team, the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team and the All-NCCAC team.

Tichy, a freshman from Bellevue, averaged 8.8 ppg this past season. Tichy was also named to the All-Region IX Division II team, the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team and the All-NCCAC team.

The complete list of All-Nebraska teams can be found at www.omaha.com.