Post Staff – Page 678 – North Platte Post Archive

Budget debate continues with no vote in Nebraska Legislature

Posted on February 1, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal that would help balance the state’s finances in the current budget cycle has hit a roadblock in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators continued to debate the measure on Wednesday but adjourned for the day without voting.

Some lawmakers argued against the cuts recommended by Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha suggested lawmakers scrap the proposal and craft a new budget.

Nebraska faces a projected $895 million revenue shortfall in the upcoming two-year budget cycle. The bill under debate would address the current fiscal year’s shortfall by imposing across-the-board cuts, taking unspent money back from departments and making withdrawals from various cash funds.

Sen. John Stinner of Gering, the Appropriations Committee chairman, says the cuts were carefully reviewed by his committee.

Nebraska could expand program aimed at neglected children

Posted on February 1, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are looking to expand a pilot program that was designed to keep more neglected children with their families, as long as steps can be taken to keep them safe.

Two bills presented to a legislative committee on Wednesday would continue the state’s alternative response program, which is slated to end July 1.

The program in 57 counties is aimed at parents deemed a low risk to hurt their children. Many cases are tied to poverty or a parent’s workload, and can be addressed by providing food, transportation, temporary child care and other services.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO Courtney Phillips says the new process helps build trust between families and her agency.

Advocates say they support the concept but stress the need to maintain oversight.

Pork industry says not to worry about a bacon shortage

Posted on February 1, 2017

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pork industry experts say U.S. consumers shouldn’t worry about a bacon shortage.

The reassurance comes amid news that demand for bacon depleted frozen pork belly supplies in the U.S. to a record low for December. Pork bellies are the cut of the hog from which bacon is derived.

But the industry is confident it can boost hog production enough to avoid any serious shortages.

Steve Meyer is a pork industry economist for Express Markets Inc., which tracks industry trends for retailers and foodservice companies.

He expects pork production to increase about 3 percent this year. So if prices do climb, they should stabilize once the industry catches up.

Bottom line: A pound of bacon may cost a little more as winter wears on, but prices should stabilize by summer.

Omaha police say teenage son accidentally shot father

Posted on February 1, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say an Omaha man was fatally shot on his birthday by his teenage son in what appears to have been an accident.

Omaha police were called Tuesday night to an apartment in northwest Omaha for a shooting. Arriving officers found 44-year-old Benjamin Majestic wounded. Majestic was taken to Nebraska Medical Center, where he died.

Police confirmed Majestic’s 17-year-old son shot him while inside their third-floor apartment and that investigators believe the shooting was accidental. No charges have been filed.

Nebraska could join call for constitutional convention

Posted on February 1, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could join eight other Republican-dominated states calling for a convention of states to pass constitutional amendments limiting federal government power.

Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete presented the proposal Wednesday to the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. It would limit the scope of the convention to focus on the size and scope of the federal government, fiscal restraint and possible term limits for U.S. senators and representatives.

Proponents argue such amendments would bring the federal government back in line with the nation’s founding principles. Critics say there’s no way to control a constitutional convention.

Either 34 states or two-thirds of both houses of Congress can call for a constitutional amendment. Thirty-eight states have to approve amendments.

Iowa woman killed in Omaha crash remembered year later

Posted on February 1, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nearly 200 people turned out at a southeast Omaha intersection to remember a Council Bluffs, Iowa, woman killed a year ago in a crash police say was caused by a drunken driver in the country illegally.

Friends and family of 21-year-old Sarah Root release balloons Tuesday night in her memory.

Investigators say 20-year-old Eswin Mejia was in the country illegally when he was driving drunk last February and crashed into Root’s car, killing her.

Authorities haven’t seen Mejia since he posted $5,000 bond and was released from jail.

Iowa and Nebraska lawmakers have introduced legislation to require federal immigration officials to keep any person in the country illegally in custody when charged with a crime involving serious injury or death.

President Donald Trump mentioned the Omaha case during his campaign rallies to bolster support for a crackdown on illegal immigration.

Nebraska man pleads not guilty to raping woman he met on Facebook

Posted on February 1, 2017

AURORA, Neb. (AP) — An Aurora man charged with raping a woman he met on online has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree sexual assault charge.

41-year-old Ross Carstensen is set to stand trial in June and faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted. He entered his plea Jan. 18 in Hamilton County District Court.

Police say Carstensen communicated with an 18-year-old woman via Facebook posing as someone named “Brandon” and arranged to meet her at a park. Investigators say Carstensen met her at the park and said he would take her to “Brandon.” Once they arrived at a house, police said, Carstensen raped the woman.

Carstensen’s attorney, Clarence Mock, says Carstensen “vigorously contests” the accusations and that the sexual encounter was consensual.

Former Nebraska justice to review Chambers residency case

Posted on February 1, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska Supreme Court justice has been chosen to help investigate the claim that state Sen. Ernie Chambers doesn’t live in the district he represents.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse announced Wednesday that a special committee has recruited former Justice William Connolly to serve as its legal counsel.

Connolly will conduct legal research related to the qualifications challenge against Chambers, of Omaha. Chambers is Nebraska’s longest-serving lawmaker.

The challenge was filed by John Sciara of Omaha, who ran unsuccessfully against Chambers in the 2016 election. Sciara contends that Chambers really lives in Bellevue.

Chambers has scoffed at the allegation as “busybody, gossipy, vengeful cud.” He also has provided lawmakers and reporters with documents listing his north Omaha address, including utility bills and newspaper subscription papers.

HIGHLIGHTS: Knights complete comeback for big road win at Northeastern 84-75

Posted on February 1, 2017

Sterling, Colo. – The North Platte Community College Knights basketball team avenged a loss earlier in the season defeating the Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen 84-75 on Tuesday night in a Region IX South Sub-Region contest.

The Plainsmen started the scoring on a three-pointer by Garrett Baggett. The Knights’ Diontae Champion answered back to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Plainsmen. The score remained that way for the first three minutes of the ball game. The first quarter went back and forth with nine lead changes and three ties. The Knights held a 29-23 lead after a Godfrey Rolle three-pointer. The Plainsmen went on a 17-4 run to close out the half to take a 40-33 halftime lead.

The Plainsmen held the lead for the most part of the second half. David Niklasson made a three-pointer to give the Knights their first lead of the second half at 69-68.

The Knights never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the game. Nate Duda and Buom Dobuol had key defensive plays for the Knights down the stretch. The Knights made seven of 10 free throws in the final moments to secure the win.

The Knights, now 14-5 on the season and 4-5 in Region IX South Sub-Region play had three players in double figures led by Diontae Champion with 19 points. Duda added 17 points and Lewis added 16 points. Duda finished the night with a double-double having 11 rebounds to lead the Knights. Lewis dished out six assists.

The Plainsmen, 14-10 overall and 6-5 in the South Sub-Region were led in scoring by Axel Mpoyo with 19 points. Three other Plainsmen scored in double figures. Dei’shon Parker added 13 points, Baggett had 11 points and Marsalis Johnson finished with 10 points. Baggett had seven rebounds to lead the Plainsmen.

The Knights will look to avenge another loss when they host Lamar Community College on Friday at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. Lamar defeated the Knights on Dec 10 at Lamar 72-63.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm CST. The game will be livestreamed at www.npccknights.com.

HIGHLIGHTS: Lady Knights fall at Northeastern 56-51

Posted on February 1, 2017

Sterling, Colo. – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team travelled to Sterling, Colo., to play the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen on Tuesday night and were defeated 56-51.

The Lady Knights jumped out to a 6-2 lead. The Plainswomen responded with a 10-4 run to take the lead at 12-10. In the first quarter there were four lead changes and the Plainswomen led at the end of the first quarter at 18-15.

In the second quarter, the biggest margin between the two teams was five points when the Lady Knights led 29-24 after a 6-0 run. The lead changed three times in the quarter and the Lady Knights led 31-28 at halftime.

The Plainswomen held the Lady Knights to eight points during the third quarter. The Lady Knights shot 23.5 percent in the third quarter going 4 for 17 from the field. The Plainswomen scored 14 points to take a 42-39 lead going into the final quarter.

The Plainswomen held the lead the entire fourth quarter. The Lady Knights scored 12 points, making three field goals and five free throws. The Plainswomen had their biggest lead of the game leading 53-46.

The Lady Knights are now 7-13 on the season. Thomesha Wilson was one of three Lady Knights in double figures with 16 points. Jessica Lovitt followed with 14 points and Aljahnay Duncan added 10 points. Wilson had a double-double by adding 12 rebounds.

The Plainswomen, now 7-15, broke a 10-game losing streak with the win. Nicole Mauragarren Clavier led the Plainswomen with 16 points. Kiara McElroy added 13 points. Coola Baudry had 14 rebounds to lead the Plainswomen.

The Lady Knights are in action on Friday night when they face the 20-2 Northeast Community College Lady Hawks.

Tip-off is at 5 pm CST and will be live streamed at www.npccknights.com.