Post Staff – Page 760 – North Platte Post Archive

Heroic Nebraska banker, Iowa teen to be honored

Posted on November 22, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Three Omaha men and two eastern Iowa men will be honored during halftime of the Nebraska-Iowa “Heroes” football game on Friday.

Brett Bailes, Chris Holbeck and Dennis Wilson rescued several people involved in a fiery two-car crash on an Omaha street. Bailes used his coat to put out flames that had engulfed a passenger. He, Wilson and Holbeck also pulled a driver and another passenger from a burning car.

In Iowa, Cedar Rapids firefighters credit Ken Blazek and Brock Staley for saving a badly burned woman trapped in her house after an explosion.

“Citizen heroes” from the two states, an honor sponsored by Hy-Vee food stores and the American Red Cross, are recognized every year at the post-Thanksgiving Day game.

Southeast Nebraska teacher accused of slapping student

Posted on November 22, 2016

ODELL, Neb. (AP) — A veteran teacher has been accused of slapping a student in southeast Nebraska.

The incident occurred last week in an agriculture classroom at Diller-Odell High School in Diller. Authorities say a student was leaning against or otherwise moving a desk, causing the desk legs to make a squeaking noise. The teacher told the student to stop moving the desk and, while standing behind the student, slapping a side of the boy’s face.

The teacher described it to a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator as a light slap. The teacher was ticketed for misdemeanor assault. Online court records don’t yet show that he’s been formally charged.

Superintendent Mike Meyerle declined to comment Tuesday but said the teacher had worked 31 years for the district.

January sentencing set for Iowan in fatal Nebraska crash

Posted on November 22, 2016

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A 45-year-old Iowa man has been found guilty of vehicular homicide in the crash deaths of three people in northeast Nebraska.

Online court records say Christopher Cox, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, pleaded no contest to three counts last week in Dakota County Court. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4.

Authorities say Cox’s car ran off U.S. Highway 20 west of Jackson on June 9 and struck a concrete creek barrier. He told officers he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.

Two of his passengers died at the scene: 57-year-old Connie Fauzae and 9-year-old Espinoza Lara, both of Council Bluffs, Iowa. A third passenger died later at a Sioux City, Iowa, hospital: 10-year-old Jose Lara, also of Council Bluffs.

Cox was treated for minor injuries.

Bellevue man gets prison in sex assault on group home resident

Posted on November 22, 2016November 22, 2016

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A Bellevue man convicted in the sexual assault of a group home resident has been given 10 to 21 years in prison.

Court records say 39-year-old Adrian Galbreath was sentenced Monday in Sarpy County District Court. He’d pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault and two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult. Prosecutors lowered the assault charge in exchange for Galbreath’s pleas.

The judge credited Galbreath with 396 days already served.

Court records say Galbreath worked at Hands of Heartland and had invited the group home resident to Galbreath’s Bellevue apartment on Sept. 23 last year. Authorities say Galbreath pushed down and began to assault the man after the man became intoxicated.

A Hands of Heartland official has said Galbreath is no longer an employee.

Merle F. Axford

Posted on November 22, 2016November 22, 2016

Merle F. Axford, 51, of North Platte passed away November 19, 2016 in North Platte.
Merle was born April 30, 1965 in Fort Carson, Colorado to Francis and Beverly (Runyon) Axford. He graduated high school in Warren Township, IL in 1983 and attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1989. On June 13, 1992 he married Karla Forsch in Ames, Iowa. Merle started working with Wal-Mart and worked in stores in several states including, Wyoming, Illinois, Montana, and Kentucky. The family moved to North Platte in January 2013 where Merle was an operations manager for Wal-Mart. He will be remembered as a great boss and mentor.
Merle was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our savior, was involved with Kiwanis, the United Way, and was an Eagle Scout; enjoying doing Boy Scout projects with his boys.
Survivors include his wife, Karla of North Platte; children, Austin, Tyler, and Mason all of North Platte; mother, Beverly Axford of Converse, TX; sisters, Julie (Steven) Bissell of Converse, TX, Jackie (David) Bishop of Louisville, CO, and Kathy (Mike) Klein of Derby, KS; 5 nephews; and 2 nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorials are suggested to The United Way in Butte, MT and the Callahan Cancer Center in North Platte, and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Episcopal church of Our Savior with Father Jeffrey Nelson officiating. Visitation will be 12: 00 – 9:00 p.m. with family receiving friends 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Robert W. “Bob” Allen

Posted on November 22, 2016November 22, 2016

Robert W. “Bob” Allen of North Platte, passed away on November 18, 2016 at Great Plains Health. He was born on November 7, 1951 in Tilden, Nebraska to Vernon and Juanita (Rogers) Allen. Bob grew up in Petersburg, Nebraska, graduating from Petersburg High School in 1970. He went on to Northeastern Nebraska College where he played basketball then transferring on to Chadron State College continuing his basketball career and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

After graduation he moved to North Platte where he worked for Dowhower Construction. He then worked with his father at Welty’s TV and Appliance. They later changed the name to Allen’s TV and Appliance operating the store until 1990. Bob went on to start his own business, Allen’s Appliance Repair in 1990.

On October 5, 1984 Bob married Karen Miles in North Platte. They are members of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Bob’s love for hunting created a new business for him as a Taxidermist in his spare time, winning numerous state and national awards for mounts he had done. Bob enjoyed spearfishing, boating, jet skiing and camping with family and friends. He traveled the world hunting more exotic animals and mounting them for display. He loved riding motorcycles, trikes and go cart racing with his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife Karen Allen of North Platte; three children, Sonja (Kevin)Pearson of Grand Island, Amy Allen of Scottsbluff and Robert (Joy) Coons of Hershey; five grandchildren, Robin, Chris and John Pearson of Grand Island, Kelsey Salazar-Allen of North Platte, Calina Allen of McCook; four siblings, Terri (Stan) Timm of Omaha, Ken (Cheryl) Allen of Castle Rock, Colorado, Randy Allen of North Platte and Merri (John) Brownell of Omaha; sister-in-law Karen Miles of San Diego, California; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother Gloria Allen, two sons, David James and Scott Robert Allen; in-laws, Jack and Edith Miles; and a brother-in-law, Kent Miles. Online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Memorials may be made to the North Platte Animal Shelter.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte with the Reverend Tim Eighmy officiating. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Garden. Visitation will be Friday, November 25, 2016 from 12-9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m.. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Weather-November 22

Posted on November 22, 2016

Tuesday

Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 41. North wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. South southeast wind around 6 mph.

Thanksgiving Day

Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 52.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 54.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

NPCC Knights Softball Signs Eight

Posted on November 21, 2016November 21, 2016

Seated: Ashlynn Krueger, Hailey Wilkins, Darkia Brown; Monitors L-R: Mikayla Gibson, Kenlee Wanlass & Kamree Christensen, Ally Oxborrow. Not Pictured: Janessa Dunton sign to play softball at North Platte Community College. Photo Courtesy of Knights Softball.

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Knights softball team announced the signing of eight new players for the 2017-18 season.

The recruits include Mikayla Gibson, Ally Oxborrow, Kamree Christensen, and Kenlee Wanlass from Utah; Ashlynn Krueger and Darkia Brown from Colorado; Janessa Dunton from Nevada; and Hailey Wilkins from Texas. Continue reading “NPCC Knights Softball Signs Eight”

NPCC Volleyball Signs Simpson

Posted on November 21, 2016

North Platte High School senior Jordynn Simpson, front row center, signs a national letter of intent to play volleyball at North Plattte Community College as parents and coaches look on. Standing : Gary Attebery and Clancy Hammond, Flatrock club coaches, NPCC Head Coach Alexa McCall, NPHS Coach Laura Miller and Vicki Hopping. Seated Stuart Simpson, Jordynn, and Lisa Simpson.

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team has signed North Platte High School Bulldog senior Jordynn Simpson to a national letter of intent to play volleyball for the 2017 season.

Simpson is the daughter of Stuart and Lisa Simpson of North Platte.

The 5’ 6” senior libero had an injury shortened season. Simpson also played volleyball for the Flatrock Volleyball club team.

Simpson said, “I chose North Platte because I wanted to be closer to home and family/friends. North Platte has a really good volleyball program and improves every year. I like the program and the coaches.”

Lady Knight Head Coach Alexa McCall said, “We are excited to have Jordynn join our program. She is a great kid as well as a solid player. I think she will fit right in and be an impact player.”

Simpson is the Lady Knights first signee for the 2017 season.

The Latest: DA: 6 dead in Chattanooga school bus crash

Posted on November 21, 2016November 22, 2016

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — The Latest on the fatal school bus crash in Chattanooga (all times local):

The Latest: Bus driver arrested in fatal school bus crash
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — The Latest on the fatal school bus crash in Chattanooga (all times local):

12:45 a.m.

Police say the driver of a school bus that crashed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing six people, has been arrested.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher says 24-year-old Johnthony Walker has been charged with five counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

Fletcher says additional charges may be added as the case proceeds to a grand jury.

The school bus was mangled around a tree at the scene. Police say the students on the bus ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

The bus was carrying students from Woodmore Elementary.

6:50 p.m.

The district attorney says six people are dead in an elementary school bus crash in Chattanooga.

Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston told media outlets that five people died at the scene and one died at the hospital. Melydia Clewell, spokeswoman for the district attorney, confirmed the number.

The school bus was mangled around a tree at the scene. Police say the ages of the students ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

The bus was carrying students from Woodmore Elementary.

___

6:10 p.m.

Chattanooga police are reporting multiple deaths in an elementary school bus crash.

In a news conference Monday, Assistant Chief Tracy Arnold said there were multiple fatalities but did not confirm the exact number. Police have said the bus crash sent 23 people to area hospitals and 35 schoolchildren were on the bus Monday afternoon.

The school bus was mangled around a tree at the scene. Arnold said the ages of the students ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

___

5:50 p.m.

Chattanooga police say an elementary school bus crash has sent 23 people to area hospitals.

Police Chief Fred Fletcher said 35 schoolchildren were on the bus Monday afternoon. He did not have information about the extent of injuries and said rescue efforts were continuing.

Fletcher said at a news conference that the bus was the only vehicle involved in the crash. The students on board ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

At the state Capitol in Nashville, Gov. Bill Haslam called the crash “a tragic event” and offered assistance.

Fletcher said police were interviewing the bus driver to determine what happened.

The bus was carrying students from Woodmore Elementary.