Author: Post Staff
(UPDATED) Halloween night fire destroys NP home
UPDATE (11-2-16 4:00pm)
The Post spoke to City Fire Marshal George Lewis and he stated that he was not able to locate a “source of ignition” for the fire.
The cause has officially been ruled “undetermined.”
Lewis confirmed that one person was transported to the hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.
A North Platte family lost their home in a fire on Halloween night.
According to the North Platte Fire Department, a call came in shortly after 10:00 pm, reporting a structure fire in the 1800 block of East Sixth Street.
Officials say firefighters arrived and found a garage and adjoining trailer fully engulfed in flames.
Fire crews battled the blaze for about twenty-five minutes and initially ruled the fire “under control” at around 10:40 pm. But, crews had to return to the structure around midnight to address a flare-up.
The garage, home, and a vehicle were all total losses. Scanner traffic indicated that at least one person was transported to the hospital with possible smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.
The fire is being investigated by City Fire Marshal George Lewis. The Post expects to have more details tomorrow morning. It is believed that the fire started in the garage.
Midwest economic survey suggests slowdown to continue
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy will continue slowing in nine Midwest and Plains states, in part because of manufacturing weakness.
The Mid-America Business Conditions Index report released Tuesday says the overall economic index for the region dropped to 43.8 in October from September’s 45.5.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says “weakness among manufacturers linked to agriculture and energy continue to weigh on regional economic conditions.”
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Man who stole from casino gets 5 years of probation
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A northeast Nebraska man who stole from a casino in Winnebago has been ordered to pay more than $12,000 in restitution.
Mark Hannan, of South Sioux City, also was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to five years of probation. In August he’d pleaded guilty to theft by an employee of a gaming establishment on Indian lands.
Court documents say that from Nov. 1, 2015, through Feb. 15 this year, Hannan stole the money while working at the Native Star Casino, which is owned and operated by the Winnebago Indian Tribe of Nebraska.
Omaha police ID man killed in southeast apartment shooting
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have identified a man shot to death at a southeast Omaha apartment complex.
The shooting was reported around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday at the Southside Terrace apartments. Police say 23-year-old Lamond Strong was shot in a leg and in his back, and he was later pronounced dead at Nebraska Medical Center.
Police haven’t released any other details about the shooting. No arrests have been reported.
Aurora man arrested for 1st-degree sexual assault
Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a 40-year-old Aurora man for First Degree Sexual Assault.
On Thursday, October 20, NSP investigators responded to a victims’ report of a sexual assault. The female victim provided investigators with information about a male who identified himself as “Brandon” who she met on a social media site.
The victim indicated the two had been corresponding for a couple of weeks and that she had agreed to meet with “Brandon”. The victim was to drive to Aurora, where she would meet him at a park. He indicated he would be in a white car.
Upon her arrival at the designated location, the victim indicated she found a man waiting in a white car, but that she did not recognize him as “Brandon”. The man told her “Brandon”, was at a house in Aurora and he was to drive her there. The victim rode with him to the house. She then went inside the home with the man.
Once inside he informed her “Brandon” was not there. While in the home, the victim was sexually assaulted by the man. After the assault the man drove her back to her car.
The victim then returned to her home, where she reported the sexual assault.
Using information provided by the victim, investigators identified Ross Carstensen, 40, 190 Dongle Road as a suspect in the sexual assault.
On Tuesday, November 1, a search warrant was served at his residence, where computers, other electronic devices and additional evidence was seized.
Carstensen, who was home at the time, was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Hamilton County Jail on a charge of First Degree Sexual Assault.
‘A Christmas Carol Musical’ opens at the NPCP
The North Platte Community Playhouse has announced the opening of its next production of the 2016/2017 season, “A Christmas Carol Musical.”
For many around the world, Christmas isn’t Christmas without revisiting the well-loved tale of the penny-pinching miser, Ebenezer Scrooge and the awakening of his long-forgotten festive spirit.
Written in the latter months of 1843, over a period of just a few weeks Charles Dickens, created one of his most affecting and universal novels, “A Christmas Carol”.
This ghostly tale of the Past, Present and Future is brought to life in this exciting new musical adaptation. Keeping true to the original text, it draws upon the themes of time, family and society’s ills to warm even the coldest of hearts.
When the spirit of Jacob Marley, his former partner, tells Scrooge he must know his responsibilities, Scrooge is taken on a very busy night to show him the error of his ways. With the Ghost of Christmas Past illustrating the importance of family and friends, Christmas Present representing charity and benevolence and Future bringing in its wake what should happen if all these lessons are forgotten, Scrooge becomes a changed man.
Drawing strongly on the theme of time, this adaptation shows that we must use our time wisely and understand that we have but a moment to make the right choices. With time ticking onward, Scrooge must make his life mean something before it is too late. When the bell tolls for Christmas Day, will he have the strength to change the man he has become over so many wasted years?
Production dates are November 11, 12, 13 & 18, 19, 20, 2016. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8:00 pm and Sundays matinees begin at 2:00 pm.
Tickets will be available at the Playhouse Box Office or online at www.northplattecommunityplayhouse.com, beginning Monday, November 7, 2016. They are $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children and students. Tickets will also be available at the door prior to each performance.
“A Christmas Carol Musical” is directed by Bob Allen, with assistant director Carolyn Clark and Music Director Carmen Allen. It is produced through a special arrangement with International Theatre and Music, LTD.
“A Christmas Carol Musical is made possible by our Corporate Sponsor, Eye Surgeons of Nebraska, and the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment for the Arts.
CAST LIST
Charles Dickens Josh Gesinski
Ebenezer Scrooge Todd von Kampen
Bob Cratchit Malachi Murtaugh
Fred Philip Ryan
Jacob Marley Justin Morgan
Second Gentleman Stewart Clow
Fezziwig Morris Turner
Man at Party 1, Stewart Clow
Man at Party 2 Roy Lawton
Businessman 3 Stewart Clow
Young Scrooge Ben von Kampen
Young Marley Michael Richey
Old Joe Roy Lawton
Costermonger Stewart Clow
Poulterer Melodie Loostrom
Lamplighter Stewart Clow
Sam Michael Richey
Beadle Annie von Kampen
Mrs. Cratchit Mahaila Botts
Belle Mari Gesinski
Mrs. Fezziwig Melissa Mitchell
Mrs. Dilber Katy Walker
Beth Andrea Foster
Mrs. Filch Connie Huebner
Women’s Ensemble Traci Shavlik – Vendor
Annie von Kampen – Parent
Lisa Hodgen – Poor Woman
Alexandria San Miguel – Wife
Dani Ingison –Vendor
Ghost of Christmas Past Hannah Sukraw
Ghost of Christmas Present Tia San Miguel
Ghost of Christmas To Come Melodie Loostrom
Boy Scrooge Nic Zurn
Fan Mandi Hatch
Martha Shekynah Hodgen
Peter Jonah San Miguel
Belinda Julie Ingison
Tiny Tim Ranan Rubalcara
Boy Lance Allen
CONTINUED
Lamp Lad Jeremiah Ingison
Spoilt boy Luke Borges
Spoilt girl Rei Wood
Ignorance Cooper Lange
Want Raya Rubalcara
Ragged Youths/ Youth Ensemble
Jessen McClintock
Isaiah Mitchell
Bella Mitchell
Marissa Pfeifer
Douglas Titman
Ella Harmon
Makenna Modlin
Dakota Guthrie
Mya Larsen
Sierra Mitchell
Lost souls (ghosts) Ben Von Kampen
Michael Richey
Alexandria San Miguel
Roy Lawton
Mike J. Nixon
Mike J. Nixon, 49, of North Platte, went to be with the Angels on October 28, 2016.
Mike was born on July 2, 1967, in Hastings, Nebraska to Sharon (Wynn) and Robert Nixon.
Mike was a fun-loving soul, would help anybody at any time. He graduated with the class of 1986 at North Platte High School. Mike loved and cherished many many things, including his 1973 Javelin and his love for his four dogs, Shasta, Fez, Otis and Tex. Mike was President, Senator and Director of the North Platte Jaycees, where he met many long-standing friendships.
Mike hired on the Union Pacific Railroad in 2004 as a conductor. Mike will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Mike is survived by his brother, Brad Nixon, of North Platte; his uncle, Ron Wynn, of California; many good friends he made along his journey in life, including, Richard (Heidi) Montang, David Fletcher, Robert Vogt, Ron Kramer, Dennis Dorn, Keith (Karen) Faler, Dodie Johnson and Gary (Stacy) Watson.
Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will be at a later date at Phillips Cemetery in Phillips, Nebraska. A Celebration of Life will be November 13, 2016 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at The Eagles Club. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
Global market project planned for former Omaha stockyards
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A long-shuttered meat processing and cold storage facility in the heart of the former Omaha Stockyards will see new life as a center for area small businesses, startups and community activities.
The first phase of the construction for the Las Americas Global Market project is expected to start in the spring. The entire project could take four or five years to complete.
Marta Sonia Londono Mejía, executive director of the Midlands Latino Community Development Corp., says the market will support businesses and startups in a neighborhood that has a high rate of poverty and unemployment.
More than 17,000 square feet of the building’s third floor will be renovated, including a 4,400-square-foot commercial kitchen for use by local restaurants, caterers, and other businesses. A 2,000 square-foot space will also be developed for a clothing manufacturer.
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New Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab leads to improvements
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Scientists at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab say they’re already seeing improvements a year after they began working in the new building.
The lab opened Oct. 26, 2015, and is 15,000 square feet bigger than the previous facility, giving the department’s nearly 30 employees more room to work and process evidence.
Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins says there are continuing improvements processing backlogs in sections of the facility. The new lab also has technological upgrades, including a remote firing apparatus to keep forensic scientists safe when testing possibly faulty guns.
The lab provides services free to law enforcement statewide.