KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Kearney police officer has pleaded not guilty in the shooting of a man after a traffic stop.
Online court records say 35-year-old Derek Payton entered the written plea to a felony assault charge last week in Buffalo County District Court in Kearney. The records don’t show a trial has been scheduled. Payton remains on administrative leave.
A phone listed for the prosecutor rang unanswered Thursday morning.
Payton is accused of shooting three times at Jose Klich, striking him once in the abdomen. An affidavit in support of Payton’s arrest warrant says Payton was not in the path of Klich’s car when he fired as Klich began to drive away from the scene.
SCHUYLER, Neb. (AP) — County commissioners have decided to beef up security at the Colfax County Courthouse in Schuyler.
The board voted 3-0 Tuesday to accept a nearly $8,700 bid for a security system that will let judges and other courtroom personnel remotely lock the building exits if a prisoner tries to escape.
The Columbus Telegram reports that (https://bit.ly/2cYlpF8) Sheriff Paul Kruse said the board’s action was prompted by an incident last summer. Kruse says a defendant stepped outside a courtroom to chat with his attorney but instead bolted from a deputy and fled through an unlocked door. The man was soon captured, and no one was hurt.
Mary E. Gill, age 93 of Sutherland, passed away due to heart failure Tuesday September 27, 2016 at Sutherland Care Center.
Mary was born on June 17, 1923 in Wilsonville, NE to Orville and Eliza (McCall) McFarland. She graduated from Wilsonville High School and married William Riley Gill on October 2, 1942 in Oberlin, KS. The couple lived in Wilsonville, Paxton, Sutherland and Monta Vista, CO, finally settling in Sutherland in 1960. Prior to moving to Colorado, Mary worked at First Security Bank; she resumed her job when they returned to Sutherland and worked there for a total of 25 years. Adams State Bank bought First Security Bank and she retired a year later in 1977. Due to Bill’s health, the couple vacationed in Tucson, AZ and ended up moving there. After his death in 1991 she returned to Sutherland and took care of her family. Mary did a lot of sewing and alterations for people, enjoyed knick knacks, lawn ornaments and feeding the birds and squirrels. She adored her grandkids.
Mary is survived by her children, Larry (Patty) Gill of Arlington, WA, Patricia (Rod) Canaday, Diana (Pat) Kallhoff both of Sutherland; 6 grandchildren, Diana, Penny, Chuck, Kathy, Brian, Matthew; 11 great grandchildren, Danielle, Aaron, Brandon, Tiffany, Katie, Taylor, Justin, Sage, Gavin, Dillan, Donavon; 1 great great grandchild, Christian; brother Louis (LeVeda) McFarland of McCook, NE; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents Orville and Eliza McFarland; husband Bill, and sister EffaDale Luther.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday September 30, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland with Pastor Erin Dunlavy officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Riverview Cemetery. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday September 29, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Dean Adamson, age 78 formerly of the world, passed away at his home in North Platte. Memorial services will be at a later date at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. He would have liked to say “thanks” to all his friends. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Lee Farrow, age 57 passed away September 26, 2016 at his home in North Platte.
He was born on August 18, 1959 in Laramie, WY to Betty Hermsmeier and Ingval Farrow. He attended ESU #16 School in North Platte. Upon completion of school, he attended the North Platte Opportunity Center. In 1988 he went to work for Sandhills Industries where he worked in wood fabrication until he had a serious accident in 2014. He then worked for the North Platte Opportunity Center Production Area until the time of his death. Robert was a true Nebraskan. He loved Nebraska football and was a #1 fan. He also loved John Deere tractors and anything related to John Deere. If you saw someone in a crowd wearing red and John Deere green, it’s not Christmas ~ it’s enthusiast Robert Farrow! He always had s smile and would visit with anyone and he would have an opinion about what’s right or wrong with any situation. He could start a conversation with anyone, and contribute ideas, encouragement and comfort. He loved reminiscing about his family. Robert had been an active participant in the North Platte First Baptist Church for many years and recently, since his accident, he frequently attended Harvest Christian Church. He was very social and developed friendships in both of those churches.
Robert is survived by his close friends Eric Mehl and Connie Golden; and many other friends in North Platte. His presence will be missed by many people.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, David Farrow. His mother, Betty and brother, Ingval Jr.’s whereabouts are unknown.
His friends ask that funeral attendees wear Nebraska red or John Deere green to the services. Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday September 30, 2016 at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Jeremy Rinke officiating. Inurnment will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday September 29, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Marchell L. “Marcie” Schultz, 54 of North Platte was called home September 26th, peacefully at her home. Marcie was born May 2nd, 1962 in North Platte, Nebraska to Moe Hoban and Donna Alexander. She graduated from North Platte High School in 1980. Marcie was very active in 4-H and high school rodeo. She attended WNCC and MPCC graduating in 1982 with her degree in heavy equipment and welding. Marcie worked numerous jobs throughout the years, retiring from Adams Middle School as a Detention Para in May of 2016. Marcie married Tony Schultz on July 5th, 1986. She loved spending time with family and friends, racing, gardening, and spending time with her dogs. Marcie worked at many racetracks throughout the years, to help support her husband and sons hobby. The Racetrack is a very special place to her, because this is where her second family was. Survivors include husband, Tony Schultz; one daughter, Kaycie (Eric) Schultz; two sons, Zach (Tara) Schultz and Dillon (Payton) Schultz; two four legged kids, Zoey and Hoosier; mother, Marolyn Hoban; sisters, Mickie (Alan) Hartzler and Amber Hoban; brother, Andy (Elery) Hoban and many nieces and nephews; half siblings, James, Rebecca, and Diana Albrecht. She was preceded in death by her father, Moe Hoban, father in-law and mother in-law, Milford (Peanut) and Annabelle Schultz, step father, Dan Albrecht, grandparents, William and Bertha Stone, and other aunts and uncles. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Rev. James Novakowski officiating. Inurnment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska village known for selling beer on the border of an alcoholism-plagued American Indian reservation is getting a new broadband tower that officials say could eventually help connect residents to health care and distance learning services.
State officials announced Wednesday that Whiteclay now has a cell tower to provide broadband service in the village and parts of South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned.
Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln says the tower lays the groundwork for services in the remote area.
Whiteclay’s beer stores sold the equivalent of 3.5 million cans last year despite having a dozen full-time residents. Public drunkenness and violence have plagued the town for years, but recently the town got a nursing home and a local faith ministry is helping Native American artisans sell their work.
A North Platte woman is facing a litany of charges after a disturbance at a North Platte home.
On September 27, at around 11:28 a.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 3300 block of West 2nd Street.
Officers arrived and made contact with a 37-year-old male. They learned that the other party involved in the disturbance, 27-year-old Johnna Thayer, had left the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.
The male told officers that he and Thayer lived together in the residence, as boyfriend and girlfriend, but were in the process of moving out.
He stated that, on the evening of September 26, he and Thayer became involved in a verbal argument. At one point, Thayer allegedly threw a box of silverware at the victim, striking him in the chest, then threw other unknown objects at him, causing a laceration to the back of his head. According to Investigator John Deal, the victim also told officers that Thayer had also sprayed him in the face with mace. Deal says the investigation revealed that the substance was actually wasp killer.
After the argument, the man told police that he left and slept in his car.
On the morning of September 27, Thayer reportedly began pounding on the hood of the vehicle the victim was sleeping in, then retreated to the residence.
Deal says she then came back outside, carrying a knife, and approached the victim in an aggressive manner.
When the victim retreated to the vehicle, Deal says Thayer slashed two of the vehicle’s tires. Officers found the knife still stuck in one of the tires.
At this point, a neighbor intervened and contacted police.
Later in the day, Thayer was contacted and placed under arrest.
She was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on charges of felony terroristic threats, use of a weapon to commit a felony, domestic assault, and criminal mischief. She was also charged with theft after the victim reported that his wallet and cell phone were missing.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — A zoo in Scottsbluff is facing staff turnover troubles as two members have resigned and another has been terminated.
The Riverside Discovery Center board recently decided to let go of zoo director Peter Halliday.
Board president Martin Mickey says former executive director Anne James unexpectedly resigned shortly after Halliday was terminated. The board is currently searching for a new executive director.
And Education Curator Amber Schiltz left in July to take a position with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. A new curator has been hired to replace her.
After the three departures, the board asked the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for assistance. Association spokesman Rob Vernon says inspectors visited the zoo to confirm there were no deficiencies that would warrant a change in accreditation status.
KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Kearney police officer has pleaded not guilty in the shooting of a man after a traffic stop.
