Post Staff – Page 825 – North Platte Post Archive

Scottsbluff woman accused of leaving 4-year-old in closet at work

Posted on September 24, 2016September 24, 2016

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — A Scottsbluff hospital janitor has been accused of leaving her 4-year-old daughter in a closet while the woman worked.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse Thursday. Online court records don’t show that she’s been formally charged.

Police say officials at Regional West Medical Center reported that the woman had been seen going into the closet with her daughter on Sept. 16 but coming out with only a janitorial cart. Security video showed the woman going in and out at least eight times before leaving with her daughter more than an hour later.

The woman told officers that the girl was sick and that her daycare wouldn’t take her. She says a family member was supposed to pick up the girl at the hospital but didn’t.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor outlines goals

Posted on September 24, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has called for his institution to grow and get stronger during his first State of the University address.

Chancellor Ronnie Green complimented and challenged the university during his one-hour presentation to about 600 faculty members, staffers, and students Thursday. He also set lofty goals for improving enrollment, diversity, research, retention and other factors by 2025.

Green said he’d like there to be 35,000 students at the university, up from the current enrollment of nearly 26,000. He wants 20 percent of the student population to be underrepresented minorities, up from the current 14.3 percent.

Green said he wants the university’s first-year retention rate to increase from 83 percent to 90 percent.

He also aims to increase total research expenditures to $600 million, up from $285 million in 2015.

Green became chancellor in May.

Madison County authorities release names of crash victims

Posted on September 24, 2016

MADISON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a woman who was killed in a Madison County crash.

The crash was reported around 8:30 p.m. Thursday just south of Madison on U.S. Highway 81. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says the woman was driving her car north when it went out of control and then airborne, struck a tree and rolled onto its top.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office identified her as 28-year-old Daisel Diez-Sanchez, of Norfolk. The office says her husband, 31-year-old Yoandys Sanchez-Ruiz, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Man arrested after pot found in car, authorities say

Posted on September 24, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lancaster County authorities say a 24-year-old man was taken into custody after nearly 100 pounds of marijuana was found in his car.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy pulled over the car on Interstate 80 around 2 p.m. Thursday for several traffic violations. The deputy reported a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car, and a subsequent search turned up the pot in eight trash bags.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession for sale. Online court records don’t show that he’s been formally charged.

January trial set for former Hastings officer in theft case

Posted on September 24, 2016

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A January trial has been scheduled for a former Hastings police detective accused of running a fraudulent fundraising site to enrich himself.

46-year-old Jerry Esch pleaded not guilty Thursday to a felony charge of theft by deception. His trial is set to begin Jan. 9.

Investigators say Esch set up a GoFundMe online page, raising more than $30,000 he had said was needed to cover medical expenses for cancer treatments not covered by his insurance provider. But Hastings officials told investigators that Esch’s story didn’t square with the city’s insurance policy for police.

Esch had worked for the Hastings Police Department until February.

Elkhorn man arrested after standoff at parents’ house

Posted on September 23, 2016

A 32-year old Elkhorn man is in custody after barricading himself in his parents’ home.

At approximately 3:00 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23, the Nebraska State Patrol responded to a residence in the 1600 block of North 175th Plaza in Elkhorn, after a female reported being assaulted by her husband.

The man identified as Jonathan L. Cone, 32, of Elkhorn, left the residence in the couple’s 2016 Dodge Journey before troopers arrived. Just after 5:00 a.m., Cone was located at his parents’ home at 20272 Pinkney Street, Elkhorn.

A perimeter was established and troopers attempted to make contact with Cone. Authorities advised staff at nearby Hillrise Elementary School of the situation. Additional resources from the Omaha Police Department (OPD)were requested.

OPD’s camera equipped bomb robot was brought to the scene. At approximately 7:30 a.m., troopers made entry into the home at which time the suspect voluntarily surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.

Cone was lodged in the Douglas County Corrections on charges to include 3rd-degree domestic assault and obstructing law enforcement operations.

NP man accused of physically and sexually assaulting his wife

Posted on September 23, 2016

A 911 hang-up call ended with a North Platte man facing criminal charges.

At around 9:26 a.m., on September 22, officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of South Griffith Avenue after the North Platte 911 Center received a hang-up call.

According to Investigator John Deal, the officers arrived and made contact with a 30-year-old female and her husband, 33-year-old Kerec Gilmore.

Deal says, early in the investigation, Gilmore indicated to officers that the 911 call was an accident and that he wanted to leave. He was allowed to do so because no probable cause existed to arrest or detain him at that time. The female, however, wanted to speak to the officers about what happened.

An interview was conducted, and the victim indicated that she had been in the bathroom getting ready for work when she and Gilmore got into an argument.

Police say the victim stated that she was sitting down at the time of the argument. At one point, Gilmore allegedly sexually assaulted her and head-butted her in the forehead.

Investigator Deal says as the officers were interviewing her, swelling began to appear on her forehead.

After the interview, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Gilmore.

He was contacted at a residence in the 2000 block of West 17th street and arrested on charges of felony domestic assault and felony first-degree sexual assault.

Jail records indicate that Gilmore is being held without bond.

Woodford “Woody” Donald Baugher

Posted on September 23, 2016

Woodford “Woody” Donald Baugher, passed away in North Platte, NE on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at the age of 65.
Woody was born June 27, 1951 in Quincy, IL to Edmund and Kathleen (Pettit) Baugher. The Baughers lived in Payson, IL where Woody grew up and developed his love for the land and farming. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Quincy, IL.
In the mid 90s Woody moved west to be closer to his children and grandchildren who were in Nebraska at the time. He finally settled in the sand hills and stayed there, loving the open space. He cherished spending time with his family and being outdoors. Woody was an avid reader, sportsman, and an NRA member.
Woody was preceded in death by his parents Kathleen and Edmund Baugher; and brother-in-law Thomas Venverloth.
He is survived by the mother of his children, Prudence Baugher; his children, Heather Singleton of Fulton, MO, Matthew (Mandy) Baugher of Eden, UT and Holly Baugher of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Lindsey (Jake) Tanner, Marah Franklin, and Lainey Franklin all of Fulton, MO, and William Baugher of Eden, UT; great grandchild Beau Tanner of Fulton, MO; sisters and brothers, Mary Venverloth, Patti (Dan) Wallace, Harley (Theresa) Baugher, Anna Baugher, Cathi Baugher and Lisa Baugher.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday September 24, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Reverend C.P. Varghese officiating. Other services will be held at a time and date to be determined in Quincy, IL. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday September 23, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Weather-September 23

Posted on September 23, 2016

Today

Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South southeast wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 7 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 69.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 72.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 78.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Omaha chief says officers were justified in shooting man

Posted on September 22, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha police chief says his officers were justified in shooting a man who had been seen shooting at occupied vehicles near the Creighton University campus.

Chief Todd Schmaderer said Wednesday that the two officers ended a threat posed by the man Monday to students and staff at the school.

Police say the man used a stolen handgun to fire at the vehicles but struck no one. The officers soon spotted him on the Creighton campus. The officers say he put the gun to his head and refused their commands to drop it. One of the officers who shot the man told investigators he saw the man point the handgun in the direction of other officers.

The man was hospitalized with several wounds.