A North Platte woman is facing charges after she allegedly stole a checkbook from a family member.

On June 5, a citizen reported fraudulent activity on her checking account to North Platte Police.

She told Police that she had received several letters from the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office about bad checks written on her account.

She told Investigators that she had checks for the account, but had only used the debit card on the account and had never written any checks.

She then discovered the checks were missing from her residence in the 300 Block of William.

The victim turned copies of the checks over to Police and the investigation involved viewing surveillance videos from several North Platte Businesses.

Investigators determined that the checks had been written by Lori Trew.  Trew was a relative of the victim and lived in the victim’s house.

Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Trew and charge her with Forgery and Theft by Unlawful Taking.

(AP) — The city of Sidney in the Nebraska Panhandle has named a police chief from Illinois as its new leader.

Byron “B.J.” Wilkinson was chosen as the city’s new police chief after several months of searching to replace Mike Brown. Brown resigned to move to Kansas for personal family matters.

Wilkinson was police chief of Litchfield, Ill., for 10 years and has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years.

Sidney City Manager Gary Person says Wilkinson will operate a police department with a $1 million budget, as well as 14 sworn officers and two civilian employees.

Wilkinson plans to begin his new job toward the end of July.

A North Platte man has been charged with selling prescription drugs after a citizen’s report leads to an investigation.

On Tuesday, Officers from the North Platte Police Department received a report from a concerned citizen that Ronald Townsend was selling Xanax, a drug commonly used for panic and anxiety disorders.

The citizen told Police that Townsend had tried to sell them the drugs, which they refused.

Officers received information that Townsend was at the Touchdown Club in North Platte, and made contact with him there.

Upon speaking with Townsend, Police discovered that he did indeed have a bottle of Xanax in his possession.  There was also cash inside the pill bottle.

Police say that after further questioning, Townsend was not forthcoming with information, and told stories that contradicted each other.  They also noted that he appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

Eventually, Officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Townsend and charge with Distribution of a Controlled Substance.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

(AP) — Supporters of same-sex marriage in Nebraska are looking at new possible challenges to a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday had no direct impact on Nebraska’s amendment, which voters approved with 70 percent support in 2000. But same-sex marriage supporters say they may push to repeal it.

Shelley Kiel, president of the Omaha-based Citizens for Equal Protection, says the court’s decision to strike down the federal Defense of Marriage Act coincides with a growing acceptance of equal rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Dave Bydalek, executive director of the Lincoln-based Family First, says the nation’s views may have shifted on gay marriage, but he still believes most Nebraskans want to preserve traditional, heterosexual marriages.

Nebraska landowners who want to challenge the taxable value of their property have until Monday to file their protests.

The state Revenue Department says landowners and homeowners received an extra day to file protests this year because the June 30 deadline falls on a Sunday.

Property owners who disagree with the assessed value of their land or home can file a protest with their county’s board of equalization. The protests must be submitted in person or by mail with the clerk of the county where the property is located.

Landowners should have received notice this spring from their counties if the value of their property was changed over the past year.

• Today: Sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

 

Check out this NWS video review of last week’s storms:

(AP) — Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale says the time has come to expand mail-in voting in smaller precincts throughout the state.

Gale said Tuesday that he would support a change in state law that would allow counties to get rid of polling places in certain small, rural precincts, and conduct those elections by mail.

Current state law only lets counties do so if their populations are less than 10,000. Gale says counties that have adopted the practice have seen significant increases in voter participation.

Nebraska has 58 all-mail precincts out of 1,400 statewide. Registered voters in those precincts are sent ballots by first-class mail, along with stamped return envelopes.

 

A three month long series of special enforcements involving the Nebraska State Patrol and the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office led to a reduction in the number of alcohol related fatalities in Scotts Bluff County during the months of April, May and June.

“Through this series of enforcement efforts, we were able to see positive results with zero alcohol related fatalities recorded during the three month period in 2013,” said Captain Mike Gaudreault, Troop E Commander.  “We encourage all motorists to help keep this positive trend going.  Always wear your seat belt and never drive impaired or distracted.”

In 2010, Scotts Bluff County recorded two alcohol involved fatalities during the months of April, May and June.  That compares with three alcohol related fatalities in 2011 and one in 2012.

NSP troopers and Scotts Bluff County deputies conducted nighttime vehicle checks and high visibility patrols in and around Scotts Bluff County during the enforcement period thanks in part to a $17,550 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

The following statistics reflect enforcement activity during the Scotts Bluff County special enforcement;

12- Driving While Intoxicated Arrests	3- Speeding citations
19- Possession (misdemeanor) citations	5- Driving under Suspension
10- Open Container citations	41- Seat Belt citations & warnings
5- Minor in Possession citations	2- Child Restraint citations

A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of South Buffalo Bill and Eugene Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.

Brittany McDaniel was riding her bicycle southbound on the South Buffalo bike  path.

According to witnesses, McDaniel was crossing the intersection, when a Honda Odyssey that was stopped at the stop sign started to move and struck McDaniel.

The driver of the van told investigators that she did not see McDaniel crossing the intersection.

McDaniel said that other than being shaken up, she did not sustain any serious injuries.  She was wearing a helmet.

The van sustained minor damage to its front end.

The identity of the van’s driver is unknown, and the accident is being investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

The Post would like to remind drivers to be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians during the summer months.

It’s time for Fourth of July celebrations – fireworks, a backyard barbecue, maybe a trip to the beach. Whatever people have planned, the American Red Cross wants them to enjoy their holiday and has steps they can follow to be safe.

“We want everyone to have a great holiday, and a safe one,” said Tina Labellarte, Region CEO. “Whether the weekend will involve fireworks, grilling or going to be in and around water, we have safety tips everyone can follow.”

FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw most fireworks. If someone is setting fireworks off at home, they should follow these safety steps:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

GRILLING SAFETY Every year people in this country are injured while using backyard charcoal or gas grills. Follow these steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
• Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

From all of us at the North Platte Post, have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday.