The Kimball City Council has approved the naming of Darrin Huff to become the Panhandle city’s police chief.

Huff’s appointment by Mayor James Schnell was confirmed at Monday’s council meeting.

Huff replaces Chief Mark Simpson, who resigned effective April 15. Simpson had been on leave since March 15, following challenges to the accuracy of information he’d presented to another law enforcement agency.

Schnell has declined to elaborate on reports of what he said were “suspicious fallacies” regarding Simpson.

Simpson said in his resignation letter that he regretted not being able to serve Kimball’s residents any longer and that people needed to trust city officials. Simpson also said that he’s sorry he did not uphold his “side of the bargain.”

(AP)-Officials in the city of Kearney say they will bounce back from Facebook’s decision to build a data center in Iowa.

Kearney had sought the project for more than a year. But Iowa economic development officials on Tuesday approved tax credits for Facebook to build a nearly $300 million data center in the Des Moines suburb of Altoona.

Kearney had spent $2 million and cleared a 165-acre site for what they called Project Edge.

Mayor Stan Clouse says the city is ready to market the site. City Manager Mike Morgan also says the site is shovel-ready for different projects, and it will be able to attract similar business.

The Union Pacific Railroad said in a news release that the crossing at the Brule link will be closed for repair on April 23 and 24.

A detour will route motorists through Ogallala.

Advanced Workzone Services is responsible for providing traffic control for the closure area, as well as the detour route for Union Pacific.

For any questions or concerns, contact Cal Saunders with Advanced Workzone at 918-680-1022.

A 70-year-old registered sex offender from North Platte has pleaded no contest to a new charge of child sexual assault.

Donald Warfield entered the plea Monday in Lincoln County District Court. He is set to be sentenced on May 20.

Prosecutors say a 15-year-old girl reported last year that Warfield began giving her presents and touching her inappropriately when she was about 7 years old. She said the sexual assaults became worse and continued for three or four years.

Warfield was convicted in 2002 of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old.

Court records also show Warfield was arrested last year for failing to properly register as a sex offender. He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

A man and a woman wanted in connection with a string of robberies in Minnesota and South Dakota were taken into custody in Nebraska after leading troopers on a short pursuit near Cozad.

Around 3:40 p.m., Monday, April 22, a trooper observed a light colored Ford Crown Victoria traveling westbound on I-80 near the Lexington Interchange.  The vehicle and plate number matched the description of a car wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies. The trooper called for backup and continued to follow the vehicle as it exited the Interstate at the Darr Interchange in Dawson County.

The vehicle traveled north to Highway 30 and headed west. A second trooper arrived and a traffic stop was initiated. The driver pulled the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. As the troopers approached the vehicle, it sped off. A short pursuit ensued, with the vehicle headed west on Highway 30. Approximately two miles west of Cozad, the suspect vehicle experienced engine trouble and pulled to the side of the road.

The male driver of the vehicle, Jarrod E. Birch, 24, Virginia Beach, Va., and a female passenger, Alyssa N. Beard, 19, Virginia Beach, Va., were taken into custody.  A search of the vehicle uncovered three handguns and burglary tools. The guns are believed to have been used during recent robberies in Minnesota and South Dakota.

Birch, was lodged in the Dawson County Jail on charges of felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of stolen property.

Beard, who is listed as a missing person out of Petersburg, Va., was lodged in the Dawson County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property and carrying a concealed weapon

A 23-year-old man involved in a North Platte police standoff has made a deal and pleaded no contest to two felony counts of terroristic threats.

Justin Valentine made the pleas Monday in Lincoln County District Court. Prosecutors dropped two other charges in exchange for his pleas.

Police say officers were sent to a house to investigate a report of a shooting on Jan. 19. Two people at the scene reported that Valentine had threatened them and fired a rifle in their direction. Neither was hit.

Police say Valentine surrendered peacefully after about 90 minutes.

His sentencing has been scheduled for May 20.

 

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

04/22/2013

00:15:41

ILLEGAL TURN

E ST / Dewey ST North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

00:21:47

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

2600 W 21ST ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

00:26:36

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

2300 E Philip AV North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

01:24:22

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

4500 SOUTH PARKWAY DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

01:36:16

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

W A ST / REGENCY LN NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

02:46:45

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

AIRPORT, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

04:19:47

BURGLARY

2300 E PHILIP NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

05:04:32

SPEEDING

JEFFERS / STATE FARM NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

04/22/2013

06:52:38

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

06:58:24

ASSIST OTHER AGENCY-GENERAL

2500 W FRONT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

07:31:32

ESCORT – CARPENTERS

1000 S BUFFALO BILL AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

08:08:02

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

300 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

08:49:36

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

E 4TH ST /N COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

08:54:35

SPEEDING

900 W Philip North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

08:59:56

CITIZEN ASSIST

300 MICHAEL AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

09:02:12

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

9th & Willow North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

09:03:58

MOTORIST ASSIST

W 6TH ST /N BUFFALO BILL AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

09:12:34

FOUND PROPERTY

600 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

09:35:52

OTHER WILDLIFE CALL/DISPOSAL

1700 W 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

09:50:08

WELFARE CHECK

3900 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

09:53:35

SPEEDING

2000-1900 Blk W A North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:08:16

SPEEDING

Buffalo Bill Viadock North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:15:25

SPEEDING

4th / Buffalo North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:21:45

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

1500 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:23:11

SPEEDING

4th / Buffalo North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:29:27

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

1400 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:36:15

OTHER WILDLIFE CALL/DISPOSAL

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:35:37

WELFARE CHECK

200 E 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

10:35:40

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

2300 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

11:30:12

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

E FRANCIS ST /S COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

11:40:57

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

1500 W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

11:42:33

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

E PHILIP AV /S COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

12:25:07

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

100 S VINE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

12:56:31

WELFARE CHECK

2300 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

13:14:02

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

W E ST E /S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

13:17:21

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

13:44:28

NO PROOF OF OWNERSHIP

Rodeo Road / Buffalo Bill North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

13:45:24

OTHER WILDLIFE CALL/DISPOSAL

1200 EUGENE AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

13:56:18

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

2500 W 21ST ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

13:58:41

NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323

W E ST /S OAK ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

14:04:28

THEFT OF SERVICES BY DECEPTION

1900 W 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

14:25:40

EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION

1600 W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

14:26:50

SPEEDING

4th / Buffalo North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

14:31:50

SPEEDING

500 S Buffalo Bill North Platte, NE 69101

04/22/2013

14:37:51

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1000 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

14:53:15

WELFARE CHECK

500 E 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

15:28:14

CITIZEN ASSIST

W FRANCIS ST / MCDONALD RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

15:34:21

ALARM-GENERAL

700 S WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

15:44:47

ASSIST OTH AGENCY

1400 Rodeo RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

15:50:47

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

1100 S TABOR AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

16:24:40

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

600 W 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

17:04:03

VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

17:10:00

ABANDONED VEHICLE

1600 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

17:44:14

PARKING-MAXIMUM TIME LIMIT

300 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

18:26:47

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

19:48:45

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1000 N Bailey NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

04/22/2013

19:55:45

EXPIRED INTRANSIT TAGS

W PHILIP AV /S WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

20:29:53

DOMEST ASSAULT-MISD

2300 W 15TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

21:41:04

ILLEGAL TURN

6th/Jeffers NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

04/22/2013

22:02:45

CHILD ABUSE-SIMPLE ASSAULT

400 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

22:33:40

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

300 E 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

22:46:17

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE

700 E 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

23:18:02

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/22/2013

23:27:27

DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION

N BUFFALO BILL AV /W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

00:50:21

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

2800 W 16TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

00:55:39

FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN

Ash / Front NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

01:17:43

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

600 E 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

01:23:48

OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS

1000 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

02:14:02

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

2800 W 16th NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

04/23/2013

02:45:19

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

600 W LEOTA ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

03:54:29

WELFARE CHECK

2400 E 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

04:05:44

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LEE BIRD FIELD, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

04:23:10

LOOSE ANIMALS

1800 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

07:11:19

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

04/23/2013

07:50:30

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

UNION AV /W FRANCIS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

Recent cold, wet weather has slowed fieldwork in Nebraska as farmers get ready to plant crops and ranchers tend to their cattle.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that soil moisture levels improved in eastern Nebraska, but most of the western counties received less than half an inch of moisture last week.

About 41 percent of the topsoil and 90 percent of the subsoil in the state rated short or very short on moisture.

The state’s wheat crop remains in bad shape with only 11 percent rating in either good or excellent shape.

About 76 percent of the cattle in the state rated in good or excellent condition. But 71 percent of the hay and forage supplies rated short or very short.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is raising awareness about child abuse during April in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Thomas Pristow, the department’s director of Children and Family Services, says it’s important to identify signs of child abuse so it can be prevented.

Pristow says everyone has a responsibility to report child abuse or neglect when it is suspected.

The indicators of abuse include neglect and physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Pristow says the indicators are not always obvious. He says the sooner abuse is identified and reported, the more likely a child is to receive helpful services and recover.

Child abuse can be reported by calling Nebraska’s Family Helpline at 1-888-866-8660.

• 

  Patricia Carson was sentenced to one and a half to three years in prison for Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver.  Carson was charged with the crime in 2010, but sentencing was delayed so she could attend in-patient treatment.  Carson left treatment and disappeared for several years.  Lincoln County prosecutors found her in the Iowa state penitentiary and served a warrant upon her release.  Carson was also charged with Issuing Bad Checks, and was given credit for 106 days served on that charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 

  Austin Welch was sentenced to 180 days in jail for Attempted Burglary.  Prosecutors say Welch attempted to steal several gas containers.  He was given 180 days in jail by Judge Donald Rowlands, and was given credit for 78 days.  Welch has several other criminal charges still pending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 

  Tanner Matthies stood mute during his arraigment, due to the assignment of a new attorney, Patrick Hays, who requested more time to review the case.  Matthies is charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Criminal Mischief and Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony.  Police say Matthies drove his vehicle through Perkins Family Restaurant after an argument with a male employee.  The victim suffered serious permanent injury.  His case was set for a May 6 status hearing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 

  Cody Jolliffe pleaded not guilty to Possession of Burglary Tools, three counts of Burglary and Theft by Unlawful Taking.  Prosecutors say Jolliffe Burglarized Ideal Linen, the Westfield Car Wash and stole property from Justin Wood.  His case was set for a status hearing on May 6.