A North Platte man is in hot water after he assaulted a North Platte Police Officer on Sunday.
At around 8:40 PM, officers responded to an apartment complex in the 1200 block of East 4th after they received a report of an intoxicated male subject causing a disturbance.
According to NPPD Public Information Officer Rodney Brown, officers made contact with Carl J. McKinney, 26, who was visibly intoxicated and bleeding from the nose and mouth. McKinney was being loud, belligerent and verbally abusive to another male subject, as well as the responding officers.
As officers attempted to calm McKinney, he spat in the face of one of the officers.
As a result, officers placed him under arrest and charged him with Disturbing the Peace, a Class III misdemeanor, and Assault on an Officer with Bodily Fluid, a Class IIIA Felony.
McKinney was transported and jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
An oil boom remains unlikely in Nebraska despite the success of modern drilling techniques in Colorado and Wyoming.
Oil producers in Colorado extracted 48 million barrels of oil last year mostly from wells close to Nebraska. Wyoming produced 58 million barrels of oil.
But the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s director Bill Sydow said that the geology of western Nebraska makes an oil boom unlikely.
Sydow says the amount of conductivity in underground formations is considerably lower in Nebraska than in Wyoming and Colorado. Conductivity is an indicator of oil and natural gas deposits.
But there is still oil exploration in Nebraska. Last year, Nebraska wells produced about 2.5 million barrels of oil, up about 10,000 barrels over 2011.
Spring brings green grass and warmer temperatures but spring also brings unwanted litters of cats. In an effort to reduce the number of homeless cats and kittens, Paws-itive Partners announced their third Love My Cat campaign. Beginning April 1, for only $25, owners can have their cat spayed or neutered at any veterinary clinic in North Platte or at Sutherland Veterinary Clinic.
Paws-itive Partners member Susan Kubart explained the importance of spay and neuter, “I love my cats, so to keep them healthy, I chose to have them spayed and neutered. This choice has resulted in calm, happy, healthy, loving cats. You don’t have to worry about them running away to find a mate, fighting with other cats and risking injury, or spraying in the house and yard to attract mates.” Kubart continued, “We all love our cats, so it’s important to treat them right. Spaying and neutering can be too expensive for some pet owners, so now is the perfect time for financial assistance through Love My Cat.”
In order to make spaying and neutering affordable to everyone, veterinary clinics in North Platte and Sutherland have reduced fees to cat owners to $25 during April. Paws-itive Partners is supplementing the balance of veterinary expenses. “We want to reach as many low- to moderate-income cat owners as possible. As small as the fee is for Love My Cat, there’s no reason not to spay and neuter,” said Kubart.
Animal Clinic veterinarian Dr. Robert Bohlender spoke highly of Paws-itive Partners’ Love My Cat campaign. “Some pet owners need financial help stopping litters. Paws-itive Partners does such good work and we are glad to be part of Love My Cat.” As with all participating clinics, Bohlender said pet owners can call their clinic directly to schedule their cat’s appointment. He reminded people not to wait to call because clinics expect a big demand during April.
Paws-itive Partners is asking cat owners to call their veterinary clinic as soon as possible to schedule appointments. Employees at veterinary clinics and the local animal shelter told Paws-itive Partners they saw a reduction in unwanted litters after previous Love My Cat efforts. During the last two Love My Cat campaigns, 693 cats were spayed and neutered. Cats are prolific producers and it is estimated that the last two Love My Cat campaigns were able to prevent over 3,400 births in the six months afterwards!
For questions about Love My Cat, call Jo Mayber at 308-532-8814.
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and military leaders have kicked off a public awareness campaign to reduce suicides among veterans.
The “Not One More Life” campaign will focus on emotional issues that service members and veterans face.
The campaign is a joint effort of the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs and Nebraska Chapter 7 of the Disabled American Veterans.
The campaign includes radio announcements and more than 5,000 bumper stickers that promote a crisis line, 1-800-273-8255. The bumper stickers will be distributed to county veteran services officers in all 93 counties.
The crisis line is available to veterans, as well as their friends and family members.
Experts recommend that anyone doing spring cleaning should spend time addressing issues in their kitchen to make sure their food is safe.
Registered dietitian Karen Ansel says this is a great time for everyone to give their kitchens a food safety check and deep cleaning. The cleaning is especially important for refrigerators and freezers where raw meat is stored because bacteria could be hiding there.
Ansel says every surface that comes into contact with food needs to be cleaned regularly.
And homeowners should go through their pantries and refrigerators regularly to check for food that may have spoiled.
ConAgra Foods and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have assembled a collection of safety and cleaning tips at www.homefoodsafety.org .
The North Platte Public School Foundation has announced that Niki Ruda, Joshua Bruck, Ronda Richman and Matt Irish have been awarded the 2013 North Platte Public Schools Employees of the Year! These awards recognize and encourage superior professional effort to improve instruction and to cultivate the continuation of educational excellence in our schools.
Niki Ruda-Early Childhood Education
Niki Ruda has been named the North Platte Public Schools 2013 Teacher of the Year, PreK-5th grade. Niki is a Speech/Language Pathologist for the North Platte Public Schools Early Childhood Program. Co-worker Melissa Foote nominated Niki for this year’s award. According to Foote, “Niki’s dedication to the students she serves, and to all the children of this community, is absolutely unprecedented! Niki is excellent at initiating and fostering relationships with providers and makes everyone feel they are part of the team. She never fails to come up with innovative and creative strategies to help children meet their fullest potential. Those of us that have the pleasure of being around Niki on a regular basis are in awe of her constant drive and willingness to help others, her genuine spirit and her enthusiasm for life.”
Niki is a 1990 graduate of Spencer-Naper High School. In 1994, she received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and her Masters of Science in Speech / Language Pathology in 1995, both from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Autism and Severe Disabilities at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Niki has been a Speech/Language Pathologist in the public schools for the past 18 years, the most recent 14 years with North Platte Public Schools. Niki is the wife of Jon Ruda and the mother of three children, Courtney (Junior), Amanda (Freshman) and Tanner (5th grader). School and related activities keep all of them quite busy and they enjoy those precious nights when everyone can be home as a family. Niki has hobbies too numerous to mention but learning is at the top of the list.
Joshua Bruck-10th Grade World History
Joshua Bruck has been named the 2013 NPPS Teacher of the Year, grades 6th-12th grade. Joshua grew up in Manilla, IA. He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Education in Social Sciences 7-12 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2006. He graduated with a Masters in Education from Doane College in 2012. Joshua has been a teacher at NPHS for 6 years, where he is the High School Social Studies Department leader. Joshua also coaches middle school football, girls basketball and track. Joshua is married to Nicole Bruck, a 3rd grade teacher at Washington Elementary. They have a 3 year old daughter Amelia and one on the way, Greta. According to Brett Joneson, who nominated Joshua, “Joshua is constantly looking for ways to improve his teaching and providing the best instruction for his student that he can. He is an exceptional leader and colleague, making my teaching better. Joshua is a great resource for his students and the district.”
Ronda Richman-Para Educator Early Childhood Education
The 2013 NPPS Staff Member of the Year is Ronda Richman. Ronda has been a para educator for the Early Childhood Special Education program for the past 33 years and was nominated by Jamie Holson,
Veronica (Missie) Seward and Trisha Hasty. Ronda joined the staff in 1980, after her daughter Laurie was diagnosed with a significant hearing loss and became one of the first home-bound students to receive services from the North Platte School District.
According to Seward, “when you see Ronda in action with children one can only say that she works hard, focusing on challenges with an all consuming compassion for the nature of each situation presented.” Ronda has always had a “can do” attitude and treats special needs children with the patience and respect all children deserve. She attends workshops and continues to address the changing needs and new strategies used to help special education preschoolers work toward their individual learning goals. Ronda is dedicated to the field of education, being a fixture in the District’s Birth to age 5 program. Her patience and kind heart continue to inspire those around her. Ronda is married to her NPPS sweetheart, Bruce. They have two daughters, Carmen and Laurie and two grandchildren, Alec and Brittney, all of North Platte.
Matt Irish-Principal
Matt Irish has been named the 2013 NPPS Administrator of the Year. Matt Irish was born in North Platte, Nebraska where he has resided for his entire life except for a few years in which he moved away to attend college and to start his teaching career. He moved back to North Platte when he and his wife decided to start a family. Matt is married to Mellissa Irish and has three children; Peyton who is a freshman in high school, Madison who is a fifth grader and Isaac who is a kindergarten student.
Matt is the principal of Lincoln Elementary. “Matt leads the school as an educational coach, facilitating growth and harmony in his staff and students. He spends much of his time in each classroom making him a vital part of the team of educators helping our young ones to grow,” stated Stacy Wells. Jody Leisy notes, “Mr. Irish is respected by the staff at Lincoln Elementary. He works as a team player, frequently seeking staff input to decide what is best for students. He works hard to be available for students need during each and every week. Matt has worked in the North Platte Public School System for 9 years as an administrator, previously at Washington Elementary and Adams Middle School. Matt began his professional career as a middle school teacher in Ordway, Colorado and taught for six years at Platte Valley School District near North Platte as a third, fourth and fifth grade teacher. There he began his administrative career before taking a full time administrative position at Hall School near North Platte.
Matt received his High School Diploma from St. Patrick’s High School in North Platte, his Associate of Arts degree from Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, his Bachelor of Arts degree from Chadron State College and his Masters of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
These individuals will be honored at the Foundation’s “Education after Hours” event on Friday, April 4th, at the Holiday Inn Express, beginning at 5:30 pm. The public is invited to attend this event to honor the North Platte Public School District’s 2013 Employees of the Year and the 2013 NPHS Distinguished Alumni Chuck Schwartz, Jim States, Byron Boslau and Jim McFarland. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by contacting Jackie at the Foundation office at 696-3325 or at any NebraskaLand National Bank location.
Sabrina Perez was found at around 12:45 AM on Saturday morning.
According to family members, she was unharmed.
Details about where she was found were not given, but the Post is happy that this young girl is safe and sound.
Thank you to all of our loyal readers for helping spread the word.
There’s an old African saying that says “it takes a whole village to raise a child,” and North Platte is always unified when situations like this arise.
North Platte Police do not suspect foul play in the case of a missing North Platte girl.
12-Year-Old Sabrina Perez was last seen Thursday afternoon around 3:15 pm near Madison Middle School.
According to family members, she was wearing a red zip up sweater, blue jeans and black boots. Perez is 5’5” and weighs approximately 130 pounds.
Officer John Deal with the NPPD told the Post in an email that they do not expect foul play in the case, and they believe that this is more of a runaway case or simply a juvenile that did not want to return home.
Police did not give the Post any further details on the case.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Sabrina Perez, please contact the North Platte Police Department at (308) 535-6789.
North Platte Public Schools Human Resources Director Tami Eshleman and Superintendent Marty Bassett have recommended Greg Fruhwirth to the North Platte Public School District’s Board of Education, to become the new Principal at Washington Elementary.
The interview team included district administrators, elementary principals, building staff and teachers. The candidates were also given a tour of Washington Elementary.
Certified positions are posted on the school website, as well as on the “Teacher in Nebraska” website, Nebraska Council of School Administrators website and the Nebraska Board of Education website. All candidates apply online.
Candidates were screened by administration and contacted for interviews after reference checks were completed.
According to Human Resources Director Tami Eshleman, “Greg will bring fresh perspective to Washington Elementary. He will provide valuable leadership with his high level of energy and proven experience.”
Fruhwirth has 33 years experience at the elementary level and was a Special Education, fourth grade and sixth grade teacher in Fowler, CO for 25 years. He has spent the last eight years as an elementary principal in Wray, CO. A native of North Dakota, he received his teaching degree from the University of North Dakota and has an Educational Leadership degree from Colorado State University.
Fruhwirth holds teaching certificates in Nebraska and Colorado and is a certified in school administration.
His wife, Barb, is a first grade teacher in Wray and they have three grown children.
A new report says the value of Nebraska’s farmland soared 25 percent last year despite the drought, but experts think values may level off this year.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Bruce Johnson estimates that the average value of land in the state grew to $3,040 between Feb., 2012 and this February.
Johnson says many people believe the market for agricultural land may have topped out.
But the survey suggested that cash rents for farmland in 2013 were still higher. Rental rates for irrigated land are 13 to 15 percent higher. Dryland rental rates were up 8 percent in eastern Nebraska and about 5 percent in the rest of the state.
