Local – Page 1139 – North Platte Post Archive

March 25-29 Is Severe Weather Awareness Week, Know What to Do

Posted on March 20, 2013

Since 2011, several cities in the United States have experienced killer tornadoes with wind speeds in excess of 170 mph claiming several lives. Those of us in Central Nebraska know this all too well after an F3 tornado swept through our area just over a year ago.

The National Weather Service wants citizens to remember some rules that could save your life.

Don’t just depend on sirens for warning of impending dangerous weather. Have more than one way to receive warnings such as cell phones or a weather radio.

While sirens are an effective way to warn people who are outdoors, they may not be loud enough to awaken you in thee middle of the night.

A NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector that can warn you anytime, whether you are indoors or outdoors. The radio will produce a loud sound when a tornado is issued in your area.

Also, it is very important to know what to do in the event of a tornado. The safest place to be is in approved underground or above ground storm shelters. The next safest place is on the lowest floor of your home, school or business such as an interior closet, hallway or bathroom. Stay low to the ground and cover yourself with blankets, pillows and/or mattresses.

If a tornado approaches and you live in a mobile home, abandon it for a more substantial shelter. If nothing is available, lie flat in a nearby ditch covering your head and neck.

Tornadic storms can aslo produce flash flooding. In 2012, 39 percent of U.S. flood fatalities occurred when people drove into flood waters.

Those of us at Eagle Radio and the North Platte Post pride ourselves in keeping you safe during severe weather. Tune into any of our stations or follow the Post on Facebook anytime severe weather is in the area.

Local Schools are invited to participate in a Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 27 at 10:35 a.m. Please encourage your school administrators to participate and take the drill very seriously. It could be the difference between life and death.

For more severe weather information, please visit the following link, https://www.crh.noaa.gov/lbf/?n=severeweatherweek.

UPRR Reminds Motorists to Use Caution in Extreme Weather

Posted on March 20, 2013

The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) wants to remind citizens about safety with possible winter weather in the forecast.

In a news release, UPRR officials urges motorists to use extreme caution when driving across grade crossings. With reduced visibility because of blowing and drifting snow, it could be difficult for motorists to see where crossing surfaces are located.

Officials want to encourage people to use overpasses and underpasses whenever possible when it is necessary to cross railroad tracks.

Driving too fast in slick conditions, may cause you to be unable to stop in time to avoid running into the path or the side of a moving train. It can take a mile or more for a train to stop, and by the time an engineer sees you on the track, it is too late to stop.

Porky’s Brother Makes a Gruesome Appearance Outside the North Platte Walmart

Posted on March 20, 2013March 20, 2013

North Platte residents were treated to a gruesome depiction of Porky’s brother, or maybe it was his sister, outside of the North Platte Walmart today. Many loyal Post readers have called wondering what is going on, so here’s the story:

Members of the national animal rights organization, Mercy for Animals, have launched a national campaign to bring attention to their claim that one of Walmart’s pork suppliers abuses the animals, namely pigs, at their facilities.

According to Mercy for Animals national campaign chairman, Phil Letten, Christensen Farms, a pork supplier for Walmart, keeps pregnant pigs confined for nearly their entire lives in fly infested crates barely larger than own bodies. Letten also claims the pigs suffer from bloody open wounds and infections.

“Walmart pork suppliers are guilty of horrific cruelty to animals,” Letten said.

The Post, is a news source, not a propaganda machine, so we wanted to give Walmart officials a chance to defend the claims.

According to Danit Marquardt, a Walmart spokesman at its Bentonville, Ark., headquarters, the company was “listening closely to points of view from farmers, food manufacturers, animal rights organizations, customers and others.”

“We hold our suppliers to the highest standards and do not tolerate animal mistreatment,” Marquardt said, “We are currently engaged with pork suppliers, food safety experts and other organizations to work towards an industry-wide model that is not only respectful of farmers and animals, but also meets our customers’ expectations for quality and animal safety.”

As Porky always says, thhhhhhat’s all folks!

Leadership Nebraska Extends Deadline for Class VII of Leadership Nebraska

Posted on March 20, 2013March 20, 2013

The State Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska program has extended the application deadline for Class VII of Leadership Nebraska. Interested candidates should apply by April 16, 2013. Applications can be found online at www.LeadershipNebraska.com.

Created by the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Leadership Nebraska program builds a sense of statewide community by identifying and training individuals with a commitment to become personally engaged in issues, programs and activities aimed at better serving Nebraska.

Applicants need not be State Chamber members and scholarships are available for small business owners and staff or nonprofit staff.

The Leadership Nebraska program is designed for persons who have demonstrated community and professional leadership. The program will offer six 1½-days to 2-day sessions per year that would give class members an opportunity to develop and hone leadership skills and gain a broader understanding of issues facing Nebraska.

“Class members learn what makes the state tick,” said Tom Whalen, chairman of the State Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska Council. “This knowledge is invaluable for their careers and future community and state leadership endeavors.”

Sessions for the 2013-14 years are currently posted at www.LeadershipNebraska.com.

For more information or to apply for the State Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska program, visitwww.LeadershipNebraska.com, contact Executive Director Don Mihovk at dmihovk@nechamber.com, or call the State Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska office (402) 474-4422 to obtain an application through the mail.

The key to Leadership Nebraska begins with the premise that all citizens across the state have a stake in our future, and that cooperative efforts will make for a successful future. Learn more atwww.LeadershipNebraska.com.

On the Docket: District Court Highlights (3/19)

Posted on March 20, 2013

Here are some highlights from Lincoln County District Court action:

Bradley Clark entered a guilty plea to a burglary charge. Clark is accused of stealing items from a local salvage yard.

Clark entered the plea after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. In exchange for the guilty plea, the County Attorney dropped a conditional release violation against Clark.

Authorities say Clark stole metals from the Regional Recycling Center in October, then tried to sell the product to North Platte Metals.

Judge Richard Birch sustained Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Wellan’s request to reinstate Clark’s bond at $25,000.

A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was set for May 6.

Clark currently has a pending case for Possession of Methamphetamine. He has pleaded not guilty to that charge.

CULPEPPER,-TROY-BYRON-Possession-of-Firearm-by-Felon-Possess-Stolen-Property-Possess-Stolen-FIREARM — Troy Culpepper

Troy Culpepper, 26, was convicted of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Culpepper entered a no contest plea to the charge after prosecutors agreed to drop charges of Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property.

Police discovered a knife and the stolen firearm in Culpepper’s vehicle on September 4.

He is also a suspect in an August 29 firearm burglary where guns and cash were stolen from a residence.

Judge Donald Rowlands ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for May 6.

Eric Humphrey, 29, was convicted of two counts of child sexual assault after pleading no contest to the charges.

Humphrey and his roommate Paul Timmer were arrested last March after a teenage girl told authorities that she had had sex with Timmer at the home the two men lived in. She alleged that Humphrey had also tried to have sex with her.

Timmer’s wife Kelly was also charged in the case, and was sentenced to probation.

Timmer is currently on the run and is wanted by the North Platte Police Department.

Humphrey’s sentencing was set for May 6.

John Barr, 30, was convicted of Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child and Assault of a Confined Person.

Police allege that Barr assaulted a girl who had a sleepover with his stepdaughter. Court records say Barr inappropriately touched the girl and attempted to remove her pants.

Barr reached a plea agreement with prosecutors that resulted in charges of Sexual Assault of a Child and Aggravated assault being dropped.

The Assault on a Confined Person charge was filed after Barr and another inmate, Derek Thompson, got into a fight at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Judge Richard Birch ordered a pre-sentence investigation a set sentencing for May 6.

10/11 to Launch New NP Television Station

Posted on March 20, 2013

Lincoln based KNPL-TV, 10/11, has announced that they will be launching a new station in North Platte.

Station officials said Monday that the new station, 10/11 North Platte, will be launched on or about September 1. 10/11 North Platte will be the first local CBS affiliate in the area. The station will broadcast high-definition newscasts in the North Platte market.

In addition to local news, weather and sports, 10/11 North Platte will feature CBS programming, including NCIS, 60 Minutes, NFL football and locally produced programming such as Pure Nebraska and 10/11 PrepZone Weekly.

Missouri Woman Arrested in NP for Assaulting Officer and Multiple Felony Charges

Posted on March 19, 2013March 20, 2013

A Missouri woman that was arrested in North Platte on an Oklahoma drug warrant is now facing multiple local charges.

According the North Platte Police, Rebecca Barr, 39, of St. Louis, was contacted by officers on March 14 in the 900 block of west Sixth Street. After officers questioned her, she began to struggle, causing injury to one of the officers and then tried to flee.

She faces charges of Assaulting an Officer, False Reporting and Resisting Arrest. The warrant out of Oklahoma was issued for distribution of narcotics.

Upon arrest, she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, and now faces an additional felony charge.

She is being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

Crime Log (3/18-3/19)

Posted on March 19, 2013March 20, 2013

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

03/18/2013