A Nebraska lawmaker says he wants to overturn a State Board of Education policy that requires schools to allow students time to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily.

The Legislature’s Education Committee will hear a bill by Sen. Ernie Chambers on Monday that reverses the board’s action requiring the pledge to be said in schools.

Last August, the board voted unanimously to approve the pledge policy. Gov. Dave Heineman also supported the policy after a similar legislative proposal failed to advance out of the Education Committee last year.

Chambers says he wants to get rid of the State Board of Education’s rule because the members disregarded the Legislature’s motion to shelf the bill.

North Platte Mayor Dwight Livingston has named and interim replacement for retiring Chief Paul Pedersen.

Dennis Thompson, who is currently the Assistant Chief, will assume the role until a permanent replacement can be found.  The North Platte City Council is expected to approve the appointment at Tuesday’s meeting.

Pedersen’s has been with the NPFD for 41 years, and has been the Chief of the department for the last 20.

Thompson began his career with the NPFD in 1993.

According to officials, potential candidates for the position will take the civil service exam on April 8, and those candidates that pass the exam will be interviewed by the Civil Service Commission.

As the Post reported in March, only one potential candidate was able to pass the test in January, which prompted Mayor Livingston to request an extension in the search for the department’s new chief.

According to the Civil Service Commission, applicants must score a 70 percent or better on the exam before they are able to move forward in the interview process.

The commission will then make a recommendation to the Mayor.

Known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, allergies are reactions of the body’s immune system to a normally harmless substance. In the spring, summer and fall, tiny pollen grains are released from trees, weeds and grasses. These grains hitch rides on currents of air.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Allergist Jill Poole, M.D., said about 20 percent to 40 percent of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies.

“This is the time when spring allergies catch up with you,” said Dr. Poole, an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “The trees start pollinating and this is the exact time to get allergy medications out of the cabinet and start to use nose sprays and antihistamines. I advise patients to do this to try to fend off the allergy symptoms before they get behind the eight ball.”

Dr. Poole said if you have allergy symptoms and over-the-counter medications don’t work well, she recommends getting tested.

Here are tips on how to lessen the uncomfortable effects of allergies:

• Tree pollen is hardy and once it gets in the home, it can be a longer lasting pollen. Closing windows will keep the pollen from being in your bedroom where you sleep.

• After you’ve been outside, it’s helpful to change your clothes and wash your hands and face.

• Try over-the-counter nasal-sinus irrigation products.

• Over-the-counter antihistamines are non-sedating and usually work in a couple of days.

For more information about allergies, go to www.aaaai.org.

Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.

• Jason Lee Westlake, 30, North Platte and Charly Nicole Keller, 27, North Platte
• Kristofer Michael Rosenthal, 28, North Platte and Tracey Jo Foster, 28, North Platte

One Alliance teen was killed and another hospitalized in a one-vehicle rollover accident Thurday night on Highway 87 a mile south of the Box Butte-Sheridan County line.

The Nebraska State Patrol says 16-year old Deion Hitchcock was southbound around 8:30 when he lost control of his older model SUV and overcorrected. The SUV went into the east ditch and hit a power pole.

Hitchcock, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and killed. A passenger, 18-year old Crystal Pannell of Alliance, was taken to Box Butte General Hospital with undisclosed injuries and was described as being in stable condition about 10:30 this morning. The investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.

Hitchcock and Pannell are students at Alliance High School, which is currently on spring break. Principal Dr Pat Jones says the members of the Building Crisis Team will meet Sunday night to prepare for the resumption of classes on Monday.

Jones says the Crisis Team will make sure everyone is on the same page with the facts of the accident and not rumors, and that all needed resources will be on hand when the students arrive the next morning.

Having counselors at Alliance High and possibly other schools will be a key part of that, but Jones hopes parents will talk with their children over the weekend about what’s happened so that they’ll ready for Monday morning.

Two teenagers from Gibbon are in a load of trouble after they were caught selling prescription drugs in proximity to a school zone.

The boys, whose age is unknown, confessed in Buffalo County Juvenile Court to a felony count of distributing Vyvance near a school zone.

The alleged crime occurred on November 29.  Court records do not indicate exactly which school the teens were near and no additional details on the case were available.

Vyvance is a prescription drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children and teens.

Buffalo County Judge Graten Beavers a pre-sentence investigation to be completed by the State Probation Office in order to help determine the appropriate sentence for the two boys.

Sentencing is slated for April, and the boys could face penalties ranging form probation to placement in a rehabilitation facility.

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

03/14/2013

00:35:41

CITIZEN ASSIST

600 N CHESTNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

00:43:14

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

6th ST / vine NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

00:45:03

OTHER DISTURBANCE

200 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

01:07:58

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

4th ST / Jeffers NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

01:34:09

THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING

1400 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

01:37:08

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

E F ST /S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

01:37:06

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

700 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

02:16:26

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

03/14/2013

02:59:03

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

100 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

03:17:47

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

400 E 8TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

05:22:15

SPEEDING

W 16 ST /N BUFFALO BILL AV North Platte, NE 69101

03/14/2013

06:57:47

B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING

700 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

07:02:33

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

03/14/2013

07:13:14

BARKING DOGS

500 W B ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

07:31:35

INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT

BEVERLY BL /S BUFFALO BILL AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

08:02:31

DEAD ANIMAL CALL

100 E 8TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

08:13:01

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

1200 MCDONALD RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

08:50:06

BARKING DOGS

800 N BRYAN AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

09:16:52

VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV

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

03/14/2013

09:21:00

PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT

E G ST /S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

09:28:30

VIOL OF PROTECT ORD-HARRASSMENT

700 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

10:15:38

ANIMAL DISPOSAL

3300 W NORTH LAKE RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

10:30:29

NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323

500 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

10:59:45

DOMEST ASSAULT-MISD

200 S CHESTNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

11:27:18

INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT

E 10TH ST /N WALNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

11:29:14

LOOSE ANIMALS

2200 W 15TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

11:34:50

WELFARE CHECK

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

12:04:12

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

700 E 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

12:09:44

LOOSE ANIMALS

W 9TH ST /N JACKSON AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

12:40:37

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

1500 E 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

12:49:23

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

400 W PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

12:51:31

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

500 W C ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

12:57:23

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

200 W FRANCIS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

13:17:38

FOUND PROPERTY

600 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

13:28:51

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

200 N COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

13:30:39

ILLEGAL TURN

E 6TH ST /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

13:45:57

H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED

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

03/14/2013

14:11:20

THEFT BY DECEPTION

1600 W 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

14:40:40

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

1200 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

15:47:11

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

2900 CEDARBERRY NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

15:48:20

RUNAWAY JUV FEMAL

900 N FRANKLIN AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

15:50:20

LOUD MUSIC

1900 W 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

15:56:54

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

2300 E 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

16:13:40

WELFARE CHECK

1500 W 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

16:45:08

WELFARE CHECK

2000 W 16TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

16:50:16

PROHIB ACTS INTERLOCK DEVICE

JACKSON AV / RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

16:52:01

LOUD MUSIC

W 3RD ST / SHERIDAN AV HERSHEY, NE 69143

03/14/2013

17:09:47

CITIZEN ASSIST

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

17:11:48

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

100 N DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

17:15:05

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

2600 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

17:30:16

CITIZEN ASSIST

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

17:45:53

CITIZEN ASSIST

2300 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

18:16:58

PUBLIC INDECENCY

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

18:25:09

EXCESSIVE ANIMAL NOISE

500 S ASH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

18:29:29

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

N BUFFALO BILL AV /W 19TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

19:20:17

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

700 E 8TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

19:32:47

DOG BITES

1300 N POPLAR ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

19:50:45

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

1100 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

20:47:23

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1800 N SHERMAN AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

20:51:34

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

3200 S NEWBERRY NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

21:22:53

SPEEDING

400 E Philip AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/14/2013

22:18:03

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

700 E Jeffers NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

22:22:31

SPEEDING

W 7TH ST /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

22:24:03

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

2300 W 16TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

22:57:16

CITIZEN ASSIST

1200 E 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

23:05:57

MOTORIST ASSIST

E FREMONT DR /S HWY 83 NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

23:21:52

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

03/14/2013

23:22:24

OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS

400 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/14/2013

23:41:13

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

100 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/15/2013

00:30:52

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

E 12TH ST /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/15/2013

01:36:39

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

DETCO CR /W WALKER RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/15/2013

01:51:36

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

03/15/2013

02:10:47

MOTORIST ASSIST

E 8TH ST /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/15/2013

02:37:45

SECURITY CHECK

DOWNTOWN NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/15/2013

06:17:26

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL-GAS FROM SELF SERV STATION

2400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/15/2013

07:04:01

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

03/15/2013

07:54:49

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

4000 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

An accident on Thursday in North Platte sent one person to the hospital

Richard Vieyra was eastbound in his 1999 Mercury Cougar and was struck by a northbound Ag Valley Co-op semi after he failed to yield at the intersection of 10th and Walnut.

A female passenger in Vieyra’s car was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center with injuries that police say were non-life threatening.

Vieyra was cited with failure to yield and his Mercury was considered a total loss.  The semi sustained approximately $1,000 in damage.

 

 

A 51-year-old registered sex offender has been convicted of another sex offense in western Nebraska.

Online court records say a Scotts Bluff County jury earlier this week found Timothy Fuentes guilty of sexual assaulting a child in August. Fuentes is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Fuentes had been tried on the same case in January, but that jury couldn’t agree on a verdict.

Nebraska Sex Registry records say Fuentes’ first child sex assault conviction occurred in 1984. He was convicted in other cases in 1995 and 1997.

Nearly two-thirds of Nebraska’s counties lost population in 2012 as the longstanding trend of the state’s rural population shrinking while urban areas continue to grow stays true.

The 2012 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show population declines in 60 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. And 42 counties recorded more deaths than births.

David Drozd, a researcher at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research, says the state’s three biggest counties — Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy — are now home to more than 53 percent of Nebraska’s
1,855,525 population.

The population of those three counties, which are home to Omaha and Lincoln, grew by 13,098 between 2011 and 2012.

Nebraska also gained a fourth metro area. The Grand Island metropolitan area joins Lincoln, Omaha, and Sioux City.