Local – Page 1152 – North Platte Post Archive

Tragic Trend: House Fire Claims the Life of 85-Year-Old Woman

Posted on February 24, 2013February 24, 2013

In what seems to be a tragic trend, a house fire has taken the life of an Alma woman.

Nebraska authorities are investigating a house fire that killed an 85-year-old woman and injured a 57-year-old man. The fire was reported in Alma, approximately 25 miles south of Holdrege, shortly before 8:oo Saturday morning.

The house was consumed by flames when firefighters arrived. Once firefighters were able to gain entry, they found Lois Clifton dead inside the home. Her son, Kurt Peterson, was treated for minor injuries at the Harlan County Hospital.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Nebraska Fire Marshall’s office.

There have been numerous fatal house fires reported across our State including one that killed an 8-year-old boy in Bellevue. The Post would like to remind our readers to use extreme caution and follow safety instruction when using space heaters, wood stoves and other heating devices during the cold winter months.

NE Public Schools May Cut Hours of Part-Time Employees to Avoid New Health Laws

Posted on February 24, 2013February 24, 2013

A lawyer for public school districts in Nebraska say some are considering cutting hours for part-time employees who work between 30 and 40 hours per week to avoid offering them health insurance benefits.

The federal Affordable Care Act requires large employers to cover at least 60 percent of health care costs for an employee who works more than 30 hours per week. If large employers don’t, they risk owing a tax penalty.

Karen Haase, a lawyer representing about 150 school districts throughout Nebraska, says thousands of non-teaching employees could be offered extended health benefits, have their hours cut or be laid off.

State and some higher education officials say they are uncertain how the Affordable Care Act will impact temporary employees and adjunct faculty in Nebraska.

Four Vie for Judgeship in South-Central NE

Posted on February 23, 2013

Four people have submitted their names for possible appointment as a judge in south-central Nebraska.

The four are Mark McKeone, Cozad; Gary Peterson, Broken Bow; Jeffrey Wightman, Lexington; and Todd Wilson, Elwood.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is scheduled to consider the four at a public hearing set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on March 14 at the Dawson County Courthouse in Lexington.

The commission is expected recommend one or more of the candidates to Gov. Dave Heineman.

The vacancy results from the retirement of county Judge Carlton Clark. He retired Dec. 31 after serving Dawson and Gosper counties for nearly 13 years in the state’s 11th Judicial District.

Early Morning Fire Destroys Mobile Home Near Lexington

Posted on February 23, 2013February 23, 2013

An fire, caused by a wood stove, early Wednesday morning has destroyed a mobile home in rural Dawson County.

The Lexington Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) was summoned to a residence about six miles northwest of Lexington at 9:30am.

Firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. The LVFD battled the blaze for about an hour and a half before they were able to get the inferno under control.

The owner of the residence was not home at the time of the blaze, but later told fire officials that he had put fresh wood in the stove at around 5:30am before he left for work.

Fire officials would not name the owner of the home and deemed the structure a total loss. The Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross was also on the scene to provide support for firefighters as well as the homeowner.

NE Looks to Expand 911 Services

Posted on February 23, 2013

Nebraska is looking at ways to expand its 911 services so dispatchers can gather more information in an emergency.

New technology is allowing cellphone users to transmit photos, and private security cameras may inadvertently record a crime in progress, but it’s unclear whether the state is ready to harness it all.

Sen. Scott Price of Bellevue is pushing for a study that would see how Nebraska is faring when it comes to adopting the new technology. Price will present his proposal Monday to the Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

The state’s Public Service Commission would initiate the study and report back to lawmakers. The commission would pay for it through the state’s Enhanced Wireless 911 fund, which comes from cellphone fees.

Smoked: Trooper Seizes Over Ten Pounds of Weed from Brothers on I-80

Posted on February 22, 2013February 23, 2013

Andrew Edward Morris: Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Marijuana-Over a Pound

Charles Brunner Morris: Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Marijuana-More Than a Pound

Two brothers are in some hot water after a Trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol finds in excess of 10 pounds of weed in their vehicle.

Andrew Morris, 27, of Denver, and Charles Morris,29, of Chicago, were driving on Interstate 80 near Paxton on Friday morning when they lost control of their Chevy Tahoe and went into the ditch. They attempted to continue to drive the vehicle after the accident, but eventually sought help.

The responding Trooper smelled the odor of marijuana upon approaching the vehicle. After the Tahoe was extracted from the ditch, a search was conducted, and just over 10 pounds of pot was found in the cargo area of the vehicle.

Troopers placed the duo under arrest and booked them into the Lincoln County Detention Center on charges of Possession of Marijuana-More Than 1 lb, and Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver.

Both charges are felonies and are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Icy Highway Leads to Death of 12-Year-Old NE Boy

Posted on February 22, 2013

A 12-year-old boy died after a collision on an icy highway in the northern Nebraska Panhandle.

The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, about five miles west of Gordon. The office says Melissa Jaggers, of Rushville, lost control of her vehicle on U.S. Highway 20 and slid into the path of an oncoming truck.

National Weather Service records say light snow had been falling in the area since Wednesday night.

Deputy Richard Anderson says Jaggers and her 12-year-old son were taken to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, where the boy died Thursday evening. Jaggers’ 10-year-old daughter was flown to a Denver hospital. The children’s names have not been released.

The truck driver, 32-year-old Ken Costello, was treated at Gordon Memorial Hospital and released.

Second NP Man Federally Indicted on Meth and Weapons Charges

Posted on February 22, 2013February 22, 2013

Another North Platte man has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Isidro Ortiz, Jr., 33, is charged in a three count indictment according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s office.

Count one of the indictment alleges that beginning on or about October 1, 2012, and continuing through November 25, 2012, Ortiz conspired with others to distribute and possess five grams or more of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for this charge is five to forty years in prison, a $5 million fine, a five year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

Count two alleges that on or about November 2, 2012, the defendant possessed with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. As with count one, the maximum penalty for this charge is five to forty years in prison, a $5 million fine, a five year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

The third and final count alleges that on or about November 19, 2012, Ortiz, having been previously convicted of a felony, was in possession of three firearms: a Winchester, model 1400, 12 gauge shotgun, a Smith and Wesson SW40VE .40 caliber pistol and a Jiminez Arms J.A. NINE, 9mm pistol. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

The indictment also alleges that any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in the indictment, including but not limited to $2,000 in United States currency seized on November 19, 2012, from the purse of Angel Benitez and $770 in United States currency seized from Angel Benitez on November 1, 2012, should be forfeited to the United States government.

Ortiz is currently incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center on State charges of Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony, Terroristic Threats, Domestic Assault, Cruelty Towards a Child, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Failure to Appear.

Keup Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Meth Charges

Posted on February 21, 2013

A federal grand jury has handed down an indictment to a North Platte man on drug charges.

Tyler Keup is facing charges of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

A news release from United States Attorney Deborah Gilg states that Keup conspired with others to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine between October 1, 2012 and November 25, 2012. According to the release, Keup is charged with possession of five or more grams of meth from a November 2 incident.

If convicted, Keup could face from five to forty years in prison, a $5 million fine, five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

The federal grand jury convened on Thursday and handed down a total of 26 indictments.

NPPD Crime Log (2/20)

Posted on February 21, 2013February 21, 2013

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

02/20/2013