Nebraska students are showing progress on statewide math and reading tests.

New results released Tuesday show that more than 74 percent of students were at or above proficiency levels in reading this year, compared with less than 72 percent in 2011.

More than 67 percent showed proficiency in math in 2012, compared to less than 63 percent the previous year.

The results from the Nebraska Department of Education were the first-ever under the new Nebraska Performance Accountability System.

The new state system measures schools by their average scores in reading, mathematics, writing and science. The exam also shows improvement by measuring differences in math and reading scores among students in the same grade, and growth, by comparing scores of the same students from year to year.

 

On November 4, Officers of the NPPD responded to Wal-Mart on the report of a disturbance.  Following the investigation the suspect, Michael Duffy, 49, was arrested for Disturbing the Peace.

The following day an Officer from the NPPD responded to Wal-Mart on the report that staff had discovered Duffy had consumed liquor while in the store and had not purchased the item.  Following the theft investigation the Officer determined there was probable cause to arrest Duffy for Theft for Shop Lifting, 28-511.01, Third Subsequent Offense making it a (IV Fel) and Criminal Mischief, 28-519 (III Mis).

On November 19^, and Officer from the NPPD made contact with Duffy at a residence in the 2300 block of W. 15^th Street and placed him into custody for the above charges.  Duffy was processed and later released from the Lincoln County Detention Center.

 

On November 19, Officers from the NPPD responded to the 600 block of Rodeo Rd on the report of a disturbance.  Officers learned that a male subject was attempting to break into a residence. The complainant alleged that the intoxicated suspect, Felipe Carland was banging on the door and trying to enter.  It was also discovered that Carland had broken a window.  Carland, who suffered fresh cuts to his hand, denied breaking the window.

Following the investigation Carland was arrested for Disturbing the Peace, 28-1322 (III Mis) and Criminal Mischief, 28-519 (III Mis).  Carland was later discovered to be in possession of Clonazepam, a controlled substance and Preomethazine Hydrochloride, which requires a prescription but is not controlled.

He was subsequently cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance, 28-416 (IV Fel) and Possession of a Legend Drug, 28-1437 (III Mis).  Carland was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

 

At around 6 AM on November 20 Officers from the NPPD were dispatched to area of West 19^thand North Buffalo on the report of a suspicious vehicle. Officers located a white, 1992 Dodge pickup parked in the roadway. The complainant/victim stated that someone may have also stole personal property from their residence.

The victim alleged that an American Indian male subject may have entered his residence and had been seen inside the victim’s vehicle. Reportedly the suspect, later identified as Timothy Jones, 25, stole approximately 150 CD’s from the vehicle. The victim stated they had driven to Casey’s, Rodeo Rd and Buffalo and there witnessed Jones in possession of the two cases of CD’s stolen from his vehicle. Jones gave the items back and an undisclosed amount of change he had reportedly stole from inside the residence. Jones then left the area.

A short time later Officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of West 6^th on the report of a subject, matching the description of Jones, banging on windows. Contact was made with Jones at that location and he was taken into custody. Following the investigation Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Jones for Burglary, 28-507 (III Fel), Theft by Unlawful Taking 28-511 (I Mis),. Timothy was cited and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center. Theft of the pickup is still under investigation.

 

At around 11:45  on November 19, an Investigator of the NPPD conducted a traffic stop for failure to signal a lane change on a green 1997 Honda Civic 4 door driven by Stephen Marquez, 23.  Following an interview the Investigator learned that there was drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.  Subsequently, a K9 conducted a sniff search around the outside of the vehicle, which met with positive results.

A search of the vehicle was then conducted resulting in the discovery of three firearms to include two handguns and one shotgun.  Stephen a convicted felon was then placed under arrest for Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person (Felon) and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

A passenger in the vehicle, Kenneth E. Cassell, 30, made several inconsistent statements and provided Officers with contradictory information regarding the firearms.  As a result, Cassell was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center, where he was jailed for Accessory to a Felony.

 

 

At around 1 AM Officers from the NPPD responded to Key Estates, 2300 E Philip on the report of a theft of a cell phone.  The victim alleged that the suspect, Jesse Plunk, 28 had broke in and stole a cell phone.  Officers attempted to make contact with Plunk, who fled on foot.  An Officer was able to run down the suspect, at which time he was placed under arrest for Obstruction of a Police Officer, 28-906 (I Mis) and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.  The theft investigation is still ongoing.

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a 14-year-old McCook girl last year.

The McCook Daily Gazette reports Stathis Kirkpatrick, of Bartley, was sentenced Tuesday. The life sentence was mandatory because Kirkpatrick pleaded no contest to first degree murder in September.

Kirkpatrick was convicted in the death of Kailee Clapp who went missing on Jan. 21, 2011. Clapp’s burned body was found that same evening in a Bartley cemetery.

Kirkpatrick was found competent to stand trial after originally being deemed mentally unfit.

Authorities say a 49-year-old Oshkosh woman has died in a collision on U.S. Highway 26 in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Scottsbluff radio station KNEB reports that the accident occurred a little after 11 a.m. Tuesday just east of Lisco.

The Nebraska State Patrol says Donna Gunderson was driving west when her car crossed the center line and hit an eastbound semitrailer driven by Darrel Yost, of North Platte.

The patrol says Gunderson died at the scene. Yost wasn’t hurt.

The collision is being investigated.

Scottsbluff city officials are considering the creation of the position of public safety director to oversee the city’s police, fire and emergency management functions.

KNEB radio reports that City Manager Rick Kuckkahn is reviewing several options regarding the hiring of a permanent police chief including the creation of a public safety director.

He says the resignation of Police Chief Alex Moreno three months ago has allowed the city to look at possible changes in the way public safety is structured. Kuckkahn says he’d like a structure that is more efficient and streamlined.

Capt. Kevin Spencer has been interim police chief since Moreno resigned.

Kuckkahn says expects to make a recommendation to the city council in the next month or shortly after the first of the year.

A 43-year-old North Platte woman has been given probation on a conviction for attempted arson.

Court records say Royalene Hernandez pleaded guilty in June to attempted second-degree arson. Prosecutors had lowered the charge in exchange for her plea.

North Platte television station KNOP said on Monday that Hernandez was given 12 months of probation.

Hernandez was arrested April 2 after firefighters were sent to her home to battle a carpet fire. Prosecutors say Hernandez started the fire so another resident would leave.

No injuries were reported.

Court records say Hernandez also is known as Royalene Hernandez-Cazares and as Royalene Beauvais.

According to Roger Klasna with the Nebraska Department of Roads, Link 24A (nearly 9 miles east of Cozad) will be closed from 8am-5pm. RoadSafe Traffic Systems will be providing traffic control during this closure. A detour route will be established through Cozad. This is the link between I-80 and Hwy 30.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 70. West southwest wind 5 to 14 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 26. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Early Saturday morning, November 17^th, officers from the North Platte P.D. responded to the Touch Down Club after things became physical.

When officers arrived on location they could see a large group of people around the south door where the suspect, Marlan Fox, 27, allegedly swung his fists at individuals including TDC staff.

According to the N.P.P.D.’s Public Information Officer, Rodney Brown, officers had to use physical force to restrain Fox as he apparently continued to be combative during arrest.

Fox was arrested for 3^rd degree assault and resisting arrest before he was taken to the Lincoln County Detention Center where the suspect allegedly continued to be aggressive with jail staff, reportedly spitting on an officer on Monday, November 19^th.

Fox is on bail for $50,000.

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the death of a federal prisoner from Wyoming at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.

The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports that jailers found the body of 41-year-old Dominic Geboe of Casper, Wyo., shortly before 7 a.m. Friday.

Scotts Bluff County Attorney Doug Warner, who also serves as the county coroner, says Geboe was found hanging in a locked bathroom stall.

He was discovered as jailers were delivering breakfast to inmates. Other inmates reportedly were sleeping at the time of Geboe’s death and did not witness it.

Warner has ordered an autopsy.

A grand jury will be convened to investigate Geboe’s death, as required by state law whenever a person dies in police custody.