By: Jen Rae Hein

Gov. Dave Heineman today, in accordance with the proclamation from President Barack Obama, announced all U.S. and Nebraska flags to be flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for the memory of Neil Armstrong. 

 Flags will be flown at half-staff on Friday, August 31, 2012.

 “Neil Armstrong was a great American, whose actions inspired and awed generations of citizens of our country and people around the world,” said Gov. Dave Heineman.

 

A 35-year-old man has been given 18 to 36 years in prison for the slaying of his wife at their home in North Platte last year.

At his sentencing on Monday, Rogelio Diaz sobbed and said he had nothing but hate for himself.

Prosecutors say Diaz admitted that he and his wife had been fighting and he had thrown her off a porch in their backyard in June 2011. An autopsy showed Michelle Diaz died of a blow to her head.

Rogelio Diaz originally was first charged with second-degree murder. He made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree murder.

Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officers from North Platte Police Department are constantly working to keep the streets safe. Just after midnight on August

26^th officers responded to the report of a vehicle crashing into a home on West 17^thstreet. Officers were told the suspected driver 21-year-old Barry Allen fled the scene on foot.

A 30-year-old passenger in the vehicle received medical attention at Great Plain Regional Medical Center after receiving injuries from the accident.An officer made contact with Allen who allegedly lost control of the 98 Mazda 626 that crashed into the northwest corner of a home.

It was discovered that Allen was driving with a suspended license as well. After investigation officers had probable cause to arrest Allen for Leaving the Scene (Injury Accident), and Driving Under Suspension. Allen was booked into Lincoln County Detention Center.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.- A North Platte resident had one very rude awakening this morning. On August 27^th at around 4AM officers from the North Platte Police Department arrived to the scene of a structure fire on West 3^rd.

The fire wasn’t the only problem. Officers then learned that the neighbor to the fire, a 25 year old male had reported his black Mercury Cougar stolen. The vehicle was seen speeding down an alley way.

The stolen vehicle was found at the parking lot of the Pacific Place Apartments along with assorted tools at 500 N Pacific Ave.

A release from Public Information Officer Rodney Brown says the 57 year-old male victim of the garage (structure) fire identified the tool inside the stolen Cougar as his, while the Cougar belonged to the 25 year old neighbor. The tools were seized as evidence.

Hours later at around 10:15 AM officers from NPPD responded to the Pacific Place Apartments once more on the report of a disturbance. What are the chances of that?

Officers then learned that the suspect 31-year-old Jason D. Jones had tried to drive off in the Cougar that was stolen. Unfortunately for Jones the vehicle became inoperable after driving a few feet, so Jones got out and actually attempted to push the car back into the parking stall.

Witnesses detained the  suspect and notified police.

After investigation it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Jones for Burglary to the garage and motor vehicle theft. That’s not all..Jones also was allegedly in possession of a drug paraphernalia!

Jones was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center, where he was cited for Burglary, Theft by Unlawful Taking (of a motor vehicle), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, then booked him in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

 

GOTHENBURG Neb.- On Sunday evening around at around 5:00 PM a small grassfire burned less than an acre.

The Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire and had the fire under control in a half-hour.

The cause of the fire is unknown though possibilities vary from still lit cigarettes to hot rubber from damaged tires. As hot temperatures are on the rise again in the next coming days fire safety remains an important factor along the interstate and other parts of the state affected by the drought.

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NORTH PLATTE, Neb– Time is almost up to file your 2nd half 2011 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes.

A release from the Lincoln County Treasurer’s Office says that a 14% interest rate will accrue to all delinquent 2nd half 2011 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes on September 1st 2012.

Two homes near Lake McConaughy were destroyed by a grass fire this weekend that burned about 20 acres.

The homes and a storage building in the Cedar View area near the lake were heavily damaged by the fire Saturday afternoon.

The fire started near Highway 82 and spread quickly because of 40 mph winds.

Keystone Leymoyne Fire Chief Ralph Maul says firefighters were able to contain the blaze, but the homes were burning before firefighters arrived.

Maul says it appears that the homes were vacation homes. A boat and two jet skis were also destroyed in the fire.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 95. Breezy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South southeast wind around 11 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.