SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) – A Kimball city councilman charged with sexually assaulting a mentally disabled teenage boy has pleaded not guilty.
Forty-eight-year-old Scott Haun was charged in October with first-degree sexual assault on a child more than 12 years of age but less than 16.
Haun pleaded not guilty on Thursday during an arraignment in Scotts Bluff County District Court. His case is set for trial during the March jury term.
Court records say the alleged abuse took place Sept. 3 at the boy’s home in rural Scotts Bluff County.
Haun, who has served on the Kimball City Council for a total of 12 years, says he won’t resign.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)– An argument over who should drive the company truck led to one local man being treated at a hospital and the other going to jail.
According to Lt. Rich Hoaglund of the North Platte Police Department, 57 year old Edward Leza and a coworker had gotten into an argument over who was going to drive their work vehicle. The two men decided to settle their differences physically on the I-80 exit ramp near North Platte. Leza allegedly decided that a box cutter would help even the odds.
According to Lt. Hoaglund, the injured man did not know he had been cut until after the fight ended. He drove home and his wife took him to the hospital for treatment. His wounds were not life-threatening.
Leza was arrested on 2nd degree assault charges and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
He remains in the Lincoln County Jail. No bond has been set.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A southwestern Nebraska attorney and advocate for legalizing marijuana is suing the state Department of Motor Vehicles after he was denied a personalized license plate that state officials say would promote illegal drug use.
The Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed the federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Frank Shoemaker, of Holbrook, saying the state violated Shoemaker’s constitutionally protected right to free speech.
The lawsuit says Shoemaker had applied earlier this year for a state license plate that read “NE420.” The term “420” is insider shorthand for cannabis consumption.
The motor vehicle agency rejected Shoemaker’s application, saying the number 420 is “associated with a date and time for people to gather and smoke marijuana/cannabis.”
The lawsuit seeks to have the department’s rejection declared unconstitutional.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – A great number of us are mourning the loss of a dear friend, brother, father, husband, mentor, and so much more today. This week, we must all say goodbye to Royal Bryant.
It is hard to write something like this about someone who we were sure would outlive us all; Royal was the epitome of strength, resiliency, toughness, and honesty. Royal approached life with the vigor and fearlessness that the rest of us wish we possessed. He was the one we could look to when our own lives got out of hand. As hard as his own life had been and despite all the demons he himself overcame, he would never turn away a friend or family member in need.
Royal was with me on my darkest day. From that, our friendship grew. He told me that he respected me. From a man like Royal, those words meant the world to me and still do.
To hear that from someone who I placed on a pedestal, like many of us did, his words, his friendship will remain with me for the rest of my life.
Royal could have easily taken the wrong road. He battled adversity just like the rest of us, had weaknesses just like the rest of us. But, he rose above, like most of us are not able to do.
He left this world way too early and with so much more that we needed from him. I pray for his family, his children, and for him. God knows Royal had a wonderful heart, and I guess it was time for him to go.
Every time I saw Royal, it was the same. Huge smile, that strong hug, just letting me know he cared. His love was as big as he was. I will miss him so much, and I am not alone.
This week we say goodbye to a great leader, a true friend, a real man.
Royal was aptly named, for he was truly a king.
Royal Mandale Bryant, age 38, of North Platte passed away November 16, 2011 at his home of natural causes. He was born February 24, 1973 in Sioux City, Iowa to Glen Hicks and Brenda Bryant. Royal grew up in Sioux City and Omaha, moving toNorth Platte when he was 15 and attended North Platte High School . He was an avid boxer, making it to the USA Boxing Nationals twice, becoming a professional boxer and was a two time Golden Glove Champion in Omaha . Royal founded the North Platte Young Inspirations Boxing Club and inspired many young boxers and had future plans to open a gym. His family was the center of his life, with him always the peacemaker. He had tremendous faith.
Survivors include his wife, Veronica of North Platte; children, Royal Guzman and Rashad Guzman both of Lincoln, Rashawn Bryant, Ryece Bryant and Rianica Bryant all of North Platte; grandchildren, Amaya Guzman and Laziah Guzman both of Lincoln; mother, Brenda (Sam) Bryant of Omaha; grandmother, Shirley Plummer of Sioux City, Iowa; grandparents; Alfred and Carol Gall of Hawley, Minn; siblings, Brian Plummer of Sioux City, Iowa, Patrice Baldwin of Omaha, Glen Bryant of Sioux City, Iowa, Larenzo Ford of Sioux City, Iowa, Melissa (Charles) Alexander, Joshua Hicks, Ronnie Stubbs and Will Hicks all of North Platte; in-laws, Peggy and Larry Hopper of North Platte and Ron and Kathy Mayo of Douglas, Wyoming; sisters-in-law, Jennifer (Steve) Paul and Shelly (Bill) Enyeart all of North Platte; brother-in-law, Daniel (Angie) Hopper of Stapleton; and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Glen (Darlyn) Hicks.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his name at First National Bank and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Harvest Christian Fellowship with the Reverend Ron Lauber officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.
LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) – The Lexington superintendent plans to leave the western Nebraska district next summer after six years.
Todd Chessmore submitted his resignation to the school board Monday, but he did not say what he plans to do after leaving Lexington next June.
Chessmore says he is proud that the district remains on a sound financial basis, and that several school building projects were completed during his tenure.
The school board approved spending $10,000 to conduct a search for the district’s next superintendent with the help of the National Association of School Boards.
ORRVILLE, Ohio (AP) – J.M. Smucker Co. is recalling thousands of 16-ounce jars of its Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because of possible salmonella contamination.
The Ohio-based company says the jars covered in the recall would have been purchased in the last week or so. They have “Best if Used By” dates of Aug. 3, 2012 and Aug. 4, 2012, plus the production codes 1307004 and 1308004.
Smucker says 3,000 jars are being recalled from stores. Another 16,000 had never left warehouses.
Salmonella is bacteria resulting in fever, cramps and diarrhea that lasts for several days and can require hospitalization.
Smucker says no illnesses have been reported.
The product was distributed in: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
CHADRON, Neb. (AP) – A second earthquake has struck parts of northwest Nebraska and southwest South Dakota.
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the area between Chadron and Crawford, and Hot Springs, S.D., has had two small earthquakes this week.
According to Eagle Radio station KQSK, the first, with a magnitude of 3.7 on the Richter scale, happened just before midnight Sunday. The second, which had a magnitude of 3.3, happened about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Both were felt by residents but neither was strong enough to cause damage.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- The North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity is dedicating their 33rd house this week. A celebration will be held at Tim and Jody Hudson’s new home at 2418 West 15th Street this Friday beginning at 4 p.m.
According to local Habitat President Lawrence Ostendorf, this is the tenth year of volunteer participation and over a quarter of a million dollars donated to the project by local sponsor Wells Fargo Bank. The public is invited to attend the ceremony on Friday afternoon.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The Nebraska State Patrol says a wayward text message has led to a drug bust.
It started when someone sent a message about buying drugs – to a trooper in North Platte.
Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins says the trooper began receiving text messages from an unknown number on Nov. 7. The trooper played along and arranged to meet the sender that night in Broken Bow.
The trooper showed up and arrested 23-year-old Aaron Sartin, of Kearney. He’s charged with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Collins says Sartin was cited and released.
His case isn’t listed on the online court system. There is no public phone listing for Sartin in the Kearney area.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A rural McCook man has pleaded guilty to robbing a southwest Nebraska credit union at gunpoint.
Joel Witt pleaded guilty to bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence on Monday in U.S. District Court in Lincoln.
He was accused of robbing the Pioneer Community Federal Credit Union in Palisade in April. Prosecutors say he took nearly $11,600.
No one was injured.
Nebraska State Patrol troopers arrested Witt about an hour later near Grant and recovered the firearm and the money.
Witt faces up to 25 years in prison for bank robbery and 10 years on the firearm charge. Sentencing is Feb. 13.
