Local – Page 29 – North Platte Post Archive

Prison staffer attacked after cell door mistake frees inmate

Posted on April 9, 2019

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska prison officials say a staff member was attacked by an inmate temporarily freed when a cell door was mistakenly opened.

The attack occurred around 1:40 p.m. Monday at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in southeast Nebraska. A Nebraska Correctional Services Department news release says the inmate punched the staffer in the head and torso before being subdued by the use of pepper spray and the efforts of other staff members.

Prisons director Scott Frakes says “it appears this situation was the result of human error.”

The staffer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then returned to the prison.

The names of those involved haven’t been released.

Nebraska bill requiring disclosure of lottery odds advances

Posted on April 8, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill requiring the state lottery to prominently disclose the odds of winning the biggest available prize in its game advertisements.

The measure won first-round approval Monday on a 38-0 vote.

The bill by state Sen. Suzanne Geist, of Lincoln, is designed to help players understand the astronomical odds of getting a big payoff and discourage people from playing when they can’t afford it.

The chances of winning would have to be displayed in a “clear and conspicuous manner” and would have to be at least 35 percent as large as the biggest font used in print advertisements. For online advertisements, the odds would have to be disclosed in at least 10-point font.

Two more votes are required before the bill goes to the governor.

Gov. Ricketts proclaims ‘Lineworkers Appreciation Day’

Posted on April 8, 2019

Governor Pete Ricketts with Nebraska lineworkers at a ceremony this morning proclaiming April 8 as Lineworkers Appreciation Day in Nebraska.

This morning, Governor Pete Ricketts was joined by the Nebraska Power Association and Nebraska lineworkers from throughout the state to proclaim April 8, 2019 as Lineworkers Appreciation Day in Nebraska.

In Nebraska, more than 1,800 lineworkers help maintain Nebraska’s power grid across the state. Nebraska has over 6,000 miles of transmission and 100,000 miles of sub-transmission and distribution lines. Most of the state’s lineworkers grew up in Nebraska and trained in highly acclaimed lineworker degree programs at the community colleges across the state.

When the lights go out, these men and women are the selfless workers that go out on weekends and holidays, in rainstorms and blizzards, during the day and in the dead of night, to restore power to Nebraska’s homes and businesses.

During the recent flooding that has impacted much of Nebraska, lineworkers worked overtime to restore service as quickly as possible. At the ceremony, Governor Ricketts thanked lineworkers throughout Nebraska for the great work they do to keep the lights on and help power Nebraska through the flood and severe weather recovery.

Work to begin on I-80 between Ogallala and Brule

Posted on April 8, 2019

Weather permitting, work will begin April 15, on I-80 from Brule to Ogallala, from Reference Post 115.49 to Reference Post 125.65, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Paul Reed Construction & Supply, Inc., of Gering, Nebraska, has the $3,628,388 contract.

Work includes grading, concrete pavement, culvert extensions, seeding, and electrical work.

Traffic will be maintained with lane closures and 12-foot width restrictions for the duration of the project. The anticipated completion date is September 2019.

Motorists are urged to drive cautiously near construction zones and to expect delays.

Drug arrests made in weekend traffic stops

Posted on April 8, 2019

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) arrested seven people for drug offenses during the course of five traffic stops between Friday and Sunday. The traffic stops yielded the seizure of methamphetamine, mushrooms, cocaine, and marijuana.

On Friday, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a trooper stopped a Ford Escape for speeding on I-80 near Kearney at mile marker 275. During the traffic stop, three people were cited and released for possession of marijuana – less than an ounce and drug paraphernalia. A passenger, Chase King, 23, of Lincoln, was arrested for possession of psilocybin mushrooms and drug paraphernalia. King was lodged in Buffalo County Jail.

At approximately 7:50 p.m., a trooper stopped a Ford Edge on Highway 92 near Bayard for speeding and driving on the shoulder. During the traffic stop, the driver, Kerry Arrington, 41, of Gillette, Wyoming, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana – less than an ounce, and drug paraphernalia. The passenger, Geraldo Flores, 32, of Bayard, was arrested for an active warrant and open alcohol container. Both were lodged in Scotts Bluff County Jail.

Friday at approximately 9:20 p.m., another trooper found four grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on County Road 19A in Cheyenne County. The traffic stop of a Ford Mustang was for no front license plate and crossing the center line. The driver, Christina Robbins-Parrish, 52, and passenger, Robert Baca, 54, both of Sterling, Colorado were arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Both were lodged in Cheyenne County Jail.

Saturday at approximately 1:00 a.m., a trooper stopped a Ford F-150 for no license plates. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The driver, Miguel Ruiz-Valentin, 38, of Wood River, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was lodged in Hall County Jail.

On Sunday, at approximately 1:10 p.m., a trooper stopped a Cadillac Deville for following too closely on I-80 near Waco. The driver was found to have a revoked driver’s license. A search revealed a bag of more than one gram of cocaine. The driver, Matthew Pena, 20, of Lexington, was arrested and lodged in Seward County Jail.

Nebraska taking additional steps to prevent opioid abuse

Posted on April 8, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are moving ahead with additional steps designed to protect the state from the national opioid drug epidemic.

Lawmakers gave first-round approval Monday to a bill that would add new requirements for the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. The changes are intended to help health officials track what prescriptions patients have received and prevent them from over-prescribing highly addictive drugs.

Nebraska hasn’t been hit as hard by the opioid abuse epidemic as other states, and lawmakers say they want to remain proactive to keep the problem from spreading.

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Sara Howard, of Omaha, whose sister died of a prescription drug overdose in 2009.

The bill advanced, 44-0, through the first of three required votes before it goes to the governor.

Bill requiring cities to report occupation taxes advances

Posted on April 8, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska cities would have to issue public reports on how they’re collecting and using occupation taxes under a bill advanced by lawmakers.

Senators gave first-round approval Monday to the bill designed to increase transparency around the taxes.

Occupation taxes are levied on a variety of economic activities, including food and drink sales, hotel stays, tobacco products and cellphone service. Developers in Omaha have increasingly sought them as a way to help pay for development projects in certain parts of the city.

The report would have to be posted on a city’s public website or made available for inspection.

Sen. Mike McDonnell, of Omaha, says he introduced it to promote transparency and accountability for the tax.

NPPD Activity Log (4.5.18-4.8.19)

Posted on April 8, 2019

Call Date

Call Time

Call Number

RMS CFS Description

Location Of Incident

04/05/2019