A North Platte man is facing a burglary charge after he allegedly returned a pair of stolen shoes to the victim.

At around 3:01 pm, on March 22, North Platte Police responded to a reported burglary at a residence in the 1200 block of West 9th Street.

The resident told officers that he returned home to find that his front door had been forced open.  He stated that a Xbox 360 and some shoes were missing.

According to Investigator John Deal, the victim had an idea of several people who may be responsible, and officers made contact with numerous potential suspects during the investigation.

At some point, Deal said William Brown contacted the victim and returned the pair of shoes that had been taken in the burglary.  However, Brown denied that he was the one that had stolen them.

On March 31, Brown was contacted by an officer at Casey’s, 2421 Rodeo Road, and eventually agreed to speak to the officer.

During questioning, Brown told the officer where the stolen Xbox was located.

It was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Brown and charge him with felony burglary.

Brown was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on the burglary charge and an active warrant out of Missouri.

Fifty local nonprofit causes have registered to participate in the first-ever North Platte Giving Day on May 3, hosted by Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation.

“During this 24-hour community giving event, you can choose your favorite cause or causes and give to them either online or at a local donation site,” said Eric Seacrest, Community Foundation executive director.

“It’s easy, and it’s exciting.  There will be cash prizes for nonprofits, a real-time leaderboard, and fun events.  Also, matching funds have been pledged to many nonprofits that will match donations made on May 3.”

Donors anywhere can make secure donations online May 3 on the website www.NorthPlatteGivingDay.org.  Online giving is the fastest growing method used by donors to make charitable gifts, Seacrest said.

Donors also can drop off a check at one of the Giving Day Donation Sites that will include locations of several participating nonprofits.

Donations made online will help nonprofit causes get cash prizes from thousands of dollars provided by sponsors and awarded throughout the day on May 3.  For more information about sponsorships contact Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, 534-3315 or [email protected].

Some nonprofit causes already have pledges of matching funds to match donations from the public.  One organization has $100,000 in matching funds pledged to match other donations received on Giving Day.

Each participating nonprofit cause is qualified as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and Giving Day donations are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by law.

North Platte Giving Day is modeled after other giving day events held around the country.

North Platte Giving Day fits the mission of the Community Foundation to serve charitable people and worthy causes, said Larry Stobbs, Community Foundation president.  “Our Board of Directors wants the community to know more about the important work of nonprofits and their need for support to carry out their activities.” 

“Giving Day makes helping nonprofits a shared community experience,” Stobbs said.

Almost all 50 participating nonprofits are well known locally and they include organizations based in Brady, Hershey, Maxwell, and Sutherland as well as North Platte.

The list of participating community causes can be viewed online at www.NorthPlatteGivingDay.org.

501(c)(3) organizations located in and serving North Platte and Lincoln County have until April 6 to register participate in North Platte Giving Day.  There is no charge for registration.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has rejected the legal requests of two men ordered back to prison in 2014 after being wrongly released because state officials had routinely miscalculated sentences.

The state’s high court on Friday dismissed the appeal of Abdul Al-Ameen. The high court said Friday that because Al-Ameen has already been released prison, his motion for habeas corpus was moot.

Also Friday, the high court upheld the denial of a challenge by Thomas Evans, who said his return to prison violated his due process rights. The high court rejected that, saying prison officials first made a case to a judge that Evans had not served his full sentence and that Evans was given an evidentiary hearing after his arrest so he could argue for his release.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have reached a compromise on a property tax package aimed at farm and ranch land owners.

A watered-down version of the bill won first-round approval Thursday after more than six hours of debate. Some lawmakers initially opposed the measure, arguing that it would create budget hardships for the state next year and complaining that it does nothing for people who don’t work in agriculture.

The measure introduced on Gov. Pete Ricketts’ behalf would provide $20 million for tax credits directed at farm and ranch land owners. Existing tax credits for residential and commercial property would remain unchanged.

An earlier version that was scrapped would have allocated $30 million and imposed new budget restrictions on community colleges, which rely on property taxes.

ATLANTA (AP) — A new government report shows no change in how common autism is among U.S. children.

About 1 in 68 school-aged children have autism or related disorders. That’s the same as when health officials checked two years earlier.

The lack of change is noteworthy because autism estimates had been steadily increasing. In 2007, the government estimated only 1 in 150 children had autism.

For decades, autism meant kids with severe language, intellectual and social impairments and unusual, repetitious behaviors. But the definition has gradually expanded and now includes milder, related conditions. The causes of autism are still not known.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the report Thursday. CDC officials say it is too soon to know if the figure has stabilized.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of the four finalists to become chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has withdrawn his name.

Several Washington state media outlets have reported that Sabah Randhawa (suh-BAH’ ran-DAH’-wah) has been selected to become president at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. University of Nebraska spokeswoman Melissa Lee says Randhawa told University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds about his decision Wednesday.

Randhawa is Oregon State University provost. His withdrawal leaves three candidates to replace Lincoln’s chancellor, Harvey Perlman: Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs; April Mason, Kansas State University provost; and Daniel Reed, University of Iowa vice president for research and economic development.

Lee says Bounds doesn’t plan to name Perlman’s successor this week. Bounds’ selection is subject to a Board of Regents confirmation vote.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has adopted new regulations for the state’s oil and gas industry.

Gov. Pete Ricketts signed the measure into law on Wednesday.

The law by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala will require periodic sampling and reporting of fracking waste fluids and monitoring of produced water transporters.

It also reduces the “promotional” duties of the Nebraska Oil and Gas Commission and refocuses the agency’s purpose on promoting health, safety and protection of natural resources.

Schilz has said he introduced the bill in response to public input last year during a series of hearings focused on the state oil and gas industry.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Medical patients in Nebraska will have the option to pay doctors directly for consultations and physicals rather than through insurance under a bill signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The law approved Wednesday allows medical practitioners to offer direct primary care agreements.

Supporters say the agreements minimize regulations and promote better relationships between practitioners and patients.

Some senators noted that because direct primary care agreements do not constitute insurance, users will likely need additional health coverage to comply with federal requirements.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Merv Riepe of Omaha, a former hospital administrator.

North Platte (March 2016) – Cinda Baker of Cinda’s Accents in North Platte, Nebraska took a first place title for the second year in a row in the World-Renowned Design Star Competition. This year, Cinda won first place in the custom framed photography category in Larson-Juhl’s fourth annual Design Star: Framing Edition competition.

Hundreds of custom frame designs were submitted to the framing competition held at the world’s largest event in the picture framing industry, West Coast Art & Frame in Las Vegas. Custom framers from around the world sent in photographs of their creative framing projects in seven categories: Objects, Mirrors, Textiles, Documents, Art on Canvas, Art on Paper and Photography. Comprised of industry experts, the panel of judges selected first, second and third place winners in each category.

Cinda Baker won first place in the custom framed photography category for beautifully framing a pair of vintage wedding day photographs, in their original photo holders.

“We’re delighted Design Star has become such a feat for industry members and are amazed at the amazing talent portrayed in the works submitted for consideration. They truly exemplify the best in design the custom framing industry has to offer, and showcase all that can be achieved with quality custom framing through their ingenious and creative designs,” shares Drew Van Pelt, Larson-Juhl CEO. Established more than a century ago, Larson-Juhl, a Berkshire-Hathaway company, is the world’s premier designer, manufacturer, and distributor of fine custom frames of enduring style and craftsmanship.

Cinda’s career as a custom picture framer started in 1983 at Odegard’s Art & Framing in North Platte. These early days at Odegard’s provided Cinda with the foundation she needs to eventually own and operate Nebraska’s largest art gallery and custom frame shop. Today, Cinda brings together her 33 years of experience in framing and her passion for beauty in unique offerings at Cinda’s Accents. Cinda’s extensive design experience, combined with the skilled craftsmanship of frame shop manager Dave Mullen yield an award winning team!

Cinda is grateful for the for the generosity of Robyn Brown, who allowed her family’s photographic heirlooms to be used for the custom frame competition entry. Without her generosity, this award wouldn’t be possible.

To learn more about Cinda’s Accents, please visit www.CindasAccents.com.