ALLIANCE, Neb. (AP) — Box Butte County authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found under a running vehicle.
The body of 20-year-old Levi Ehrmantraut was found a little before 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Nebraska Panhandle city of Alliance. An Alliance Volunteer Fire Department crew lifted the vehicle so the body could be removed. Ehrmantraut, of Alliance, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy has been ordered. Authorities say that so far Ehrmantraut’s death appears to have resulted from an accident.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature will debate the state’s policy of shackling children under 18 in court, a practice opponents call humiliating and counterproductive.
A legislative committee voted 8-0 Monday to advance a bill by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist to prohibit restraining juveniles with handcuffs, chains and irons during court appearances unless necessary for courtroom safety. The committee included language from another bill by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers that also bans electronic monitors.
In Nebraska, juvenile offenders transferred from detention centers appear in court in restraints regardless of the severity of their offense. Juvenile advocates say the presumption of restraints damages children psychologically and affects courtroom behavior.
The bill would also lower penalties for status offenses, which are age-dependent crimes like truancy or possession of alcohol.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The full Legislature will consider repealing Nebraska’s death penalty, and the senator pushing the proposal says he’s optimistic it could happen.
A committee unanimously advanced the bill Monday.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha has fought for 40 years to end capital punishment and says his bill has “as good a chance to getting passed as has ever been.”
The Legislature approved a repeal in 1979 but it was vetoed by then-Gov. Charles Thone.
Chambers says conservative Republican senators are approaching him with practical questions about the bill’s implementation, making him more optimistic.
Death penalty opponents say it prolongs suffering for victims’ relatives and wastes tax money on appeals.
Senators would likely have to override a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts, who supports the death penalty.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new Republican River agreement will mean more irrigation water for some Nebraska farmers this summer, and make it easier to ensure Kansas gets the water it is entitled to.
Disputes over the water in the river have continued for decades, but recently officials in Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas have been able to find ways to cooperate more.
The acting director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Jim Schneider said Monday the new agreement offers more flexibility.
Nebraska will now have until next spring to deliver all the water Kansas is entitled to, so more water can be released for irrigation this year.
The new agreement also clarifies when and how much Kansas irrigators will have to pay for repairs to the dam at the Harlan County Reservoir.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill intended to accelerate Nebraska bridge repairs while saving money has been shelved for the year after county officials and small engineering firms objected.
The measure presented to a committee on Monday would have created a state commission with the power to sign construction agreements on multiple projects at once. Supporters say bundling the projects would save money because it’s more efficient than counties bidding out projects one a time.
County officials argue the bill would create another layer of bureaucracy. Small and mid-sized engineering firms say it would hurt their business by creating projects which can only be handled by large firms.
Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion asked the committee not to act on his bill this year, saying he’ll work on possible changes.
A North Platte man and a 17-year-old girl are facing felony drug charges after an encounter with police at a local motel.
On Friday, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to Motel 6, 1520 South Jeffers Street, after receiving information that 31-year-old Chris Rosenberg and a 17-year-old female were using illicit drugs in a room there.
Officers made contact with the couple and, as they spoke to them, noticed drug paraphernalia inside the room.
A search of the room revealed contraband consistent with the use of methamphetamine, and a field test confirmed the presence of meth.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, the female became uncooperative when officers tried to place her under arrest, and attempted to dispose of evidence.
She was eventually subdued and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center. She was jailed on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.
A search of Rosenberg revealed multiple Oxycodone pills. As a result, he was also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and jailed.
The Post is choosing not to name the juvenile pending the filing of formal charges.
Members of NPCC’s Brass Ensemble practice ahead of an instrumental concert planned for Thursday. Counterclockwise from left are: Bob Allen, Courtney Nunberg, Donna Pucket, Andrew Parish, Alex Farber, Walker Baird and Carmen Allen.
North Platte Community College will present an instrumental concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the McDonald-Belton Theater. The show is the first of its kind at the college.
“One of the unique things about this concert is the ensembles,” said Carmen Allen, adjunct music instructor. “We began a class called, ‘Chamber Ensemble,’ which gives music students the opportunity to participate in small instrumental groups and grow their skills by playing parts independently. This requires a lot of preparation and skill development.”
The show is also unique in the fact that college students aren’t the only ones who will perform. Local musicians will showcase their talents as well. The NPCC lineup includes the Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Saxophone Quintet and Woodwind Quintet. The Fascinating Flutes, a trio from Latin Jam, The Hatchbacks, Blue Swing and The Treble Makers are among the guest performers.
“It should be an interesting mix of instrumental music,” said Allen. “Several of the community groups are professionals who play for events throughout Nebraska.”
She believes performing in front of an audience helps the students in many ways.
“One of those is seeing their skills applied,” said Allen. “Also, preparation for a concert requires focused practice and fosters purposeful learning.”
Adding professionals to the mix increases the benefits.
“Not only is it an encouragement to student musicians, but it also shows them how they will be able to use their musical skills and training after they complete college,” said Allen.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Universities in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota are joining to establish a regional, highly secure research data center that will provide researchers access to restricted federal data.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln said in a news release Monday that the Central Plains Research Data Center will be based at the university’s Whittier Research Center in Lincoln. It will join a network of 18 similar centers that are jointly funded by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Science Foundation.
Partnering with the Lincoln school are the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of South Dakota. The center is scheduled to open this coming fall. Only researchers who have government clearances and who agree to protect the sensitive data will have access.
HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 40-year-old Wilcox man has died in a Phelps County accident.
The accident occurred around 8:15 p.m. Saturday on Poly Line Road near Holdrege. The Nebraska State Patrol says Chad Gannon was driving west when his vehicle went out of control and overturned at an intersection.
ALLIANCE, Neb. (AP) — Box Butte County authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found under a running vehicle.
