LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed the first bills sent to him since he took office.
Ricketts approved nine so-called cleanup bills on Tuesday that are introduced every year to repeal obsolete state laws, often for pilot programs and commissions that are no longer in effect. Those measures were among the first passed by lawmakers this year.
Ricketts was sworn into office last month as the state’s 40th governor, replacing the term-limited Dave Heineman as the state’s chief executive.
A 24-year-old North Platte man has been charged with a felony after he allegedly assaulted a woman at a North Platte truck stop.
At around 12: 45 a.m., on February 16, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to Love’s Travel Stop, 3211 South Newberry Road, on the report of a domestic disturbance.
According to witnesses, a man and a woman were seen fighting and had, at one point, been down on the ground.
Officers arrived and made contact with a 22-year-old female, and 24-year-old Tristen Campbell.
The female told officers that she and Campbell had gotten into and argument, and he had “smacked her in the back of the head.”
She said Campbell then demanded that she remove her property from the vehicle.
As she began walking toward the vehicle, she said Campbell grabbed her and began to yell at her. She stated that this caused her to fall to the ground.
Following further investigation, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Campbell and charge him with domestic assault. Due to prior domestic assault convictions, the charge was enhanced to a felony.
According to arrest records, Campbell has a plethora of arrests for assault, including domestic, and other charges dating back to 2008.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have started to debate a bill that would require voters to show government identification at the polls.
The proposal faces strong resistance, despite arguments from supporters Tuesday that Nebraska’s version includes safeguards to protect voters from being disenfranchised.
Republican Secretary of State John Gale says Nebraska hasn’t seen widespread voter fraud, although there have been isolated cases.
Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill says his measure would let voters cast provisional ballots without identification and would allow alternate forms of ID, including those issued by tribal governments.
Opponents say it’s a government mandate when there’s no evidence that voter fraud exists. They also say it contradicts Nebraska’s constitution, which forbids any hindrance or impediment on qualified voters to exercise their right.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Intoxicated minors who seek medical help for themselves or a friend could avoid alcohol charges under a bill advanced by Nebraska lawmakers.
Lawmakers voted Tuesday to give the measure first-round approval.
The measure by Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln would give limited legal immunity to underage drinkers who are intoxicated, call for medical assistance and cooperate with authorities. Immunity would only extend to alcohol charges.
Morfeld says the bill is designed to encourage underage drinkers to seek medical attention for alcohol poisoning without having to fear a criminal conviction. The proposal is backed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, student leaders and Lincoln police.
Some senators say the university needs to start allowing alcohol on campus for those of legal age, arguing that the current prohibition leads to riskier behavior off-campus.
ALLIANCE, Neb. (AP) — A 23-year-old Alliance woman is accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage girl.
Online court records say Molleigh Valdez is charged with sexual assault of a child. The records don’t list the name of her attorney.
The girl’s mother had gone to police in November with suspicions about the woman’s relationship with the 14-year-old. The girl later told authorities that she and Valdez had engaged in sexual activity. Under Nebraska law, people 19 and over cannot have sexual contact with people under 16.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled Feb. 24 for Valdez.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The joy shared by prospective students and their parents crumbled soon when they got emails telling them that the students had not, in fact, been awarded coveted Regents scholarships to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The emails with the good news were sent Friday afternoon. The bad news came in follow-up emails less than an hour later.
University spokesman Steve Smith says fewer than 500 students received the emails, which he blamed on a clerical error. About 11,000 prospective students were supposed to be sent reminders to finish their financial aid applications. A portion of them received the Regents scholarship confirmation email instead.
The scholarships are worth as much as $27,000 over four years. Recipients number between 450 and 500 students each semester.
GIBBON, Neb. (AP) — A 35-year-old man accused of fatally shooting another man outside a meatpacking plant in south-central Nebraska has pleaded not guilty.
Online court records say the written plea was entered for Angelo Bol, who is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm. Authorities say Bol shot to death 34-year-old Karen Perez-Almaguer on Dec. 15 in the parking lot of Gibbon Packing in Gibbon.
Bol has told authorities that he is from Sudan but has been in the United States for 13 years and has lived in Grand Island the last several months. Last month a judge granted Bol’s motion to be examined by a psychologist.
A Ogallala man has been charged following a hit-and-run accident, in North Platte, on Valentine’s Day.
At around 11:50 a.m., on February 14, North Platte Police officers on patrol were advised that a black Dodge pickup was involved in a hit-and-run accident near Phillip Avenue and Cottonwood Street.
This same vehicle was also believed to be the suspect vehicle in multiple reports of erratic and dangerous driving, according Officer Rodney Brown.
Brown said an officer eventually located the vehicle parked in the middle of the westbound lane on Burlington Street, and observed the driver, 41-year-old Adam Davis, standing beside the vehicle urinating.
The officer made contact with Davis and attempted to conduct a DUI investigation, but Davis became defiant and belligerent.
With the assistance of an off-duty Animal Control Officer, who also reported nearly being run off the road by Davis, the officer was able to gain control of Davis and place him in restraints. Police say the officer sustained an injury to his hand during the struggle.
A subsequent search of Davis’ vehicle lead to the discovery of a loaded .410 shotgun, which was in the front seat of the pickup.
Davis was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center, where officers again attempted to conduct a DUI investigation. However, Davis continued to be combative with officers and staff at the jail.
In the end, Davis was jailed and charged with 2nd offense DUI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, driving under suspension, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, having a loaded shotgun on a highway and 3rd degree assault on an officer.
As of Tuesday morning, Davis was being held without bond.
Today: Snow showers likely, mainly before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 24 to 29 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -6. North northwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Wind chill values as low as -5. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. South southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
...SHORT DURATION...INTENSE SNOWFALL POSSIBLE THIS MORNING INTO
THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS...
A FAST MOVING UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE...WILL TRACK SOUTH FROM THE
WESTERN DAKOTAS INTO WESTERN NEBRASKA THIS MORNING. IN ADVANCE OF
THIS FEATURE...SNOW SHOWERS WILL DEVELOP...AND WILL TRACK ACROSS
PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA...CENTRAL NEBRASKA AND PORTIONS
OF SOUTHWESTERN NEBRASKA THROUGH EARLY THIS AFTERNOON. GIVEN THE EXPECTED
SHOWERY NATURE OF THE PRECIPITATION...SHORT DURATION...HIGH
INTENSITY SNOWFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE. IN THESE LOCATIONS...A QUICK
INCH OF SNOW ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE. IN ADDITION TO
SNOW...NORTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON AS AN ARCTIC
COLD FRONT BEGINS TO PUSH INTO WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA.
THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...MAY PRODUCE BRIEF NEAR
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. WINDS WILL DECREASE SOMEWHAT THIS
EVENING...HOWEVER...BITTERLY COLD AIR WILL PUSH INTO WESTERN AND
NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA. THE COMBINATION OF COLD TEMPERATURES AND
NORTHERLY WINDS OF 10 TO 15 MPH...WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILLS OF 10
TO 20 BELOW ZERO.
Nursing students at Mid-Plains Community College are planning a benefit to help the children of a woman killed in a vehicle accident Nov. 26. Michelle Lynn Heisz, 34, of Stapleton had been riding in a minivan just north of North Platte when it crossed the center line and struck a semi.
Heisz’s daughter, Anjellycka Heisz, 3, and mother, Vicky Allen, of Stapleton, had been in theminivan with Michelle and were both critically injured. Michelle was mom to two other children in addition to Anjellycka: Jennifer and Christopher.
The MPCC chapters of the Nebraska State Student Nurses Association and the Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Nebraska have decided to host a benefit 5K run/walk for the kids.
“Our nursing students wanted to do something to give back to a local community member, and about the time they started discussing that, the crash happened,” said Nicole Kissinger nursing instructor. “The college is all about giving back, and as nurses, we’re also into health promotion. That’s where the idea for a 5K came from.”
The event is scheduled for March 14. Registration will be from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the north doors of NPCC’s Health and Science Center. A kids’ 1-mile race will begin at 9 a.m. for anyone 14 and younger. That will be followed by a 5K for ages 15 and older at 9:30 a.m.
The entry fee is $25 for children and adults, which includes a long-sleeved t-shirt, coffee bar and other refreshments. It’s a St. Patrick’s Day-themed event, so contestants are encouraged to wear green or a costume. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division.
The priority deadline to enter is March 1. Participants who sign up by then will be ensured a t-shirt on race day – everyone else may have to wait for a shirt. Registrations will be accepted until 8:30 a.m. the day of the race.
