GERING, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska woman convicted of embezzling thousands of dollars from state wards has been ordered to write apology letters to affected individuals.
The sentence issued Wednesday to 71-year-old Judith Widener means the former conservator will write letters to wards of the court, family members of deceased wards and judges who appointed her to a guardianship case.
Widener, of Bayard, must also serve about six months in jail and pay restitution of more than $25,000. She will be required to complete weekly community service.
Authorities say an audit revealed Widener’s theft. Her attorney said she took the money to help stabilize a failing business.
Widener represented more than 600 wards during her 17 years as a conservator. It’s unclear how many cases involved thefts.
A 52-year-old North Platte man is facing theft charges after he allegedly went on a thieving binge in the parking lot at two North Platte businesses.
Just after midnight, on Wednesday, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to Walmart, 1401 South Dewey Street, on a theft call.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with Walmart staff, who alleged that Jose Martinez loaded a shopping cart full of store merchandise, including detergents and a vacuum, and left without paying for them.
Officer Rodney Brown said this was confirmed by surveillance video.
It was also reported that Martinez had stolen items from vehicles parked in the parking lot.
Brown said officers located Martinez and his vehicle in the Carmike Cinema parking lot at the Platte River Mall.
He said officers were able to observe several stolen items in Martinez’ vehicle, including car stereo equipment, an iPhone, an iPad, a wallet, clothes, school books and other items.
Brown said these items had been reported stolen from vehicles at Walmart, and at the Platte River Mall.
Officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Martinez and charge him with theft by shoplifting, and possession of stolen property.
He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska fire marshal says evidence indicates a house fire that killed a 63-year-old man was accidental.
Deputy State Fire Marshal Mike Turner said victim Dennis Schilling was likely overcome by smoke on Monday. The exact cause of death won’t be known until the results of Tuesday’s autopsy are released. Foul play isn’t suspected.
Turner says smoldering debris likely caught the house near Scottsbluff on fire. He says Schilling was the only person in the house and that he died in an upstairs bedroom.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Nebraska’s harvests of corn and soybeans are lagging the average harvests completed by the date.
In a report for last week’s Nebraska activity, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says 19 percent of the corn has been harvested, compared with the average of 34 percent by the date. Forty-five percent of the soybeans has been harvested, compared with the average of 66 percent by the date.
The USDA says 95 percent of the expected winter wheat crop had been planted, compared with 91 percent for the five-year average by the date.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is considering how to resolve a long-running legal fight between Kansas and Nebraska over the use of water from the Republican River.
The justices on Tuesday appeared to agree with recommendations of a special master who found Nebraska should pay $3.7 million in damages to Kansas for using more than its legal share of the river’s water in 2005 and 2006.
But they were more doubtful about making Nebraska pay a $1.8 million penalty that exceeds Kansas’ actual damages. The justices also seemed skeptical about Nebraska’s push to change the formula for measuring water consumption. Nebraska says the formula is unfair.
The dispute centers on a 1943 compact that allocates 49 percent of the river’s water to Nebraska, 40 percent to Kansas and 11 percent to Colorado.
NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA – Eagle Communications, Inc. of North Platte is pleased to announce that Jerome Gilg has been promoted to Nebraska Market Manager. Gilg has served as North Platte’s Market Manager for the past four-and-one-half
“This new position will allow our company to grow and expand our services in western and central Nebraska,” said Gary Shorman, President/CEO of Eagle Communications. “Jerome’s leadership and commitment to broadcasting in Nebraska makes him an excellent choice for this new role.”
Gilg will oversee Eagle Radio and digital operations in North Platte, Alliance, and Chadron,
“This is an exciting time for Eagle, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to move forward in a company which is growing new ways to serve communities,” said Gilg. “The future is what we make it, and with an employee-owned company like Eagle the future is very much in our hands.” he added.
Gilg has been with Eagle since 2003 and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association. He is active in the North Platte community as a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; a member of the Noon Rotary Club; a member of the board for the Buffalo Bill District of Boy Scouts; and a member of the Downtown Association Christmas Committee.
He and his wife, Janet, have been married 43 years, and have resided in North Platte since 1975.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Poison control workers say that as the e-cigarette industry has boomed, the number of children exposed to the liquid nicotine that gives hand-held vaporizing gadgets their kick also is spiking.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that more than 2,700 people have called about a liquid nicotine exposure this year, up from a few hundred cases three years ago.
Though new products often bring a spike in calls to poison control, authorities say liquid nicotine is dangerous because it’s more concentrated than traditional cigarettes and comes in candy flavors that can attract kids.
Officials are calling for child-resistant caps on refill bottles, which industry representatives say many manufacturers have already begun using.
There’s no uniform standard, however, because the e-cigarette industry doesn’t face the strict regulations governing traditional smokes.
Staff and local law enforcement are investigating an alleged sexual assault at North Platte Community College (NPCC).
According to a notice sent to all staff and students at NPCC, staff at the college was notified of a possible sexual assault that occurred at a NPCC South Campus Residence Hall in the early morning hours of October 7.
The notice said independent investigations were conducted by Mid-Plains Community College staff and the North Platte Police Department.
Officer Rodney Brown said an 18-year-old female student alleged that she was forcibly raped by two 18-year-old male students and one 20-year-old male student.
Brown said the investigation has been closed and no arrests are planned at this time.
According to officials, while the NPPD has completed its investigation, the investigation by MPCC is still ongoing.
Officials say staff at the college took “swift, appropriate action” based on the information available at the time.
They say the situation was addressed in accordance with the MPCC Equity Grievance Procedure and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The college said it will release more information on the case if circumstances warrant.
MPCC reminds students and the campus community to report any suspicious activity immediately.
