ARAPAHOE, Neb. (AP) — A fire started by a lightning strike has destroyed a bell tower on a church in south-central Nebraska.
The fire was reported a little before 11:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe. Firefighters from several departments responded to calls for extra help.
No injuries have been reported. Arapahoe Fire Chief Brian Sisson said the tower was destroyed, but he thinks the bell is fine.
A pack of North Platte residents are in jail on felony charges after a strange series of events at a North Platte apartment complex.
At around 6:40 a.m., on May 31, North Platte Police responded to a disturbance at Elm’s Lodge Apartments, 1211 East 4th Street.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, a 21-year-old female advised officers that 20-year-old Levi Unruh, of Wallace, had pushed her down some stairs.
Brown said the woman was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Further investigation revealed that the woman had not been pushed down the stairs, but had fallen or jumped “as a result of her own actions.”
However, officers learned that several of the woman’s items, a cell phone and a wallet containing a SSI card and ATM card, had been taken or lost during the incident.
At around 1:45 p.m. that afternoon, officers returned to Elm’s Lodge after learning that some of the victim’s lost items had been found.
Brown said residents of the apartment had turned over the phone and SSI card, but did not have the ATM card.
Following further investigation, officers were able to determine that 33-year-old Maria Burke and 26-year-old Anthony McGilvray had been present when the victim fell, and had taken the phone and wallet from the scene.
Investigators say McGilvray then spoke to Unruh and another suspect, 25-year-old Nathan Beebe, about having access to the PIN number and using the ATM card to withdraw cash from a nearby ATM.
Unruh was then allegedly given the card, at which time police believe he went to the ATM, stole the money and shared it with the others.
In the end, Beebe was charged with felony theft by deception, and Burke was charged with felony tampering with physical evidence and aiding and abetting theft by deception. McGilvray and Unruh were both charged with felony aiding and abetting theft by deception.
All were jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center, with the exception of Burke who was processed and released.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has inched up to hit another three-year high, suggesting more economic growth over the next three to six months.
A report issued Monday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 60.5 in May from 60.4 in April, which also was a three-year high.
Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index dropped to 62.5 from 64.2 in April.
The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
A North Platte man is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly threatened his girlfriend and others with a shotgun.
At around 10:30 p.m., on May 31, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to a physical disturbance in the 800 block of East 10th Street.
Upon arrival, a 19-year-old female told officers that her boyfriend, 20-year-old Rusty Foster, had come to the residence, where she was visiting friends, and demanded that he speak to the her.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, Foster was reportedly standing outside the residence with a shotgun and cocked it, insinuating that he was loading it.
Brown said the victim and other occupants became fearful and hid towards the rear of the residence.
Moments later, Foster allegedly placed the shotgun in his vehicle and entered the residence with the victim’s 44-year-old father. The victim claims she was then forced to leave with Foster and return to their residence in the 2300 block of West 16th Street.
The victim alleged that, once inside their residence, Foster became physical and threw her across the room. She told officers that this caused her pain.
She said Foster attempted to prevent her from leaving the residence, but she was able to eventually leave through the back door and escape to a neighbor’s house.
At around 1:15 a.m., on June 1, officers located a silver Nissan, driven by Foster, in the 900 block of Rodeo Road. Brown said an investigative traffic stop was conducted.
Officers made contact with Foster and located the unloaded shotgun in the trunk of the vehicle. They also located ammunition for the shotgun both inside the vehicle and in the trunk.
Following further investigation, officers placed Foster under arrest. He’s been charged with felony terroristic threats, use of a weapon to commit a felony and 3rd degree domestic assault.
Foster was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Eagle Communications employee-owner, Olivia Brown, has been named to fill the position of General Sales Manager for Eagle Communications in North Platte.
Brown began her career with Eagle in 2011, and has recently been functioning as Local Sales Coordinator since January of this year.
As Sales Manager, Brown will be responsible for developing and implementing all local sales campaigns and promotions, and in mentoring the sales staff. She has experience as a sales representative as well as on-air announcing. Brown is married with two children.
“Olivia has shown herself to be a great motivator and team leader”, said station manager, Jerome Gilg. “She is an excellent choice for leading our award winning sales team and I look forward to working with her in this new capacity”, he added.
Eagle Communications is a comprehensive communications company headquartered in Hays, Kansas. The corporation’s holdings include Radio, Cable TV Systems, Electronic Billboards and Digital news and entertainment.
The Nebraska State Patrol conducted compliance checks over the weekend at 13 retail outlets in Custer and Thomas Counties.
During the checks held Saturday, May 31, of the eight businesses checked in Custer County, one business, Fiesta Brava in Broken Bow, was found to be non-compliant after selling alcohol to a minor. In Thomas County five businesses were checked with two, Sandhills Oil Company in Thedford and Cattleman’s Restaurant in Seneca, found to be non-compliant after selling alcohol to a minor. The retail outlets checked during the effort included convenience, liquor and grocery stores, as well as restaurants and bars.
Law enforcement performs compliance checks to ensure that businesses are complying with the state’s alcohol laws and to decrease youth access to alcohol.
Compliance checks in Custer and Thomas counties were conducted thanks in part to a $1,320 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).
The commons area at the Platte River Mall was a little brighter Sunday afternoon as 19 of Nebraska’s most talented and enthusiastic young women arrived to begin their quest to become the next Miss Nebraska.
Sunday’s festivities kicked off in grand fashion as North Platte Mayor, Dwight Livingston, issued a proclamation declaring June 5-June 10 Miss Nebraska Scholarship Pageant Week in North Platte.
The mayor’s proclamation was followed by a poised and graceful welcome by Miss Nebraska 2013, JaCee Pilkington.
Then, after saying goodbye to moms, dads, brothers, sisters and boyfriends, the contestants began a journey that they will never forget.
An intense week of rehearsals and appearances will culminate Thursday night, with the first Preliminary Night of competition, when the quest for the crown truly begins.
Contestants will be judged on five categories: Interview, Talent, Evening Wear, Swim Wear and On-Stage Question, as they compete for over $75,000 in cash and prizes.
This year’s judges are former Nebraska Cornhusker football player and Olympic bobsled athlete, Curt Tomasevicz, former Miss Nebraska titleholder, Jennifer Love-Timmons, North Carolina General Assembly Executive assistant, Beverly Adams, administrative assistant to Nebraska Basketball Coach Tim Miles, Brett Sapp and Washington Scholarship Foundation trustee, Charlie Vantramp.
Preliminary competitions will be held Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. Finals night and the crowning of Miss Nebraska 2014 will take place Saturday, June 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
A silent auction will be held during Intermission of Friday’s competition.
Tickets are $18 for each Preliminary Night and $25 for Finals Night, and can be purchased by contacting Peggy Fox at 308-532-2783. Tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to each night of competition, based on availability.
The Miss Nebraska Scholarship Pageant has been held in North Platte for 30 years.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Strong winds over 70 mph and heavy rain were reported across eastern Nebraska Sunday as thunderstorms moved across the state.
The National Weather Service says the wind gusts as strong as 71 mph were reported near Tekamah Sunday afternoon, and winds up to 60 mph were common in the Omaha area.
The Omaha Public Power District says the winds knocked out power to more than 7,600 customers in southeast Nebraska Sunday evening. Most of the outages were in the Omaha area.
An earlier round of thunderstorms Sunday dumped more than 2 inches of rain on the Kearney area and dropped hail as big as 1-inch in diameter in several locations.
Other storm reports:
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
829 PM CDT SUN JUN 01 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1015 AM HAIL 2 N SARBEN 41.19N 101.30W
06/01/2014 E1.00 INCH KEITH NE PUBLIC
HEAVY RAINFALL WITH PEA SIZE HAIL...A FEW HAIL STONES THE
SIZE OF QUARTERS.
1020 AM HAIL 2 WNW SARBEN 41.17N 101.34W
06/01/2014 E0.50 INCH KEITH NE PUBLIC
SMALL HAIL AND HEAVY RAIN
1036 AM HEAVY RAIN 8 N LEMOYNE 41.40N 101.80W
06/01/2014 M2.75 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC
FELL IN 1 HR 15 MIN., PEA SIZE HAIL ALSO REPORTED
1154 AM HEAVY RAIN E NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.77W
06/01/2014 M1.00 INCH LINCOLN NE STORM CHASER
MEASURED IN 20 MINUTES
1155 AM HEAVY RAIN HERSHEY 41.16N 101.00W
06/01/2014 M1.00 INCH LINCOLN NE FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
1223 PM HEAVY RAIN NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.77W
06/01/2014 U0.00 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
ESTIMATED 18-24 INCHES WATER ON SOME ROADS IN TOWN
0120 PM HEAVY RAIN 8 WSW CALLAWAY 41.25N 100.06W
06/01/2014 M0.72 INCH CUSTER NE CO-OP OBSERVER
RAINFALL OCCURRED IN A 25 MINUTE PERIOD. NO HAIL. WIND
GUSTS TO 45 MPH.
0125 PM HEAVY RAIN 2 W NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.81W
06/01/2014 M1.40 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
1.40 INCHES OF RAINFALL THROUGH 125 PM CDT.
0128 PM HEAVY RAIN LYNCH 42.83N 98.47W
06/01/2014 M1.00 INCH BOYD NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR AT LYNCH.
0142 PM HAIL 1 N EWING 42.27N 98.34W
06/01/2014 M0.25 INCH HOLT NE PUBLIC
PEA SIZE HAIL REPORTED.
0142 PM HAIL 1 SW EWING 42.25N 98.36W
06/01/2014 E0.88 INCH HOLT NE PUBLIC
0150 PM HAIL 3 N EWING 42.30N 98.34W
06/01/2014 M0.50 INCH HOLT NE FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
1/4 TO 1/2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL...ALONG WITH VERY HEAVY
RAINFALL AND WIND GUSTS ESTIMATED TO 50 MPH BY EWING FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
0210 PM HAIL 20 SSW EUSTIS 40.40N 100.17W
06/01/2014 E0.25 INCH FRONTIER NE PUBLIC
VERY HEAVY RAIN ALSO OCCURRING AT TIME OF REPORT.
0500 PM HEAVY RAIN 4 NE HERSHEY 41.20N 100.95W
06/01/2014 M1.50 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL RAINFALL THROUGH 500 PM CDT. REPORT RELAYED
THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.
0612 PM TSTM WND GST 20 W ELLSWORTH 42.06N 102.68W
06/01/2014 E60.00 MPH SHERIDAN NE PUBLIC
40 TO 50 MPH SUSTAINED WINDS WITH GUSTS ESTIMATED OVER 60
MPH. SHINGLES OFF SHOPP. PEA SIZED HAIL ALSO OCCURRED.
VERY HEAVY RAIN AT TIME OF THIS REPORT.
0655 PM TSTM WND GST 10 S ASHBY 41.88N 101.93W
06/01/2014 E60.00 MPH GRANT NE PUBLIC
ESTIMATED 50 TO 60 MPH WIND GUSTS...SMALL TREE BRANCHES
DOWN. ALSO PEA SIZED HAIL COVERING GROUND AT TIME OF THIS
REPORT.
0710 PM TSTM WND GST 23 SE HYANNIS 41.76N 101.45W
06/01/2014 E70.00 MPH GRANT NE PUBLIC
ESTIMATED 60 TO 70 MPH WIND GUSTS AS THUNDERSTORMS
PASSED. ALSO PEA SIZED HAIL.
0725 PM TSTM WND GST 10 E HYANNIS 42.00N 101.57W
06/01/2014 E60.00 MPH GRANT NE PUBLIC
ESTIMATED 60 MPH THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS. BLEW OVER GRILL
AND LAWN FURNITURE.
0740 PM TSTM WND GST 17 SW MULLEN 41.87N 101.28W
06/01/2014 M57.00 MPH HOOKER NE PUBLIC
DISMAL RIVER GOLF CLUB REPORTED A 57 MPH GUST...WITH
HEAVY RAIN AT TIME OF REPORT.
0750 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 S MULLEN 42.00N 101.04W
06/01/2014 HOOKER NE LAW ENFORCEMENT
WOOD FENCE AND POSTS BLOWN DOWN BY ESTIMATED 60 TO 65 MPH
THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS JUST SOUTH OF MULLEN.
0750 PM TSTM WND GST 9 WSW MULLEN 41.99N 101.20W
06/01/2014 E60.00 MPH HOOKER NE PUBLIC
ALSO HEAVY RAIN AT TIME OF THIS REPORT.
0750 PM TSTM WND GST 3 S MULLEN 42.00N 101.04W
06/01/2014 E65.00 MPH HOOKER NE LAW ENFORCEMENT
CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Residents of northwest Nebraska can weigh in on a new plan to manage and improve forests in the area.
The U.S. Forest Service will be collecting public comments on the plan for Dawes County over the next few weeks.
Acting Pine Ridge District Ranger Tim Buskirk says the plan calls for thinning out forested areas south of Chadron, cleaning up dead trees from past wildfires and clearing debris from roads and other areas.
A public meeting is planned for Thursday, June 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Forest Service’s Chadron office.
