GERING, Neb. (AP) — A Wyoming teenager charged with murder in the death of a western Nebraska jail guard has been sentenced for his role in a convenience store robbery last year.
15-year-old Dylan Cardeilhac of Torrington, Wyoming, was sentenced Thursday in Scotts Bluff District Court to eight to 15 years in prison for aiding in the robbery of a Nebraska convenience store. Cardeilhac is one of two teens accused of being involved in the crime.
Cardeilhac has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the strangling of 24-year-old corrections officer Amanda Baker. He has pleaded not guilty. On Thursday, a judge postponed the start of his trial after a defense attorney requested more time to research evidence in the case.
Diane Hoffmann, Mid-Plains Community College Director of Nursing and Health Occupations Division Chair, recently retired after 39 years of service to the college.
A native of Fremont, Neb., Hoffmann graduated from Bryan Memorial School of Nursing in Lincoln as a Diploma Registered Nurse in 1967. She began working at the college part-time in 1975 and took a full-time position teaching in the Licensed Practical Nursing program and teaching Pediatrics two years later.
“I had a rewarding career in Omaha at that time, however my husband was transferred to the North Platte area and we decided this would be a good place to stay and raise a family,” she said.
Although Hoffmann found it somewhat challenging to adjust to a smaller hospital, she quickly found her niche in both the community and the college. As her career progressed, she became involved in the development of MPCC’s Associate Degree Nursing program. She is credited for writing the initial curriculum for the ADN program and has been instrumental in creating and implementing ideas for curriculum improvement.
Hoffmann has served as the Director of Nursing of the ADN and LPN programs since 2000 when she was named Health Occupations Division Chair. She also served as co-chair for the internal fundraising campaign for the Health and Science Center at North Platte Community College, a role she found extremely rewarding.
As Hoffmann advanced in her career, she also recognized the importance of maintaining her credentials in order to continue teaching within the nursing programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Nebraska College of Nursing in 1983; a Master of Science in Education degree with major in counseling and educational psychology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1989; and a Master of Science in Nursing with a major in education from Bishop Clarkson College in 1991.
She also served on numerous councils, boards and organizations, including the Nebraska Center for Nursing Board which addresses the nursing shortage.
“Time management has been my ally,” she said. “At one time I was raising my family, driving to Omaha for classes, and working on developing curriculum for the ADN program all at the same time. I did it the hard way, so when I see nursing students who are trying to juggle things I can certainly sympathize with them.”
Hoffmann said that at one point her husband had the opportunity to transfer to Lincoln, but her progressing career and their love of the community kept them in North Platte. She is proud of the fact that not only were her children raised here, they both attended MPCC.
Another “family” that Hoffman is proud of is the simulation lab at the NPCC Health and Science Center.
“Through a supportive board and administration we’ve been able to fully equip our high fidelity simulation lab with a family of simulators that includes an adult, mother and baby, and a child,” she said.
The simulation lab and the Health and Science Center itself are at the top of the list when Hoffmann was asked about the highlights of her career.
“MPCC has grown tremendously and I’m so happy to have been a part of that growth,” she said. “I find great satisfaction in knowing that we are now educating the children of our graduates. I also like the fact that we have grown our own health care professionals. For example, three of our nurse educators are MPCC graduates who went on to get their masters and are now teaching.”
The quality of education and instructors is so important to Hoffmann that she’s often said she would not retire until there were “qualified, capable people to take over the nursing program.” Those wishes were fulfilled in January when Kathy Harrison was named Director of Nursing and Marina Makovicka became the Division Chair for Health Occupations.
“I am proud of the choices that the administration made during the selection process. We could not find more qualified and committed educators than Kathy and Marina,” she said.
To help ease the transition, Hoffmann continued to work at the college through the spring semester. She will serve as an advisor in the Dental Assisting Program and Nursing Program in the coming year in preparation for national accreditation site visits.
Although she plans to continue her involvement with nursing and education, Hoffmann said she is looking forward to spending more time with her family, as well as traveling and visiting their home in Manitoba, Canada.
“I am grateful for the opportunities that MPCC has provided to me over the years,” Hoffmann said. “We feel fortunate to have been able to raise our family in North Platte and take advantage of excellent educational opportunities that the community provides.”
North Platte, NE 5/21/2014 – Agent Justin Thompson of North Platte has been named an All
American Agent by American Family Insurance Group. He joins a select group of agents who
have distinguished themselves through outstanding sales and customer satisfaction/service of
American Family insurance products.
Thompson has been an agent for American Family since May, 2008. His office is located at 115
W B St in North Platte, NE.
“The All American symbolizes Justin’s commitment to value,” says Brian Mageria, American
Family agency sales manager. “He has a very strong insurance background and realizes his
success rests on earning the trust and respect of his customers.”
LINCOLN – Nebraskans are asked to be cautious when they enjoy a day on the water in their boats this summer. Boating safety should never be taken for granted.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission suggests ways boaters may reduce the risk of incidents and help ensure a safe and enjoyable day on the water.
Wear a Life Jacket – Children under age 13 and anybody on a personal watercraft are required by law to wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. People being towed by a boat on skis, a tube or other similar device also must wear a life jacket.
Avoid Alcohol – Boat operators can become impaired with less alcohol than motor vehicle drivers due to heat and dehydration. Boating Under the Influence is a criminal violation and is enforced actively in Nebraska.
Have All Required Safety Equipment – This will help boaters be prepared if an emergency occurs. Life jackets, throw cushions, fire extinguishers and bailing devices are required on most boats. For a list of what is required on a boat, check out the 2014 Boating Guide at BoatSafeNebraska.org.
Be Wary of Surroundings – The best boat operators constantly are looking around for other boats, personal watercraft, swimmers, stumps and other hazards. Speeds in excess of 5 mph are prohibited if within 30 yards of any other vessel, swimming area or dock.
Take a Boating Safety Course – Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1985, who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska, must have successfully completed the Nebraska boating safety course. Visit BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of classes.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A train has struck a livestock truck at a crossing in western Nebraska, killing several cattle.
Union Pacific spokesman Aaron Hunt was on the Omaha-bound train around 9 a.m. Thursday when it struck the rear quarter of the trailer at the Springs Road crossing, about three miles west of Maxwell in Lincoln County. Hunt says the 30 or so UP employees on the inspection train and the train’s two crew members were not hurt. Neither was the truck driver.
Lincoln County sheriff’s Sgt. Wayne Connell says 14-15 of the 63 cattle in the trailer died on impact and several others were injured.
Connell says the truck driver reported that he didn’t see the train. Hunt says the crossing is marked by static crossing signs and controlled by stop signs.
LINCOLN – Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to share their visions of Nebraska in the 2014 NEBRASKAland Magazine Photo Contest.
The contest is open to all subscribers of the magazine and anyone in a subscriber’s household. Winners will be published in the magazine and receive prizes from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Rockbrook Camera.
All entries must be photos taken in Nebraska. There will be judging in youth and adult categories. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on June 15, 2014. Winners will be contacted July 1.
SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Panhandle woman accused of trying to extort money from a man who groped her 7-year-old daughter has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge.
The 30-year-old woman originally pleaded not guilty to trying to extort money from Jason Frei, of Potter. On Wednesday she entered a new plea after Cheyenne County prosecutors reduced the theft-by-extortion charge. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 2.
The Associated Press isn’t identifying the woman in order to protect her daughter’s privacy. The woman’s trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Frei pleaded no contest to negligent child abuse and attempted witness tampering in December.
Authorities say Frei groped the girl while giving her mother a massage at his home in August.
Fort McPherson, the U.S. National Cemetery in Maxwell, will hold its annual Memorial Services on Monday, May 26 at 2:00 pm.
The Memorial Address will be given by Lee Hoatson, a longtime member of the American Legion, V.F.W. and 40&8. Hoatson also served in the Navy from 1962-1968. Grand Marshal Kevin S. Johnson will give the welcome address. Johnson is the Director of Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The program will also include Miss Nebraska, JaCee Pilkington, singing the National Anthem, God Bless America and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
The program is made possible by the Fort McPherson Memorial Association and organizations of all Veterans groups and the Auxiliaries in Nebraska. The 2014 officers are Tom Leet from the American Legion, Harry Spohn from 40 & 8, Russell Berggren a Vietnam Veteran, Dennis Lombardi from the VFW, Jim Miller from D.A.V. Chapter 3, and Norval Holtmeier a Chaplain. The officers are from the Veterans organizations of North Platte.
North Platte Public Schools will be offering free lunches to kids during the summer.
The North Platte Public Schools Summer Cafes will be open and serving free healthy, nourishing lunches in cafeterias at Madison Middle School, Jefferson, Lincoln, and new this year Cody Elementary Schools from May 27 to July 18. The meals will be served from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Friday.
You have more going on than worrying about your child’s next meal, so if your kids are 18 or younger get what you need with North Platte Public Schools Summer Cafes.
For information on hunger call 211 or go to hungerfreeheartland.org.
Today: A slight chance of showers between 10am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. East southeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East southeast wind 7 to 13 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 72. East southeast wind 6 to 13 mph.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 59. East southeast wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South southeast wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
