Local – Page 885 – North Platte Post Archive

Governor OKs Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

Posted on May 13, 2014

Storm damage in Cordova, Neb. May 11, 2014 (Courtesy)

(AP) — The governor has approved a state disaster declaration to help Nebraskans recover from the tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that swept through parts of eastern Nebraska over the weekend.

On Monday Gov. Dave Heineman toured Beaver Crossing, Sutton and other communities hit hard by the storms.

“I appreciate seeing the affected areas today and speaking with the responders and volunteers on the ground,” Heineman said. “I am declaring a state of emergency and we are providing necessary assistance as our communities begin the process of putting their lives back together after a natural disaster.”

An emergency declaration lets state personnel assist with emergency situations and allows maximum flexibility in deploying Nebraska National Guard and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency NEMA resources.

North Platte Weather-May 13th

Posted on May 13, 2014

Today: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tonight: Areas of frost after 5am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 6 to 13 mph.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Justice Department Will Monitor Nebraska Voting

Posted on May 13, 2014May 12, 2014

(AP) — The U.S. Justice Department says it will monitor Nebraska’s primary election at sites in Colfax and Douglas counties.

The department announced Monday it would monitor voting in the eastern Nebraska counties to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting rights statutes. The Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination in voting based on race, color or membership in a minority language group.

Nebraska voters will go to the polls Tuesday to nominate candidates for offices including U.S. Senate, House and governor.

The Justice Department sends federal observers to monitor election across the country every year.

To report harassment of voters, people can call the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931.

Snow Blankets Nebraska Panhandle

Posted on May 12, 2014

(AP) — A heavy spring snow has blanketed much of the Nebraska Panhandle.

National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Trudel (troo-DEHL’) said Monday that up to a foot of snow fell near Harrison in Sioux County on Sunday. He says there was 4 to 6 inches on the ground as of 8 p.m. Sunday north of Kimball, and he expected 1-2 inches to fall there Monday as another portion of a storm system moves through.

Trudel says “it’s not too terribly unusual to have snow fall” on May 11 in Nebraska, citing a report from Scottsbluff: The 5 inches that fell there on Sunday bested the 1983 date record of 2.6 inches.

He says westbound Interstate 80 remained closed Monday morning to keep motorists from reaching Wyoming, where travel conditions were even worse. It has since reopened.

Florida Man Injured in Motorcycle Accident Near Fort Cody

Posted on May 12, 2014

A 70-year-old Florida man was injured Sunday when he crashed his motorcycle in North Platte.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of a one-vehicle accident on Halligan Drive, just south of Fort Cody, at around 3:50 p.m.

The accident investigation showed that a 2013 Harley Davidson, driven by Bruce Flanagan, of Miami, was traveling eastbound on Halligan Drive when the motorcycle left the roadway.

Brown said Flanagan attempted to stabilize the bike, but was unable to and the bike overturned.

Flanagan, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained head injuries.

He was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

Brown said Flanagan’s condition at this time is unknown.

NP Woman Accused of Ramming Vehicle, Assaulting Man

Posted on May 12, 2014

A 48-year-old North Platte woman has been charged with a felony after she allegedly rammed a car and punched a man.

At around 2:15 a.m., on Friday, North Platte Police responded to the area of 6th Street and Poplar Street on the report of a female subject attempting to strike someone with her fists.

Upon arrival, officers learned that Mary Castor had intentionally struck the driver’s side door of an occupied Chevy Blazer with her Chrysler 300. Castor then allegedly exited her vehicle, approached the Blazer, reached inside and punched a 43-year-old male. The victim complained of facial pain caused by Castor’s attack.

Officer Rodney Brown said a 35-year-old female and a 15-year-old female were also in the Blazer but were uninjured.

Following further investigation, Castor was placed under arrest and charged with felony attempted 1st degree assault and 3rd degree domestic assault. She was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

As officers continued their investigation, Castor’s daughter, 19-year-old Jessica Castor, arrived at the scene and approached the officers and victims. Brown said Jessica began screaming and interfering with the investigation.

As a result, Jessica was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace. She too was transported to the LCDC and jailed.

NPPD Crime Log (5/9-5/12)

Posted on May 12, 2014May 12, 2014

Courtesy of the North Platte Police Department

05/09/2014