Local – Page 911 – North Platte Post Archive

Neb. Beer Breweries, Farmers Fret Over FDA Plan

Posted on April 3, 2014

(AP) — Beer breweries in Nebraska are sounding an alarm about a federal proposal that would put an end to their practice of giving spent grains to local farmers to use as cattle feed.

The practice is mutually beneficial. It not only gives farmers cheap and nutritious feed for cattle, it keeps breweries’ from having to pay the cost of hauling the spent grain to a landfill.

The federal Food and Drug Administration wants to require brewers to meet the same standards that livestock and pet-food manufactures must meet. That would include sanitary handling procedures, record-keeping and other food safety processes.

Several Lincoln breweries say those requirements would be too onerous, and they’d have to stop donating the spent grain.

2nd Try to Override Neb. Cougar Hunting Veto Fails

Posted on April 3, 2014

(AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have again failed to override Gov. Dave Heineman’s veto of a bill that would ban mountain lion hunting.

The 28-21 vote on Thursday was two votes short of the support needed.

Lawmakers agreed to give Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha a second vote on his bill, one day after an initial veto-override motion failed.

Heineman argued in his veto message that state wildlife officials should have the power to regulate the mountain lion population through a controlled hunting season. Chambers, a well-known animal advocate, says the population in Nebraska is so small that management isn’t necessary.

Nebraska approved its mountain lion hunting season in 2012. Mountain lions are native to Nebraska, but were virtually wiped out by early settlers.

5-Finger Discount Leads to Felony Charge for NP Man

Posted on April 3, 2014April 3, 2014

A North Platte man is facing a felony theft charge after he allegedly stole merchandise and switched price tags at a local business.

At around 3 p.m., on Wednesday, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of a shoplifter at Menards, 4571 South Parkway Drive.

Store staff alleged that the suspect, 27-year-old Matthew Rauterkus, changed a price tag on a large, boxed vehicle canopy to reduce the price from over $400 to around $80.

Officer Rodney Brown said Rauterkus paid for the item, then drove around behind the store to load additional items he had purchased from the Lawn and Garden center at the store.

Brown said Rauterkus then loaded and concealed several other items that he had not purchased. The items included a surveillance security system and headphones valued at over $500. Rauterkus allegedly staged these items earlier so he could steal them.

An employee told officers that they had observed a female in the front seat of the van covering the stolen merchandise with a coat as she and Rauterkus drove away.

The van was eventually located at a residence in the 1400 block of William Avenue.

It was there, Brown said, that officers discovered Rauterkus, and, following further investigation, determined there was probable cause to arrest him for felony theft by shoplifting.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence, and resulted in the discovery of the stolen merchandise.

Rauterkus was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Brown said officers are still investigating to determine what role the female played in the crime.

NPPD Crime Log (4/1-4/3)

Posted on April 3, 2014

Courtesy of the North Platte Police Department

04/01/2014