Local – Page 950 – North Platte Post Archive

Neb. Ranchers Must Report Cattle Diseases to the State

Posted on February 3, 2014

(AP) — State officials are reminding Nebraska ranchers and feedlot operators about new rules requiring them to report certain cattle illnesses shortly after they’re found.

The Nebraska Agriculture Department is working to limit the spread of trichomoniasis (TRICK-oh-moh-ny-uh-sis) in the state. That disease can cause infertility and miscarriages in cattle.

Cattle producers must report a trichomoniasis diagnosis to the state within five days. Ranchers also must notify their neighbors within 14 days of the diagnosis.

State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes says trichomoniasis can be devastating to a herd, and sharing the information can help neighbors protect their animals.

Court Penalizes Lexington Plant Owner Nearly $2.3M

Posted on February 3, 2014

(AP) — A federal judge has ordered the company that operated a rendering plant in Lexington to pay nearly $2.3 million for violations of the federal Clean Water Act and the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act.

A news release from the Environmental Protection Agency says STABL Inc. has 60 days to appeal the decision, which was handed down last week.

The court says STABL had violated terms of its wastewater discharge limits hundreds of times between August 2006 and May 2010, resulting in an economic benefit to the company of more than $1.1 million. The pollutants included ammonia, oil and grease.

The EPA says STABL has 60 days to appeal the judge’s decision. An attorney for STABL, formerly known as Nebraska By-Products, didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Monday.

Neb. Minimum Wage Bills Get Mixed Results

Posted on February 3, 2014

(AP) — Proposals to raise the minimum wage in Nebraska are drawing support from advocates who say they would help the working poor, and opposition from business groups that say it would do just the opposite.

Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha presented a legislative committee Monday with a bill to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 by 2017. He says the bill would ensure that hard work pays in Nebraska.

Lawmakers also heard a bill by Sen. Steve Lathrop that would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers from the current $2.13 an hour up to 70 percent of minimum wage.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says 32,000 Nebraskans earned the minimum wage in 2012.

Maline Gets 5-10 Years for Sexual Assault of a Child

Posted on February 3, 2014February 3, 2014

A 42-year-old North Platte man will spend the next five to ten years in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

In Lincoln County District Court on Monday, Judge Donald Rowlands handed down the sentence to Edward Maline.

Maline was charged with sexual assault of a child in December 2012, after a then 19-year-old female reported that she had been sexually abused by Maline. The victim alleged that Maline began touching her inappropriately and engaging her in acts that were sexual in nature when she was eight or nine years old.

Maline pleaded no contest to the charges.

Defense attorney, Robert Lindemeier, called Maline’s mother to the stand, prior to sentencing, to testify to both the character of her son, as well as that of the victim.

She said Maline was a good father who loved and cared for his children very much and said he had no criminal history prior to this.

During closing arguments, Lindemeier asked the Court to consider that Maline had saved the State the time and expense of a trial by entering a plea to the charges. He also noted that Maline had been a long-time employee of the Union Pacific and had no prior criminal history.

Lindemeier argued that a psychological evaluation showed that Maline was not a pedophile and did not pose a risk to reoffend.

“If this weren’t a sexual assault, I’d be arguing for probation, ” said Lindemeier.

Lindemeier did acknowledge the Court’s tough stance on sex crimes, but argued that Maline did not deserve to get the maximum sentence under the Law due to discrepancies in the facts of the case, as well as the character of his client and the reputation of the victim.

Maline told the Court he was very sorry for what he and done, and was just ready to move on with his life.

Prior to sentencing, Judge Rowlands noted that Maline did save the State the time and expense of a trial by admitting to the charges, and agreed with Lindemeier that there were some discrepancies in the facts of the case and, therefore, it did not warrant a maximum sentence.

He said the psychological evaluation had been conducted by a mental health professional that was trusted by the Court, and showed that Maline was not a pedophile or a risk to reoffend.

He said he also considered the victim impact statements submitted by the victim and her mother.

He then sentenced Maline to not less than five nor more than ten years in prison.

Maline was given credit for two days already served in jail and he must register as a sex offender.

He was remanded to the custody of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to await transfer to Lincoln.

Cell Phone, Pills and Powder Land North Platte Woman in Jail

Posted on February 3, 2014

A North Platte woman is in jail on felony charges after she was found to be in possession of a stolen cell phone.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, at around 3:00 p.m., on January 22, an employee with US Cellular, 116 N. Jeffers, reported the theft of a cell phone from the business to police.

It was alleged that 28-year-old Daniel Endicott stole a Samsung Galaxy S4 and SIM card. Employees said Endicott was in the business at the time the theft occurred.

Following further investigation, officers learned that 39-year-old Roxanne Duran was in possession of the stolen phone and SIM card.

At around 2:00 a.m., on February 3, officers located Duran at the Casey’s Store, 2421 Rodeo Road.

Duran denied being in possession of the phone and allowed officers to search her person and belongings.

During the search, officers located the stolen phone, which contained the SIM card, in a bag belonging to Duran.

Additionally, they discovered drug paraphernalia, Clonazepam, Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone, Zolpidem and Tramadol, all controlled substances. They also found several empty clear baggies and a baggie containing a white powder and crystal substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Brown said they will be sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab for further testing.

Duran was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and charged with possession of stolen property, 4 counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of legend drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Endicott, who was already incarcerated for another offense, was also charged with felony theft by shoplifting for allegedly stealing the phone.

NP Man, Juvenile Accused of Burglarizing Home

Posted on February 3, 2014February 3, 2014

Two North Platte men are in jail on burglary charges after they allegedly broke into a North Platte home.

According to a news release from Officer Rodney Brown, on September 27, 2013, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of a burglary in the 3200 block of West 22nd Street. The homeowner’s daughter, who no longer lived at the residence, found the back door kicked in and discovered that personal items, spare change and food had been stolen from the home.

Following further investigation and through lab test results on fingerprints, officers were able to identify 21-year-old Boston Carey and 17-year-old Aryan Perry as the suspects.

On January 31, officers made contact with Carey at his home and placed him under arrest. He was processed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on a charge of burglary and released.

Through the investigation, investigators learned that Carey was also the suspect in a second burglary in the 100 block of North Hayes on June 27, 2013. The victim’s reported that around $150 worth of copper and a man’s wallet containing approximately $30 were stolen.

Carey was also cited for this burglary.

Then, at around 10:40 a.m., on February 1, officers made contact with Aryan Perry in the 1200 block of Skinner Drive. Perry was placed under arrest for the September 27 burglary on West 22nd Street.

A subsequent search of Perry’s person and belongings revealed a small plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine, a baggie of pills, drug paraphernalia and items commonly used in the distribution of methamphetamine.

Perry was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed for burglary and possession of meth with the intent to deliver.

NPPD Crime Log (Jan. 31-Feb. 3)

Posted on February 3, 2014

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

01/31/2014