Local – Page 961 – North Platte Post Archive

Panhandle Man Convicted of Vehicular Homicide

Posted on January 17, 2014

(AP) — A March sentencing has been scheduled for a 25-year-old Minatare man convicted of vehicular homicide.

Christopher Perry was convicted in Scotts Bluff County District Court. Prosecutors had already dropped charges of drunken driving and driving without a valid license. His sentencing is scheduled for March 3.

Investigators say Perry was drunk on Sept. 20 when his vehicle struck one being driven by Shirley Kreman, of Bayard, about a mile east of Minatare on U.S. Highway 26. Kreman’s husband, 54-year-old Arlyn Kreman, was a passenger. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

NU Officials Want College to Be Possible for More

Posted on January 17, 2014

(AP) — University of Nebraska officials want more students to have the opportunity to attend college, so they are expanding their efforts to help.

NU President J.B. Milliken says the university is committed to providing affordable access to college.

The university plans to expand its offering of online courses, and offer more scholarships to low-income students.

The university will also try to contact all Nebraska middle school students to explain what they need to do to be ready for college.

And more low-income and first-generation college students will be invited to the university’s summer scholars programs on NU campuses. Those classes give students a taste of college coursework and help prepare them.

North Platte Weather-Weekend

Posted on January 17, 2014January 17, 2014

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 8 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. West northwest wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 12 to 17 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Windy, with a north northwest wind 16 to 21 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 7 to 13 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Advocates Hopeful Rulings Spell Doom for Neb. Gay Marriage Ban

Posted on January 16, 2014January 16, 2014

(AP) — Recent federal court rulings overturning state gay marriage bans will not prompt a civil rights organization to revive its challenge to Nebraska’s strict ban that forbids even same-sex civil unions. But gay marriage advocates are hoping the recent rulings will lead to U.S. Supreme Court to take on the issue and strike down such bans.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued Nebraska in 2003 over its same-sex union ban approved by voters in 2000, said Wednesday it does not plan another lawsuit in the wake of rulings striking down similar bans in Oklahoma and Utah.

But Ken Upton, an attorney for national civil rights organization Lambda Legal, says he thinks the U.S. Supreme Court “now has the appetite” to decide whether Nebraska and other state bans are constitutional.

American Red Cross Issues New Pet First Aid App

Posted on January 16, 2014

Pets are an important part of many families, and a new Red Cross Pet First Aid App puts lifesaving information right in the hands of dog and cat owners so they can provide emergency care until veterinary assistance is available.

The 99 cent Pet First Aid app gives iPhone and Android smart phone users instant access to expert information so they learn how to maintain their pet’s health and what to do during emergencies.

“Pet owners learn how to recognize health problems and when to contact their veterinarian,” said Tina Labellarte, Region CEO. “The Pet First Aid App provides step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more than 25 common first aid and emergency situations including how to treat wounds, control bleeding, and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies.”

Additional topics include burns, car accidents, falls and what to do for cold- and heat-related emergencies.

Other features in the app allow pet owners to:

Create a pet profile including tag identification number, photos, list of medications and instructions.
Use the list of early warning signs to learn when to call their veterinarian.
Use “click-to-call” to contact their veterinarian.
Find emergency pet care facilities or alternate veterinarians with the “animal hospital locator.”
Locate pet-friendly hotels.
Test their knowledge with interactive quizzes and earn badges that they can share on their social networks along with their favorite picture of their pet.

History shows that people have not evacuated during disasters because they did not want to leave their pets behind. The Red Cross app contains resources to help owners include pets in their emergency action plans. Pet owners may also take a Red Cross Pet First Aid course so they can practice the skills and receive feedback. People can go to redcross.org/takeaclass for information and to register.

The Red Cross has made great strides in making emergency information available whenever and wherever people need it. The Pet First Aid App and other Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

Nebraska Suing EPA Over Power Plant Standards

Posted on January 16, 2014

(AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning says his office is suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency over greenhouse gas standards for new power plants.

Bruning says “the impossible standards imposed by the EPA will ensure no new power plants are built in Nebraska.”

The rule sets limits on the amount of carbon dioxide new plants will be allowed to emit, essentially requiring any new coal plants to install expensive carbon-capture technology.

Bruning said Wednesday that the EPA’s rules overstep its authority and hurt Nebraska businesses.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Lincoln.

NPPD Crime Log (Jan. 15-16)

Posted on January 16, 2014

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

01/15/2014