(AP) — Nebraska teachers and other school employees could carry a concealed handgun in schools if a bill in the Nebraska Legislature becomes law.
Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial introduced the legislation on Tuesday. He says the bill is designed to keep children safe, and the decision is one of local control.
To qualify for a permit, employees would need to take an additional 24 hours of training beyond the eight hours required to legally carry a concealed gun. The training would include best practices for responding to a live shooting.
The local school board would have to approve each permit.
Christensen says rural schools may not have the resources for a retired police officer and may be miles from the nearest law enforcement.
A North Platte man has been jailed on a felony charge after he allegedly threatened to harm a man with a pair of knives.
At around 6:50 p.m. on Monday, January 13, North Platte Police responded to the Kwik Stop at 9th and Jeffers on the report of a disturbance which had occurred at a residence in the 800 block of North Willow Street.
Upon arrival, a 31-year-old male victim told officers that 43-year-old Todd King, Sr. had gotten drunk and threatened to harm him with two knives while they were at the residence.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, officers made contact with King and located a small steak knife and a large butcher knife, which were allegedly used in the incident.
After talking to King, officers placed him under arrest and charged him with terroristic threats, a Class IV felony.
King is being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
A 19-year-old North Platte man is facing a sexual assault charge after he allegedly impregnated a 16-year-old.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, on January 3, North Platte Police received a report that the 16-year-old female was eight months pregnant. It was reported that Fortino Chavez was believed to be the father of the child.
An interview was conducted with the teen at the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center, and it was determined that, based on the girl’s statements, Chavez and the girl had engaged in sexual intercourse before the girl turned 16, the legal age of consent in Nebraska, and after he had turned 19.
Following an investigation, an Investigator determined that Chavez did have sex with the girl.
Chavez was charged with 1st degree sexual assault and jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Nebraska state law prohibits anyone 19 years or older from having sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of 16.
(AP) — Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman is planning to visit Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff after delivering his annual State of the State address to lawmakers.
The governor will make his remarks at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Capitol, followed by a live-streamed news conference. He is then scheduled to speak at the Kearney Aviation Center at 2:45 p.m., and North Plate Regional Airport at 4:30 p.m. and the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff at 5:30 p.m. All times are local.
Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann is scheduled to visit the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce at 2 p.m. on Wednesday to discuss the governor’s plans for this year’s session.
The speech will air live on the NET2 television channel, NET Radio, NET’s website.
(AP) — Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning will propose a prison reform measure that would eliminate automatic “good time” credit for violent offenders.
The Republican governor and attorney general said Monday they will submit “earned time” legislation for lawmakers this year. The measure would apply to inmates convicted of murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, or one of at least seven other major crimes.
The “earned time” bill would require violent inmates to maintain good behavior while incarcerated and participate in rehabilitation programs. It was partly inspired by the case of Nikko Jenkins, who is accused of four Omaha-area murders after his release from prison.
The state’s “good time” system generally gives inmate one day of credit for every day served.
Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha will sponsor the proposal.
(AP) — A 56-year-old Sidney woman has been given two years of probation and 94 days in jail for misdemeanor negligent child abuse.
Judge Derek Weimer sentenced Nancy Gipfert last week, following her conviction in November on a lesser charge.
The case stemmed from an incident in September 2011, when a 2-month-old child she’d been caring for at her in-home day care was taken to a hospital. The infant suffered from bleeding around his brain, brain damage and hemorrhages in his eyes.
Weimer ordered Gipfert to spend the first 90 days of her probation in jail. She also must serve July 12 and Sept. 13 in jail this year and next year. She was fined $1,000 and ordered to serve 500 hours of community service.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Windy, with a north northwest wind 25 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. Blustery, with a northwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 42. Windy, with a northwest wind 17 to 27 mph increasing to 27 to 37 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Blustery.
...STRONG NORTHWEST WIND TODAY...
.THE PLUNGE OF COLD AIR IN THE WAKE OF THE FRONT THAT WENT THROUGH
THIS MORNING WILL RESULT IN STRONG NORTHWEST WIND MOST OF THE DAY
TODAY.
DEUEL-KEITH-PERKINS-LINCOLN-CHASE-HAYES-FRONTIER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHAPPELL...BIG SPRINGS...OGALLALA...
GRANT...NORTH PLATTE...IMPERIAL...HAYES CENTER...CURTIS...EUSTIS
316 AM CST TUE JAN 14 2014 /216 AM MST TUE JAN 14 2014/
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM CST /8 AM MST/ THIS
MORNING TO 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ THIS EVENING...
A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM CST /8 AM MST/ THIS
MORNING TO 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ THIS EVENING.
* TIMING: WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS MORNING...AND CONTINUE THROUGH
LATE AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING.
* WINDS: NORTHWEST WINDS AT 30 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH.
* IMPACTS: STRONG CROSS WINDS MAY MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS...
ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OPERATING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. OBJECTS
OUTDOORS WILL BLOW AROUND UNLESS THEY ARE FASTENED DOWN.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH OR GREATER ARE
EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...
ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.
(AP) — Nebraska would keep at least some of provisions of federal health care reform even if the law is repealed, under a new bill in the Legislature.
Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha introduced legislation on Monday to lock in changes made at the federal level, such as eliminating annual and lifetime limits on insurance coverage. It also would retain protections for patients with pre-existing conditions. Insurers would still be required to spend at least 75 percent of premium dollars on care.
Nordquist says although he doesn’t expect the law’s repeal in the near future, Nebraska should preserve some of its consumer protections in state law.
Taylor Trembly, 25, of North Platte, was sentenced to 380 days in the Lincoln County Detention Center. Trembly was convicted of fleeing to avoid arrest and possession of methamphetamine. Trembly ran from North Platte Police on his motorcycle in September. The chase ended when Trembly wrecked on East Philip. Officers located meth and drug paraphernalia on Trembly’s person. Judge Donald Rowlands noted Trembly’s lengthy criminal history which dates back to 2003 when he was a juvenile. Trembly was given credit for 178 days already served, and his license will be suspended for two years.
Stephanie Lopez
Stephanie Lopez, 26 ,of North Platte, was sentenced to 180 days in jail for theft. In November, a victim told police that she had gotten a ride to the Lincoln County Detention Center and had left her purse in the vehicle while she went inside. She said while she was inside, Lopez, who had just been released from jail, took the purse from the vehicle and left. Lopez was given credit for 23 days already served.
Sylvester LeBlanc
Sylvester LeBlanc, 19, of North Platte, entered a plea of not guilty to charges of robbery and use of a weapon to commit a felony. Prosecutors say LeBlanc and Jeffrey Denson robbed a woman in King’s Traler Park on February 11, 2013. Police say LeBlanc and Denson were given permission to use the restroom at the victim’s house when they pulled a gun and demanded money. Denson was located a short time later, but LeBlanc went on the run. LeBlanc was arrested at his mother’s house in Lincoln by the Metro Fugitive Task Force and returned to Lincoln County. Jury selection for LeBlanc’s trial will take place March 11th.
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith, 35, of North Platte, was given 54 days in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Prosecutors say Smith sent an inappropriate text message to a 15-year-old girl. The defense argued that Smith was drinking when he sent the message and immediately called the girl to retract the statement. Smith was originally charged with felony child enticement, but prosecutors made a plea deal with Smith and reduced the charge. Smith was given credit for 54 days already served.
Colter Parks
Colter Parks, 27, of Imperial, entered a plea of not guilty to three counts of distribution of child pornography. Prosecutors say Parks’ computer contained explicit sexual images of minors. Parks is facing the same charges in Chase County. Jury selection for Parks’ trail will take place March 11th.
Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker, 16, was found competent to stand trial for escape, attempted 1st degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony. Baker and 18-year-old Keenan Lambert are accused of stabbing two employees at the Nebraska Youth Center in North Platte, before stealing an employee’s car and escaping. The duo was caught in Dawson County. An psychological evaluation by Dr. Lee Kimzey found Baker and Lambert are both competent to stand trial for the crime. Jury selection for Baker’s trial will take place March 11th.
(AP) — Nebraska teachers and other school employees could carry a concealed handgun in schools if a bill in the Nebraska Legislature becomes law.
