When Cynthia Gutschenritter submitted a video of an orphaned kitten playing with Styrofoam packing peanuts in a video contest, she had no idea she would win a prize, let alone the Grand Prize.

Three years ago, Gutschenritter bottle-fed an orphaned litter of kittens and ended up adopting a little gray and white bundle of joy with a stubby tail she named Belle.

Gutschenritter soon discovered that Belle was fascinated with packing peanuts.  So Gutschenritter decided to record the frolicking feline at play.  Then, a friend sent her information about a national contest.

In October, the video was submitted to Del Monte’s 9lives contest.  The submissions were then judged based upon their entertainment value, quality and relevance to the promotion of rescuing cats.

After the judging was completed, Gutschenritter learned that she and Belle were the winners of the Grand Prize, which consisted of a year’s supply of cat food for Belle and $3,000 cash to be donated to the shelter of her choice.

As a 14-year volunteer at the North Platte Animal Shelter, the decision of who should receive the money was an easy one to make for Gutschenritter.  However, due to the contest rules and the shelter’s status as a municipal facility, the prize could not be awarded directly to the shelter.

Determined to get the funds to the shelter, Gutschenritter asked Paws-itive Partners, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, to accept the award on her behalf.  Now, Paws-itive Partners and the North Platte Animal Shelter are brainstorming ways to use the donation.

Gutschenritter says the only thing that’s important to her is that the funds are used to help cats and dogs staying at the shelter while they wait to be adopted.

Gutschenritter has a long history of caring for animals.  In 2000, she and her daughters started taking pictures, and later videos, at the North Platte Animal Shelter hoping it would help shelter animals find homes.

Gutschenritter has fostered pregnant cats and bottle-fed numerous kittens. At one time last summer, she and her husband, John, were home to 15 kittens from 4 different litters.

Over the years, Gutschenritter has fostered dogs and adopted a ferret, chickens, bunnies and ducks from the shelter.

 

 

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is inviting lawmakers to conduct their own review of a program that State Auditor Mike Foley says was mismanaged.

Department CEO Kerry Winterer said Thursday he welcomes a review by the Legislature’s Performance Audit Committee, saying its work was “professional, thorough and fair.”

His comments came after Foley criticized the department’s handling of the federal Low Income Home Emergency Assistance Program.

Foley says the state will relinquish $5.8 million in federal funds that could have benefited Nebraskans because department officials didn’t understand how the program works. Foley recommended that the Performance Audit Committee investigate.

Winterer says the issues noted in the audit involved internal communication and controls, not a lack of understanding. He says the problems have been reviewed and corrected.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages crept higher this week but remained low by historical standards.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan increased to 4.48 percent from 4.47 percent last week. The average on the 15-year fixed loan rose to 3.52 percent from 3.51 percent.

Mortgage rates peaked at 4.6 percent in August on expectations that the Federal Reserve would reduce its $85 billion-a-month in bond purchases. Those purchases push mortgage and other long-term rates lower and encourage borrowing and spending. On Dec. 18, the Fed finally decided the economy was strong enough to allow it to reduce the monthly purchases by $10 billion.

Mortgage rates are sharply higher than they were a year ago when the 30-year fixed rate was 3.35 percent and the 15-year was 2.65 percent.

The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that new-home sales dipped 2.1 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted 464,000. But stronger figures for the previous three months suggested that housing may be regaining strength after a summer lull.

The National Association of Realtors said last week that the number of people who bought existing homes in November fell for a third straight month. Higher rates and the lingering effects of the partial government shutdown in October may have deterred some sales.

Still, the government said builders broke ground on homes at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.09 million homes and apartments in November. That was the fastest pace since February 2008 and was 23 percent higher than in October.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week. The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgage was 0.7 point. The fee for a 15-year loan was 0.7 point.

The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage slipped to 2.56 percent from 2.57 percent last week. The fee was 0.5 point.

The average rate on a five-year adjustable mortgage rose to 3 percent from 2.96 percent. The fee was 0.4 point.

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 8 to 11 mph.
• Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 7 to 9 mph.

(AP) — The Nebraska State Fair has won a number of awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions convention

The fair received the awards at the convention, held in Las Vegas earlier this month.

The fair was honored in a number of categories, including a first place award for creating a new youth division to showcase community service efforts.

State Fair Executive Director Joseph McDermott says he is proud of how Nebraska’s fair matches up with other states.

The next Nebraska State Fair will kick off on Aug. 22, 2014.

MINATARE, Neb. (AP) — A man involved in a two-vehicle crash in western Nebraska has been accused of providing a fake name to authorities.

The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office says 18-year-old Andrew Hackett was arrested Tuesday. He was also wanted on an outstanding warrant involving possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Hackett was involved in a two-vehicle crash Friday near Minatare. Hackett was treated and released from a local hospital before deputies discovered his true identity.

The driver of one car, 20-year-old Michael Fiscus, of Mitchell, faces charges including willful reckless driving and carrying a concealed weapon. He is suspected of drunk driving. Court records do not list attorneys for Hackett or Fiscus.

The crash critically injured 36-year-old Seth Thompson, a passenger in the other car.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A former Chadron Community Hospital worker is scheduled to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to reduced charges in a drug case.

The Panhandle Post website of Chadron radio station KQSK says Alyssa Eide was arrested in July after calling in a prescription to a local pharmacy, using a false name and a doctor’s Drug Enforcement Administration number.

Investigators say they soon discovered that Eide had been using names and information from several doctors so she could obtain prescriptions of an insomnia medication, Ambien.

Eide pleaded guilty after prosecutors dropped two felony charges to misdemeanors. Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded a five-year, $7.5 million grant to address underage drinking.

The federal grant is intended to help youths in 11 Nebraska counties that are considered higher-risk areas. The counties are Adams, Boyd, Dawes, Dawson, Douglas, Hall, Lancaster, Madison, Platte, Scotts Bluff and Thurston. They were chosen based on data from surveys, hotlines, treatment admissions and community assessment information.

Department officials say Nebraskans in their late teens and early 20s are the most likely age group to drink, to drive after drinking, and to die or suffer injuries in an alcohol-related crash.

The grant was awarded by the federal Substance and Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

University of Nebraska Medical Center students will be working with health professionals across Nebraska this spring as part of their health care education. The rotations are part of the UNMC Rural Health Education Network (RHEN), an innovative program developed to help address the shortage of health professionals in rural Nebraska.

The students represent the College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry and the School of Allied Health Professions.

The RHEN program was developed to expose students to a rural health setting with the idea that if students receive their training in a rural area, the chances are greater they may consider returning to a rural area once they complete their training.

From January through May, the following students will be participating in rural rotations. Listed below is the name of the town where students will perform the rotation, the student’s name, hometown, educational program, rotation facility and dates.

Broken Bow – Angie Baumert, Howells, NE, Physician Assistant, Broken Bow Clinic, 4/7-5/4; Lauren Jader, Gibbon, NE, Physical Therapy, McMeen Physical Therapy, 3/10-5/2; Corey Richards, Firth, NE, Physician Assistant, Broken Bow Clinic, 1/6-2/2; Corey Richards, Firth, NE, Physician Assistant, Broken Bow Clinic, 2/3-3/2; Corey Richards, Firth, NE, Physician Assistant, Broken Bow Clinic, 3/3-3/30; Allison Rowden, Broken Bow, NE, Physical Therapy, McMeen Physical Therapy, 1/6-2/28

Cambridge – Erica Pirog, Imperial, NE, Physician Assistant, Tri Valley Health System, 4/7-5/4

Chadron – Eamon Maloney, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Chadron Clinic, 5/5-6/27; Danielle Thies, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Chadron Clinic, 3/3-5/2; Jeffrey Wentz, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Chadron Medical Clinic, 1/6-3/1

Cozad – Rebecca Kathman, Lawrence, NE, Physical Therapy, Cozad Community Hospital, 1/6-2/28

Gering – Aaron Fuehrer, Dentistry, Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska (CAPWN), 3/10-3/28; James Howe, Dentistry, Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska (CAPWN), 3/31-4/18; Dan Nguyen, Dentistry, Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska (CAPWN), 3/31-4/18

Grand Island – Landon Ehlers, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Family Practice of GI, 5/5-6/27; Corin Hartzer, Pharmacy, St. Francis Rural Oncology – Grand Island, 2/3-2/28; Corin Hartzer, Pharmacy, VAMC Grand Island – Acute Geriatrics, 3/3-3/28; Blake Helget, NE, Medicine, Grand Island Clinic, Inc., 2/3-2/28; Valarie Hoffman, Chambers, NE, Pharmacy, St. Francis Rural Oncology – Grand Island, 3/3-3/28; Lauren Jader, Gibbon, NE, Physical Therapy, Grand Island Physical Therapy, 1/6-2/28; Allyn Komorowski, Grand Island, NE, Pharmacy, St. Francis Rural Oncology – Grand Island, 1/6-1/31; Nadir Maaiah, Pharmacy, VAMC Grand Island – Acute Geriatrics, 2/3-2/28; Megan Moser, Rigby, ID, Physician Assistant, Nebraska Heart Institute, 1/6-2/2; Matthew Nielsen, Pharmacy, St. Francis Medical Center, 1/6-1/31; Andrew Prososki, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Family Practice of Grand Island, 1/6-3/1; Sena Sqyood, Medicine, Grand Island Clinic, Inc., 1/6-2/1; Kristin Swenson, Grand Island, NE, Physical Therapy, Grand Island Physical Therapy, 1/6-2/28; Shayla Wrage, Shelton, NE, Pharmacy, St. Francis Rural Oncology – Grand Island, 4/7-5/2

Hastings – Stacey Coufal, Dwight, NE, Physician Assistant, Hastings Medical Practice, 2/3-3/2; Matthew Folcik, Hastings, NE, Pharmacy, Keith’s Drive-In Drug, 2/3-2/28; Tyler Jensen, Aurora, NE, Physical Therapy, Mary Lanning Healthcare, 3/10-5/2; Alexa Krajewski, Ogallala, NE, Physician Assistant, 3/3-3/30; Hannah Mooney, Grand Junction, CO, Physician Assistant, Hastings Medical Practice, 1/6-2/2; Evan Volzke, Hastings, NE, Physical Therapy, Mary Lanning Healthcare, 1/6-2/28; Evan Volzke, Hastings, NE, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation of Hastings, 3/10-5/2

Holdrege – Robert France, Gothenburg, NE, Physical Therapy, Phelps Memorial Health Center, 1/6-2/28; Kelli Garwood, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Family Medicine Specialties, 3/3-5/2; Stephanie Muhlbach, Ravenna, NE, Physician Assistant, Family Medical Specialties, 4/7-5/4; Zach Woodward, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Family Medicine Specialties, 3/3-5/2

Imperial – Kathryn Score, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Chase County Clinic, 3/3-5/2; Robert Szalewski, Omaha , NE, Medicine, Chase County Clinic, 5/5-6/27; Grant Turner, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Chase County Clinic, 1/6-3/1

Kearney – Micah Adamson, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Kearney Clinic, 3/3-5/2; Jessica Borrenpohl, Tecumseh, NE, Physician Assistant, Platte Valley Cardiology, 4/7-5/4; Stacey Coufal, Dwight, NE, Physician Assistant, Richard Young Outpatient Clinic, 3/3-3/30; Matt Jodis, Omaha, NE, Physical Therapy, Good Samaritan Health Systems, 1/6-2/28; Megan King, Omaha, NE, Physician Assistant, Platte Valley Cardiology, 2/3-3/2; Jessica Kraft, Grand Island, NE, Physical Therapy, Good Samaritan Health System, 3/10-5/2; Megan Masada, Lincoln, NE, Physical Therapy, Family Physical Therapy & Sports Center, 1/6-2/28; John Mayne, Marietta, GA, Physical Therapy, Good Samaritan Health System, 3/10-5/2; Hannah Mooney, Grand Junction, CO, Physician Assistant, Richard Young Outpatient Clinic, 4/7-5/4; Stephanie Muhlbach, Ravenna, NE, Physician Assistant, Heartland Hematology & Oncology, 1/6-2/2; Stephanie Muhlbach, Ravenna, NE, Physician Assistant, Platte Valley Cardiology, 3/3-3/30; Kayla Nisley, Bennet, NE, Physician Assistant, Platte Valley Cardiology, 1/6-2/2; Amanda Woodward, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Kearney Clinic, 1/6-3/1

Lexington – Hayley Faber, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Plum Creek, 5/5-6/27; Huiying Guo, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Plum Creek, 5/5-6/27; Cameron Killen, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Plum Creek, 3/3-5/2; Jared Loschen, Dentistry, Dr. Thomas G. Fagot DDS, 3/10-3/28; Brett Wergin, Milford, NE, Medicine, Plum Creek, 1/6-3/1; Kevin Wiederin, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Plum Creek, 3/3-5/2; Lindsay Wulff, Blair, NE, Physician Assistant, Plum Creek Medical Group, 4/7-5/4

McCook – Sara Kluver, Dentistry, Melanie Jones-Wier DDS, 3/10-3/28; Ashley McEachern, Hermantown, MN, Physician Assistant, McCook Community Hospital, 4/7-5/4; Katheryn Paulsen, Omaha, NE, Medicine, McCook Clinic, 1/6-3/1

North Platte – Ankit Agrawal, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Midlands Family Medicine, 3/3-5/2; Colton Aman, Blair, NE, Physical Therapy, Great Plains Regional Medical Center, 1/6-2/28; Kaitlyn Brittan, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Midlands Family Medicine, 5/5-6/27; Stacey Coufal, Dwight, NE, Physician Assistant, North Platte Surgical Associates, 1/6-2/2; Stacey Coufal, Dwight, NE, Physician Assistant, Great Plains Regional Medical Center ER, 4/7-5/4; Andrea Frary, Physical Therapy, Sandhills Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab PC, 3/10-5/2; Trisha McDonald, Stratton, NE, Physical Therapy, Sandhills Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab PC, 1/6-2/28; James Trexel, Dentistry, Maple Park Dental Associates, 3/10-3/28

Ogallala – Brian Hohlen, Dentistry, North Park Dental, 3/10-3/28; Sias Scherger, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Ogallala Medical Group, 5/5-6/27

Scottsbluff – Alexis Bowder, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Regional West Medical Clinic, 3/3-5/2; Nicholas Brening, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Regional West Medical Clinic, 3/3-5/2; Emily Casne, Plattsmouth, NE, Physical Therapy, Regional West Medical Center, 1/6-2/28; Trisha McDonald, Stratton, NE, Physical Therapy, Regional West Medical Center, 3/10-5/2; Megan Moser, Rigby, ID, Physician Assistant, Regional West Medical Ctr – ER, 3/3-3/30; Megan Moser, Rigby, ID, Physician Assistant, Regional West: Pediatrics, 4/7-5/4; Kasi Nelson, Ord, NE, Pharmacy, Regional West Medical Center, 1/6-1/31; Giana Novotny, Columbus, NE, Physician Assistant, Regional West Physicians Surgery, 1/6-2/2; Allison Rowden, Broken Bow, NE, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy of the Bluffs, 3/10-5/2; Sena Sayood, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Regional West, 5/5-6/27

Sidney – Elizabeth Benissan-Messan, East Longmeadow, MA, Physician Assistant, Sidney Medical Associates, 4/7-5/4; Dathe Benissan-Messan, Omaha, NE, Medicine, Sidney Medical Associates, 5/5-6/27; Jonna Beyer, Donnelly, MN, Physician Assistant, Sidney Medical Associates, 1/6-3/30; Ashley McEachern, Hermantown, MN, Physician Assistant, Memorial Health Center, 3/3-3/30; Hannah Mooney, Grand Junction, CO, Physician Assistant, Memorial Health Center, 2/3-3/2; Patrick Pick, Omaha, NE, Physician Assistant, Memorial Health Center, 4/7-5/4; Megan Tobin, Dentistry, Sidney Summit Dental, 3/10-3/28

 

As another year draws to a close, five community members were recognized for their volunteer service as LincUP panel members.

LincUP (Lincoln County-Union Pacific) is a community advisory panel which meets monthly to encourage open dialogue and discussion between the community and railroad personnel on issues related to health, environment and safety.

In addition to learning about railroad operations and community emergency response efforts, panel members are encouraged to share the knowledge they gain with others in the community.

At a recent LincUP meeting the following were honored for three years of service on the panel:  Will Winchester (North Platte High School teacher), Don Weber (retired banker who currently volunteers at the Golden Spike), Larry Campbell (retired UPRR Special Agent currently serving on City Council), Orville Kaschke (retired business owner with strong ties to agriculture) and Cory Johanson (Lender at First National Bank).

Comments made by retiring members shared a common theme of appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about how the railroad works and to become better informed about what the community should do to be well prepared in the event of an emergency.

One of the continuing projects LincUP panel members have worked on involves efforts to educate the community on how to prepare for a Chemical Emergency by sheltering in place.

For more information on how you can be a part of LincUP or to learn more about Shelter in Place, contact LincUP Facilitator Lorre McKeone at 532-7246.