LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The state education board has chosen Matthew Blomstedt to serve as Nebraska’s new education commissioner.
The board announced Thursday that Blomstedt, of Central City, was picked out of four finalists for the job. Blomstedt will replace Roger Breed, who retired earlier this year.
Blomstedt serves as executive director of the Nebraska Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council. He received a doctorate in educational leadership and higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in addition to a master’s degree in community and regional planning.
The board unanimously approved Blomstedt. Board members pointed to his experience with educators throughout the state, and his work with rural Nebraska schools.
Board president Patt Timm says in a statement that members will work with Blomstedt to develop a new state accountability system.
Maddy posted on her Facebook page that she would never take these bracelets off.
Maddy was wearing this black Carhart jacket when she disappeared.
UPDATE 12/12 7:30 p.m.
Maddy Pacheco is still missing.
Maddy’s family members have confirmed that Maddy was wearing a blue North Platte Bulldogs hoodie with yellow lettering and a black Carhart jacket (pictured above).
According to family members, Maddy said on her Facebook page that she would never take her bracelets off.
There has been no further information on Maddy’s whereabouts.
As of 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Maddy Pacheco is still missing.
While there has been several reported sightings of Maddy in North Platte, none of them have been confirmed.
North Platte Police say they have no indication that Maddy is in North Platte, but say they are aware of the situation.
While Maddy’s mother, Kim Streit, said her initial thought was that Maddy may have run away, recent harassing phone calls and Facebook activity seem to contradict that.
Omaha Police tell the Post that in order for an Amber Alert to be issued, there must be evidence of an abduction and a description of the abductor. They say, at this point, they have no evidence to justify the issuing of an Amber Alert.
If you have any information, contact local law enforcement or Maddy’s mother at (402) 403-2362.
Friends and family are asking their fellow Nebraskans to help locate 16-year-old Maddy Pacheco.
Maddy, who has been missing since December 7th, was last seen around 156th and Center Streets in Omaha.
She has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5’8” and weighs 180 pounds.
Family members told the Post that they believe Maddy may possibly be in Iowa, Lincoln, Omaha or North Platte.
Omaha police have been contacted, however, police say they are treating it as a runaway case, so an Amber Alert has not been issued.
If you have any information on Maddy’s whereabouts, you can reach her family through their Facebook page, Facebook.com/whereismaddy, or contact the Omaha Police Department.
KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A January trial has been scheduled for a Kearney man accused of severely shaking his girlfriend’s infant daughter.
23-year-ld Trey Tickle is charged with two felony counts of child abuse and two counts of child abuse for exposing the child to methamphetamine. He’s also charged with meth possession. Prosecutors say the incidents occurred between Nov. 24, 2012, and Jan. 4, 2013.
Tickle has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Authorities say the infant was treated in December for vomiting and again Jan. 4. Doctors concluded her injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The child’s mother, 22-year-old Brittney Schlund, of Kearney, was convicted of felony child abuse for the same incidents. Prosecutors say she placed her child and another in a situation that endangered them.
A North Platte man committed suicide Wednesday night following a short standoff with police.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, the North Platte 911 Center received a call requesting a welfare check on a 27-year-old male in the 900 block of North Walnut at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Officers were told that Jesse Hornbacher was inside the residence and that he was armed and suicidal.
As a safety precaution, the area was barricaded off by law enforcement.
During attempts to negotiate with Hornbacher, officers believed they heard a gunshot come from the house. Brown said officers feared that the young man had taken his own life.
Shortly after hearing the gunshot, police deployed a tactical robot. Officers used the robot to gain entry into the residence and Hornbacher was found deceased.
Brown said Hornbacher appears to have died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. However, the cause of death is still being investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Lincoln County Attorney.
Witnesses tell the Post that a female and several children were allowed to leave the residence early in the ordeal. No other injuries were reported.
A North Platte man has been charged with two felonies after he allegedly beat his girlfriend with a wooden dowel and threw a knife at her.
According to NPPD Public Information Officer, Rodney Brown, officers responded to the report of an assault in the 1100 block of East 11th at around 6:10 p.m. on Wednesday.
Upon arrival, a 24-year-old female told officers that her boyfriend, 22-year-old Darrell Lewis, had struck her in the head and arms with a large wooden dowel multiple times following an argument.
Additionally, she alleged that Lewis had used an 8″ kitchen knife to stab her personal belongings before throwing the knife at her.
Following further investigation, officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Lewis for felony terroristic threats, use of a weapon to commit a felony and domestic assault.
Lewis was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Volunteers have raised more than $175,000 for Chadron State College as part of an annual fundraiser.
Organizers say more than 120 volunteers participated in the three-week fall campaign. The effort included campus and community teams around Chadron.
Leslie Bargen, development officer for the Chadron State College Foundation, says the campaign total will increase as more pledges and payments are received.
The money will help pay for scholarships at the college and other support for the college.
The nonprofit Chadron State Foundation was formed in 1963.
