(Minden, Neb.)- Three people are jailed after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near the Minden Interchange, led to the seizure of 109 ½ lbs of marijuana.

Just before 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 22, a Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) trooper stopped an eastbound 2011 Nissan pickup for violation of the state’s move over law. The trooper was given consent to search the pickup. The search led to the seizure of 109 ½ lbs of marijuana. The drugs were located in speaker boxes in the bed of the pickup.

The female driver of the pickup, Hai Phi Kim Do, 23, Fresno, Calif., along with two passengers, Hanh Thi Kim Do, (FM), 27, Fresno, Calif., and Ron Le, 39, Vancouver, Wash., were each lodged in the Buffalo County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

NORTH PLATTE, NE      Only one week, until we let the rabbits run wild in the park!!!  Well, not quite; but it is only one week until the 1^st Annual Bunny Run hosted by the North Platte Jaycees.   On Saturday, March 31^st runners, walkers and kids of all ages are encouraged to participate in this brand new fundraiser to benefit the North Platte Jaycees.  “With the triathlon coming soon, we wanted something that would help prepare the runners, plus it is spring time. So why not have a little Easter fun!” said Kirsten Parker, chairperson for the event.    Avid runners will have the competition rush and their raced timed for their preparation.  Walkers will get great exercise.  Kids, ah…well they will have the fun.  “We will have baskets around the track for kids to pick up special prizes and treats, a fun spin on a Easter Egg Hunt, without the competitive craze…everyone will get prizes and eggs” Parker said.  The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance, so bring your cameras for photos.

 

The North Platte Jaycees are a not-for-profit organization that helps teach leadership skills through community involvement.  Through running projects, such as the Bunny Run; members learn leadership skills, organization and time management skills, employee/volunteer relations and how to balance a budget.  The profits from these projects turn around and go back to the community thru numerous ways, such a donations, scholarships and sponsorships.  “Over the last two years, the North Platte Jaycees have handed out over $50,000 in donations” says Linda Shea, the 2012 local president.  “Our biggest fundraiser of the year is our fireworks stand, but projects such as the Bunny Run help us to continue to give money throughout the year and not just after the fireworks season” continues Shea.  

 

The 5k Bunny Run will be held at Cody Park, starting at 10am.  To reach the 3.2 miles, runners and walkers will be directed to run a pre-designed route 3 times around Cody Park.  “Cody Park is perfect place for the run/walk, it not only has a path for a 5k competitive race but also short cuts for those who choose to walk a mile” says Parker.   Medals will be awarded to the top 3 runners in each age group and overall following the race.

 

Pre-registration is encouraged, with a free t-shirt to the first 150 register.  Registration will also open at 9am before the race for last minute registrations.  Everyone participating must register.  Registration is a $20 donation, with kids 12 and under participating for free.  All registration will include a free meal voucher for following the race with grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, provided by First National Bank and the UP.  A bake sale will also be provided before and after the race and lots of other goodies and surprises. 

 

Registration forms may be picked up at either First National Bank locations in North Platte or the Rec Center.  If you would like to learn more about the North Platte Jaycees or have questions about the Bunny Run call (308) 530-0328 or “Like” them on facebook at www.facebook.com/northplattejaycees.

 

From:   Chief Mike Swain – North Platte Police Department

High School Proms and Graduations are nearly upon us and the Police Department is concerned with underage drinking.  I bring this to your attention so you can be aware of these gatherings on prom and graduation nights and to encourage you to contact us should you become aware of minors consuming alcohol. 

To better protect our youngsters from the ravishes of alcohol again this year we will be adding a special unit of officers who will be working both prom and graduation nights. They will be targeting all motels, restaurants, liquor stores, and other areas in our City where minors gather to consume alcohol; they will be strictly enforcing our minor in possession and procuring alcohol for minors laws. 

The prom and graduation schedules are as follows: 

• Sutherland:  Prom, March 17, Sutherland High School; After Prom, North Platte Rec Center; Graduation May 12, Sutherland High School.
• Hershey:  Prom April 14, Quality Inn, North Platte; After Prom, North Platte Rec Center; Graduation May 5, Hershey High School.
• Maxwell:  Prom April 14, First Evangelical Lutheran Church North Platte; Graduation May 12, Maxwell High School.
• St. Pats:  Prom April 14, St. Pat’s High School, After Prom, Cedar Bowl; Graduation May 6, St. Patrick’s Church.
• Brady:  Prom April 21, Brady High School; After Prom, Brady High School; Graduation May 12, Brady High School.
• North Platte:  Prom April 28, North Platte High School; After Prom Cedar Bowl; Graduation May 13, North Platte High School.
• Wallace:  Prom April 28, Wallace High School; After Prom Wallace High School; Graduation May 5, Wallace High School.

 

 We ask for your cooperation in working with us to protect our students from alcohol, not only on these special nights but throughout the year.

 

 

A car-semi trailer truck crash on westbound Interstate 80 near Ogallala has claimed the lives of a Wisconsin couple.

The crash occurred Thursday, March 22 just before 10:00 a.m., (MDT), on I-80, 1.5 miles east of the Ogallala Interchange. Troopers investigating the crash say the driver of a 1992 Buick sedan was eastbound on I-80 when he lost control of the car while attempting to pass a semi. The car crossed the median and slid into the westbound lanes of I-80 where it was struck on the driver’s side by a westbound semi trailer truck.

The driver of the Buick, Michael J. Phillips, 69, and his wife, Joann L. Phillips, 62, both of Manitowoc, Wis., were killed in the crash.

The driver of the semi, Tacy M. Balkcom (FM), 55, Adairsville, Ga., and a co-driver, Michael I. Balkcom, 42, Adairsville, Ga., were not injured in the crash.

Seat belts were in use by both drivers and the passenger in the sedan. The crash closed westbound lanes of I-80 for approximately three hours.

Post reader Tara Anway sent us some pretty cool pictures of Sunday’s storms… Take a peek.. Click on a picture for a larger version.

 

The Nebraska Minority Justice Committee is a joint effort of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Nebraska Supreme Court. Since it’s inception in 2003, the Committee has developed and implemented a number of policy reforms, research projects, and educational initiatives aimed at 1) addressing racial disparities in both the juvenile and adult justice systems; 2) ensuring equal access to justice; and 3) promoting the diversity of Nebraska’s judicial workforce and legal profession

The Nebraska Supreme Court has appointed Court of Appeals Judge John Irwin to replace long time co-chair Hon. John Gerrard, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January to the U.S. District Court. “Judge Irwin has had a long term commitment in assuring that all lawyers and litigants experience an even playing field in Nebraska courts. He is innovative and together with co-chair Linda Crump will lead the committee to a high level of excellence”, said Justice Gerrard. A Court of Appeals Judge since 1992, Judge Irwin served on the original Minority Justice Task Force (2001-2003) and has Co-chaired one of the Minority Justice Committee’s Subcommittee’s since inception (2003-2012). Of Judge Gerrard, Judge Irwin quoted Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ‘The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.’ Judge Gerrard’s active charity and willing service, in themselves, are a mark of distinction for Judge Gerrard, as well as a mark of distinction for Nebraska.
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In addition to its local impact, the Committee has received national attention for its work: pioneering research and legislative reform to improve the extent to which juries are representative of the communities that they serve, receiving an American Bar Association Award for its programming to diversify the legal profession, examining ways in which communities can reduce failure to appear among communities of color, and by providing technical assistance to Commissions being established in other states.

In May of 2012, the Committee will have another opportunity in the national spotlight as it hosts the 24th Annual Conference of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. Since 2010, Judge Irwin has chaired the planning committee for this event. Explaining the annual conference, Judge Irwin highlighted the facts that the National Consortium brings together thought-leaders and delegates of state justice systems from around the country to share their collective knowledge about best practices within their court systems for achieving fairness and access to justice for all. This is the first time the conference has been hosted in the Midwest, presenting a new opportunity to show case the work being done in Nebraska and to engage neighboring states in addressing these issues. The conference will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Omaha on May 9-12, 2012 and offers an impressive agenda filled with nationally renowned speakers on a broad range of topics related to: addressing language barriers, enhancing diversity and cultural competence, addressing racial disparities, and building the capacity to effect change (registration information is available online at www.nebar.com).