NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A 15-year-old North Platte student has been arrested, accused of branding another teenager during a welding class.
The incident occurred Tuesday at North Platte High School.
Lt. Rich Hoagland says one boy touched a hot welding rod to the neck of a 15-year-old classmate. The injured teen was treated.
The other boy was taken into custody and was released on Wednesday.
He’s due back in court on Feb. 29 to face a charge of felony assault.
The boys’ names have not been disclosed.

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – Trial has been postponed for two North Platte residents accused of locking two young boys in a dog kennel.
The trials of 24-year-old Samantha Eyten and 20-year-old Lacy Beyer were supposed to begin Tuesday, but are now set for Feb. 13 in Lincoln County District Court.
The women are each charged with two counts of felony child abuse and two counts of first-degree false imprisonment. They and two other adults have been charged after police conducted a welfare check at the mobile home they shared in October and found two boys, ages 3 and 5, in a wire dog kennel.
The boys’ mother, Ashly Cark, told police she put the boys in the kennel to keep them from climbing out a window.

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – The case against a North Platte woman charged in the overdose death of her sister has been continued.
Forty-year-old Elizabeth Crawford is charged with manslaughter and drug charges in the death of her sister, 45-year-old Ester Smith, in August. She died after overdosing on methamphetamine at Crawford’s house.
Crawford’s attorney, Bob Lindemeier, says more statements are needed before it can go to trial. That includes depositions from 41-year-old Jeff Manary, who faces the same charges in the case.
A court hearing for Crawford is set for May 15 in Lincoln County.

 

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- The NEBRASKAland DAYS Foundation has launched a campaign to raise money to rebuild the west entrance of the Wild West Arena. The goal is to sell enough bricks to fill the area underneath a new entry pavilion that will serve as the centerpiece for the redesigned west entryway.
“Thousands of people come through the gates of the Wild West Arena every year,” says Foundation President Larry Stobbs. “It seems a shame have them walk through the entrance we have.”
NEBRASKAland DAYS Board President Lance Carlson says the current entrance has a number of qualities that don’t exactly reflect well on one of North Platte’s biggest attractions. “When people walk in they are met with chain link and barbed wire. It kind of feels like you’re walking into a prison,” says Carlson. “The new design will be much more warm and inviting. It also allows us to open the space up a bit inside the vendor area, allowing us to expand our offerings.”
The Foundation’s goal is to sell 800 bricks to pave the new entrance. Prices range from $150 to $3000 per unit. “We wanted a campaign that allows anyone who has enjoyed our facility throughout the years to participate. We think we have done just that,” said Stobbs.
2012 marks the 45th year that NEBRASKAland DAYS will be held in North Platte. The entrance renovation marks the first major aesthetic upgrade since a new crow’s nest was installed above the bucking chutes over a decade ago.
Donors may surf to the NEBRASKAland DAYS Website and click on the Foundation’s page. Brick’s can be ordered and payment can be submitted directly through the website. Forms can also be picked up at the NEBRASKAland DAYS office.
The NEBRASKAland DAYS Foundation is a 501c3 entity. All donations are tax deductible as provided by law.

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- The Mid Plains United Way has two goals for February- raise $55,000 and shave some heads.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Mid Plains United Way progress thermometer took up residence on the corner of B and Dewey, right in front of Pro Printing. Currently, the local United Way chapter is at $195,000 of their $250,000 goal. Executive Director Ginny Martin and Administrative Assistant Sandra Kroon have volunteered to shave their heads if their goal is met.
However, with such a short time to achieve such a big goal, the board knew they would need more help. So, board member Karen Knisley challenged Mayor Marc Kashke to join Martin and Kroon to shave his head if the United Way succeeded. He quickly and enthusiastically agreed.
If you would like to contribute to the challenge and help some hair fly, send your donation to: Mid Plains United Way, PO Box 172, North Platte, Nebraska, 69103.

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- North Platte Police are investigating a serious injury to a three month old baby.
On Friday, police responded to a call from a local medical facility that a baby had suffered a suspicious injury. Upon investigation, police found that the 3 month old child had a fractured left arm. The baby’s parents were questioned and as a result the child’s father, 20 year old Russ Bennett was arrested for child abuse.
Bennett is being held in the Lincoln County Jail on $25,000 bail.

 

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- Two North Platte men are in jail after an alert bike patrol officer caught them red-handed during a theft attempt.
Around 2 a.m. Thursday, Officer Levi Gibbs heard banging near the Big Dog Chassis building at 801 East 7th. He carefully approached the noise, catching 21 year old Landon Peters and 23 year old Brian Piel in the act of breaking in to the business. Gibbs ordered the men to lie on the ground until backup arrived.
Peters and Piel were placed under arrest and charged with attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools, both felonies. No bond has been set.

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A 32-year-old western Nebraska man has been given 18 months of probation after making a plea deal on a child abuse charge.
Domingo Carrizales, of Hershey, pleaded guilty to assault. In return, a felony charge of intentional child abuse was dropped.
Carrizales was arrested after his 2-year-old child was taken to Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte.
Authorities say the child was struck in the head on Oct. 3 and that Carrizales admitted punching the child in the head several times.

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A North Platte man who was wounded when his gun went off inside his pants has been sentenced to federal prison.
A news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says 24-year-old Shane Reed, of North Platte, was sentenced to 70 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The release says Reed was found lying in a North Platte street on March 22 last year. He told police his leg wound came from a drive-by shooter. Police soon determined that a handgun tucked inside Reed’s pants had gone off.
Reed was convicted in 2008 of felony theft and burglary in Lincoln County.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A bill that seeks to ease a long-standing funding fight between Nebraska’s urban and rural community colleges has advanced for debate in the Legislature.
The Education Committee voted 6-0 Tuesday to advance a bill that would change the state’s funding formula for Nebraska’s six community colleges.
York Sen. Greg Adams said his bill (LB946) would make it easier for each college to predict how much they will receive each year in state aid.
The community colleges agreed to the new formula after months of closed-door talks. But one member of Omaha’s Metropolitan Community College Board argued Tuesday that his school still wasn’t getting its fair share. Board member Dave Newell says the new formula unfairly favors smaller, rural community colleges with fewer students.