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A semi-trailer loaded with vehicles crashed west of North Platte last night, leading to damage in a cornfield but no injuries. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, a semi, driven by Dallas Tobey of North Platte, was headed east on Highway 30 about 3-4 miles west of town. Tobey reported that he was driving through heavy rain around 11 p.m. when his headlights malfunctioned. He attempted to repair them, while driving, leading to the accident. Tobey was not injured in the crash, but authorities estimate damage costs to be around $2,000.

Another person has been arrested in connection with the death of a North Platte woman. Jeffrey Dean Manary was taken into custody yesterday afternoon and charged with homicide and distribution of amphetamine. He and 40 year old Elizabeth Crawford are suspected in the death of 45 year old Esther M. Smith, also of North Platte, who was found unresponsive in the 2100 Block of West 14th Street on Wednesday afternoon. Smith was later pronounced dead at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. Both Manary and Crawford are being held in the Lincoln County Jail on $250,000 bonds.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – Workers are breaking up some concrete floors and pouring new ones to resolve drainage issues at the new Lincoln County jail in North Platte.
Jail inspector Kirk Nichols first warned contractors about the problems in May last year, when the floors originally were poured.  Nichols says the repairs being done now won’t cost the county anything.  He says the floors will have to be sloped more toward the drains. He says that in some areas, the drains were placed level with the surrounding floors. At other spots, the drains sit higher
than the floors.  Before the jail opened, the roof had to be replaced because of
leaks that had led to mold.

Lt. Rich Thompson from the North Platte Police Department reported that emergency personnel responded to the 2100 block of West 14th Street on August 3rd, 2011 at 3:24 p.m. in response to an unresponsive 45 year old female. The female, identified as Esther M. Smith, was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Following an investigation, North Platte Police arrested 40 year old Elizabeth Crawford for Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Manslaughter. Drugs are suspected in Smith’s death. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled for August 5th; the investigation continues.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A 29- year-old North Platte man has been given 18-to-36 months in prison for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl.  Sammie Lee pleaded no contest to sexual assault of a child after prosecutors lowered the charge.  Court records say Lee was arrested in January after a girl reported that Lee had touched her in a sexual manner.  During his sentencing on Monday, Lee was given credit for 169 days already served.

The North Platte Senior Center, a program of the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, has received a $30,000 grant award from the Walmart Foundation.  The grant money will be applied towards purchasing a new hot/cold delivery vehicle for the Home Delivered Meal Program.  The Senior Center will look to apply for additional grant funding to help support the remaining costs of the vehicle. A check presentation will take place on Wednesday, August 3rd at the Senior Center. For more information about the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, log on to www.communityactionmidne.com.

John Higgenbotham, owner and manager of Roger’s Fine Foods in North Platte, says the restaurant will close at the beginning of 2012.  Roger’s has been a mainstay of local dining for decades.  Nebraskaland National Bank has an agreement to purchase the property as well as the adjacent Timesaver location.   The bank is looking into possibly building another branch at the site.

(Scottsbluff, NE)- Investigator’s with the Nebraska State Patrol Troop E Headquarters-Scottsbluff have arrested a 39-year-old Bridgeport man on a charge of Enticement by Electronic Communication Device.  James L. Jay, 39, Bridgeport, was taken into custody without incident on Friday, July 29, following a week long investigation. During the investigation Jay engaged in electronic communications with an investigator posing as a 14-year-old female. As part of the investigation a search warrant was served on Jay’s Bridgeport home where investigators seized computers and other electronic devices. Jay was lodged in the Scotts Bluff County Jail.