North Platte (N.P.P.D.) – On Monday the 25th of June officers from the North Platte Police Department responded to the Little Monkeys Child Care, 3302 South Willow on the report of child abuse. Officers were told that allegedly the suspect, Amanda Hastings both struck and kicked her son the victim causing the child injury and pain. Following  the investigation officers had probable cause to arrest Hastings for Felony Child Abuse. Hastings was transported and jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Learn more about abuse and signs of abuse, so you can help stop events like this from happening.

Question from the North Platte Post: Have you or do you know someone who brought/brings their child to Little Monkeys Child Care?

North Platte (NORTH PLATTE POST)-   Many gathered today at the AB&T Regional Presidential Meeting taking place at the Rivers Edge Golf Club to take part in a presentation by AB&T CEO and Federal Reserve Board Member Todd Adams on Interest Rates and Economic Conditions. The presentation discussed unemployment rates on the rise, cause and effect of American Debt, Ethanol and other points of interest that impact the economy and overall Nebraska’s impressively low unemployment rate. 

During the  presentation Adams said ““In the month of May we created 69,000 New jobs” contributing to the lower unemployment rate. Nebraska and other Mid-Western states have Goods and Services such as Ethanol plants creating jobs and contributing to the growth of the over all economy.

Tuesday also marks the ground breaking of the new location of Nebraskaland Bank in North Platte between Jeffers and Dewey. The citizens, employees, owners and everyone in the community showed up at the new location to show their support for the new bank, featuring the designs of the new building that looks much like the current bank, but larger, and more modern.

Governor Dave Heineman made his presence. I asked him about the his thoughts about our current economy he said:

“The economy in Nebraska is doing very well, you have a new bank expanding, were at the ground breaking, that is a very positive sign. There are a lot of good things happening here in North Platte. We’ve modernized our economic incentive program in the state, we’ve lowered taxes, we balanced our budget by controlling spending, the end result is an unemployment rate that  is the marvel of the rest of the country  were at 3.9%  The 2^nd lowest in America. ”

Asked the question about what’s in the future for the economy he replied
 

“I want us to continue to focus on the future growing more jobs, the more jobs we have the more families will have the opportunity to be employed  and they can take care of  their families.  We have a lot of young people that are going to be graduating from a 2 year or 4 year college  they are going to be looking for jobs.” 

I had a chance to talk with President of Nebraskaland Bank Mike Jacobson, congratulating him on the new location. I asked him to share a few words and this is what he had to say

“It’s really been amazing, and it’s been a community effort. I never really dreamed 14 years ago when we opened the bank that we would grow to the size that we are. I knew we had to stay focused to our original mission to have local people making local decisions, and to have local ownership, and if we deliver great service and have great products and do the right thing then maybe we could grow.”

he said then continued:

“We take giving back to the community very seriously”  

After the Ground had been broken into, Nebraskaland Bank served a delicious steak sandwich with all the fixings. This is a great addition to North Platte that both Bankers and Political Leaders can agree.

North Platte-(CASA)       CASA of Lincoln County, is excited to announce the first SEVEN advocates, to be sworn in by the courts on Wednesday, June 27^th at 11:30am, with a picnic to follow.

The swearing in presentation will take place at 11:30am at County Courthouse.  Following, a swearing in celebration will take place beginning at approximately at 12noon at Memorial Park with a picnic provided by Nebraskaland National Bank.  These events are closed to the public, however open to the media, supporters of CASA and fellow CASA volunteers.   A picnic invite is attached.  If you would like to attend the swearing in ceremony at the courthouse, please contact Stephanie Miller at 520-0577 for specific information.

This is a huge milestone for this new organization, in its first year of conception.  In Spring of 2012, Executive Director Stephanie Miller was hired along with the completed filing of a 501(3) c non-profit organization status.  Since then, the group has been able to move forward and train the first set (of many) advocates. 

With over 100 kids in the court systems waiting for a CASA advocate, the hope is to continually add volunteers to help keep up with the need for advocates and to assist children in Lincoln County.   Each advocate that will be sworn in has completed nearly 40 hours of advocate training and will maintain and a training schedule annually.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

(NSP) During the early morning hours of June 26^th, 2012, a Deputy on a traffic stop in Brady observed an ATV being operated carelessly in the village.   The Deputy attempted to stop the ATV, a pursuit ensued.    The Deputy pursued the vehicle on the streets and alleys.   The rider eventually cut through a yard and struck a railroad tie crashing the ATV.

The driver ran from the Deputy, after a short foot pursuit was Tased and apprehended.  The male driver was identified as thirty three year old Chad Spurgin of Brady.     Mr. Spurgin advised he was injured from wrecking his ATV and was taken to Great Plains Regional Medical Center.   It was found his injuries were very minor.

Mr. Spurgin was charged with Stop Sign Violation, Careless Driving, Flight to Avoid Arrest, Obstruction of a Police Officer, Refusal to Provide a Chemical Test, and Driving Under the Influence.   Mr. Spurgin was incarcerated in the Lincoln County Detention Center.