Investigator Monte McNeil from the North Platte Police Department has been chosen by the Nebraska Coalition for Victims of Crime to receive this year’s Allied Professional Award for his outstanding service in working with crime victims. The Allied Professional Award recognizes an outstanding individual or organization whose exemplary performance has had a significant impact on the rights of victims. Investigator McNeil was credited by the Coalition for his patience and professional manner when working with crime victims, and for his ability to create a supportive environment for victims, especially when children are involved.
Category: News
ELECTION 2012: Primary Results
The headline from yesterday’s Lincoln County Primary elections was Dwight Livingston defeating incumbent Marc Kaschke in the mayoral race. Livingston edged out Kaschke by less than 200 votes, with Jerry Stoll a distant third. In the city council races, Joshua Welden and Brook Baker advanced in the race for the Ward 1 seat, and Glenn E. Peterson and Barb Keller were the top two votegetters in the Ward 2 race. Longtime county commissioner Joe Hewgley easily defeated Bob Peterson in their primary battle, so Hewgley will run unopposed in the general election for the seat that he’s held for the last 26 years. In Sutherland, residents soundly defeated two amendments that would have imposed a village sales tax.
In a stunning upset, state senator Deb Fischer of Valentine defeated heavily favored Jon Bruning to win the republican senatorial primary last night. Fischer surged late in the polls and defeated the Attorney General by just over 10,000 votes. Fischer will face former Senator Bob Kerrey, who cruised to victory in the Democratic primary, in November’s general election.
Full Lincoln County Primary results can be viewed HERE.
NSP: Two separate traffic stops.. Two large drug busts…
From Deb Collins / NSP
Just after 11: 00 a.m., Saturday, May 12, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2004 Chevy minivan for failure to signal on Interstate 80 in Buffalo County, near the Elm Creek interchange. The trooper was given consent to search the vehicle. The search led to the seizure of 34.2 lbs of marijuana. The marijuana was located in two hidden compartments in the roof of the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, Juan J. Moreno, 29, Hanover Park, IL, and a passenger in the vehicle, Jorge Gomez, 28, Lyons, IL, were both lodged in the Buffalo County Jail, each on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
Just before 6:00 a.m., Friday, May 11, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2005 Lexus ES 330 for failure to signal, four miles east of Syracuse on Highway 2. The trooper was given consent to search the vehicle. The search led to the seizure of 4.8 lbs of cocaine. The drugs were located in a compartment under the rear-seat of the vehicle.
The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, Juan Miguel Mendez Velazquez, 35, Tijuana, Mexico was lodge in the Otoe County Jail on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver
Lincoln City Council Approves ‘Fairness Amendment’
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lincoln City Council has voted in favor of a measure that protects gay and transgendered people from discrimination. Council members approved the measure with 5-0 vote. The newspaper says council members Adam Hornung and John Camp abstained from voting, citing different legal opinions on the city’s authority to pass such a measure. At least 200 people showed up for a May 7 public hearing on the proposal, which supporters have labeled the fairness amendment. Ninety-nine people signed up to speak. The measure legally protects people from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations in Lincoln based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Trial Reset in Panhandle Vehicular Homicide
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Trial is reset for a Nebraska Panhandle man charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter in the death of his passenger who officials say stuck his head out the window and a hit a road sign. The bench trial of 19-year-old Bryan Bloom, of Henry, which had been set for later this month, is now scheduled for June. Authorities say Bloom was driving a van to Torrington, Wyo., in June 2011 when his passenger, 18-year-old Johrdan Stone, was killed. Bloom told police he didn’t know Scott had been hurt until they arrived at a home in Torrington. Stone died of neck and head injuries. Officials say Bloom was driving drunk. Court documents show Stone also had been drinking.
Ceremony in Grand Island honors Fallen Officers
(GRAND ISLAND, NE) Deb Collins / NSP Public Information Coordinator
Family, friends, fellow officers, and the public gathered at the Memorial to pay tribute to the fallen and to recognize the service and sacrifice of all law enforcement officers.
State and local dignitaries were on hand to pay their respects. Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy provided opening remarks. Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican was the keynote speaker. Chief Justice Heavican was Lancaster County Attorney in 1987 when Lancaster County Deputy Sheriff Craig Dodge, was killed in the line of duty. 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of Deputy Dodge’s death. Remarks were also provided by Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner.
The ceremony included the addition of two names to the Memorial. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy William Johnson died of a heart attack in March 1959, while transporting a prisoner. U.S. Park Police Officer Julie A. Weir was killed in a car crash near Kearney in February 2011. Officer Weir was moving to a new duty station at the time of the crash. There are now 134 officers whose names are engraved on the Memorial’s granite panels.
The Nebraska ceremony was held as part of National Police Week May 13-19, 2012. Dedicated during National Police Week in 2009, the $400,000 Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial was paid for through the generosity of private donations. For more information on the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial and how you can contribute to its upkeep, visit the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Committee website at < http://www.nememorial.org >
WEATHER: A nice warm week ahead!
7-DAY FORECAST
- Today Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 5 to 7 mph.
- Tonight Clear, with a low around 44. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the evening.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 48. East northeast wind around 8 mph.
- Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
- Wednesday Night A slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday A slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 90.
Man in Kearney Co. trying to lure kids to his vehicle
MINDEN, Neb. (AP) — Parents in Kearney County are being warned of a man trying to lure children into his vehicle.
A joint letter issued Thursday by guidance counselors at Hildreth-Wilcox Public Schools and Axtell Community School warns parents of recent reports of a suspicious man trying to lure children. The incidents were reported within a 30-mile radius of the public schools.
The letter, obtained by a local TV station urges parents to talk to their children about “stranger danger.”
The Kearney County sheriff’s office says it expects to release information on the incidents this week.
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Information from: http://www.nebraska.tv
Get your State Fair tickets online!
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Gate admission and other tickets are available online from the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.
Among the current offerings are tickets to motor sports and draft horse events. People also can buy preferred parking online.
Tickets can be obtained by going to StateFair.org and clicking on “Buy Tickets Online.”
This year’s fair runs Aug. 24-Sept. 3.
TUESDAY: Peace Officers’ Memorial Day
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman is reminding Nebraska residents to fly their flags at half-staff on Peace Officers’ Memorial Day on Tuesday, a day set aside to honor fallen peace officers.
President Barack Obama is expected to sign a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide.
In 1994, a federal law was enacted encouraging the American flag to be lowered to half-staff every May 15 in remembrance of the more than 19,000 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
In Nebraska, 134 officers have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1866. They include federal, state, county, municipal and tribal agency officers, as well as railroad, game and parks and correctional officers.