NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – According to statute in a news release from the Lincoln County Treasurer’s Office, 1st half 2011 real estate and personal property taxes are delinquent on May 1st, 2012. Interest at the rate of 14% will accrue.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A Nebraska state trooper remains in a Kearney hospital after a collision west of Stratton in south-central Nebraska.
The Nebraska State Patrol says the trooper, 28-year-old Jeffrey Van Stelton, was listed in serious, but stable condition on Monday at Good Samaritan Hospital.
His vehicle collided with another on U.S Highway 34 about 2 a.m. Sunday.
The patrol says the driver of the other car, a 17-year-old who didn’t have a license, has been released from a hospital in Benkelman.
A passenger in the other car, Antonia Valdez, was taken to Good Samaritan as well. Hospital spokeswoman Marsha Wilkerson said Monday that Valdez is listed by the name of Antonia Lopez at the hospital and is in serious condition.
No citations, charges or arrests have been reported.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – The NOAA and FEMA have announced that April 22nd through 28th, 2012 is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. To increase awareness of the severe weather that affects us all, they have announced their Be a Force of Nature pledge campaign.
The following steps are just a few of the ways that you can be better prepared:

• Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
• Take Action: Be a Force of Nature by taking the pledge to prepare at Ready.gov. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes developing a family communications plan, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved. Visit Ready.gov/severeweather for more on family preparedness for severe weather.
• Be an Example: Once you have taken action and pledged, share your story with your family and friends. Create a YouTube video, post your story on Facebook, or send a tweet. Post the Be a Force of Nature widget on your social media profiles.

Here in west central Nebraska, we have already had our first few rounds of severe weather. By being better informed, you can make sure you and your family stay safe during the peak severe weather season ahead!

(North Platte, Neb.) – A Nebraska State Patrol trooper received serious injuries when his patrol unit was struck nearly head-on by an unlicensed 17-year old driver.
Just before 2:00 a.m., Sunday, April, 22, Trooper Jeffrey Van Stelton, 28, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 34, about four miles west of Stratton, in Hitchcock County when a 2008 Ford Fusion, crossed the center-line striking his 2010 Dodge Charger nearly head-on.
Trooper Van Stelton’s vehicle which suffered extensive front-end damage came to rest in the south ditch, before bursting into flames. The other vehicle came to rest on the Highway.
Trooper Van Stelton, was transported by ambulance to the McCook hospital, and then flown by medical helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney with injuries to his pelvis, legs and arm. He is listed in serious condition.
The 17-year old male driver of the other vehicle was transported by ambulance to the Benkelman hospital, where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. A 40-year old female passenger, identified as Antonia Valdez, was transported by ambulance to the McCook hospital, and was later flown by medical helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, with non-life threatening leg injuries.
The 17-year driver of the vehicle did not have a driver’s license. Both the driver and his passenger are believed to be from the Denver metro area.
A six-year veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol, Trooper Van Stelton is assigned to Troop D-North Platte and is stationed in McCook.

McCOOK, Neb. (AP) — Amended charges filed in the death of a 14-year-old McCook girl indicate she was sexually assaulted before her body was sent ablaze.

Twenty-year-old Stathis Kirkpatrick, of Bartley, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in the death of Kailee Clapp, whose burned body was found the evening of Jan. 21, 2011, in a Bartley cemetery. She had been reported missing that morning from her McCook home.

The amendment filed Tuesday in Red Willow County District Court indicates the killing was carried out in conjunction with a sex assault.

Kirkpatrick had originally been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial but the judge later found him competent. His attorneys have filed paperwork indicating they’ll pursue an insanity defense.