News – Page 89 – North Platte Post Archive

Woman suspected of arson in Beatrice fire that injured man

Posted on July 11, 2018

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities suspect a woman set a fire that damaged an apartment building in southeast Nebraska and injured a man.

Police arrested the woman Tuesday as firefighters put out the blaze at the brick, six-unit building that sits just east of the Gage County Courthouse in Beatrice.

The injured man was taken to Beatrice Community Hospital and then transferred to a Lincoln hospital. His name hasn’t been released.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of arson. Online court records don’t yet show that she’s been formally charged.

Man dies after Omaha motorcycle crash

Posted on July 9, 2018

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man died after his motorcycle crashed in Omaha.

The crash occurred around 6 a.m. Sunday. Police say the man lost control of his motorcycle after it struck a curb.

Police say the man was pronounced dead at Nebraska Medical Center. He’s been identified as 33-year-old Troy Minnifield, who lived in Omaha.

Couple dies after pickup hits tree near Seward college campus

Posted on July 9, 2018

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man and his wife died at hospitals after their pickup truck hit a tree in the eastern Nebraska city of Seward.

The crash occurred around 1:10 p.m. Friday near the Concordia College campus.

Seward police say it appears 80-year-old Richard Roth was driving when he had a medical problem before his pickup struck the tree.

Police say he and his 80-year-old wife, Eleanor, were taken to Seward Memorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead there. She died after being transferred to a Lincoln hospital.

The couple lived in Seward.

Man accused of shooting at officers gets 30 years in prison

Posted on July 9, 2018

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) — A man who led officers on a chase from eastern Nebraska into western Iowa has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on several Iowa charges.

Fremont County District Court records show 28-year-old William Stanfill III pleaded guilty July 2 to two counts of assault on an officer, eluding, criminal mischief and two weapons charges. Prosecutors dropped two counts of attempted murder in exchange for Stanfill’s pleas.

Authorities say Stanfill fired at officers while he and 37-year-old Jacqueline Streich were being chased April 25 in connection with a road rage shooting the day before in Bellevue, Nebraska. The chase ended with a crash near the Iowa-Missouri state line.

Streich’s trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 17.

2 kayakers rescued from fast river water in eastern Nebraska

Posted on July 9, 2018

BATTLE CREEK, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two kayakers were rescued from the high, fast water of the Elkhorn River in eastern Nebraska.

Personnel from the Battle Creek and Norfolk fire departments responded to a 911 call from one of the kayakers Sunday afternoon. Her companion had already tipped over and was hanging onto tree debris, and the caller couldn’t get her kayak away from the debris either.

The rescuers pulled the women to safety ashore before a rescue boat could be employed.

Their names haven’t been released.

Man faces charges in Nebraska, Iowa following police chase

Posted on July 8, 2018

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa man faces charges in Nebraska and Iowa after officials say he led officers on a high-speed chase and rammed two law enforcement vehicles.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the incident happened Friday evening when a trooper tried to stop a pickup truck being pursued by South Sioux City police. Officials say the truck rammed the trooper’s car, which had maneuvered in front of it, from behind before crossing into Iowa.

The trooper and a Dakota County Sheriff’s Office following the truck onto Interstate 29 before it went out of control and became stuck in a median. Officials say the truck then rammed both the trooper’s car and the sheriff’s SUV before the driver was arrested.

The patrol says 43-year-old Larry Johnson II, of Sioux City, in being held in an Iowa jail.

The officers were not seriously injured.

Central Nebraska cathedral to celebrate 90-year anniversary

Posted on July 8, 2018

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska cathedral is celebrating its 90 anniversary with readings, prayers and receptions.

St. Mary’s Cathedral will honor the anniversary of its building’s consecration at its Masses on Sunday.

The Rev. Jim Golka says ground was broken for the cathedral in 1926, and it was dedicated on July 5, 1928.

Golka says at least 200 historic items will be on display at the receptions. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the historic cathedral.

Nebraska county found not liable for inmate’s 2013 death

Posted on July 8, 2018

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska judge has ruled that Gage County was not liable for a jail inmate’s 2013 death.

A district court issued the decision in a negligence lawsuit filed by the estate of Chad Gesin. Gesin hanged himself in a jail cell in July 2013 after he was arrested for domestic assault and third-degree assault. A grand jury found no criminal conduct in his death.

The lawsuit alleged that county jail workers failed to properly care for Gesin while he was in custody and should have placed him on suicide watch. It sought $1 million in damages.

The lawsuit alleged that sheriff’s department officials had interacted with Gesin before, including in 2011, when he stabbed himself and had to be taken to a hospital.

Health alerts issued for Kirkman’s Cove, Maple Creek lakes

Posted on July 8, 2018

HUMBOLDT, Neb. (AP) — State health and environment officials have issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Kirkman’s Cove near Humboldt in the southeastern corner of Nebraska.

An alert has also been issued for Maple Creek Recreation Area Lake in Colfax County.

Officials said in a news release Friday that the alerts were issued following tests of the lakes’ water.
Skin exposed to the toxin from the algae can develop rashes and blisters. Someone who drinks water containing the toxin is at risk for headaches, nausea and muscular pain.

When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is warned to use caution and avoid exposure to the water.

Police: Man suspected of several rapes dating back years

Posted on July 8, 2018

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say they’ve arrested a 54-year-old man suspected of raping several women in Omaha dating back to 2006.

Robert Frazier, of Omaha, is charged with raping four women within a three-mile radius in northeastern Omaha. Frazier was arrested in and charged in April with assaulting a 43-year-old woman on April 1. Police say they believe Frazier also raped the same woman in 2011. Police then collected DNA from Frazier, leading them to charge him with the 2011 rape of a 57-year-old woman and the 2006 rape of a 45-year-old woman.

In May, a judge ruled that Frazier should be evaluated by the Lincoln Regional Center so officials can determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.
Frazier is being held without bond.