Police in western Nebraska are looking for a bakery bandit.
Gering police are investigating the Tuesday morning theft of 30 doughnuts, 27 rolls and a tub of ice cream from a freezer at the Gering Bakery.
The sugary items are valued at $55.
Category: Uncategorized
Minden City Council Discusses Options for Reddish-Tinged Water
(AP) — The Minden City Council is looking for ways to clarify the city’s reddish-tinged water.
City Administrator Matt Cederburg presented the council with a four-phase plan during a meeting earlier this week.
The first phase involves mapping city water and sewer mains at an estimated cost of $45,000. The second phase would establish a $527,386 water tower maintenance system over seven years. That would include cleaning the tower’s tank, painting the tower inside and out and installing mixers to prevent ice buildup.
The third phase would replace Minden’s 47,200 feet of 4-inch water mains, including valves and hydrants, by 2015 for $6.3 to $6.5 million.
The final phase includes the gradual replacement of 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch mains over the next 20 years.
TD Ameritrade Park Wins Nebraska Court Appeal
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The manager of TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha has won a court appeal that could help it attract a new professional baseball team.
The Nebraska Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority did not violate a contract with a company that was working to bring a team to the park. The relationship with Fast Ball Sports LLC fell apart, and the company filed a lawsuit against the ballpark managers.
The decision upheld a Douglas County judge’s ruling, but it can still be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. The decision lifts one obstacle in the park manager’s effort to bring a different professional team to the park.
Salute to the Troops
As we prepare to celebrate the independence of our great country, let us not forget the men and women who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to make it all possible. Please take a moment to post a comment and express your thanks to the men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect the rights and freedoms, that make us proud to call the United States of America home…
Big Ten Enjoys Successful Spring Sports Season
Park Ridge, Ill. – Big Ten schools enjoyed considerable success during the spring sport season highlighted by a national team championship in rowing (Ohio State). Conference teams won numerous individual titles, including rowing (Ohio State’s first varsity four and second varsity eight), men’s tennis (Ohio State’s Blaz Rola) and men’s and women’s track & field (Indiana’s Derek Drouin and Illinois’ Ashley Spencer). The spring season also featured runner-up finishes in men’s golf (Illinois), a third-place effort in women’s golf (Purdue), semifinalists in men’s tennis (Ohio State) and women’s lacrosse (Northwestern), a baseball team advancing to the College World Series (Indiana) and two softball squads in the Women’s College World Series (Michigan and Nebraska).
Overall during the 2012-13 academic year, six Big Ten schools combined for seven team national championships (Indiana men’s soccer, Michigan men’s gymnastics and men’s swimming & diving, Minnesota women’s ice hockey, Nebraska bowling, Ohio State rowing and Penn State wrestling), along with four runner-up finishes (Illinois men’s golf, Michigan men’s basketball, Penn State women’s soccer and Wisconsin men’s cross country). Conference schools have claimed at least six national titles in each of the last five academic years and this season’s seven crowns are the second-most in a single season. In addition to the team success, Big Ten institutions combined for 27 individual national titles and 27 individual runner-up finishes. Forty-six student-athletes were named Academic All-America during the 2012-13 year, bringing the Big Ten’s total to over 1,450 honorees, more than any other conference.
The Indiana baseball team advanced to the College World Series (CWS), becoming the first Big Ten squad to advance to the season-ending event since Michigan in 1984. The Big Ten Champion Hoosiers completed a two-game sweep of Florida State in the Tallahassee Super Regional to move on to the CWS. Illinois also competed in the NCAA Championship, its second appearance in the event in the last three seasons. Illinois’ Justin Parr and Indiana’s Kyle Schwarber were both named to multiple All-America teams, while Minnesota’s Troy Larson earned Academic All-America honors.
The Illinois men’s golf team placed second at the NCAA Championships, the highest finish in program history and the highest finish by a northern school since Minnesota won the national title in 2002. The Illini advanced to the NCAA Championship after defeating No. 1 seed California and No. 4 seed Texas in the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively, of match play competition. In addition to Illinois, three other conference schools participated in regional competition, including Indiana, Iowa and Northwestern, and three individuals from Michigan State, Minnesota and Purdue were named to the field. Big Ten Player of the Year Thomas Pieters and Charlie Danielson of Illinois and Jack Perry of Northwestern claimed All-America honors.
The 2013 women’s golf season was highlighted by two top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, as Purdue placed third and Michigan State finished ninth. The Boilermakers’ Paula Reto placed third individually, while the Spartans’ Christine Meier finished tied for sixth. Reto and Big Ten Player of the Year Caroline Powers of Michigan State were named to WGCA All-America teams. Powers was also tabbed an Academic All-America selection. As a team, Northwestern and Wisconsin also participated in the national championship round.
The No. 1 Ohio State rowing team made program history, claiming its first national team title after earning first-place finishes in the first varsity four and second varsity eight and a third-place finish in the first varsity eight. The first varsity four, made up of Taylore Urban, Sara Handa, Chloe Meyer, Aina Cid-Centelles and coxswain Dara Schnoll, won its second consecutive national crown, while the second varsity eight crew of Daphne Socha, Katie Beletskaya, Silvia DeMatteis, Stephanie Johnson, Nicole Becks, Lauren Eckles, Samantha Fowle, Catherine Shields and coxswain Amanda Poll closed out the season with a perfect 12-0 record. The Buckeyes are the first Big Ten team to win a national team title in rowing. Michigan and Wisconsin also competed in the national meet, each sending boats to the final day of competition.
Four conference squads participated in the NCAA Softball Championship, the most since 2009, as Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin were selected to the field. The Big Ten Champion Wolverines and Huskers advanced to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), marking the first time since 2001 that two Big Ten teams appeared in the event. Five conference softball standouts were named NFCA Division I All-Americans, as Penn State’s Cassidy Bell was tabbed a first-team honoree, Michigan’s Sierra Romero and Nebraska’s Tatum Edwards garnered second-team All-America accolades and Michigan’s Ashley Lane and Minnesota’s Kaitlyn Richardson earned third-team laurels. Additionally, the Huskers’ Taylor Edwards was named to the 2013 WCWS All-Tournament Team and Richardson, Northwestern’s Marisa Bast and Purdue’s Andie Varsho earned Academic All-America recognition.
On the tennis court, Ohio State’s Blaz Rola won the NCAA Singles Championship after defeating Virginia’s Jarmere Jenkins, 7-6 (8), 6-4, to claim the crown. The senior is the first Big Ten student-athlete to win the national singles title since Illinois’ Amer Delic in 2003. Rola led the Big Ten Champion Buckeyes to the national semifinals and a 35-3 overall record. In addition to Ohio State, five other conference squads were selected to the NCAA Championships – Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota and Northwestern. Five Big Ten singles players and three conference doubles pairs competed in the national tournament. Off the court, Illinois’ Bruno Abdelnour and Iowa’s Garret Dunn were named Academic All-Americans.
Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern and Purdue represented the Big Ten at the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championships, marking the third time in the last four years the conference boasted at least five teams in the tournament. The Wolverines, Huskers and Wildcats each advanced to the Round of 16 in the competition. In singles play, four Big Ten student-athletes participated in the NCAA tournament, including Nebraska’s Mary Weatherholt, who advanced to the national title match. Additionally, six conference doubles pairs were selected to the national field.
The conference was well-represented at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as 130 student-athletes from every Big Ten men’s and women’s team competed at the national meet. On the men’s side, Indiana’s Derek Drouin won his fifth national title in the high jump, becoming the first person in NCAA history to win the high jump crown five times. Nebraska’s Chad Wright and Penn State’s Casimir Loxsom placed second in the discus and 800-meter dash, respectively, while Ohio State’s Mike Hartfield was third in the long jump and Purdue’s Geoff Davis finished third in the high jump. On the women’s side, Illinois’ Ashley Spencer defended her national title in the 400-meter dash with a new collegiate best time of 50.28. Michigan State’s Beth Rohl recorded her highest national finish in the discus, placing third in the event. Overall, 44 Big Ten student-athletes earned first-team All-America recognition and 13 student-athletes claimed Academic All-America honors, including Indiana’s Andy Bayer, who won the Academic All-America of the Year award for Division I men’s track & field and cross country. Illinois’ Marissa Golliday and Brandon Stryganek, Iowa’s Mareike Schrulle, Michigan’s Rebecca Addison, Jack Greenlee and Jillian Smith, Minnesota’s Quentin Mege, Nebraska’s Bjorn Barrefors, Mara Griva and Morgan Wilken, Penn State’s Robby Creese and Wisconsin’s Elliot Krause also earned Academic All-America laurels.
Two men’s and two women’s lacrosse teams from Big Ten institutions were selected to their respective NCAA Championships. Ohio State and Penn State participated in the field on the men’s side, as the Buckeyes advanced to the quarterfinals. On the women’s side, Northwestern was a national semifinalist and Penn State played in the quarterfinals. Nine student-athletes from conference institutions were named All-America: Northwestern’s Bridget Bianco, Erin Fitzgerald, Gabby Flibotte and Taylor Thornton, Ohio State’s Logan Schuss and Penn State’s Katie Guy, Austin Kaut, Kelly Lechner and Maggie McCormick. The Nittany Lions’ Tatum Coffey was tabbed Academic All-America.
Below is a complete list of the national titles won by Big Ten institutions and student-athletes during the 2012-13 academic year.
Team
Indiana men’s soccer
Michigan men’s gymnastics
Michigan men’s swimming & diving
Minnesota women’s ice hockey
Nebraska bowling
Ohio State rowing
Penn State wrestling
Individual
Rebecca Addison, Michigan State indoor track & field
Nicole Becks, Ohio State rowing
Katie Beletskaya, Ohio State rowing
Marco Canevari, Ohio State fencing
Aina Cid-Centelles, Ohio State rowing
Jesse Delgado, Illinois wrestling
Silvia DeMatteis, Ohio State rowing
Derek Drouin, Indiana indoor/outdoor track & field
Amanda Eccleston, Michigan State indoor track & field
Lauren Eckles, Ohio State rowing
Sean Fletcher, Michigan men’s swimming & diving
Samantha Fowle, Ohio State rowing
Sara Handa, Ohio State rowing
Fred Hartville, Illinois men’s gymnastics
Trevor Howard, Penn State men’s gymnastics
Connor Jaeger, Michigan men’s swimming & diving
Stephanie Johnson, Ohio State rowing
Maya Long, Michigan State indoor track & field
Casey Matthews, Purdue women’s swimming & diving
Chloe Meyer, Ohio State rowing
Kristi Mickelson, Nebraska bowling
Sam Mikulak, Michigan men’s gymnastics
Tony Nelson, Minnesota wrestling
Michael Newburger, Ohio State men’s gymnastics
Bruno Ortiz, Michigan men’s swimming & diving
Miguel Ortiz, Michigan men’s swimming & diving
Amanda Poll, Ohio State rowing
Blaz Rola, Ohio State men’s tennis
Ed Ruth, Penn State wrestling
Joanna Sampson, Michigan women’s gymnastics
Dara Schnoll, Ohio State rowing
Catherine Shields, Ohio State rowing
Jillian Smith, Michigan State indoor track & field
Daphne Socha, Ohio State rowing
Ashley Spencer, Illinois outdoor track & field
Derek St. John, Iowa wrestling
Logan Stieber, Ohio State wrestling
Andrew Teduits, Wisconsin men’s swimming & diving
Zach Turk, Michigan men’s swimming & diving
Taylore Urban, Ohio State rowing
Quentin Wright, Penn State wrestling
NP Weather June 28
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North northeast wind 5 to 11 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. North northeast wind 5 to 13 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. North northeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light northeast after midnight.
Visitors to Lake McConaughy Reminded to Share the Sand with Terns and Plovers
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area’s (SRA) visitors are being reminded to give interior least terns and piping plovers their space as beaches will become crowded over the upcoming holiday weekends.
“It is a critical period for these birds because not only are some pairs still on nests, but other pairs are tending to broods,” said Colby Johnson, Lake McConaughy Park Superintendent. “Park visitors can help protect the birds and ensure that we can strike the right balance between human recreation and endangered species conservation.”
Visitors are asked to follow these steps:
— Do not enter marked or fenced-off nesting areas.
— When possible, stay clear of areas clearly marked for the birds
— Obey all signs.
— Keep all pets on leashes.
In addition to the above, visitors are reminded that all-terrain vehicles are not allowed on Lake McConaughy’s beaches. With stepped-up enforcement occurring over the holiday period, violators should be aware of the increased possibility of being cited.
Interior least terns and piping plovers are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and the Nebraska Nongame and Endangered Species Act. Persons killing, harming, disturbing or harassing these birds, or allowing their pets to do so, can be prosecuted under the law. Maximum penalties are up to a $100,000 fine and up to one year in jail or both. “The recreational opportunities we’ll be able to provide at Lake McConaughy will be linked to our collective capacity to avoid conflicts between birds and recreation,” Johnson added.
Piping plovers and interior least terns nest together on expanses of bare or sparsely vegetated sand near water. Nests blend in perfectly; the eggs appear not much more than small rocks and both species’ tiny chicks are similarly camouflaged and vulnerable, a problem when prime nesting habitat is also attractive to people for recreation.
Lake McConaughy is one of the state’s most important nesting areas for Piping Plovers. The number of nesting pairs is variable, ranging from a couple dozen to a couple hundred. The number of nesting pairs is linked to the amount of available habitat. Only a small number of Interior Least Terns nest annually at Lake McConaughy. The nesting season for both species extends from mid-April to mid-August. Efforts to protect the birds are led by the lake’s Owner, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.
Lake McConaughy SRA is a popular Nebraska recreation destination for beach-goers, campers, anglers and boaters. The park was visited by over one million people last year.
Massive Colorado Wildfire Likely to Destroy Mountain Town
A massive wildfire is headed toward a Colorado mountain town, and fire managers say the chances of saving it are slim.
The tourist town of South Fork was evacuated Friday morning as the 47-square-mile acre West Fork Fire moved closer. Wildland firefighters were teaming up with local firefighters to try to save the town, which is surrounded by forest.
Fire spokesman Penny Bertram says officials rate the chances of saving the town of about 400 full-time residents as “low to moderate.”
Bertram says the hot, dry and windy weather along with large stands of beetle-killed trees are causing extreme fire behavior. While most fires actively burn four hours a day, this one is burning for 12.
The fictional Griswold family camped in South Fork in 1983’s “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
Officials say 12 wildfires are now burning in Colorado.
Supreme Court Denies Nebraska Man’s Bid for Release from Prison
(AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has rejected a motion by a convict who argues that he should be released from prison because his trial attorney was practicing on a suspended law license.
Patrick Vanderpool was convicted in 2010 of attempted first-degree sexual assault and sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
Vanderpool’s trial attorney was David Walocha, who was disbarred in March 2012 for working as a lawyer for nearly a decade without a valid license. Two months later, Walocha was sentenced to 30 days in jail for the offense.
When Vanderpool learned of Walocha’s suspension, he sought post-conviction relief, claiming ineffective counsel.
On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court found that Walocha’s suspension solely for nonpayment of dues did not equate to inadequate representation.
Oglala Sioux Tribal President Vows to Continue Fight Against Alcohol
(AP) — The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota says his recent arrest during a protest against alcohol sales in the Nebraska border town of Whiteclay won’t deter him from voicing his disapproval of the possibility of allowing alcohol on the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Bryan Brewer was arrested Monday during a protest in Whiteclay on an outstanding warrant for writing a bad check.
Brewer says he hopes his arrest will encourage tribal members to talk about an upcoming referendum vote and its possible effects on the reservation. The tribal council earlier this month approved a public referendum on whether to legalize alcohol on the reservation.
Brewer says tribal members need “to take a hard look at what alcohol has done and is doing to our community.”