LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The three remaining Nebraska tribes have filed lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of opioid painkillers.

The Winnebago Tribe, Omaha Tribe and Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska filed lawsuits Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha. The Ponca Tribe and Knox County filed a lawsuit April 25.
Their attorney, Dave Domina, has said the companies misled medical professionals and misrepresented the dangers and addictive risks of their drugs.

More than 400 cities and counties across the country have sued drugmakers and distributors for costs associated with the addiction crisis. In March a U.S. Senate committee was told that Native Americans and Alaska Natives saw a fivefold increase in overdose deaths between 1999 and 2015.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A major professors association has criticized the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for its handling of a confrontation between a university lecturer and a student recruiting for a conservative group.

The American Association of University Professors said in a report issued Thursday that the university succumbed to political pressure in suspending lecturer Courtney Lawton and later barring her from teaching there.

Officials say Lawton made an inappropriate hand gesture at second-year student Kaitlyn Mullen, who was recruiting last August for Turning Point USA. Lawton also called Mullen a “neo-fascist.”

University Chancellor Ronnie Green says he disagrees with the association report.

An AAUP committee in June could recommend censure to an AAUP national council at the group’s annual meeting. A vote on the recommendation could follow.

Children have long enjoyed exploring nature at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, whether by hiking the trails of the 1,000-plus-acre park or by viewing the interactive displays of its Nature Center. Now there is a new program to guide their exploration and make it official.

This month, on Free Park Entry and Fishing Day on May 19, the Nature Center will begin awarding badges and certificates to children who complete its new Junior Explorer program. The program will be available on an ongoing basis after that.

Amanda Filipi, the outdoor education specialist who is based at the Nature Center, worked with members of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s communications division to create, design and print a 16-page full-color book with activities for children ages 4 and up. In addition to traditional activities, such as a word search and maze, the program has activities that require children to find and study natural features, such as animal tracks and plants.

A Watchable Wildlife Grant, made possible by donations to the state’s Wildlife Conservation Fund, funded the project.

 “Here at the Wildcat Hills we’re always looking for ways to help kids gain an appreciation for nature and the region’s history,” she said. “We’re sure the kids will enjoy completing the activities and getting a little recognition for it. We’re excited to get it started.”

Filipi said the activities are intended to relate specifically to the Wildcat Hills, highlighting the region’s history, wildlife, paleontology, flora and geology. For instance, there is content devoted to topics such as bighorn sheep, the ancient fossils that have been unearthed nearby, the park’s Great Depression-era stone shelters and the rare-to-Nebraska mountain mahogany tree.

“And, we have a section on the bees. Here at the Wildcat Hills we always have to have something for the bees since we have an active bee hive at the building,” she said.

Filipi said this is the first Junior Explorer Program at a Game and Parks Commission attraction, but hopes to see it added to other parks in coming years.

The Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area is located in the rugged terrain 10 miles south of Gering along Nebraska Highway 71. The books are available at the Nature Center’s front desk.

On Thursday, Governor Pete Ricketts, Colonel John Bolduc, and others will recognize the outstanding efforts by law enforcement, city officials, community volunteers, and many more to rescue and care for more than 100 motorists who were stranded on Interstate 80 during a blizzard on April 13-14.

Governor Ricketts, Colonel Bolduc, State Senator Steve Erdman, Sheriff John Jenson, and Sidney City Councilman Bob Olsen will make remarks and conduct a presentation of awards. This event is open to the public.

The event will take place at Sidney High School, located at 1110 19^th Ave., Sidney, NE 69162. The presentations will begin at 2:15 p.m. MT on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Following the event, the Nebraska State Patrol will make video and images available to media unable to attend.

According to Dawes County Attorney and Coroner Vance Haug, “On Saturday, May 5th, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Chadron Police officers and the Dawes County Coroner were dispatched to investigate the unattended death of 3 year old Damion Neidert.”

“After an investigation of the scene, interviews of witnesses and medical professionals, an autopsy, additional testing, and consultation with  Dr. Tom Safranek, State Epidemiologist at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, the preliminary cause of death is believed to be Myocarditis. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle generally caused by a viral or bacterial condition.”  

“Additional testing has been ordered to assist in the determination of the specific cause of this condition.”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is set to visit Nebraska next week to hear from local farmers, ranchers and others who work in agriculture.

Perdue will meet with Gov. Pete Ricketts in Alliance on Monday for a tour of Ackerman Ag Service and Supply, a local business.

Perdue’s tour will last through Thursday and also include stops in New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.

The trip is Perdue’s fourth “Back to our Roots” tour since taking office just over a year ago. On his first tour last year, he visited Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.

BROADWATER, Neb. (AP) — Property owners have been clearing away debris and making repairs on buildings damaged by what’s been described as a tornado in the Nebraska Panhandle.

The twister was reported around 5:20 p.m. Thursday near Broadwater. The National Weather Service says people and emergency personnel have reported power lines and trees down and outbuildings and roofs damaged. No injuries have been reported.

Straight-line winds also are suspected of blowing over a semitrailer in Alden.

Another tornado was reported around 9 p.m. about 7 miles (12 kilometers) north of Wallace. And egg-size hail was reported near Ogallala and Lewellen.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested two people and seized 263 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 80.

The stop occurred Wednesday, May 9, at approximately 4:50 p.m. at mile marker 403 in Lincoln. An NSP trooper observed an eastbound Ford F250 flatbed pickup following too closely to the vehicle in front of it.

During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from the bed of the truck. A search was conducted, revealing sealed packages containing 263 pounds of marijuana hidden inside a large compartment in the flatbed. There was also .6 pounds of butane hash oil in the compartment. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $657,000.

The driver, Courtney Passiglia, 35, of Columbia, Missouri, and passenger, James Conry, 39, of Brookfield, Illinois, were both arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Both were lodged in Lancaster County Jail.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol found more than $11,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency during a traffic stop in Cedar County.

The traffic stop occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, when a trooper clocked a 2014 Chrysler minivan traveling at 99 miles per hour in a 60 miles per hour zone on Highway 20 near the Cedar/Dixon county line.

Upon stopping the vehicle, the trooper discovered that the driver, Robert Nixon, 42, of Cleveland, Ohio, was driving under suspension. Nixon was arrested and troopers conducted a search of the vehicle. The search uncovered $11,450 in cash, which was determined by the United States Secret Service to be counterfeit. The Dixon County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in this effort.

Nixon has been lodged in Cedar County Jail and the investigation is ongoing.

Two people were arrested and multiple narcotics were seized this morning in Crawford by the WING (Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group) Task Force.

Troopers and Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team executed a search warrant at the address of 3591 Highway 20 in Crawford. The Dawes County Sheriff’s Office and Crawford Fire Department assisted in the operation.

During the search, investigators located approximately ten grams of heroin, one half ounce of cocaine, several grams of hash, and hash extraction equipment. A hash extraction tube loaded with pressurized butane was rendered safe with the assistance of the Crawford Fire Department.

James Brady, 44, and Shane Nedella, 42, both of Crawford were arrested on multiple drug-related charges. Both were lodged in Dawes County Jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska campaign organizers and political parties have shifted strategies to meet the rising number of early voters ahead of this month’s primary election.

About 44,000 Nebraska residents as of Tuesday voted early for the May 15 election. About 38,000 of the voters submitted ballots by mail and about 6,000 voted in person at a county election office, according to state figures.

Campaigns are spending more of their budgets on consultants to identify and motivate early voters, said Paul Landow, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Organizers often use public records from the Nebraska secretary of state’s office to find early voters, Landow said. Campaigns can use phone calls, home visits and direct mail to reach those who wait to return an early ballot, he said.
Political parties are trying to boost early voting and reach nonpartisan voters who may be open to their candidates, said Kenny Zoeller, executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party.

Young voters increasingly tend to vote early because of convenience, said John Hibbing, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Older voters in Douglas County were more likely to vote early, according to the newspaper’s analysis of data from the latest presidential election and gubernatorial primary. But the average age of early voters dropped from 65 years old in the 2014 primary to 54 in the 2016 general election.

Female early voters in the county also outnumbered males in both races, according to the newspaper’s findings.
Whitney Coriolan, 23, picked up an early ballot when she recently registered to vote in Douglas County.
“I’ve just graduated college,” Coriolan said. “This is my first year as an adult, and this is a way to make sure it gets done and that I have enough time to think and research who I’m going to choose.”

Voters can still pick up a ballot and vote early in person through Monday, or return the ballot by mail before polls close May 15.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court says the case of a boy who shot at Douglas County deputies will remain in juvenile court.

Tyler Pitzl was initially charged as an adult with five felonies, including attempted murder, after the Sept. 3 incident. He is now 18 but was 17 at the time police say he shot at two deputies at his parent’s home. One deputy was shot in the hand and forearm.

Douglas County District Judge Marlon Polk ruled in November that Pitzl would be better rehabilitated in juvenile court. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine appealed and law enforcement unions opposed moving the case to juvenile court.

Pitzl’s attorney contended he suffered a brain injury at a football game the night before the shooting and was drunk at the time.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police and other law enforcement agencies have been filling their cruiser fleets with bigger, more comfortable sport utility vehicles instead of purchasing more four-door sedans.

Omaha City Council approved the purchase of 40 Ford Explorer police utility vehicles in February for about $1.1 million. Another $1.3 million was approved to install lights, lockers and other equipment.

The vehicles should be on the streets in the fall, said Omaha Police Capt. Edward Reyes. Officials hope to phase out the roughly 150 remaining Chevrolet Caprice patrol vehicles when they become too much to maintain and run.
Officers have a better vantage point in the SUVs and the cars have more room for equipment, said Sgt. Justin Smith.
“Getting in and out of an SUV, it’s a little bit higher up and better on your back than a low-sitting sedan,” Smith said.
Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Offices have fleets that are primarily utility vehicles.

Sarpy County began purchasing the utility vehicles in 2013, said Chief Deputy Greg London.
“Our deputies love them because they’re just more practical,” London said.

Despite the many advantages of the larger vehicles, departments across the U.S. took Explorers out of service last year after reports of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide building up in passenger compartments. The installation of police equipment may have left holes in the vehicle that weren’t property sealed and caused the leaks, Ford said.
Ford recalled Explorers to replace exhaust tips and reseal interior panels. While Sarpy’s vehicles have been repaired, the department has installed carbon monoxide detectors in the vehicles as a precaution, said George Funderburk, Sarpy County fleet manager

Douglas County has also installed carbon monoxide monitors in their Explorers, but Omaha police have not.
Omaha’s vehicles are outfitted in a way that means no leakage will occur, Reyes said.

Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s  Sergeant Jeff Chitwood has been promoted to the rank of Patrol Lieutenant.  He assumes his new duties on May 21, 2018. Sergeant Chitwood replaces Lieutenant Rick Spencer, who retired earlier this year.  Sergeant Chitwood was one of five applicants within the department that went through testing conducted by the Scotts Bluff County Merit Commission.

Sergeant Chitwood began his law enforcement career as a Corrections Officer in 1993.  In 1995, he became a Scotts Bluff County Deputy Sheriff. He served as a road patrol Deputy, and a WING Task Force investigator prior to his promotion to road patrol Sergeant in 2006.  Sergeant Chitwood has extensive training and experience and has served as a guest instructor at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center on several occasions.

Sergeant Chitwood is a 2017-2018 graduate of Leadership Scotts Bluff.  He is an active volunteer with his church, and in coaching and mentoring high school athletes.  

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has ruled competent for trial a man accused of abducting an 8-year-old Lincoln girl from her home and raping her in his garage.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that 22-year-old Cody Riddle has undergone more than two years of treatment at a state psychiatric hospital. Judge Darla Ideus ruled Thursday that Riddle now has the capacity to understand his case and help his lawyer defend him.

He’s charged with kidnapping, sexual assault of a child and burglary. Police say he went to the girl’s home early on Aug. 27, 2015, to steal items. Police say he entered through an open garage, found the girl, took her to his home, where he assaulted her and threatened her.

Prosecutors say he let her go and was arrested later that day.

The public is invited to participate in the Scotts Bluff County Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics. Runner registration begins at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at the Scotts Bluff National Monument parking lot. The registration fee is $15 and each runner receives a t-shirt. Non-runner t-shirts will be available at $12 for short sleeve and $20 for long sleeve. Runners and bicyclists leave the Monument at 5:30 and run to Legion Park in Gering.

The route is 2.3 miles. This is not a race and all participants will have to stay behind the torch. The event concludes with a picnic hosted by Runza, Special Olympics families and other local sponsors.
The Torch Run, like the Polar Plunge, calls attention to the efforts of Special Olympians and raises money for their events. The mission of Special Olympics Nebraska is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic–type sports for special children and adults, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

The Scotts Bluff County Torch Run is just one of many local events that are held across the state. Hundreds of law enforcement officers are expected to participate in the LETR. The Nebraska Special Olympics State Games take place annually in Omaha. This year they begin on May 16th through the 19th. Approximately 100 local athletes are expected to attend.

Further information is available on the state Special Olympics site, www.sone.org, or by contacting any committee member.

STANTON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 22-year-old passenger died after a vehicle crashed off a road in northeast Nebraska.

The crash occurred around 9:15 p.m. Saturday, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) east of Stanton. Authorities say 23-year-old Tucker Lanz was driving east when his vehicle crossed into a ditch on the north side of the road, hit a power pole and rolled onto its top.

Lanz and his passenger were ejected. Lanz was taken to a Norfolk hospital before being transferred to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

His passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been identified as Hunter Hetzler, who lived in Stanton.

According to Alliance Police Lt. Jake Henion, “The motor vehicle crash at 7^th and Mississippi Ave. involved two vehicles.  The Alliance Fire Department and Alliance Police Department were dispatched to the scene.  No one was transported to the hospital.”

“The motor vehicle crash at Highway 385 and Kansas Street involved two vehicles.  The Alliance Fire Department and Alliance Police Department were dispatched to the scene.  One patient was transported to Box Butte General Hospital.  The Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control until the roadway could be cleared of debris.”

CHADRON – Chadron State College has announced the names of 570 students who qualified for the institution’s Spring 2018 academic honors lists.

The President’s List consists of 254 students with a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Another 316 students met requirements for the Dean’s List by earning at least a 3.5 grade point average. To qualify, students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours of coursework, be seeking their first bachelor’s degree, and have no incomplete grades during the semester. Cities and states listed reflect the student’s selected permanent address.

President’s List

Nebraska

Alliance: Connor Blumanthal, Jennifer Campos, Samantha Carrillo, Erica Escamilla, Hannah Fessler, Sydnie Hiemstra, Monique Jensen, Sara Latka, Kelly Steinman-McCracken, Tristan Stephenson, Cheng Zhang

Ansley: Ashley Bundy, Maria Terrazas

Arapahoe: Kyla Monie

Atkinson: Rebecca Barger

Bayard: Breanna Korell, Kristyn Stricker

Bellevue: Joel Milos

Bradshaw: Dacia Stuhr

Brady: Carissa Rayburn

Bridgeport: Quentin Baxter, Riley Hall, Marqui Keim, Cole Retchless

Broken Bow: Kristina McGann

Callaway: Michaela Weverka

Cambridge: Troy Gregory

Chadron: Nicky Banzhaf, Shayleen Behm, Bailey Broderick, Carlos Calle, Estevan Casillas, Jacqueline Dailey, Maaryn Davis, Colby Ellis, Ashten Gerbing, Elizabeth Goodell, Blake Hansen, Mikaela Hastings, Clayton Hinman, Juanita Kelso, Elizabeth Kirbey, Amanda Kolen, Courtney Kouba, Haley Krull, Emma Leypoldt, Christopher Mailloux, Alex Marker, Holly Marker, Ashtyn Nelson, Todd Roenfeldt, Megan Rust, Catelynn Schroeder, Trace Strotheide

Chambers: Leanne DeKay

Chappell: Jessica Kler

Columbus: Whitney Coop, Emily Hand, Melissa VanDerslice

Crawford: Brittney Allen, Lance Stasinski

Curtis: Regan Garey

Ellsworth: Mickenzie Brennan

Emmet: Christa Wentworth

Farnam: Timothy Aanenson

Ft. Calhoun: Anna Boll

Gering: Laettner Blanco, Shelton Blanco, Justin Brester, Brooke Doggett, Charles Knapper, Mason Marsh, Zoe Van Dyke

Gothenburg: Josee Hotz

Grand Island: Abigail Swanson

Hampton: Rachel Dowling

Harrison: Jeremiah Fink

Hastings: Courtney Anderson, Blake Fricke

Hay Springs: Jennifer Scherbarth, Stephanie Tlustos

Holdrege: Katie Reed

Juniata: Samuel Klammer

Kenesaw: Cody Haas

Louisville: McKenna Jones

Lyman: Cody Peachey

Maxwell: Autumn Hild

Maywood: Peyton Flack

McCook: Jamie Brinamen, Chessa Parker

Minatare: Miguel Martinez, Christian Miller

Mitchell: Dorin Dietrich, Barbara Pieper, Morgan Rien, Kortni Zeiler

Moorefield: John Klintworth

Morrill: Kasandra Gomez, Morgan Peacock

Mullen: Dalton Zimmerman

Norfolk: Travis Millikan, Blair Wagner

North Platte: Amy Callendar-Taft, Dru Linderman, Michelle Olson, Mitchell Parish, Margaret Vinton

Ogallala: Sydni Stevens

Omaha: Jeri Daedler, Aaron Duin, Nicholas Kienbaum, Cody Madrigal

O’Neill: Brittany Soukup, Logan Spencer

Oshkosh: Shania Bozzetto, Courtney Stegman

Paxton: Joel Schroeder

Potter: Hollie Clark, Donica Enevoldsen

Randolph: Lydia Haselhorst

Ravenna: Brooke Chramosta

Red Cloud: Miles McDole

Riverton: Teah Colvin

Rushville: Shayley Coburn, Rebecca Wellnitz

Sargent: Kaylee Clayton

Scottsbluff: Hannah Andersen, Lynsey Ayers, Hillary Bollish, Allen Brezenski, Ashley Harman, Joshua Harnish, Kimberly Hernandez, Alisha Huynh, Avery Krentz, Katelyn Lambert, Michelle LaTowsky, Renee’ Malm, Rylee Ott

Seward: Ashlyn Hanson

Sidney: Gabriel Dorcey, Karson Langley

Stapleton: Jennifer Boyer

Sutherland: BreAhnna Thompson

Thedford: Avery Taylor

Valentine: Shyloe Battershaw, Justin Hartman, Savannah Jackson, Benjamin Shelbourn

Waverly: Mariah Faz

West Point: Jordan Hagedorn

Whitman: Shayna Kramer

Whitney: Kaylee Elliott, Eli Goff

Colorado

Colorado Springs: Christine Ott, Nalani Stewart

Craig: Mattie Duzik

Eaton: Jazmin Schwark

Erie: Haley Gallagher

Fleming: Megan Chintala

Fort Morgan: Madalyn Brashears, Cody Davis, Christina Frick

Highlands Ranch: Greggory Peterson

Hugo: Rebecca Kraxberger

Julesburg: Chad Mikelson, Lauren Newman

La Junta: Dax Bender

Littleton: Blake Jacobs

Louisville: Savannah Smith

Mead: Emily Johnson

Otis: Tanner Patterson

Platteville: Magnuson Reinick

Sedgwick: Keeya Marquez

Snyder: Kaylee Osier

Sterling: Timmi Keisel

Thornton: Mikaela Fatzinger

Westminster: Alyssa Geist, Cheyanna Thompson

Windsor: Erica Ragatz

South Dakota

Clearfield: Rachel Tate

Hermosa: Chasen Cole

Hot Springs: Kolby Benson, Dawn Crossman, Samantha Merrill, Kaylee Peck, Vanessa Yeoman

Pierre: Kendra Baucom, Tory Snyder

Rapid City: Brittney Anderson, Kelly Cooper, Jon Hansen, Travis Mills, Stephanie Owens, Shawna Turner

Spearfish: Ashton Burditt

Wyoming

Albin: Cassady Malm

Casper: Marco Sanchez, Kellen Washut

Cheyenne: Casey England, Karli Noble

Douglas: Bailey Brooks, Taylor Dick

Gillette: Emma Jurewicz

Granite Canyon: Bailey Lanier

Hartville: Jessica Rotz

Lander: Robert Packer

Lusk: Morgan Lamar, Jacob Muir

Newcastle: Rachel Henkle, Courtney Munger

Rawlins: Dean Michel

Riverton: Rachel Mitchell

Sheridan: Shania Channel, Kylene Coonis, Alexandria Crisp, Elizabeth Jost, Lindsey Sharp

Sundance: Savannah Silbaugh

Torrington: Elias Chavez, Carlie Enns, Sage Fields, Xiyun Hessler

Wolf: Tyler Kane

Yoder: Jamie Thompson

Other States and Countries

Alphese Stubbs, Nassau, Bahamas

Dominika Senkerikova, UHERSKY BROD, Czech Republic

Theresa Gray, Hudson, Fla.

Krystal Wilson, Loganville, Ga.

Gabrielle Brumfield, Madison, Ind.

Cory Martens, Newton, Kan.

Holli Turek, Le Center, Minn.

John Fansler, Biloxi, Miss.

Amy Tawil, Foristell, Mo.

David Omondi, Manchester, Mo.

Michalyn Trimble, Platte City, Mo.

Madison Weikert, Belgrade, Mont.

Vy-Dana Flynn, Billings, Mont.

Cheyenne Ryan, Glendive, Mont.

Peace Ndalama, Cary, N.C.

Caitlin Stroh, Elizabeth City, N.C.

Elizabeth Rotherham, Balfour, N.D.

Alyse Henry, Pickerington, Ohio

Lukasz Sternik, Fountain Inn, S.C.

William Krause, Canyon Lake, Texas

Rebecca Wignall, Little Elm, Texas

Faith Nelson, Midland, Texas

Francine Boston, South Jordan, Utah

Savannah Weidauer, St George, Utah

Yen Nguyen, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Andrea Davidson, Auburn, Wash.

Dean’s List

Nebraska

Ainsworth: Jayden Philben, Logan Philben, Quentin Wagner

Alliance: Grace Dubs, Tristan Heldenbrand, Christa Horn, Hannah Korte, Jordan Mak, Jordan Mills, Austin Pfeiffer, Keith Sanders, Nicholas Smith

Ansley: James Mills

Ashby: Hannah Haney, Shawn McKimmey

Atkinson: Mackenzie Hale, Will Thiele

Auburn: Chelsea Haynes

Bayard: Kalane Anders, Marylee Stuart

Bellwood: William Reiter

Bertrand: Katherine Chesterman

Big Springs: Alexis Mentzer

Bridgeport: Jaime Gonzalez, Alyssa Vogel

Broken Bow: Jayde Atkins

Brule: Adalida Dickmander, Brittney Heidemann

Callaway: Natalie G’Schwind

Chadron: Connor Besse, Jahnn Jenz Casimiro, Jackson Dickerson, Sarah Downey, Miah Fonder, Daniel Frye Jr., Myia Hamaker, Cristian Hulsey, Isabella Irish, Lane Jersild, Keenan Johnson, Luis Jurado-Juarez, Marcus LaPorte, Elspeth Moon, Alexandria Nobiling, Kiya Passero, Kristavia Passero, Alexander Rawlings, Danea Ray, Dakota Rice, Gina Rieger, Brendinh Sayaloune, Naleka Sayaloune, Andrew Smith, Sara Tompkins

Champion: Jessica Hartman

Chappell: Ashley Burr

Cody: Shannon Schneider

Columbus: Ethan Lesiak

Comstock: Michael Gibbens

Crawford: Lindsay Dunn, Haley Hanks, Alexis Phillips, Skyler Smyres

Creighton: Katherine Homan

Curtis: Megan Sprague

David City: Krystina Skretta, Julia Witter

Dix: Justin Mohr

Ellsworth: Ashley Fattig

Ewing: Kelsey Brummels

Farwell: Tia Jerabek

Fremont: Brawly Taylor

Gering: Kristina Baker, Jerrick Bowers, Torri Brumbaugh, Kai Didier, Brian Doll, Valorie Fankhauser, Luis Hernandez, Peter Hernandez, Courtney Larson, Katherine O’Boyle, Kelsea Prieels, Dylan Radzymski, Samantha Rahmig, Katie Scott, Kelsey Southard, Mikhail Thanawalla

Gordon: Sara Ginkens, Jessica Hurd, Micah Scherbarth, Benjamin Wegner

Grand Island: Kaleb Puncochar, Tucker Vahle

Gurley: Abbegail Draper

Hampton: Courtney Smith

Harrisburg: Paige Cross

Harrison: Riley Ellis, Joshua Kling, John Murphy

Hay Springs: Cattibrie Nichols

Heartwell: Andrew Hultquist

Hebron: Madison Reece

Hemingford: Emily Hansen, Taylee Neefe

Henderson: Eve Vanderneck

Henry: Brandon Avila

Hershey: Makayla Brown

Holdrege: Jeffrey Matthews

Imperial: Vanessa Chaparro

Kearney: Laura Larsen

Kimball: Kallie Bush, Jessica Hanks, Regan Hinton

Lakeside: Bryant Wilson

Leigh: Kolton Held

Lincoln: Kendra Torres, McKenna Webel, McKensi Webel

Loup City: Annie Hart

Madison: Caleb Haskell

Maxwell: Kassandra Schuett

McCook: Dawson Brunswick, Taylor Geisler, Ashton Harpham, Isaac Langan

Milburn: Kelsey Thompson

Milligan: Cody Filipi

Minatare: Tyler Koke

Minden: Karla Crane

Mitchell: Christina Hays, Madison Watson, Austyn Wright

Morrill: Jessica Harvey, Amanda Kaufman, Dylainee Peacock, Bailee Steiner

Mullen: Jessica Lovitt

Nelson: Cherokee Frahm-Thayer

Niobrara: Jenny Motacek

Norfolk: Marissa Brandl, Kyle Temple

North Platte: Vaughn Fahrenbruck

Oconto: Shayla Dockweiler

Ogallala: Lisa Birge, Brianna Wilson, Dakota Clough

Omaha: Jordyn Schwenk

Ord: Grant Gydesen

Papillion: Chance Adolf, John Porter

Paxton: Emmit Rosentrater

Pierce: Noah Fisher, Kayla Reinke

Plainview: Kailee Rafert

Randolph: Leo Haselhorst

Riverdale: Devin Dibbern

Rushville: Shauna Coburn, Maddison Cox, Melissa Jech

Saint Paul: Jarred Hulinsky, Ethan Larson, Tanner Tomlinson

Sargent: Ryan Mosier

Schuyler: Ethan Bergt

Scotia: Shantelle Roy

Scottsbluff: Ty Benson, Gunnar Buchhammer, Patrick Cassidy, Mikayla Kreider, Johnathan Sayaloune, Carly Slaght, Alissa Sweley

Seward: Caitlin Gustafson

Sidney: Lindsey Deaver

Spencer: Rebecca Hiatt

Stuart: Megan Riha

Sutherland: Timothy Cheever, Tawnie McConnell

Taylor: Abagaile Hill, Kylee Odenbach

Tilden: Rhonda Heldt

Valentine: Tyler Sedivy

Valley: Eliza Hare

Wahoo: Lydia Privett

Wilber: Katie Odvody

Wood River: Kassandra Wetovick

Colorado

Anton: Sarah Myers

Arvada: Tyler Lewis

Aurora: Jaisean Jackson

Brighton: Kayla Michel

Brush: Kamille Sweenie

Calhan: Morgan Helton

Colorado Springs: Samuel McKinley

Denver: Nicole Bernd

Eaton: Emma Willadsen

Elizabeth: Lena Aslan

Firestone: Kyle Fry

Fleming: Jaxon King

Fort Morgan: Josef Gertner, Makayla Godin

Fountain: Chasidy Horton

Greeley: Samantha Gilmore

Highlands Ranch: Austin Fajfer

Kiowa: Madison Zielinski

Loveland: Madison Webb

Meeker: Julia Eskelson

Pueblo: Shyanna Neu

Wiggins: Laura Walker

Yuma: Emma Day

South Dakota

Belle Fourche: Paige Bush

Colome: Rylee Rutten

Custer: Geena Carlson

Edgemont: Julianne Thomsen, Jessica Tubbs

Elm Springs: Celine Trask

Geddes: Brandi Cwach

Hermosa: Jessy Bale, Mikahla Ferguson, Paige Seidler

Hot Springs: Zoe Anderson, Ross Norton, Samantha Pucket

Ideal: Jessica Olson

Interior: Logan Bowers

Kadoka: Chandlier Sudbeck

Lemmon: Kodee Bolte

Long Valley: Lindsey VanderMay

Martin: Kenna Campbell

Newell: Prestyn Novak

Norris: Taylor Merchen

Onida: Kori Weischedel

Rapid City: Trevor Baker, Ashtyn Faehnrich, James Hubbeling, George Johnson, Lukas Klueber, Kristina Rudge, Justun Samuel, Randee Thayer

Spearfish: Brandi Baumgarten, MacKenna Broeder

Summerset: Selena Vogel

Wagner: Tayleigh Kaup

Whitewood: Alyssa Jensen, Aydin Mack

Wyoming

Big Piney: Mickenzi Loyd

Casper: Stevann Brown, Jacob Geil, Ashton Hallsted, Joseph Keating, Brooklynne Kegler

Cheyenne: Bryson Delbridge, Kymberlie Marrill, Stephen Toalson

Gillette: Aimee Conner, Marleigha McDonald

Glendo: Eric Jamerman

Greybull: Calder Forcella

Lusk: Rachel Lashmett

Mills: Ryan Jueneman

Mountain View: Bailey Lupher

Newcastle: Merritt Crabtree, Patricia Miller

Powell: Mercedes Haney

Riverton: Hally Milleson

Rock Springs: Cassidy Johnson, Cory Salitrik

Sheridan: Annalee Bailey, Erin O’Connell

Sundance: Chrystal Cooper

Torrington: Whitney Walson

Worland: Jalynn McClure, Jazmin Perez

Wright: Kodiak French

Other States and Countries

Kjell Nilsson, Seward, Alaska

Emily Bruce, Centerton, Ark.

Leigh Saffin, Mailors Flat, Australia

Aldisa Major, Nassau, Bahamas

Adam Fuselier, Canyon Country, Calif.

Jennifer Alvarez, Culver City, Calif.

Rebbecca Campbell, Joshua Tree, Calif.

Matthew Vargas, Modesto, Calif.

Angelica Maples, Plumas Lake, Calif.

Jessica Applegarth, Yuba City, Calif.

Emanuel Koseos, Langley, Canada

Bethel Fetsum Alem, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Lelisse Umeta, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Feven Hailemariam, Addis Ababa,, Ethiopia

Kevin Coy Jr., Dundee, Fla.

Manou Mbombo, Atlanta, Ga.

Sara Flores, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Madeline Kiesel, Hanover Park, Ill.

Erin Richardson, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Logan Rieks, Iowa Falls, Iowa

Austin Rapp, Moville, Iowa

Andria Dowell, Sterling, Kan.

Stacey McNamara, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Braylee Harbert, Clever, Mo.

Desiree Downey, Belgrade, Mont.

Brandon Wetsch, Laurel, Mont.

Keziah Johnson, Dickinson, N.D.

Risa Edelstein, Roosevelt, N.J.

Princess Uba, Abuja, Nigeria

Keith DeVault, Lockbourne, Ohio

Hannah Conner, Orient, Ohio

Samar Ayele, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Maarof, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Ta-Fu Lin, Taichung, Taiwan

Tochukwu Mbanugo, Fresno, Texas

Sherry Camacho, Frisco, Texas

Jacob Voorhis, Fort Valley, Va.

Lynda Talady, Appleton, Wisc.

Jason Fraser, Greenfield, Wisc.

Sophia Gwanzura, Harare, Zimbabwe

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a former public address announcer at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium to 180 days in jail plus five years’ probation after being convicted of improperly taking money from an elderly widow.
Patrick Combs was sentenced Monday following his conviction after a seven-day trial in March. He was found guilty of theft, attempted theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Prosecutors requested a longer prison term. Besides the jail time and probation, Combs was ordered to pay $45,000 in fines and to perform 360 hours of community service.

The 52-year-old Combs admitted to spending money from Beverly and Harold Mosher but says he was carrying out their wishes.

His first trial ended in a mistrial, and Combs is considering appealing the verdict.

Combs was fired days after charges were filed against him in 2015.