Scottsbluff –Three area United Way supporters won United Way of Western Nebraska’s 2022-23 Campaign Raffle for Cash drawing with the cash prize sponsored by Platte Valley Bank. Tim Sherlock of Alliance, Robin Hoxworth of Scottsbluff and Kathleen Snyder of Kimball were the three lucky winners each winning $500. They became eligible by donating generously to United Way.

Platte Valley Company representatives were on hand to present the winnings in Scottsbluff and Alliance with United Way Executive Director, Karen Benzel.

Tony Kaufman, Platte Valley Bank Community President remarked, “Platte Valley Companies is proud to be a part of this with United Way. Through many of our partnerships we work to give back to the community, it is the foundation of Platte Valley Companies to give back to communities.”

Tim Sherlock (Winner, PREMA), Karen Benzel (Executive Director, United Way of Western Nebraska) and Rob Bila (Community President, Platte Valley Bank)

United Way of Western Nebraska is a nonprofit organization that unites people and resources to build a stronger, healthier and more compassionate community. They support 25 local nonprofit agencies in the areas of education, health and financial stability. They have been reinvesting in Western Nebraska since their inception in 1945. For more information, visit www.uwwn.org.

By United Way of Western NebraskaScottsbluff –Three area United Way supporters won United Way of Western Nebraska’s 2022-23 Campaign Raffle for Cash drawing with the cash prize sponsored by Platte Valley Bank. Tim Sherlock of Alliance, Robin Hoxworth of Scottsbluff and Kathleen Snyder of Kimball were the three lucky winners each winning $500. They became eligible by donating generously to United Way.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680110930612.jpeg" alt="Tony Kaufman (Community President, Platte Valley Bank), Robin Hoxworth (Raffle for Cash winner, Scottsbluff Public Schools), Karen Benzel (Executive Director, United Way of Western Nebraska) and Amy Doll (Marketing Director, Platte Valley Companies)" />
 <figcaption>Tony Kaufman (Community President, Platte Valley Bank), Robin Hoxworth (Raffle for Cash winner, Scottsbluff Public Schools), Karen Benzel (Executive Director, United Way of Western Nebraska) and Amy Doll (Marketing Director, Platte Valley Companies)</figcaption>
 </figure>Platte Valley Company representatives were on hand to present the winnings in Scottsbluff and Alliance with United Way Executive Director, Karen Benzel.Tony Kaufman, Platte Valley Bank Community President remarked, “Platte Valley Companies is proud to be a part of this with United Way. Through many of our partnerships we work to give back to the community, it is the foundation of Platte Valley Companies to give back to communities.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680110958381.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tim Sherlock (Winner, PREMA), Karen Benzel (Executive Director, United Way of Western Nebraska) and Rob Bila (Community President, Platte Valley Bank)United Way of Western Nebraska is a nonprofit organization that unites people and resources to build a stronger, healthier and more compassionate community. They support 25 local nonprofit agencies in the areas of education, health and financial stability. They have been reinvesting in Western Nebraska since their inception in 1945. For more information, visit www.uwwn.org.

United Way of Western Nebraska announces raffle for cash winners

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 3/29/23

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -&nbsp;The Western Community College Area Board of Governors has approved the recommendation of three finalists for the position of president by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee at Western Nebraska Community College.

The three finalists, in alphabetical order are Dr. Samuel (Todd) Brand, chief academic officer at Ashland Community &amp; Technical College; Mr. Greg Dart, chief campus administrator at Utah State University Eastern; and Dr. George McNulty, president at Gogebic Community College.

The WCCA Board of Governors voted to approve the finalists at the March Board of Governors meeting.

Dr. Brand is the current chief academic officer at Ashland Community &amp; Technical College in Ashland, Kentucky. Prior to his position at Ashland, he was the arts/communications division chair from 2006-2019 at Meridian Community College in Mississippi, where he also served as the arts &amp; letters series director from 2014-2019.

Brand holds a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, a Master of Science in Communications, and a Bachelor of Science from Mississippi College.

Mr. Dart has been the chief campus administrator at Utah State University Eastern in Price, Utah since 2018. Prior to that, he served as the vice chancellor of student affairs &amp; enrollment management from 2014-2018, and the director of enrollment services from 2012-2013. Dart has also held roles as the vice president for student services at Zane State college in Ohio; the director of admissions, scholarships, and communications, and associate professor of communications, both at Snow College in Utah.

Dart is finalizing his doctorate of education at Northeastern University, with all but his dissertation complete. He also has a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Utah State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska-Anchorage, and an Associate of Science from Snow College.

Dr. McNulty has been the president of Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan since 2019. He previously served as the vice president of student affairs at Colby Community College in Kansas for six years, as well as the college's acting Title IX coordinator during the same time. He has held a variety of roles at higher education institutions including positions as an interim director of financial assistance, coordinator of retention/counselor, student-athlete advisor, Phi Theta Kappa co-advisor, and academic advisor, among others. He also served in the U.S. Army, active duty from 1988-1991.

McNulty holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from California State University, Chico, and two associate's degrees from Feather River College.

The Board will conduct in-person interviews and campus visits with the finalists in the first two weeks of April. Each candidate will have an open forum on the Scottsbluff Campus and meet and greets on the Alliance and Sidney campuses where they will have the opportunity to meet with WNCC students, employees, and community members. The public is encouraged to attend the forums and the meet and greets. Livestream options are also available for the Scottsbluff Campus open forums.

The open forum with Dr. McNulty will be held Monday, April 3, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m in the John N. Harms Center. The open forum is also available via livestream at&nbsp;<a href="https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april3" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april3</a>.&nbsp;Dr. McNulty's meet and greet on the Alliance and Sidney campuses will be on Tuesday, April 4, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m, respectively.

The open forum with Mr. Dart will be held Wednesday, April 5, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m in the John N. Harms Center. The open forum is also available via livestream at&nbsp;<a href="https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april5" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april5</a>.&nbsp;Mr. Dart's meet and greet on the Alliance and Sidney campuses will be on Thursday, April 6 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m, respectively.

The final open forum with Dr. Brand will be held Thursday, April 13, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m in the John N. Harms Center. The open forum is also available via livestream at&nbsp;<a href="https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april13" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april13</a>.&nbsp;Dr. Brand's meet and greet on the Alliance and Sidney campuses will be on Friday, April 14 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m, respectively.

After all three finalists have interviewed with the Board and visited WNCC campuses, the board will announce their selection at a special board meeting on April 19.

For more information about the search, visit wncc.edu/about-wncc/presidentialsearch.

By WNCC<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680101757535.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -&nbsp;The Western Community College Area Board of Governors has approved the recommendation of three finalists for the position of president by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee at Western Nebraska Community College.The three finalists, in alphabetical order are Dr. Samuel (Todd) Brand, chief academic officer at Ashland Community &amp; Technical College; Mr. Greg Dart, chief campus administrator at Utah State University Eastern; and Dr. George McNulty, president at Gogebic Community College.The WCCA Board of Governors voted to approve the finalists at the March Board of Governors meeting.Dr. Brand is the current chief academic officer at Ashland Community &amp; Technical College in Ashland, Kentucky. Prior to his position at Ashland, he was the arts/communications division chair from 2006-2019 at Meridian Community College in Mississippi, where he also served as the arts &amp; letters series director from 2014-2019.Brand holds a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, a Master of Science in Communications, and a Bachelor of Science from Mississippi College.Mr. Dart has been the chief campus administrator at Utah State University Eastern in Price, Utah since 2018. Prior to that, he served as the vice chancellor of student affairs &amp; enrollment management from 2014-2018, and the director of enrollment services from 2012-2013. Dart has also held roles as the vice president for student services at Zane State college in Ohio; the director of admissions, scholarships, and communications, and associate professor of communications, both at Snow College in Utah.Dart is finalizing his doctorate of education at Northeastern University, with all but his dissertation complete. He also has a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Utah State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska-Anchorage, and an Associate of Science from Snow College.Dr. McNulty has been the president of Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan since 2019. He previously served as the vice president of student affairs at Colby Community College in Kansas for six years, as well as the college's acting Title IX coordinator during the same time. He has held a variety of roles at higher education institutions including positions as an interim director of financial assistance, coordinator of retention/counselor, student-athlete advisor, Phi Theta Kappa co-advisor, and academic advisor, among others. He also served in the U.S. Army, active duty from 1988-1991.McNulty holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from California State University, Chico, and two associate's degrees from Feather River College.The Board will conduct in-person interviews and campus visits with the finalists in the first two weeks of April. Each candidate will have an open forum on the Scottsbluff Campus and meet and greets on the Alliance and Sidney campuses where they will have the opportunity to meet with WNCC students, employees, and community members. The public is encouraged to attend the forums and the meet and greets. Livestream options are also available for the Scottsbluff Campus open forums.The open forum with Dr. McNulty will be held Monday, April 3, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m in the John N. Harms Center. The open forum is also available via livestream at&nbsp;<a href="https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april3" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april3</a>.&nbsp;Dr. McNulty's meet and greet on the Alliance and Sidney campuses will be on Tuesday, April 4, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m, respectively.The open forum with Mr. Dart will be held Wednesday, April 5, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m in the John N. Harms Center. The open forum is also available via livestream at&nbsp;<a href="https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april5" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april5</a>.&nbsp;Mr. Dart's meet and greet on the Alliance and Sidney campuses will be on Thursday, April 6 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m, respectively.The final open forum with Dr. Brand will be held Thursday, April 13, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m in the John N. Harms Center. The open forum is also available via livestream at&nbsp;<a href="https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april13" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/wncc/forum-april13</a>.&nbsp;Dr. Brand's meet and greet on the Alliance and Sidney campuses will be on Friday, April 14 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m, respectively.After all three finalists have interviewed with the Board and visited WNCC campuses, the board will announce their selection at a special board meeting on April 19.For more information about the search, visit wncc.edu/about-wncc/presidentialsearch.

3 finalists named for WNCC President

By Dawes County Emergency Dispatch&nbsp;

The Dawes County emergency dispatch will be conducting a tornado drill this morning at or shortly after 9 a m this morning. 

This is in coordination with a state wide exercise. 

We will also sound the tornado warning sirens for three minutes to test their operation. This will only be a test, there is no severe weather today.

 Please use this time to go over your personal tornado shelter plan you should have if there were to be an actual storm requiring you to seek shelter.

By Dawes County Emergency Dispatch&nbsp;The Dawes County emergency dispatch will be conducting a tornado drill this morning at or shortly after 9 a m this morning. This is in coordination with a state wide exercise. We will also sound the tornado warning sirens for three minutes to test their operation. This will only be a test, there is no severe weather today. Please use this time to go over your personal tornado shelter plan you should have if there were to be an actual storm requiring you to seek shelter.

Dawes County Dispatch to conduct tornado drill

Upgrades to Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area near Ogallala in 2022 have improved boating access, traffic flow, fishing amenities, beach access and more.

A $3.5 million boating access project significantly upgraded Martin Bay’s entrance, parking area and high-water boat ramp, and the Cedar View Bay boat ramp.

The Martin Bay high-water boat ramp has an 11% grade, compared to 3.5% before the project. The steeper grade makes launching boats easier. The two-lane ramp has a turnaround and boat staging area. The addition of accessible parking and resurfacing were among many improvements to the existing lot. A restroom with flush toilets was added as well.

A Barracuda fish-cleaning station, valued at $55,000, also was installed with funding by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sportfish Restoration Program. Martin Bay previously had no fish-cleaning station.

The Martin Bay entrance was upgraded to three lanes to improve traffic flow. This reduces the number of cars on or near the highway, improving safety. With two gatehouse booths, more guests can be helped simultaneously, to allow faster entry into the park. A roundabout also was installed to help with traffic flow.

The renovation of the Cedar View boat ramp has improved boat launching on the west end of the lake. Workers replaced some of the old ramp, which was cracked with erosion under the concrete. The ramp’s entrance was widened and the top section extended. A new exit lane leads back to the parking lot, which has a new vault toilet.

The final part of this project to be completed is the motorized water trail, scheduled for completion by summer. This is a marked route on navigable waters for recreational use. Improved boating access sites, once completed at opposite ends of the reservoir, will be the first element of this trail.

Another Cedar View upgrade was the addition of a Barracuda fish-cleaning station, replacing a 10-year-old unit. This improvement of nearly $55,000 was funded 50% by Nebraska Game and Parks and 50% by Keith County Visitors Committee improvement grant.

New beach access points were created at Beach Area No. 3 and Cedar View. The project included removal of trees, reshaping the landscape to have a steadily sloped roadway and the placement of rock.

In 2021, nearly all the beach access points had a new rock dressing, and in 2022 five beach access points where graded and new rock was added.

Last fall and this spring, Lake McConaughy’s archery range received new targets, target stands, a mulched walking trail, a rock parking area, signage, updated picnic area, and fencing to improve safety for users. Funding for the improvements came from the Game and Parks Hunter Education Program and Lake McConaughy budget. Assistance for the project came from Big Mac Sports Club and Big Mac Bowhunters.

The improvement projects were funded with a combination of the Nebraska Game and Parks’ Capital Maintenance Fund and park user fee revenue, in partnership with matching funds provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration Program and the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program, along with the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s State Recreation Road Fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680029042486.png" alt="A $3.5 million boating access project at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area provided several improvements at Martin Bay, including an upgrade to the high-water boat ramp, which now has an 11% grade, compared to 3.5% before the project. Eric Fowler / Nebraskaland Magazine / NGPC" />
 <figcaption>A $3.5 million boating access project at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area provided several improvements at Martin Bay, including an upgrade to the high-water boat ramp, which now has an 11% grade, compared to 3.5% before the project. Eric Fowler / Nebraskaland Magazine / NGPC</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska Game &amp; ParksUpgrades to Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area near Ogallala in 2022 have improved boating access, traffic flow, fishing amenities, beach access and more.A $3.5 million boating access project significantly upgraded Martin Bay’s entrance, parking area and high-water boat ramp, and the Cedar View Bay boat ramp.The Martin Bay high-water boat ramp has an 11% grade, compared to 3.5% before the project. The steeper grade makes launching boats easier. The two-lane ramp has a turnaround and boat staging area. The addition of accessible parking and resurfacing were among many improvements to the existing lot. A restroom with flush toilets was added as well.A Barracuda fish-cleaning station, valued at $55,000, also was installed with funding by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sportfish Restoration Program. Martin Bay previously had no fish-cleaning station.The Martin Bay entrance was upgraded to three lanes to improve traffic flow. This reduces the number of cars on or near the highway, improving safety. With two gatehouse booths, more guests can be helped simultaneously, to allow faster entry into the park. A roundabout also was installed to help with traffic flow.The renovation of the Cedar View boat ramp has improved boat launching on the west end of the lake. Workers replaced some of the old ramp, which was cracked with erosion under the concrete. The ramp’s entrance was widened and the top section extended. A new exit lane leads back to the parking lot, which has a new vault toilet.The final part of this project to be completed is the motorized water trail, scheduled for completion by summer. This is a marked route on navigable waters for recreational use. Improved boating access sites, once completed at opposite ends of the reservoir, will be the first element of this trail.Another Cedar View upgrade was the addition of a Barracuda fish-cleaning station, replacing a 10-year-old unit. This improvement of nearly $55,000 was funded 50% by Nebraska Game and Parks and 50% by Keith County Visitors Committee improvement grant.New beach access points were created at Beach Area No. 3 and Cedar View. The project included removal of trees, reshaping the landscape to have a steadily sloped roadway and the placement of rock.In 2021, nearly all the beach access points had a new rock dressing, and in 2022 five beach access points where graded and new rock was added.Last fall and this spring, Lake McConaughy’s archery range received new targets, target stands, a mulched walking trail, a rock parking area, signage, updated picnic area, and fencing to improve safety for users. Funding for the improvements came from the Game and Parks Hunter Education Program and Lake McConaughy budget. Assistance for the project came from Big Mac Sports Club and Big Mac Bowhunters.The improvement projects were funded with a combination of the Nebraska Game and Parks’ Capital Maintenance Fund and park user fee revenue, in partnership with matching funds provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration Program and the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program, along with the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s State Recreation Road Fund.

Lake McConaughy guests seeing results of park upgrades

OGALLALA — The 2023 Community Diaper Drive continues until Friday at Wolf Auto in Ogallala.

Donations will benefit the Sandhills Crisis Intervention Program, Ogallala Women's Resource Center, CASA and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680014550933.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OGALLALA — The 2023 Community Diaper Drive continues until Friday at Wolf Auto in Ogallala.Donations will benefit the Sandhills Crisis Intervention Program, Ogallala Women's Resource Center, CASA and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Diaper drive continues in Ogallala through Friday

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that 
Mark A. Barraza Saenz, 22, 
of Grand Island was sentenced last week in federal court in 
Lincoln for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or 
more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm
 in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. Senior United States 
District Judge
John M. Gerrard sentenced
Barraza Saenz
 to 72 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 
months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 132 
months.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.
 After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of 
supervised release.

On
 October 12, 2021, in the early morning hours, a Merrick County 
Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a silver sedan heading east bound in 
Central City, Nebraska.
 Based on driving infractions, the deputy initiated a traffic stop.&nbsp; Two
 males were in the sedan, including Barraza Saenz in the front passenger
 seat.&nbsp; Barraza Saenz admitted to smoking marijuana approximately an 
hour earlier and consented to the deputy searching
 him.&nbsp; While searching Barraza Saenz, the deputy found two bundles of 
methamphetamine.&nbsp; The deputy then searched the trunk of the sedan and 
found a bag containing methamphetamine. Under the bag was an American 
Tactical M1911 Military .45 caliber semi-automatic
 pistol with the magazine containing one bullet next to it.&nbsp; The 
methamphetamine from Barraza Saenz’s person and the vehicle was 
laboratory tested and confirmed to be approximately 209 grams of 
methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Merrick County Sheriff’s Office.


U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven Russell announced that 
Mark A. Barraza Saenz, 22, 
of Grand Island was sentenced last week in federal court in 
Lincoln for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or 
more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm
 in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. Senior United States 
District Judge
John M. Gerrard sentenced
Barraza Saenz
 to 72 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 
months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 132 
months.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.
 After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of 
supervised release.On
 October 12, 2021, in the early morning hours, a Merrick County 
Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a silver sedan heading east bound in 
Central City, Nebraska.
 Based on driving infractions, the deputy initiated a traffic stop.&nbsp; Two
 males were in the sedan, including Barraza Saenz in the front passenger
 seat.&nbsp; Barraza Saenz admitted to smoking marijuana approximately an 
hour earlier and consented to the deputy searching
 him.&nbsp; While searching Barraza Saenz, the deputy found two bundles of 
methamphetamine.&nbsp; The deputy then searched the trunk of the sedan and 
found a bag containing methamphetamine. Under the bag was an American 
Tactical M1911 Military .45 caliber semi-automatic
 pistol with the magazine containing one bullet next to it.&nbsp; The 
methamphetamine from Barraza Saenz’s person and the vehicle was 
laboratory tested and confirmed to be approximately 209 grams of 
methamphetamine.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Merrick County Sheriff’s Office.

Neb. man sentenced for firearm, drug trafficking crimes

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Scott L Mehring, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before reinstated-state

-Michael W Rust, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Infraction, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less, Possess or use drug paraphernalia, Speeding

Scotts Bluff Co (March 1 - March 23):&nbsp;

-Candelario Soto,&nbsp;Poss stolen property, Criminal Mischief,&nbsp;Disordely conduct, Poss drug para

-Tyger Rodriguez,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, Poss stolen property

-Michael Green,&nbsp;DUS, DUI, Refusal X2, Resisting arrest,&nbsp;Open container, traffic

-Jeffery Barborak,&nbsp;Non resident suspension order,Speeding,&nbsp;open container, ficticious plates

-Jade Alarcon,&nbsp;Zero tolerance violation, MIP, Speeding,&nbsp;Poss drug para

-Joseph Flores,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Tomas Garcia,&nbsp;Theft of a motor vehicle

-Kevin Dail,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para,&nbsp;Theft by unlawful taking

-Eric Jones,&nbsp;Terroristic Threat, Use of a deadly weapon,&nbsp;to commit a (f), Theft, Theft, Poss con sub,&nbsp;X4, Shoplifting X2

-Justin McMurtry,&nbsp;Assault 3rd degree

-Donald Carr,&nbsp;Assault health care provider. False&nbsp;reporting

-Ashley Lara,&nbsp;Theft of a motor vehicle, Poss stolen property

-Alizabeth Asbury,&nbsp;Trespassing, Open container

-Krystle Ramos,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Criminal Impersonation,&nbsp;No operator's license

-Jeffery Barborak,&nbsp;DUI, Non resident suspension, TrafficX2

-Tyler Davis,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, traffic X2

-&nbsp;Veronica Left Hand,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Child Abuse

-Jordyn Rein,&nbsp;Poss stolen property. Resisting arrest,&nbsp;obstructing a peace officer

-&nbsp;Lisa Guerue,&nbsp;Escape, Assault on a peace officer

-April Lucke,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Edgar Hardin,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Jose Frias,&nbsp;Strangulation, Domestic assault, Child&nbsp;abuse, Obstruction, Resisting arrest

-Mose Dawn,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, Poss&nbsp;deadly weapon by prohibited person

-Dymikal Gomez-Gonzales,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Aaaron J Arnold, Infraction, Disorderly conduct

-Paul M Dawson, Misdemeanor, No operator's license

-Mato Cournoyer, Infraction, Possess/consume open alcohol container, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less

-Bernard Laroche, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Minor in possession, Infraction, Possess/consume open alcohol container

-Kyra Lewis, Infraction, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less, Possess or use drug paraphernalia

-Maria Arellano, Class 3 Misdemeanor, No operator's license/non-waiverable

-Trenton Rattler, Class 4 Felony, Tamper with witness/informat/juror

-Keri Boman, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, False imprisonment 1st degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Commit child abuse negligently/no injury

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.Box Butte Co:&nbsp;-Scott L Mehring, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before reinstated-state-Michael W Rust, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Infraction, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less, Possess or use drug paraphernalia, SpeedingScotts Bluff Co (March 1 - March 23):&nbsp;-Candelario Soto,&nbsp;Poss stolen property, Criminal Mischief,&nbsp;Disordely conduct, Poss drug para-Tyger Rodriguez,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, Poss stolen property-Michael Green,&nbsp;DUS, DUI, Refusal X2, Resisting arrest,&nbsp;Open container, traffic-Jospeh Hockett,&nbsp;DUS.-Jeffery Barborak,&nbsp;Non resident suspension order,Speeding,&nbsp;open container, ficticious plates-Sheila Bouldt,&nbsp;Poss cont sub-Jade Alarcon,&nbsp;Zero tolerance violation, MIP, Speeding,&nbsp;Poss drug para-Raymond Martin,&nbsp;Domestic Assault-Joseph Flores,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Tomas Garcia,&nbsp;Theft of a motor vehicle-Kevin Dail,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para,&nbsp;Theft by unlawful taking-Phillip Shanley,&nbsp;Poss cont sub-Pablo Longoria,&nbsp;Poss cont sub-Luisa Ozuna,&nbsp;Domestic Assault-Summer Lone Dog,&nbsp; Theft-Eric Jones,&nbsp;Terroristic Threat, Use of a deadly weapon,&nbsp;to commit a (f), Theft, Theft, Poss con sub,&nbsp;X4, Shoplifting X2-Justin McMurtry,&nbsp;Assault 3rd degree-Donald Carr,&nbsp;Assault health care provider. False&nbsp;reporting-Ashley Lara,&nbsp;Theft of a motor vehicle, Poss stolen property-Alizabeth Asbury,&nbsp;Trespassing, Open container-Stacy Roche,&nbsp;Disturbing the peace-Krystle Ramos,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Criminal Impersonation,&nbsp;No operator's license-Juan Gonzalez,&nbsp;Domestic Assault-Jeffery Barborak,&nbsp;DUI, Non resident suspension, TrafficX2-Tyler Davis,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, traffic X2-Juan Soriano,&nbsp;Child abuse-Chad Seward,&nbsp;Domestic Assault-&nbsp;Veronica Left Hand,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Child Abuse-Jordyn Rein,&nbsp;Poss stolen property. Resisting arrest,&nbsp;obstructing a peace officer-&nbsp;Lisa Guerue,&nbsp;Escape, Assault on a peace officer-April Lucke,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Holllie Boyer,&nbsp;Poss cont sub.-Gabriel Afraid of Bear, MIP-Edgar Hardin,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Jose Frias,&nbsp;Strangulation, Domestic assault, Child&nbsp;abuse, Obstruction, Resisting arrest-Mose Dawn,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, Poss&nbsp;deadly weapon by prohibited person-Dymikal Gomez-Gonzales,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug paraDawes Co:&nbsp;-Aaaron J Arnold, Infraction, Disorderly conduct-Paul M Dawson, Misdemeanor, No operator's license-Mato Cournoyer, Infraction, Possess/consume open alcohol container, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less-Bernard Laroche, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Minor in possession, Infraction, Possess/consume open alcohol container-Kyra Lewis, Infraction, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less, Possess or use drug paraphernalia-Maria Arellano, Class 3 Misdemeanor, No operator's license/non-waiverable-Trenton Rattler, Class 4 Felony, Tamper with witness/informat/juror-Keri Boman, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, False imprisonment 1st degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Commit child abuse negligently/no injury

Panhandle police activity, March 17 - March 23

P202300167 08:01 DISTURBANCE : FEMALE REPORTED BEING ERRATIC IN THE EXERCISE ROOM OF ALLIANCE IN AND SUITES / FEMALE WAS ARRESTED FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300168 12:20 FOUND : FOUND WHITE MEN'S BIKE ABANDONED AT THE INDIAN MISSION CHURCH / BIKE WAS TAKEN TO THE WAREHOUSE Inactive - Case Suspended

P202300171 01:56 DEATH : UNATTENDED UNATTENDED DEATH / REPORTED BY FAMILY Closed - Resolved

P202300172 13:28 10-44 : MVA NON INJURY10th Street and Missouri Avenue/ Non-injury motor vehicle accident reported/ Case resolved Closed - Resolved

P202300178 10:42 WARRANT : ARREST 300 E. 14Th Street/ Individual with warrant located/ Warrant for Contempt of Court confirmed and individual arrested Closed - Resolved

P202300179 13:24 THEFT : THEFT Bomgaars/ Individual reported lost property/ Upon returning to store, property failed to be located nor returned/ Case open and investigation Open - Under Investigation

P202300180 14:27 TRAFFIC STOP : Highway 385 and Haven Court/ Traffic Stop/ Driver arrested for Driving Under Suspension/ Marijuana located in vehicle/ Charges recommended Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300181 21:54 THEFT : THEFT $10,000 theft from an elderly male. Suspects have been located and charged. Closed - Charges Recommended

By Alliance Police Department03/12/23P202300167 08:01 DISTURBANCE : FEMALE REPORTED BEING ERRATIC IN THE EXERCISE ROOM OF ALLIANCE IN AND SUITES / FEMALE WAS ARRESTED FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300168 12:20 FOUND : FOUND WHITE MEN'S BIKE ABANDONED AT THE INDIAN MISSION CHURCH / BIKE WAS TAKEN TO THE WAREHOUSE Inactive - Case Suspended03/12/23 Total: 203/14/23P202300171 01:56 DEATH : UNATTENDED UNATTENDED DEATH / REPORTED BY FAMILY Closed - ResolvedP202300172 13:28 10-44 : MVA NON INJURY10th Street and Missouri Avenue/ Non-injury motor vehicle accident reported/ Case resolved Closed - Resolved03/14/23 Total: 203/17/23P202300178 10:42 WARRANT : ARREST 300 E. 14Th Street/ Individual with warrant located/ Warrant for Contempt of Court confirmed and individual arrested Closed - ResolvedP202300179 13:24 THEFT : THEFT Bomgaars/ Individual reported lost property/ Upon returning to store, property failed to be located nor returned/ Case open and investigation Open - Under InvestigationP202300180 14:27 TRAFFIC STOP : Highway 385 and Haven Court/ Traffic Stop/ Driver arrested for Driving Under Suspension/ Marijuana located in vehicle/ Charges recommended Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300181 21:54 THEFT : THEFT $10,000 theft from an elderly male. Suspects have been located and charged. Closed - Charges Recommended03/17/23 Total: 4Total Records: 8

Alliance Police Department: The media report 

By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR

CHADRON – The Green Team is a new Chadron State College club approved by the Campus Activities Board during the Fall semester.

Tianna Martin of Kearney, Nebraska, is excited about plans for the future.

“Our goal is to bring more sustainable practices to all areas of campus. I wanted to start the club because in my senior year of high school, I started a Green Team with a few of my good friends. It was a lot of fun and we were able to do good things at the school in one year,” said Martin.

Martin is President, Ella Obrien of Chadron is the Secretary, Kayla Reichenberg of Grant, Nebraska, is the Treasurer, and Ashley Burrows of Hay Springs, Nebraska, is the Social Media Coordinator

The club of about 10 members is planning an event for Earth Day on April 22.

“We are looking for more people who are interested in joining,” Martin said.

Chantel Merchen is the staff adviser for the club.

"The Green Team is a great way to get involved on campus while learning about how to live a sustainable lifestyle. I am very excited to see how big this group grows once the word gets out on the great things we plan to do to improve the CSC Campus and Chadron area," Merchen said.

The club meets the first and third Friday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. in the IDEA Space of the King Library. Contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Tianna.martin@eagles.csc.edu" target="_blank">Tianna.martin@eagles.csc.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cmerchen@csc.edu" target="_blank">cmerchen@csc.edu</a>&nbsp;for details.

By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATORCHADRON – The Green Team is a new Chadron State College club approved by the Campus Activities Board during the Fall semester.Tianna Martin of Kearney, Nebraska, is excited about plans for the future.“Our goal is to bring more sustainable practices to all areas of campus. I wanted to start the club because in my senior year of high school, I started a Green Team with a few of my good friends. It was a lot of fun and we were able to do good things at the school in one year,” said Martin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680013846360.jpeg" alt="Green Team members pose in Chadron State College's King Library IDEA Space. From left, Emme Sims of Grant, Neb., staff adviser Chantel Merchen, Tianna Martin of Kearney, Neb., Kayla Reichenberg of Grant, Neb, and Ashley Burrows of Hay Springs, Neb. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Green Team members pose in Chadron State College's King Library IDEA Space. From left, Emme Sims of Grant, Neb., staff adviser Chantel Merchen, Tianna Martin of Kearney, Neb., Kayla Reichenberg of Grant, Neb, and Ashley Burrows of Hay Springs, Neb. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>Martin is President, Ella Obrien of Chadron is the Secretary, Kayla Reichenberg of Grant, Nebraska, is the Treasurer, and Ashley Burrows of Hay Springs, Nebraska, is the Social Media CoordinatorThe club of about 10 members is planning an event for Earth Day on April 22.“We are looking for more people who are interested in joining,” Martin said.Chantel Merchen is the staff adviser for the club."The Green Team is a great way to get involved on campus while learning about how to live a sustainable lifestyle. I am very excited to see how big this group grows once the word gets out on the great things we plan to do to improve the CSC Campus and Chadron area," Merchen said.The club meets the first and third Friday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. in the IDEA Space of the King Library. Contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Tianna.martin@eagles.csc.edu" target="_blank">Tianna.martin@eagles.csc.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cmerchen@csc.edu" target="_blank">cmerchen@csc.edu</a>&nbsp;for details.

The Green Team is a new Chadron State College club

LINCOLN — On Tuesday,&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen,&nbsp;in&nbsp;accordance with a request from&nbsp;the&nbsp;White House, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska&nbsp;flags&nbsp;are&nbsp;to&nbsp;be flown&nbsp;at&nbsp;half staff&nbsp;immediately,&nbsp;to&nbsp;honor&nbsp;the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;deadly shooting&nbsp;in&nbsp;Nashville, Tenn.

Flags&nbsp;are&nbsp;to&nbsp;be flown&nbsp;at&nbsp;half-staff&nbsp;until sunset on Friday. &nbsp;

Office of the GovernorLINCOLN — On Tuesday,&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen,&nbsp;in&nbsp;accordance with a request from&nbsp;the&nbsp;White House, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska&nbsp;flags&nbsp;are&nbsp;to&nbsp;be flown&nbsp;at&nbsp;half staff&nbsp;immediately,&nbsp;to&nbsp;honor&nbsp;the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;deadly shooting&nbsp;in&nbsp;Nashville, Tenn.Flags&nbsp;are&nbsp;to&nbsp;be flown&nbsp;at&nbsp;half-staff&nbsp;until sunset on Friday. &nbsp;

Pillen: Flags at half-staff to honor Nashville shooting victims

United States Attorney 
Steven Russell announced that William H. White, 55, and Sarah A. White, 
40, husband and wife, formerly of Roca were sentenced on 
March 21 by the Senior United States District
 Judge John M. Gerrard for Failure to Pay Over Employment Tax that had 
been withheld from employees’ paychecks.&nbsp; William White was sentenced to
 one year and one day imprisonment, to be followed by three years of 
supervised release.&nbsp; Sarah White was sentenced
 to three years of probation and a fine of $10,000.&nbsp; Each was ordered to
 pay $426,047.75 restitution but was credited for payments they had made
 previously totaling that same amount.&nbsp;


William and Sarah White
 owned two businesses that operated in tandem -- B&amp;B Midwest 
Trucking (B&amp;B) and 419, LLC (419).&nbsp; During portions of 2015 to 2018,
 B&amp;B and 419 withheld
federal income taxes and FICA taxes (Social Security and 
Medicare) from employees’ paychecks but failed to account for those 
taxes on time and to pay them over to the Internal Revenue Service.&nbsp; The
 withheld employee payroll taxes totaled $144,220.31
 for B&amp;B, and $281,827.44 for 419.&nbsp; Each business had sufficient 
funds available to pay the payroll taxes when due.&nbsp; William and Sarah 
White were aware of the obligation to account for and pay the payroll 
taxes and were responsible to pay them, but instead
 used the funds withheld from employees’ paychecks to pay other business
 creditors and to pay for personal expenses.&nbsp;&nbsp; The businesses had 
further failed to pay over the employer’s share of payroll taxes to the 
IRS, but the Whites paid those amounts as well
 prior to sentencing. 

“Business owners have a significant duty to collect
 and turn over all IRS withholding taxes,” said Thomas F. Murdock, 
Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field 
Office. “Those who fail to do so gain an unfair competitive
 advantage.&nbsp; The failure to abide by IRS laws will not be tolerated, and
 those criminals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney 
Steven Russell announced that William H. White, 55, and Sarah A. White, 
40, husband and wife, formerly of Roca were sentenced on 
March 21 by the Senior United States District
 Judge John M. Gerrard for Failure to Pay Over Employment Tax that had 
been withheld from employees’ paychecks.&nbsp; William White was sentenced to
 one year and one day imprisonment, to be followed by three years of 
supervised release.&nbsp; Sarah White was sentenced
 to three years of probation and a fine of $10,000.&nbsp; Each was ordered to
 pay $426,047.75 restitution but was credited for payments they had made
 previously totaling that same amount.&nbsp;
William and Sarah White
 owned two businesses that operated in tandem -- B&amp;B Midwest 
Trucking (B&amp;B) and 419, LLC (419).&nbsp; During portions of 2015 to 2018,
 B&amp;B and 419 withheld
federal income taxes and FICA taxes (Social Security and 
Medicare) from employees’ paychecks but failed to account for those 
taxes on time and to pay them over to the Internal Revenue Service.&nbsp; The
 withheld employee payroll taxes totaled $144,220.31
 for B&amp;B, and $281,827.44 for 419.&nbsp; Each business had sufficient 
funds available to pay the payroll taxes when due.&nbsp; William and Sarah 
White were aware of the obligation to account for and pay the payroll 
taxes and were responsible to pay them, but instead
 used the funds withheld from employees’ paychecks to pay other business
 creditors and to pay for personal expenses.&nbsp;&nbsp; The businesses had 
further failed to pay over the employer’s share of payroll taxes to the 
IRS, but the Whites paid those amounts as well
 prior to sentencing. “Business owners have a significant duty to collect
 and turn over all IRS withholding taxes,” said Thomas F. Murdock, 
Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field 
Office. “Those who fail to do so gain an unfair competitive
 advantage.&nbsp; The failure to abide by IRS laws will not be tolerated, and
 those criminals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.

Couple sentenced for failure to pay withheld payroll taxes

SCOTTSBLUFF — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a man and located a missing juvenile from Utah following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Deuel County.

Sunday, at approximately 3:05 p.m. MT, a trooper observed an eastbound Honda Accord drive on the shoulder of I-80 at mile marker 80, near Chappell. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that one of the passengers, a 16-year-old female, had been reported missing from Bountiful, Utah.

The driver, identified as Vicson Duarte Lendos, 29, of Bountiful, Utah, was arrested for child abuse, no injury and lodged in Cheyenne County jail. The investigation is ongoing with cooperation from the Bountiful Police Department. The juvenile was placed in protective custody.

NSPSCOTTSBLUFF — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a man and located a missing juvenile from Utah following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Deuel County.Sunday, at approximately 3:05 p.m. MT, a trooper observed an eastbound Honda Accord drive on the shoulder of I-80 at mile marker 80, near Chappell. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that one of the passengers, a 16-year-old female, had been reported missing from Bountiful, Utah.The driver, identified as Vicson Duarte Lendos, 29, of Bountiful, Utah, was arrested for child abuse, no injury and lodged in Cheyenne County jail. The investigation is ongoing with cooperation from the Bountiful Police Department. The juvenile was placed in protective custody.

Troopers locate missing juvenile during I-80 traffic stop

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Matthew French, 36, of Garland was sentenced on March 24 in Lincoln by Senior United States Senior District Judge John M. Gerrard for two counts of producing child pornography.&nbsp; French was sentenced to 225 months in prison and will also serve 12 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; After serving his prison sentence, French will be required to register as a sex offender.

This case began when a school intercepted an email intended for one of its minor students that contained sexually explicit language and requested sexual-related information and photos from the minor. An investigation was opened to determine the identity of the sender of the email. Through investigation, French was identified as the sender.

Through the subsequent investigation it was determined that French would meet minors through his small business, introduction from other minors, or through Snapchat. He would initiate a conversation with the minors and eventually would explain an opportunity to them to make money through “odd easy work.” He would then provide the minor the email address for a fictional individual. French explained to his victims that this fictional person wrote sex stories online and that they wanted the minor’s information to write these stories.

Using the fictional email address, French would pose as the third person and send the minor victims a survey with detailed questions about their sexual activities, proclivities, and anatomy. The email indicated the third person would pay the minor for a response to the survey. The email further contained options to make more money by taking certain sexually related photographs.

A search warrant was received for the email address, related-Google drive, and Google photos accounts and for French’s residence and devices. In reviewing this evidence, investigators discovered copious sexually explicit files. Investigators were able to positively identify four minor victims who provided sexually explicit images or videos to French at his request and who were paid by French.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/psc">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.

This case was investigated by the Seward County Sheriff’s Office.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Matthew French, 36, of Garland was sentenced on March 24 in Lincoln by Senior United States Senior District Judge John M. Gerrard for two counts of producing child pornography.&nbsp; French was sentenced to 225 months in prison and will also serve 12 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; After serving his prison sentence, French will be required to register as a sex offender.This case began when a school intercepted an email intended for one of its minor students that contained sexually explicit language and requested sexual-related information and photos from the minor. An investigation was opened to determine the identity of the sender of the email. Through investigation, French was identified as the sender.Through the subsequent investigation it was determined that French would meet minors through his small business, introduction from other minors, or through Snapchat. He would initiate a conversation with the minors and eventually would explain an opportunity to them to make money through “odd easy work.” He would then provide the minor the email address for a fictional individual. French explained to his victims that this fictional person wrote sex stories online and that they wanted the minor’s information to write these stories.Using the fictional email address, French would pose as the third person and send the minor victims a survey with detailed questions about their sexual activities, proclivities, and anatomy. The email indicated the third person would pay the minor for a response to the survey. The email further contained options to make more money by taking certain sexually related photographs.A search warrant was received for the email address, related-Google drive, and Google photos accounts and for French’s residence and devices. In reviewing this evidence, investigators discovered copious sexually explicit files. Investigators were able to positively identify four minor victims who provided sexually explicit images or videos to French at his request and who were paid by French.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/psc">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.This case was investigated by the Seward County Sheriff’s Office.

Neb. man sentenced for producing child pornography

Plan on attending Fall River Health Services as we host a free community awareness event focused on cardiovascular risk factors&nbsp;on Wednesday, April 5th, at the Muller Center in Hot Springs&nbsp;starting at 5pm social and the featured&nbsp;Keynote speaker, Dr. Drew Purdy from Monument Heart &amp; Vascular Center, Dr. Purdy will be addressing&nbsp;“ Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke, such as Diabetes, Obesity, Smoking, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure and Stress.

To attend, RSVP to&nbsp;Nancy in Rehab by March 31st&nbsp;at 605.745.8920 or via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nnilsen@frhssd.org" target="_blank">nnilsen@frhssd.org</a>&nbsp;. FRHS has our community at heart.&nbsp;

By Fall River Health Services<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679942862796.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Plan on attending Fall River Health Services as we host a free community awareness event focused on cardiovascular risk factors&nbsp;on Wednesday, April 5th, at the Muller Center in Hot Springs&nbsp;starting at 5pm social and the featured&nbsp;Keynote speaker, Dr. Drew Purdy from Monument Heart &amp; Vascular Center, Dr. Purdy will be addressing&nbsp;“ Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke, such as Diabetes, Obesity, Smoking, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure and Stress.To attend, RSVP to&nbsp;Nancy in Rehab by March 31st&nbsp;at 605.745.8920 or via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nnilsen@frhssd.org" target="_blank">nnilsen@frhssd.org</a>&nbsp;. FRHS has our community at heart.&nbsp;

Cardiovascular risks event to be held in Hot Springs, SD 

OGALLALA&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a Missouri man following a road rage incident Saturday evening during the strong winter storm in western Nebraska.

At approximately 5 p.m. MT, as troopers were performing traffic control at the Interstate 80 interchange at Ogallala, a vehicle stopped near a trooper and reported that another driver had made a threat while traffic was slowly exiting I-80 due to the weather conditions. The victim reported that a semi driver had exited his truck, approached the victim’s vehicle, and threatened the victim with a knife.&nbsp;

Troopers investigated the incident and located the semi driver, identified as Barry Bynum, 67, of St. Clair, Mo. Bynum was arrested for marking terroristic threats, possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, and third-degree assault. He was lodged in Keith County jail.

NSPOGALLALA&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a Missouri man following a road rage incident Saturday evening during the strong winter storm in western Nebraska.At approximately 5 p.m. MT, as troopers were performing traffic control at the Interstate 80 interchange at Ogallala, a vehicle stopped near a trooper and reported that another driver had made a threat while traffic was slowly exiting I-80 due to the weather conditions. The victim reported that a semi driver had exited his truck, approached the victim’s vehicle, and threatened the victim with a knife.&nbsp;Troopers investigated the incident and located the semi driver, identified as Barry Bynum, 67, of St. Clair, Mo. Bynum was arrested for marking terroristic threats, possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, and third-degree assault. He was lodged in Keith County jail.

Troopers arrest driver after road rage incident near Ogallala

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 3/27/23

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific has become the second major freight railroad in the past week to back away from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f97553f0ec9474784249fa4a17e1169">industry's longstanding push</a>&nbsp;to cut train crews down to one person as lawmakers and regulators increasingly focus on rail safety following last month's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery derailment</a>&nbsp;in Ohio.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad said in a statement Saturday that it had reached an agreement with the union that represents conductors to drop its proposal to take those workers out of the cabs of locomotives just months after it was pressing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-business-transportation-cce1888bacfb5b76a57a0b9843e21e82">test out the idea</a>&nbsp;of stationing conductors in trucks in parts of its 23-state network. Norfolk Southern made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-norfolk-southern-train-crews-fe588f7adee1eee34d53340dc425a855">similar announcement</a>&nbsp;several days earlier.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-contamination-fears-brockovich-fc68b402096a4f5f8598a657f7e399f8">Feb. 3 derailment</a>&nbsp;of a Norfolk Southern train that forced the evacuation of roughly half the town of East Palestine near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border after officials released and burned toxic chemicals is what sparked the renewed interest in railroad safety. A bipartisan bill that's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">gaining support in Congress</a>&nbsp;would require railroads to maintain two-person crews and make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">several other changes</a>&nbsp;designed to reduce the chances of future derailments. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-norfolk-southern-safety-investigation-2c819f2c469102332d4b1abf4c6e8923">regulators</a>, who are also pushing railroads to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">make reforms</a>, were already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/588d6f7829c4836b9d2feff5c21a5097">considering a rule</a>&nbsp;that would require two-person crews.

The major freight railroads have long argued that technological advances — particularly the automatic braking system they were required to install in recent years — had made it unnecessary to have a second person in every locomotive. And railroad executives had said they believed that moving conductors off of trains would improve their quality of life by giving them more predictable schedules and keeping them from going on the road.

But the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union and the other rail unions have long refused to agree to reducing the size of train crews because they believe train conductors play a crucial safety role and they want to preserve jobs.

The unions say conductors help monitor track conditions and radio communications while ensuring that engineers remain alert and respond to any emergencies or mechanical problems on the train. In the case of a derailment or collision, conductors are the first ones to respond before any additional help can arrive and they provide emergency responders key details about what a train is hauling.

Union Pacific Executive Vice President Beth Whited said the railroad will now focus on other ways to address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-business-strikes-df14983a4b7b7623bf68390587beef94">the concerns</a>&nbsp;about demanding schedules that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-congress-d2ae4d3aecb27f176418518d977e69e1">workers expressed</a>&nbsp;during last fall's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">difficult contract negotiations</a>. The rail industry reached the brink of a strike that could have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-climate-and-environment-government-politics-92ea7632a29f807ccc0e2658c50d731e">crippled the economy</a>&nbsp;before Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-pete-buttigieg-strikes-congress-c95510555dcd4cdc2d839e61d1195b06">intervened</a>&nbsp;in December and imposed a contract to prevent a walkout.

“We are pleased that Union Pacific is focusing on quality of life for our conductor workforce,” said Jeremy Ferguson, president of SMART-TD.

Railroads have also been under pressure over the past year to improve their service because they were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-omaha-7824a3d4042a757755ea76f55e51f641">struggling to handle</a>&nbsp;all the shipments companies want them to deliver. And the industry has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">defending its safety record</a>&nbsp;after eliminating nearly one-third of all railroad jobs over the past six years as railroads overhauled their operations. Unions say all those cuts have left workers spread too thin and made it more difficult to keep up with all the inspections and maintenance that are needed.

The railroads maintain that they remain the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-territories-ohio-canada-business-accidents-d57651e17b2f9e0163c50298106950a3">safest way</a>&nbsp;to transport hazardous chemicals and all kinds of other cargo across land because nearly every shipment arrives intact, but the East Palestine derailment reinforced just how devastating even one derailment involving dangerous chemicals can be.

By Associated Press<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679928438123.jpeg" alt="This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed the night before in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 2023. Union Pacific said Saturday, March 25, that the company has backed away from the industry's longstanding push to cut train crews down to one person as lawmakers and regulators increasingly focus on rail safety following last month's fiery derailment in Ohio. Norfolk Southern made a similar announcement several days earlier. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)" />
 <figcaption>This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed the night before in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 2023. Union Pacific said Saturday, March 25, that the company has backed away from the industry's longstanding push to cut train crews down to one person as lawmakers and regulators increasingly focus on rail safety following last month's fiery derailment in Ohio. Norfolk Southern made a similar announcement several days earlier. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific has become the second major freight railroad in the past week to back away from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f97553f0ec9474784249fa4a17e1169">industry's longstanding push</a>&nbsp;to cut train crews down to one person as lawmakers and regulators increasingly focus on rail safety following last month's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery derailment</a>&nbsp;in Ohio.The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad said in a statement Saturday that it had reached an agreement with the union that represents conductors to drop its proposal to take those workers out of the cabs of locomotives just months after it was pressing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-business-transportation-cce1888bacfb5b76a57a0b9843e21e82">test out the idea</a>&nbsp;of stationing conductors in trucks in parts of its 23-state network. Norfolk Southern made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-norfolk-southern-train-crews-fe588f7adee1eee34d53340dc425a855">similar announcement</a>&nbsp;several days earlier.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-contamination-fears-brockovich-fc68b402096a4f5f8598a657f7e399f8">Feb. 3 derailment</a>&nbsp;of a Norfolk Southern train that forced the evacuation of roughly half the town of East Palestine near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border after officials released and burned toxic chemicals is what sparked the renewed interest in railroad safety. A bipartisan bill that's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">gaining support in Congress</a>&nbsp;would require railroads to maintain two-person crews and make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">several other changes</a>&nbsp;designed to reduce the chances of future derailments. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-norfolk-southern-safety-investigation-2c819f2c469102332d4b1abf4c6e8923">regulators</a>, who are also pushing railroads to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">make reforms</a>, were already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/588d6f7829c4836b9d2feff5c21a5097">considering a rule</a>&nbsp;that would require two-person crews.The major freight railroads have long argued that technological advances — particularly the automatic braking system they were required to install in recent years — had made it unnecessary to have a second person in every locomotive. And railroad executives had said they believed that moving conductors off of trains would improve their quality of life by giving them more predictable schedules and keeping them from going on the road.But the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union and the other rail unions have long refused to agree to reducing the size of train crews because they believe train conductors play a crucial safety role and they want to preserve jobs.The unions say conductors help monitor track conditions and radio communications while ensuring that engineers remain alert and respond to any emergencies or mechanical problems on the train. In the case of a derailment or collision, conductors are the first ones to respond before any additional help can arrive and they provide emergency responders key details about what a train is hauling.Union Pacific Executive Vice President Beth Whited said the railroad will now focus on other ways to address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-business-strikes-df14983a4b7b7623bf68390587beef94">the concerns</a>&nbsp;about demanding schedules that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-congress-d2ae4d3aecb27f176418518d977e69e1">workers expressed</a>&nbsp;during last fall's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">difficult contract negotiations</a>. The rail industry reached the brink of a strike that could have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-climate-and-environment-government-politics-92ea7632a29f807ccc0e2658c50d731e">crippled the economy</a>&nbsp;before Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-pete-buttigieg-strikes-congress-c95510555dcd4cdc2d839e61d1195b06">intervened</a>&nbsp;in December and imposed a contract to prevent a walkout.“We are pleased that Union Pacific is focusing on quality of life for our conductor workforce,” said Jeremy Ferguson, president of SMART-TD.Railroads have also been under pressure over the past year to improve their service because they were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-omaha-7824a3d4042a757755ea76f55e51f641">struggling to handle</a>&nbsp;all the shipments companies want them to deliver. And the industry has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">defending its safety record</a>&nbsp;after eliminating nearly one-third of all railroad jobs over the past six years as railroads overhauled their operations. Unions say all those cuts have left workers spread too thin and made it more difficult to keep up with all the inspections and maintenance that are needed.The railroads maintain that they remain the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-territories-ohio-canada-business-accidents-d57651e17b2f9e0163c50298106950a3">safest way</a>&nbsp;to transport hazardous chemicals and all kinds of other cargo across land because nearly every shipment arrives intact, but the East Palestine derailment reinforced just how devastating even one derailment involving dangerous chemicals can be.

Union Pacific 2nd railroad to drop push for one-person crews

Alliance– Yard and garden waste collection will start on Monday April 3, 2023. Please put yard waste in the containers loose and not in plastic bags. Do not put garbage in your yard waste containers. Sticks should be broken into small pieces and placed in the regular dumpsters and not in yard waste containers. Yard and garden waste containers will be emptied on normal collection days.

Please contact the Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-1907 for more information.

By City of AllianceAlliance– Yard and garden waste collection will start on Monday April 3, 2023. Please put yard waste in the containers loose and not in plastic bags. Do not put garbage in your yard waste containers. Sticks should be broken into small pieces and placed in the regular dumpsters and not in yard waste containers. Yard and garden waste containers will be emptied on normal collection days.Please contact the Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-1907 for more information.

City of Alliance yard, garden waste collection to begin 

By&nbsp;Northwest Nebraska Trails Association

Parker Fisher, a senior at Chadron High School, has constructed the first bench for the Cowboy Trail Connection, the trail that is being developed to link downtown Chadron to the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail five miles east of town. With assistance from the Pine Ridge Job Corps, Fisher completed the concrete bench for his Eagle Scout project.

 Joining Fisher for a photo are Scoutmaster Vince Ryan and Northwest Nebraska Trails Association board members George Ledbetter and Justin Haag. The sturdy, low-maintenance design is expected to serve trail users for many generations to come.

By&nbsp;Northwest Nebraska Trails Association<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679874173587.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Parker Fisher, a senior at Chadron High School, has constructed the first bench for the Cowboy Trail Connection, the trail that is being developed to link downtown Chadron to the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail five miles east of town. With assistance from the Pine Ridge Job Corps, Fisher completed the concrete bench for his Eagle Scout project.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679874154775.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Joining Fisher for a photo are Scoutmaster Vince Ryan and Northwest Nebraska Trails Association board members George Ledbetter and Justin Haag. The sturdy, low-maintenance design is expected to serve trail users for many generations to come.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679874208702.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679874226802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Chadron High School student constructs first bench on Cowboy Trail Connection 

BEVERAGES OF THE DAMNED: A Wing and a Prayer

OGALLALA — Keith County Communities for Kids will host an Easter egg hunt from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April, 1 at the Western Diamond Sports Complex in Ogallala.

OGALLALA — Keith County Communities for Kids will host an Easter egg hunt from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April, 1 at the Western Diamond Sports Complex in Ogallala.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679419653805.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

No foolin': Ogallala Easter egg hunt scheduled for April 1

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Travis J. Nyhoff, 41, of Lincoln was sentenced recently in federal
court in Lincoln.&nbsp; Senior United States 
District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Nyhoff to 10 years in prison 
for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of 
methamphetamine (actual).&nbsp; After serving his sentence,
 Nyhoff will be placed on supervised release for 5 years.&nbsp; There is no 
parole in the federal system.&nbsp;


On
 September 21, 2021, investigators with the Lincoln Police Department 
saw Nyhoff walking on a sidewalk in Lincoln.&nbsp; The investigators 
determined that Nyhoff had warrants for his
 arrest.&nbsp; The investigators contacted Nyhoff at a gas station parking 
lot.&nbsp; Nyhoff was carrying a backpack with a smaller bag clipped to it.&nbsp; 
They arrested Nyhoff pursuant to those warrants and searched his 
person.&nbsp; They found a glass meth pipe with residue
 on his person.&nbsp; During his arrest, he dropped the backpack he was 
carrying.&nbsp; Officers searched the bag attached to the backpack and found 
three baggies containing suspected methamphetamine.&nbsp; Investigators found
 in the backpack a digital scale with suspected
 methamphetamine residue. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the 
lab for testing.&nbsp; The lab determined that the largest bag contained 
60.23 grams of methamphetamine, of which at least 58 grams was actual 
methamphetamine.&nbsp; The other two bags were confirmed
 to contain methamphetamine and totaled 80.2 grams.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Travis J. Nyhoff, 41, of Lincoln was sentenced recently in federal
court in Lincoln.&nbsp; Senior United States 
District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Nyhoff to 10 years in prison 
for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of 
methamphetamine (actual).&nbsp; After serving his sentence,
 Nyhoff will be placed on supervised release for 5 years.&nbsp; There is no 
parole in the federal system.&nbsp;
On
 September 21, 2021, investigators with the Lincoln Police Department 
saw Nyhoff walking on a sidewalk in Lincoln.&nbsp; The investigators 
determined that Nyhoff had warrants for his
 arrest.&nbsp; The investigators contacted Nyhoff at a gas station parking 
lot.&nbsp; Nyhoff was carrying a backpack with a smaller bag clipped to it.&nbsp; 
They arrested Nyhoff pursuant to those warrants and searched his 
person.&nbsp; They found a glass meth pipe with residue
 on his person.&nbsp; During his arrest, he dropped the backpack he was 
carrying.&nbsp; Officers searched the bag attached to the backpack and found 
three baggies containing suspected methamphetamine.&nbsp; Investigators found
 in the backpack a digital scale with suspected
 methamphetamine residue. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the 
lab for testing.&nbsp; The lab determined that the largest bag contained 
60.23 grams of methamphetamine, of which at least 58 grams was actual 
methamphetamine.&nbsp; The other two bags were confirmed
 to contain methamphetamine and totaled 80.2 grams.This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

Lincoln man sentenced to 10 years on federal meth charges 

It’s fair to say that 2022 brought unique weather to all portions of Nebraska. From tornadoes, to
giant hailstones to wildfires and dust storms, our weather has been impactful. The National
Weather Service remains committed to working with leaders from across the state to build
“Weather-Ready” communities.


March 27-31 is Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week. We encourage everyone to take
time to review and practice your severe weather plan for your home or office. If you don’t have a
plan, this is a great time to consider developing one and sharing it with others. Preparing an emer-
gency kit with basic supplies such as food, water, blankets and a flashlight can save precious time
when reacting to an actual event. By working together to ensure we are ready for disaster, we can
better prepare our families, friends, and communities for these times.


Although it is not common for severe weather to occur in the winter, Nebraska has had at least one
reported tornado during each month of the year since official records have been kept. The reports
we receive from our partners and the public contribute to keeping our neighbors and fellow Ne-
braskans safe when disaster strikes.


The ground truth provided gives forecasters an idea of what a storm is doing. These reports are
used in research aimed at better understanding how storms work. Your storm reports play a vital
role in keeping others safe, both now and in the years to come.


Tornadoes reported across Nebraska in 2022 were down greatly from the 30-year average of 49.
Only 26 tornadoes occurred in the state last year. April had the most tornadoes with 10, with June
coming in second with 9.


Storm reports are eyewitness reports providing critical in-
formation to meteorologists making warning decisions.
This real time information allows forecasters to have
ground truth of what is actually happening below where
the radar cannot see.


We are grateful to our storm spotters, partners, and local
community members for your continued support and as-
sistance in providing this information.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679327835736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>National Weather ServiceIt’s fair to say that 2022 brought unique weather to all portions of Nebraska. From tornadoes, to
giant hailstones to wildfires and dust storms, our weather has been impactful. The National
Weather Service remains committed to working with leaders from across the state to build
“Weather-Ready” communities.
March 27-31 is Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week. We encourage everyone to take
time to review and practice your severe weather plan for your home or office. If you don’t have a
plan, this is a great time to consider developing one and sharing it with others. Preparing an emer-
gency kit with basic supplies such as food, water, blankets and a flashlight can save precious time
when reacting to an actual event. By working together to ensure we are ready for disaster, we can
better prepare our families, friends, and communities for these times.
Your Storm Reports in Action
Although it is not common for severe weather to occur in the winter, Nebraska has had at least one
reported tornado during each month of the year since official records have been kept. The reports
we receive from our partners and the public contribute to keeping our neighbors and fellow Ne-
braskans safe when disaster strikes.
The ground truth provided gives forecasters an idea of what a storm is doing. These reports are
used in research aimed at better understanding how storms work. Your storm reports play a vital
role in keeping others safe, both now and in the years to come.
Tornado Number Trends
Tornadoes reported across Nebraska in 2022 were down greatly from the 30-year average of 49.
Only 26 tornadoes occurred in the state last year. April had the most tornadoes with 10, with June
coming in second with 9.
Storm reports are eyewitness reports providing critical in-
formation to meteorologists making warning decisions.
This real time information allows forecasters to have
ground truth of what is actually happening below where
the radar cannot see.
We are grateful to our storm spotters, partners, and local
community members for your continued support and as-
sistance in providing this information.

Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 27-31

United States Attorney 
Steven Russell announced that Jose O. Maes, 38, of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, was sentenced today in Lincoln by Senior United 
States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 31 years
 in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the 
intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture with a
 prior violent felony conviction. Maes was convicted of the offense in 
November of 2022 after a three-day trial.&nbsp; Following
 the prison term, Maes will serve 15 years on supervised release. There
 is no parole in the federal system.

Testimony and evidence 
presented at trial showed between June of 2020 and February 12, 2021, 
Maes was involved in a methamphetamine distribution organization which 
transported multiple pounds of methamphetamine
 from the Colorado Springs, Colorado, area to the Lincoln and Omaha, 
Nebraska/Council Bluffs, Iowa areas between the latter part of 2020 and 
February 12, 2022.

On February 11, 2022, 
investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force saw
 Maes meet with two co-conspirators at the Horseshoe Casino in Council 
Bluffs. The three were engaged in what appeared
 to be the transfer of drugs in the casino parking garage.&nbsp; Shortly 
thereafter, an exchange of cash occurred at a nearby gas station.&nbsp; Later
 that evening, the two co-conspirators, driving separate vehicles, were 
stopped on westbound Interstate 80 on their way
 back to Lincoln by the Nebraska State Patrol.&nbsp; Both vehicles were 
searched, and a total of approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, 
numerous fentanyl pills, two handguns and $5,000 in cash were found.

As a result of these 
stops and searches, Iowa investigators were told Maes was believed to 
have returned to the casinos and was likely in possession of 
methamphetamine, cash and a firearm.&nbsp; Around 2:30 a.m. on
 February 12, 2022, an investigator from the Iowa Division of Narcotics 
Enforcement and a Council Bluffs Police Officer found Maes’s car in the 
Harrah’s Casino parking garage.&nbsp; Maes evaded efforts to contact him.&nbsp; 
This resulted in a pursuit involving multiple
 law enforcement agencies which ended approximately 30 miles away in a 
rural area of Pottawattamie County, Iowa.&nbsp; A search of Maes’s car 
resulted in the seizure of ¼ ounce of methamphetamine, a few fentanyl 
pills, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine
 and more than $34,153 in cash.&nbsp; That cash was later forfeited to the 
United States of America by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This case was 
investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, the 
Nebraska State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the 
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division
 of Intelligence, the Council Bluffs Police Department, the 
Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the 
Omaha Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney 
Steven Russell announced that Jose O. Maes, 38, of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, was sentenced today in Lincoln by Senior United 
States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 31 years
 in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the 
intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture with a
 prior violent felony conviction. Maes was convicted of the offense in 
November of 2022 after a three-day trial.&nbsp; Following
 the prison term, Maes will serve 15 years on supervised release. There
 is no parole in the federal system.Testimony and evidence 
presented at trial showed between June of 2020 and February 12, 2021, 
Maes was involved in a methamphetamine distribution organization which 
transported multiple pounds of methamphetamine
 from the Colorado Springs, Colorado, area to the Lincoln and Omaha, 
Nebraska/Council Bluffs, Iowa areas between the latter part of 2020 and 
February 12, 2022.On February 11, 2022, 
investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force saw
 Maes meet with two co-conspirators at the Horseshoe Casino in Council 
Bluffs. The three were engaged in what appeared
 to be the transfer of drugs in the casino parking garage.&nbsp; Shortly 
thereafter, an exchange of cash occurred at a nearby gas station.&nbsp; Later
 that evening, the two co-conspirators, driving separate vehicles, were 
stopped on westbound Interstate 80 on their way
 back to Lincoln by the Nebraska State Patrol.&nbsp; Both vehicles were 
searched, and a total of approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, 
numerous fentanyl pills, two handguns and $5,000 in cash were found.As a result of these 
stops and searches, Iowa investigators were told Maes was believed to 
have returned to the casinos and was likely in possession of 
methamphetamine, cash and a firearm.&nbsp; Around 2:30 a.m. on
 February 12, 2022, an investigator from the Iowa Division of Narcotics 
Enforcement and a Council Bluffs Police Officer found Maes’s car in the 
Harrah’s Casino parking garage.&nbsp; Maes evaded efforts to contact him.&nbsp; 
This resulted in a pursuit involving multiple
 law enforcement agencies which ended approximately 30 miles away in a 
rural area of Pottawattamie County, Iowa.&nbsp; A search of Maes’s car 
resulted in the seizure of ¼ ounce of methamphetamine, a few fentanyl 
pills, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine
 and more than $34,153 in cash.&nbsp; That cash was later forfeited to the 
United States of America by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).This case was 
investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, the 
Nebraska State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the 
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division
 of Intelligence, the Council Bluffs Police Department, the 
Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the 
Omaha Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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