Marshall Dan Provides Good and Bad News on Effort to Save Fantasy Island
By: Staff Reporter
A small group of dedicated former employees announced in 2020 their intention to save Fantasy Island from extinction. One of those members, Marshall Dan, released the following update:
Hey folks, Marshall Dan here. I know everyone has been patiently waiting for any information on the park… so here are some “updates”.
THE BAD NEWS:
What’s left at the park is in VERY poor shape. Partially because of the way that Apex left it, and partially because of the extreme vandalism that has occurred since their “evacuation”. There is no security… so “thrill seekers” (and idiots) have broken in repeatedly causing more damage. Sadly, I see photos and videos – even from people I’ve known – who find it “fun” to illegally break into the park and screw around. When I see these photos I send them immediately to the Grand Island Police and URGE you to do the same.
From missing State Fair money to multiple shootings to sexual assaults of teens, 2020 was an unusual year for stories from the crime and courts beat at the Grand Island Independent.
1. Former Nebraska State Fair Chief Financial Officer Patrick Kopke was charged with stealing money from the Fair in 2019.
In November, Kopke pleaded not guilty to three theft charges in Hall County District Court.
Kopke, 29, is charged with three counts of theft by unlawful taking totaling $5,000 or more, which is a Class IIA felony, in February, July 12 and Sept. 3.
Kopke resigned from his job in November 2019.
Later, a state audit showed a company he created was paid nearly $150,000 in state fair funds and there were no invoices proving the company had done any work for the fair.
Stores still will not be allowed to sell package alcohol until noon.
The first option that changed the start time to 9 a.m. for all entities was approved by the City Council, but then vetoed by Mayor Roger Steele, who said he vetoed the ordinance in support of the Grand Island Police Department.
âWe have a professional police force,â Steele said. âThey have given you their best opinion that this will increase their workload when they are already overworked during the early morning Sunday hours.â
Steele said he found the councilâs discussion âdisheartening.â
âWe talked about increased alcohol sales as a win-win for our community. Thatâs not true,â he said. âOur Police Department sees the impact of alcohol in our community in a truer light. They see wrecked lives. They pick up the pieces of accidents where people are maimed, wounded and killed. Our chief has said Option B is the proper way to proceed, and Iâm not going to
Grand Island man loses about $7,900 in scam theindependent.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theindependent.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.