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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Growing conditions are improving in Nebraska as more normal temperatures return, but some areas have had problems with hail and grasshoppers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its weekly update on the state’s crops on Monday. The USDA says some recent rain storms brought hail that damaged crops in the eastern end of the state. And grasshoppers remain a concern in parts of western Nebraska. But the state’s two main crops appear to be in pretty good shape. About 78 percent of the corn crop rated in good or excellent condition at the end of last week. And about 79 percent of the soybean crop was in good or excellent condition.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a Nebraska party goer who passed out in a limousine bus’ bathroom later drove the 40-foot-long vehicle home, but left his wallet behind – in a pair of jeans. Lincoln police say the $80,000 bus was found a few blocks from Steven Hunter’s home Saturday afternoon. Capt. David Biggs says the 30-year-old doesn’t remember driving the bus. He’s charged with criminal mischief and unauthorized vehicle use. Police say Hunter was likely asleep when the bus was taken back to Leisure Limousine Service around 3:30 a.m. Investigators believe that when he woke up, he realized the doors were locked, saw the keys and drove home. The jeans were found in the bathroom. A phone number for Hunter’s address couldn’t be found Monday. Online court records didn’t list an attorney.
When the Colorado Rockies traded Ubaldo Jimenez, they received in return two highly-touted young pitchers who the Rockies felt could reach Jimenez’s level in the not-too-distant future. For Alex White, the future begins tonight. White makes his Rockies debut tonight, getting the start as the Rockies host the Houston Astros at Coors Field. It’s not the 22 year-old right-hander’s big league debut. White made three starts for the Indians earlier this season, going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA, before being sidelined with a finger injury. In four rehab starts with AA Tulsa since being acquired by the Rockies, White posted a 1.65 ERA in 16 innings, including seven and two thirds shutout frames on Thursday. Hear White’s debut in purple pinstripes tonight on ESPN Radio 1410, with pregame coverage at 7:05 and first pitch at 7:40.
Denver Broncos head coach John Fox confirmed the obvious yesterday afternoon: Kyle Orton has won the starting quarterback job. Fox officially announced that Orton would start the Broncos season opener September 12 against the Oakland Raiders. The veteran started 13 of 16 games last season, throwing for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns, before making way for Tim Tebow in the final three games. In training camp, Orton clearly outplayed both Tebow and Brady Quinn and had practiced with the first team the entire time. After a 10-for-13, 135 yard passing performance that included two touchdown drives in Saturday’s second preseason game against Buffalo, Orton left no doubt that he would be preferred under center. Competition remains between Tebow and Quinn for the backup role.
The Colorado Rockies used an explosive first inning to defeat the Houston Astros 9-5 in the first game of their three-game series at Coors Field last night. The Rockies scored six times off Astros starter Brett Myers in the opening frame, keyed by two-run doubles from Carlos Gonzalez and starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin. Chacin worked seven innings for his career-high tenth win of the season, allowing just one run while scattering 11 hits. Gonzalez would add a solo home run, his 22nd of the season, and Chris Nelson hit a two-run pinch-hit single in the 8th that proved crucial as the Astros scored four times in the ninth and got the tying run to the on deck circle. The Rockies and Astros are back at it tonight in Denver, and ESPN Radio 1410 has the action with pregame coverage at 7:05 and the first pitch at 7:40.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska Medicaid has refunded nearly $169,000 to the federal government after an audit found improper billing for personal care services. A federal audit released last month found the state agency
improperly claimed an estimated $275,000 in Medicaid reimbursement for personal care services over a two-and-a-half year period. Nebraska’s program is administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services. Local social service workers in more than 100 offices throughout the state approve personal care
services, such as bathing and meal-making, for disabled and low-income beneficiaries. State officials say they are correcting the errors with new filing rules and a more user-friendly, automated billing system. Department spokeswoman Kathie Osterman says the money owed was taken out of the federal government’s quarterly Medicaid payment to the state.
HAYES CENTER, Neb. (AP) – A lack of volunteer help has led the Hayes Center Lions Club to cancel this year’s “Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous,” an event the group has hosted for 10 years. Rendezvous coordinator Doris Vlasin tells the McCook Daily Gazette that several club members have moved away in recent years and a number of others are simply no longer involved in events. The event offered a historical experience that recreated the 1872 visit by Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis for a buffalo hunt led by Buffalo Bill Cody, General George Custer and General Phil Sheridan. Those attending Hayes Center’s rendezvous could participate in everything from throwing tomahawks to shooting black powder rifles, as well as having tea on the prairie and listening to tales of the Old West.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Heavy rain has flooded some streets and basements in far western Iowa and eastern Nebraska. Standing water blocked streets early Monday morning in Council Bluffs and across the Missouri River in Omaha, Neb. An Iowa National Guard transport truck had to be deployed to rescue around 30 children from their stranded school bus in Council Bluffs. Station KETV says the bus stalled in about 4 feet of water south of downtown Council Bluffs. The children were loaded into the truck and taken to safety. In Omaha, some streets just north of downtown were closed. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
