(Lincoln, Neb.)- The Nebraska State Patrol will have the equivalent of 57 extra troopers on the road over the July 4^th holiday in an effort to prevent injury and fatality crashes.

The special enforcement will take place beginning Tuesday, July 3 and run through Sunday, July 8. Troopers and Communications Specialists will work overtime hours thanks in part to a nearly $28,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.

“The July 4^th holiday is a time when many of us take to the road,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “It’s a very festive holiday and we want people to have fun, but encourage everyone to make safe responsible choices when it comes to celebrating.”

Motorists are reminded to always wear their seat belt, obey the posted speed limit and never drive impaired or distracted. The Nebraska State Patrol encourages holiday travelers to allow for plenty of time to reach their destination.

Colonel Sankey said, “The road construction season is also in high gear. We encourage everyone to pay extra attention in work zones and to remember fines double when workers are present.”

A vehicle check will also be conducted in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office.  The time and location of the vehicle checks should not be released to the public.  The vehicle check will take place on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., on Highway 136, east of Auburn in Nemaha County.   Media is welcome to cover vehicle checks. Information on the vehicle check is EMBARGOED until the check is completed.

For more information on specific enforcement activities over the July 4^th weekend call your nearest Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area office or view a calendar of selected NSP enforcement activities at < https://www.statepatrol.nebraska.gov/CustomCalendar.aspx

(Grand Island, Neb.)- Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Troop C Headquarters- Grand Island had contact with 43 motorists during a series of high visibility patrols in Adams and Hall County over the weekend.

The special enforcement took place during the evening hours on Saturday, June 23 and continued into the early morning hours on Sunday, June 24. During the effort troopers issued 16 speeding citations and warnings, and two citations for driving under suspension. One juvenile was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol and one citation was issued for possession of marijuana more than an ounce, less than a pound.

The special enforcement conducted in conjunction with the Hasting Police Department was paid for thanks in part to a $1,825 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is looking to enhance a parking structure on campus with private residential or commercial development.

University officials called for proposals Friday. Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance Christine Jackson says university officials see a market for private housing near campus that would help pay for university programs.

Jackson says the public-private partnership would be unique to campus and include dedicated university parking, private residences and commercial space. The maximum height of any proposed building is 130 feet. The university also requires 1,250 parking spaces for student, faculty and staff use.

The developer will also be responsible for assessing the housing market. The residences will not qualify as university-approved student housing.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 22-year-old man apparently drowned after jumping into the Platte River at Two Rivers State Park in eastern Nebraska.

Antonio Velasquez, of Omaha, was visiting the park with a church group. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says Velasquez jumped into the river with a friend about 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The friend came back up, but Velasquez didn’t.

A few minutes later Velasquez was found floating in the water.

Chief Deputy Marty Bilek  says Velasquez was pulled from the water and several people tried to resuscitate him. Bilek says Velasquez was flown to The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He was pronounced dead there.

ST. PAUL, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska fire has destroyed a small winery. 

Local media reports that the fire north of St. Paul destroyed the Miletta Winery building early Saturday.

Firefighters say some people were in the building that housed the winery and its tasting room when the fire started. Everyone made it out OK.

It took six hours to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

LINCOLN- Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale says that candidate filing deadlines are approaching for certain offices for the Nov 6th general election.

Affected offices include small public power districts, reclamation districts, educational service units, county weed boards, township officers, village boards, and Class II School districts.

The filling deadline for incumbents is July 16, and the deadline for non-incumbents is August 1st. The Incumbent deadline applies to a person who holds any elected office.

The affected offices are one that were not on the May primary election ballot.

For further information, individuals may contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (402) 47102555 or their county election office.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — This year’s warm, dry weather has experts worried that crops in Nebraska and other Plains states could be hurt by drought this summer unless the area receives more rain.

Conditions in some areas of the region already resemble late summer conditions, and that could hurt the corn crop, which is just about ready for pollination.

The western two-thirds of Nebraska are already experiencing moderate drought conditions.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln climatologist Al Dutcher says things are going to get ugly unless more rain falls.

Eastern Nebraska has received enough rain so far to limit the stress on crops and stay out of drought, but that could change if conditions are dry over the next few weeks.