The American Red Cross issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because many fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July.

“We are counting on generous volunteer blood and platelet donors to step up and give now,” said Tricia Quinn, CEO for the Red Cross Midwest Blood Services Region. “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for these patients in need.”

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. The shortfall is similar to what the Red Cross experienced in June 2012.

June can be among the most challenging months of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they adjust to summer schedules. High school and college blood drives account for as much as 20 percent of Red Cross donations during the school year. Donations from those who usually give at these drives drop by more than 80 percent when school is out for the summer.  In addition, a mid-week Independence Day holiday reduced the number of blood drives scheduled in early July. Many sponsors, especially businesses, were unable to host drives because employees took extended vacations.

The Red Cross urgently needs donations to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients all summer long.  Each day, the Midwest Blood Services Region must collect approximately 500 blood donations to meet patient needs. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so it’s important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Frontier County

July 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Legion Hall, 108 N. Main St. in Eustis, Neb.

Furnas County

July 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Ella Missing Community Building, 411 Sixth St. in Arapahoe, Neb.

Keith County

July 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ogallala Fair Building, 1100 W. Fifth in Ogallala, Neb.

July 17 from 12-6 p.m. at Ogallala Fair Building, 1100 W. Fifth in Ogallala, Neb.

July 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ogallala Hospital, 2601 N. Spruce in Ogallala, Neb.

Lincoln County

July 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

July 15 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Community Building, 121 N. Main in Brady, Neb.

July 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

July 18 from 1-7 p.m. at Berean Church, 202 W. Eighth in North Platte, Neb.

July 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

July 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Community Hall, 105 E. Alice St. in Wallace, Neb.

July 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

Logan County

July 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Village Hall, 236 Main St. in Stapleton, Neb.

Perkins County

July 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Life Fellowship Hall, 617 W. Fourth in Grant, Neb.

As the weather continues to be warm the North Platte Police Department (NPPD) often sees an increase in Itinerant Sales Permits throughout the city for door to door sales people.

Even though there are a lot of honest hard working door to door sales people there are still some that cross the line.  The police department encourages citizens to call law enforcement immediately if the sales person becomes too aggressive, refuses to leave, threatens them or pushes their way into a home.  Citizens also have the right to ask to see the Itinerant Sales Permit to make sure that they are legitimate.

Recently, the NPPD has responded to more than one suspicious person complaint regarding at least two women from Estonia soliciting door to door for Global Education Concepts in an attempt to sell kids books.

On July 5^th one of them was cited for not possessing an Itinerant Sales Permit, which individuals are required by municipal ordinance to pay for per day during the time period they intend to solicit or sale.  These door to door sales representatives have been targeted by recent Facebook posts and concerns by the public throughout the Midwest and in North Platte for possibly being involved in a “sex trafficking ring” of young girls.  The NPPD has no information at this time that would lead them to believe this is true.

If citizens don’t feel comfortable about a door to door sales person they should remember that they don’t have to do business with them.

The NPPD is asking that citizens work together to report problems that may arise in order to help make North Platte a safer place to live and work.

(AP) — Higher-than-expected tax revenues in Nebraska will boost the state’s rainy-day fund to an all-time high.

Nebraska Tax Commissioner Doug Ewald said Tuesday that revenues in the last fiscal year will bring the state’s cash reserve to $679 million, the largest in state history.

The tax commissioner’s office reported that revenues came in at a little more than $4 billion during the fiscal year that ended on June 30, nearly 8 percent above the state’s certified forecast. Ewald says the increased revenue is likely due to an improved economy.

The announcement came as Nebraska lawmakers embark on a study of the state’s tax system. Gov. Dave Heineman says in a statement that lawmakers should now focus on passing new tax cuts.

A North Platte man is facing felony charges after North Platte Police found him passed out in his vehicle.

At around 9:30 am on July 5, Officers from the North Platte Police Department responded to a report of suspicious activity in the 1400 block of West 5th Street.

The reporting party told Police that  a male and female were “passed out” in a vehicle with the car door standing open.

According to Public Information Officer Rodney Brown, Officers made contact with the suspects, 24-year-old Taylor Trembly and a female passenger, who were asleep in a gray Dodge Charger.

Trembly was also being sought by Police in regards to a January 8th incident where he was found in possession of a needle and syringe, which later tested positive for meth.

Trembly was placed under arrest and was found to be in Possession of a BB gun, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia commonly used in drug distribution.

Additionally, a laptop computer found in the vehicle was reported stolen by the White County Sheriff’s Office in Searcy, Arkansas.

Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Trembly for the earlier charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, as well as new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and Possession of Stolen Property.

Trembly was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

The female was not charged, however, Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Arrest warrants for Keenan M. Lambert, 18, originally from Miller, NE. and Jordan Baker, 16, from Hastings were issued earlier today for two counts of Attempted Murder (II Fel), Use of Deadly Weapon to Commit a Felony, 28-1205 (II Fel), Escape Using Force/Deadly Weapon, 28-912 (III Fel) and Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking , 28-511 (III Fel).

Investigators from the North Platte Police Department served those warrants this afternoon on Lambert and Baker in Lexington, NE and transported them to the Lincoln County Detention Center for their role in today’s earlier stabbing and escape from the Nebraska Youth Center at 1807 Washington Ave. in North Platte.

Police are not releasing the names or conditions of the victims.

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Two women are receiving treatment at Great Plains Regional Medical Center after being stabbed at the Nebraska Youth Center in North Platte.

At around 12:30 am, North Platte Police responded to the report of a stabbing at the Nebraska Youth Center located at 1807 Washington Avenue.

Officers arrived to find a 37-year-old female staff member and a 40-year-old staff member that had been stabbed multiple times.

The suspects, 18-year-old Keenan Lambert and a 16-year-old juvenile, stole an employee’s Dodge Charger and fled the scene.

The suspects and the stolen vehicle were located in Dawson County when they were stopped on Interstate 80 by a Dawson County Sheriff’s Deputy.

They are both being held at the Dawson County Jail pending formal charges.

Police say it is unclear what role the suspects played in the stabbing, but they are both expected to be charged as adults later today.

The victims injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The Nebraska Youth Center is a holding facility for boys.

*THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY*