(AP) — Farmers in nine northwest Nebraska counties are now eligible for federal loans to help recover from an October blizzard that killed thousands of cattle.

The U.S. Farm Service Agency announced Thursday that it has declared Dawes, Sheridan and Sioux counties as primary natural disaster areas. The designation allows qualified farmers to seek emergency loans. The program also applies to six bordering counties: Box Butte, Cherry, Garden, Grant, Morrill and Scottsbluff.

The loans are available to help producers recover from losses of structures, equipment and livestock. The application deadline is June 30, 2014.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s extension office in Chadron has said at least 2,200 cattle died in the storm.

(AP) — The form Nebraskans use to register to vote is being tweaked to reduce duplicate registrations.

Secretary of State John Gale says the main change is that the new forms will ask for voters’ full legal names.

Previously, some people would register with their initials or a nickname, and that made it hard to compare voter registration to other databases.

The new form also asks voters to provide the details of their previous registration.

Gale says both changes will reduce the chance that the state winds up with two registrations for the same person.

The new registration form will be gradually phased in as counties across Nebraska run out of the old form.

A Scottsbluff man was arrested and lodged in jail for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) after paying a visit to the Troop E Headquarters in Scottsbluff.

Just after 2:00 p.m., (MDT) on Wednesday, October 30, a trooper made contact with a man trying to enter an employee entrance at the Troop E Headquarters, 4500 Avenue I, in Scottsbluff. The trooper detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on the individual.  A subsequent investigation revealed the man identified as Levi M. Schwartzkopf, 42, Scottsbluff, had business to attend to at the Troop E Headquarters and had driven himself there. His 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup was found in the Troop E parking lot.

Schwartzkopf was lodged in the Scotts Bluff County Corrections on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

The Thrift Connection is making a move to better serve the citizens of North Platte.

According to Neal Criddle, Executive Director of The Connection Homeless Shelter, the organization recently purchased an 1,800 square foot building at the corner of 5th and Walnut, directly east of the current location, to house the Thrift Connection.

Criddle said the new location will allow for expanded merchandise and a better overall shopping experience.  In an effort to make shopping at the thrift store easier, Criddle says everything will be categorized and better organized.  All proceeds from the store directly benefit residence at the Homeless Shelter.

In order to show off the new home for the store, a Grand Opening will be held Saturday, November 2nd from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Criddle says the event will feature special sale prices throughout the store, a ribbon cutting at Noon with the North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce and First National Bank and lunch for a free-will donation.  Organizers say the event is open to the public, and they look forward to celebrating this accomplishment.  Criddle says he believes the new purchase is a huge step for the future of the Shelter.

The Thrift Connection will be open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Those interested in making a donation are asked to use the garage door on the north side of the building during regular business hours.

The Mix 97One Crew will be live and on location during the Grand Opening Event.

A Gothenburg man has been charged after he allegedly ran into a house in Brady.

According to a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office news release, Deputies received a call at around 1:40 a.m. Thursday, stating that a vehicle had hit a house at 318 Commercial Drive.

Upon arrival, Deputies found a white 1993 Chevrolet Suburban wedged inside the house.  Brady Fire and Rescue was summoned to help remove two residents of the home who were partially trapped.

The vehicle’s driver was identified as 33-year-old Christopher Ahola.

An investigation revealed that Ahola was driving westbound on Commercial Avenue and attempted to turn south on Matthewson Street when the vehicle slid across the intersection, through the yard and into the house.

Investigators say Ahola appeared to be intoxicated and a was given a field sobriety test which confirmed their suspicions.

Ahola was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center where a chemical sample of his breath tested almost two-times the legal limit.  He was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Liquor.

Officials say the investigation is ongoing and no injuries were reported.