We’ve heard it countless times, “North Platte needs a Hobby Lobby.”

Soon, wishful thinkers may see their shopping dreams become reality.

Hobby Lobby has signed a letter of intent to build a store in North Platte.

However, don’t get too excited.  Developers and city leaders say there are still a lot of pieces of the puzzle that must come together before the deal is final.  On the top of that list is funding and a building site.

Hobby Lobby stores are a chain of retail arts and crafts stores based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and were formally called Hobby Lobby Creative Centers.  The stores are wholly owned by the corporation and not a franchise chain.

Residents of North Platte are extremely excited about the potential new business citing job creation, less trips to Kearney and, quite simply, a great place to by crafty goods.

Officials say Hobby Lobby could potentially be ready for business by the Fall of 2015…if everything goes as planned.

Hobby Lobby currently has Nebraska locations in Grand Island, Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha and Papillion.

 

Traffic deaths on Nebraska roadways in March were more than double the numbers seen in 2013.

The Nebraska Department of Roads reports 18 traffic deaths in March of 2014.  Last Year, there were seven.

NDOR provided that following stats:

• The 18 fatalities occurred in 17 crashes
• Eleven of the 14 vehicle occupants killed were not using safety belts
• Three fatalities occurred in the Interstate, seven happened on non-Interstate Highways and eight took place on local roads
• Thirteen of the fatalities occurred in rural areas
• Seven of the fatalities occurred in vehicle rollovers
• Seven of the fatalities were age 24 or younger
• Two of the fatalities were pedestrians
• One fatality was a motorcyclist
• One fatality was a bicyclist

There have been a total of 47 fatalities so far this year, compared to 48 this time last year.

Law enforcement officials strongly encourage all vehicle occupants to wear seatbelts.

(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman is seeking applicants for the new, expanded Nebraska Natural Resources Commission.

A new law approved on Wednesday will increase the number of commission members from 16 to 27.

The new members are required to represent different water interests. Applicants are being sought to represent agriculture, agribusiness, irrigation districts, manufacturing, outdoor recreation, public power districts, irrigation districts, range livestock owners, wildlife conservation interests and a Lincoln resident who is interested in water issues.

Applicants should send names and applications Kathleen Dolezal in the governor’s office, at P.O. Box 94848, Lincoln, NE 68509. They also can email them to Kathleen.Dolezal@nebraska.gov.

Applications are available on the governor’s website, or by calling the governor’s office. They’re due by close of business on May 6.