(AP) — Authorities say bigger tax bills could follow higher land valuations in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Revenue Department has reported an overall 12.45 percent increase in the state’s property valuations for 2014, pushed by a jump of more than 29 percent in agricultural land valuations. The department report is based on 2014 property abstracts of assessments filed by assessors in Nebraska’s 93 counties.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said property tax increases just raise farmers’ and ranchers’ costs of production but don’t add anything to their bottom lines.

Local taxing bodies will have to decide whether the increased valuations will lead to any changes in local tax rates.

(AP) — They’re called leggings — popular tight-fitting pants that seem to be the favorite new target of the school dress code.

Some schools have banned leggings outright. Others, including a middle school in Evanston, have set limits.

Some parents and students are complaining — and saying more developed girls are being targeted. So in the Evanston case, the school board is reviewing the policy at Haven Middle School and other schools in the district.

Legal experts say these matters are generally settled outside the courts, unless safety is an issue. But usually, they say consistency and common sense work best when writing a policy.

They point to the case of a Colorado girl, suspended after she shaved her head to support a young friend with cancer — a decision quickly reversed.

 

A 37-year-old North Platte man who suffered a spinal injury at Lake McConaughy last summer has unexpectedly passed away.

Travis Evans was with friends at the lake on June 7, 2013, when he decided to splash a friend by jumping over her.

Evans landed on his head and suffered a fracture to his C6 vertebrae.  He immediately lost feeling and movement in his lower extremities.

Evans was airlifted to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, and was later transferred to Craig Hopsital in Denver, where he underwent a rigorous 12-week rehabilitation and treatment program.

By all accounts, Evans had recently made some huge strides in his recovery, and had recently posted an excited post on his Facebook page stating that he had walked 190 feet.

However, on Monday, Evans unexpectedly passed away.

Family members say an autopsy has been completed to determine what exactly went wrong, but the cause of death isn’t immediately known.

Evans is survived by his wife, Teresa, and children, Lainee and Logan Evans, all of North Platte; his father, Robert Evans, of Evanston, WY; his grandmother, Elva Evans, of Grand Island, NE; two sisters, Angie (Jeremy) Sanford, of Hershey and Tina Crowell, of North Platte; a half brother, Deric (Cassie) Evans, of Glenrock, WY; his nieces and nephews, Jessi, Alyssa, Aaron, Joey, Kelsey, Bailee and Alleana; great nieces and nephews, Aden, Carly, Jordan and Avery; his uncles, Ron (Diane) Evans, of Georgia, Denny (Vickie) Evans, of Spokane, WA, Ray Evans, of Grand Island, NE, Kim (Ellen) Odean, of Hershey, NE and Don, Jr. (Gayle) Odean, of Redding, CA; numerous cousins and other family.

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Dan Reimers officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Sutherland, NE.

Visitation will be Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore followed by cremation. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial.

 

On the eve of his 2014 Sine Die Address to the Legislature, Governor Dave Heineman made a brief stop in North Platte Wednesday to tout what he calls a good legislative session.

Heineman addressed the media and city leaders at a news conference at Lee Bird Field.

On the top of his list was tax reform.

“We are providing $412 million in tax relief to Nebraskans over the next five years,” Heineman said.  “We’ve indexed Nebraska’s individual income tax brackets for inflation.  We’ve begun the process of exempting social security income and military retirement income from taxation, and we’ve helped farmers and ranchers by eliminating the sales tax on repair parts for ag machinery and equipment.”

Another topic addressed by Heineman was legislation on water sustainability.

Heineman said the state will address water management and water quality through the new water law.

“We’ve also addressed the water sustainability issue with noteworthy legislation that preserves our water supply for generations to come,” Heineman said.  “This legislation is aimed at planning for better future water use in our state.”

Heineman also commended the Legislature for rejecting Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion and, in reference to bonding road construction projects, reiterated his belief of the importance of maintaining a pay-as-you-go, debt-free roads construction program.

In closing, Heineman thanked Senator Tom Hansen for his service to the state, and commended him on his many contributions during his time in the Legislature.  Hansen is leaving the legislature in January due to term limits.

“It’s been an honor to serve the constituents of Lincoln County, I’m very glad I did it and very glad it’s over,” Hansen said.

Authorities in southwest Nebraska have found the body of a missing 18-year-old male.

The Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office says the body was found Saturday April 12, about four miles southwest of Palisade.

Preliminary autopsy reports, which were completed Tuesday evening, positively identified the body as that of Austin Wright.

Wright had been reported missing by is family on March 9, after last being seen in McCook on March 8.

Officials say the investigation into the matter is ongoing.

No further details, including whether or not foul play is suspected, were available at this time.