(AP) — Railroads are launching a new campaign to highlight the dangers of being near train tracks.

The number of trespassing deaths grew 11 percent last year, to 476. And the number of deaths in accidents increased nearly 8 percent, to 250.

It’s hard to pinpoint what’s behind the increase. But Operation Lifesaver CEO Joyce Rose says she thinks it might be a reflection of how distracted Americans can be because of smartphones and other electronic devices.

The ads for the new “See Tracks? Think Train” campaign focus on how people and vehicles stand no chance against a train.

The effort is backed by the Association of American Railroads trade group, major railroads and the Federal Railroad Administration.

(AP) — An 18-year-old man has been arrested after his rescue from a burning tent at a lake in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Scotts Bluff County deputies were sent to Big Lake Alice on Saturday after a woman called to express her concern about the well-being of Mark Vakoc, of Shelton. She said he’d been living in a tent at the lake.

Deputies were searching for Vakoc when they noticed a tent on fire. They found Vakoc trapped inside a burning sleeping bag in the tent. They pulled him out to safety. He wasn’t injured.

The deputies then arrested Vakoc on a Hall County warrant that alleged shoplifting last year. Online court records don’t list the name of his attorney.

(AP) — The American Red Cross is using its free Ready Rating plan to help businesses in Nebraska and other states prepare for damaging weather as tornado season arrives.

At a recent workshop, Red Cross disaster program manager Johnny Jones asked attendees whether their businesses were ready. Jones says up to 40 percent of businesses fail after a natural or man-made disaster.

He says the Ready Rating plan is available online and includes an assessment survey of 123 questions.

Spring may bring colorful flowers and beautiful green grass, but it also brings what is commonly referred to as a pain in the rear, road construction.

Several road projects will be getting underway in and around North Platte in the coming week.

On April 14, construction will begin at the junction of Highway 30 and L79G, just east of North Platte, to mile marker 182.

The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) says the 10-day project will include milling two inches off the existing shoulders and replacing them with new asphalt, and adding shoulder rumblestrips.

During the construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane which will be controlled by flaggers during the daytime hours.

Also starting on the 14th, construction will begin on the South Platte River Bridges in North Platte on Highway 83.

The project will include:

• Removal and replacement of pavement approaches, bridge rail and guardrail on both bridges.
• Repair and overlay of the bridge deck.
• Reconstruction of the sidewalk and replacement of the fence and sidewalk of the southbound bridge.
• Removal and replacement of the existing bridge deck on the northbound bridge.

NDOR says traffic will be reduced to a 10′ width restriction on both bridges with one lane traffic being maintained throughout the duration of the construction.

During Phase 1, pedestrian traffic will not be allowed to cross either the north or southbound bridge.  However, during Phase 2, pedestrian traffic will be allowed to resume on the southbound bridge.

Officials say delays should be expected and motorists should consider an alternate route.

The project is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2014.