MITCHELL, Neb. (AP) — A 35-year-old man has died after his pickup collided with a car at a rural intersection in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman says the accident was reported around 5:40 p.m. Monday and occurred about five miles northwest of Mitchell.

Deputies say a westbound pickup and a northbound car collided at an uncontrolled intersection and landed in the yard of a nearby residence.

The pickup driver was ejected and was pronounced dead later at a hospital. He was identified as Joshua Smith, of rural Morrill. The car driver suffered only minor injuries. He was identified as 20-year-old Joseph Cline, also of rural Morrill.

More road work is slated to begin in North Platte next week.

Western Engineering will begin the Lincoln County Department of Roads “Milling Project” on Monday, June 30.

County officials say the project will include five miles of Front Street starting at Bare Street and going west.

Officials say delays should be expected, and a pilot car will be in place.

The milling project is expected to be completed by July 3, 2014, with the overlay project beginning on July 7.

The completion date of the entire project is unknown at this time.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials say fireworks sales can begin Wednesday in Nebraska.

The state licensed 703 fireworks stands this year. The state allows them to continue selling fireworks until midnight on July 4th, but some cities may shorten the selling period.

The State Fire Marshall’s office reminds Nebraskans that some fireworks are still prohibited in the state, including wire sparklers and bottle rockets.

Officials say it’s important to take precautions when using fireworks. Make sure to have a bucket of water nearby and never light fireworks near dry grass.

Also, stand several feet away from lit fireworks, and supervise children closely around fireworks.

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Sidney man has been sentenced to seven years of probation in connection with an assault that led to a man’s death.

24-year-old Theodore D. Medina received five years of probation for attempted second-degree assault as part of a plea agreement. He received two additional years of probation for third-degree assault.

Medina was arrested in November 2013 after fighting with 50-year-old Ernest Ward, of Sidney. Ward suffered brain damage and later died.

Medina must wear an alcohol monitoring bracelet and complete a counseling program for alcohol abuse. He also was sentenced to 80 days in jail to be served in 10-day increments, but that can be waived based on recommendations by Medina’s probation officer.

Medina got credit for 234 days in jail.

• Today: Scattered thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Tonight: Scattered thunderstorms, mainly between 1am and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
• Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
• Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South southeast wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.