The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in identifying vandals who struck the Village of Brady over the weekend.

According to the LCSO, the vandals struck during the evening hours of June 27, or the early morning hours of June 28.

Authorities say the subjects entered the restrooms at Palmer Park and destroyed several sinks and toilets.  Deputies believe they possibly used bats or hammers.

Additionally, unknown subjects smashed several mailboxes in Brady using a bat or similar object.  Deputies say descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle were given to them, but they are unsure if this incident is related to the damage at Palmer Park.

The LCSO is asking the public for help in identifying the suspects in both of these cases.  Contact the LCSO at (308) 535-9599, or give tips anonymously through the Lincoln County Crimestoppers, (308) 534-8400, if you have any information.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Four new Nebraska laws will go into effect on Tuesday.

One law will require Nebraska school districts to publish superintendent employment contracts. Another will increase the state fees for certified copies of marriage certificates and for searches of death certificates.

A third law will officially create a state commission to prepare for Nebraska’s 150th anniversary as a state in 2017. The Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission will consist of 17 members appointed by the governor. Jeff Searcy, chairman of the Nebraska 150 Sesquicentennial Committee, says the new state commission will work to ensure statewide participation in the celebration.

The fourth establishes a program in the Department of Health and Human Services to help pay for treatment of certain allergies, a blood cell disorder and other ailments.

Most of Nebraska’s new state laws will go into effect on July 18.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Democrat Chuck Hassebrook has chosen Lancaster County Commissioner Jane Raybould as his running mate in the Nebraska governor’s race. Hassebrook announced his pick on Monday at the Capitol. Raybould, who was born and raised in Lincoln, was first elected to the county board of commissioners in 2010.

Raybould serves as vice president for operations at B & R Stores, Inc., an employee-owned grocery store company that includes Russ’s Market, Super Savers, Save Best Foods and Apple Market. Raybould and her husband, Jose Herrero, have two children.

Hassebrook is running against Republican Pete Ricketts in the race to replace Gov. Dave Heineman, who is leaving office due to term limits. Ricketts has selected current Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann, a farmer and former state senator, as his running mate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — American farmers have planted less corn than in any year since 2010 but more soybeans than ever, as expected.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its annual Acreage Report released Monday that farmers planted 91.6 million acres of corn. That’s 4 percent less than last year but still the fifth-largest corn crop planted since 1944. Analysts expected some farmers to devote more acreage to soybeans because of a drop in corn prices.

The USDA says farmers planted a record high 84.8 million acres of soybeans, up 11 percent from last year. Record soybean acres have been planted in Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Seventy-six percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent condition, compared with 63 percent last year.

GERING, Neb. (AP) — A 26-year-old Scottsbluff man is accused of forging his father’s name on a check and on a stolen credit card.

Dustin Leonhardt will face four charges at a preliminary hearing on July 23 in Scotts Bluff County District Court. He was arrested on Thursday.

Scotts Bluff County Jail records say Leonhardt remained in custody on Monday. Online court records don’t list his lawyer in the case.

Authorities say Leonhardt cashed one of his father’s retirement checks last month and forged his father’s name on a store credit card during seven separate transactions.