LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The developer of the Keystone XL oil pipeline has taken its first steps in Nebraska since the state’s high court cleared the way for the planned route.

Officials with TransCanada said Tuesday they’ve filed paperwork in nine counties to acquire access to land that’s needed for the construction and operation of the pipeline. The two-year window for TransCanada to invoke eminent domain closes Thursday.

The route still faces challenges as opponents have filed lawsuits to try to prevent the Calgary, Alberta-based company from using eminent domain and to overturn the state law that allowed ex-Gov. Dave Heineman to approve the route.

The pipeline will carry an estimated 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day from Canada to Nebraska.

TransCanada spokesman Andrew Craig says it will work to acquire easements voluntarily.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — North Platte school board members are considering changing the rules on when a student can take a service animal to school.

An update proposal was presented to the board last week, and a vote is scheduled on Feb. 10.

North Platte associate superintendent Tami Eshleman told the board that the district has a student who may need a service animal and that the district should be prepared. Eshleman says district administrators want to align the policy with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

One of the policy changes would add the words “or disease” wherever the word “disability” is used. Eshleman cited as an example people who have service dogs that can warn their owners when their owners’ blood sugar levels are high or low.

An employee at JC Penney’s in North Platte is facing felony charges after she allegedly stole from the store.

On January 17, at around 12:30 p.m., officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of an employee shoplifter at JC Penney’s, 1000 South Dewey Street.

Store staff alleged that an employee, 19-year-old Ketra Vlasin, had been stealing from the store.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, Vlasin would reportedly enter merchandise into the register, then void the transaction.  She would then allegedly place the jewelry, household items or shoes in a bag and remove them from the store.

Brown said store staff estimates that Vlasin stole around $3,400 worth of merchandise, beginning in October of 2014.  She had been employed at the store since October of 2013.

It was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Vlasin, and charge her with felony shoplifting.

She was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.

Last July, North Platte Police arrested three other JC Penney’s employees, Justin Bailey, Ashleigh Larson and a 17-year-old juvenile, for similar practices.

RELATED CONTENT:

https://www.northplattepost.com/2014/07/02/3-jc-penney-theft-suspect-arrested/

 

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