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Offutt Air Force Base Cancels This Year’s Air Show

offutOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The annual air show at Offutt Air Force Base won’t be held this year because of planned construction.

Air show fans in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa will have to drive several hours to find one in 2015.

Maj. James Lee with the 55th Wing says the air show is being cancelled because Congress approved funding for a taxiway project at Offutt this year.

The Air Force plans to spend roughly $7 million to repave part of a taxiway that’s normally used for static displays and spectators at the air show. The Air Force Thunderbirds were expected to headline this year’s show.

Lee said he expects the air show to return in 2016.

BNSF Transporting More Crude Oil Across Eastern Nebraska

oil-trainLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of trains carrying at least 1 million gallons of crude oil across eastern Nebraska each week has more than tripled.

BNSF railroad recently provided updated figures to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

BNSF says it is moving about a dozen oil trains through eastern Nebraska each week. That’s up from three trains a week last summer.

Federal transportation officials ordered the railroads last spring to notify states about trains carrying at least 1 million gallons of crude oil after a string of fiery derailments.

BNSF also modified its route in Nebraska to reduce the number of oil trains that pass through Lincoln.

Fleetwood Mac Cuts Nebraska Concert Short Due to Illness

pinnacle-bank-arenaLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Fleetwood Mac had to cut its Nebraska concert about an hour short Saturday night after drummer Mick Fleetwood became ill with the stomach flu.

Stevie Nicks told the crowd of roughly 14,000 at Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena that Fleetwood was throwing up backstage before the end of the 90-minute show.

A drum technician played “Go Your Own Way” for Fleetwood. Then Christine McVie played piano and sang “Songbird” with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham before the band ended the show.

In a statement online, Fleetwood Mac said Sunday it plans to perform its next scheduled show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday.

North Platte Classes Could Help You Make Stuff Grow

unl-extensionNORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Are you yearning for spring and gardening?

There are classes in North Platte to help get you ready. Nebraska Extension Master Gardener classes start Jan. 27 at the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson Extension Office. There are 10 over several weeks, and each costs $10.

The first class will discuss home composting systems. Other class topics include rain gardens, pruning, insects and garden technology. People may register by calling 308-532-2683 by Jan. 26. All classes will begin at 6:30 p.m.

People who want to attend the entire series and become a Nebraska Extension Master Gardener may register for $175. The fee includes the Extension Master Gardener Handbooks, state dues, an official Extension Master Gardener shirt, and name badge.

Questions may be directed to david.lott@unl.edu or by calling 308-532-2683.

Ricketts: Lowering Taxes, Balancing Budget Doable

nebraska tourismLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts says he’s confident Nebraska can balance its budget this year while chipping away at the taxes that he says are hindering job growth.

The Republican governor tells The Associated Press the state needs to continue focusing on property taxes this year, but acknowledges that the work will be ongoing.

Ricketts will present his budget recommendations to lawmakers on Thursday in his first State of the State address. Though he declined to give specifics, the new governor says lowering property taxes are his top priority.

Nebraska lawmakers are constitutionally required to balance the budget, and the state faces a projected $50 million shortfall in its next two-year budget.

Ricketts says he’s spent “easily over 70 hours” reviewing the state budget with advisers to put together his proposal.

Scaffold Collapses on 2 Cars in Downtown Lincoln Saturday

lincoln-fire-departmentLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A scaffold collapsed on top of two vehicles on a windy day in downtown Lincoln Saturday and forced the closure of a major street for several hours, but the incident only caused minor injuries.

The scaffold at the site of a future six-story student housing complex collapsed around 3 p.m. Saturday.

Battalion Chief Jeanne Pashalek says a pickup truck and silver sedan were under the scaffold when it fell. But everyone inside the vehicles escaped on their own.

A woman in the silver car was taken to the hospital for treatment of neck pain, but no other serious injuries were reported.

Pashalek says it’s fortunate the street wasn’t busier when the scaffold collapsed. Tenth Street was closed for several hours.

 

Fire Damages Building in Downtown Schuyler

fireSCHUYLER, Neb. (AP) — A bakery in downtown Schuyler has been heavily damaged by fire, but firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading.

The fire was reported around 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

Schuyler Fire Chief Brad Sock says the building that caught fire was used as a bakery and kitchen for Tienda Mexicana Chichihualco across the street.

Sock says the fire was an accident caused by cooking in the kitchen.

Firefighters from Schuyler, David City and Howells worked for roughly an hour to extinguish the fire.

The building sustained roughly $75,000 damage and nearby Homestead Bank sustained some smoke damage. But there weren’t any injuries.

Omaha Woman Killed in Rollover Accident Early Sunday

omaha-policeOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police say speed and alcohol were likely factors in a fatal rollover accident this weekend.

Police said 31-year-old Megan Jackson died in the early Sunday crash that also injured two others. The crash happened near 42nd and Lake streets at 4:22 a.m.

The driver of the 2004 Jeep Cherokee lost control and collided with a utility pole. Then the vehicle rolled and struck a fence. Jackson was ejected and died at the scene.

The Jeep’s 24-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, motor vehicle homicide and reckless driving.

NFL, CBS Extend Thursday Night Football

nfl_logo2011-medNEW YORK (AP) — The NFL and CBS have extended their Thursday night football package for the 2015 season.

The agreement carries an additional year at the NFL’s option. It was announced Sunday by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS; and Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports.

CBS will broadcast the first eight Thursday night games, which also will be simulcast on NFL Network. NFL Network also will exclusively show the final eight games. The games will include 14 on Thursday nights and two late-season games on Saturdays.

Goodell says the games in last season’s package “made Thursday night a night for NFL football.” Moonves lauds the benefits of the Thursday night package, saying the NFL “continues to be the best premium content in the business.”

Peyton Manning to Miss Pro Bowl with Thigh Injury

Peyton-Manning-Denver-BroncENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning is skipping the Pro Bowl because his right thigh injury hasn’t gotten much better in the week since the Denver Broncos were bounced from the playoffs.

Manning calls it “a great honor” to be selected to the game and he’s “always taken the obligation to play in it very seriously.”

He adds: “I’ve believed that, if healthy, it’s a player’s responsibility to play in the game because of what it means to be voted in by your peers and the fans.”

Manning was injured late in the first half of a game at San Diego on Dec. 14 and missed a handful of snaps before returning to play the entire second half. He didn’t miss any more time with the injury.

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