LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says groundwater levels have continued to drop in some parts of Nebraska but have risen elsewhere.

A state geologist, Aaron Young, says that from the spring 2013 to the spring 2014, groundwater levels continued to decline following the drought the state suffered from early 2012 through the summer of 2013. But he says the easing of drought conditions for the eastern half of the state and better water use practices moderated the declines.

Groundwater levels rose in some areas, however. In northern Colfax County, for example, in spring 2012 the groundwater level dropped more than 20 feet. By spring 2014, water levels had risen two to 10 feet in the same area.

CHICAGO (AP) — New research says the most common reason why many surgery patients go back to the hospital is infections around the incision.

Symptoms typically show up several days after patients go home but most infections begin in the hospital.

The study of almost 350 hospitals also found that readmission rates vary widely by surgery.

The lowest unexpected readmission rate in the study was just under 4 percent for hysterectomy patients. The highest was almost 15 percent, for artery disease patients who had surgery to reroute blood flow in the legs.

The study’s lead author says to avoid re-hospitalization and dangerous complications, patients should seek treatment at the earliest sign of an infection. That may include redness or swelling.

The study was published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Confucius says, never threaten to stab a police officer.

A North Platte man learned that lesson after he allegedly did just that early Tuesday morning.

At around 2:30 a.m., on February 3, an officer on patrol observed a parked vehicle near the main entrance to Cody Park, 1601 North Jeffers Street.

According to police, the driver, 32-year-old Eric Curtis, appeared to be unconscious behind the wheel and was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

Eventually, the officer was able to get Curtis out of the vehicle, and attempted to conduct an investigation for driving under the influence.  However, authorities say Curtis was too intoxicated to complete the tests as ordered by the officer.

At one point, Curtis allegedly told the officer that he had a knife and was going to stab him.

The officer called for backup after Curtis began kicking him in the chest.  He was eventually detained for transport to the jail.

Officer Rodney Brown said during transport to the Lincoln County Detention Center, Curtis continued to be aggressive and belligerent.

In the end, Curtis was jailed and charged with felony driving under the influence of liquor (3rd), driving under suspension, refusal to submit to a breath test, felony assault on a peace officer and obstructing the police.

As of Tuesday morning, Curtis was being held without bond.