PENDER, Neb. (AP) — If voters approve, Thurston County will build a 34-bed jail to replace the old jail that’s housed prisoners in the courthouse basement since the 1920’s.
The Board of Supervisors decided last week to place a $5.9 million bond measure on the April 14 ballot.
Officials say the old, 25-bed jail doesn’t meet modern standards for inmate care and security. The replacement would be built in Pender.
Supervisor Leonard Peters says Thurston County has letters of commitment from Burt, Cuming, Dixon, Stanton and Wayne counties to house inmates in a new Thurston County Jail.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Medical Center is caring for seven sets of twins this week, which officials say is a record for the Omaha hospital.
Of the 14 babies, nine are boys and five are girls.
All but one set of twins were born in Omaha. Two boys were born in Wichita and transferred to the Nebraska Medical Center.
Hospital officials say the smallest of the babies was born at 27 weeks in November, and weighed only about 1.5 pounds. Her sister weighed about 2.5 pounds at birth.
The hospital says the other six sets of twins were delivered this year. It says all of the babies are doing well.
Two distinctive singer/songwriters have been added to the 2015 US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series lineup.
Colt Ford will open for Florida-Georgia Line on Saturday, June 27th, while Will Hoge will serve as support for Thomas Rhett on Friday, June 26th . Ford’s unique mix of country and hip-hop rhythms make him one of the most unique artists in the industry.
He’s cut his tour teeth with the likes of Toby Keith, and has partnered with a who’s who list of artists on album tracks.
“I’m just blessed to be able to play music,” he says. “Every artist who gets to do this for a living should thank their lucky stars, be humble and grateful. “I just set out to make the best songs I can make, try to be honest and this is what comes out. I write about things I know about, things I’ve done or things someone else did while I was standing there… Like, hey, hold my beer and watch this!”
Will Hoge is a known quantity as a singer/songwriter in Nashville, but has yet to achieve the commercial success many predicted. His ninth project, Never Give In, reflects his range as an artist.
“In both my career and personal life, I’ve had a million chances to walk away or quit,” says Will, a married father of two. “But with this project, there is a sense of pride and ownership that we—the band, our families and our fans—have taken, and that mentality is about never giving in. It represents where we all are, artistically and in our lifestyles.”
Tickets for the NEBRASKAland DAYS US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series are available at www.nebraskalanddays.com. The combo price for both shows is $89. That price will be good through March 31, when prices return to their normal price of $59 for Florida-Georgia Line with Colt Ford and $39 for Thomas Rhett with Will Hoge.
The North Platte Public School Foundation, in conjunction with the North Platte High School, has announced the winners of the 2015 NPHS Distinguished Alumni Award! A committee of Foundation Directors, NPHS Administrators and NPHS Alumni and community members began the selection process in November, although the committee takes nominations year round.
These outstanding alumni of NPHS will be honored in North Platte on Friday, April 24th, at Harbor Lights as part of the Foundation’s Education After Hours event.
The 2015 NPHS Distinguished Alumni are:
Matt Martin
Matt Martin (Class of 1989), Outstanding Accomplishments in Athletics:
Matt Martin was nominated by Mike McGuire. Matt is a 1989 graduate of NPHS and went on to attend the University of Nebraska earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 and his Masters of Science in 1999. Matt will be entering his 19th season as the Huskers’ recruiting coordinator and is in his 10th season assisting with the Nebraska Huskers sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams. He is known as one of the premier recruiters in the country.
Richard L. McNeel (Class of 1964), Outstanding Accomplishments in Business:
John F. Foxen nominated Richard McNeel. After graduation from NPHS in 1964, he went on to attend the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He then attended the University of Chicago and earned an MBA. Richard has had a very successful career, some of his prior positions include: Vice President, BP Amoco Chemical in London, Group Vice President, Chemical Intermediates and Amoco Chemicals, President, Amoco Performance products. Upon retiring from BP Amoco in 2002 he accepted an invitation to become president and CEO of LORD Co., based in Cary, N.C., where he developed and expanded the company’s presence globally.
Harold “Butch” Rasmussen (Class of 1957), Outstanding Accomplishments in Business & Service to North Platte Community::
Georgia Rasmussen nominated Harold “Butch” Rasmussen. Butch graduated in 1957 and then went on to attend Denver University. After completing his freshman year of college he returned to North Platte to manage the Cedar Bowl. Butch has owned, operated and been awarded for many successful businesses over a 42 year business career, which include: The Cedar Bowl, The Touchdown Club, Two Kentucky Fried Chicken operations, and The Little King Deli.
In his retirement Butch writes sports column for the North Platte Telegraph, Husker Illustrated Magazine as well as offering expert Husker advice and opinions on a Husker sports blog.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Tonight: Snow, mainly after midnight. Low around 19. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Wednesday: Snow likely before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 21. North wind 13 to 18 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Wednesday Night:Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -5. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. South southwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
351 AM CST TUE FEB 3 2015
...ACCUMULATING SNOW ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF WESTERN AND NORTH
CENTRAL NEBRASKA TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...
.A FAST MOVING UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL COMBINE WITH AN ARCTIC
COLD FRONT...PRODUCING ACCUMULATING SNOWS ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF
WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY
MORNING.
LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE EASTERN PANHANDLE AND WESTERN
SANDHILLS LATE THIS EVENING...AND SHIFT SOUTHEAST OVERNIGHT. MODERATE
SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE EASTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE...THE
CENTRAL AND WESTERN SANDHILLS...AS WELL AS WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES AND LOCALLY HIGHER ARE
POSSIBLE.
IN ADDITION TO SNOW...NORTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 25
MPH LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...WHICH WILL PRODUCE AREAS
OF BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE WIND SHOULD DECREASE
BY LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO CENTRAL
NEBRASKA.
SHERIDAN-EASTERN CHERRY-BROWN-GARDEN-GRANT-HOOKER-THOMAS-BLAINE-
LOUP-GARFIELD-ARTHUR-MCPHERSON-LOGAN-CUSTER-DEUEL-KEITH-LINCOLN-
WESTERN CHERRY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GORDON...RUSHVILLE...VALENTINE...
AINSWORTH...OSHKOSH...HYANNIS...MULLEN...THEDFORD...DUNNING...
TAYLOR...BURWELL...ARTHUR...TRYON...STAPLETON...BROKEN BOW...
CHAPPELL...BIG SPRINGS...OGALLALA...NORTH PLATTE...CODY...
MERRIMAN...KILGORE
351 AM CST TUE FEB 3 2015 /251 AM MST TUE FEB 3 2015/
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM CST /9 PM MST/
THIS EVENING TO NOON CST /11 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTH PLATTE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM CST /9
PM MST/ THIS EVENING TO NOON CST /11 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY.
* TIMING...LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE EASTERN PANHANDLE
AND WESTERN SANDHILLS LATE THIS EVENING...AND SHIFT SOUTHEAST
BECOMING MODERATE IN INTENSITY OVERNIGHT. THE SNOW WILL DIMINISH
AND END WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...3 TO 5 INCHES AND LOCALLY HIGHER ARE
POSSIBLE.
* WIND...NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 MPH
LATE TONIGHT AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.
* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two bills under legislative review could expand Nebraska’s craft-brewing industry while boosting tourism and economic development.
The General Affairs Committee heard testimony Monday on the measures by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala.
One bill aims to boost the market for Nebraska-grown barley and hops by offering a non-refundable tax credit to breweries using Nebraska-grown crops.
Brian Podwinski of Nebraska Malt says the bill would help the state’s barley growers keep competitive prices with larger, more cost-effective operations out of state.
The second bill would allow restaurants to sell growlers of craft beers to customers for off-site consumption. Current law only allows for growlers to be sold if the beer is brewed on the premises.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials say 215 cases of whooping cough were diagnosed in January alone.
Dr. Joseph Acierno, director of public health for the state Department of Health and Human Services, says the number of diagnosed cases is higher than some totals for previous years. There were 395 confirmed and probable cases of whopping cough in all of 2014.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease marked by severe coughing.
Tim Timmons, communicable disease specialist with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, says 162 of January’s cases were in Lancaster County. He says 51 cases have been confirmed, and the rest are probable cases.
Acierno says parents should check family vaccination records to ensure protection.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina has hired former Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis as an assistant coach.
Papuchis coached at LSU under Nick Saban before joining Bo Pelini’s staff at Nebraska in 2008, spending the past three seasons as defensive coordinator.
Papuchis joins a staff looking to reshape a defense that gave up more points and yards than any team in program history, including allowing school records of 70 points and 789 yards in a loss at East Carolina.
Last month, the Tar Heels hired former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik as its new defensive coordinator. Head coach Larry Fedora says the 36-year-old Papuchis has “quickly earned a reputation as an outstanding teacher and recruiter.”
Team spokesman Kevin Best says Papuchis’ position assignment has yet to be determined.
The Nebraska men’s basketball team looks to snap a two-game losing streak, as the Huskers return home to take on Northwestern Tuesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
A limited number of 300 Level tickets are available for $10 each by visiting Huskers.com, calling 800-8-BIGRED or at the Pinnacle Bank Arena box office Tuesday evening beginning at 5 p.m.
Tipoff is set for 6:31 p.m. and the contest will be televised nationally on BTN with Kevin Kugler and Jim Jackson on the call. Tuesday’s game is also available online and on mobile devices on BTN2Go.
The game will be broadcast across the state of Nebraska on the 37-station IMG Husker Sports Radio Network, including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln, 1110 KFAB in Omaha and KRVN 880 AM in Lexington with Kent Pavelka calling the action and Matt Davison adding color commentary. The game can be heard for free on Huskers.com and is available on the Huskers’ app on iOS or android devices, as well as on TuneIn Radio and on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
The Huskers (12-9, 4-5 Big Ten) ran into tough sledding in their last outing, falling at Minnesota, 60-42, Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. Nebraska shot just 37 percent from the field against the Gophers, and were doomed by 20 turnovers, which was twice the Huskers’ average in Big Ten play entering the contest. NU had 15 of the turnovers in the first half, as the Huskers dug themselves a seven-point deficit. Despite the turnovers, the Huskers were within seven and had a chance to cut into the lead in the final four minutes, but Minnesota closed out the win by scoring the final 11 points.
Junior forward Shavon Shields led Nebraska with 11 points in Saturday’s loss and is now nine points away from reaching 1,000 career points. The 6-foot-7 junior is enjoying his best season as a Husker, ranking sixth in the Big Ten with 16.3 points per game and has topped NU in scoring in each of the past two contests. Shields also received good newsSaturday night, as his father, Will, was announced as one of the 2015 inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Northwestern (10-11, 1-7 Big Ten) is looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, as the Wildcats fell to Purdue, 68-60, on Saturday. Northwestern has had its fair share of close games in conference action, as six of its eight Big Ten games have been decided by five points or less or in overtime.
PENDER, Neb. (AP) — If voters approve, Thurston County will build a 34-bed jail to replace the old jail that’s housed prisoners in the courthouse basement since the 1920’s.
