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Tulowitzki homers as Rockies sweep Braves, 11-3

colorado-rockiesDENVER (AP) — All-Star Troy Tulowitzki homered, Charlie Blackmon had three hits and drove in four runs and the Colorado Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 11-3 on Sunday to complete a four-game sweep.

Drew Stubbs also went deep for the Rockies, who took four from Atlanta for the first time in team history.

Tulowitzki was chosen as an injury replacement to the NL All-Star team on Saturday, right after his 21-game hitting streak ended. He started another one with a three-run homer in the sixth off reliever Dave Carpenter.

Blackmon did his damage against Atlanta starter Alex Wood (6-6). His two-run single in the second gave Colorado a 3-0 lead and his second two-RBI single came two batters before Tulowitzki’s 10th home run.

Chad Bettis (5-4) got the win.

Central Nebraska Dance Studio Reopens with Help from Church

good-newsGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska dance studio that announced it was closing last month is back in business, with help from a local church.

The Heartland School of Dance will remain in downtown Grand Island, but in a new building.

Owner Karen Jamieson announced in June that her second-floor studio was closing because the building’s owner, a law firm, needed more space for record storage. The studio has been in business for more than 60 years at the same location.

New Life Community Church board member Steve Johnson says he read about the closure in the newspaper and reached out to Jamieson. Board members agreed to offer her a lease for space in the church building, across an alley from the old location.

Repairs Likely to Slow Interchange Traffic Near Grand Island

NDORGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Work is scheduled to begin this coming week on the Interstate 80-U.S. 281/34 interchange south of Grand Island.

The Nebraska Roads Department says work will include concrete repair, pavement grinding and new pavement marking on all ramps and loops of the interchange as well as the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 281/34.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane, and ramps and loops will be closed while under construction. However, work will be suspended and all lanes and ramps opened during the weeks of the Nebraska State Fair and Husker Harvest Days, Aug. 22 through Sept. 18. The project is expected to be finished by mid-November.

Nebraska Groundwater Regulators Join Forces to Form Basin-Wide Water Plan

groundwaterLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Some of Nebraska’s groundwater regulators are joining forces to ensure that their districts’ long-term water supply remains sustainable.

The natural resources districts also hope to qualify for state water project money approved by Nebraska lawmakers last year. Districts can only qualify if they work together to create a basin-wide water management plan, rather than focusing on their specific area.

The Middle Niobrara NRD board announced last week that it has partnered with four neighboring districts within the Niobrara River basin. The river is a popular spot for tourists in a basin that covers a large portion of northern Nebraska.

Mike Murphy, the NRD’s general manager, says the districts are trying to work proactively to preserve their water supply for agriculture, cities, business development and recreation.

US Soldiers Opposed to War Now Find Canada Less Hospitable

soldierBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — When Army Sgt. Patrick Hart went to Canada a decade ago rather than serve in the war in Iraq, he expected to be welcomed the same way as thousands of American military war resisters during the Vietnam era.

Instead, after five years of wrangling with the Canadian immigration system, he came back to the U.S. — and ended up in military prison.

Canada has developed a much less hospitable reputation than it once had. Supporters say no U.S. soldier who has filed a claim to legally stay in Canada over the past 10 years has been successful.

With an estimated two dozen soldiers still waiting out their fate in Canada, the resisters’ movement is seen as nearing a crossroads. With a national election in October, supporters are hopeful for a Liberal Party victory and more sympathetic stance.

Jury Awards Omaha Company $30M in Lawsuit Against Sprint PCS

lawsuit-settlementOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A jury has awarded $30 million to an Omaha company that accused wireless provider Sprint PCS of violating its patents on security technology.

The technology helps smartphones, tablets and broadband mobile cards access the Internet. The verdict came at the end of a trial in U.S. District Court in Omaha two weeks ago.

Prism Technologies sued Sprint Spectrum LP, which does business as Sprint PCS, and other companies, for using systems that Prism “pioneered and patented,” even though Sprint had no legal right to do so.

Attorneys for Prism say the company’s predecessor, Prism Resources Inc., began work on the project that led to the patents by early 1996 and sought a patent in 1997.

Sprint can still appeal.

Experts: Cattle Need Extra Care in Coming Sweltering Days

cattleLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says cattle will need extra care as the weather in Nebraska becomes hotter.

The department’s Agriculture Research Cattle Service says precautions should include checking water sources and developing a plan to have an emergency water source available. Plans could include contacting neighbors with firefighting equipment to hose down cattle that are experience heat stress.

Cattle with reduced lung capacities from previous sickness and black-hided cattle are more susceptible to heat.

The department says that while sprinklers can be used, overusing them can create more humidity, which in turn could increase a lot’s heat index.

Nebraska Church Works to Establish Radio Station in Lincoln

radio towerLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Members of a Lincoln church are working to establish a nonprofit radio station that could benefit refugees, prisoners and others whose voices are seldom heard.

Nik Sandman is preparing to launch the station on behalf of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

The Good Shepherd station will operate at 95.7 FM and will be called 95.7 The Cross. Its call letters will be KNNA, short for koinonia, the Greek word for community.

Sandman says the station will likely need $75,000 to $100,000 to launch, and will need to raise money annually to pay for its operation. He says he doesn’t plan to broadcast commercial advertising and likely will allow seek underwriters for programs.

Widower of Slain Omaha Officer Faces New Challenges

Officer Kerrie Orozco
Officer Kerrie Orozco

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The widower of an Omaha police officer killed in the line of duty is trying to provide for his family, but one challenge he faces is a long road to U.S. citizenship.

Hector Orozco said citizenship for him means being recognized as part of the community where he has worked and paid taxes. His wife, Kerrie Orozco, was fatally shot in May.

Hector crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 1999, at age 17. He says leaving was not easy, but it was something he felt was necessary to succeed.

U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford is pushing for a law that would expedite the citizenship process for spouses of first responders who are killed on the job. Ashford says his proposal will be called the Kerrie Orozco Act.

US Gasoline Prices Down 2 Cents in Last 2 Weeks

gas-cardCAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of gasoline has dropped 2 cents over the past two weeks to $2.83 a gallon.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says that the decline comes amid lower crude oil prices.

The average national price for midgrade gas was $3.05, with premium going for $3.22.

The cheapest price recorded in the continental United States was $2.42 a gallon in Jackson, Mississippi.

The highest price was $3.66 a gallon in Los Angeles. Prices in California rose about 9 cents in the past 2 weeks and a continuing spike is expected this week.

Analysts say a shortage in oil and other components used in refining California’s unique blend of less-polluting gas will push prices past $4 a gallon in some areas of the state before they ease again.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In Nebraska, the average price for a gallon of Regular is $2.66 (SOURCE: nebraskagasprices.com).

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