LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is bringing a private aide into a public job in his administration.

Ricketts announced Monday that Jessica Flanagain will join his office as a special adviser to the governor for external affairs.

Flanagain, formerly Jessica Moenning, worked as a privately paid consultant helping the governor with longer-term policy issues. Moenning wrote Ricketts’ first State of the State speech and helped lead the Nebraskans for the Death Penalty campaign.

A Ricketts spokesman says Flanagain is becoming a public employee because her duties are expanding. She will focus on communications, strategic planning and coalition building. Her salary will be $130,000.

Ricketts’ chief operating officer, Felix Davidson, is also changing from full-time employee to part-time. Davidson will work as a contract adviser on special projects.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson is warning the public about a recent postcard scam that has targeted businesses.

Peterson says several businesses have reported receiving an official-looking postcard that purports to be from “United Business Services Compliance Division.” The message includes a “Notice of Potential Compliance Violation,” and lists a phone number to call immediately to avoid fees and penalties.

The attorney general’s office says the mailing is not an official government document, and there are no entities registered to do business as “United Business Services.”

Postcard recipients have reported that when calling the number, they’re directed to pay a one-time fee of roughly $70 or to pay for a service that is not necessarily needed.

• Michael James Ashby, 27, North Platte and Kaitlyn Michelle Bunkowske, 23, North Platte

 

• Cody James Steinke, 22, North Platte and Tyler Jayde Damerst, 22, North Platte

 

• Larry Mason Opal Jr., 49, Clarinda IA and Eva Rose Melius, 50, North Platte

A North Platte man escaped injury after a Monday morning rollover crash on North River Road.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the report of a rollover accident on North River Road, approximately two miles west of US Highway 83, at around 8:42 a.m.

Deputies arrived and noticed a dark-colored vehicle in the north ditch.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 28-year-old Benjamin Keck, who told deputies that he was not injured.

An investigation revealed that Keck was driving westbound when he became distracted.  Deputies say his tire went off the roadway and he overcorrected, causing the vehicle to roll and come to rest in the ditch.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.  No charges or citations were reported.

Keck was the only occupant in the vehicle.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former state senator from Lincoln has been chosen to serve as Nebraska’s tax commissioner.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Monday that he has chosen Tony Fulton for the position in the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The 43-year-old Fulton served in the Legislature from 2007 to 2013, and was a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.

Fulton is the founder and owner of Guardian Angels Homecare, Inc., a business that provides housekeeping, companionship, and health care services for seniors. He also is a member of the People’s City Mission Board of Directors.

Ricketts says Fulton experience as an entrepreneur, policymaker and community leader will help the administration craft a pro-business tax climate.

Fulton starts Jan. 4. His salary will be $160,000.