LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of Nebraska’s largest farm groups says it wants to change a ballot proposal that would guarantee farming and ranching rights in the state constitution.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation says it will recommend that lawmakers place the “right to farm” measure in state statute rather than the constitution.

If approved by lawmakers, the measure by Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell would appear on the November general election ballot for voters to approve or reject.

Nebraska Farm Bureau lobbyist Bruce Rieker says the current proposal doesn’t clearly define “agriculture,” and placing it in the constitution would leave it up to the courts to interpret instead of the Legislature. In addition, he says opponents of the ballot measure might bombard voters with “misinformation” about modern agriculture.

Sunday, February 28th the North Platte Catholic Schools will hold the 41st annual Irish Fest celebration at St. Patrick’s High School, 500 S. Silber, from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m.

The entire community is invited to get into the Irish spirit with a day full of family fun! The event features a homemade turkey and noodles dinner served from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., mini carnival games and prizes, Fun Jumpz, a silent auction, bake sale, and raffle.

This year’s Irish Fest Raffle offers a $1,000 cash prize, a 50” Smart HDTV, 5 – $100 cash prizes, and a $500 SCRIP certificate sponsored by Bill Summers Ford. Raffle tickets are $2.00 each (or 10 for $15) and are on sale now through Sunday. They can be purchased from any McDaid or St. Patrick’s student, at the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment (601 S. Tabor), or at McDaid and St. Patrick’s schools.

Raffle tickets will also be sold at Irish Fest. The raffle drawing will take place at 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, the 28th. You do not have to be present to win.

The event originally called “Mardi Gras” was first celebrated by the North Platte Catholic Schools on Tuesday, February 11, 1975. In the early years, it was held on “Fat Tuesday” prior to the start of the Lenten season. Later it was changed to Sunday and has been a tradition since.

For the past 41 years, Irish Fest has involved hundreds of volunteers and proceeds have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to the operating budget of the North Platte Catholic School system.

A North Platte woman has been charged with a felony after she allegedly threatened an assault victim.

On February 15, at around 8:20 p.m., an officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to the 1000 block of North Cottonwood Avenue on the report of an assault.

The officer met with an adult male who alleged that he had been assaulted earlier by Michael Torres.

The victim claimed that there was an argument over the phone between him and Torres, which led to Torres showing up, tackling the man and punching him.  Police say the victim had injuries consistent with the allegations.

Torres was later contacted and cited for 3rd-degree assault.

On February 20, the victim again met with police to report that he was receiving text messages from Emily Lunkwitz.  According to Investigator John Deal, Lunkwitz has a child with the victim and is dating Torres.

It was reported that the texts encouraged the victim to drop the assault charges against Torres and said, if he didn’t, Lunkwitz would not allow him to see his child.

The officer met with Lunkwitz and was able to verify that she had sent the text messages.

Lunkwitz was placed under arrest and charged with felony witness tampering.

She was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

David Gale, Chief Executive Officer of Sandhills State Bank, and Randy Hendricks, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Keystone, jointly announce the purchase of the Bank of Keystone by Sandhills State Bank.

“The opportunity to combine two Western Nebraska legacy banking operations is a win-win for our customers and the communities we serve. Sandhills State Bank is committed to serving ranchers, farmers and the main streets of our communities,” said Hendricks.

“It just makes sense that we would join with them to ensure that local control and sound banking judgement remains in place for our families.” Gale added, “We see this as an exciting opportunity for Sandhills State Bank to ensure the continuance of economic independence with local financial decision making for the Sandhills region, just as the Bank of Keystone has done since 1909. The similarities between the two organizations are many, this union is a perfect cultural and geographic fit.”

The purchase agreement between the two banks was completed on February 19, 2016. The next step towards completing the purchase is gaining regulatory approval. Upon approval, the Bank of Keystone customers will transition to Sandhills State Bank. Gale estimates the regulatory approval process will occur over the next 60 to 90 days.

During this time, operations at both banks will continue as usual.

“We expect to be ready to transition Bank of Keystone customers to Sandhills State Bank in late fall,” Gale said.

The Bank of Keystone operates four branches in Keystone, Hyannis, Arthur, and Elsie, Nebraska. All its branches will remain open and all employees will be retained, continuing to provide the same excellent service to the Bank of Keystone’s customers.

“The transition for customers will be simple and easy, they will continue to deal with their personal banker and have access to all their funds and branches during this time. In the future, they will also have access to all the products and services of Sandhills State Bank, such as mobile banking and online billpay,” Gale explained.

The purchase elevates Sandhills State Bank’stotal assets to over $230 million. Since 2010, Sandhills State Bank has grown nearly 600 percent, and it is now the largest bank headquartered and operating exclusively in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Sandhills State Bank is a locally owned and regionally focused financial institution committed to serving the Nebraska Sandhills’ ranching and farming community since 1902. It currently operates full-service branches in Bassett, Valentine, North Platte, Harrison, Alliance, and Hay Springs, Nebraska.

The Bank’s local ownership supports the region’s economic independence and sustains the quality of life for the communities it serves.

For more information about Sandhills State Bank, please visit www.SandhillsState.com.

A North Platte man is facing charges after authorities say he stole mail from numerous Lincoln County residents and broke into a vehicle.

In early February, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after receiving numerous reports of someone going through mailboxes around the North Platte area and taking mail.

Chief Deputy Roland Kramer says, during the same time period, a vehicle was broken into at US Highway 83 and Garfield Table Road.

Deputies viewed security camera footage of a suspect attempting to use the proceeds from the thefts at several businesses.

On February 19, deputies were alerted that Richard “Brian” Valentine was attempting to cash a credit card check for $5,800.  Kramer says the check, from a Lincoln County resident, was made out to Valentine.  However, when the resident was contacted they stated that they did not know Valentine, nor did they issue the check.

Later that day, deputies made contact with Valentine in North Platte and placed him under arrest.  Kramer said Valentine had numerous stolen items in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Valentine was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center and charged with 2nd-degree forgery, theft, possession of stolen property and criminal mischief.  He also had an active warrant for possession of methamphetamine.

The investigation is ongoing.