PROSSER, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Kearney man has died in a grain elevator accident.
The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at an elevator just south of Prosser in Adams County. The Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 41-year-old Jason Weston.
Details about the accident have not been released. Federal safety officials have joined the accident investigation.
CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — The bookstore manager at Chadron State College has been accused of stealing from it.
Chadron police say 25-year-old Sarah Porter was arrested Wednesday and has bonded out of jail. She’s charged with felony theft. A public phone listing for her is not available. Online court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment on her behalf.
Police say the company that owns Eagle Pride Bookstore last month reported the possible theft of nearly $10,600 from a store safe since September.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — The Merrick County Sheriff’s Department says that it is seeking information about 150 to 200 dead geese illegally dumped in a ditch.
A deputy was alerted by a citizen about the geese Monday afternoon. Sheriff John Westman said the geese were found about 2 miles east of Gunbarrel Road and had not been cleaned.
Westman says the animals were disposed of sometime between 6:30 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Monday.
Authorities say there are no suspects in the case at this time and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been contacted.
Michael J. Schultz, 45, of North Platte, passed away March 14, 2016 at his home. He is survived by his mother, Diane Schultz of Payson, AZ; a son, Urijah Schultz; a brother, Marc Schultz; two sisters, Ronda Schultz and Carma Haston; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd “Jay” Schultz, Jr. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A family celebration of Michael’s life will be at later date. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Today
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators are offering the public the chance to ask questions about the recent performance of the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant.
The power plant owned by the Omaha Public Power District sits on the banks of the Missouri River about 20 miles north of Omaha.
In general, Fort Calhoun has operated with few major problems since it restarted in December 2013.
It was shut down from April 2011 to December 2013 for repairs and after a small fire occurred and several safety violations were found.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s open house will be held at the Doubletree hotel in downtown Omaha Wednesday evening starting at 6 p.m.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man has died in a south Lincoln house fire.
Fire crews responded to a report of smoke coming from the house shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday. They found the man dead inside the home.
Battalion Chief Jim Bopp said crews were able to bring the fire under control in about 35 minutes.
Lincoln police said the man lived alone with his cat, which also died in the fire. Authorities will not release the man’s name until family is notified.
It appears the fire started in the back of the house, but officials continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Frank Sinatra Jr., who carried on his famous father’s legacy with his own music career, has died. He was 72.
The Sinatra family said in a statement to The Associated Press that Sinatra died unexpectedly Wednesday of cardiac arrest while on tour in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The statement said the family mourns the untimely passing of their son, brother, father and uncle. No other details were provided.
Kidnapped and held for ransom when he was 19, Sinatra Jr. had already followed his dad into the music business by then. He eventually worked for his father as his musical director and conductor. He performed the National Anthem at a New York Yankees game last year.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — After weeks of debate, a new property tax proposal aimed at farm and ranch landowners is gaining support in a Nebraska legislative committee.
Members of the Revenue Committee voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of a proposal that would boost the amount of state revenue that would go into an agricultural property tax credit.
Farm and ranch landowners would receive a larger credit if the measure is passed, offsetting some of their local property taxes. The legislation would also impose new budget restrictions on community colleges, which rely partially on property taxes.
The committee will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 2 p.m. on March 24.
Farm groups and Gov. Pete Ricketts have been calling on lawmakers to take some action on property taxes this year.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Adult sex trafficking victims who work as prostitutes could get immunity from prosecution under a bill advanced by Nebraska lawmakers.
Senators gave first-round approval to the measure on Wednesday with a 32-0 vote. Nebraska already provides legal immunity to juvenile sex trafficking victims, and the proposal by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln would extend the protection to adults.
Advocates say current law punishes sex trafficking victims who are controlled or coerced by pimps.
Some senators say they support the bill’s intent, but raised concerns that it could be unconstitutional because it creates a separate class of person who cannot be prosecuted. They also contend that a lack of arrest records makes it harder to track whether a prostitute has been trafficked in other states.
