LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln Animal Control and police are looking for the owner of a dog that investigators believe starved to death after being left in a cage.
Animal Control manager Steve Beal says a resident called animal control March 1 after finding the kennel. A female black Labrador retriever without a collar was found dead inside.
Beal says the dog was 3 or 4 years old, but its stomach was caved in as if it was dehydrated and starving.
Beal says investigators are hoping a necropsy done at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Veterinary Sciences will provide information to help find the animal’s owner.
A Lincoln police spokeswoman says police are assisting with the investigation by processing the crate for DNA and fingerprints.
TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Prison officials say three prison staffers at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution were assaulted by inmates.
Department spokesman Andrew Nystrom said in a news release Monday evening that just before 4 p.m., an inmate hit a staff member escorting him inside a maximum-security housing unit.
The news release said that three other inmates started assaulting the staff member before two other staff members responded to the assault. Officials say the inmates were forcibly restrained by guards.
All three staff members were taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
The housing unit has been locked down, pending an investigation by the department.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature will begin debate next week on a proposed two-year, $8.7 billion budget.
The Appropriations Committee advanced the package Monday with new spending for prison reforms, roads and flood protections around Offutt Air Force Base.
Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, the committee chairman, says the budget relies heavily on the state’s cash reserve but makes long-term investments that will benefit the state.
Papillion Sen. Bill Kintner says he will not “go to war” over the budget, but worries the state spends too much.
The committee also advanced a bill to put money into a transportation infrastructure bank that will jump-start work on road projects. The bank will receive additional funding from the gas tax increase approved last year.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An American Eagle regional jet carrying 55 people makes an emergency landing in Kansas after a smoke alarm for the jet’s baggage compartment is activated.
The Embraer ERJ 145 landed safely at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport around 7 a.m. Monday. Airport officials say no indications of smoke or fire were found.
A Wichita Airport Authority spokeswoman says the jet was flying from Grand Island, Nebraska, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport when the alarm sounded.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska residents can now file a consumer complaint, report a scam and register with the federal “Do Not Call” registry under a new state website.
Attorney General Doug Peterson unveiled the new website, protectthegoodlife.nebraska.gov, and a new Twitter account @ProtectNE. His announcement on Monday coincides with National Consumer Protection week, which runs March 6-12.
The consumer protection website simplifies the process of reporting frauds and scams, and creates a new way for the state’s Consumer Protection Division to connect with Nebraska residents.
It will also make it easier for people to request a presentation on consumer education by a representative of the Consumer Protection Office.
A link to the website is available on the attorney general’s website at ago.nebraska.gov.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would have allowed Nebraska’s natural resources districts to issue bonds for certain water projects has stalled in the Legislature.
Sen. Rick Kolowski of Omaha withdrew his proposal Monday after acknowledging that he didn’t have enough votes to overcome a filibuster. Opponents say the measure would encourage more local government spending and undermine the push for property tax reductions.
The bill would have allowed the state’s natural resources districts to issue general obligation bonds for projects that don’t produce revenue, such as flood control and recharging groundwater reserves.
Nebraska offers roughly $11 million a year for projects through the state’s water sustainability fund, but smaller districts have struggled to generate the matching money needed to qualify for the aid.
Students practice Thursday for a spring concert at North Platte Community College on March 10. Pictured in front is: Bailey Rickertsen. Pictured back row, left to right are: Brianna Mason, Malachi Murtaugh, Ryan Carey, MaKenna Ketter, Jacob McNeel, Justin Morgan and Katie Roessler.
Spring is in the air at North Platte Community College. The music department is hoping to usher in the season a little faster by hosting a spring-themed concert at 7 p.m. March 10.
The event is free and open to the public. It will be in the McDonald-Belton Theater on NPCC’s South Campus.
“The concert will be filled with upbeat classics to get everyone in the mood for warmer weather,” said Elizabeth Peters, NPCC music instructor. “Each of our ensembles will be showcased, and there will be a lot of variety in the program.”
Song selections will include “There You’ll Be,” from the “Pearl Harbor” soundtrack, the famous Beatles’ number, “Hey Jude,” the popular musical theater/jazz song, “42nd Street” and the gospel piece, “Praise His Holy Name.”
Peters will direct the concert choir, Ron Daly will direct the jazz band and Carmen Allen will direct the chamber ensemble.
“The NPCC chapter of the National Association of Music Education will sell flowers at the door for $2 each, if people would like to buy one for a performer or just to get in the mood for spring,” said Peters. “Free will donations to support the organization will also be accepted.”
The following will perform. A * denotes performers who are also in select choir, and ** denotes guest performers.
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol will be conducting high visibility enforcement efforts March 10-12 as fans make their way to the boy’s state basketball tournament games.
Beginning Thursday, March 10, and continuing through Saturday, March 12, troopers will focus on high traffic areas in an effort to reduce serious injury and fatality crashes. An $8,950 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) will help pay for the special enforcement efforts.
“Tournament time is an exciting time across our state and with the potential for increased traffic volume it is also a busy time on our roadways.” said Colonel Bradley Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We are asking drivers and passengers to do their part in helping keep our roadways safe by voluntarily complying with all traffic safety laws.”
Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit, always wear their seat belt, allow plenty of time to reach their destination and never drive impaired or distracted.
Motorists in need of non-emergency roadside assistance can call the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline when safe to do so by dialing *55 from any cell phone or 1-800-525-5555. Emergencies should be reported to 911.
Weather and road construction can play a factor in travel plans. Fans headed to tournament games are reminded to check road and weather condition reports by utilizing 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System a Nebraska 511 mobile app is also available to download at no cost for smartphone users. Simply search your App provider for Nebraska 511.
Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West northwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph after midnight.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 65. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln Animal Control and police are looking for the owner of a dog that investigators believe starved to death after being left in a cage.
North Platte – The North Platte Community College Knights softball team dropped a pair of games in the doubleheader against the Colby Community College Lady Trojans