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Nebraska Lawmakers Pass Sweeping Immigrant Licensing Bill

Pete Ricketts
Governor Pete Ricketts

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Young immigrants who entered the country illegally but were granted lawful status could qualify for more than 100 professional and commercial licenses under a bill approved by Nebraska lawmakers.

Senators passed the measure Wednesday with a 33-11 vote, despite opposition from Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Supporters say that the youths should have access to the licenses so they can work in professions such as teaching and nursing. The bill would apply to youths who came or were brought to the country illegally, but received lawful status under the Obama administration’s deferred-action policy.

Ricketts says the bill is too broad and is unfair to immigrants who followed the legal process to establish residency.

Nebraska Lawmaker Pass State Agency Transparency Bill

NE LegislatureLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The state’s spending website could publish financial records from dozens more state agencies under a measure passed by Nebraska lawmakers.

Senators gave final approval with a 48-0 vote Wednesday to a bill by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha that would require quasi-public agencies to make their financial records public. Those documents would join the records of all state agencies and the University of Nebraska on the spending website.

If Gov. Pete Ricketts signs the bill, it could affect as many as 24 agencies that are not currently a part of the state’s main accounting system. The agencies include the Nebraska State Fair Board, the Environmental Trust Board and the State Anatomical Board.

The transparency website, www.statespending.nebraska.gov , was created in 2009.

Teen Took Unloaded Handgun to School, Lincoln Police Say

gun-in-schoolLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy who police say took a handgun to a Lincoln school has been referred to juvenile authorities.

Principal Kurt Glathar (GLAY’-thur) said in an email to parents of Lincoln Northeast High School students that a student reported that the boy had shown him the gun Tuesday. The boy left school grounds before he could be found but was caught later.

Police say the handgun was stolen and was unloaded. Officer Kate Flood said Wednesday that the boy had some ammunition with him, but it was too big to have worked in the .22-caliber handgun.

Nebraska’s New Pipeline Chief Hired with Stipulation

Keystone_construction_ND1-306x204LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s new top pipeline regulator has agreed to remove himself from working on TransCanada’s application to build the Keystone XL pipeline through the state if the company makes another attempt to do so.

Scott Coburn agreed to the requirement as a condition of his hiring by the Nebraska Public Service Commission on Tuesday. The commission voted 4-1 to make Coburn director of its division that regulates national gas and oil pipelines.

Coburn is a civil engineer who previously worked for TransCanada. The commission’s executive director says he’s confident in Coburn’s integrity.

Commissioner Crystal Rhoades says she gave the dissenting vote because she believes it appears as a conflict of interest.

Pursley says he received about 10 complaints from those who opposed the hire. No public comments were offered regarding Coburn’s hiring at the meeting.

Nebraska Agency Says Dangerous Smoke Levels Could Continue

lancaster-co-health-departmLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say air conditions that prompted a health advisory from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department could continue into Thursday.

The advisory says the unhealthy smoke levels are caused by agricultural burns in the Flint Hills area of Kansas and areas in Nebraska east of Beatrice.

The advisory says the problem may last through Thursday because of winds from the south and relatively low wind speeds.

The advisory says older adults and children and people with asthma, lung disease or other respiratory conditions or heart disease to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity.

Man Dies After Pickup Slams Into Nebraska Creek Bank

colfax county sheriffSCHUYLER, Neb. (AP) — Colfax County authorities say a driver has died after his pickup slammed into a creek bank and rolled into the water.

The truck was spotted Tuesday in Shell Creek about a mile west and three miles north of Schuyler. Deputies think the pickup was speeding down a county road when it went airborne across the creek and struck the bank, ejecting the driver.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His name hasn’t been released.

Nebraska Mom in ‘Mommie Dearest’ Duct Tape Case Gets Probation

gavel-moreNEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska City mother has been given two years of probation and some jail time for having her boyfriend force her two sons to watch the movie “Mommie Dearest.”

Court records say 28-year-old Mary Lucas also was sentenced Tuesday to perform 40 hours of community service and spend four weekends in jail and 10 days more that can be waived by the court. She had pleaded no contest to negligent child abuse.

Authorities say Lucas’ boyfriend at the time duct-taped the unruly 4- and 5-year-old boys to chairs while the movie played as he baby-sat them in August. The movie depicts actress Joan Crawford as a mean mother. Court records say the boyfriend thought Lucas wanted to show the boys that she was not the meanest mother.

Volunteers needed for Class D State Golf tournament in North Platte

volunteerSpring is in the air, and it’s time to recruit volunteers for the Boys State Golf Tournament coming up on May 24 and 25.  If you can help, please fill out this volunteer form and return it to the North Platte Visitors Bureau.

On May 24 and 25, the best of Nebraska High School Class D boys golfers will converge on North Platte for the championship tournament. The event is expected to draw 95-100 golfers to the Lake Maloney Golf Course. Class D is one of the highest-traveling classes, so we can expect many family, friends and well-wishers to come to North Platte to watch the tournament. Continue reading “Volunteers needed for Class D State Golf tournament in North Platte”

NP Woman, 18, Accused of Bringing Pot, Meth Into County Jail

Katie Schumacher
Katie Schumacher

An 18-year-old North Platte woman will have extended visiting hours at the Lincoln County Detention Center after she allegedly brought marijuana and methamphetamine into the facility.

On April 12, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a warrant for Katie Schumacher.

At the time, Schumacher was visiting an inmate at the jail via the Video Visitation System.

Deputies made contact with Schumacher and placed her under arrest for the warrant.

A subsequent search of Schumacher’s bag revealed several items of contraband, including marijuana, suspected methamphetamine, and several pills, later identified as Alprazolam.

As a result, Schumacher was also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of marijuana, less than one ounce.

According to Chief Deputy Roland Kramer, more charges may be added, pending the results of laboratory tests.

Bond for Schumacher has not been set.

North Platte Weather-April 13

forecast graphic april 13 2016Today
Sunny, with a high near 79. Light south wind increasing to 9 to 14 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 21 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Friday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 21 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 49. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 57. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday
Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 41.
Monday
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 57.
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