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8 automakers recall over 12M vehicles for Takata air bags

takataDETROIT (AP) — Eight automakers are recalling more than 12 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace Takata air bag inflators that can explode with too much force.

Documents detailing recalls by Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Ferrari and Mitsubishi were posted Friday by the government.

They’re part of a massive expansion of Takata air bag recalls announced earlier this month. Seventeen automakers are adding 35 million-to-40 million inflators to what already was the largest auto recall in U.S. history.

Friday’s recalls include passenger air bags mainly in older models in areas along the Gulf Coast with high heat and humidity.

Takata inflators can malfunction and spew shrapnel into drivers and passengers when exposed to humidity and repeated hot-and-cold cycles.

PenAir chosen as air service provider for 3 Nebraska cities

PenAirKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A regional airline based in Alaska has been chosen to serve Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff.

The U.S. Department of Transportation approved PenAir’s bid for a two-year essential service contract on Wednesday.

PenAir is a family owned airline based in Anchorage that has been in operation since 1955. Outside of Alaska, the airline provides routes to and from Boston and Portland, Oregon. In Nebraska, it will provide flights to and from Denver.

Last year, it flew more than 266,000 passengers.

PenAir was the only airline that submitted bids which met all five of the department’s selection criteria.

Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse says city officials are excited to start working with PenAir. It will replace Kearney’s current provider, Great Lakes Airlines.

North Platte Weather-May 27

weather

Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North northeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Memorial Day
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Nebraska Tourism Commission fires embattled director

nebraska-tourism-commissionLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Tourism Commission has fired its executive director in the wake of a blistering state audit that found questionable spending and a lack of oversight within the agency.

Kathy McKillip had been suspended with pay before Thursday’s 8-0 vote to terminate her contract. Commissioners also voted to install deputy director Heather Hogue as a temporary director until they name a permanent replacement.

The audit highlighted numerous spending problems within the agency, such as running $4.4 million over budget with an advertising firm’s contract and paying $44,000 in speaking fees for a 90-minute speech by a corporate executive.

Commission Chairman John Chapo says members take the audit seriously and will work to resolve the issues it raised.

Nebraska pig supplier promises to investigate alleged abuses

animal legal defense fundLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska pig supplier is promising to investigate animal abuse allegations after an animal rights group released an undercover video showing pigs with open wounds and other health problems.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund released the footage Wednesday and sent a letter to the Nebraska and Illinois attorney general’s offices, requesting a criminal investigation. The facility is owned by The Maschhoffs, a pork producer based in Carlyle, Ill.

The company said in a statement Thursday it will take immediate action to address the allegations and will cooperate with any criminal investigation. Hormel Foods, one of its largest customers, says it has suspended all sow operations at the Nebraska plant and is sending auditors to see whether animal care requirements are being followed.

Nebraska bicyclist killed in collision with pickup

fatal-accidentORD, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska bicyclist has died after being struck by a pickup truck.

The Nebraska State Patrol says 67-year-old Gregory Jensen, of Ord, was riding his bike Tuesday night along Nebraska Highway 11 in Ord when he was struck by the pickup. Authorities say Jensen was wearing a helmet but died from his injuries.

Officials have not issued any citations for the pickup driver, 20-year-old Tucker Tonniges.

Ord is about 65 miles northwest of Grand Island.

Registration underway for NPCC summer classes

npccNorth Platte Community College is now accepting registrations for the next round of summer classes, many of which start in June.

Summer classes allow students to rack up credit hours in a short amount of time. On-site, online and distance learning courses are available, making it easier and more convenient than ever to pursue a postsecondary education.

Courses offered this summer include, but are not limited to: CPR Rescuer, General Biology, E-Marketing, Non-profit Management and Leadership, Personal and Professional Development, Human Relations: People Skills, College Prep Writing, American Government and Politics, Fundamentals of Mathematics, Trigonometry, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Philosophy, Professional Truck Driving and Fundamentals of Human Communication.

A complete list can be found at www.mpcc.edu/course-schedules.

To register, or for more information about a class, contact the college at (308) 535-3600.

Ida Mae (Neale) Fransen

fransen

Ida Mae (Neale) Fransen, age 90, a former resident of North Platte, NE, died Friday, May 20, 2016, in Chandler, Arizona.

Ida Mae was born December 12, 1925, to Clifton and Ada Neale in North Platte where she grew up. She graduated from North Platte High School in May 1943 then went to work immediately for Northwestern Bell Telephone.

On December 12, 1946, Ida Mae married Virgil Fransen in North Platte. After their marriage, Ida Mae continued her work with Northwestern Bell Telephone and her husband worked as an electrician for Snell Electric. They later moved to Southern California where they spent most of their married life and Ida Mae continued her career with Pacific Bell and AT&T. During this time she headed the AT&T exhibit at Disneyland as one of her work adventures for about three years. She eventually retired from Pacific Bell as a second line Middle Manager.

Ida Mae and Virgil were worldwide travelers and enjoyed their time together. They retired to the Phoenix, Arizona, area where she lived until her death. She took up oil painting at a later age and was most proficient in this area. Ida Mae enjoyed her activities at the Country Club where she loved to play games such as Dominoes and Hand and Foot. She was most active in her church, heading up the Prayer Chain for several years. Ida Mae was immaculate in her dress and her home.

She is survived by several nieces, Charlene (Lowell) Berg, Toninette Swanson, Judy (Tom) Matthews and Sandra (Harvey ‘Buddy’) Mynott; great-nieces and nephews; great great-nieces and nephews; and great great great-nieces and nephews.

Ida Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; her parents, Clifton and Ada Neale; sisters, Mary Margaret Mendenhall and Ruby Viola Baumbach; and brother, Raleigh Neale.

Graveside Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Sun Lakes Community Church, 25811 South Country Club Drive, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

NSP Troopers Honored by MADD

state-patrol-logoLincoln, Neb. – Sworn members of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) were honored during the 17th Annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hero Awards.

The awards ceremony held Tuesday, May 24, in Lincoln, recognized law enforcement officers who work daily to ensure Nebraska roadways are kept safe from drinking and drugged drivers.

“I am very proud of our troopers for the work they do in keeping our roadways and communities safe,” said Colonel Brad Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “I want to thank MADD for their recognition of these dedicated individuals and its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.”

The troopers listed below were honored by MADD for their dedication and commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Nebraska.

Troop B-Norfolk
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Bryan Wiggins #495

Troop C-Grand Island
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Andy Ecklund #84
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Nicole Saathoff #364

Troop D-North Platte
Adult DUI Enforcement-Team: Trp. Jeff Van Stelton #433 & Trp. Bryan Walter #456
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Justin Buhlke #12
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Jeremy Thorson #393

Troop E-Scottsbluff
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Cody Potthast #304

Troop H-Lincoln
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Mike Thorson #394
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. John Lukesh #342

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