KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska at Kearney is hoping to give students, alumni, staff and fans a new way to show their school pride — a specialty UNK Nebraska license plate.
The university is leading an effort to gather 250 signups for a UNK/Loper specialty plate. Anyone interested in a UNK license plate can register online at www.unk.edu/loperplates.
A minimum order of 250 is required by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles for production of the plate. The specialty plates also come with a $70 fee.
The school attempted an organizational plate once before in 2012, when the minimum order was 500.
UNK spokeswoman Kelly Bartling says the school came close to filling the 500 orders, so officials feel confident they can get 250 sign-ups.
TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — State prison officials have announced a lockdown at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution after officials received information that violent attacks on staff members had been planned.
A state prisons system news release says the lockdown for units two and three was ordered at 5 p.m. Friday.
Corrections Director Scott Frakes says the lockdown was ordered because he’s not willing to risk the safety of prison staff members.
There’s been a rash of attacks on corrections officers and staff at various Nebraska prisons over several months, including one last month in Lincoln that officials say was carried about by a dozen inmates and left nine officers injured.
There will be no visits or volunteer activities allowed at the Tecumseh prison until at least Tuesday.
HEBRON, Neb. (AP) — A southeastern Nebraska man has been sentenced to 30 to 40 years in prison for several counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child.
60-year-old Harold Stone, of Davenport, was sentenced Thursday in Thayer County District Court.
A jury convicted Stone in June of four counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child and one count of felony child abuse.
Prosecutors say Stone began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl at his business and home.
The victim disclosed the sexual abuse in May 2015, and a search of Stone’s home turned up a variety of digital photos, emails and text messages.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 50-year-old Hartington man has been released from prison after the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that courts cannot impose a separate “habitual criminal” sentence.
The high court on Friday ordered the release of Barney Meyer. Meyer had been sentenced in 2012 to two to four years in prison for theft and burglary counts for stealing copper wire, plus an additional 10 years on a habitual criminal count.
But the state’s high court said it has previously made clear that the state’s habitual criminal law is not a separate offense. It’s a factor considered to enhance the sentences of other crimes.
The high court agreed with a lower court that because Meyer had already served his time on the other charges, he should be released.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Those celebrating the long Labor Day weekend should keep in mind that it won’t be business as usual on Monday.
Most government offices and banks in Nebraska and Iowa will be closed Monday to observe the holiday. Some services, such as trash and recycling pickup, will also be disrupted due to the holiday.
The day does bring some fun activities, though. In Nebraska, both Septemberfest in downtown Omaha and the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island will be wrapping up on Monday. A barbecue is also being held at Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard in Nebraska City.
In Iowa, events will take place Monday in Des Moines, and both Spirit Lake and Milford will hold an antique and arts and craft shows.
AUGUST 30, 2016 (LINCOLN, NEB.) — An increased Nebraska State Patrol presence is planned for Husker home football games during the 2016 season. Troopers and communications specialists will work overtime hours during the first three Husker home games (Sept. 3, 10, & 17), thanks in part to a $3,285 grant from the Department of Roads Highway Safety Office.
The Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Support Division will also be in the air assisting troopers and providing traffic reports both before and after the games.
Traffic volume increases during Husker home games and fans traveling to and from Memorial Stadium can expect congestion and possible delays and are encouraged to give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination.
Motorists are also reminded voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws will help to keep traffic moving smoothly. Drivers are encouraged to obey the posted speed limit, never drive impaired or distracted and make sure everyone in their vehicle is wearing a seat belt.
511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System, can be utilized to keep up to date with the latest road and weather conditions. The system can be accessed @ www.511.nebraska.gov dialing 511 or downloading the Nebraska 511 mobile app from your mobile app provider.
Anyone who observes a reckless driver or anyone 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. Motorists should report emergencies to 911.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton University in Omaha will hold a lecture later this month on the role of free speech on college campuses.
A panel of visiting lecturers will examine the issue in “Campus as a Safe Space or Free Speech Zone” on Sept. 27. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Harper Center Auditorium.
Panelists include Antony Davies of Duquesne University; Stanley Fish, of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University; Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution; and Omar Wasow, of Princeton University.
The lecture is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by Creighton’s Institute for Economic Inquiry.
PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) — The Latest on the large earthquake in Oklahoma (all times local):
9:10 a.m.
The Pawnee County emergency management director says no injuries have been reported and no buildings have collapsed following a magnitude 5.6 earthquake that ties a 2011 temblor for the strongest in Oklahoma history.
Mark Randell said the Saturday morning quake did cause cracks and damages to city buildings, some of which date to the early 1900s.
The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake struck at 7:02 a.m. about nine miles northwest of Pawnee, a town of about 2,200 about 70 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
The U.S.G.S. also reports a 3.6 magnitude aftershock in the same area at 7:58 a.m.
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8:55 a.m.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says that crews are checking bridges and structures for damage after the 5.6 magnitude earthquake, which ties a 2011 temblor for the biggest on record in the state.
Fallin tweeted Saturday morning that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is checking bridges in the Pawnee area for damage. The quake was centered about 9 miles northwest of the town of about 2,200 people.
Fallin also tweeted that state officials want structural engineers to look at building safety in the wake of the quake, which the U.S. Geological Society happened at 7:02 a.m.
No major damage was immediately reported. The quake was felt as far away as Nebraska.
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7:20 a.m.
CHICAGO (AP) — An earthquake has rattled a swath of the Great Plains from Nebraska to North Texas.
The United States Geological Survey said that a 5.6 magnitude earthquake happened at 7:02 a.m. Saturday in north-central Oklahoma. It also tweeted that aftershocks may occur.
People in Kansas City, Missouri; Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Norman, Oklahoma, all reported feeling the earthquake. Dallas TV station WFAA tweeted that it felt the quake, too.
Sean Weide in Omaha, Nebraska, said he’d never been in an earthquake before and thought he was getting dizzy.
Weide said he and one of his daughters “heard the building start creaking” and said it “was surreal.”
KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska at Kearney is hoping to give students, alumni, staff and fans a new way to show their school pride — a specialty UNK Nebraska license plate.
