*Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 8:00 a.m., January 25*

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts is defending his decision to recommend $8.2 million in budget cuts to Nebraska’s judicial branch, a proposal criticized by the state Supreme Court’s chief justice.

Ricketts noted Monday that most other state agencies will likely face budget cuts in the midst of a nearly $900 million projected revenue shortfall.

His comments came in response to questions about Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican’s recent statements to lawmakers. In his annual speech to senators last week, Heavican said budget cuts could undermine the state’s efforts to relieve prison crowding and protect public safety.

Ricketts says his proposal still gives the judicial branch flexibility in how it spends money. Nebraska lawmakers are constitutionally required to balance the budget.

Members of the Appropriations Committee have proposed a smaller cut.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A western Nebraska man is in trouble after using an explosive rifle target to announce the gender of his baby over the weekend.

Jon Sterkel and his wife, Ashley, thought the target would be a fun way to announce they are expecting a boy in June.

When Sterkel shot the target on rural land outside Scottsbluff on Saturday, blue chalk powder packed around the rifle target erupted. But several people called police with concerns about the explosion.

Sterkel called the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s office to explain after he heard a news report on the explosion.

In return, Sterkel received a misdemeanor ticket for using the exploding target without a permit.

A North Platte man was jailed after a two-vehicle accident on Friday led to his arrest for felony driving under the influence.

At around 9:11 p.m., officers responded to Newberry Access, about 1000 feet to the north of Halligan Drive, on the report of an accident.

Officers arrived and determined that a gray 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan was traveling Southbound at around 50 mph when it was rear-ended by a 2004 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Christopher Mahaffey.

It was reported that Mahaffey did not have his headlights on, and officers say he showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol.

According to Investigator John Deal, Mahaffey was unable to perform standard field sobriety testing due to a previous injury.  Deal says a breath test was administered and tested over the legal limit to drive.

Officers placed Mahaffey under arrest and charged him with felony 3rd-offense driving under the influence of liquor.

Deal said no injuries were reported, but the victims did tell The Post that they received medical attention for minor injuries the next day.

The damage to the minivan was estimated to be around $2,500.  The Sebring sustained around $5,000 in damage.

A 22-year-old North Platte man is facing charges after police say he was involved in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl.

According to Investigator John Deal, on January 9, officers received information that Jordan Biere was involved in a sexual relationship with the teenage girl.

A witness reported seeing Biere and the girl engaged in a sexual act in September of 2016 when Biere was 21 and the girl was 15.

The victim was interviewed at the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center, and it was determined that a sexual relationship between Biere and the girl had taken place in the summer and fall of 2016, at a residence in the 100 block of North Hayes Avenue.

On January 20, officers responded to the residence and placed Biere under arrest without incident.

He was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed on a charge of first-degree sexual assault of a child.

Nebraska law prohibits anyone 19-years-old or older from engaging in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 16.

During the evening of Friday, January 20, 2017, the Nebraska State Patrol conducted alcohol compliance checks at retail outlets in Lincoln County.

18 businesses were checked, with two found to be non-compliant after selling alcohol to a minor. The retail outlets checked included convenience stores, liquor stores, restaurants, and bars. Those businesses were City Discount Liquor, 821 N. Jeffers Street,  North Platte, and Casey’s General Store, 2421 Rodeo Road, North Platte.

Law enforcement performs compliance checks to ensure businesses are complying with the state’s alcohol laws and to decrease youth access to alcohol. The compliance checks were conducted thanks, in part, to a grant from Region II Human Services.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Kearney is hoping that the state’s largest solar energy array will help attract other technology projects.

Kearney initially developed a 160-acre technology park called Tech One Crossing years ago in a failed bid to bring in a Facebook data center. Now, a 5.8-megawatt electrical generation project worth 5.8-megawattby SoCore Energy is proposed for the park.

While the solar array doesn’t represent a high volume of energy, city leaders believe the project will make Kearney look more attractive to other tech companies and businesses. Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse says many clients considering Tech One Crossing prefer purchasing green energy.

The Kearney City Council will look at a 25-year lease agreement for the solar project on Tuesday.