GERING, Neb. (AP) — A veteran district judge in the Nebraska Panhandle has announced his retirement.

The Nebraska Supreme Court said in a news release that Judge Randall Lippstreu will step down Feb. 28. He’s held the post since January 1998.

“I can think of no one who works longer hours, or who works as hard to get it right, and his appellate record is reflective of his good work,” said a colleague, Judge Leo Dobrovolny. “We will greatly miss his guidance and calm demeanor.”

The Supreme Court says the first step in replacing Lippstreu will be for the Judicial Resources Commission to determine whether the 12th District should retain the judgeship. The district covers the entire Panhandle and Grant County.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Travel remains hazardous in parts of Iowa and Nebraska as ice storms move north and east through the states.

Authorities say most roadways that have been treated in anticipation of sleet or freezing rain are safe for cautious navigation. But untreated sidewalks, streets and rural roads could be treacherous Monday.

Fears of widespread power outages Sunday and early Monday have not materialized. Major utilities in both states report that fewer than 20 customers don’t have electricity.

Air travel is problematical. More than 20 Monday departures have been canceled at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield and five at Des Moines International Airport.

National Weather Service meteorologist Josh Boustead (BOW’-stehd) says more rain is expected in both states Monday, but the temperature in most spots is hovering above the freezing mark.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a male subject, who was being pursued by North Platte Police, took his own life.

At around 1:31 p.m., on Sunday, a citizen contacted the North Platte 911 Center and advised they had just observed a male subject, who had felony warrants, crossing the Buffalo Bill viaduct.

North Platte Police officers responded to the area and observed the man, identified as 37-year-old Robert Mills, walking southbound on the viaduct.

When officers attempted to make contact with Mills, he reportedly ran down the viaduct and into a neighborhood.  As the officers pursued Mills, they noticed that he had a handgun.

Officials say Mills ran into an alley between West Front Street and West Sixth Street and shot himself.

The North Platte Fire Department was called to the scene, but Mills had already succumbed to the injuries.

Because Mills was being pursued by police, he was considered to be in custody.  In other words, he would not have been free to leave had police apprehended him.  Anytime someone dies while in custody, Nebraska state law requires that a Grand Jury investigation be conducted.

The Lincoln County Attorney’s Office has appointed the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to conduct the investigation, which will be presented to the Grand Jury.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Seasonal workers who mow lawns, scrub toilets and answer phones at Nebraska’s state parks can command a higher salary, thanks to the state’s $9 minimum wage.

State government is exempt from the minimum wage requirement, but officials with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission say the increase has forced them to offer more money to compete with higher-paying private sector jobs.

The commission has already started raising wages and is now asking lawmakers for the authority to draw nearly $407,000 from an existing cash fund.

Nebraska hires about 900 temporary and seasonal employees each year to work in parks throughout the state, mostly during the peak spring and summer months. Park officials say they’re critical in a variety of jobs, such as maintenance, guiding tourists and wrangling horses.