The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) is urging motorists to be prepared and keep up-to-date on the latest weather and road conditions, as a winter storm expected to impact travel is forecast for the Cornhusker State. A wintry mix with ice is expected this weekend through Monday.

“This storm as forecasted would make travel difficult and dangerous across a good portion of the state,” said Colonel Brad Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We encourage all motorists to stay up-to-date by monitoring the weather and road
conditions closely and be prepared to change travel plans if need be.”

Travelers can check on road closures and conditions by using 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System. The system
can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, by dialing 511, or online at < www.511.nebraska.gov >. A
Nebraska 511 mobile app is also available to download at no cost for smartphone users. Simply search your app provider for
Nebraska 511.

The Nebraska State Patrol issues the following reminders for motorists traveling in extreme weather conditions:

• Blowing and drifting snow can reduce visibility. Travel only when absolutely necessary. Always wear your seat belt and
  never drive faster than conditions allow.
• If you must travel, use well-traveled routes and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Let others know when you are going, when you will arrive, and what route you are taking.
• If you do become stranded while traveling, stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Wind chill and freezing temperatures
  can be life threatening.
• If your vehicle does become stuck, run your motor sparingly and keep a window cracked to prevent the buildup of carbon
  monoxide.
• Carry a red flag or bandana in your car and attach it to the outside to signal you are in trouble.

Be sure to include a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle as your travel. The following are some basic items to keep in your
car in case you become stranded in wintry weather.

Motorists in need of 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 from any landline, report emergencies to 911.

Col. Rice said, “Let’s all do our part to stay safe by being prepared and planning ahead.”

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska probation officer sentenced to federal prison for having sex with probationers, then lying about it, is appealing his conviction.

An attorney for 57-year-old Thomas Peterson, of Kearney, filed notice of intent to appeal back in November.

Peterson began serving his nine-year sentenced on Monday.

Peterson was convicted by a jury in July of four counts of violating probationers’ civil rights and one count of lying to the FBI.

Prosecutors say he had sex with four different women while they were on probation under his supervision and that he tipped off probationers to planned drug tests. Officials say he also threatened to have one woman’s probation revoked unless she left the state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska wildlife officials say a fatal deer illness has now been confirmed in the southeastern corner of the state.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says testing done on deer killed by hunters in Thayer, Saline, Cass and Polk counties showed evidence of the disease.

Chronic wasting disease affects deer and elk and is always fatal. No human cases have ever been recorded.

The disease was first discovered in Nebraska in 2000 in Kimball County.

Officials have tested nearly 49,000 deer over time and found 296 that tested positive. The disease has been found in 34 Nebraska counties.

More information about the disease is available online at www.OutdoorNebraska.gov/cwd.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s senior U.S. Senator Deb Fischer will again chair a Senate subcommittee dealing with transportation.

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune, a fellow Republican from South Dakota, announced Fischer’s reappointment earlier this week as head of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security.

Fischer has long been a champion of transportation and infrastructure issues, dating back to her time in the Nebraska Legislature.

The subcommittee’s jurisdiction includes safety of the traveling public, America’s freight and passenger transportation network, and oversight of federal agencies involving transportation research, rail, pipelines, maritime shipping and ports, and commercial trucks and busses.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Hy-Vee food store chain has recalled store branded candy distributed to 242 stores in eight states after learning an ingredient from another company could be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee says a milk powder ingredient used in chocolate coating has the potential for contamination and the candy’s manufacturer, Palmer Candy Co., announced a recall of some of its products.

The candy is in a clear plastic container with sell-by dates between Jan. 26 and Feb. 23. It includes chocolate almond bark, chocolate almond pretzels, dazzled peanut brittle, holiday candy trays and others fully listed on the FDA recall website .

The candy was distributed to Hy-Vee’s eight-state region, including Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

No illnesses have been reported.