LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska Supreme Court justice has resigned after less than two years in his post.

Max Kelch said in a two-sentence letter to Gov. Pete Ricketts that “it is best for my family to submit my resignation.” The resignation becomes effective Feb. 15.

In 2016 Ricketts appointed Kelch to fill the opening created by the retirement of Justice Michael McCormack. Kelch had worked as a county and deputy city attorney, as well as a special prosecutor, before being named district judge for Cass, Otoe and Sarpy counties.

Applications for those seeking the job are due Feb. 16.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would curtail use of juvenile room confinement raised questions during a Nebraska legislative hearing.

The measure would ban solitary confinement except when necessary to eliminate the immediate risk of harm.

Juliet Summers of Voices for Children in Nebraska testified Wednesday that the psychological effects of solitary confinement are magnified for children, whose brains are still developing.

But several people who work at detention and youth treatment centers testified against the bill.

Ralph Healey from the Kearney Youth Treatment and Rehabilitation Center says he’s concerned about the difficult youth sent to Kearney and the injuries suffered by staff from youth assaults. He says that unless the measure is modified to help protect the staff, it will cause a lot of trouble.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new attempt to reduce Nebraska property tax bills has opened a familiar divide between farm groups that have grown impatient with lawmakers and business groups that want income tax cuts in the mix.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard presented the bill Thursday to the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, arguing that it would benefit urban and rural taxpayers.

Erdman and farm groups say they’ll try to put the issue on the November general election ballot if lawmakers don’t act this year. Business organizations say they’ll launch a campaign to fight the ballot measure if it gets that far.

The bill would use state money to offset what residents pay in local property taxes. Erdman declined to say how he would pay for the measure, saying lawmakers should make that decision.

HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) — A Stamford woman has been found guilty of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide for fatally hitting an 86-year-old pedestrian in Holdrege last summer while reading a test message.

24-year-old Cattarina Stock pleaded no contest Wednesday in Phelps County Court. In exchange for her plea, the charge against her was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Stock faces up to a year in jail when she’s sentenced March 28.

Authorities say 86-year-old Holdrege resident Aldon Thieszen was crossing a street June 28 when he was hit by Stock’s car. A Nebraska trooper said that Stock failed to keep an eye out for pedestrians and was distracted by one of a series of texts she’d been exchanging.

North Platte, Nebraska Jan. 25, 2018 – SkyWest Airlines is pleased to launch new United Express jet service from North Platte Regional Airport (LBF) to Denver International on Feb. 1.

In celebration of the inaugural flight, SkyWest and the airport will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and formal remarks on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. CT. The first flight departs North Platte to Denver at 2:33 p.m.

“The inaugural flight event is a chance to celebrate expanding travel opportunities for North Platte travelers,” said Greg Atkin, SkyWest Airlines managing director – Market Development. “We look forward to commemorating this special occasion and are excited to provide more choice and convenience
to North Platte passengers.”

With 370 daily United and United Express flights from Denver, North Platte travelers will have access to United destinations around the globe. North Platte customers who fly United will also be able to accrue MileagePlus Miles as members of United’s MileagePlus loyalty program. Each of the daily United Express flights from North Platte is ideally scheduled for both business and leisure travelers, providing well-timed connection
opportunities in Denver.

SkyWest will operate the daily flights using the quiet, comfortable 50-seat Bombardier-manufactured CRJ200 jet aircraft. SkyWest is a top CRJ200 operator and has been named the manufacturer’s most reliable operator in North America five times.

Tickets are available now at  <https://www.united.com> www.united.com or by calling United reservations at 800.864.8331. The low