Mid-Plains Community College will host a Visit Day on March 6, giving prospective students and their families an opportunity to experience MPCC’s programs first-hand. The event will take place simultaneously in North Platte and McCook from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The college’s Visit Days showcase its campuses, offerings and services. Among other things, participants will be able to tour their programs of interest, sit in on a class, meet instructors, join in hands-on projects, learn about the various services MPCC offers and meet new friends through fun activities led by current Mid-Plains students.

Specialists from a variety of departments will be available to answer questions and provide information about financial aid, housing and credit transfer among many other topics.

“Visit days are a great opportunity as they offer a different take on the typical campus visit and include several activities students might otherwise have to plan individually,” said Mindy Hope, area director of recruiting and admissions. “They provide a more complete perspective on what it’s like to be a college student. Visit Days let prospective students experience a lot of what the college has to offer, from academic programs, instructors and potential classmates to student organizations, residence halls and life outside of the classroom. Visitors get a complete view of the college’s resources in a single day.”

Anyone thinking about taking college classes is encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided, and all prospective students will receive a free hoodie.

RSVPs are required at https://campus.mpcc.edu/ICS/RSVP/.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a North Platte man on several charges, including possession of methamphetamine, open container, and leaving the scene of an accident, following a foot pursuit Wednesday morning near Sutherland.

At approximately 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, NSP received a report of a crash on eastbound I-80 involving a tractor-trailer and a Pontiac sedan. After arriving on scene, troopers were informed that the driver of the Pontiac had fled on foot.

Troopers were able to track the suspect through the snow and over the South Platte River until they were able to apprehend him approximately two miles from the accident scene. The suspect, Eric White, 35, of North Platte, had received facial injuries in the crash and was showing signs of hypothermia. He was taken to Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Once he was medically cleared, White was taken to Lincoln County Jail and lodged for careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, possession of an open alcohol container, possession of methamphetamine, and obstruction. White also had outstanding warrants from Lincoln and Lancaster Counties.

Eleven vehicles were involved in multiple crashes that occurred this morning on Interstate 80 between Giltner and Aurora.

At approximately 9:10 a.m., Hamilton County received a 911 call that two semi-tractor/trailers had crashed and jackknifed, blocking eastbound traffic on I-80 near mile marker 328. As troopers and officers were en route to the scene, additional vehicles became involved in a chain reaction crash. The first crash scene involved four semis and one passenger vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee.

After the initial incident, a pair of semis that were traveling together came upon the scene and were unable to stop. One struck the other, pushing it into the Jeep Cherokee.

Both occupants of the Cherokee were transported to the hospital in Aurora, but the passenger, Jason Palmer, 29, of Indiana, has since been life-flighted to Kearney with life threatening injuries. The driver was evaluated and has been released from the hospital. One of the semi drivers, Jeffrey Clark, 56, of Colorado, was also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As traffic was stopped for the first crash scene, another semi jackknifed while attempting to avoid the stopped traffic. Moments later, another crash occurred a short distance to the west involving two more semis and a minivan. No injuries were reported in those crashes.

In total, there were nine semis and two passenger vehicles involved in the incidents near mile marker 328. Interstate 80 was closed for eastbound traffic for approximately three hours while emergency crews worked the scene and cleared the road. Weather conditions were a factor in the crash.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Former convicts who apply for a job in Nebraska would get the chance to explain the circumstances behind their crimes and the steps they’ve taken to rehabilitate themselves under a bill advanced by lawmakers.

Senators gave the measure first-round approval Wednesday with a 39-2 vote.

The measure by state Sen. John McCollister, of Omaha, would require employers to give job seekers the opportunity to explain themselves if applicants are forced to disclose their criminal records. It would only apply to businesses with 15 or more employees.

McCollister says the bill is designed to help former convicts who often struggle to find work after their sentences end, while allowing businesses to avoid hiring inappropriate people for a job.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln police have accused a University of Nebraska-Lincoln assistant professor of defacing U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry campaign signs last fall.Patricia Wonch-Hill has been cited for three counts of misdemeanor vandalism. Her university phone rang busy during several calls Wednesday from The Associated Press, and she didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking a response to the police allegations. Court records don’t list an attorney for her.

Police say fingerprints from Wonch-Hill were found on stickers used to vandalize Fortenberry campaign signs in Lincoln last October. The vandalism included giving his picture big, googly eyes. One of the signs was also defaced with a strip of tape that turned the Republican’s name into a flatulence reference.

He won his eighth term the following month to represent the state’s 1st Congressional District.

Police Sgt. Angela Sands said the damage to property — estimated at $100 — went beyond free speech.

Editor’s Note: Wonch-Hill is a graduate of North Platte High School.