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Two North Platte residents among 128 UNMC senior medical students who received residency assignments

During Match Day today, 128 students of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, learned where they will do their physician residency training – typically a period of three to six years of training depending on their chosen medical specialty.

Forty percent of UNMC students are staying in Nebraska for their training, and 64 percent matched in primary care, which includes family medicine, internal medicine, internal medicine/pediatrics, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology.

Students are matched through a computer program to align their preferences for residency programs in order to fill the thousands of training positions available at U.S. teaching hospitals.

The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®), or The Match®, is a private, non-profit organization that provides an orderly and fair mechanism for matching the preferences of applicants for U.S. residency positions with the preferences of residency program directors.

The UNMC medical students, slated to graduate May 4, are listed by hometown, name, specialty and residency assignment.

CLASS OF 2019 RESIDENCY ASSIGNMENTS

 

ALBION Carissa Joy Mangus, family medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

ARCADIA Bethany Ann Lueck, surgery, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara CA

BEATRICE Justin Lee Oltman, otolaryngology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

BELLEVUE Andrea Michelle Meinders, surgery, Methodist Hospital, Houston TX

BENNINGTON internal medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans LA

BLAIR Michael Alexander Blaha, anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

CAIRO Cathryn Ann Zentner, family medicine, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, Lincoln NE

COLUMBUS Rachel Elizabeth Wemhoff, obstetrics and gynecology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey PA

COZAD Shauna Mae Lindstedt, obstetrics and gynecology, University of Kansas SOM-Wichita, Wichita KS

DESHLER Tabitha Mae Burger, internal medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston TX

ELKHORN Robert Douglas Barnes, II, anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN; Amy C. Dreessen, internal medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Jason Long, orthopaedic surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC; Peter Michael Maloley, internal medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Frankie Krejci Smith, pathology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

FALLS CITY Hannah Elizabeth Siel, family medicine-primary care, Omaha NE

GRAND ISLAND Brent Joseph Moravec, surgery preliminary, Creighton University Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE, diagnostic radiology, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis TB; Jackson S. Wagoner, surgery preliminary, Stanford University Program, Stanford CA, anesthesiology, University of Arizona COM at Tucson, Tucson AZ; Seth Michael Wardyn, orthopaedic surgery, University of North Dakota SOM, Grand Forks ND

GRESHAM John Paul Bader, internal medicine preliminary – ophthalmology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington KY

GRETNA Dustin Neal Herring, internal medicine preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Evan Paul Lange, internal medicine preliminary, University of South Dakota Sanford SOM, Vermillion SD, diagnostic radiology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

HASTINGS Jamie Patricia Dietze, transitional, West Virginia University SOM, Morgantown WV, ophthalmology, West Virginia University Eye Institute, Morgantown WV

HEBRON Thomas Lee Vonderfecht, family medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals (Grand Island program), Omaha NE

IMPERIAL Daniel William Regier, surgery preliminary, West Virginia University SOM, Morgantown WV

KEARNEY Anna K. Adamson, obstetrics and gynecology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

LINCOLN Marissa Berry, obstetrics and gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX; Christopher John Buckley, internal medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Dain David Finke, internal medicine, Case Western/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland OH; Derek Preston Hutchins, medicine-pediatrics, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University, Grand Rapids MI; Rebecca Jo Johnson, pediatrics, Stanford University Program, Stanford CA; Zachery Charles Mahler, family medicine, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, Lincoln NE; Trevon Dean McGill, internal medicine, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester MN; Richard Loeland Poppe (MD December 2018), family medicine, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, Lincoln NE; Katherine Mae Rilett, medicine-pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans LA; Peter B. Sam, surgery preliminary – urology, University of New Mexico SOM, Albuquerque NM; Sinan Shelley Sayood, internal medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon NH, Cole Matthew Sievers, anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Alicia Leah Smith, surgery preliminary, St. Joseph Hospital, Denver CO; Alexandra Lyn Springman, pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City IA; Sean Charles Tomes, anesthesiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas TX; Austin Michael Wheeler, internal medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Daniel Jiangdan Zhou, neurology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

NEBRASKA CITY Noah B. Hammond, internal medicine preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

NORFOLK Taylor Pospisil Maguire, obstetrics and gynecology, Texas Tech University Affiliated Hospitals, Amarillo TX

NORTH PLATTE Jake Michael Bianco, orthopedic surgery, University of Kansas SOM-Wichita, Wichita KS; Zachary James Wordekemper, family medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

OMAHA Christopher Arkfeld, obstetrics and gynecology, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven CT; Daniel Vincent Arkfeld, otolaryngology, UC Davis Medical Center, Davis CA; Andrew John Blazek, surgery preliminary – urology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Alexandra Jane Burt, psychiatry, Creighton University Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Bianca Bendix Christensen, pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA; Rachel Anne Coburn, medical primary, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison WI; Thomas James Enke, internal medicine, Northwestern McGaw Medical Center, Chicago IL; Abraham Abd Al-Rahman Farhat, family medicine, Clarkson Family Medicine Residency, Omaha NE; Sean Christopher Flor, family medicine, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, Lincoln NE; Clara Marie Hageman, pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City MO; Jonathan Hall, internal medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Aidan Brianne Hoie, anesthesiology, Northwestern McGaw Medical Center, Chicago IL; Jamie Lynn Holland, pediatrics, University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Salt Lake City UT; Luke D. Huber, emergency medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh PA; Adam Kaftan, emergency medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon NH; Elizabeth A. McGinn, pediatrics, University of Colorado SOM, Denver CO; Sean Michael McMillan, internal medicine preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Ryan Patrick Muehling, family medicine, University Hospitals, Columbia MO; Robert J. Muelleman, anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Joseph Connor Mulhall, obstetrics and gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN; Mitchell N. Nohner, internal medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR; Joseph Robert Novotny, pediatrics, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Maria Irina Podariu, internal medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Aaraon Zachariah Priluck, internal medicine preliminary, St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston NJ, ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore MD; Alexis J. Rogers, family medicine, Clarkson Family Medicine Residency, Omaha NE; Jaeda Michelle Roth, internal medicine, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester MN; Mitchell Schmidt, family medicine, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City SD; Kaiwen Sun, internal medicine, UC San Francisco, San Francisco CA; Kelsey Renee Tieken, surgery, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Charles Christopher Treinen, pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus OH; Garland Michael Upchurch, pathology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis MO; Eli John Wayman, family medicine, Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Sioux City IA

O’NEILL Ethan C. Schneider, family medicine, Clarkson Family Medicine Residency, Omaha NE

PALMER Grant William Saltzgaber, family medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

PAPILLION Andrew Michael Reuss, psychiatry, Creighton University Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; John Blaine Riley, III, anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha

PLATTSMOUTH Hannah Frances Luksa, family medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals (Grand Island program), Omaha NE

POTTER Kaleb James Thomas, internal medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

RALSTON Sean Christian Erickson, family medicine, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, Lincoln NE

ROCA Ethan Daniel Monhollon, emergency medicine, University of Tennessee COM, Memphis TN

RUSKIN Seth Christian Petersen, surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack NJ

SCOTTSBLUFF Ian Clancy Parsley, psychiatry, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis MO

SEWARD Alexander Emory Scheiber, transitional – anesthesiology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston TX; Kara Beth Weishaar, obstetrics and gynecology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City TN

STROMSBURG Anastasia Cherie Burke, family medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals (Scottsbluff program), Omaha NE

TEKAMAH Kiley Marie Cameron, neurology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

WAVERLY Tyler Douglas Evans, internal medicine preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

WEST POINT Alex Jay Hansen, transitional, Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines IA, ophthalmology, University of Arizona COM at South Campus, Tucson AZ

WILCOX Hannah Kay Artz, internal medicine-primary care, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

AUBURN CA Bethany Elizbaeth Feis, internal medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon OH

GRANITE BAY CA Alexandria Marie Delmore Valdrighi, child neurology, UC San Francisco, San Francisco CA

REDLANDS CA Travis Patrick Martin, emergency medicine, University of Arizona COM at Tucson, Tucson, AZ

SAN JOSE CA Michael Ryan Reyes Visenio, surgery, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

STOCKTON CA Adam B. Robinson, surgery preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

HIGHLANDS RANCH CO Hannah Jean Johnke, surgery, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington VT

LITTLETON CO Matthew John Kercher, neurosurgery, UC Davis Medical Center, Davis CA

LOUISVILLE KY Nicholas Christopher Anggelis, surgery preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

FREDERICK MD internal medicine, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

COMSTOCK PARK MI Nicholas William DeKorver, child neurology, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis MO

APPLE VALLEY MN Kelly Ruth Dean, internal medicine, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester MN

EMMONS MN family medicine, Center for Family Medicine, Pierre SD

ROCHESTER MN Travis Ryan Schreier, pediatrics, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

CHILLICOTHE MO Madeleine Rose Wilson, family medicine, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, Lincoln NE

PLATTE CITY MO Morgan Brittany Johnson, medicine-pediatrics, Indiana University SOM, Indianapolis IN

KALISPELL MT Jacob Franklin, psychiatry, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor MI

NEWBURGH NY Krishna Sarma, surgery, Zucker SOM at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead NY

CHARLOTTE NC Nicholas John Gray Swingle, neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VC

GRANVILLE OH Laura Ann Zima, neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical School, Houston TX

DAKOTA DUNES SD Austin William Svec, internal medicine preliminary, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE, diagnostic radiology, Creighton University Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE; Claire Jordan Svec, psychiatry, University of Arizona COM-Phoenix, Phoenix AZ

JEFFERSON SD Luke Christopher Frankl, internal medicine, University of Kansas SOM-Kansas City, Kansas City KS

VANCOUVER WA Andrew Chiou, internal medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Davis CA

SUMMERSVILLE WV Jonathan Amar Greenberg, internal medicine, Legacy Emanuel/Good Samaritan, Portland OR

CHINA Lin Luo, internal medicine preliminary, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing NY, diagnostic radiology, Florida Hospital, Orlando FL

COLUMBIA Santiago Rozo, pediatrics, UC San Francisco, San Francisco CA

MEXICO Rosa Angelica Cancino, obstetrics and gynecology, University of Nebraska Affiliated Hospitals, Omaha NE

NETHERLANDS Valery Tran, family medicine, Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Sioux City IA

VIET NAM Duy Minh Ha (MD December 2018), pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas TX

State gives update on response to catastrophic weather events

With devastating flooding in several regions of the state, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), partner agencies, emergency officials, and volunteers remain hard at work assisting with historically catastrophic conditions statewide.

NEMA is tracking conditions across the state, responding to requests for assistance from local emergency managers and developing a common operating picture to keep local officials aware of the situation.

The State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) was opened Wednesday and will remain open as long as needed. The SEOC is staffed by officials from NEMA, Nebraska State Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Fire Marshal, Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, Nebraska Military Department, and other agencies.

As Nebraskans pull together to support one another in this severe weather event, we encourage people to be cautious of fraudulent donation sites that are beginning to appear on social media. Monetary donations can be made to the Nebraska/SW Iowa Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Safety and Security: Evacuations are taking place throughout the state at this time. Travel is extremely dangerous with conditions changing rapidly. Non-essential travel is not advised.

The levee near Valley has overtopped and is possibly breached, causing water to flood the area. The National Weather Service at Valley has relocated. Confirmation on the condition of the levee is impossible to ascertain due to inaccessibility. Alternative options for inspecting the area are being explored.

All evacuation notices, suggested and mandatory, are STRONGLY encouraged. By ignoring evacuation recommendations, extraction requests made later may be delayed.

Troopers with the NSP have been working with local officials and Nebraska Game and Parks officers on water rescues overnight and into the morning. NSP has deployed two light armored vehicles (LAV) to assist with water rescue in north central and northeast Nebraska. The LAVs are able to reach places that a normal rescue vehicle cannot. Troopers are also being repositioned from less affected areas to the more affected areas to assist with flood response. Additional troopers have also been called in from required days off to assist in these emergency situations.

Urban Search and Rescue-Task Force One, the Nebraska National Guard, and the Nebraska State Patrol are working together to provide water and air rescue missions.

Several state parks are closed due to weather conditions. To find out if a park is closed, check https://outdoornebraska.gov/weatherclosures/

Evacuations (full and partial) as of Friday, 1 p.m.:

·         Beemer
·         Belgrade
·         Cedar Rapids
·         Dannebrog
·         Genoa – Lake Oconee
·         Inglewood – DHHS Call Center
·         Randolph City Auditorium
·         Northern Butler County
·         Eastern Richardson County
·         Pender – Senior Living
·         Broken Bow – Senior Center
·         Linoma Beach
·         Norfolk
·         Fremont  – Hospital
·         Anselmo
·         Lynch
·         Wisner
·         South Bend Middle Island
·         Louisville – Trailer Park
·         Cedar Creek – Along River
·         Plattsmouth – OMA Fish & Wildlife
·         Plattsmouth – Moorehead Island
·         Plattsmouth – Beach Road
·         Eastern Washington County
·         Beemer – 6 homes
·         Pleasanton – Homes
·         Bucaneer Bay – Neighborhood
·         Valley – Evacuation
·         Plattsmouth – Low-lying areas
·         Sarpy County – Platte & Missouri River
·         West Point – Western section

Food, Water, Sheltering: Red Cross reports there are 721 people in Red Cross and partner shelters. Shelters are open in the following places:

  • Council Bluffs, Iowa (Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue)
  • Bellwood, Nebraska (Bellwood Fire Department, 752 41 Road)
  • Boelus, Nebraska (CNR Center, 614 Delaware Street)
  • Columbus, Nebraska (DHS- East Central Health Department, 4321 41st Avenue)
  • Freemont, Nebraska (First Lutheran Church, 3200 Military Avenue; enter Mission Center on NW corner of campus)
  • Hader, Nebraska (Hader Fire Hall, 101 Front Street)
  • Missouri Valley, Nebraska (Rand Community Center, 100 S. 4th Street)
  • Norfolk, Nebraska (Lutheran High Northeast, 2010 N. 37th Street)
  • Norfolk, Nebraska (Bel Air Elementary School, 1101 N. 18th Street)
  • Norfolk, Nebraska (Sacred Heart Elementary School, 2301 Madison Avenue)
  • North Loup, Nebraska (North Loup Community Center, 112 S. B Street)
  • Pierce, Nebraska (Pierce Fire Department, 106 1st Street)
  • Plattsmouth, Nebraska (Plattsmouth Community Center, 308 S. 18th Street)
  • Randolph, Nebraska (Randolph City Auditorium, 119 N. Main Street)
  • St. Edward, Nebraska (St. Edward City Hall, 1302 State Highway 39)

Several towns are experiencing disruptions in water service. Updates will be included on the NEMA social media accounts.

For veterans affected by the recent flooding in Nebraska, the Nebraska Veterans Aid (NVA) may be able to assist with food, clothing, and emergency housing (i.e. hotel accommodations). Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine the amount of assistance a veteran and/or their eligible dependents would be able to receive. Additional information on the program is available here: https://veterans.nebraska.gov/nva . Veterans should apply for NVA through their County Veteran Service Officer.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has put together a list of disaster relief resources for Nebraska farmers and ranchers seeking assistance due to severe weather. This list includes information about NDA’s Hay and Forage Hotline and programs from the Farm Service Agency. For information go to:  www.nda.nebraska.gov/resources.

Energy (Power & Fuel): Cooper Nuclear Station is operating at full power. Officials are placing sandbags in critical locations in preparation for rising water levels. The station has declared a notice of unusual event, but there is no risk to public safety. Officials will continue to monitor the situation.

Communications: The radio tower at Verdigre remains inaccessible; however, the Nebraska State Patrol and other radio operators are able to use cellphones for communications.

Transportation: Interstate 80 is now open; however, road conditions remain dangerous across the state.

Governor Pete Ricketts has issued an executive order temporarily waiving overweight limits to help speed disaster relief response times. A copy of the executive order can be found by clicking here.

Information on road closures can be found on the Nebraska 511 map at https://www.511.nebraska.gov. Nebraska 511 provides the most up-to-date travel conditions. Nebraska 511 can be accessed through the 511 smartphone app or by dialing 511.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Highway Helpline is available 24-hours-a-day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone or 911 in an emergency.

Deborah Darrach Death Notice

Deborah “Debbie” Diane Darrach, age 52, of North Platte, passed away at her home on Wednesday March 13, 2019.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

ADAMS AND SWANSON FUNERAL HOME 420 W 4TH ST. NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101 OFFICE 308.532.2044 FAX 308.532.2045

Nebraska lawmakers pass bill to merge 2 state agencies

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill to merge the state Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska State Energy Office.

The measure won final approval in the Legislature Friday on a 45-0 vote, and will now go to the governor. The new agency will get renamed the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Dan Hughes, of Venango, at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts.

It’s been touted as a way to increase efficiency in state government. State officials say the merger could save roughly $207,000 in annual personnel expenses, and that money would be used instead for operating costs and state aid programs.

ACLU: Nebraska schools should employ counselors, not police

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — More than 71,000 students attended Nebraska schools during the 2015-2016 academic year that employed police as school resource officers but that lacked counselors, psychologists, nurses and social workers, according to a study by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The ACLU found that 23 percent of Nebraska students were in schools with police but without those other support positions, compared to a national rate of 30 percent, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. The group analyzed federal Office for Civil Rights figures from the 2015-2016 school year.

About 80 percent of Nebraska students were at schools that fell below national recommended ratios for students-to-counselors, psychologists, nurses and social workers.

“This data should be a clarion call to all hard-working, compassionate school board members and superintendents that it’s time to prioritize counselors over cops to ensure all Nebraska students can access a high-quality public education,” said Rose Godinez, legal and policy counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska.

The ACLU opposes having police in schools, citing studies that show minority students and those with disabilities are disproportionately arrested, suspended and expelled. Schools instead should allocate funds to hire mental health professionals, ACLU officials said.

Proponents of putting police in schools say it improves safety and helps students develop positive relationships with the police.

Lincoln Public Schools is working to bring more social workers, school psychologists and counselors to the district as part of a broader effort to make schools safer, said Russ Uhing the district’s director of student services.

“That is not done in isolation,” he said. “It’s a coordinated effort around staffing, mental health supports and partnerships with the community. It’s diversion programs, it’s a calm, safe predictive environment … all of those things work to keep a positive climate and culture.”

The Latest: Flooding prompts Missouri River traffic shutdown

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Latest on a powerful storm system moving through the Midwest (all times local):

12:40 p.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard says all traffic on the Missouri River from about 50 miles south of Omaha, Nebraska, downstream to St. Joseph, Missouri, has been shut down due to the river’s high water levels.

The order came Friday. The Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also requested all river vessel operators create as little wake as possible between St. Joseph downstream to Kansas City to minimize levee damage.

Officials say the restrictions will be lifted as soon as flooding conditions improve.

The restrictions come as the river reached moderate flood stage at nearly 32 feet on Friday at Omaha, where it’s expected to crest at nearly 34 feet on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The river is expected to crest at St. Joseph on Tuesday at just over 30 feet. Major flood stage at St. Joseph is 27 feet.

___

12:15 p.m.

A massive later-winter storm that dropped heavy snow and rain in the Upper Midwest has increased flood worries in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota.

The National Weather Service says “significant” snowmelt flooding is likely this spring. The chance the river will reach major flood stage in Fargo, North Dakota, has increased from 50 percent last week to 90 percent now.

The neighboring cities of Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota, experienced a record flood 10 years ago. The two cities have taken several measures such as home buyouts and levees since then.

The river crested at about 41 feet in 2009. The latest outlook says there’s less than a 10 percent chance of that happening this year. But moderate to major flooding is still expected throughout the basin.

___

11:45 a.m.

Officials in eastern Nebraska are still evacuating communities around rivers that are spilling their banks in the wake of heavy rains and massive snow melt.

Sarpy County officials urged all residents directly along the Platte and Missouri rivers to evacuate Friday morning as water levels continued to rise. The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office says the Missouri River levee has been breached south of Bellevue.

Officials also ordered the evacuation Friday morning of Villa Springs, a small lake community near the Platte River and Springfield, just southeast of Omaha.

The city of Valley, just west of Omaha, was put on alert Friday to be ready to evacuate should the Elkhorn River rise more.

___

11:10 a.m.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing releases from a dam along the Missouri River in southeastern South Dakota as flooding escalates across the region due to a massive late-winter storm.

The Corps says there is little storage capacity behind the Gavins Point Dam for runoff. That prompted the releases, which could worsen flooding downstream.

But the agency says it’s helping with levee monitoring and other flood response measures.

Releases from the Fort Randall Dam upstream have been stopped to create more capacity behind Gavins Point. No releases from Fort Randall are expected for several days.

The Corps also is working with the National Weather Service to monitor conditions. The weather service has issued flood warnings along the Missouri River and its tributaries from southeastern South Dakota to St. Louis in Missouri.

___

9:45 a.m.

Snow-swept interstates in the Upper Midwest are slowly starting to reopen following a massive late-winter storm that has also caused flooding in several states.

Interstate 29 between Fargo and the Canadian border in eastern North Dakota is now open to travel. KFGO radio reports that a snow plow driver cleared a path on Interstate 94 in southeastern North Dakota on Thursday for an ambulance that needed to get a patient to a hospital.

State government in South Dakota is also returning to normal as travel conditions improve. Most offices have been closed for the last two days because of bad weather and treacherous travel conditions.

Heavy rain falling atop deeply frozen ground has prompted evacuations along swollen rivers in Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. Meteorologists say the flooding is likely to persist into the weekend in states where frozen ground is preventing rain and snowmelt from soaking into the soil.

___

7 a.m.

Snow, rain and powerful winds are sweeping across the Upper Midwest.

No travel is advised Friday morning in areas near Fargo, North Dakota, as heavy snow and poor visibility prompted the closure of two interstates.

In South Dakota, schools in Rapid City are closed as authorities dig out from a blizzard. Flooding on the other side of the state prompted officials in Sioux Falls to go door-to-door and evacuate residents from homes.

Flooding has also made several highways in Wisconsin unpassable. In Fond du Lac, rescuers had to move residents to higher ground after flooding on the Fond du Lac River.

Authorities say a tornado swept through mid-Michigan, damaging homes and knocking out power to thousands late Thursday. State police said first-responders say at least 21 homes were damaged, though no injuries have been reported.

___

12 a.m.

A late-winter storm system continues its trek across the Midwest. It will send rain and snow into Minnesota and Illinois on Friday.

The storm left quickly rising floods in its wake in parts of eastern Nebraska and Iowa that saw residents evacuated from their homes, roads washed out in communities, and farmers worried all the water would drown livestock.

The National Weather Service says the system is expected to move into southern Minnesota and parts of Illinois, including Chicago, on Friday, with rain later turning to snow. But meteorologist Paul Fajman in Omaha says the effects aren’t expected to be as bad as what was seen farther west and south.

A blizzard crippled parts of Wyoming, Colorado and western Nebraska on Wednesday.

Nebraska lawmakers OK bill to capture online sales taxes

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill to help the state collect online sales taxes in an effort to capture millions of dollars lost every year from consumers who haven’t been paying the tax.

The measure won final approval in the Legislature Friday on a 43-0 vote. It would go into effect on April 1 if the governor signs it.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue has already told online businesses to start collecting sales taxes on orders placed within the state, but there wasn’t a formal law in place.

Sen. John McCollister, of Omaha, the bill’s sponsor, says it’s intended to level the playing field between online retailers and brick-and-mortar shops.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that states can tax online sales from out-of-state businesses.

NP men garner honors for region, conference

North Platte Community College men’s basketball coach Kevin O’Connor and three players have received all-conference honors and a pair of players top the All-Region IX south team.

Courtney Murrell and Jakub Karwowski received All-South Region IX first-team honors, joining Western Nebraska’s Jervay Green. O’Connor was named Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the year with three Knights named to the team as well.

ALL REGION IX TEAM: In winning first-team All-Region south honors, Courtney Murrell, a 6-0 freshman guard from Plano, Texas, averaged 15.1 points per game – sixth best in the south region. He shot 48.5 percent from the field, averaged 5.3 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists. Defensively he led all south players with 57 steals on the season.

Jahub Karwowsk, a 7-1 sophomore center from Warsaw, Poland, averaged 9.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He shot 70.6 percent from the field, tops among all players in the region. He was second in the south in rebounds per game and topped the south with 66 blocked shots this season.

Jervay Green rounds out the three players named to the first team. He led all scorers in the Region IX south with 23.6 points per game. He shot 54.7 percent from the floor, averaged 5.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He was second in the south with 55 steals and third in assists with 98.

The second team is led by a pair of Western Nebraska players in Dru Kuxhausen, who was second in the south in scoring averaging 19.1 points per game and Martin Roub, who was third in scoring with 16.8 points per game. Isaac Essein, Trinidad State, is the other second-teamer. He averaged 10.7 and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Third team members included: Jubrile Belo, Lamar Community College, Wesley Harris, Otero Junior College, and Nyk Lange, Northeastern Junior College. Players receiving honorable mention included: Brevin Brimble, Lamar Community College; Ian Kelly, Trinidad State; Sam Mack, Otero Junior College; Peanut Cunningham, McCook.

NCCAC: Coach Kevin O’Connor, was named Nebraska Community College Coach of the Year and three of his players were named to the team in Murrell, Karwowski and Tim Johnson.

Johnson, a 6-3 freshman from Arlington, Texas was fourth in south sub-region in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game along with 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He shot 52.1 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from the 3-point line and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line – second among all south region players.

Others named to the team were (from McCook CC) Tyrek Battle-Holley, Peanut Cunningham, and Mardrez McBride; (from Central CC), Latrell Talley, Tre Crawford; (from Southeast CC), Ray Harding and Ben Moss. Kenan Gray, received honorable mention.

State agencies urge caution as devastating flooding, weather impacts continue

Governor Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials and partner agencies hosted a press conference to provide an update on the current flooding and severe weather impacting the state.  The agencies are continuing to monitor conditions, fielding calls from citizens and community partners, and providing information and resources to keep citizens safe.

“As snow and rain pass, many communities have experienced devastating flooding.  This could last for quite some time,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Nebraskans should watch the weather and waterways in their communities closely in the coming days, and be prepared for historic levels of flooding even if it has not hit their community yet.  As Nebraskans know, conditions can change quickly, and everyone needs to be prepared.”

Following a declaration of emergency Tuesday evening, NEMA opened the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) in response to hazardous conditions caused by blizzards and flooding impacting the majority of the state.

NEMA staff and partners began working 24-hours-a-day in the SEOC at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.  The SEOC will remain open as needed.  NEMA is tracking conditions across the state, responding to requests for assistance from local emergency managers and developing a common operating picture to keep local officials aware of the situation.

The SEOC is staffed by officials from NEMA, the State Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services, Fire Marshal, Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, the Military Department, and other agencies.

Flight operations will begin Friday as weather permits.  Be advised that if you are using a drone, use caution and keep away from operational flights near rivers.

Safety and Security: Evacuations are taking place throughout the state including:

  • Randolph
  • Norfolk
  • Beemer
  • Cedar Rapids
  • Belgrade
  • Dannebrog
  • St. Edward
  • Genoa
  • Northern Butler County
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Inglewood
  • Eastern Richardson County

The Washington County Sherriff has ordered a mandatory evacuation of the eastern portion of the County.  The Reception Center in Fremont is available for shelter.

The Nebraska National Guard has deployed multiple high-water vehicles and Army National Guard Soldiers to both Norfolk and Genoa to assist with stranded individuals and evacuations.  Sandbagging is being done throughout the state.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has had requests for 22,000 sandbags.  Three million are available.

Nine Lincoln Urban Search and Rescue members have been deployed to Columbus.  Five to 20 people and five dogs on a list for rescue in Columbus.  A family with a child is the priority.  Buffalo County Emergency Management deputy was hit by a vehicle while taking photos.  His condition is unknown

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to coordinate efforts.  Currently, we have two individuals that are unaccounted for and one confirmed fatality in Platte County.  Details involving the fatality will be released at a later time.

Food, Water, Sheltering: As of midnight Wednesday, 103 people have been placed in Red Cross and partner shelters.  Red Cross updates counts at midnight each day.  Shelters are open in the following places:

  • Green Hills Area Education Agency, 919 N. Chestnut Street, Avoca, Iowa
  • Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa
  • First Lutheran Church, 3200 Military Avenue, Fremont, Nebraska
  • Community Center, 112 S, B Street, North Loup, Nebraska
  • Randolph City Auditorium, 110 N. Main Street, Randolph, Nebraska
  • United Methodist Church, 512 S. Scott Street, St. Francis, Kansas
  • CNR Center, 614 Delaware Street, Boelus, Nebraska
  • Lutheran High School, 2010 N. 37th Street, Norfolk, Nebraska

Several towns are experiencing disruptions in water service including Butte, Verdigre, and Niobrara.

Energy (Power & Fuel): There are currently no reported power outages in the state.  Cooper Nuclear Station is at 100 percent power.  Officials there are having rock brought in to reinforce the south access road and are evaluating the situation continuously.  There are no reported damages to pipelines.

Lincoln teen sentenced to prison for robbery 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A 17-year-old Lincoln boy accused of two armed robberies has been sent to prison.

Lancaster County District Court records say Job Teburso was sentenced Thursday to eight to 12 years in prison. He’d pleaded no contest to a robbery charge after prosecutors dropped two related charges.

The judge had refused a defense request to move the case to juvenile court.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Teburso was 16 when he committed the crimes last August.

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