LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A former Nebraska congressman says state
Sen. Deb Fischer will join the Republican primary race to challenge
Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson.
Former U.S. Rep. John McCollister said he spoke with Fischer
over the weekend about her announcement, which is scheduled for
Tuesday in Omaha. McCollister said he planned to endorse Fischer,
of Valentine, because she’s a consistent conservative who would
bring a civil tone to Washington if elected.
Fischer will join an already crowded GOP field. Nebraska
Attorney General Jon Bruning, State Treasurer Don Stenberg and
Schuyler investment adviser Pat Flynn have also launched campaigns
to win the party nomination.
Phone messages have been left at Fischer’s home in Valentine and
her office in Lincoln.

MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) – A Holbrook attorney is trying to launch a
ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in Nebraska.
The McCook Daily Gazette reports that Frank Shoemaker submitted
petition language to the Nebraska Secretary of State earlier this
month.
The newspaper says Shoemaker is listed as the sole sponsor of
the Nebraska Marijuana Legalization Initiative. The petition seeks
to amend the state constitution to remove all laws that regulate
the private, non-commercial use of cannabis, and to regulate all
commercial uses. It seeks to place the place the question on the
November 2012 ballot.
Shoemaker would need to collect valid signatures from 10 percent
of the state’s registered voters. In 2008, that number was more
than 112,000 signatures.
Shoemaker was an unsuccessful candidate for Legislature in 2006.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A North Platte man has been arrested
for manslaughter in his wife’s death.
Police say that 35-year-old Michelle Diaz was taken by
ambulance to a hospital about 2 a.m. Saturday. She later died.
Police say her husband, 33-year-old Roger Diaz, was arrested
Saturday evening.
Details of Michelle Diaz’s death have not been released. An
autopsy has been ordered.

(North Platte, NE)- A man and a woman were killed Friday, June 24, 2011, when their pickup collided with a semi trailer truck on Interstate 80 near North Platte.
The crash occurred just after 7:00 a.m., three miles west of the North Platte Interchange when the female driver of an eastbound 1997 Toyota pickup overcorrected after the vehicle entered the median. The pickup then rolled several times through the median and into the westbound lanes where it was struck by a semi trailer truck. The semi and pickup came to rest in the north ditch.
The female driver and a male passenger in the pickup were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Their names are being withheld pending notification of family.
The driver of the semi truck, Nikola Nenadic (M), 30, Chicago, IL and a co-driver in the semi Daniejel Avramovic (M), Elmwood Park, IL were transported to Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte where they were treated and released. The semi was hauling bricks.
Seat belts were in use. The crash which remains under investigation closed westbound I-80 from North Platte to Sutherland for a little more than two hours.

Here is a video report from Friday showing more images of the damage inflicted to the vehicles involved in the accident.

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NORTH PLATTE – The level of the North Platte River remains stable at 7.4 feet and Central Nebraska Public Power indicates there will be no more releases from Lake McConaughy in the near future. The number and amounts of the releases are based upon the inflows to the lake.
The Army Corps of Engineers had been requested to evaluate the North River Road area west of Highway 83 to determine what projects may be utilized to control and prevent flooding in that area. The area faces two issues that create flooding; the North Platte River to the south and White Horse Creek to the north of the area. The Corps indicated that there was no critical public infrastructure, as required by Federal law, in that area that would allow them to undertake any projects to mitigate the problems.
The Governor declared a state disaster on May 24th and the President declared a federal disaster on June 17th which allowed funding for public projects related to the flooding. The state of Nebraska is planning on asking the President to issue a “major disaster” declaration for the state which would allow funding for individual, business and renter losses and damages.
Damages from the flash flooding that occurred earlier in the week in the Sutherland-Hershey areas will be consolidated into the overall damage assessment.
Emergency Management is asking property and business owners with damage from the flooding to provide an estimate of the damage for compilation purposes as soon as possible. This compilation will be presented to the state for inclusion with the overall request for individual, business and renter assistance. Some owners may not be able to provide estimates until the flooding has subsided.
Emergency Management is working with various agencies to provide recovery assistance once the flooding has subsided. The Red Cross still has Adams Middle School on standby to act as a shelter for evacuees if needed and Buffalo Bill Manor and South Oak Manor also have space available for evacuees.
In addition, the Red Cross has counseling available for those with issues associated with the flooding.

NORTH PLATTE – First Baptist Church in Maxwell enlisted the help of Wal-Mart and Sunmart this weekend to collect relief supplies to meet the needs in Joplin, MO. Some of the items collected include sunscreen, cereal, box fans, tarps, ropes, air mattresses, brooms, trash bags, bandages, and non-perishable food items. Everything collected was taken directly to a disaster resource center in Joplin.

KIMBALL, Neb. (AP) – A Washington state man has died in a crash
on Interstate 80 in the Nebraska Panhandle.
The state patrol says a 51-year-old man lost control of his
motorcycle Saturday night as it slid into the median and rolled.
The man died at the scene. His name has not been released.

NORTH PLATTE – Dean Edward Hackbart was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting of a 12 year old girl. The victim recently disclosed that sexual contact with Hackbart has been going on for the past three months. The North Platte Police Department says if convicted Hackbart, who is currently on parole, could face life in prison. Hackbart was convicted of arson in 1999, and 3rd degree sexual assault in 1997 and 2005. A preliminary hearing for Hackbart in Lincoln County District Court is set for Thursday June 30.

NORTH PLATTE – The Nebraska Office of Drinking Water and Environmental Health cautions that any well near flooded regions may need to be tested. According to Administrator Jack Daniel, underground seepage can occur and floodwaters can impact a domestic well without any above ground evidence. “Even though you wellhead isn’t under water, if you are near flooded areas, and especially if your well is shallow, meaning less than 50 feet deep, I recommend that you have your water tested to be sure it’s safe,” Daniel said.Water testing kits are available from the Nebraska Public Heath Environmental Laboratory by calling 402-471-3935. For more information on how to protect private wells from contamination, contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.