The National Weather Service forecast for river levels along the North Platte River at North Platte have again been adjusted. Tuesday, it was forecasted that the river might reach the benchmark level of 7.8 feet by 7am this morning. However, this morning’s reading measures the river at 7.68 feet, and the latest forecast indicates that the river will be at 7.7 feet by 1pm Wednesday afternoon. While being accurate within 0.2 feet, the difference is significant because river flows along the North Platte at Cody Park are believed to bring major flooding to the park at the 7.8 foot mark. With little rain in the upcoming forecast, the North Platte is currently projected to match a record high 7.7 feet this afternoon before falling steadily to 7.5 feet by Friday June 24.

NORTH PLATTE – 27 year old Tyler Keup was scheduled for a re-sentencing appearance in Lincoln County District Court Tuesday, but that appearance will be postponed until June 28. Convicted of second degree murder in the death of Maricela Martinez in 2000, Keup’s conviction was changed to manslaughter earlier this month after it was ruled that premeditated murder was not adequately proven during his original trial.

NORTH PLATTE – Destination Development International CEO Roger Brooks held a presentation Tuesday to address community branding in North Platte. Brooks suggested “Bring it to Life” as a community slogan. He says that North Platte needs something to be known for that can set the city apart from other tourist destinations. Brooks said that the city has many “static attractions,” but lacks more engaging activities. He also cautioned that North Platte’s downtown is “too quiet.”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Two companies are teaming up to build a
wind farm that would be among the largest in Nebraska.
The Lincoln Journal Star said Tuesday that Way Wind LLC of
Madison, Wis., and Nordex USA of Frankfurt, Germany, want to put 48
turbines on up to 8,000 acres near Winside in Wayne County in
northeast Nebraska.
The combined output would be 120 megawatts, or enough power for
nearly 47,000 homes. Currently, the state’s two largest wind farms
produce 81 megawatts of power. Last year, a Chicago company
proposed a 200-megawatt wind farm, but no construction date has
been set.
Wes Slaymaker, a partner in Way Wind, says the Wayne County
project is expected to cost around $250 million. He hopes it will
be operational by the end of 2013.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The National Weather Service says at least
one powerful tornado ripped through central Nebraska on Monday
night, destroying a home but sparing rural residents.
The service in Hastings says the EF3 tornado hit a rural area
just north of Amhearst, flattening a home.
Meteorologist Ryan Pfannkuch says the family who
lived in the home was vacationing in Florida at the time.
The service has photos of another weaker tornado near Elm Creek.
No injuries have been reported from Monday night’s storms that
raked much of the eastern half of Nebraska.
Pfannkuch says other tornadoes are likely to be confirmed by
teams out in the field studying the damage.
To the east, teams are investigating whether a tornado hit
Fremont, but said no confirmation had been made by Tuesday
afternoon.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A 38-year-old Hershey woman haspleaded not guilty to child abuse.   Deanna Fischer madethe plea Monday in Lincoln County District Court.     Her husband who also was charged committed suicide in April. Hehad faced several counts of sexual assault of children.     According to court documents, five girls ages 7 to 15 reportedbeing assaulted by Daniel Fischer at the couple’s home in Hershey.Authorities say Deanna Fischer photographed some of the assaultsand did nothing to stop them.

NORTH PLATTE – An illegal immigrant was arrested in Sutherland last week after stabbing a co-worker in Wallace. According to the Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office, officers responded to a call from the victim’s Sutherland residence on the night of Wednesday June 15. 31-year old David Castro was reportedly at the residence threatening a person who he stabbed earlier in the day. The victim of the stabbing was treated at Perkins County Hospital for a large laceration in the foot. After arresting Castro, an investigation revealed he was not in the U.S. legally and agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were contacted.