AMHERST, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a pickup and school bus crashed in central Nebraska, but no one was seriously injured.

The Kearney Hub reports that the crash happened around 2:45 p.m. Friday at an intersection northeast of Amherst in Buffalo County.

Amherst Superintendent Tom Moore says 13 students were on the bus at the time. He says all students were checked out by emergency medical technicians and either went home with parents who arrived at the scene or were taken home by another school bus.

The driver of the pickup was cited in the crash, but the specific offenses were not released.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Former Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. has signed a contract to play for the Nebraska Danger of the Indoor Football League.

Armstrong started 44 games for the Cornhuskers and set school career records for total offense, total touchdowns, passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Armstrong went undrafted in 2017 but spent part of that spring with the Minnesota Vikings as a wide receiver and safety. He was cut in June 2017.

The Danger signed Armstrong Wednesday. They open the regular-season with a game against the Bismarck Bucks at the Heartland Events Center on Feb. 23.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A send-off ceremony is planned for about 50 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers who will travel to the Middle East.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports Gov. Pete Ricketts will attend the ceremony Saturday in Grand Island marking the departure of soldiers assigned to two aviation units.

The soldiers will move troops, supplies and equipment.

They will first head to Texas for several weeks of training and then deploy to the Middle East.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in January. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes.

Jan. 1 – First Day Hike, Mormon Island State Recreation Area (SRA), Doniphan; Indian Cave State Park (SP), Shubert; Ash Hollow State Historical Park (SHP), Lewellen; Platte River SP, Louisville; Wagon Train SRA, Hickman; Chadron SP, Chadron; Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland; Red Willow Reservoir SRA, McCook; Ponca SP, Ponca; Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Gering; Johnson Lake SRA, Elwood; Smith Falls SP, Valentine; Fort Kearny SRA, Kearney; Calamus Reservoir SRA, Burwell; Fort Hartsuff SHP, Burwell; Fremont Lakes SRA, Fremont; and Lake Ogallala, Ogallala

Jan. 2 – Application period begins for Super Tag and Combo multispecies lottery permits

Jan. 2 – Big game informational meeting, Cabela’s, Sidney

Jan. 3 – Big game informational meeting, Community Center, Wymore

Jan. 3 – Big game informational meeting, Hooker County Library, Mullen

Jan. 6 – Duck and coot hunting seasons close in Zone 3, Low Plains and High Plains Units

Jan. 7-27 – Duck and coot hunting seasons in Zones 2 and 3, High Plains Unit

Jan. 8 – Big game informational meeting, Schilling Wildlife Management Area, Plattsmouth

Jan. 9 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Broken Bow

Jan. 10 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Curtis

Jan. 12 – Discover Ice-Fishing Clinic, Holmes Lake, Lincoln

Jan. 12 – Flying WILD Educator Workshop, Wildlife Safari Park, Ashland

Jan. 13 – Crow hunting season opens statewide

Jan. 14 – First day of spring turkey hunting permit sales

Jan. 15 – Youth, Landowner, Season Choice and River Antlerless, and Gifford Point WMA deer hunting seasons close

Jan. 15 – Birds and Books workshop, Elkhorn Valley Museum, Norfolk

Jan. 15 – Antlerless elk season closes

Jan. 16 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Stockville

Jan. 17 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Wayne and Grand Island

Jan. 18 – Dark goose hunting season closes in North Central Unit

Jan. 18 – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting, Lincoln

Jan. 19 – Discover Ice-Fishing workshop, Yanney Park, Kearney

Jan. 19-Feb. 10 – Statewide light goose and white-fronted goose hunting seasons

Jan. 20 – Discover Ice-Fishing Clinic, Fort Kearny SRA Lake No. 6, Kearney

Jan. 23 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Alma

Jan. 23 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Niobrara

Jan. 24 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Lincoln

Jan. 28 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Rushville

Jan. 29 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Scottsbluff

Jan. 29 – Insect Investigations Educator Workshop, Elkhorn Valley Museum, Norfolk

Jan. 30 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Imperial

Jan. 31 – Hunting seasons close for November late doe/fawn antelope, fall turkey, pheasant, quail, partridge, grouse and squirrel

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) worked diligently over the final weeks of 2018 to remove dozens of impaired drivers from Nebraska roads. The annual holidays “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” campaign resulted in 64 arrests for drunk or drugged driving.

During the enforcement, which ran from December 14 through January 1, troopers and dispatchers worked overtime hours in the effort to keep Nebraska roads safe for all travelers. The operation resulted in 61 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and three arrests for driving under the influence of drugs. The effort included high visibility patrols in all parts of Nebraska.

“The holidays should be filled with positive memories,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Impaired driving not only puts yourself at risk of injury or death but also poses a risk to everyone else on the road. Our troopers and dispatchers worked hard over the last several weeks to take impaired drivers off the road, and ensure safe roads for all of Nebraska.”

In addition to the drunk and drugged driving arrests, NSP issued citations for speeding (1,055), driving under suspension (75), no proof of insurance (54), minor in possession (13), open container (35), no seat belt (57), and improper child restraint (15). Troopers also arrested 66 people for possession of drugs and six for reckless driving.

During the campaign, troopers helped 787 motorists in need of assistance, many coming during the strong snowstorm that struck Nebraska last week.

The “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” campaign is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $25,000 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha teacher has announced his intention to run for the Nebraska Legislature in 2020.

Tim Royers said Wednesday he will seek the seat held by current state Sen. Rick Kolowski, who will be ineligible to run again in 2020 because of term limits. His announcement came days before a new group of lawmakers are set to be sworn in for the 2019 session.

Royers is seeking to represent District 31, which includes Omaha’s Millard neighborhood.

Royers has taught social studies and Millard West High School for 12 years and served as debate coach. He graduated from Millard West in 2003 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 2007.

Royers was named Nebraska Teacher of the Year in 2016.