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Visitors to Scottsbluff zoo to vote on names for bear cubs

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Visitors to a western Nebraska zoo will have the opportunity to cast their votes to name two orphaned grizzly cubs on display.

Visitors to Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff will have through March 15 to cast their votes. The zoo also will choose two voters at random to win a 25-inch stuffed bear as a “thank you” for participating.

The cubs were orphaned last spring when a Wyoming black bear hunter illegally killed their mother. Wildlife officials had hoped the cubs would survive in the wild without their mother, but it became clear after several months they would not. Officials then captured the cubs to find them a new home.

Central Nebraska YMCA to again hold prom gown charity sale

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — The YWCA of Adams County is again helping teens find reasonably priced prom dresses.

The fifth annual Gowns for Good event kicks off this Saturday in Hastings. Public shopping also will be open Sunday, Monday, Friday, Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.

The cost of the donated dresses is $30 apiece. The money collected goes to support local youth programs.

The dress sale is being held in the YMCA’s new building in Hastings. There is a seamstress on site to offer expertise in fits, alterations and any changes to the dresses.

Those seeking more information may call Carissa Uhrmacher at 402-462-8821.

Omaha Salvation Army seeking young heroes

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Salvation Army is seeking nominations for this year’s D.J.’s Hero Scholarship Awards.

Several Nebraska high school seniors will be chosen to receive the award, named in honor of the late D.J. Sokol, for commitment to others and to their community.

Nominations must be postmarked by March 5 to be eligible for entry. Forms are available at most Nebraska high school guidance offices, online at GiveSalvationArmy.org or by calling 402-898-5909.

Honorees receive a $10,000 scholarship toward their selected college or university. D.J.’s Heroes will be recognized at the D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon on May 8 at CenturyLink Center Omaha.

Criteria for selecting honorees include Nebraska residency, commitment to others and to the community, courage to act independently, the student’s greatest achievement in life and the ability to overcome challenges/adversity.

Omaha culinary competition to draw about 100 students

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — About 100 high school students from around the Omaha area will showcase their culinary arts skills at the 13th ICA High School Culinary Invitational.

The competition on Feb. 23 will be held at the Institute for the Culinary Arts on Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha Campus. Teams will compete by preparing three-course meals and presenting them to judges. Students will be recognized for teamwork, excellence in culinary skills and knowledge of the industry.

Competing high schools include Beatrice, Bellevue East, Blair, Burke, Central, Fremont, Kearney, Lewis Central, Louisville, Milford, Omaha Career Center, Papillion-La Vista, Ralston, Roncalli Catholic and The Career Academy.

Scholarships, gift certificates, medals and a trophy will be presented during an awards program.

Nebraska watershed adopts new groundwater plan

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An eastern Nebraska watershed has adopted new groundwater protections.

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District board has adopted a new groundwater plan that limits when farmers can use nonorganic fertilizers and how close certain wells can be to each other.

Officials hope the time restrictions will maximize the uptake of fertilizer during plant growth and minimize fertilizer’s penetration into the soil during fall rains.

The board exempted organic fertilizers, such as manure and sludge from sewage treatment plants, at the request of some livestock producers.

Producers were worried their manure lagoons would reach capacity before manure could be spread on fields, said Paul Woodward, the district’s groundwater management engineer. The plan will work if farmers follow state regulations when applying manure, he said.

“As long as they stay within the guidelines … we feel it is being done correctly,” Woodward said.

The plan also requires that wells that pump more than 50 gallons per minute to receive a permit from the department before construction. Such wells must also be at least 600 feet away from other registered wells.

The new plan will cover all of Douglas, Sarpy, Dakota and Washington Counties and parts of Burt and Thurston Counties.

The department must balance the needs of farmers and the environment, said Jane Griffin, executive director of the Lincoln-based Groundwater Foundation.

“It’s not an easy process,” she said. “Are we making a step forward in protecting our groundwater? Definitely that is the direction we are going. … It doesn’t mean we are eliminating all the risks, but we are making progress.”

Officials hope the rule changes will protect water quality for about 770,000 people. Fertilizers can potentially contaminate groundwater and surface water with nitrates, phosphorous and other substances.

Mental health test ordered for man accused of killing wife

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A second mental health evaluation has been ordered for a man charged with fatally shooting his wife outside a northeast Nebraska police station.

The Sioux City Journal reports that Dakota County Attorney Kim Watson on Friday requested that 41-year-old Bei Sheng Chen be evaluated for the prosecution. That comes two days after his defense attorney filed noted that he intends to use an insanity defense.

Authorities say Chen shot 33-year-old Mei Huang on Sept. 6 in the parking lot of the South Sioux City police station. She died hours later at a Sioux City, Iowa, hospital. He’s pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.

A judge on Friday set his trial for May. 7.

Fareway chicken salad public health alert issued in 5 states

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Chicken salad sold at Fareway grocery stores in five Midwest states has been pulled from stores and consumers are advised to throw it away after it made people sick in Iowa.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Wednesday issued a public health alert about the Fareway Chicken Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.

It was produced between Dec. 15 and Feb. 13 and was sold in plastic deli containers with a Fareway store deli label.

The Iowa Department of Public Health contacted federal officials on Feb. 9 after an illness was reported. A spokeswoman declined to release the number of people sickened.

Salmonella, a bacterial illness, can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Some people develop severe symptoms that require hospitalization.

Nebraska man plans insanity defense in slaying of wife

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting his wife outside a northeast Nebraska police station intends to use an insanity defense.

Dakota County District Court records say the attorney for 41-year-old Bei Sheng Chen filed notice Wednesday of his intention. A pretrial conference is scheduled Friday. In December a judge approved Chen’s request to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Authorities say Chen shot 33-year-old Mei Huang on Sept. 6 in the parking lot of the South Sioux City police station. She died hours later at a Sioux City, Iowa, hospital. He’s pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.

Nebraska tax collections beat January projections by $42M

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state government saw a surge in tax revenue last month.

The Department of Revenue on Thursday reported net tax collections of $421 million in January, which is 11.1 percent above projections. Nebraska received $42 million above the $379 million the state was expected to collect.

Net tax receipts have been higher than expected so far in the current fiscal year. The state has collected nearly $2.59 billion so far, up from the certified forecast of $2.5 billion.

The recent uptick could help lawmakers who are trying to balance the state budget in this year’s session.

Gov. Pete Ricketts warned in a statement that the higher revenue isn’t necessarily a sign of a long-term turnaround. Ricketts says federal tax changes may continue to have a short-term impact on state revenues.

Third person charged in Omaha shooting death of Army soldier

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A third man has been charged in the early January shooting death of a U.S. Army soldier who was visiting Omaha relatives for the holidays.

20-year-old Shydale Glass has been charged with being an accessory to a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Police say Glass hid a gun used in the Jan. 6 killing of 27-year-old Kyle LeFlore outside the Reign Lounge.

Glass was ordered held on $300,000 bail Wednesday.

Prosecutors have charged 27-year-old Larry Goynes and 35-year-old Jason Devers with first-degree murder in the slaying.

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