LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials are deploying eight trucks around the state as part of a campaign to promote motorcycle safety.

The 10-week Nebraska Highway Safety Council campaign began Wednesday. State Department of Transportation, law enforcement and motorcycle safety groups created the campaign after a series of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists this year, especially in the last six weeks.

Signs on the delivery trucks’ panels warn motorists to “watch for motorcycles everywhere” by checking mirrors and looking both ways when at intersections and changing lanes.

Transportation data shows there have been 22 motorcyclist fatalities so far this year, compared to 14 at this time last year.

The safety council is providing a one-day refresher course for veteran bikers on Aug. 26.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The body of a Littleton, Colorado man was recovered from Lake McConaughy on Aug. 20.

At 11:19 a.m. Mountain time, the Lake McConaughy Dive Rescue (LMDR) team was paged to a call of a body in the water about 2 miles west of Van’s Lakeview on Lake McConaughy.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers responded in boats, along with boats from the LMDR team. Officers and rescuers located the body of a deceased man, which was being secured by two anglers. LMDR recovered the body.

The preliminary investigation determined the man voluntarily departed a boat for a swim and was unable to return to the boat. Neither alcohol nor foul play is suspected. The victim was not wearing a life jacket.

Also assisting were the Nebraska State Patrol and Keith County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident remains under investigation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska will receive nearly $600,000 in federal funding to help with wildlife conservation projects in the state.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that Nebraska agencies will share $590,000 to help create habitat for different species.

Each state will receive a share of $48 million in wildlife grants being distributed nationwide for wildlife projects.

The money must be used to address wildlife conservation needs in the state.

WHITECLAY, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a man has died and a woman has been injured in a crash near Whiteclay in northwestern Nebraska.

The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department says 46-year-old Francis Ray Rencountre died when the vehicle he was driving went off a bridge, into a ravine and rolled. The department says a female passenger was taken to the Pine Ridge Hospital with injuries.

Investigators believe the two had driven from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Rushville and were on their way back when the crash happened. Investigators believe alcohol consumption contributed to the crash.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Those on the road this weekend planning to catch sight of a rare total solar eclipse in Nebraska will see more troopers on state highways and roads.

The Nebraska State Patrol is preparing for an influx of traffic as potentially 400,000 or more people visit the state for Monday’s eclipse.

The patrol will be conducting a special enforcement on Interstate 80 and other major highways in or around the path of totality. The enforcement begins Saturday and runs through Monday.

The patrol warns motorists not to park on the shoulders of I-80 or major highways and to pay attention to surroundings, as many drivers will not be familiar with the terrain. Motorists should also avoid distracted driving and taking pictures while driving.