Kearney, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm and Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation have partnered for the second straight season to fight pediatric cancer on “Sammy’s Superheroes Night”, presented by First National Bank, Saturday, March 18 at 7:05 p.m. against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation is a Nebraska-based pediatric cancer research and awareness group. Last season, the Storm raised just shy of $24,000 for the foundation.

Here’s a list of what the Storm will do to raise money for Sammy’s Superheroes and how fans can help.

1.    Tri-City will wear one-night-only Sammy’s Superheroes jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, with all proceeds going to Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation.

2.    Fans that purchase tickets online or through the Viaero Center Box Office using the code “SUPERHEROES” will donate $5 from their $14 ticket to Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation. Purchase tickets to the game here. The Box Office is open from 11am-6pmand the phone number is 308-338-8144.

3.    The Storm and Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation will sell t-shirts and teddy bears at the game on the concourse and in the Storm Store to raise money. All proceeds go to Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation.

The Storm will give away superhero capes to the first 1,000 kids in attendance. For the second straight season, Tri-City players will “buddy up” with children affected by cancer before the game and give the kids a game-day experience. The all-access experience includes skating out on the ice with the children for pregame introductions.

Last season, Storm Captain Tory Dello gave his game-day experience to Sammy Nahorny, for whom the foundation is named, and the two remain in touch. The six players that buddied up with kids affected by cancer have made thank-you videos that will play during the game.

Tri-City and Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation have made two joint appearances in the last week to raise awareness for pediatric cancer. On Tuesday, March 7, Storm players and coaches signed autographs for fans at First National Bank in Kearney. On Thursday, March 9, the Storm team bus stopped at First National Bank in Columbus, Nebraska for the second straight season and players met kids affected by cancer. See pictures of the event here.

Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation was founded on August 1, 2012, one day after Sammy Nahorny was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a solid tumor of the adrenal system. His mother, Erin, helped create the foundation as a support system for her family. The organization seeks to raise awareness for childhood cancer and donate funds to pediatric cancer research organizations.

The Storm’s engagement with the Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation is part of the team’s effort to help different organizations tackle cancer. Last season, Tri-City’s “Jerseys for a Cause” program raised more than $11,000, with about $2,000 of that going to the Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation. Through two seasons, the Storm has raised more than $23,000 through Jerseys for a Cause. In 2014-15, Tri-City partnered with Team Jack, another organization dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer, raising more than $16,000 through t-shirt sales, a silent auction and Jerseys for a Cause.

The Storm is home on Friday, March 17 against Muskegon at 7:05 p.m. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, featuring $1 Coors Lights, green beer and koozie giveaway to the first 2,000 fans and a $5 Kids Friday.

Breaking News powered by Construction Rental…

Just before 4:00 a.m. this morning, North Platte Fire crews responded to a structure fire at the Holiday Inn Express, 300 Holiday Frontage Road.

Flames could be seen shooting about 20 feet up from the structure.  Fire agencies from numerous surrounding communities have been called in to assist.

We’ll have more details when they’re available.

Video courtesy of Tony Jolliffe

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a Colorado man and then hiding his body in a barrel.

A Morrill County judge on Monday sentenced Zachary Mueller to life in prison after a jury convicted him in January of first-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Pedro Adrian Dominguez, of Greeley, Colorado. Mueller also was sentenced to 20 to 40 years for using a firearm to commit a murder and 20 to 40 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Authorities say Mueller shot Dominguez in the back of the head while riding in a car in Bridgeport on Nov. 22, 2015. The body of Dominguez was discovered in a barrel on a Morrill County farm in December 2015.

U.S. regulators have approved a new drug as an initial treatment for postmenopausal women with a type of advanced breast cancer.

The drug, called Kisqali, is a pill that works to slow the spread of cancer by blocking two proteins that can stimulate growth and division of cancer cells.

It’s for women who have what’s known as HR+/HER2- breast cancer.

Developed by Swiss drugmaker Novartis, Kisqali is taken along with an older cancer drug called letrozole.

A study funded by Novartis of 668 women found that the two drugs together reduced the risk of death or the cancer worsening by 44 percent, compared to those receiving only letrozole.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts is recognizing the American Red Cross for 100 years of service in Nebraska, including its preparedness efforts and response to recent natural disasters.

Ricketts on Monday proclaimed March as American Red Cross Month during a news conference with organization officials and first lady Susanne Shore.

The American Red Cross is hosting events across the state this year to celebrate its 100-year anniversary. It’s also part of the Nebraska Impact Initiative, an effort to promote volunteerism during Nebraska’s 150th year as a state.

Ricketts says the group plays a pivotal role during disasters such as the tornado that devastated the town of Pilger in 2014.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state senators are once again in a standoff over a bill that would repeal a law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets.

Supporters of the bill sponsored by Sen. John Lowe of Kearney said Monday that motorcyclists should have the freedom to ride without helmets. They contend Nebraska’s helmet law costs the state tourism dollars because motorcyclists avoid it.

Sen. Robert Hilkemann, a retired Omaha podiatrist leading a filibuster against the bill, says helmets help protect motorcyclists from death or serious brain injuries. He and other conservatives who oppose the bill argue motorcycle accidents cost taxpayers who end up paying for disabled riders’ health care.

Nebraska is one of 19 states that require helmets for all riders.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in January matched the revised December rate.

The Nebraska Labor Department said in a news release Monday that the state rate was a tenth of a point higher than the January 2016 rate of 3.2 percent. The preliminary state rate for December 2016 was 3.4 percent, which matched the revised November figure.

The state’s newest figure remained well below the preliminary national figure of 4.8 percent for January.

The report says Nebraska nonfarm employment also stayed above 1 million last month. The private industry segment with the most growth over the month was other services, which includes repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services and religious, civic and professional organizations.