Post Staff – Page 640 – North Platte Post Archive

Residents in Nebraska Medicaid gap ask for coverage

Posted on March 8, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska residents who fall into the Medicaid coverage gap are once again asking lawmakers to expand the program through the federal health care law, despite uncertainty about the law’s future.

The bill presented to lawmakers on Wednesday would extend Medicaid coverage to an estimated 90,000 low-income residents between ages 19 and 65.

Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln says his bill would help address the problem of medical debt and bankruptcies. Gov. Pete Ricketts opposes the measure, saying it’s unaffordable.

Those who are affected have incomes that are too high to qualify for regular Medicaid but too low to receive tax subsidies available through the federal health care exchange.

The Affordable Care Act faces uncertainty given Republican control of Congress and President Donald Trump’s promises to repeal and replace it.

Super-majority of Nebraska lawmakers supports Keystone XL

Posted on March 8, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal to run the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska has won support from a super-majority of the state’s lawmakers.

A mostly Republican coalition of senators signed a letter calling on the Nebraska Public Service Commission to approve a route through the state. The letter released Wednesday was signed by 33 of the Legislature’s 49 senators. All but three are registered Republicans.

The letter says the project will create jobs and generate local property tax revenue, and argues that the pipeline has already undergone a thorough review.

Project opponents in Nebraska are mobilizing once again to try to derail the project, as they have before. The proposal has stalled several times after concerns were raised about its impact on groundwater and property rights.

Nebraska senators compromise on mandatory minimum sentences

Posted on March 8, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is a step closer to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders under a compromise bill advanced by the state Legislature.

Senators voted 25-22 on Wednesday to advance an amended bill after it became clear a proposal to eliminate mandatory minimum penalties for a variety of low-level felonies did not have enough support. It still needs two more votes.

It would apply to people who possess and intend to distribute cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. Current mandatory minimum prison sentences are three or five years, depending on the amount of drugs found.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, who proposed the amendment, says drug offenders should not be sentenced like people who committed violent crimes.

Opponents contend distributors of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine still committed serious crimes.

Minority advocates in Nebraska speak against Trump policies

Posted on March 8, 2017

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Michael Vadon)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Advocates for immigrants, Latinos and Muslims in Nebraska are speaking out against the Trump administration’s policies.

The coalition gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to protest Trump’s recent immigration orders and policies affecting refugees from countries where terrorists are known to reside.

Chicano activist Ben Salazar says many of the policies are rooted in racism and fear of outsiders. Salazar says the group came together to give voice to minority concerns in the state.

Lincoln City Councilman Carl Eskridge says immigrants have played a crucial role in Nebraska’s development and contribute greatly to the economy.

Firefighters, farmers keep flames from reaching 2 homes

Posted on March 8, 2017

HARDY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say firefighters and farmers have saved two homes from flames in southern Nebraska’s Nuckolls County.

The blaze was ignited by a sparking power line about 4:15 p.m. Monday about two miles east and four miles north of Hardy. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph fanned the flames across fields toward the farmstead houses but didn’t damage either.

Hardy Fire Chief Mark Stenson told the Hastings Tribune (http://bit.ly/2lDYVSe ) that the fire burned around one residence and came within 100 feet of the other.

A dozen or so farmers with tractors and discs helped control the blaze, which was finally put out around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. It blackened a path estimated at 3½ miles long and a quarter-mile wide.

No injuries have been reported.

Authorities release name of woman killed in Omaha collision

Posted on March 8, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a woman who was fatally injured in a west Omaha collision.

Police identified her as 69-year-old Linda DeBolt, who lived in Omaha.

The crash occurred around 5:15 a.m. Wednesday. Police say witnesses reported that an eastbound minivan ran a red light and collided with a southbound pickup truck. Police say DeBolt was driving the van and was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

The pickup driver wasn’t injured. He was identified as 52-year-old Thomas Falcone, of Omaha.

Proposed Lincoln project combines farm and urban housing

Posted on March 8, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A developer is planning a project in north Lincoln that would combine urban housing and working farms, along with maintaining a wetland area.

The Lincoln City Council approved zoning changes this week for the planned 62.5-acre development near Salt Creek. The area is currently agricultural land with light industry nearby.

Developer Marty Fortney says about two-thirds of the development will be green space and could potentially be used for community gardens, fruit trees and large animals,

He says some housing will be laneway cottages, which are smaller houses but still bigger than tiny homes, and composting would be encouraged. A recreational vehicle park also is planned.

The zoning approval was a first step for the development. Council members praised Fortney on his creativity.

Fast-food restaurant fire was arson, Lincoln officials say

Posted on March 8, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a fire that damaged a Lincoln fast-food restaurant was arson.

The fire was reported just after 7 p.m. Monday at a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. Firefighters say the blaze began in a bathroom ceiling and caused a damage estimated at $12,000.

Authorities say none of the employees or customers was injured.

No arrests have been reported.

Driver charged; kids hurt in falls off SUV running boards

Posted on March 8, 2017

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — An April trial has been scheduled for a Grand Island woman who police say dangerously let children stand on the running boards of her sport utility vehicle while it was moving.

Police say all six children fell off when 41-year-old Stephanie Wedige stopped the SUV in November in a church parking lot. Police say two of the children were hospitalized and that the four others were not injured.

Court records show Wedige pleaded not guilty Tuesday to two felony counts of child abuse, four misdemeanor counts and one count of reckless driving. Her relationship to the six children is unclear.

Florida man gets jail, probation for Nebraska pot possession

Posted on March 8, 2017

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A Florida man has been given 90 days in jail and two years of probation for possessing 198 pounds of marijuana in Nebraska.

Jonathan Snyder, of Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced Monday in Seward. Snyder had pleaded no contest.

Prosecutors say a Nebraska state trooper found the pot in Snyder’s truck after pulling him over in July for speeding and other traffic violations on Interstate 80 in eastern Nebraska.