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Planetarium offers chances to learn about eclipse beforehand

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UNKKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Before parts of Nebraska experience a total solar eclipse in August, people will have a chance to learn about it at a planetarium in Kearney.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is planning to offer five different programs related to the solar eclipse between February and May.

The programs will help prepare people to experience the eclipse. Kearney is expected to be in total darkness for nearly 2 minutes starting at 12:57 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Planetarium director Mariana Lazarova says solar eclipses are unusual celestial events because most people stop and observe them.

All the programs will be held at 7 p.m. They will be offered on Friday, March 3, March 17, March 31 and April 28.

Lady Knights win second straight two-point game, 58-56 over Doane JV

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NPCC Knights LogoNorth Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team won their second game in a row, defeating the Doane College Junior Varsity Lady Tigers 58-56 on Sunday afternoon at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

The Lady Knights jumped out to a 9-2 lead to begin the game. The Lady Tigers charged back to outscore the Lady Knights 13-7 to trail the Lady Knights at the end of the first quarter 16-15.

In the second quarter, there were four lead changes with the biggest lead of the second quarter being a Lady Tiger lead of 24-20. The Lady Knights held a 26-25 half time lead.

The Lady Knights started the third quarter on a 16-10 to take a 42-35 lead. The Lady Tigers went on their own 5-0 run to pull within two at the end of the third quarter at 42-40 lead for the Lady Knights.

The game remained close throughout the fourth quarter. Allison Tichy hit a pair of free throws to put the Lady Knights up 57-54 in the final minute. Lexi Ryan of the Lady Tigers made a putback to pull the Lady Tigers with one. Jessica Lovitt added a free throw to seal the win.

The Lady Knights are now 7-12 on the season. Lovitt led the Lady Knights with 23 points. Thomesha Wilson added 11 points as the only other Lady Knight to score in double figures. Mickenzie Brennan had nine rebounds to lead the Lady Knights.

The Tigers were led by Ryan who had 12 points. Madi Vogel had nine rebounds.

The Lady Knights are next in action on Tuesday when they travel to Sterling, Colo., to play the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen.

The game will be part of a women and men doubleheader. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN radio 1410 and on the Internet at www.northplattepost.com. Tip-off is set for 6:30 pm CST.

Protests against Trump travel ban held in Omaha, Lincoln

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Michael Vadon)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Michael Vadon)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Roughly 1,500 people gathered in an Omaha park Sunday to object to President Donald Trump’s suspension of refugee entry into the U.S.

The crowd assembled in Turner Park at Omaha’s Midtown Crossing development carried signs declaring refugees are welcome here.

A couple refugees addressed the crowd and talked about their own experience of coming to America from Afghanistan and Kenya.

Several hundred people gathered in Lincoln for another protest Sunday afternoon on the steps on the Nebraska capitol building.

Trump’s executive order barring citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations entry into the U.S. has sparked weekend protests around the country.

Nebraska prosecutors must determine how people die

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gavel-and-scaleGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska prosecutors sometimes have to make difficult decisions about whether to order an autopsy when it’s not clear how someone died.

Those decisions are part of the county attorney’s coroner role to determine the cause of death.

State law requires autopsies for anyone younger than 19, and the procedure is routinely ordered when there is no clear explanation for a death.

Hall County Attorney Jack Zitterkopf says he tries not to order an autopsy if there aren’t suspicious circumstances. But it’s a tougher call when a 40-year-old dies with no apparent explanation.

When someone dies in their 90s or after a recent hospital stay, he says those decisions are easier.

‘A Dog’s Purpose’ opens to $18.4 million amid controversy

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box-officeLOS ANGELES (AP) — “A Dog’s Purpose” has underperformed slightly at the box office as it opened in theaters amid controversy over animal treatment on set and calls for a boycott.

Based on early projections, the family film was expected to open in the mid $20-million range, but studio estimates Sunday indicated it took in $18.4 million for a second-place start.

Yet it’s hardly a bomb for a movie that cost only $22 million to produce.

First place went again to M. Night Shyamalan’s multiple personality thriller “Split.” It grossed $26.3 million, representing a 34 percent drop from its first weekend.

Rounding out the top five were “Hidden Figures” with $14 million, new opener “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” with $13.9 million, and “La La Land,” which has now earned over $100 million.

Omaha woman set to be sentenced in airline voucher scam case

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gavel-moreOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha woman who sold thousands of worthless airline vouchers is set to learn Monday whether her plea agreement will be accepted by a federal judge.

Patricia Urbanovsky’s sentencing and restitution hearing is set for Monday in Omaha’s federal court.

Last year, Urbanovsky pleaded guilty to 16 counts of wire fraud. In exchange, federal prosecutors dropped nine counts of money laundering. She faces up to six years in prison. She has asked the court for a sentence of three years, with her attorney, Steve Lefler, saying she “had no intention of stealing from anyone.”

Urbanovsky was the owner of Creative Creations in Omaha. Authorities say she ran a scheme to sell discounted airline travel vouchers, most of which turned out to be worthless.

Outdoor groups push for Nebraska bill to reduce ditch-mowing

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ne-legislature-13LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s roadside ditches could look a little shaggier in coming years if a proposal backed by conservationists and sportsmen becomes law.

The measure set for a hearing Monday would prohibit counties and townships from mowing ditches before July 1.

Outdoor groups say mowing less frequently would create new habitats for quail, pheasants and other upland hunting birds, reduce soil erosion and runoff, and ease the workload for local government officials.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson says his bill would still allow counties and landowners to mow to ensure visibility for passing motorists.

A second proposal would increase the minimum number of times landowners have to trim the grass and weeds on their property to thrice annually. Current law requires mowing at least twice a year.

Hunting equipment stolen from Nebraska Youth Mentor Program

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Nebraska_game_and_parksLINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information regarding the theft of ladder-style trees stands and lifelines in Lancaster County.

Two Gorilla tree stands and five Hunter Safety System Lifelines were stolen on or about Jan. 20 from private land outside of Lincoln on Northwest 48th Street. The land is used for Nebraska Game and Parks’ Youth Mentored Hunt Program.

Mentors in the program discovered the missing items following the recent close of the deer season. The tree stands are tagged with State of Nebraska and Nebraska Game and Parks markings.

Anyone with information about this theft and potential trespass case can call Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers at 1-800-742-7627. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward.

Nebraska State Fair recognized for recycling, composting

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File Image

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — State conservation officials say they have confirmed the presence of the first female mountain lion in Missouri since 1994.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announced Friday that saliva left on a dead elk in Shannon County confirmed a female cat was in the area.

Conservation biologist Laura Conlee says the partially eaten elk was found in February 2016, and evidence confirms the mountain lion killed it.

DNA from the saliva indicated the cat originated from Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska.

All previous mountain lions confirmed in Missouri have been males.

Conlee says there is no evidence that Missouri has a breeding mountain lion population.

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