The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office investigated a single vehicle fatal traffic crash which occurred just south of the intersection of Coal Chute Rd on Hwy 10. The crash was reported at approximately 2:36 AM on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.  This location is approximately 6 miles east of Kearney, NE.

According to a preliminary investigation, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup was traveling northbound on Hwy 10 from the Minden I-80 Interchange.

Prior to approaching the intersection of Coal Chute Rd, the pickup traveled off the roadway, into the west ditch, and rolled.  The driver, 23-year-old Tristin A. Sack, of Kearney, was ejected from the vehicle.

Law enforcement and an area resident performed CPR on the driver at the scene.  The driver was transported from the scene to CHI GSH where she later died.

A portion of Hwy 10 south of the intersection of Coal Chute Rd was closed during the accident investigation which was conducted by the Kearney / Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation Team.

There were no other occupants in the vehicle.  The Buffalo County Attorney’s Office has ordered an autopsy.

Assisting deputies were members of the Kearney Police Department, Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Paramedic from CHI GSH, Nebraska State Patrol, Buffalo County Attorney’s Office, and Buffalo County Chaplain Corp.

The investigation is continuing.

The winners have been named in the 2016 Yuletide Yards contest hosted by KELN Radio/North Platte Post and Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful.  A total of 42 nominations were received.  Community judges ranked the holiday displays based on curb appeal, balance, theme and maintenance.  The winners will receive $50 that will be donated to a charity of their choice.  A Winners Reception will be held Tuesday, December 20^th at the Quality Inn and Suites at 6:00 PM.

2016 Yuletide Yard Winners

Ward 1

1. 914 East 5^th Street – Amanda and Larry Marquette

Charity – Trap, Spay/Neuter, Release – North Platte

2. 909 East 4^th Street – Bill Kelsey
3. 1301 East H Street – Chawna and Orlan Treat

Ward 2

1. 1402 Lee Court – Donald Lieske

Charity – Bridge of Hope

2. 2920 Sunset Drive
3. 1918 Cedarberry Rd. – Gordon and Kathy Reifschneider
4. 2320 Birchwood

Ward 3

1. 420 South Maple – Alex and Charity Hansen

Charity – Deborah’s Legacy

2. 2904 West 6^th Street
3. 710 West 6^th

Ward 4

1. 521 West 10^th – Christopher and Rachel Ortiz

Charity – Autism Nebraska Society

2. 6692 W Hwy 30 – Teak Colson
3. 917 East 8^th Street – Jeff Dowhower

County

1. 2802 Pearson Road – Keith and Karen Faler

Charity – Pawsitive Partners Humane Society

2. 68 East North River Road –Ron Ostendorf
3. 801 Tomahawk Drive

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A legislative committee is ending its oversight of a Nebraska public benefits program that was once plagued by problems.

The ACCESSNebraska Oversight Committee made the announcement Thursday in a letter praising the work of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The ACCESSNebraska program helps residents apply for benefits such as food stamps and Medicaid. The program faced criticism for years because of slow call response times, processing delays and lost paperwork that made it difficult for people to apply for and renew their benefits.

The seven-member oversight committee says the service is now more productive and efficient, based partly on surveys of its users and employees.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials say Nebraska collected less tax revenue than expected in November.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue announced in its monthly report Thursday that the state collected $359 million, which is nearly 5 percent below the state’s official forecast.

The report says net sales-and-use, individual income and corporate income tax receipts were all lower than the state forecast. Net miscellaneous taxes were higher.

Nebraska has collected nearly $1.7 billion in the current fiscal year that began on July 1, which is more than 1 percent below the state’s certified forecast.

The comparison is based on the projections approved by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board in October.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says programs designed to fight poverty in Nebraska aren’t working together to address the problem from all possible angles.

The legislative report issued Thursday says policymakers have traditionally focused on helping either children or adults, but not both at the same time.

The report says breaking the poverty cycle requires a focus on families as a whole through education, economic support and strengthening networks of families and neighbors. It says early childhood education should be paired with education for parents to help them find higher-paying jobs.

Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln says many of Nebraska’s programs are already in place, but need to be coordinated.

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha says many of those affected are the so-called working poor, with parents stuck in low-wage jobs.