The second production of the 2013/2014 Season at the North Platte Community Playhouse, ALMOST MAINE, will open November 16^th.

On a cold, clear, moonless Friday night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine . As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, residents of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.

Knees are bruised; hearts are broken. Love is lost, found, and confounded. But the bruises heal and the hearts mend-almost-in what has been described as “a comic, romantic roundelay” by the Wall Street Journal . Almost, Maine inventively explores the mysteries of the human heart, touching audiences with laughter, heartbreak and hope.

Tickets sales for the production start Monday, November 11^th.  Tickets can be purchased at the Playhouse Monday-Friday from Noon-5:00pm, online at www.northplattecommunityplayhouse.com or at the door prior to any performance.

Performances will be held November 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24, with Friday and Saturday performances starting at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees starting at 2:00pm.

The production is directed by Carey Harder and is made possible, in part, by the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment of the Arts.   It is produced through a special arrangement with Dramatists Publishers, Inc.

THE CAST

Ryan Pleiss-Randy, Phil, Dave

John Visel-Steve, Man

Sam Fornander-East

Corey Scott-Chad, Jimmy

Davey McCombs-Lendall, Pete

Amanda Paige Pleiss-Sandrine, Marci

Shelly Deardoff-Rhonda

Lou Fornander-Hope

Nicole Fiechtner-Marvelyn, Gayle, Glory

Katy Walker-Ginette, Waitress

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. South southwest wind 7 to 17 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59. South southwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) has named their 2013 Alumni of the Year.

Paul M. Wood, a 1980 graduate of McCook High School and 1982 graduate of McCook Community College (MCC), was presented with the award at the Nebraska Community College Association’s Annual Meeting which was held in North Platte earlier this week.

After receiving his Associate of Arts Degree from MCC, Wood transferred to Kearney State Community College and obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Business Administration.

In 1987, Wood graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.  Upon gaining admission to the Bar, Wood returned to his hometown of McCook and became a partner with Colfer, Wood, Lyons and Wood Law Firm.

In 1991, Wood was elected as the County Attorney in Red Willow County, a position he still holds today.

Currently, Wood serves as the President of the MCC Foundation, and is a member of the Nebraska School Activities Association and the Nebraska High School Officials Association.  Wood has officiated high school football since 19888.

MPCC President Ryan Purdy said, “The entire MPCC family is pleased to recognize Mr. Paul Wood as Mid-Plains Community College’s Alumni of the Year for 2013.”

Wood said he is very proud of his family’s longtime association with McCook Community College, which includes his father J.D. Wood graduating in 1950; sister Mary in 1976; brother Matt in 1978; wife Linda in 1984; sister Susan in 1989; daughter Alison in 2006; and daughter Emily in 2013.

(AP) — A new Census report shows that Iowa and several other Midwest and Plains states have the lowest poverty rates when cost of living is factored into the calculation.

The report released Wednesday showed that Iowa had the lowest rate at 8.6 percent. The national rate under the new measure is 16 percent.

Iowa is followed by North Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota and Nebraska with the lowest rates in the nation.

The states with the highest poverty levels under the new measure were ones with high housing costs and large numbers of immigrants. California topped the list with a 23.8 percent poverty rate followed by Washington D.C.’s 22.7 percent.

This new measure of poverty is designed to provide a better picture of the problem, but it doesn’t replace the official rate.

North Platte Police are for looking a man suspected of burglarizing Winfield’s Coffee in North Platte while another man is in custody..

According to NPPD Public Information Officer Rodney Brown, Officers responded to Winfield’s, 202 S. Dewey, on the report of a broken front glass window at around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday.  Upon arrival, Officers found the main door to the business shattered.

Further investigation revealed that the cash register had been stolen from the building.  Officers located the missing register and empty drawer in a nearby alley.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video and identified one of the suspects as Christopher Herring.  Brown said Herring had been cited earlier that morning for Theft by Shoplifting.

Unable to locate Herring, Officers spoke to a second suspect, 22-year-old Cory Rowan, regarding the burglary.

Following questioning, investigators determined there was probable cause to charge Rowan with Burglary.  He was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Herring is still at large, and police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them at (308) 535-6789.  If you would like to remain anonymous, information on this or any other crime can be reported to Lincoln County Crimestoppers at (308) 534-8400 or 1-800-933-TIPS.

An Iowa man is jailed in Cheyenne County after a pursuit and drug seizure.

Around 8:23 p.m., (MDT), a trooper attempted to stop a 2013 Ford Taurus for speeding about a mile west of the Sidney exit.  The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.

The vehicle traveled eastbound on I-80 with speeds reaching 110 mph.  Approximately six miles west of the I-76/I-80 split, the vehicle’s front left tire was flattened by a spike strip.  The trooper then used a tactical maneuver to disable the vehicle, stopping it in the median about two miles from the I-76/I-80 junction.

The driver of the vehicle, Vorachit Luexayachack, (M), 40, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, was taken into custody.  A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 58.6 lbs. of marijuana. The marijuana was located in four suitcases, in the trunk of the car.

Luexayachack was lodged in the Cheyenne County Jail on charges to include flight to avoid arrest, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension, and speeding.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Deuel County Sheriff’s Office.

• Today: Sunny, with a high near 49. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. South wind 5 to 9 mph.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the evening.

(AP) — Nebraska’s attorney general is scheduled to testify before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on his opposition to the controversial practice of patent trolling.

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning will testify Thursday before a subcommittee on consumer protection, product safety and insurance.

Patent trolling is a legal practice that critics say involves a company making deceptive claims of patent infringement in the hopes of collecting licensing or settlement money from another business. The contacted business will usually pay the requested fees to avoid the high costs of defending themselves in court.

Bruning issued a cease-and-desist order this summer against a Texas law firm that is representing a company with patent cases against businesses in Nebraska and other states. A federal judge barred Bruning’s order.

The holiday season is a time for people to reflect on what makes them grateful. Family, friends and good health come to mind for many.

Countless patients like Ethan Hoffart, however, strive for good health during the holidays, oftentimes in a hospital room, away from family and friends. Blood donations can bring them hope.

When Ethan was 10 years old, he spent most of the holiday season being treated for aplastic anemia, a disease in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. For four months Ethan was dependent on blood transfusions every seven days and platelet transfusions every three days.

“I probably wouldn’t even be here if no one gave blood,” he said. “The transfusions pretty much saved me.”

Thanks in part to volunteer donors, Ethan’s disease is under control, and he will be at home with his family for the holidays this year.

All blood types are needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative. Appointments to donate with the American Red Cross and bring hope to patients in need can be made at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Chase County

Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ChaseCountyHigh School, 520 E. Ninth St. in Imperial, Neb.

Furnas County

Nov. 22 from 12-6 p.m. at CommunityBuilding, 416 Center Ave. in Holbrook, Neb.

Keith County

Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at OgallalaFairBuilding, 1100 W. Fifth in Ogallala, Neb.

Nov. 20 from 12-6 p.m. at OgallalaFairBuilding, 1100 W. Fifth in Ogallala, Neb.

Lincoln County

Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

Nov. 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wallace High School, 151 N. Wallace Road in Wallace, Neb. (complimentary T-shirt for presenting donors, while supplies last)

Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb. (complimentary T-shirt for presenting donors, while supplies last)

Perkins County

Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Life Fellowship Hall, 617 W. Fourth in Grant, Neb.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The future of the Hotel Pawnee is looking brighter.

The North Platte City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to designate the building as a Historical Landmark.

The former assisted living facility, which closed it’s doors earlier this year, has been the talk of the town recently as fears arose that the building would be demolished.

The effort to save the Hotel Pawnee has been spearheaded by the Historic Preservation Commission.

While the building could still be purchased, the Historical Landmark designation would give city officials a 60-day window to attempt to prevent demolition of the structure.

Efforts continue to find a buyer for the building.  Estimated renovation costs are estimated to be over $6 million.

Keith Neville built the hotel in 1929.