Seven-time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum announced today that their headlining TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR 2014 will roll into North Platte at the US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series at the NEBRASKAland DAYS Wild West Arena on June 27th.

The group, which was scheduled to perform for NLD 2013 prior to Hillary Scott’s pregnancy, made good on their promise to play the date this year.

“We’re really pleased to see Lady A come back to North Platte,” said Concert Committee Chairman Hans Julius. “Many of our patrons were disappointed when the band had to cancel last year.”

“We spent almost every day last year backstage writing for our album GOLDEN, so we were really focused on writing songs that would connect with the fans in these arenas. We definitely learned a lot about ourselves as live performers and the type of catalog we wanted to have so that we could go out and try to give the fans the best show they’ve ever experienced,” explains Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “All of that was the jumping off point for this tour, and now it’s time to take it to the next level.”

Rounding out the Concert Series on June 28th will be Billy Currington, who just scored his seventh number one single “Hey Girl”, the first release off his fifth studio album. Opening acts for both shows will be announced at a later date.

Two country acts is not something NEBRASKAland DAYS has done in over 5 years. But going into their 50th Celebration, it felt right.

“At our core, we’re a festival that Celebrates our Western heritage,” says Julius. “Rounding out the Celebration with two acts of this quality just felt right this year.”

And to make sure people can afford the Celebration, NEBRASKAland DAYS is offering some deals.

Fans who buy a ticket for Lady Antebellum can buy a ticket to Billy Currington in the same category for half price. For General Admission, that means both shows for under $80. “We tried really hard to find a combination that we thought people would be able to enjoy at a price point that would be affordable,” said Julius.

Tickets for Lady Antebellum and Billy Currington go on sale to Fan Club and Sustaining members on Monday, November 4th at 9 am. Public sale begins on Wednesday, November 6th and 9 am. Single night ticket prices for Lady Antebellum are $99 for Golden Circle, $59 for General Admission and Grandstand Seating. Handicapped seating is $49. Single Night Currington tickets are $69 for Golden Circle, $39 for GA and Grandstand and $29 for Handicapped. Two night prices are $134 for Golden Circle, $79 for GA, and $64 for Handicapped.

 

(AP) — Lawmakers are once again looking for ways to attract wind-energy producers to Nebraska.

At least seven state lawmakers and Gov. Dave Heineman will speak next month at the annual Nebraska Wind Conference in Lincoln. One of the organizers, John Hansen of the Nebraska Farmers Union, says the conference helps generate new ideas based on what has worked in other states.

Sen. Heath Mello says he’s considering wind-energy legislation next year that would provide a production tax credit to wind farms, similar to one offered by the federal government and other states.

The U.S. Department of Energy says Nebraska is the nation’s third-windiest state, but ranks 26th in the energy it could now produce. The state lags behind neighboring states Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas.

(AP) — The drought that has affected Nebraska for almost two years is nearly over after rain fell at the right times this year and the state benefited from Colorado’s floodwaters.

Climatologist Mark Svoboda says things are improving and the southwest corner of the state is the only area still in bad shape.

The National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says only about 5 percent of Nebraska remained in extreme drought this week.

But experts say drought conditions would return if the state experiences another dry winter.

Across Nebraska, soil moisture generally looks good down to two or three feet. But State Climatologist Al Dutcher says he’d like to see the soil saturated to at least five feet before spring planting.

There are some guests living free-of-charge at the Liberty House, and they are causing major problems for residents.

The Post received reports of a bedbug infestation at the Liberty House in North Platte.  Beyond being a general nuisance, residents are being bit by the nasty critters and their lives are being greatly impacted.

According to Liberty House administrator, Virginia Olson, the assisted living facility has experienced minor problems with bedbugs, but said the problem is being dealt with by members of the staff and a professional exterminator.  She believes the problem began when a resident moved in following the closure of the Hotel Pawnee.

To make matters worse, as of October 23rd,  the City of North Platte is not providing public transportation to the residents of Liberty House.  Transportation Superintendent, Marilee Hyde, says the city is concerned the bugs will spread if residents are allowed to ride city buses.

A citizen familiar with the situation told the Post that many residents depend on the buses because they cannot afford a taxi and have no other means of transportation.  He went on to say that, because of this, residents are unable to make to appointments with doctors and therapists.  He feels already vulnerable adults are being put in an even more vulnerable situation.

City officials say they will not provide transportation  to residents until the infestation is under control.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has not yet returned a call to the Post.

The Liberty House is an assisted living facility for adults with emotional and behavioral issues.

(AP) — New technology is helping increase the success of oil drilling in southwest Nebraska.

3D seismic surveys have helped with drilling in southern Hitchcock and Dundy counties. Oil exploration has taken place in the two counties since the 1960s, but local officials say the new drilling activity is unheard of in the area.

The technology helps find favorable drilling locations. Bill Sydow, director of the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, says the changes have taken place over the last four to five years.

Jim Gohl, a member of the commission, says at least six companies are now drilling in the two counties and on locations directly across the state line in Kansas. He says some of the resulting wells have proven lucrative.

(AP) — Officials in Gering are considering allowing the use of golf carts on some city streets.

The northwest Nebraska city could let people drive carts on some streets near golf courses.

The issue came up after the state Legislature last year gave cities the power to allow golf carts on streets that run alongside golf courses. Operators must have insurance to drive on streets.

The Gering City Council will consider the proposal Monday night.

A council recreation committee has recommended approval of the golf cart change.

(AP) — The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office has issued a consumer alert to warn Nebraskans of a scam in which callers claim to represent Nebraska law firms collecting outstanding debts.

Attorney General Jon Bruning said Friday that residents should be mindful if they receive a call demanding payment for an unfamiliar debt.

Bruning says consumers receiving such calls should ask questions and request information in writing. Residents should never wire money or send prepaid debit cards to someone they don’t know.

In the past 30 days, the Attorney General’s Mediation Center has received 26 Nebraska-based complaints regarding fraudulent debt collection calls. The Nebraska Bar Association also has received reports of complaints from out-of-state consumers receiving scam calls from those claiming to represent Nebraska law firms.

A Gering man accused of sending lewd messages to young teenage girls has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

According to court records, 20-year-old Anthony Stricker was convicted Thursday of attempted sexual assault of a minor and one count of enticement by an electronic device.

The Nebraska State Patrol says Stricker sent text messages to several young teens in March and April. He is accused of asking the girls to send nude pictures of themselves and whether they were interested in having sex.

Investigators say one girl admitted to having sex with Stricker.

The station says Stricker could get 25 years in prison when he is sentenced.

(AP) — Now that fall has arrived and cooler temperatures are becoming the norm, it’s time for Nebraska gardeners to determine what to harvest and when.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office says some crops will need to be harvested before a frost, while others can withstand colder temperatures.

Warm weather crops that do not tolerate frost and low temperatures include tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and summer squash. Watermelon, pumpkin and corn also are sensitive to cool temperatures and can result in plant damage or death.

Crops that withstand a light frost between down to 30 degrees include beets, mustard, Chinese cabbage, radishes, collards, spinach, potatoes, Swiss chard, Bibb lettuce, green onions and leaf lettuce.

Crops that can withstand several freezes include cabbage, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, rutabagas, Brussels sprouts, and kale.

(AP) — Applications are now being accepted for featured attractions in the Nebraska Tourism Commission’s 2014 Passport Program.

The program highlights destinations across the state. Participating travelers collect stamps in souvenir passports from each location visited to win prizes ranging from T-shirts to an Apple iPad.

To be considered as a featured destination, an attraction or business must:

— Provide staff to participate in mandatory program training;

— Be open during regular and reasonable hours, including at least one weekend day;

— Be staffed by a friendly person who will stamp passports during listed business hours and share information about things to do in the area;

— Promote the program by displaying materials like posters and passports;

— And pay a $100 participation fee.

Applications may be submitted online at https://bit.ly/H57YCw .