(AP) — A South Dakota Stockgrowers Association official says an early October blizzard that killed tens of thousands of cattle in western South Dakota will have a staggering economic impact.

Stockgrowers Executive Director Silvia Christen told the Rapid City Council on Monday night that cattle in the area before the blizzard were worth $550 million, with a potential economic impact of $1.7 billion on the area.

So far there’s been no federal aid. A relief fund set up after the Oct. 4 blizzard that dumped up to four feet of snow in the region has about $300,000 in donations so far. Christen says money has come from people in 48 states and three countries.

Ranchers in northwestern Nebraska and southwestern North Dakota also suffered heavy cattle losses.

An Ogallala man is facing charges after he was busted with methamphetamine in North Platte.

According to a North Platte Police Department Public Information Officer, Rodney Brown, Officers responded to a report of suspicious activity in the 800 block of North Bryan at around 11:40 a.m. on Monday.

Officers made contact with two male subjects standing near a shed on the rear of the property.  One subject was identifies as 21-year-old Cody Rogers of Ogallala.  Officers searched Rogers and found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Rogers was arrested and jailed on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Brown said the Department has recently received other reports of suspicious activity at this location.

 

An agreement has been reached between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and local interested parties that ensures the beloved tradition of Christmas at the Cody’s will continue.

Due to the closure of the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park between September 16 and May 1, the popular Christmas at the Cody’s event was in danger of being cancelled. Talks with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission were immediately initiated by the North Platte / Lincoln County Visitors Bureau. Individuals representing NP/LCVB, North Platte Area Chamber and Development, NEBRASKAland DAYS, Lincoln County Tourism Advisory Council, Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and the City of North Platte came to an agreement last week with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regarding the event.

In the past, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission covered all of the costs of hosting Christmas at the Cody’s, either out of the Ranch budget or from the event proceeds. The remaining income was then divided between the Ranch and the non-profit organizations decorating the various rooms. In 2013, the local community will be responsible for all of the costs associated with the event, including a payment to the Game and Parks Commission for $5,000 to cover payroll and utility expenses that will be incurred. Other expenses of the event will bring the entire cost to approximately $9,000.

The dates of the 2013 Christmas at the Cody’s will be December 19 through 22. Admission will be $8 for adults, children 12 and under free.Thursday December 19 is Military night, with service men and women being granted free admission with current military ID.

Sponsorships and room decorating will be opened up to for-profit businesses as well as non-profit organizations. For-profit businesses will be charged $250 to decorate a room. Non-profits can participate free of charge, but no proceeds from the event will be returned to them. People’s Choice voting jars will be provided in all the rooms, and organizations can keep the money received, or gift it to the Ranch. Because of the deferred maintenance that has been ongoing at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, it has been decided by the organizers that all of the proceeds should be earmarked for vital projects at the Ranch.

In addition to decorating various rooms, participants will be asked to provide a minimum of two volunteers to work two nights to cover the staffing needs.

More information, such as room availability and decorating times will be made available as time goes on.

If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring a room for Christmas at the Cody’s, you are encouraged to contact the North Platte / Lincoln County Visitors Bureau at 308-532-4729 or mclark@visitnorthplatte.com.

(AP) — An experimental hepatitis C drug from Johnson & Johnson appears to be slightly more effective at eliminating the virus than currently available treatments, though federal safety reviewers say it also causes rash and sunburn in some patients.

The Food and Drug Administration posted its review of simeprevir online ahead of a public meeting Thursday where experts will vote on whether to recommend the drug’s approval.

More than 3 million people in the United States have Hepatitis C, a blood-borne disease linked to 15,000 deaths a year. The drugs currently used to treat the virus cure about 65 to 75 percent of people after a year of treatment.

FDA said simeprevir cured 80 percent of patients who had not previously been treated for the disease.

(AP) — The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation is criticizing Chipotle Mexican Grill’s video called “The Scarecrow” as an attack on agricultural producers and their methods.

The group has sent a letter to the Denver-based restaurant chain, voicing “extreme disappointment and concern.”

Chipotle has joined other restaurant groups in seeking more humane treatment of farm animals. Chipotle spokeswoman Danielle Winslow told the newspaper that “The Scarecrow” and an accompanying video game offer a way to educate the public on agricultural trends.

The 3-minute video has been posted on Chipotle’s website. Chipotle says in a news release that the game and video “depict a scarecrow’s journey to bring wholesome food back to the people by providing an alternative to the processed food that dominates his world.”

(AP) — Most food stamp recipients in Nebraska will see their benefit cut starting on Nov. 1, when a temporary boost in federal aid expires.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is set to lose federal stimulus funding that began in 2009.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says recipients received a small cost-of-living increase on Oct. 1, but most families will still see their benefit decline.

SNAP benefits are awarded based on a variety of factors, such as income, household size and expenses. Thomas Pristow, the state’s Children and Family Services director, says a family of four with no changes in their status will see a monthly decrease of $36.

(AP) — Nebraska farmers are working on harvesting their crops, but the USDA says the work is going slower than normal because of recent precipitation.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says farmers and ranchers had only about 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork last week because of the cool and wet weather.

About 32 percent of the corn crop has been harvested. That’s behind the average of 44 percent at this point.

About 68 percent of the corn crop is in good or excellent shape.

About 80 percent of the soybeans have been harvested. That’s close to the average of 81 percent.

And 69 percent of the soybean crop was in good or excellent condition.

-A North Platte man convicted of 3rd Degree Domestic Assault-2nd Offense, is going to prison.

Melque Martinez, Jr., was sentenced Monday in Lincoln County District Court to 1 3/4 to 4 years in prison.  Martinez was charged in February.  Judge Donald Rowlands noted Martinez’ lengthy criminal record, dating back to 1990, prior to handing down the sentence.

Martinez was given credit for 101 days already served.

 

 

 

 

 

-A North Platte woman convicted of stealing from her own Grandmother, was senteced to 240 days in the Lincoln County Detention Center for Attempted Burglary.

Stephanie Gutherless was charged with stealing prescription medication from her Grandma in June.

Gutherless was given credit for 117 days already served.

 

 

 

 

 

-A 29-year old North Platte man received 364 days in county jail for attempted 2nd Degree Assault.

Anthony Nunnenkamp, along with Virgil Apodaca, Sr. and Virgil Apodaca, Jr.,  were charged with First Degree Sexual Assault in May 2012.  The charge was reduced after Nunnenkamp made a plea deal with prosecutors.

The elder Apodaca was sentenced to 365 days in jail for the crime.  Virgil Apodaca, Jr. will appear in Court in November.

Nunnenkamp received credit for 120 days already served.

 

 

 

A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old charged with stabbing two workers at a North Platte Youth Shelter have been ordered to undergo psychological evaluations.

Jordan Baker and Keenan Lambert appeared in Lincoln County District Court on Monday.

Both were residents of the Nebraska Youth Center when they attacked two female employees with a knife in an attempt to escape.  Following the stabbings, the teens then stole a vehicle and fled.  They were captured a short time later in Dawson County.

Baker and Lambert have been charged with attempted murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Dr. Lee Kimzey will conduct the evaluations.

• Today: A 20 percent chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind 5 to 13 mph.