(AP) — A federal judge in Nebraska has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged a state-approved plan to pump groundwater into surface-water streams that feed into the Republican River.

U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon ruled Tuesday that the federal government was immune from the lawsuit, and declared the case a state matter in which he shouldn’t intervene.

The plan was designed to help Nebraska meet its obligations to Kansas under the Republican River Compact, a water-sharing agreement. Nebraska has faced lawsuits in recent years for allegedly overusing its supply.

The lawsuit was filed by two local irrigation districts and three farmers in southern Nebraska. They argued that a $2.1 million pipeline project to pump the water will deny them access to their rightful share.

(AP) — A 26-year-old man who died after a rollover accident in south-central Nebraska has been identified.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the man’s identity as Jeremy Carbaugh, of Holdrege.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says the accident was reported a little before 8:30 p.m. Sunday. It occurred at a rural intersection around eight miles northeast of Blue Hill.

The two other people in the car were taken to Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.

(AP) — A federal appeals court is considering whether for-profit businesses can be exempted from a contraceptive mandate in the health care law because of the owners’ religious views.

The law already exempts houses of worship from the requirement, but two brothers who own businesses in Ohio argue they shouldn’t have to comply. The brothers, Francis and Philip M. Gilardi, say the requirement would force them to violate their Roman Catholic religious beliefs and moral values by providing contraceptives such as the Plan B pill for their employees.

At a hearing Tuesday, Judge Harry T. Edwards was skeptical of the Gilardis’ argument. He said sometimes religious freedom has to yield to the greater good.

The other two judges on the panel didn’t indicate how they are leaning in the argument.

(AP) — Burger King wants people to feel less guilty about gobbling up its french fries.

The world’s No. 2 hamburger chain is launching a new crinkle-cut french fry on Tuesday that it says has 20 percent fewer calories than its regular fries.

The chain says a small order of “Satisfries” clocks in at 270 calories because of a new batter that doesn’t absorb as much oil. By comparison, a small order of its regular fries, sans the crinkles, has 350 calories.

The concept of taking an indulgent food and trying to remove some of the guilt isn’t new. Supermarket shelves are filled with baked Lay’s potato chips, 100-calorie packs of Oreos and other less fattening versions of popular treats. But the trick is to cut calories, not flavor.

(AP) — A Wyoming man charged with aggravated vehicular homicide in the deaths of two Nebraska teenagers has entered pleas in the case.

22-year-old Ethan Kaufman, of Cheyenne, entered no contest pleas Monday at Goshen County District Court in Wyoming. He also entered no contest pleas to charges of drunken driving causing serious bodily injury.

Kaufman faces two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in the January deaths of Alexis Wheeler and Hallie Anderson, both of Scottsbluff.

Wheeler and Anderson were passengers in Kaufman’s pickup when it crashed on Wyoming Highway 92 near the Nebraska state line. Six people were in the vehicle.

Prosecutors say Kaufman was speeding, intoxicated and texting prior to the crash.

The American Red Cross will be busy today, helping residents of North Platte who were impacted by flood water from the South Platte River over the weekend. The Red Cross will also hit the streets with our UMCORS partners, to hand out clean up kits to homeowners who are able to get back into their homes.

On Sunday, a second push of floodwater from the swollen South Platte forced additional water into streets and people’s basements. Teams of Red Cross workers spent the day delivering water and snacks to sandbaggers and first responders in North Platte. In addition, Red Cross workers focused their attention to neighboring towns by helping emergency managers deliver flooding information to homeowners along the North Platte River and by positioning two Red Cross vehicles in Gothenburg. These vehicles have necessary supplies for Red Cross workers to help residents during flooding, if the need arises. Finally, sandbaggers in Brady and Maxwell received snacks and water from the Red Cross.

“In the days and weeks to come, the American Red Cross will maintain our partnership with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the flood get back on their feet,” said Susan Epps, Disaster Program Director. “We are monitoring water levels to our east and encourage residents who live along the Platte River to prepare for possible flood water.”

 

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life or death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for floods by:

• Creating and practicing a Disaster Plan: Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice. Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.

 

• Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents and other emergency items for the whole family.
  • Heeding Flood Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information.  A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A food WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

 

• Relocating During Flood Warnings: Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.

 

How to Help:

People across the flooded areas need help now. The Red Cross has launched a massive relief effort to help people who have been devastated by flood water and need the continued support of the public. People can make a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Volunteering:
*Community members who want to volunteer with the American Red Cross can register by visiting Redcross.org/neia.

Residents who need immediate assistance should call the Central Plains Chapter
toll free number: 1-888-382-3790.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

• Jacob Adam Hays, 24, North Platte and Ashley Shunquaill Teall, 19, North Platte

 

• Shane Michael Miles, 35, North Platte and Jennifer Sue Brombach, 39, North Platte

 

• Christopher Shane Roney, 26, North Platte and Jennifer Jo Barhite, 25, North Platte

 

• Nathan Allen Birrell, 20, North Platte and Stephanie Dawn Wallo, 22, North Platte

Four Lincoln County juveniles were injured in a rollover accident near Hershey Friday evening.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies were asked to respond to Oregon Trail Road east of Hershey at around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a report of an eastbound vehicle driving into the ditch and flipping several times.  The caller also reported that three occupants had been ejected.

Deputies along with Hershey/Sutherland Rescue responded to the scene and found three seriously injured subjects.  Authorities identified them as 16-year-old Justin Duca and 18-year-old Victor Grandy, both of North Platte, and 17-year-old Hershey resident Wyatt Edington.  A fourth passenger, ten-year-old Kaiden Vondal, was not seriously injured.  Deputies say Vondal was the only occupant wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

An investigation revealed that Duca was driving a Blue 2002 Ford Explorer Sport eastbound on Oregon Trail Road at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle and entered the ditch before flipping several times.

Duca was airlifted to a hospital in Denver.  Deputies said his injuries appeared to be very serious.

Investigators say alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

A North Platte man is in jail on a felony charge after he allegedly threw a can of beer at a woman’s head.

According to a North Platte Police Department news release, Officers responded to the report of an assault in the 1400 block of N. Sheridan at around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Upon arrival, a 50-year-old female told Officers that the suspect, 60-year-old Arthur Manzanares, threw a full can of beer at her, striking her in the head and causing a severe laceration to her forehead.

Following an investigation, Police found probable cause to arrest Manzanares and charge him with felony 2nd Degree Assault.

The victim was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center.