(AP) — Nebraska’s Secretary of State says a recent audit has shown the accuracy of voting machines in the state.

John Gale said in a news release Friday that the audit confirmed results from the November 2012 general election. The audit examined ballots from 29 randomly selected precincts in 19 counties across the state.

The ballots, which represent two percent of the state’s total, were compared to results from the optical scanning equipment. More than 14,000 ballots were hand counted.

In 25 of the precincts, there were no differences between the voting machine and the hand count. The audit showed a few instances of poll worker error, where workers tried to rerun damaged ballots.

Similar audits have been conducted after every statewide election in Nebraska since 2008.

A North Platte woman is facing multiple charges after she allegedly stole and used an debit card without the owners permission.

On July 9th, North Platte Police received a report of a stolen debit card at 1100 S. Tabor.

Upon arrival, the victim told Officers they had been notified of some transactions on their debit card that they were not responsible for.  The victim told Police that she knew a possible suspect in the crime.

After following up on the case, Police determined the suspect had used the card at an ATM machine twice, withdrawing under $500.00 in cash.  They had also used the card at Walmart.

The investigation revealed that Mekayla Keenan was responsible for using the card.  As a result, Keenan was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Financial Transaction Device, Theft by Taking and Theft by Deception.

Police say the two theft charges are felonies based on prior convictions.

Keenan was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Two individuals are behind bars after they were arrested with a large quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

On August 8th at around 8:43 pm, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies received a report of a male subject threatening another subject with a knife at the campground near the Lake Maloney Outlet.  A description of the vehicle was given and a Trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol located the vehicle an initiated a traffic stop.

Deputies soon arrived and made contact with the suspects, Lucas Swarthout, 23 of North Platte, and Kayla Wills, 24 of Cozad.

After questioning the suspects, Deputies say they learned that a local resident had observed the duo acting suspiciously near their residence.  The resident followed Wills and Swarthout in an attempt to get a license plate number.  When Swarthout noticed the vehicle following him, he stopped his vehicle and made threats with a large knife, causing the victims to fear for their lives.

Swarthout was arrested for making Terroristic Threats, and Deputies began a search of his vehicle where they located numerous syringes and baggies that Deputies say are consistent with the distribution and use of methamphetamine.  Subsequently, Swarthout was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver.

Deputies also searched Wills’ property where they located a large quantity of suspected meth.  Wills was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver.

Both Wills and Swarthout were transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Are you looking for continuing education credits, professional development, or personal enrichment classes? The Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise at North Platte Community College invites you to join us in one or more of the following classes.

Continuing Education:

Real Estate Continuing Education: License Law Jeopardy – What is the study of the Nebraska Real Estate License Laws in a “game show” format?

Class meets from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the North Campus with instructor Mark Wehner. Class fee is $40.

Real Estate Continuing Education: 10 Coaching Points for Home Buyers –From exclusive buyer representation, to property search and discovery, to specific contract language protecting the home buyer to negotiations to closing, this three-hour class offers tips and techniques to effectively coach home buyers through their real estate experience from agency to acquisition.

Class meets from 1 to 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the North Campus with instructor Mark Wehner. Class fee is $40.

Insurance Continuing Education: Agency Teambuilding Part Two – Agents will identify different ethical situations and the consequences. Part One is not a prerequisite. This class has been approved by the Nebraska Department of Insurance for three hours of continuing education.

Class meets from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Sept 18, at the North Campus with instructor Larry Silhacek. Class fee is $39.

Insurance Continuing Education: Personal Inland Marine – A discussion of the history of the Inland Marine Policy. The class will discuss the loss conditions of an ISO Personal Inland Marine Policy and some general questions asked about an Inland Marine Policy. This class has been approved by the Nebraska Department of Insurance for three hours of continuing education.

Class meets from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 18, at the North Campus with instructor Larry Silhacek. Class fee is $39.

Professional Development:

Real Estate Principles & Practice – This introductory class explores the field of real estate, providing a comprehensive look at the entire real estate field, covering terminology, concepts of real estate law, finance, appraisal, taxation, estates in land, legal instruments, brokerage and management.  The course is approved by the Nebraska Real Estate Commission (30 hours credit for pre-license educational requirements). Class fee does not include the required textbook which is available through the Center for Enterprise office. Student will receive two-credit-hours upon successful completion of this course.

Class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 10 through Oct. 1, at the North Campus with instructor Barb Booth. Class fee is $199.

Spanish for Nurses – Learn basic phrases and commands to understand and speak short sentences and give simple instructions in Spanish. The Spanish phrases you will learn will help you communicate with Spanish-speaking patients in the doctor’s office, hospital or other health care settings. A textbook, “Spanish for Nurses,” will be required and can be purchased through the Center for Enterprise office.

Class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 28, at the North Campus with instructor Aida Ullrich. Class fee is $49.

Computers/Technology:

Basic Computer Skills – This class is designed for individuals who have little or no computer skills. Learn the parts of the computer and terminology; how to move and delete files and folders; resize windows; create shortcuts; learn basic MS Word skills by creating a word document; learn the difference between Save and Save As; formatting techniques; and printing. Learn to find and rename files; learn the importance of the My Documents folder and more. Pre-registration required.

Class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 16-23, at the North Campus with instructor April Fager. Class fee is $39.

Digital SLR Camera – Are your once in a lifetime photos being missed because you have a great camera but do not know how to use it? Is this the year you really want to take great pictures? Then this class is for you! Instructor Alan Mais, The Camera Doctor, will help you learn how to get the pictures you want, while teaching you in “layman’s terms” the hands-on operation of your camera. Pre-registration with payment is required before attending class. To receive full refund you must cancel within 48 hours prior to class.

Class meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 17 through Oct. 1, at the South Campus with instructor Alan Mais. Class fee is $79.

Advanced Digital SLR Camera – A photography class for the advanced beginner who wants to learn how to successfully photograph their subject. This is a very hands-on class. Students will learn photographic techniques, camera settings, and use provided flash, lenses, filters and other accessories. Prior attendance of the Beginning Digital Photography class is required. Pre-registration with payment is required before attending class. To receive full refund you must cancel within 48 hours prior to class.

Class meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 17 through Oct. 1, at the South Campus with instructor Alan Mais. Class fee is $79.

Arts & Crafts:

Beginning Knitting – Cast-On, Cast-Off, Knit & Purl, you can learn all of these basic knitting skills. Other stitches such as Knit & Purl 2 together, Yarn-Over, Slip Stitch, and Pass-Slip-Stitch Over will be covered during this six-week class. You will learn the basic designs to knit washcloths, scarves, and simple throws. Supplies: Size 8, 9, or 10 needles and worsted yarn.  Pre-registration requested.

Class meets from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 21, at the South Campus with instructor Jolene Grant. Class fee is $35.

Crochet – Make a variety of Christmas decorations, starting with Snowy Garland. Bring one skein of white worsted weight yarn and an F hook for this project. Bring a friend for a fun evening activity!

Class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 21, at the South Campus with instructor Tonya Goff. Class fee is $35.

Metal Engraving & Design I – From guns to decorative cabinetry pieces, you can create beautiful, original metal engraving pieces with some basic skills. Study the basic transfer techniques you need to engrave, paint, and decorate unique designs. Beginning engraving design will cover the creation of scrolls and figures. Check out the instructor’s sample work at www.rogerfattig.com.

Class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 19 through Oct. 24, at the North Campus with instructor Roger Fattig. Class fee is $79.

For more information, call Crystal Welch at (308) 535-3714 or register online atwww.centerforenterprise.com/register.

(AP) — Southern rust disease has been confirmed in samples from 11 counties in south-central and southeastern Nebraska.

Tamra Jackson-Ziems is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension plant pathologist, and she says warm weather and high humidity may promote development and spread of the disease.

She says that if the disease continues to spread and worsen in Nebraska, fields planted later this spring are at higher risk for disease and lower corn yield.

Crop disease information in Nebraska is updated on CropWatch, UNL Extension’s crop production newsletter at cropwatch.unl.edu.

(AP) — Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg has been traveling across Nebraska to deliver unclaimed property checks and lost money to local governments and other entities.

At a news conference Thursday in Scottsbluff, Stenberg delivered a check for $92 to the mayor of Gering and a check for nearly $227 to the Scottsbluff Rural Fire Department.

Two weeks ago, Stenberg delivered a check for $7,320 to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and spent time at the state’s unclaimed property booth at the Buffalo County Fair.

So far this year, the state treasurer’s office has returned more than $6.2 million, covering 11,000 claims. The average size claim is $558.

• Today: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.
• Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light south southeast after midnight.
• Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
• Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

(AP) — State Sen. Annette Dubas is running for Nebraska governor, so Democrats will have a primary contest next year.

Dubas of Fullerton announced plans to run for Gov. Dave Heineman’s job on Thursday. She will face former University of Nebraska Regent Chuck Hassebrook in the primary.

Dubas is a farmer and rancher serving her second term in the state Legislature.

Other possible Democratic gubernatorial candidates include state Sen. Steve Lathrop, of Omaha, and former gubernatorial candidate Mike Meister, a Scottsbluff attorney who lost to Heineman in 2010.

The Republican field is likely to be crowded as well because Heineman is unable to run because of term limits. State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont has declared his candidacy while several other GOP contenders are still considering a run.

A North Platte man is in jail after he allegedly sold stolen property to a man.

According to a North Platte Platte Police Department (NPPD)  news release, an Officer responded to a reported burglary in the 1400 block of East 14th Street at around 3:15 pm on July 8, 2013.

The reporting party told police that he believed he had purchased stolen property from 21-year-old William Butrick.

Following an investigation, the Officer was able to determine where the property was stolen from and made contact with the owner.  Police learned that the man had also had $300 worth of power equipment stolen from his garage.

On August 8th, Officers made contact with Butrick and arrested him on an active Dawson County warrant.  Following his arrest, Butrick met with an Investigator who determined there was probable cause to charge him with Felony Possession of Stolen Property.

Butrick was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.