Seven people were killed in five separate crashes on Nebraska roads from Friday through Monday, prompting the Nebraska State Patrol to remind motorists of the need to be extra attentive on state roadways during the summer travel season.

From Friday, July 12 through Monday morning, July 15, fatality crashes were recorded in Lancaster, Cass, Cuming, Douglas, and Madison Counties. The seven deaths bring the number of fatalities on state roadways in 2013 to 107, compared with 101 deaths on this same date in 2012.

“We are in the heart of the summer travel season, and it is a very busy time,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “From automobiles, to recreational vehicles, motorcycles and farm implements, we must all share the road. It is vital when we get behind the wheel that we choose to make safety our top priority.”

Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit, always wear their seat belt, and never drive impaired or distracted.

The NSP encourages all travelers to plan ahead, allowing plenty of time to reach their destination. Motorists can report impaired or reckless drivers by dialing the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 when safe to do so from any cellular phone, or 1-800-525-5555from any landline.

Travelers wanting to check the latest road and weather condition report can utilize 511, the Nebraska Automated Traveler Information System. The 511 system can be accessed via the internet at < www.511.nebraska.gov >, the 511 Mobile Traveler Site at < https://www.ndortraveler.mobi > or by dialing 511 (800-906-9069) from any landline or cellular phone for information.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), in conjunction with the Kearney Police Department and the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, will conduct special enforcement efforts Friday & Saturday, July 19-20, in Kearney.

The special enforcement is planned to coincide with the annual Kearney Cruise Nite. The event held Wednesday-Sunday, July 17-21, draws hundreds of classic car enthusiasts together for four days of fun and festivities. The special enforcement will include high visibility patrols and DUI checkpoints during the evening and early morning hours Friday & Saturday, July 19 & 20.

In 2012, troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Troop C Headquarters- Grand Island arrested four drivers for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and cited 37 juveniles for Minor in Possession (MIP) of alcohol.

An $8,885 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) will help pay for overtime hours for troopers and communication specialists during the two nights of special enforcement.

(AP) — Twinkies are back, but they may be a bit smaller than you remember.

The new boxes hitting shelves list the cakes as having 270 calories and a weight of 77 grams for two cakes, or 135 calories and 38.5 grams for one.

Right before it went out of business, the snack cakes’ former owner had told the Associated Press Twinkies were 150 calories per cake. Photos of past boxes online also indicate the weight to have been 42.5 grams per cake.

A spokeswoman for Hostess says in an email Monday that the size change was made in “mid-2012” by the predecessor company. That would mean it happened quietly in the months leading up to its bankruptcy, as the company was trying to keep its head above water financially.

 

(AP) — New research boosts the “use it or lose it” theory about brainpower and staying mentally sharp.

A study of nearly half a million people in France finds that people who delay retirement have less risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Researchers found that for each additional year a person worked, the risk of getting dementia was reduced by more than 3 percent.

Doctors say the conclusion makes sense. Working helps keep people physically active, socially connected and mentally challenged, and all of those things help prevent mental decline.

The French government’s health research agency did the study. Results were reported Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Boston.

(AP) — Grant funds are available for communities and organizations that wish to plant shade trees.

The application deadline is Oct. 1 for Trees for Nebraska Towns grant funds.

About $250,000 in grants is available this year. The money is provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, a beneficiary of the Nebraska Lottery.

Application forms are available online at retreenebraska@unl.edu. Contact Kendall Weyers at 402-472-6693 or kweyers2@unl.edu for more information.

• Today: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light south wind increasing to 9 to 14 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

(AP) — A free online course is offering students the chance to learn about giving from Warren Buffett and to help decide how to spend more than $100,000 of his sister’s money.

More than 4,000 people have already signed up from the course that will also feature philanthropic advice from baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., the founders of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and several other prominent givers. It starts Monday.

Buffett and his older sister, Doris Buffett, will be featured during the first class. But everyone involved with the course says the fact that students get a chance to give away real money may be more important to the course’s success than the speakers.

Rebecca Riccio, the Northeastern University professor who will teach the course, says the money helps make the lessons stick.

Summer is here, bringing with it dangerous excessive heat. The American Red Cross has steps people can follow to stay safe as the temperatures soar.

“Excessive heat can be deadly; it has caused more deaths in recent years than all other weather events,” said Tina Labellarte, Region CEO. “We want everyone to stay safe during the hot weather and have some reminders for them to follow when the weather is hot and humid.”

NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN, PETS IN THE CAR, the inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Other heat safety steps include:

§  Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

§  Avoid extreme temperature changes.

§  Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

§  Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

§  Postpone outdoor games and activities.

§  Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.

§  Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

§  Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.

§  If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should choose places to go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).

HEAT EXHAUSTION Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle, and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.

If someone is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

HEAT STROKE IS LIFE-THREATENING. Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting and high body temperature. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

 

 

A North Platte woman is facing felony charges after she was busted trying to break into a North Platte residence with a hammer.

At around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Officers from the North Platte Policed Department (NPPD) responded to a residence in the 2400 block of West 9th Street on the report of a female trying to break into the home with a hammer.

Upon arrival, Officers learned that the suspect, 29-year-old Tara Baker, had fled the scene in a vehicle.

According to a NPPD news release, Police made contact with Baker at her residence in the 1500 Block of West 1st Street, and questioned her about the incident.  Baker claimed she was attempting to break into the residence to check on a friend who “needed her help.”

Police didn’t buy the story, and cited Baker for Criminal Mischief due to the damage she had caused to the trailer.

Following further investigation, Officers determined there was probable cause to believe Baker had gone to the trailer to steal.  As a result, Baker was again located and arrested for Attempted Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools, both felonies.

She was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

(AP) — Nebraska officials are hosting an event in Kearney to certify youth fishing instructors.

The state Game and Parks Commission will offer training and tools for instructors to conduct their own fishing clinics. The event is scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Harmon Park Activity Center, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The volunteer instructors will have access to loaner fishing equipment and educational materials, plus other program incentives. They also are encouraged to volunteer for such Game and Parks programs as Family Fishing Nights and the Outdoor Discovery Program.

Space for the free workshop is limited. Instructors should register by Aug. 16 by calling 402-332-4204, or by sending an email to lindsey.chizinski@nebraska.gov