(AP) — State economic forecasters expect steady economic and job growth across most of the state industries through 2015.

The Nebraska Business Forecast Council said in its long-range report issued Friday that it foresees total job growth of 1.3 percent by the end of 2013, rising to 1.5 percent in 2014 and 1.6 percent in 2015. The council’s February report contained the same forecast.

The council says farm incomes will continue descending from 2011’s record levels

Farm incomes are forecast to hit $5.2 billion in 2013 — a 3.7 percent decline from 2012 — then drop to $5 billion in 2014 and remain at $5 billion in 2015.

(AP) — A Nebraska senator eyeing a run for governor is set to make an announcement at the Capitol.

Sen. Tom Carlson, of Holdrege, has scheduled a news conference Friday along with his family. The Republican lawmaker has previously said he is weighing a gubernatorial bid in the 2014 race.

Carlson was elected to the Legislature in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. He serves as chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and was previously chairman of the Agriculture Committee. He is ineligible to run for the Legislature in 2014 because of term limits.

Two other candidates have formally declared bids for governor: Republican state Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont, and Democrat Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons.

Democratic state Sen. Steve Lathrop is on a “listening tour” as he weighs a possible run.

• Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 101. South wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South southeast wind around 10 mph.
• Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. South wind around 9 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
• Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

(AP) — Health officials say the homicide rate for older children and young adults has hit its lowest point in at least three decades.

In 2010, the homicide rate for victims ages 10 to 24 was down more than half compared to 1993. That was during an explosion in crime tied to crack cocaine.

The government report released Thursday echoes earlier findings about a national decline in murders and other crimes in the last two decades. Youths account for about a third of homicide victims.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention went back to 1981 and found youth homicide rate declines across the board — in males, females, whites, blacks and Hispanics.

However, declines have slowed in the last 10 years.

(AP) — A western Nebraska rancher says his registered quarter horse Leroy was one of many horses used to portray the hero’s mount in the newly released “Lone Ranger” movie.

K.C. Peterson runs the 18,000-acre Otter Creek Ranch, which sits north of Lake McConaughy.

Peterson said he bought Leroy nine years ago, anticipating that he’d look good in scenes with Tonto and the Lone Ranger for a movie Peterson was sure to be made someday.

When he read that filming would finally start, Peterson contacted a man he knew from previous movies productions that had used some of Peterson’s animals. The man added Leroy to the array of magnificent white stallions that were used, including one that was actually named Silver.

Reported drug activity led to the arrest of a North Platte man on Wednesday morning.

According to a news release, North Platte Police received a report of drug activity at a residence located in the 900 block of North Bailey.

The information prompted Officers to obtain a search warrant for the residence.

Upon execution of the warrant, Police located numerous items that confirmed the drug activity including syringes, pipes, bongs, marijuana, small baggies, a digital scale and a small amount of methamphetamine.  Additionally, Officers found a BMX bicycle that had a North Platte Police Department bike tag on it.  A check of the number revealed that the bike had been stolen on an earlier date.

The resident, Timothy Leeper, was at the home during the execution of the search warrant.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of a methamphetamine, possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana-less than one ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

A North Platte man is in jail on drug charges after he decided to take a toke in his Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

According to Investigator John Deal, at around 11:16 a.m. on Wednesday, North Platte Police responded to the area of Sixth and Sycamore after they received a report of a man doing drugs in his parked SUV.

Upon arrival, Officers found an SUV matching the description given by the reporting party and made contact with the suspect, Russell Lockwood.

The responding Officer smelled burnt marijuana on Russell and noticed that he was holding something in his hand.  When the Officer asked Lockwood what was in his hand, he produced a pipe that the Officer said smelled of recently burned pot.

Lockwood was detained for the marijuana offense and a search of his vehicle was conducted.

Inside the vehicle, Officers found multiple syringes, multiple small baggies of methamphetamine, unused small baggies, a scale and other items commonly used in the distribution of narcotics.

Lockwood was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Travelers wishing to experience the historic 1913 “stairstep” route through Lincoln County can now have the confidence that they won’t wander off the track.

With funding from an Improvement grant from the North Platte / Lincoln County Visitors Bureau, the Lincoln County Department of Roads placed nearly 50 directional signs along State Farm Road, Fort McPherson Road and Banner Road, starting at the junction of State Farm Road and Highway 83 and continuing on through to the Dawson County line.

When originally conceived in 1913, the Lincoln Highway had no actual route. Early planners chose local farm-to-market roads to create America’s first transcontinental highway. In Lincoln County, a lack of bridges over the North Platte River and the sandy soil coming down from the Sandhills on the north meant that the hard-bottomed roads south of the South Platte River were the best to be had. This route already had a long, rich transportation history, at first being the route of the travelers along the Oregon and California trails and later the Pony Express. Numerous historical markers exist along the route, and it takes travelers past the Fort McPherson National Cemetery and the statue commemorating the historic Fort McPherson.

The signage project should increase travel along the route.

Safety is always a top priority for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) during summer months when boaters and swimmers are enjoying recreational areas.

To prevent accidents between swimmers and boaters the NGPC has closed approximately 65 yards of waterfront located just north of the south main boat ramp at Lake Maloney State Recreation Area (SRA) to allow boaters and personal watercraft users a buffer area when loading and unloading their vessels.

It is unlawful to swim or bathe in any marinas or within 20 yards of launching, mooring or docking areas.

Roger Thompson, NGPC’s Southwest Law Enforcement Supervisor noted that “There are several designated swimming areas posted at Lake Maloney SRA – swimming in the designated areas makes the water safe and enjoyable for all that wish to spend time at the lake.”

The ribbon was cut today by housing partners to celebrate the grand opening of Eastward Village Apartments in McCook, Nebraska.  The complex is a 27-unit affordable apartment housing complex for elderly and handicapped residents.

“We are pleased and excited about being able to participate in bringing Eastward Village Apartments to the community of McCook,” said Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development.”  The apartments became a reality when the final piece of the financing was provided by an $807,000 loan from Bonneville Mortgage Company guaranteed by USDA Rural Development’s Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRH).   Eastward Village Apartments will be a great asset to the City of McCook and provides the rental housing needed.

The GRRH program is intended to produce new affordable rental housing as well as the rehabilitation and conversion of existing buildings, such as the East Ward School building.  Along with financing provided by lending partners, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, McCook National Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, and the City of McCook, the building was converted into 15 apartments.   Along with construction of six new duplexes, twenty-seven apartments are available to serve rural residents with low and moderate incomes.   Eastward Village Apartments is Managed by McCook Housing Agency.

USDA Rural Development is proud to provide affordable housing to McCook and other rural communities with less than  20,000 in population as an important component to their infrastructure.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

For additional information contact Linda Anders at the Nebraska USDA Rural Development State Office, (402) 437-5734; (402) 437-5093 TDY.  You may also visit https://www.rurdev.usda.gov./ne.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.