(AP) — Former state Sen. Mike Flood says he’s considered rejoining the Republican race for Nebraska governor, but he won’t because he wants to be with his family as his wife battles breast cancer.

Flood said he doesn’t want to be campaigning hundreds of miles from Norfolk if his wife gets discouraging news.

Flood was considered a strong candidate because he was a former Speaker of the Legislature who helped resolve tough issues, but he dropped out of the race in December after his wife was diagnosed.

Flood says his wife’s doctors are optimistic now that she has undergone chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Mandi Flood is going through more radiation treatments now.

(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman has chosen Brig. Gen. Daryl L. Bohac to serve as the new adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard.

Bohac, of Waverly, was selected from a field of three candidates. The 52-year-old will officially assume his duties Sunday at a ceremony in Lincoln.

Bohac has served in the military for 35 years, including 31 with the Nebraska National Guard. He will replace outgoing Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, who is taking a new job as deputy director of the U.S. Army National Guard in Arlington, Va.

The adjutant general serves as the senior uniformed officer responsible for leading nearly 4,700 Army and Air National Guard personnel in Nebraska. Bohac will also become the director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. The position is part of the governor’s cabinet.

The Nebraska State Patrol Troop E Headquarters- Scottsbluff with assistance from local law enforcement plans special enforcement activities during an upcoming summer celebration.

Special enforcement activities are designed to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes by removing impaired drivers from area roadways. High visibility patrols and DUI checkpoints will be carried out in Scotts Bluff County with extra attention paid to the Gering area July 12 & 13.

“Along with large crowds over the weekend, we can expect an increase in traffic volume,” said Captain Mike Gaudreault, Troop E Commander. “Voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws is one way motorists can help us keep our roadways safe.”

Motorists are reminded to always wear their seat belt, obey the posted speed limit and never drive impaired or distracted. Troopers will be vigilant in identifying individuals under age 21, who may consume alcoholic beverages in violation of state statute.

A nearly $7,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS), will help to pay for the special enforcement effort.

Motorists wishing to view a sampling of planned NSP Enforcement activities in conjunction with the Nebraska State Patrol “100 Days of Summer” initiative can visit the Nebraska State Patrol website at www.statepatrol.nebraska.gov and click on the NSP Enforcement Activities link located beneath the state map on the NSP homepage to access an enforcement calendar.

The “100 Days of Summer” initiative provides motorists an opportunity to view planned NSP enforcement activities. Each day, beginning with the Memorial Day holiday weekend and continuing through Labor Day, in an effort to promote voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws

 

• Jeremiah Ray Fuoss, 24, North Platte and Cassandra Leigh Vencill, 22, North Platte

 

• Walter William Pepper, 54, North Platte and Susan Marie Seifer, 47, Sutherland NE

 

• Richard Alan Sitorius, 43, Brady NE and Jolene Kay Messersmith, 36, Brady NE

 

• Perry Glen Weatherly, 50, North Platte and Lisa Ann Gustafson, 49, North Platte

 

• Seth Patrick McCormick, 28, North Platte and Andrea Marie Frary, 25, Brock NE

 

• Jace William Cain, 26, North Platte and Danielle Marie Parsons, 23, North Platte

 

• Casey Paul Miller, 27, Brady NE and Amber Lynn Sitorius, 25, Brady NE

 

• Nicholas Clifford Barnes, 27, Gothenburg NE and Heather Sue Marlin, 30, Gothenburg NE

 

• Trent Allan Fiesterman, 33, North Platte and Jana Rae Budke, 32, North Platte

 

• Charles Joseph Fleecs, 47, Sutherland NE and Nichole Rae Redden, 30, Sutherland NE

 

• Travis Darick McMurphy, 29, North Platte and Ashley Lynn Meyer, 24, North Platte

With severe weather and hail predicted, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® reminds families of the following tips to reduce damage and injury before, during and after a hail storm.  Hail could seem like a minor concern, but hail can cause injury, damage to vehicles and damage to homes like shattered windows, pockmarked siding and damaged or destroyed roof coverings.

Before

• When hail is forecast, close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent potential injury from broken glass blowing inside.

During

• Do not try to go outside to protect your property during a storm. Stay indoors until the storm has passed.
• Stay away from skylights, windows and doors.

After

• Verify that you can safely move around outside.  Avoid any broken or downed branches and power lines.
• Check the trees, shrubs and plants around your house.  If they are stripped of their foliage, there is a possibility your roof is damaged.  Dented patio covers, screens or soft aluminum roof vents could also indicate roof damage.
• Cover any broken windows and holes in your roof to prevent water intrusion following hail damage.

For more information on protecting your home from hail storms, visit www.flash.org.  For mobile severe weather alerts and mitigation tips, download FLASH Weather Alerts atwww.flashweatheralerts.org.

(AP) — Authorities say Nebraska law makes it tough for people to recover repair costs when their vehicles are damaged by potholes or other street hazards.

For example, only one person has been reimbursed by the city of Lincoln for pothole damage to tires in the past four years. A claims report says, however, that in the past four fiscal years, the city has denied 70 vehicle owners who claimed more than $33,000 in total damage to tires and rims.

People must show that the cities or counties knew about the problems but didn’t fix them within a reasonable amount of time.

Gary Krumland is legal counsel for the League of Nebraska Municipalities, and he says state law begins with the assumption that government cannot be sued.

• Today: Scattered thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. East wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Tonight: Scattered thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Tuesday: A slight chance of thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming north 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. North northeast wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

(AP) — A film crew from the United Kingdom is sight-seeing in Nebraska to shoot high definition footage that will be used to promote the state.

Skyworks is shooting video of the state for its own stock footage archive and for Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, the University of Nebraska and the state Tourism and Game and Parks commissions.

The low-flying Skyworks helicopter has already visited sights in western Nebraska, Lincoln and Omaha. The group plans to spend a couple more days in northern parts of the state before wrapping up the project this week.

Skyworks’ founding director Richard Mervyn says he has been impressed by the beauty of Nebraska, especially out west.

(AP) — Supporters of the Great Platte River Road Archway museum that spans Interstate 80 near Kearney hope a bankruptcy court judge will approve their plan to eliminate $20 million of debt by paying pennies on the dollar.

But the Archway still must secure financial support from Kearney and Buffalo county to survive.

The foundation that runs the Archway museum has proposed a bankruptcy reorganization plan that includes paying bond holders $50,000 for their $20 million in bonds.

The Archway proposes paying another $50,000 to unsecured creditors it owes $100,000.

The foundation says it has secured pledges of about $132,000 to help pay for the reorganization plan.

Objections to the reorganization plan can be filed until July 23, and then a bankruptcy judge will decide whether the Archway can move forward.

Passengers in plane crashes today, such as the one in San Francisco involving Asiana Airlines Flight 214, are more likely to survive than in past disasters.

Saturday’s crash was the latest where a jetliner was destroyed but most passengers survived. Only 2 of the 307 passengers and crew onboard died.

Seats are stronger, and fire retardant cushions and carpeting give passengers more time to escape. Lights on the floor pinpoint exits in the dark and doors are easier to open. New cockpit technology helps pilots avoid the deadliest crashes, such as planes hitting mountains or other planes in mid-air.

A decade ago, passengers were 10 times as likely to die when flying on an American plane then they are today, according to an Associated Press analysis of government accident data.