A run in with an off-duty Lincoln County Deputy ended with a North Platte man’s arrest.

On Saturday, June 8, an off-duty Deputy was attending a family function at the Girl Scout Cabin near Lake Maloney.  The Deputy observed 30-year-old Aaron Kirts walk through the function and drop several sets of Keys.  Additionally, Kirts caused a disturbance with the Deputy’s family members.

On duty Deputies were contacted, and made contact with Kirts.

Following a search of Kirt’s person, Deputies found numerous items that did not appear to belong to him.  Deputies made contact with the owners of the Patmos Campground, which is just North of the Girl Scout Camp, who responded to the scene and identified several items that had been stolen from some of their cabins.

Kirts was arrested and jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.  He was charged with Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Theft by Unlawful Taking and Disturbing the Peace.

(AP) — The state Game and Parks Commission says new regulations are in place to restrict the movement of baitfish collected in eastern Nebraska.

The commission says it’s now illegal for individuals or bait dealers to transport any baitfish away from the Missouri River that were collected downstream of Gavins Point Dam. The restriction also applies to rivers and streams east of U.S. Highway 81 from the South Dakota border to York, north of Interstate 80 from York to Lincoln, and east of U.S. Highway 77 from Lincoln to the Kansas border.

Officials say they’re concerned about the movement of small Asian carp and white perch, along with other invasive species.

(AP) — Some Nebraska dove hunters will be asked to participate in a national survey to help state and federal agencies make better-informed decisions.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says a random selection of hunters will receive the mail surveys this month. The survey will include questions about their experiences and opinions about dove hunting, including perceived constraints and thoughts about the potential effects of lead from hunting ammunition.

The survey is a joint effort by state fish and wildlife agencies, flyaway councils and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The newest ambassador for the State of Nebraska was crowned last night at the North Platte High School Performing Arts Center.

Miss Western Nebraska JaCee Pilkington was named Miss Nebraska 2013.

Pilkington began the evening as one of 16 girl competing for scholarship money, as well as the coveted title.

Pilkington’s amazed the audience during the talent competition, when she performed her own rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” then impressively answered her on-stage question to finish on the top.

Pilkington’s platform is “Operation Remember Me,” which strives to bring honor and recognition to America’s veterans.

Her hometown is Minatare, and she is a graduate of Bayard High School.  She currently attends Doane College in Crete.

She will compete in the Miss America Pageant on September 15 in Atlantic City New Jersey.

Pilkington was Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen in 2009.

First Runner-Up was Miss Lake McConaughy, Rachel Foehlinger.

Second Runner-Up was Miss Douglas County, Aleah Peters.

Third Runner-Up was Miss Northwest, Megan Dimmitt and Fourth Runner-Up was Meghan Thalken of North Platte.

The contestants were awarded with thousands of dollars in college scholarships.

(AP) — A former University of Nebraska at Kearney student has been given 18 months of probation for setting off a firecracker in a dormitory.

20-year-old Ann Castater of Omaha was sentenced Thursday in Buffalo County Court. Authorities say she set of off an M-80 firecracker while police were investigating an emergency alert on campus.

Castater pleaded no contest to attempted possession of a destructive device and disturbing the peace. Both charges are misdemeanors. A university spokeswoman says Castater is no longer a student at the university.

The probation requires Castater to complete outpatient therapy.

(AP) — A new smartphone app has been developed to help agricultural producers track key temperatures.

The High Plains Regional Climate Center in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources has released the phone application software. The Climate App publishes maps that show recent highs, lows, and soil temperatures. That will help agricultural producers remain aware of temperature ranges that could affect production.

Sixty- seven weather stations report data to the climate center. The data was used to create maps that show the variations in temperature at a local level.

People interested in the app can use their phones’ browsers to find the app at hprcc3.unl.edu/Ap. The app is free.

(AP) — A jury has found a Scottsbluff couple guilty of felony child abuse.

The Scotts Bluff District Court jury on Saturday found Carlos and Jennifer Herrera guilty of felony child abuse. That’s less serious than the charges they had faced of child abuse resulting in serious injury.

Prosecutors say authorities began their investigation in October 2011, when the couple’s son missed school after showing up with injuries.

Defense attorneys say child services officials forced the couple’s children, including a daughter, to believe abuse was taking place.

Police say the Herreras tried to conceal the boy’s whereabouts when officers checked on the child. Officers say he had several injuries, including the imprint of a shoe across his face. They also say the boy suffered extreme neglect and malnutrition.

(AP) — A Colorado couple died in a two-vehicle crash west of Scottsbluff.

Scotts Bluff County Attorney Doug Warner told KNEB radio the Friday evening crash killed 69-year-old driver, Jimmie Skinner, and 68-year-old Patricia Timerman. The two were from Colorado Springs and were engaged.

Warner says the crash occurred about 5:30 p.m. when the couple’s eastbound car struck a northbound vehicle that apparently didn’t yield at a stop sign.

The other vehicle was driven by 30-year-old Zacharie Hays of Gering. He was listed in fair condition at a Scottsbluff hospital.

(AP) — An Australian company has announced finding what it says could be several million barrels of oil in a new Nebraska Panhandle location.

Black Star Petroleum says the oil was discovered thanks to two wells it drilled near the Wyoming border in Banner County. The company says two independent consultants estimate the wells could tap between 4.3 million and 23.3 million barrels of oil.

Last year the entire state produced a little more than 2.5 million barrels total.

The find, if it proves out, still would be minuscule compared with other oil fields. For example, the Prudhoe Bay field in Alaska’s North Slope area ranks 20th in the world and contains an estimated 25 billion barrels.

(AP) — Tuition for resident students at the University of Nebraska won’t increase in the next school year for the first time since 1990.

The Nebraska Board of Regents approved the tuition freeze Friday for resident students at the four campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney and the medical school.

Tuition will climb by 3 percent for nonresident students.

The regents were able to freeze tuition because of a 4 percent funding increase approved by the Legislature.

Officials say the freeze will save undergraduates about $1,000 over two years.

The board also approved a 3 percent increase for faculty and staff, which is apart from already bargained raises.

Union faculty at the Omaha and Kearney campuses will get 2 percent raises in the next two school years.