The Nebraska Panhandle police chief who’d been put on administrative leave has resigned.

Kimball Police Chief Mark Simpson’s resignation was effective Monday. He’d been on leave since March 15, following challenges to the accuracy of information he’d presented to another law enforcement agency.

Kimball Mayor James Schnell declined to elaborate on reports of what he said were “suspicious fallacies” regarding Simpson.

In Simpson’s resignation letter, he says he regrets not being able to serve Kimball’s residents any longer and that people need to trust city officials and let them do their jobs. Simpson also says in the letter that he’s sorry he “did not uphold my side of the bargain.”

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) is reminding citizens to remain vigilant in the wake of the tragic and senseless acts of violence which have taken place in Boston.

“We join the nation in condemning these acts of terror on the American public,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We encourage our citizens to continue to help keep our communities safe by reporting suspicious activity.”

Nebraskans can report suspicious activity through the Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC) website.  Using the “Suspicious Activity Reporting” (SAR) link citizens will access the SAR portal which opens a detailed questionnaire for the reporting party to provide information on suspicious activities or events they believe should be shared with law enforcement.

Colonel Sankey said, “We believe Nebraskans are observant and have good instincts. The SAR tool provides them another avenue in which to make law enforcement aware of their concerns.”

The Nebraska State Patrol reminds citizens that emergency situations or situations which require immediate action should be reported to 911.

Nebraskans can find additional Homeland Security Information by visiting the NIAC website “Eight signs of Terrorism” link.

“Our Agency remains vigilant in its responsibilities to protect and serve the people of Nebraska. We encourage our citizens to remain vigilant as well,” Sankey said.

Nebraska and U.S. flags are being lowered to honor the victims of the bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon.

The office of Gov. Dave Heineman says he ordered the flags at state installations to be flown at half-staff, in accordance with a proclamation from President Barack Obama.

Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Saturday.

Beginning this week, Nebraska hunters can enter the Nebraska Super Tag Lottery for a shot at a four-species permit.

The nonrefundable lottery application fee costs $25. The tag is valid in 2013 and 2014 and has a bag limit of one elk of either sex, one deer of either sex, one antelope of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring).

The application deadline is July 5. Each hunter is limited to one entry, and only Nebraska residents are eligible. The winner will be drawn later in July.

The winner will be allowed to hunt with any legal weapon in any open hunting unit during the general hunting season for each species.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.org to enter the lottery.

Last week’s rain and snow hampered work in Nebraska’s fields but boosted soil moisture.

The U.S. Agriculture Department said Monday in its weekly agricultural survey report that despite the rain and snow the topsoil moisture was rated 53 percent very short or short. Subsoil moisture was rated 93 percent short or very short.

About 12 percent of Nebraska’s wheat crop was rated in good or excellent condition, while 50 percent was rated poor or very poor.

The report says 58 percent of the expected oat crop has been planted. That trails last year’s figure of 73 percent but is ahead of the 51 percent average by this date.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman says state emergency officials should have direct control over airplanes that could be stationed in Chadron and Valentine to fight wildfires.

Heineman said Monday he doesn’t believe the planes should be overseen by the federal government or the Nebraska Forest Service. His comments came in response to a question about a bill in the Legislature, the Nebraska Wildfire Control Act of 2013.

The bill has undergone several revisions since it was introduced. The most recent version would require the Nebraska Forest Service to contract for the planes. The forest service is an agency within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Heineman says state emergency officials need operational control of the planes to maintain a clear chain-of-command when coordinating their response to fires.

The American Red Cross is prepared for the next spring snow storm that is forecasted to hit the state this week and is urging people to take action to be ready before the snow starts to fall.    Meteorologists are predicting heavy deep snow, and strong winds which could cause dangerous driving conditions and power outages.  Volunteers with the Nebraska/SW Iowa Region of the Red Cross are on stand-by should shelters need to be opened for stranded travelers.

“By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger,” said Tina Labellarte, Region CEO. “We can help you and your family create a disaster preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by dangerously low temperatures, snow, ice and strong winds.”

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for winter storms by:

 

• Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Pack a winter-specific supply kit that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter is good to have on hand to help make walkways or steps less slippery. Additionally, make sure you have a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.

 

• Heeding Storm Warnings: A winter storm WATCH means winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions via NOAA Weather radio, or local radio or television stations. A winter storm WARNING means that life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Individuals in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

• Preparing Your Home and Car:  Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full, which will help to keep the fuel line from freezing. Make sure your home is properly insulated by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to help keep cold air out. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. Running water, even at a trickle, helps to prevent pipes from freezing.

For more information on winter storm preparedness, contact the American Red Cross at (402) 343-7700, visitwww.redcross.org or call1-800 RED CROSS. Please share these Red Cross winter storm preparedness tips with every member of your household, because the best protection is to be prepared ahead of time. 

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and first lady Sally Ganem are promoting volunteerism in advance of a statewide service week.

The ServeNebraska Week of Service is set to run from April 22-28 in each of Nebraska’s 93 counties. The governor and first lady are expected to read to students on April 23 at McPhee Elementary School in Lincoln.

Nebraska ranks in the top 10 in volunteerism among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Jamesena Moore, chairwoman of ServeNebraska, says ambassadors are available to connect volunteers with service opportunities in all parts of the state.

A North Platte man is facing multiple felony charges after cops find drugs in his vehicle.

North Platte Police conducted a traffic stop at around 1:40 a.m. Monday morning, after they witnessed a van driving erratically near 9th and Curtis.

The driver, 26-year-old Peter Bailey, initially gave Police a fictitious name.  While officers were searching Bailey and three other passengers, Bailey attempted to flee on foot.  He was quickly apprehended and restrained.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed multiple items that are often associated with the use of methamphetamine.  Bailey was also found to be in possession of Clonazepam.

After further investigation, Officers determined there was probable cause to charge Bailey with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Resisting Arrest, False Reporting and Obstructing a Police Officer.  Bailey also had an active warrant for a Parole Violation.

A passenger in the vehicle, Amie Jackson, 37, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Two additional passengers were released from the scene.

Bailey and Jackson were both jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Crews had quite a mess to clean up Saturday after a semi-truck loaded with fertilizer tipped over.

The accident happened at about 9:40 a.m., near the intersection of U.S. Highway 83 and State Farm Road.

North Platte Police say it appears the truck took the corner too fast, causing it to roll onto the drivers side, and spill its load of fertilizer.

The truck was owned by Ag Valley Co-Op of Edison, and was being driven by Michael Hamilton of Hayes Center.

The damage to the semi was estimated at about $10,000.

Another trailer arrived on the scene, and the majority of the fertilizer was salvaged.