Nebraska Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has helped write a bill that would let those with conscience and religious objections opt out of some requirements in the federal health care overhaul — such as covering the cost of birth control.

Fortenberry is an original co-sponsor of the bill by Tennessee Rep. Diane Black, a fellow Republican. The legislation, known as the Health Care Conscience Rights Act, was introduced Monday. It would allow health care providers and small business owners to opt out of some requirements and would allow health care workers not to participate abortion procedures.

Fortenberry says the bill “simply restores the basic rights in health care that were widely accepted before the implementation of the new health care law.”

Fortenberry introduced similar legislation in 2011.

It’s time to spring forward again, as the country makes the switch to daylight-saving time.

Like those in almost all other states, Nebraskans and Iowans will trade an hour of sleep starting Sunday morning for an extra hour of sunlight in the evening.

The government expanded daylight-saving time in 2007 in an effort to save energy. It now begins on the second Sunday in March and continues until the first Sunday in November.

The official change occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday, local time, although people often change their clocks before going to bed Saturday night.

Daylight-saving time ends Nov. 3.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners has postponed making a decision on big game hunting recommendations for the year.

The board met Friday in Kearney.

The board is considering several changes to permits and regulations for hunting antelope, deer and elk, as well as changes to hunting season start dates. The board will consider amended recommendations at its May 24 meeting in Chadron.

The board did approve in a vote Friday a change to allow some hunting in Western Nebraska Ash Hollow and Rock Creek Station state historical parks.

Patients at Great Plains Regional Medical Center will soon see more teens helping around the hospital. On March 21, Great Plains will launch the Junior Volunteer Ambassador program, a new program designed to engage local youth in the spirit of volunteering, health career exploration and patient service.

“The JV Ambassador program will partner adult volunteers and health care professionals with energetic and responsible teens to serve our patients and learn from each other,” said Julie Calahan, Great Plains Regional Medical Center director of volunteer services.

To become a Great Plains JV Ambassador, teens must be between the ages of 14 and 19. They must fill out a brief application and then go through an interview process. Selected teens must be willing to attend a half-day orientation and commit to at least eight hours per month of total volunteering hours at Great Plains.

The program will offer multiple volunteer opportunities throughout the hospital including patient and visitor escorting, clinical areas, the information desks and clerical areas. Along with monthly volunteerism opportunities, JV Ambassadors will benefit from education sessions held every month focusing on various careers and skills.

Parents and interested teens are invited to attend an informational session and kick-off event on March 21, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Quality Inn Sandhills Convention Center in North Platte. Interested volunteers and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. RSVPs will be taken until March 14 and can be made by calling the volunteer services office at 308.696.7475 or emailing Julie Calahan at calahanj@gprmc.com.

It turns out that we may keep getting mail on Saturdays, at least for awhile.

On Wednesday the House passed a spending measure to keep the government running through September and it requires that the Postal Service keep delivering mail on Saturdays — at least through the end of the year.

The Postal Service was hoping to cut back to a five-day delivery schedule to cut about $2 billion in costs a year.

The measure now goes to the Senate.

Personnel at the North Platte 911 Center are encouraging all residents served by their center, to create a Safety Profile at www.smart911.com.

The service has been in use at the center for about the last two months.

Participants can put information into their profile, so that the information is available to 911 Center Personnel anytime 911 is dialed from any of the telephone numbers registered on the account.

911 Supervisor Mary Ann Agler, says the service has been very well received.

The Police Department has been educating civic groups, as well as individuals, on the benefits of the service and have received a lot of positive comments from advocacy groups that support the hard-of hearing and the elderly.

Dispatchers are particularly concerned with calls received on cellular devices.  Officials say approximately 73 percent of the calls they receive are from cellular phones.  This makes it very difficult for emergency workers to determine the exact location or identity of the caller.

If a Smart911 profile is in place, 911 dispatchers and first responders have additional information regarding location and identity, which will increase the response time.  This service is especially helpful when emergency workers are responding to calls within rural areas of Lincoln County, and can clear up confusing issues with rural addresses.

The North Platte 911 Center provides services to all citizens of Lincoln County, as well as Gothenburg.  Officials strongly recommend that anyone living within the service area complete their safety profile.  Someday, it could save your life.

If you have questions or would like more information, you can contact the North Platte Police Department at (308) 535-6789.

Lincoln County Divorces (February)

• Cynthia L. Skala and Clifford D. Skala
• Mindy Hill and Wade E. Hill
• Charity Sundstrom and Scott Sundstrom
• Martha L. Rodriguez and Juan C. Rodriguez
• Randy G. Clark and Brenda M. Clark
• Nicole McDowell and Rodger McDowell Jr.
• Timothy J. Porter and Cindy M. Porter
• Lisa M. Smith and Douglas A. Smith
• Christa D. King and Thomas D. King
• Jane A. Garcia and Michael J. Garcia
• Jackie A. Johnson and Jay C. Johnson
• Myndi E. Schumer and Bradley N. Schumer

The Nebraska Department of Labor says the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in January, matching the 3.8 percent rate in December.

The department report issued Thursday says the rate was 4.1 percent in January 2012.

Labor Commissioner Catherine Lang says that Nebraska not only has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, but saw a $31 million decrease in unemployment benefits paid from 2011 to 2012.

The state’s January rate was less than half the national rate of 7.9 percent in January.

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

03/06/2013

00:56:20

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

N MADISON AV / RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

01:16:50

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

1200 E 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

03:16:16

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

AIRPORT, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

04:14:06

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Rodeo RD /N Adams AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

04:35:22

VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV

E Philip /S DEWEY NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

04:56:52

SECURITY CHECK

DOWNTOWN NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

07:10:53

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

07:20:03

LOOSE CATS

1000 E G ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

07:27:53

B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING

1000 E E ST E NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

07:57:59

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

500 N PACIFIC ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

07:59:31

SPEEDING

900 S POPLAR ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

07:59:59

SPEEDING

800 S Buffalo Bill NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

08:01:02

LOOSE ANIMALS

2300 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

08:16:24

LOOSE ANIMALS

1200 W 10TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

08:19:47

SPEEDING

600 W Philip NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

08:22:12

B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING

3900 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

08:59:25

OTHER WILDLIFE CALL/DISPOSAL

2300 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

09:30:45

VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV

4th / Bicentennial NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

09:44:47

ASSIST OTHER AGENCY-GENERAL

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

09:47:55

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

400 S ELM ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

09:56:46

SPEEDING

1300 BURLINGTON BL NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

10:21:40

SPEEDING

1300 BURLINGTON BL NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

10:30:11

LOUD ABUSIVE LANG

4000 W 2nd North Platte, NE 69101

03/06/2013

10:53:09

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

W E ST E /S WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

10:59:20

LOST PROPERTY

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

11:02:23

LOOSE ANIMALS

800 S SILBER AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

11:09:45

SPEEDING

2100 – 2000 Rodeo Rd North Platte, NE 69101

03/06/2013

11:09:51

ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- MINOR INJURY

1200 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

12:04:20

SPEEDING

1200 W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

12:30:48

72 HR PARKING VIOLATION

500 S BAILEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

12:44:22

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

1300 N VINE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

13:05:14

SPEEDING

1500 W 9TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

13:16:04

SPEEDING

1200-1300 W 9th North Platte, NE 69101

03/06/2013

13:22:31

FOUND PROPERTY

MEMORIAL PARK, 1 MEMORIAL PARK NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

13:35:34

EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION

500 S McDonald NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

13:42:23

LOOSE ANIMALS

1400 N SYCAMORE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

13:43:09

LOOSE ANIMALS

1400 N SYCAMORE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

14:19:56

2ND DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASS

1800 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

14:24:28

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

1800 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

14:42:52

BURGLARY

1800 W 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

15:01:02

WELFARE CHECK

1400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

15:21:28

OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS

800 W 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

15:43:32

LOOSE ANIMALS

E B ST /S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

15:56:40

SPEEDING

1800-2000 W 9th NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

16:12:29

LICENSE PLATES- DISPLAY OF

1700 W Rodeo Road NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

16:35:19

SPEEDING

700 N Poplar NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

17:04:21

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

2100 E Philip NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

17:23:26

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

1000 E Philip NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/06/2013

17:25:39

DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS

1900 JACKSON LN NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

17:40:20

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

1200 MCDONALD RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

18:05:37

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

1600 N BUFFALO BILL AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

19:06:55

INTIMIDATION BY PHONE CALL

500 N PACIFIC ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

19:45:27

DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS

1900 JACKSON LN NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

19:52:29

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

1400 E 13TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

20:30:13

THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING

1400 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

20:56:43

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

1400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

21:02:59

FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN

S Dewey / E Philip NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

21:03:00

LOOSE ANIMALS

2300 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

21:18:57

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

100 S ASH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

21:22:05

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1000 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

21:24:58

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

800 W 4th NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

21:39:53

ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- MINOR INJURY

2600 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

22:14:42

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

E 7th ST / N Poplar NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

22:49:32

WATCH FOR/INFORMATION

RODEO RD /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/06/2013

23:28:16

DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION

S JEFFERS ST /E WILLIAM AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

00:47:18

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

01:20:11

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

RODEO RD /N MAPLE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

02:16:20

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

1600 block E 4th NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

03/07/2013

02:31:56

ASSIST OTHER AGENCY-GENERAL

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

03:47:32

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

200 E 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

04:12:06

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LEE BIRD FIELD, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

05:33:34

NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323

S JEFFERS ST /E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

03/07/2013

07:05:04

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

Through advocacy efforts, India has adopted National Immunization Day (NID).  Each year thousands of volunteers from around the world come to administer polio vaccines to children under five years old. Consequently, India is entering their third year of no reported cases of polio in the country. India reported one case of polio in 2011, dropping from 50,000 cases in 1994.

Ogallala Interact, a youth organization under Rotary, made the decision to join the effort to end polio in the world.  In October, three Interact members, Maddie McQuillian, Brooke Robertson and Christine Allen, together with Interact Sponsor, Cindi Allen and past Interact President, Abigail Allen decided to travel to India during NID to administer vaccines to children.  Why? Because they saw the world as one – especially the world’s children. The cost was daunting. However, undeterred, the group decided to launch a fundraising campaign.  The rest is history. February 23rd in the middle of a predicted snow storm, the group left for India, flying out of Denver. 

“The children we vaccinated will never know our names or see our faces again, but they will live a life free from the deadly disease of polio” remarked team member Abigail Allen.  After the first day with the children and fellow Rotarians from India; the team was overwhelmed. When they returned to their hotel room they could only share emotions and cry. The next day the team joined a door-to-door campaign and once again a spirit of amazement overtook them. “To have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and see their smiles,” remarked team member Brooke Robertson, “makes me feel thankful for Rotarians around the world.” Christine Allen walked up a dark stairway of an apartment building to find a child – determined not to leave any behind.  Maddie McQuillian, a high school junior remarked, “I can see the importance of education. Educations overcame many of the fears, and mislead beliefs the people had about the polio vaccine.  And after seeing so much poverty, I am going to go home and tell my teachers – I’m sorry for not working harder.” Cindi Allen, Ogallala Interact Sponsor was proud of her group of young people. “We are getting old in Rotary. It’s time to pass our vision onto our youth.”  From the children of India, and the group of 5 known as the Interact India Polio Team – many thanks go to the generosity of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in District 5630. We are this close to making history – eradicating polio in the world.

The Interact Polio Team members are: Cindi Allen (Rotary Sponsor), Abigail Allen (Interact Past-President), and Interact High School Members – Maddie McQuillian, Brooke Robertson, Christine Allen.