Kathy Bourque

North Platte, NE January 15, 2013 – According to the Department of Defense, there are nearly 1.5 million active U.S. military personnel.  To help residents show their support and send messages to loved ones serving our country, The UPS Store ^® located at 410 E Leota, just south of Walmart,  is launching Operation: S.W.A.K. (Sealed With A Kiss).

 

Operation: S.W.A.K is an initiative to deliver Valentine’s Day greetings to U.S. troops and veterans. From Jan. 15 through Feb. 14, the North Platte The UPS Store will provide free first-class postage (45 cents) for one-ounce valentines and letters to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas or to veterans in VA hospitals.

“A handwritten card or letter is a simple way to pay tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of the brave men and women who serve our country,” said Kathy BourqueThe UPS Store franchisee. “Each and every card is a valuable reminder of home for the soldier who receives it.”

 

Eligible mail must be addressed to a specific U.S. serviceman or woman at an assigned APO/FPO address or a specific veteran residing in a VA hospital, and must

 

 

bear a valid return address. Bourque recommends people send their greetings by Jan. 31 for overseas delivery by Valentine’s Day, although cards and letters will be accepted through Feb. 14.

 

“Many people are using email as a quick means of communicating with loved ones overseas, but nothing compares to the sentiment of a handwritten card or letter,” Bourque said.

 

The UPS Store at 410 E Leota is open Mon-Fri 8-7 and Sat. 9-5.  For more information on The UPS Store products or services, please visit www.theupsstorelocal.com/3143 or call 308.534.6634.

 

About The UPS Store

With more than 4,700 locations, The UPS Store network comprises the world’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. In the U.S. and Puerto Rico, The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS(NYSE: UPS).  In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P.  For additional information on The UPS Store, including information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit www.theupsstore.com.

Courtesy of the North Platte Police Department.

01/16/2013 09:30:23 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2800 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 09:40:43 NO PROOF OF INSURANCE Rodeo Road / Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/16/2013 10:20:50 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION E B ST /S SILBER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 10:34:10 LOOSE ANIMALS W 10TH ST /N ASH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 10:35:03 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC E B ST /S SILBER
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 11:03:06 NO REGISTRATION E 4th ST /N Bicentennial AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 11:11:55 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT 500 E FRONT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 11:23:27 SPEEDING 400 W Front
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/16/2013 11:55:52 LOOSE ANIMALS 400 W 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 12:14:20 SPEEDING W 17th /N Adams
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/16/2013 12:22:18 BARKING DOGS E C ST /S WALNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 12:28:13 NO REGISTRATION 2200 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 12:40:08 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING 200 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 13:04:03 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS 1400 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 13:18:25 LOOSE ANIMALS 900 N CHESTNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 13:37:17 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE 600 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 14:03:13 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL 100 E WILLIAM AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 14:23:19 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT 1500 W 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 14:47:56 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 1400 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:03:37 LOOSE ANIMALS W 4TH ST / WASHINGTON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:09:38 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 200 E 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:11:42 USE THIS WHEN DUP OR UNKNOWN 400 S CHESTNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:21:14 OTHER EQUIP VIOLATION 1200 W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:30:49 INTIMIDATION BY PHONE CALL 500 E 10th
North Platte, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:35:50 LOOSE ANIMALS 2600 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:42:15 SPEEDING 3500 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:43:55 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 300 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:46:30 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 1200 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:54:46 SPEEDING 3500 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:52:58 BURGLARY 1800 N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:59:22 LOOSE ANIMALS NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 15:59:32 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 500 S WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 16:27:22 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 E 3RD ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 16:31:17 CITIZEN ASSIST 3100 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 16:54:26 ASSIST OTH LAW ENF 1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101 01/16/2013 17:01:03 CITIZEN ASSIST E 8TH ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 17:17:22 SPEEDING W 4TH ST /N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 17:33:47 INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT W PHILIP AV /S BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 17:38:41 WELFARE CHECK 500 N PACIFIC ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 18:49:06 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2200 ALPHA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 18:49:40 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS E PHILIP AV / INDUSTRIAL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 18:55:27 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS E PHILIP AV / INDUSTRIAL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 19:18:47 SPEEDING S Mcdonald /W E
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/16/2013 19:33:03 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS 900 S Willow
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/16/2013 19:31:09 WATCH FOR/INFORMATION S Jeffers / Walker RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 19:34:20 VIOL OF PROTECT ORD-DOM ABUSE 600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 19:52:00 THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING 1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 19:52:43 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 200 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101 01/16/2013 22:02:19 CITIZEN ASSIST 1800 S BUFFALO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 22:26:51 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 700 S ASH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 22:28:19 BARKING DOGS 1100 GRANDE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 22:51:22 SPEEDING W PHILIP AV / STEWART AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/16/2013 23:10:44 FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN RODEO RD /N JEFFERS
North Platte, NE 69101

01/16/2013 23:20:59 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 00:01:56 OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS 1000 E 8TH ST
North Platte, NE 69101

01/17/2013 00:14:50 ALARM-GENERAL 1700 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:05:50 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE 600 W STATE FARM
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:13:50 WELFARE CHECK 400 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:19:42 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR  NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:24:28 RESCUE UNIT CALL 1000 AUTUMN PARK
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 06:45:50 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 06:49:59 SPEEDING FAIRBANKS INC,
1900 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 07:40:29 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL MCDONALD RD / SUNSET DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 07:49:37 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL 2200 W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 08:24:21 DEAD ANIMAL CALL 100 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 00:01:56 OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS 1000 E 8TH ST
North Platte, NE 69101

01/17/2013 00:14:50 ALARM-GENERAL 1700 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:05:50 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE 600 W STATE FARM
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:13:50 WELFARE CHECK 400 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:19:42 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 02:24:28 ASSIST FIRE DEPT 1000 AUTUMN PARK
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 06:45:50 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 06:49:59 SPEEDING FAIRBANKS INC,
1900 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 07:40:29 IMPEDING TRAFFIC 39-665 1200 W FRANCIS
North Platte, NE 69101

01/17/2013 07:49:37 OTHER EQUIP VIOLATION 2200 W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 08:24:21 DEAD ANIMAL CALL 100 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 08:48:15 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 E 10TH ST /N POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 09:30:59 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION E PHILIP AV /S POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 09:35:36 DEAD ANIMAL CALL E 9TH ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 10:06:42 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE 2300 W 15TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 10:08:11 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION W C ST /S WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 10:13:12 ANIMAL DISPOSAL 3300 W NORTH LAKE RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 10:27:18 ESCORT- ODEAN CHAP ODEAN CHAPEL,
302 S SYCAMORE ST 1130
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 10:37:52 FOUND PROPERTY 1200 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 10:51:43 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 500 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 11:36:08 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT 1800 N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 11:38:30 TRAFFIC HAZARD 1000 E 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 11:43:38 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS 4th ST / Jeffers AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/17/2013 11:59:31 EXPIRED OPERATORS LICENSE Rodeo Road / Oak
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/17/2013 12:07:30 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 W 4TH ST /N ELM ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 12:07:54 VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV Rodeo RD /N Jeffers ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 12:22:46 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 500 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 12:56:24 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2000 N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 13:08:36 CITIZEN ASSIST 700 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 14:37:27 FOUND PROPERTY 600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 14:41:38 LOOSE ANIMALS 100 N ELM ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 15:07:13 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 15:16:36 EXPIRED INTRANSIT TAGS 200 E 12th
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/17/2013 15:19:24 FOUND PROPERTY NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101 01/17/2013 15:51:16 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING 1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 15:56:03 SPEEDING 2800 W A
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/17/2013 16:03:16 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING 1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 16:18:28 SPEEDING 500 E Francis
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/17/2013 16:42:55 WATCH FOR/INFORMATION 2100 BURLINGTON BL
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 16:51:25 INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT 2300 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 17:29:07 ALARM BURGLAR DETECTO 100 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 17:30:24 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1300 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 17:35:00 LOOSE ANIMALS NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 17:44:12 BURGLARY 1100 E 11TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 18:13:09 WATCH FOR/INFORMATION 1300 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 18:33:30 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT 2300 BIRCHWOOD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 19:11:36 LOOSE ANIMALS W B ST /S WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 19:47:00 BARKING DOGS 1900 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 20:01:37 DOMEST ASSAULT-MISD 2300 W 16TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 20:15:43 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET JEFFERS VIADUCT,
1 JEFFERS VIADUCT
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 20:19:21 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT 1900 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 20:43:54 OTHER DISTURBANCE 600 E 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 20:52:52 OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS 1500 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 21:01:49 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 300 E 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 22:30:39 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT 900 S TABOR AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 23:01:12 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS E Philip /S Cottonwood
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/17/2013 23:23:30 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE W 18TH ST /N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 00:07:41 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE 1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 00:20:12 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 01:08:13 DOMEST ASSAULT-MISD 400 N BELMONT AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 01:38:40 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT 2300 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 01:48:13 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 02:04:38 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2000 W C ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 02:46:21 WELFARE CHECK 600 E 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 04:30:52 USE THIS WHEN DUP OR UNKNOWN 600 E 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 04:51:07 OTHER DISTURBANCE 1500 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 06:06:38 ALARM – OTHER 700 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 07:06:22 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/18/2013 07:43:31 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL S TAFT AV /E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

The Scotts Bluff County airport board has approved final plans to expand the terminal at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff.

Scottsbluff radio station KNEB reports that the expansion project on the northeast end of the terminal will provide restrooms and seating for another 185 people in the security area.

Airport manager Darwin Skelton told the board at its meeting Wednesday that the $1.5 million project will improve the facility’s ability to be a diversionary airport for Denver International Airport. Skelton says that when planes can’t land at Denver because of bad weather, for example, the Scottsbluff airport would get fuel flow fees, landing and other fees if it were the diversion destination.

The project is scheduled to begin this summer and be finished by early next year.

Speaking today to members of the North Platte noon rotary club, North Platte Mayor Dwight Livingston said that he prefers to seek revenue growth for the city rather than budget cuts, as a way of “helping to put a little extra in our pockets at the end of the year”.  The mayor said that seeking to make fair budget cuts can be problematic.  He would rather try to increase revenue than cut the budget.  Livingston was guest speaker at the weekly rotary gathering, and provided an update on the city’s agenda for 2013.

 

Livingston that there are two pressing concerns currently:  first is to hire an information technology employee to provide oversight and direction to the city’s need for computerization and digital workflow.  Second is to hire a replacement for city fire chief, Paul Pederson, who is scheduled to retire later this winter.

 

Livingston said he has not met with all of the city departments to talk about budget needs. In response to what has been his biggest surprise since his election in November, he quipped, “I thought this job was part-time, and that hasn’t proven to be absolutely true”.

The fatal plane crash leaves behind unanswered questions such as, what exactly caused the plane to go down? Who was the pilot? Why did they fly to North Platte?  Investigator, Tom Latson of the National Transportation Safety Board, explained what is known about the incident as well as the next steps in the investigation.

The aircraft occupied by the four men involved in the crash was a Beechcraft Baron G58 which looks like this.

 

That aircraft first departed from the Amelia Earhart airport in Atchison Kansas at around 10:05 AM. The destination was at the York Muni airport in York Nebraska, arrival was approximately at 11:06 AM.  Here is the flight path shown as the green line.

 

At around 11:13AM the aircraft departed from the York Muni to the North Platte Regional Airport, arrival time was approximately 12:04 PM. Again, the green line shows the flight path and the colored areas is what appears to be weather. North of the North Platte Airport you can see the incoming snow which North Platte received on Friday January 11^th.

 

At around 3:46 the aircraft departed from the North Platte Regional Airport and was scheduled to arrive at the York Muni Airport at around 4:28 PM. You can see the flight path of the aircraft, departing in snowy conditions.

 

 

A closer look…

 

 

 

According to the National Weather Service, the wind speeds recorded at the North Platte Regional Airport reached up to 21mph around the time of the event.  Here is a chart of recorded wind speed and visibility.

 

 

About five minutes after the pilot gained clearance to reach a higher altitude a mayday call was heard. The aircraft was lost from radio contact and a request for a search and emergency response was made at around 6:55.

The aircraft was found about 13 miles Northeast of Maxwell in an area that was only accessible with high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicles.

On Saturday morning investigator Latson was joined at the scene of the accident by two FAA inspectors from the Omaha office, the aircrafts manufacturer as well as the manufacturer of the planes engine.

Sunday afternoon all investigative activities at the crash site were complete and the craft was cleaned up from the area by night fall. The craft was taken to Greeley, Colorado for a more thorough team examination, later this week a preliminary report will be filed. Latson said that small aircrafts like the one involved usually don’t have any recorders like cameras or a black box.

After the preliminary report a factual report will be finished within 6-9 months. The public docket could be anywhere from 50-100 pages long which includes radar data, transcripts, witness reports or statements, a weather study and other contributing factors. One the factual report & docket is complete it will be reviewed by board members then published with opinion on the incident.

Latson said that the family and friends of the victims should know that emergency responders who came to the accident scene Friday evening conducted themselves in a very professional manner. Friends and family can be assured that their loved one was treated with respect. The public should be aware of the difficulties that emergency responders have when responding to such a sad location.

The chairman of the NTSB, Deborah Hersman, wants the public to know that the NTSB is regarded as the most open and transparent out of all federal and investigative agencies. Created in 1967 as an independent federal agency, the NTSB has investigated over 132,000 accidents and are considered the gold standard for aircraft investigation.

Witnesses to the incident are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] , the information will be forwarded to the investigator Tom Latson.

A central Nebraska ethanol plant is temporarily shutting down because of the unfavorable market for the corn-based fuel.

Abengoa spokesman Chris Standlee told Kearney media that Abengoa’s Ravenna plant has about 50 workers but no decision about continued staffing has been made. He says market conditions will determine when the plant reopens.

Abengoa operates a plant in York, which also will temporarily shut down.

Steve Sorum is ethanol projects manager for the Nebraska Ethanol Board. He says a few other Nebraska ethanol plants also are operating sporadically. He says a plant at Sutherland didn’t process any fuel at all last year.

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. West northwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 8 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night:Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 48. West wind 9 to 13 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.

M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 19.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 9.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.