OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) – A Colorado man accused of firing at law enforcement officers during a chase in western Nebraska has pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder and attempt first-degree assault on an officer. KNOP-TV in North Platte says Mark Phillips of Louisville, Colo., pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Keith County court in Ogallala. Phillips remains in in the county jail on $1 million bond. Phillips is accused of firing at two officers in rural Keith County after fleeing a traffic stop in December. The officers fired back and wounded Phillips.

Signature sponsors Nebraskaland National Bank, North Platte Jaycees and First National Bank will host the North Platte Public Schools Foundation’s annual Bulldog Backyard BBQ event on Friday, September 30th, at the North Platte Senior High parking lot beginning at 5:00 PM. Teams will compete for awards in five different categories this year, while providing BBQ samples to the North Platte community.Jackie Lucas, Director of the NPPS Foundation said there is still room for a few more BBQ enthusiasts. The BBQ tailgate party is an extension of the Students Steppin’ Out for Education event. A portion of the money raised by students at every participating school is matched by a sponsor for that school. For more information on the Bulldog Backyard BBQ or to reserve a spot, contact the Foundation office at 696-3325.

The Running To Cure Breast Cancer Labor Day event had better than expected results. Participation was up, and organizer Howard Mendonca says they hope to reach an overall goal of $7,000 this year, which would be an increase of nearly $2,000 from last year. Proceeds from Running to Cure Breast Cancer events will go directly to the Bo Pelini Foundation Breast Cancer Research Fund and the Callahan Cancer Center. For more information on this year’s run and upcoming events, visit rtcbc.com.

This weekend, North Platte youth have a chance to help break a world record. This Saturday at Starz, local gymnasts will join thousands of other gymnasts across the country in an attempt to break the world record for simultaneous handstands at noon. The event is a benefit for the Children’s Miracle Network hosted by Miss Lincoln Outstanding Teen 2011 Meghan Thalken and Starz Gymnastics. For more information or to pick up a pledge sheet, stop by Starz at 413 North Dewey or call 532-3882.

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) – A western Nebraska man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting an Ogallala teenager has been sent to prison.  KNOP-TV in North Platte says 21-year-old Jade Cleveland, of Keystone, was sentenced on Tuesday in Keith County District Court. He will serve two consecutive terms of 15 to 30 years in prison, for a total of 30 to 60 years. Cleveland was accused of abducting a 17-year-old girl from her home at knifepoint and assaulting her in rural Keith County in October 2010. Cleveland was arrested in Ogallala and released on bond to a treatment facility in Kansas. In February, he was arrested on a robbery charge in Salina, Kan. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison in Kansas for attempted aggravated robbery.