LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued the following statement in observance of the Easter holiday, which is celebrated on April 21, 2019.

“Holy Week, culminating in Resurrection Sunday, is a time of reflection, remembrance, and rejoicing.”

“On Holy Thursday, we reflect on Jesus Christ’s new command: to love others with the same love He modeled to humankind.”

“On Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ crucifixion.  In the spectacle of an innocent man condemned to die on a cross, we are confronted with the depth of human sinfulness and our need for forgiveness, as well as the greatness of Christ’s sacrificial love.”

“On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection from the grave.  In His triumph over death, we celebrate the gift of salvation and the hope of eternal life given to us through His sacrifice.”

“This Easter holiday, I invite all Nebraskans—whatever your faith tradition may be—to recommit ourselves to showing Christ’s love to our neighbors, extending forgiveness to others, and inspiring hope for a better future.”

“Susanne, the kids, and I wish all Nebraskans a happy and blessed Easter.”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The general manager of a northern Nebraska tomato plant is accused of knowingly using a staffing company that supplied workers who were living in the country illegally.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Rick Karnes and his company, O’Neill Ventures, have been charged with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. His next court hearing is set for May 2 in Lincoln. Federal records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for Karnes.

Prosecutors have said O’Neill Ventures used false names for the workers to hide their identities from enforcement officials and failed to verify the employees could legally work in the U.S.

The case was filed months after agents raided businesses in Nebraska and Minnesota that officials say knowingly hired immigrants who were in the U.S. illegally.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Officials say Nebraska’s unemployment rate remained unchanged last month at 2.8%.

The Nebraska Labor Department said in a news release Friday that the preliminary March rate was a tenth of a point under the year-ago figure of 2.9%. It also was well below the March’s national figure of 3.8 percent, which is down two-tenths of a point from 4 percent a year ago.

It’s the eighth straight month the Nebraska figure’s been 2.8 percent. It’s unclear whether the figure is likely to change soon because of any jobs lost in the massive spring flooding that caused more than $3 billion in damage in the Midwest. A department spokeswoman says she can’t immediately comment.

The preliminary nonfarm employment figure last month was more than 1.01 million, down 1,172 over the past year and up 2,396 over March.

The City of North Platte announced today that it will receive $635,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the “North Platte Tree Shredder” project.  The Trust Board announced funding for the project at its April 4^th meeting in Lincoln.

Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful helped the City secure the grant through the proposal process.  The Tree Shredder Project permits funds to spend on a tree shredder to be placed at the transfer station that will allow trees to be mulched into compostable material.  Currently, yard waste collected is turned into compost through Bio-Ag Solutions and used as a soil amendment for farm and home gardens.

The tree grinder is needed to keep up with current demand.  With the threat of Emerald Ash Borer upon us, this will give an outlet to process the excess tree stock that will be created from this threat.  A total average of 180 tons per month is being ground for compost and this project will provide for an added 50 tons per month.   Additionally, mulch will be provided for individual use for Lincoln County residents free of charge at the transfer station as supplies are available.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to assist in this process,” said Mona Anderson, Executive Director for Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful.  “It’s a win, win situation for our community – we are helping the environment, the City will save time and energy, and a product is being created that will help farmers in our area.”

The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992.  Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $305 million in grants to over 2,200 projects across the state.  Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers, and businesses – can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska.  The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.

Two North Platte men have been indicted by a Federal grand jury on child pornography charges.

According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s office, Mathew S. Goad, age 33, of North Platte, Nebraska, and Cory D. Preitauer, age 28, of North Platte, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment.

Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to produce child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.

Count II charges the defendants with production of child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.

Count III charges Preitauer with production of child pornography-parent or guardian beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.

Count IV charges Goad with distribution of child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.

Count V charges Goad with possession of child pornography beginning on or about March 29, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.

By Heather Johnson (Mid-Plains Community College)

Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy presented the Presidential Award to Ashley Linke, of Cozad, Thursday during an honors convocation in North Platte.

The Presidential Award is given to an outstanding student who has excelled in academics, leadership and service to the college and community.

The college’s various student organizations were recognized during the convocation as were the more than 200 students who received scholarships. The following awards were also presented.

Division Awards

Applied Technologies

Diesel – Justin Neilsen, Paxton

Automotive – Jade Osborn, North Platte

HVAC – Benjamin Glading, Oberlin, Kan.

Electrical – Kaleb Sughroue, Bartley

Business and Technology

Business Office Technology – Ramona Steward, Lewellen

Graphic Design – Angela Evans, Sutherland

Information Technology – Jennifer Beckman, Imperial

Humanities and Social Sciences

Visual and Performing Arts – Chelsea Leal, North Platte

Health Occupations

Dental Assisting – Katy Esquivel Cruz, Lexington

Nursing, First Year – Jenna Young, Hershey

Nursing, Second Year – Ronda Haumann, Thedford

Nursing LPN – Cortney Scott, North Platte

Mathematics and Science

Mathematics – Matthew Haynes, North Platte

Science – Patricia Tofilau, North Platte

Agriculture – Dustin Myers, Grand Island

Cabinet Awards

Presidential – Ashley Linke, Cozad

Vice President of Instruction – Justine Gall, Ogallala

Vice President of Student Services – Jocey Nelson, Sutherland

Faculty Achievement Award – Courtney Johnston, Criminal Justice/Sociology instructor

Spirit Awards:

Anders Swanson – North Platte

Amber Rathbun – North Platte

Emily Bagley – North Platte

Jonathan Spradlin – North Platte

Luke James – Laramie, Wyo.

Camden Grasmick – Custodian

Glynn Wolar – History/Philosophy instructor

HaLea Messersmith – Biology instructor

Stan Mumm – adjunct instructor

LINCOLN, Neb. – Lake Ogallala’s trout fishery has been enhanced with the stocking of 10,000 rainbow trout by the Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery from April 4-15.

In addition, the Grove Trout Rearing Station completed a second spring stocking April 16 at Columbus’ Pawnee Park West Lake, Norfolk’s TaHaZouka Park Lake, and West Point’s Neligh Park Pond. It stocked additional trout April 17 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake.

The second trout stockings of some lakes came from a surplus created when the Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake was not stocked for the spring.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.org to learn about the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new Take ’em Fishing challenge or to purchase a permit.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested eight people and seized numerous controlled substances during several recent traffic stops.

At approximately 11:50 a.m. MT Wednesday, a trooper performed a traffic stop on an eastbound Hyundai Accent for speeding at mile marker 2 on Interstate 76. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle and found approximately 50 pounds of marijuana concealed in two trash bags. The driver, Joshua Garrett, 25, and passengers, Natalya Garrett, 21, and Morgan Dismuke, 23, all of Omaha, were arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound. Joshua Garrett was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail. Natalya Garrett and Dismuke were lodged in Lincoln County Jail. 

At approximately 6:15 p.m. CT Wednesday, a trooper stopped a Dodge Ram for failure to signal a turn at the Interstate 80 exit at mile marker 366 near Utica. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed 2,760 units of THC vape oil. The driver, Colin Bode, 47, of Pennsylvania, and passenger, Manuel Jardine, 73, of Hawaii, were both arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound and lodged in Seward County Jail.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. CT Wednesday, a trooper observed a Chevrolet Malibu fail to signal a turn at the intersection of Road 755 and Road 426 in Dawson County. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. A search revealed 18 ounces of marijuana, 100 THC edibles, 22 grams of THC wax, and drug paraphernalia. The driver, Nicholas Herko, 29, of Lockport, New York, and passenger, Savannah Bixler, 35, of Tuscon, Arizona, were arrested for drug offenses. Bixler attempted to bite multiple troopers and tried to spit on a trooper. Bixler was also lodged for resisting arrest. Both were lodged in Dawson County Jail.

At approximately 2:20 a.m. CT Thursday, a trooper observed an eastbound GMC SUV speeding near mile marker 397 in Lincoln. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. A search of the vehicle revealed 93 pounds of high-grade marijuana, over 1 pound of shatter, 1,827 THC vape pens, a small amount of THC edibles, and a handgun. The driver, Karmel Thomas, 40, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and other changes. Thomas was lodged in Lancaster County Jail.