LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An invasive insect that threatens millions of ash trees throughout Nebraska is creating a new challenge for state and local officials who will have to chop them down: what to do with all of the wood.
The challenge could fall to Nebraska lawmakers, who are looking at options in the face of tight budgets that have kept them from pouring money into tree removal programs.
Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln plans to discuss the problems created by the emerald ash borer with city officials and other lawmakers between now and next year’s session.
Nebraska has nearly 47 million ash trees that are at risk, including 1 million on city-owned land. Scott Josiah of the Nebraska Forest Service says his agency is testing various uses for the wood.
SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials in western Nebraska say two people have been arrested in Sidney, accused of delivering methamphetamine through the mail.
A 49-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested Friday morning. Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub says they are accused of being involved in a scheme where meth was delivered through the mail. Schaub says authorities have seized about four ounces of the drug.
Charges against the pair did not appear in online court records Friday afternoon.
Schaub says more arrests are expected. The arrests are the result of a joint investigation by the Sidney Police Department, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Western Nebraska Intelligence Narcotics Group and the U.S. Postal Service.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — More state troopers will be on Nebraska roads this holiday weekend, thanks to a nearly $16,000 state grant.
Through Wednesday, troopers and communications specialists will put in overtime hours on state roadways in an effort to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes.
Patrol officials say the July Fourth holiday brings lots of travelers over Nebraska roads. Drivers can help the safety effort by complying with traffic safety laws, such as speed limits and seat belt laws.
The effort is made possible by a $15,960 grant from the Nebraska Department of Roads Highway Safety Office.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say fireworks will be allowed at seven state recreation areas on July Fourth.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the seven are Branched Oak near Malcolm, Fort Kearny near Kearney, Memphis State Recreation Area near Memphis, the Fremont area near Fremont, Two Rivers near Venice, Pawnee near Emerald and Wagon Train near Hickman.
Fireworks will be permitted from 8 a.m. until midnight on July Fourth only. Signs will point the way to designated fireworks sites, and their boundaries will be clearly marked.
Fireworks at Branched Oak may be used only in posted areas at Liebers Point.
Only fireworks approved for sale in Nebraska by the state fire marshal are permitted. Visitors must pick up expended fireworks and deposit them in appropriate containers.
A Saturday morning crash south of Lake McConaughy claimed the lives of four motorcycle riders. The accident occurred just after 9:30 a.m. on Highway 26 near mile marker 136 in Keith County.
Nebraska State Patrol troopers believe a vehicle crossed the center line and struck two motorcycles traveling in the opposite direction. Each motorcycle was carrying two riders. All four motorcycle riders were killed.
The riders of one motorcycle were Sheila Matheny, 54, and James Matheny 61, of Bedford, Iowa. The riders of the other motorcycle were Michal Weese, 58, and Jerolyn Weese, 59, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The driver of the other vehicle was transported to Colorado for treatment of injuries. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The Nebraska State Patrol urges motorists to use extra caution during the holiday weekend as a record number of travelers are expected to be on the roads throughout the country.
LINCOLN – At a news conference this morning, Governor Pete Ricketts announced he had relieved the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Colonel Brad Rice of his duties following a review into how use of force investigations are conducted by NSP.
“Today, I have relieved State Patrol Colonel Brad Rice of his duties,” said Governor Ricketts. “My decision was based on the initial findings of the review being conducted by my Chief Human Resources Officer. My team will commence a search immediately for the next Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol to lead this agency which is vital to protecting Nebraska’s public safety.”
“Over the past week, my review has focused on how recent use of force investigations have been conducted,” said the Governor’s Chief Human Resources Officer Jason Jackson. “This review found interference into the internal investigation process of the State Patrol and violations of internal policies among other concerning issues at the highest levels of the agency’s leadership.”
The Governor has named Administrative Services Major Russ Stanczyk, the senior member of the command staff, as Interim Superintendent of the State Patrol effective immediately.
At the news conference, Jackson said that in addition to the Governor’s dismissal of the Colonel that two other command staff had been placed on paid administrative leave. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Schwarten is among those being placed on leave.
A total of six personnel are being placed on paid administrative leave, including the command staff named above.
Jackson has turned over initial findings from his review to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further investigation. Jackson’s review continues into other matters.
LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a driver died after the minivan he was driving went out of control and rolled after striking a utility pole in central Nebraska.
The crash occurred around 10:50 p.m. Monday, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) west of Lexington. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office says the westbound minivan rolled several times after striking the pole, ejecting the driver. The driver died later at Lexington Regional Health Center.
The Sheriff’s Office identified him as 24-year-old Jose Ricardo Velasquez Jr., who lived in Lexington.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a wheat virus outbreak has reached epidemic levels and is decimating fields in the southern Nebraska Panhandle.
The wheat streak mosaic virus is spread by mites and can reduce yields. The Nebraska Wheat Association earlier this month reported as many as 85 percent of southern Panhandle fields have been affected, particularly in Deuel and Garden counties.
Many southern Panhandle farmers have given up on their fields before harvest and filed crop insurance claims. Plant experts say the virus has been found elsewhere in the state as well.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant pathologist Stephen Wegulo says the mild temperatures last fall allowed a buildup of wheat curl mites, which transmitted the virus to fall-planted winter wheat.
HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) — An 86-year-old man has been fatally injured while walking in south-central Nebraska.
The accident occurred around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Holdrege. Authorities say Holdrege resident Aldon Thieszen was crossing a street when he was stuck by a vehicle. Authorities say Thieszen died later at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.
Its driver has been identified as 23-year-old Cattrina Stock, of Republican City.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An invasive insect that threatens millions of ash trees throughout Nebraska is creating a new challenge for state and local officials who will have to chop them down: what to do with all of the wood.
