LEMOYNE, Neb. (AP) — A fire chief says a wildfire has destroyed at least eight homes and several other buildings near Lake McConaughy (muh-KAH’-nuh-hay).

Keystone-Lemoyne Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Ralph Moul (mowl) said Monday that the blaze had been contained, but fire crews are still watching hot spots. Moul says residents had evacuated as flames raced their way, but several firefighters were treated for minor injuries.

He says more than 100 firefighters from a couple dozen departments responded to calls late Sunday morning. An overnight fire had rekindled as stiff winds whipped up embers near the northeast corner of the lake. He estimated that Sunday’s blaze blackened at least 500 acres.

The chief investigators suspect the original fire Saturday was caused by overheated wheel bearings on a vehicle.

A 28-year-old North Platte man is facing numerous felony charges after an alleged assault involving a gun and an electric iron.

At around 9:03 p.m., on Sunday, officers responded to the report of a disturbance at H&H Apartments, 1404 Rodeo Road.

It was reported by a witness that Corey Havens had struck another man in the head with the butt of a handgun and an electric iron. The witness also reported that Havens had pointed the gun at them, causing them to fear for their lives.

According to Investigator John Deal, officers arrived and found the door to the apartment partially ajar.  As officers attempted to enter the apartment, Havens allegedly pushed it shut and attempted to keep the officers out.

Eventually, the officers were able to force their way in, take Havens to the ground and place him in custody.

Inside the apartment, officers located the semiautomatic handgun allegedly used in the assault, an electric iron and controlled substances.

Deal says it appears the argument started over a drug transaction, and officers believed that Havens was under the influence of drugs to the bizarre, combative behavior he exhibited.

Havens was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and charged with felony 2nd-degree assault, felony terroristic threats, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, felony 3rd-offense resisting arrest and obstructing the police. More charges may be forthcoming.

Deal says the victim was treated for injuries to his face and head at Great Plains Health.  His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A fire that numerous agencies battled last night near Lake McConaughy has flared up again and homes are being evacuated.

On the Lake McConaughy Facebook page, an updated posted earlier this afternoon says firefighters had returned to the scene.

The Keystone-Lemoyne fire department responded to the scene north of the lake on West US Highway 92 just before 11:00 p.m. last night.

They received mutual aid from Ogallala, Brule, Paxton, Arthur, Grant, Madrid, Hershey and Sutherland.

The fire reportedly traveled approximately 4.5 miles before it was contained.  Firefighters were sent home at around 6:00 a.m. this morning.

Then at around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, fueled by the warm, dry conditions, the fire broke out again.

At last report, Bay Road has been evacuated and officials are asking people to stay clear of the area so emergency personnel can operate unimpeded.

This is a developing story.  We’ll have more details when they are available.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act would raise health insurance costs in Nebraska faster than in most other states.

The analysis by the left-leaning Center for American Progress was released as some members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation face loud opposition to the GOP plan.

Critics of the plan say Nebraska would see larger-than-average increases because it has a disproportionate share of older and low-income residents. The new congressional plan reduces the tax credits that many of them receive to offset their expense.

Only five states would see larger increases — Alaska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arizona and Wyoming.

Republican supporters of the plan say the current system isn’t sustainable.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska wildlife officials are planning to expand their research about pheasants.

As part of the research, scientists will fit birds with radio collars and leg bands to learn more about their movements.

The research project involves the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Commissioner Pat Berggren says understanding what drives pheasant populations will help the state implement its pheasant plan.

The pheasants will be monitored over three years. More details of the state pheasant plan are available online at www.Outdoornebraska.gov/pheasantplan.

NEW YORK (AP) — Disney’s live-action “Beauty” was a beast at the box office, opening with an estimated $170 million in North American ticket sales and setting a new high mark for family movies.

According to studio estimates Sunday, “Beauty and the Beast” blew past the previous record-holder for G- or PG-rated releases. Last year, Disney’s “Finding Dory” debuted with $135 million.

“Beauty and the Beast,” made for about $160 million, is the latest effort by Disney to re-create one of its animated classics with live action and digital effects. It follows previous remakes such as “Cinderella,” ”Maleficent” and last year’s “The Jungle Book.”

This “Beauty and the Beast,” directed by Bill Condon, found widespread acclaim and some backlash for including what Condon called Disney’s first openly gay character.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha-based cancer research network that’s administered clinical trials at eastern Nebraska hospitals for the past 20 years is reorganizing as a statewide group.

The group previously known as the Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium is transitioning to the Cancer Alliance of Nebraska. The network has connected more than 8,000 patients with 725 national trials involving cancer treatment, prevention and symptom management.

Cancer Alliance President Dr. Gamini Soori says the mission of the new group is to bring National Cancer Institute trials “to every community in the state.”

The group has eight partner organizations from Nebraska Cancer Specialists in Omaha and Fremont to Regional West Cancer Center in Scottsbluff. The group’s organizers are preparing to contact other hospital systems and look for public support.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dairy Queen is offering free ice cream cones on Monday on the first day of spring.

Anyone who wants a treat can stop by participating locations outside of shopping malls Monday for a free small vanilla soft serve cone.

Dairy Queens will also be collecting donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on Monday.

Over the past 32 years, Dairy Queen restaurants have raised more than $120 million for the hospitals.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska wildlife officials are asking the public to keep an eye out for rare whooping cranes over the next several weeks.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the continent’s entire population of whooping cranes is expected to migrate through Nebraska over the next several weeks. Information on crane sightings is used for whooping crane conservation and recovery efforts.

The rare cranes have features that distinguish them from the more common Sandhill crane. Whooping cranes are approximately 5 feet tall and fly with their neck outstretched. Adults are all white with the exception of black wing tips and reddish-black facial pattern.

Whooping cranes were near extinction in the early to mid-20th century. Through conservation efforts, the birds’ numbers in the wild have increased slowly to an estimated 340.