One person is dead after a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop crashed in Sheridan County.

At approximately 10:20 p.m. (MDT), a trooper observed a 2001 Mercury Sable run a stop sign while entering Highway 27 from a county road north of Gordon in Sheridan County. The vehicle headed southbound on Highway 27.

The trooper attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle which did not have a license plate. The vehicle slowed, but failed to stop making a left turn, and accelerated rapidly eastbound down a county road.

The vehicle continued down several county roads, then headed back toward Highway 27 turning northbound onto the highway. Approximately two miles north of Gordon, the suspect vehicle and patrol unit made contact with each other.

The suspect vehicle left Highway 27, entered the east ditch and rolled.

The driver, identified as Antoine L. Ladeaux (M), 32, of Pine Ridge, S.D., was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the crash. Three passengers in the vehicle, Alicia Munoz, (F), 25, of Rapid City, S.D., Cameron Ladeaux (M), 30, of Alliance, and Alanna Rosales (F), 25, of Gordon, were transported to Gordon Memorial Hospital in Gordon where they were treated and released.

The pursuit lasted approximately five minutes and reached speeds nearing 80 mph. The investigation into the crash continues.

Nebraska law requires a grand jury be convened anytime someone dies while in custody or in the process of apprehension.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Harvest is underway with 21 percent of soybeans and 10 percent of the corn crop already completed in Iowa. That’s a day behind last year’s progress at this time. Rain likely has something to do with it.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly crop status report released Monday indicates weather was favorable for farmers but there were reports of muddy conditions and standing water in some fields from earlier storms. Iowa Corn and soybeans are rated at 81 percent good to excellent.

It was nearly ideal for harvest in Nebraska where farmers reported 15 percent of corn harvested, behind the five-year average and 27 percent of soybeans in bins, right at average.

The USDA reports 73 percent of Nebraska corn and 78 percent of soybeans are rated good to excellent.

Harvest season is one of the busiest times of year for farmers—and can be one of the most dangerous.

Nebraska Public Power District urges farm operators to be aware of overhead power lines, keep farm equipment safely away from the lines, and know what to do if accidental contact is made with power lines.

A key factor for those harvesting crops is to look up and around when working in the fields this fall. Taking a few minutes to look for overhead electric lines may be life-saving time well spent. So what are some the dangers that farmers can encounter.

End rows are an area where farm equipment can accidentally become entangled in the power lines. Remaining inside the equipment until help arrives is critical to everyone’s safety. Those involved in harvesting work should understand any contact with power lines carries the potential of a serious or fatal accident. Electricity can arc to the equipment if it comes close to the line.

“It’s always best to call for help, and wait until the local electric utility arrives to make sure the line is de-energized,” said NPPD Transmission and Distribution Manager Joel Dagerman. If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path and electrocution could happen. “Even if a power line is on the ground, there is still the potential for the area nearby to be energized unless there’s fire or imminent risk of fire.”

If you must exit the vehicle, the appropriate action is to jump – not step – with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear, without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time, and continue to shuffle to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area.

Dagerman explained that voltage from a downed line tend to be like the ripples in a pond or lake, the voltage diminishes the farther out it is from the source and at no time should anyone touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Never should the operator simply step out of the vehicle — the person must jump clear.

NPPD urges farmers to take safety precautions before entering the fields to begin harvest operations.

• Each day, review all farm activities and work practices that will take place around power lines and remind all workers to take precautions. Start each morning by planning the day’s work during a tailgate safety meeting. Know what jobs will happen near power lines, and have a plan to keep the assigned workers safe.
• Know the location of power lines, and when setting up the farm equipment, be at least 20 feet away from them. Contact your local power provider if you feel this distance cannot be achieved.
• Use care when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a power line is closer than it looks. When moving large equipment or high loads near a power line, always use a spotter to make certain contact is not made with the line.
• Always adjust portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before moving or transporting them. Variables like wind, uneven ground, shifting weight, or other conditions can combine to create an unexpected result.
• Be aware of increased height when loading and transporting larger modern tractors with higher antennas.
• Never attempt to raise or move a power line to clear a path! If power lines near your property have sagged over time, call your utility to repair them.
• As in any outdoor work, be careful not to raise any equipment such as ladders, poles, or rods into power lines. Remember, non-metallic materials such as lumber, tree limbs, tires, ropes, and hay will conduct electricity depending on dampness and dust and dirt contamination.

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. safety regulators have opened two investigations into problems with Ford vehicles that could expand previous recalls.

The probes cover about 643,000 vehicles and involve door latches that can open while vehicles are moving and a sudden loss of power-assisted steering.

Included in the probes are 380,000 Edge SUVs from 2011 to 2013 and nearly 263,000 Fusions from the 2010 model year.

The government says it has received 1,560 reports that the door ajar warning light won’t turn off on the Edges. Some complained that the doors open while being driven. The company already has recalled 2.4 million vehicles for similar problems.

The agency also is investigating 547 reports that power steering can fail in 2010 Fusions. The 2011 and 2012 Fusions with the same system were recalled last year.

Springfield, Mo. and Sidney, Neb. – October 3, 2016 – Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Incorporated (NYSE:CAB), two iconic American outdoor companies with similar humble origins, and with a shared goal to better serve those who love the outdoors, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Bass Pro Shops will acquire Cabela’s for $65.50 per share in cash, representing an aggregate transaction value of approximately $5.5 billion.

In addition, upon closing Bass Pro Shops will commence a multi-year partnership agreement with Capital One, National Association, a wholly-owned national banking subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF), under which Capital One will originate and service the Cabela’s CLUB, Cabela’s co-branded credit card, and Bass Pro Shops will maintain a seamless integration between the credit card program and the combined companies’ retail operations and deep customer relationships. All Cabela’s CLUB points and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Rewards points will be unaffected by the transactions and customers can continue to use their credit cards as they were prior to the transaction. Capital One intends to continue to operate the Cabela’s CLUB servicing center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

A driving force behind this agreement is the highly complementary business philosophies, product offerings, expertise and geographic footprints of the two businesses. The essence of both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is a deep passion to serve outdoor enthusiasts and support conservation. The combination brings together three of the nation’s premier sporting brands: Cabela’s, a leader in hunting; Bass Pro Shops, a leader in fishing; and White River Marine Group, a worldwide leader in boating, which is part of Bass Pro Shops.

Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and White River Marine Group represent the best of American entrepreneurship, innovation and devotion to customers. The combined companies will strive to provide a remarkably enhanced experience for customers, increased opportunities for team members and greater support for conservation activities.

A 57-year-old North Platte man suffered head and leg injuries when he was struck by a vehicle on Saturday afternoon.

At around 4:54 P.M., on October 1, officers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on Rodeo Road, near Maple Street.

According to Investigator John Deal, it was determined that a 1989 Ford LTD, driven by 84-year-old Thelma Ehlers, was eastbound on Rodeo Road when Greg Blom reportedly attempted to cross the street and was struck by Ehlers’ vehicle.

Deal says Blom suffered injuries to his leg and head and was transported by ambulance to Great Plains Health.  His condition at this time is unknown.

Two witnesses, who spoke to officers, reported that Blom crossed directly in front of the vehicle before he was struck.  Deal says “improper crossing” by Blom was the primary cause of the accident.

The vehicle sustained about $500 in damage.  No citations were issued.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska company has found a way to make dry cattle feed pellets from an ethanol byproduct without adding any binding ingredients.

Platte Valley Distillers says it has secured the rights to a patented technique that will allow it to make feed pellets in Lexington that can be easily transported for possible export.

Ethanol plants routinely sell distillers grain as a livestock feed, but their market tends to be limited to the area near their plants because wet distillers grain can be costly to ship and the dry version of the feed tends to fall apart or spoil.

Tom Kruml is one of the co-owners of Platte Valley Distillers. He says the company can make distillers grain more dense, so it can be formed into a pellet or cube.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s state parks and recreation areas will offer a variety of Halloween events during the month of October.

The family-friendly events will include pumpkin carving, costume contests, trick-or-treating and haunted trails and hayrack rides.

More than a dozen Halloween events are planned at parks across the state.

More details of the events are available online at www.OutdoorNebraska.gov/Halloween.