DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 88,000 cars and SUVs in North America because the engines can stall without warning due to a fuel pump problem.

The recall covers certain Ford Taurus and Police Interceptor sedans, Ford Flex wagons, Lincoln MKS sedans and Lincoln MKT SUVs from the 2013 through 2015 model years. All have 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engines.

Ford says the fuel pump control modules can fail, and the engines may not start, or they could stall, leaving drivers without the ability to restart them. The company says it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries from the problem.

Dealers will replace the control module at no cost to owners.

It could easily be argued that nobody has been bigger in Country Music than Chris Stapleton since he barnstormed the 2015 CMA awards, sweeping Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year, the first artist to ever accomplish the feat.

Now, Stapleton is poised to barnstorm the 53rd NEBRASKAland DAYS in North Platte, where he’ll headline the closing night of the US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series on June 24th, 2017.

Stapleton capped off the year with four nominations at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards—Album of the Year, Best Country Album (“Traveller”), Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to get Chris to North Platte,” says NLD Executive Director David Fudge. “After the year he’s had, everybody was trying to secure a spot on his 2017 tour. It’s real kick to have NEBRASKAland DAYS on that list.”

Stapleton elevates what was already a strong 2017 lineup, with Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakum announced last week. One act remains to be announced, an opening spot in front of Stapleton.

Tickets will go on sale to Fan Club and NLD Sustaining Members on September 1 at 9 am. Public Sale will begin on September 6 at 9 am. As in years past, there will be an early bird combination special on GA tickets and reserved seating. Fans can get General Admission for both shows for just $108 ($54 per night) until the end of September. New for 2017 is the creation of a second “Party Pit” behind the Golden Circle. Circle ticket quantities will be limited, and will be priced at $139 a piece per night, while “Party Pit” tickets will be $79 a piece per night.

Fans can visit nebraskalanddays.com for ticketing.

Two North Platte schools were placed on lockout this morning as law enforcement searched for a woman wanted on warrants.

According to Investigator John Deal, Lincoln Elementary School and Madison Middle School were placed on lockout, which is different from a lockdown, at around 11:15 this morning.

The measure was taken because an officer had placed two local children in protective custody, and the mother, who was wanted on warrants, was being sought by police.

The woman had reportedly told police that she was going to get her children from school, and officers felt the two schools should be placed on lockout to ensure the woman could not contact her children.

Deal says there was never a threat to any students and, at 12:00 p.m., school officials were notified they could resume business as usual after the woman was contacted and placed under arrest.  Deal said she did not attempt to approach either of the schools.

School officials contacted parents via email to notify them that the lockout had occurred and ensure them that their students were safe and the learning process was uninterrupted.

LOCKOUT VS. LOCKDOWN

The differentiation between Lockout and Lockdown is a critical element in School Resource Policing.

A Lockout recovers all students from outside the building, secures the building perimeter and locks all outside doors. This would be implemented when there is a threat or hazard outside of the building. Criminal activity, dangerous events in the community, or even a vicious dog on the playground would be examples of a Lockout response. While the Lockout response encourages greater staff situational awareness, it allows for educational practices to continue with little classroom interruption or distraction.

Lockdown is a classroom-based protocol that requires locking the classroom door, turning off the lights and placing students out of sight of any corridor windows. Student action during Lockdown is to remain quiet. It does not mandate locking outside doors. There are several reasons for not locking perimeter doors during a Lockdown. The risk is increased to students or staff in exposed areas attempting to lock outside doors. Locking outside doors inhibits entry of first responders and increases risk as responders attempt to breach doors.

GERING, Neb. (AP) — A 23-year-old man has been charged with vehicular homicide and drunken driving in the crash of a pickup on the west side of Mitchell in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Online court records don’t list the name of an attorney for Joshua Bolzer, who was formally charged Monday in Scotts Bluff County Court in Gering. Authorities say he was driving the truck early Saturday morning when it went out of control on U.S. Highway 26. The truck struck a utility pole, a tractor, and a liquor store.

A passenger, 19-year-old Dereon Betancur, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other 19-year-old passengers were taken to a Scottsbluff hospital. Authorities say one of them reported that Bolzer had been driving 120 mph or more just before the crash.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The state prisons department says an inmate has assaulted a staff member at the Lincoln Correctional Center.

The Department of Correctional Services says that around 6:30 p.m. Sunday the inmate threatened to harm the staffer. Two other staff members intervened and tried to take the inmate elsewhere, but the inmate became combative.

The department says the inmate managed to place his arms around the staffer’s neck before other staff members restrained him. The staffer later sought medical treatment.

The department says the results of its investigation will be sent to the Lancaster County attorney for possible charges.

The names of those involved have not been released.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A North Platte woman has pleaded not guilty to theft charges that were filed after people complained that she’d stolen their money when they booked vacation and other trips through her.

Online court records say 57-year-old Ella Sculley entered the pleas Monday in Lincoln County District Court to 11 felony counts of theft. The records don’t list a trial date.

Investigators say several people complained that while she worked as a travel agent in 2015, Sculley took their money but didn’t follow through with ticket purchases and other services.

A 38-year-old North Platte man has been arrested after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend.

At around 1:47 a.m., on August 23, officers responded to the report of a domestic assault in the 500 block of West 6th Street.

Officers met with a 26-year-old female who alleged that her boyfriend, Aaron Thomas, had assaulted her.

The woman told police that, on August 22, Thomas had punched her in the back of the head and prevented her from leaving the residence by blocking the doorways. Officers reported a visible injury to the back of her head.

Later on, the alleged victim claimed that Thomas sprayed her in the face with pepper spray.  According to Investigator John Deal, the victim had red eyes that were consistent with being sprayed with a foreign substance.  Officers also located a can of Dog Away brand pepper spray nearby.  Deal said it is used to repel aggressive dogs.

In the end, Thomas was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.  He’s been charged with domestic assault and false imprisonment.

As of Tuesday afternoon, a bond amount had not been set for Thomas.

Fans attending high school football games across the state will once again be the focus of a special effort to raise awareness of the need to wear your seat belt every trip, every time.

“Friday Night Lights” is designed to help reduce serious injury and fatality crashes involving teen drivers by providing them firsthand knowledge of what can happen when you don’t buckle up.

Fans at select high school football games will have the opportunity to experience a ride in the NSP Seat Belt Convincer and/or view a presentation of the Rollover Simulator.

“We all win when drivers and passengers buckle up,” said Colonel Brad Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Getting out among the community at events such as football games allows our troopers the opportunity to provide valuable safety information and encourage voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws.”

During breaks in football actions, troopers utilize T-shirt shooters to catapult shirts with a seat belt safety message to football fans. The shirts were purchased with the assistance of AAA Nebraska/Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation and the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.

To request a Friday Night Lights demonstration, or for a list of scheduled games in your area, contact your local Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area Headquarters.

Buffalo County authorities say a 48-year-old man is dead after a swimming accident at a central Nebraska lake.

According to Captain Bob Anderson, deputies were called to a lake near Ravenna at around 8:00 p.m., on Monday, on the report of a man, identified as Kelly Harris, of Rockville, who may have drowned while swimming.

First responders arrived and began CPR before transporting Harris to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital, in Kearney.  He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Anderson says that after a preliminary investigation, foul play is not suspected.  An autopsy has been ordered by the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.