…Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday Night…

Severe thunderstorms developed across northwestern Nebraska late
this afternoon and developed southeast through the evening hours.
The severe storms brought areas of severe wind…large hail and
even a few tornadoes. Below is a list of local storm reports
through 1015 PM CDT. Additional information will be reported once
verified.

………………………Storm Reports……………………..

..TIME… …EVENT… …CITY LOCATION… …LAT.LON…
..DATE… ….MAG…. ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. …SOURCE….
..REMARKS..

0418 PM TORNADO 10 SSW HAY SPRINGS 42.55N 102.76W
07/06/2016 SHERIDAN NE 911 CALL CENTER

TORNADO LIFTED.

0418 PM TORNADO 10 SSW HAY SPRINGS 42.55N 102.76W
07/06/2016 SHERIDAN NE 911 CALL CENTER

TORNADO LIFTED AT 1619 LT.

0425 PM HAIL 15 S HAY SPRINGS 42.47N 102.69W
07/06/2016 E1.00 INCH SHERIDAN NE PUBLIC

0435 PM HAIL 8 W ARTHUR 41.57N 101.85W
07/06/2016 M1.25 INCH ARTHUR NE TRAINED SPOTTER

0442 PM HAIL 22 N LAKESIDE 42.38N 102.46W
07/06/2016 E1.00 INCH SHERIDAN NE PUBLIC

0442 PM HAIL 5 SW ARTHUR 41.52N 101.76W
07/06/2016 M1.00 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0506 PM HAIL 10 SW ARTHUR 41.47N 101.83W
07/06/2016 E1.00 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0509 PM HAIL 6 WSW ARTHUR 41.54N 101.80W
07/06/2016 E0.88 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0509 PM HAIL 8 W ARTHUR 41.57N 101.85W
07/06/2016 E0.50 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0520 PM HAIL 3 SW ARTHUR 41.54N 101.73W
07/06/2016 E0.88 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0527 PM HAIL 3 SSW ARTHUR 41.53N 101.71W
07/06/2016 E0.88 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0547 PM HAIL 10 NNW HAY SPRINGS 42.82N 102.76W
07/06/2016 E0.88 INCH SHERIDAN NE PUBLIC

0550 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 20 NW ASHBY 42.23N 102.21W
07/06/2016 SHERIDAN NE TRAINED SPOTTER

TRAINED SPOTTER…LOCATED 5 MILES NORTH OF ASHBY…AND
LOOKING NORTHWEST INTO SOUTHEASTERN SHERIDAN
COUNTY…REPORTS A FUNNEL CLOUD.

0556 PM TORNADO 10 NNE ELLSWORTH 42.19N 102.21W
07/06/2016 SHERIDAN NE TRAINED SPOTTER

REPORTS OF A LARGE TORNADO CURRENTLY ON THE GROUND ACROSS
SOUTHEASTERN SHERIDAN COUNTY.

0620 PM TORNADO 9 NNW ASHBY 42.15N 102.00W
07/06/2016 CHERRY NE TRAINED SPOTTER

MULTIPLE VORTEX TORNADO…SHORTLY BEFORE BECOMING RAIN
WRAPPED.

0627 PM TSTM WND GST 7 E MERRITT RESERVOIR D 42.65N 100.73W
07/06/2016 E60.00 MPH CHERRY NE PUBLIC

0652 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 10 N HYANNIS 42.15N 101.76W
07/06/2016 CHERRY NE TRAINED SPOTTER

0658 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SSE VALENTINE 42.86N 100.54W
07/06/2016 M58.00 MPH CHERRY NE ASOS

0703 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 15 NE HYANNIS 42.15N 101.55W
07/06/2016 CHERRY NE TRAINED SPOTTER

0735 PM HAIL 7 ESE ARTHUR 41.53N 101.57W
07/06/2016 E1.75 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC

0744 PM TSTM WND GST 2 SE SPRINGVIEW 42.80N 99.72W
07/06/2016 E60.00 MPH KEYA PAHA NE PUBLIC

0755 PM TORNADO 15 SE ARTHUR 41.42N 101.49W
07/06/2016 ARTHUR NE TRAINED SPOTTER

ESTIMATED LOCATION.

0800 PM HAIL 4 NE SUTHERLAND 41.20N 101.07W
07/06/2016 M1.75 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC

0808 PM TORNADO 15 SW TRYON 41.40N 101.15W
07/06/2016 MCPHERSON NE TRAINED SPOTTER

0811 PM TSTM WND GST 12 N STUART 42.77N 99.14W
07/06/2016 E60.00 MPH HOLT NE PUBLIC

0815 PM TSTM WND GST 7 N TRYON 41.66N 100.94W
07/06/2016 E70.00 MPH MCPHERSON NE PUBLIC

HAIL INCH HAIL WITH THE WIND.

0845 PM TSTM WND GST SUTHERLAND 41.16N 101.13W
07/06/2016 E60.00 MPH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC

0845 PM HAIL 2 N NORTH PLATTE 41.16N 100.77W
07/06/2016 M1.00 INCH LINCOLN NE AMATEUR RADIO

0845 PM HAIL 11 NNE HERSHEY 41.31N 100.92W
07/06/2016 M1.75 INCH LINCOLN NE FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

0905 PM TSTM WND GST 5 N NORTH PLATTE 41.21N 100.77W
07/06/2016 M68.00 MPH LINCOLN NE TRAINED SPOTTER

0905 PM TSTM WND GST 5 N NORTH PLATTE 41.21N 100.77W
07/06/2016 M72.00 MPH LINCOLN NE TRAINED SPOTTER

0912 PM HAIL 3 N NORTH PLATTE 41.18N 100.77W
07/06/2016 M1.50 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE

70 MPH WINDS.

0914 PM TSTM WND GST 4 NNE NORTH PLATTE 41.19N 100.74W
07/06/2016 M69.00 MPH LINCOLN NE MESONET

0915 PM TSTM WND GST 3 N NORTH PLATTE 41.18N 100.77W
07/06/2016 M78.00 MPH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE

0928 PM TORNADO 2 NW BRADY 41.04N 100.39W
07/06/2016 LINCOLN NE PUBLIC

PUBLIC ESTIMATED LOCATION.

0939 PM WILDFIRE 5 W HAYES CENTER 40.51N 101.12W
07/06/2016 HAYES NE EMERGENCY MNGR

SPARKED BY LIGHTNING…THE RAIN PUT IT OUT.

0940 PM TSTM WND GST BROKEN BOW 41.41N 99.64W
07/06/2016 M60.00 MPH CUSTER NE ASOS

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. Not all data listed are considered
official.

The Associated Press–A new study finds that insurers’ spending on very expensive prescription drugs nearly quadrupled in the U.S. from 2003 through 2014, while the number of such prescriptions filled tripled over that stretch.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The federal government has lifted restrictions on Nebraska child care funding that were put in place because the state failed to comply with numerous reporting requirements.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that the state no longer has to get federal approval before using the money it receives.

The money helps pay for early childhood education initiatives and a child care subsidy program for working, low-income families.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services imposed the restrictions in 2014 because the state repeatedly submitted late and incomplete financial reports. Some of its reports were missing, some claimed unallowable expenses, and some of its expenses weren’t properly documented.

Courtney Phillips, the Nebraska department’s CEO, says the state took steps to become more accountable and transparent.

A man has been placed in emergency protective custody after authorities say he attempted suicide by setting himself on fire.

At around 1:35 p.m., on July 6, deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Outlet Campground at Lake Maloney, south of North Platte.

According to Chief Deputy Roland Kramer, it was reported that a male subject at the campground had been threatening to harm himself.

Deputies arrived and discovered that the man had just poured gasoline on himself.

Kramer said the man positioned himself at the end of a long boat dock in the southwest area of the campground and produced a lighter. He refused to converse with the deputies who were attempting to negotiate with him.

As deputies continued to talk to him, he began attempting to light himself on fire and was eventually successful.

Deputies sprang into action and were able to get the fire put out before the man sustained serious injuries, but Kramer said he was extremely combative and resisted efforts to subdue him.

The man was eventually placed in protective custody and transported to Great Plains Health.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor, according to Kramer.

The man’s name was not released.

LINCOLN – Nebraska deer, antelope and elk permits will be available for purchase on a first-come basis beginning at 1 p.m. Central time on July 11.

Residents, nonresidents and eligible landowners will be able to purchase remaining deer and antelope permits, and residents and eligible landowners will be able to purchase remaining elk permits.

Permits may be purchased at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permitting offices, at OutdoorNebraska.org, or via mailed application form. For more information on big game hunting and permits, read the 2016 Big Game Guide at http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/678699-big-game-guide-2016.

(Lincoln, Neb.)- Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested eight motorists for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) during special enforcement efforts over the July 4^thholiday.

The special enforcement, which placed an emphasis removing impaired drivers from Nebraska roadways in an effort to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes, took place July 3-5. Troopers and communications specialists put in overtime hours during the enforcement thanks in part to a $14,255 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

The following citations/warnings reflect statewide activity by the Nebraska State Patrol during the July 4^th holiday enforcement.

A 31-year-old Wellfleet man is facing numerous felony charges following a pursuit in North Platte on Tuesday.

At around 7:30 p.m., a deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was working on an overtime grant and spotted a vehicle speeding on East State Farm Road.

The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver, later identified as Beau Greenwood, sped up and attempted to flee.

The deputy pursued the vehicle to the intersection of Old Highway 83 and East State Farm Road, where Greenwood lost control and slid into the ditch.

According to Chief Deputy Roland Kramer, the deputy took Greenwood into custody, then found open containers of alcohol and three dogs in the vehicle.  Kramer says one of the dogs was injured, but not seriously.

Greenwood was transported to Great Plains Health for the treatment of minor injuries.

While at the hospital, Greenwood allegedly refused to provide a sample to determine his blood alcohol level.

Upon release from the hospital, Greenwood was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.  He’s been charged with felony sixth offense driving under the influence of alcohol, felony driving under suspension, felony refusal to submit to a chemical test and willful reckless driving.

Kramer says the case remains under investigation and more charges are pending.   According to scanner traffic, speeds in the chase topped 90 mph.

(Scottsbluff, Neb.)- Two separate crashes in the Nebraska panhandle on Tuesday, July 5, claimed the lives of two drivers.

Just before 10:00 a.m. (MDT), troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash about two and a half miles north of Kimball on Highway 71 in Kimball County. James Nelson, 55, of Harrisburg was killed when the car he was driving left the roadway and rolled several times. Nelson, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene of the crash. He was wearing a seat belt.

A Tuesday evening crash west of Minatare on Highway 26, claimed the life of a Wyoming man. Just after 5:00 p.m., (MDT) Wiley Cross, 30, of Torrington, Wyo., was killed when the pickup he was driving turned west onto Highway 26 at the L79E junction and collided with an eastbound semi- trailer truck. Cross died at the scene. Two passengers in the pickup were transported to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the semi, Clinton Fornstrom, 34, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., was not injured.  Cross was not wearing a seat belt.

The two deaths bring the total of fatalities on Nebraska roadways in 2016 to 102, compared with 114 on this same date in 2015.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lottery official says no jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing.

Virginia Lottery spokesman John Hagerty tells The Associated Press that means the jackpot for the next drawing on Friday will be an estimated $508 million.

Tuesday’s was worth an estimated $454 million. It marks the 34th time the jackpot has rolled over without a winner. The previous record was 22 rolls.

With slightly better odds than the Powerball game, it’s rare that nearly four months passes without someone winning a Mega Millions jackpot.