SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors are asking the Nebraska Supreme Court to overrule the Nebraska Appeals Court, which had overturned a Scottsbluff man’s conviction on child abuse.

Cody Olbricht was convicted last year of child abuse resulting in serious injury, accused of beating his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter. He was sentenced to 18 to 30 years in prison. In February the Appeals Court ruled that evidence didn’t show the girl’s injuries occurred when Olbricht was the only adult in her presence.

Prosecutors say in their appeal that the evidence was sufficient for the conviction and that the Appeals Court was overreaching in requiring that prosecutors show the girl was solely in Olbricht’s care when the injuries occurred.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Aug. 30.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts says Britain’s decision to leave the European Union could create opportunities for Nebraska even if it means short-term uncertainty.

Ricketts said Tuesday that the nation’s leaders should make sure they’re “first in line” for opportunities to open new trade relationships with the United Kingdom.

He says he won’t rule out a Nebraska trade mission to the country, but noted that the state has already committed to a visiting China this year and such trips take time to plan.

Ricketts says Britain is Nebraska’s 19th largest trading partner, and the changes that are coming could provide benefits if the state looks for them.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska had an average of 1 million nonfarm jobs for the first time last year, and the number has grown steadily since 2010.

Gov. Pete Ricketts touted the milestone on Tuesday at a news conference with state labor and economic development officials and business leaders.

The Nebraska Department of Labor reports that the state saw a net increase of more than 13,000 jobs between 2014 and last year. Trade, transportation and utility jobs had the highest employment levels, followed by education and health care services.

Ricketts says he plans to keep pushing for job and business growth with a business summit, international trade missions, a first-in-the-nation state reemployment program and efforts to reduce taxes.

(Lincoln, Neb.)- The Nebraska State Patrol continues its efforts to “Drive to Save Lives” with an increased presence over the July 4^th holiday.

Beginning Sunday, July 3 and continuing through Tuesday, July 5, troopers and communications specialists will put in overtime hours thanks in part to a $14,255 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

The special enforcement efforts will include vehicle checks and high visibility patrols with an emphasis on impaired driving in an effort to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes.

“The July 4^th holiday is one of celebrations and gatherings,” said Colonel Brad Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Motorists can expect increased traffic volumes on our roadways. We encourage holiday travelers to partner with us to help save lives through voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws.”

Motorists are encouraged to wear their seat belt, obey the posted speed limits, pay extra attention in work zones and never drive impaired or distracted.

For information on special enforcement activities over the July 4^th weekend call your nearest Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area Headquarters. You may also view a calendar of selected NSP enforcement activities at < http://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/EnforcementActivities >.

A North Platte man is facing drug distribution charges after authorities say he provided several teenage girls with LSD, also known as acid.

On June 27, just after Midnight, a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy found a teenage girl outside the Sheriff’s Office, 302 North Jeffers Street.  The deputy reported that the girl appeared to be under the influence of some unknown substance and was only partially clothed.

As the deputy began to question the girl, Chief Deputy Roland Kramer said she attempted to flee, but was apprehended and detained for questioning.

Deputies questioned the girl who stated that she had purchased LSD earlier in the day and had taken it.  Kramer says she then became violent and was transported to Great Plains Health by the North Platte Fire Department.

The investigation continued and deputies found two other female juveniles who had purchased and consumed LSD.  They also learned that they had all allegedly purchased it from an individual later identified as 21-year-old Nathan C. Moon.

At around 10:45 a.m., law enforcement executed a search warrant on Moon’s residence, 1010 West 3rd Street.

Moon was placed under arrest and charged with distribution of LSD and three counts of felony child abuse.

Kramer said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid, is a psychedelic drug known for its psychological effects. This may include altered awareness of the surroundings, perceptions, and feelings as well as sensations and images that seem real though they are not.^[8] It is used mainly as a recreational drugand for spiritual reasons. LSD is typically eitherswallowed or held under the tongue.^[8] It is often sold on blotter paper, a sugar cube, orgelatin. LSD injected intravenously takes effect in approximately 30 minutes. (Source: Wikipedia)

It’s that time again when we get to deal with the itchiness and potential sickness caused by mosquitoes.

In an effort to reduce the mosquito population, the City of North Platte and the Village of Sutherland will both be spraying for the pesky pests this week.

North Platte officials say city employees will be spraying from June 28 through June 30, weather permitting.  The treatments will begin at around 8:00 p.m. each night, and should be done by midnight.

Sutherland will begin treatments on June 29, and expect to be completed by June 30, also between 8:00 p.m. and Midnight.

Residents are encouraged to turn off air conditioners, close windows and doors and turn off window fans.  Also, pets outdoor water dishes should be emptied and pets should be brought inside during the hours of active treatment.

NORTH PLATTE TREATMENT SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, June 28: 2nd Street to Front Street and 7th Street to the North Platte River
• Wednesday, June 29: A Street to the South Platte River and Burlington Blvd. to the South Platte River
• Thursday, June 30: South Platte River to State Farm Road, 2nd Street to A Street and 2nd Street to Burlington Blvd.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The company that wanted to build the Keystone XL pipeline is seeking $15 billion in damages from the federal government after the Obama administration rejected the Canada-to-Texas project.

TransCanada Inc. filed a request for arbitration Friday, arguing that the decision violated the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The pipeline would have carried 830,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Hardisty, Alberta, in Canada to Steele City, Nebraska, where it would have connected to existing pipelines running south to Gulf Coast refineries.

A spokesman for the Canadian developer says the November rejection was “arbitrary and unjustified.” The company also argued in its filing that the administration rejected the project to bolster its environmental credentials.

A State Department spokesman said the agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed one of President Barack Obama’s nominees to be a federal judge in Nebraska.

The 90-0 vote for Nebraska lawyer Robert Rossiter Jr. to a lifetime federal appointment may be one of the last confirmation votes this year. The Senate generally halts approval of judges nominated by a president of the opposing party in the later months of the chief executive’s final year.

Though appointed by Obama, Rossiter was chosen by Nebraska’s Republican senators. Sen. Deb Fischer and former Sen. Mike Johanns recommended him before the president appointed him a year ago.

More than 40 of Obama’s nominees to district courts remain in limbo, as does the president’s choice of Judge Merrick Garland for the vacancy on the Supreme Court after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in February.