LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts and agricultural leaders will visit four Nebraska cities next week on a campaign to promote farming and ranching.
Ricketts announced Tuesday that he will travel to Hastings, McCook, Falls City and Omaha on Monday as part of National Agriculture Week, a celebration of livestock, crop production and other aspects of the industry.
The fly-around will include Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach; state Sen. Jerry Johnson of Wahoo, who chairs the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee; and representatives of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation and the Nebraska Cattlemen Association.
Ricketts says the group will talk about property taxes, trade and other issues related to agriculture.
National Agriculture Week is celebrated from March 13-19.
GERING, Neb. (AP) — A former manager has been accused of stealing more than $13,000 from a Scottsbluff motel.
Forty-year-old Phillip Flowers is charged with theft. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Tuesday from The Associated Press.
An arrest affidavit says the Capri Motel owner contacted police in December after an accountant examined transactions that occurred when Flowers was the motel manager last year.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature will begin debate next week on a proposed two-year, $8.7 billion budget.
The Appropriations Committee advanced the package Monday with new spending for prison reforms, roads and flood protections around Offutt Air Force Base.
Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, the committee chairman, says the budget relies heavily on the state’s cash reserve but makes long-term investments that will benefit the state.
Papillion Sen. Bill Kintner says he will not “go to war” over the budget, but worries the state spends too much.
The committee also advanced a bill to put money into a transportation infrastructure bank that will jump-start work on road projects. The bank will receive additional funding from the gas tax increase approved last year.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska residents can now file a consumer complaint, report a scam and register with the federal “Do Not Call” registry under a new state website.
Attorney General Doug Peterson unveiled the new website, protectthegoodlife.nebraska.gov, and a new Twitter account @ProtectNE. His announcement on Monday coincides with National Consumer Protection week, which runs March 6-12.
The consumer protection website simplifies the process of reporting frauds and scams, and creates a new way for the state’s Consumer Protection Division to connect with Nebraska residents.
It will also make it easier for people to request a presentation on consumer education by a representative of the Consumer Protection Office.
A link to the website is available on the attorney general’s website at ago.nebraska.gov.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would have allowed Nebraska’s natural resources districts to issue bonds for certain water projects has stalled in the Legislature.
Sen. Rick Kolowski of Omaha withdrew his proposal Monday after acknowledging that he didn’t have enough votes to overcome a filibuster. Opponents say the measure would encourage more local government spending and undermine the push for property tax reductions.
The bill would have allowed the state’s natural resources districts to issue general obligation bonds for projects that don’t produce revenue, such as flood control and recharging groundwater reserves.
Nebraska offers roughly $11 million a year for projects through the state’s water sustainability fund, but smaller districts have struggled to generate the matching money needed to qualify for the aid.
Students practice Thursday for a spring concert at North Platte Community College on March 10. Pictured in front is: Bailey Rickertsen. Pictured back row, left to right are: Brianna Mason, Malachi Murtaugh, Ryan Carey, MaKenna Ketter, Jacob McNeel, Justin Morgan and Katie Roessler.
Spring is in the air at North Platte Community College. The music department is hoping to usher in the season a little faster by hosting a spring-themed concert at 7 p.m. March 10.
The event is free and open to the public. It will be in the McDonald-Belton Theater on NPCC’s South Campus.
“The concert will be filled with upbeat classics to get everyone in the mood for warmer weather,” said Elizabeth Peters, NPCC music instructor. “Each of our ensembles will be showcased, and there will be a lot of variety in the program.”
Song selections will include “There You’ll Be,” from the “Pearl Harbor” soundtrack, the famous Beatles’ number, “Hey Jude,” the popular musical theater/jazz song, “42nd Street” and the gospel piece, “Praise His Holy Name.”
Peters will direct the concert choir, Ron Daly will direct the jazz band and Carmen Allen will direct the chamber ensemble.
“The NPCC chapter of the National Association of Music Education will sell flowers at the door for $2 each, if people would like to buy one for a performer or just to get in the mood for spring,” said Peters. “Free will donations to support the organization will also be accepted.”
The following will perform. A * denotes performers who are also in select choir, and ** denotes guest performers.
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol will be conducting high visibility enforcement efforts March 10-12 as fans make their way to the boy’s state basketball tournament games.
Beginning Thursday, March 10, and continuing through Saturday, March 12, troopers will focus on high traffic areas in an effort to reduce serious injury and fatality crashes. An $8,950 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) will help pay for the special enforcement efforts.
“Tournament time is an exciting time across our state and with the potential for increased traffic volume it is also a busy time on our roadways.” said Colonel Bradley Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We are asking drivers and passengers to do their part in helping keep our roadways safe by voluntarily complying with all traffic safety laws.”
Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit, always wear their seat belt, allow plenty of time to reach their destination and never drive impaired or distracted.
Motorists in need of non-emergency roadside assistance can call the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline when safe to do so by dialing *55 from any cell phone or 1-800-525-5555. Emergencies should be reported to 911.
Weather and road construction can play a factor in travel plans. Fans headed to tournament games are reminded to check road and weather condition reports by utilizing 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System a Nebraska 511 mobile app is also available to download at no cost for smartphone users. Simply search your App provider for Nebraska 511.
Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West northwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph after midnight.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 65. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A U.S. Small Business Administration representative says Nebraska small business owners who feel daunted by international markets have thousands of dollars in federal money available to help them.
Regional administrator Patricia Brown-Dixon awarded the state $300,570 in grant money at a ceremony Monday to aid the state’s small businesses in expanding foreign exports.
The money is part of the federal State Trade and Export Program, which Gov. Pete Ricketts says has been used by 62 Nebraska businesses and created over $30 million in exports in the past three years. Brown-Dixon says companies that export are less likely to fail.
Representatives from previous grant recipients say the money has been instrumental in establishing international relationships and translating marketing materials.
