ALMA, Neb. (AP) — A former Harlan County treasurer has been given jail time and probation for stealing from the county.

Harlan County District Court records say Diana Grotfeld, of Alma, was sentenced Monday to two years of probation and 90 days in jail. She also was told to make restitution of more than $107,000. She’d pleaded no contest to theft and abuse of public records. Prosecutors reduced the theft charge and dropped a related charge in exchange for her pleas.

Grotfeld resigned from her post in July. A state auditor’s report showed that around $108,000 was missing from the treasurer’s office.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would bar Nebraska businesses from discriminating against LGBT job applicants and workers has stalled in the Legislature.

Supporters on Tuesday failed to force a vote on the measure after about three hours of debate. Previous attempts to pass similar measures in recent years have failed.

The bill by state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, of Lincoln, sparked an emotional debate among senators.

Supporters argue that employers shouldn’t be able to discriminate against people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, and say the bill would create a more welcoming atmosphere in Nebraska. Opponents contend that employers might be forced to contradict their sincerely held religious beliefs.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson is calling on congressional leaders to pass a national law clamping down on robocalls and spoofing.

The attorney general’s office announced Tuesday that Peterson is leading a coalition of 51 attorneys general that are voicing support for legislation pending before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The other leaders are attorneys general from North Carolina, New Hampshire and Mississippi.

Peterson says he’s proud to support the bill and says state attorneys general have been on the front lines of helping consumers who are harassed and scammed by unwanted calls.

Robocalls and spam calls rank as the top consumer complaint to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

On Tuesday, March 5, the Nebraska Public Service Commission issued an Order denying the application of D&N Event Center, in North Platte, seeking authority as a common carrier in Nebraska intrastate commerce in the transportation of passengers by bus in a special party and charter service.

In issuing its’ order the Commission found the applicant unfit to provide the proposed services citing the applicant’s failure to adhere to the rules despite multiple warnings from the Commission about operating without authority.

“Not only do we have trouble with the applicants managerial fitness, we also have questions about the equipment being used,” said Commission Chair Mary Ridder. “We have serious concerns about which vehicles have been used to transport passengers in the North Platte community including children and whether those vehicles were safe during the time of transport.”

While the Commission is aware of the need that currently exists for a premium charter and special party service, in this part of the state, the managerial fitness and safety concerns that exist with this application far outweigh the need for such service.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska moved one step closer Monday to collecting online sales taxes from all out-of-state companies in an effort to capture millions of dollars lost every year from buyers who don’t pay the tax.

Lawmakers gave first-round approval to a bill that would require online retailers such as Amazon to collect sales taxes from their own sales as well as from third-party sellers and turn the money over to the state.

The measure advanced on a 44-0 vote. It would go into effect April 1 if it advances through two more votes and is signed by the governor.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue has already told online businesses to start collecting sales taxes on orders placed within the state, but senators haven’t passed a formal law to require it.

“These sellers have had an advantage over brick and mortar retailers for a long time,” said state Sen. John McCollister, of Omaha, the bill’s sponsor.

Nebraska currently requires taxpayers to report their total online purchases and pay the sales tax when they submit their annual state income tax returns, but few people follow that law and it’s difficult for state officials to enforce. By requiring retailers to collect the tax when the purchase is made, lawmakers hope to capture all of the revenue.

The bill was introduced in the wake of last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that lets states tax online sales from out-of-state businesses. Small sellers with $100,000 or less in gross sales or fewer than 200 separate transactions are exempt under the legislation.

State officials predict the sales taxes will generate $30 million to $40 million a year, but Nebraska State Tax Commissioner Tony Fulton warned lawmakers in February that they’ve already factored that revenue into the state budget. Fulton, an appointee of Gov. Pete Ricketts, said he doesn’t expect an influx of money beyond that amount.

The Legislature’s budget-watching Fiscal Office disagrees with Fulton, predicting that online sales taxes would generate an additional $17.9 million for the state’s general fund over two years.

Any extra revenue collected would go into the state’s general fund and two other funds that help pay for road construction projects. Some lawmakers said they’d like to see the money used to lower property taxes.

“I’ve always maintained that any new revenue flowing from (online sales taxes) ought to be directed to property tax relief,” said Sen. Tom Briese, a farmer from Albion. “That’s what Nebraskans expect and that’s what Nebraskans deserve.”

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, said the extra taxes will probably get steered into a tax credit for property owners to help offset their bills.

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. (AP) — Two 18-year-old students accused of planning to attack a high school in south-central Nebraska have been sentenced to probation.

Television station NTV reports Aron McMains, of North Platte, and Joseph Williams, of Oxford, were sentenced Monday to one year of probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor third-degree assault. They previously were accused of terroristic threats but the charges were lowered in exchange for their pleas.

Court records say Williams, McMains and two 17-year-old boys had for months discussed an attack on Cambridge High School. They tried to recruit another student when one student transferred to a different school.

One of the students told police he thought the plan was a joke but wasn’t sure whether the others felt that way.

Both 17-year-olds are seeking to be prosecuted as juveniles.

The Nebraska Hospital Association has appointed Great Plains Health Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ivan Mitchell to lead Nebraska hospitals through Medicaid Expansion.

In November 2018, voters approved Medicaid expansion to include approximately 90,000 Nebraskans who are in “the gap” and do not currently have health insurance coverage.

A task force has been formed, led by Mitchell with the intent of addressing Medicaid expansion and its potential impact on Nebraska hospitals. The task force will meet on a regular basis and will have completed its work no later than June 30, 2019. They will work closely with the NHA Advocacy team, key state senators, peer hospital members and researchers at the UNMC Office of Public Health.

“I’m honored to be selected by my peers to lead Nebraska Hospitals on such an important topic.  This selection by our organization shows the respect the rest of the state has for our leadership team and the organization.”

Mitchell will Chair the task force which includes individuals from across the state, including: Russ Gronewold, vice president of finance and CFO at Bryan Health, Jeanette Wojtalewicz CFO at CHI Health, Amy Hatcher senior vice president and CFO at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Jim Ulrich CEO at York General, Todd Consbruck president/CEO at Avera Creighton & St. Anthony’s Hospitals, Chad Jurgens CEO at Jefferson Community Health & Life, David Burd CEO at Thayer County Health Services, and John Mentgen president/CEO at Regional West Health Services.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luke Perry, who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist said. He was 52.

Perry was surrounded by family and friends when he died, publicist Arnold Robinson said. The actor had been hospitalized since last Wednesday, after a 911 call summoned medical help to his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles.

“The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning,” Robinson said in a statement. At Perry’s bedside were his children, Jake and Sophie; fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer and his former wife, Minnie Sharp.

Perry had played construction construction-company owner Fred Andrews, father of main character Archie Andrews, for three seasons on “Riverdale,” the CW series that gives a dark take on “Archie” comics. A fourth season has been slated.

Born and raised in rural Fredericktown, Ohio, Perry gained fame on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” which ran from 1990 to 2000.

Perry has had roles in a handful of films, including “The Fifth Element,” ”8 Seconds” and “American Strays.” He appeared in HBO’s prison drama “Oz” and voiced cartoons like “The Incredible Hulk” and “Mortal Kombat.” In recent years he starred in the series “Ties That Bind” and “Body of Proof.”

The same day he was hospitalized, Fox TV announced that it would be running a six-episode return of “90210” that features most of the original cast, but Perry was not among those announced.

Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) conducted alcohol inspections in Dawson County during the evening hours of Friday, March 1.

The project was supported in whole or part by grant #93.959 under the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Region II Human Services, and the Nebraska DHHS Division of Behavioral Health.

In total, 15 businesses were inspected. Three businesses sold alcohol to a minor for a non-compliance rate of 20 percent. All of the businesses checked the minor’s ID.

The businesses which failed the inspections were:

Bella Italia – Cozad (checked ID, sold to minor)

El Paraiso – Cozad (checked ID, sold to minor)

Casey’s General Store #2068 – Lexington (checked ID, sold to minor)

The inspections were conducted at liquor stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and bars. Businesses that sell alcohol to a minor are referred to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor are cited for procuring alcohol for a minor.

NSP and other law enforcement agencies conduct these inspections in an effort to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Dangerously cold weather in western Nebraska has prompted warnings from the National Weather Service.

Wind chill temperatures as low as 40 below zero (minus 40 Celsius) are expected Monday. A weather service wind chill warning extends through 11 a.m.

Several school districts and other agencies and businesses intend to open late or even remain closed for the day.

Wind chills as low as 30 below zero (minus 34 Celsius) are expected in most of eastern Nebraska.