Kearney police are investigating an armed robbery at a local fast food restaurant.

According to a news release from the City of Kearney, on Monday, May 27, at 11:30 p.m., an unknown male dressed in all black entered the rear doors of the Taco Johns located at 419 East 25th street.

Police say the subject brandished a handgun inside the business and took a small amount of cash before departing.

The case is still under investigation and police are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect, who should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police are asking anyone with information to please contact Investigator Doug McCarty (308) 233-5260 or Buffalo County Crime Stoppers (308) 237-3424.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has approved a new $9.3 billion, two-year state budget that will provide extra money to help lower property tax bills.

Ricketts announced Monday that he has signed the new package into law.

The budget calls for a $51 million annual boost to the state’s property tax credit fund, for a total of $275 million a year, nearly double the amount distributed to taxpayers in 2015. With the extra funding, the owner of a $150,000 will get a $106 discount on their property tax bill.

State spending under the new budget will increase by an average of 2.9 percent per year, which is less than the historic average. It also includes more than $2 billion in state aid for K-12 public education.

 

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) removed 14 impaired drivers from Nebraska roads during Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of the summer driving season. It also marks the start of NSP’s “100 Days of Summer” initiative, designed to encourage safe driving throughout Nebraska.

Over Memorial Day weekend, troopers conducted special enforcement operations in many areas across Nebraska. During the three-day weekend, troopers arrested 14 people for Driving Under the Influence.

In addition to those arrested for DUI, troopers also issued citations for Speeding (315), Open Container (14), Minor in Possession of Alcohol (2), Seat Belt violation (12), Child Restraint violation (5) and No Proof of Insurance (13).

Troopers also assisted 199 motorists in need of help on Nebraska roads. Any motorist who needs assistance while traveling in Nebraska can call *55 to reach the NSP Highway Helpline and speak directly with an NSP dispatcher.

As the summer driving season is officially underway, NSP reminds motorists to practice safe driving by always wearing a seat belt, avoiding distractions, following traffic safety laws, and never driving impaired.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
265 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT /11 PM MDT/ TONIGHT FOR THE
FOLLOWING AREAS

IN NEBRASKA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 16 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA

CUSTER                

IN NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA

BLAINE                THOMAS                

IN PANHANDLE NEBRASKA

DEUEL                 GARDEN                

IN SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA

CHASE                 FRONTIER              HAYES                
KEITH                 LINCOLN               PERKINS              

IN WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA

ARTHUR                GRANT                 HOOKER               
LOGAN                 MCPHERSON             

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ARTHUR, BIG SPRINGS, BREWSTER, 
BROKEN BOW, CHAMPION, CHAPPELL, CURTIS, DUNNING, ENDERS, EUSTIS, 
GRANT, HALSEY, HAYES CENTER, HYANNIS, IMPERIAL, LEWELLEN, 
MAYWOOD, MULLEN, NORTH PLATTE, OGALLALA, OSHKOSH, PAXTON, PURDUM,
RINGGOLD, STAPLETON, THEDFORD, TRYON, AND WAUNETA.

As the summer travel season kicks into gear this Memorial Day weekend, Troopers across the state will be working diligently to keep Nebraska’s roadways safe.

“Summer is a time for vacations, barbeques, and making great memories with family and friends,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP). “With more vehicles on the road, we can all do our part to prevent crashes and keep our families safe.”

NSP’s “100 Days of Summer” initiative places an emphasis on road safety throughout the state. Troopers will be conducting focused traffic enforcement efforts in every part of Nebraska throughout the campaign, which runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

“Summer driving is often referred to as the ‘100 deadliest days,’” said Colonel Bolduc. “We’d like to turn that narrative around by encouraging all drivers to voluntarily comply with traffic safety laws, drive sober, avoid distracted driving, and always wear a seat belt. Together, law enforcement and motorists can make Nebraska roads safer and make this summer memorable for all the right reasons.”

Throughout the summer, Troopers stationed across Nebraska will be sharing information on social media related to traffic enforcement and education efforts in their part of the state. You can follow NSP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with NSP’s efforts all summer.

• Timothy Paul Aden, 31, Sutherland NE and Brooke Taelar Frederick, 24, Sutherland
• Bradley Maximillian Bown, 44, Brady NE and Ashly Ann Margritz, 38, Brady NE
• Tristan John Brott, 23, Paxton NE and Brooklyn Ann Nordhausen, 23, Wauneta NE
• Devin Roy Little, 30, North Platte NE and Veronica Ann Friest, 34, North Platte NE
• Adam Christopher Jording, 31, North Platte NE and Charla Kristina Peterson, 32, North Platte NE
• Wesley Jon Plummer, 26, Lonoke AR and Nikki Jo Wipplinger, 25, North Platte NE

By GRANT SCHULTE Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers will end their session this week with a new state budget and dozens of laws passed, but many priorities fell by the wayside and sent senators back to the drawing board.

A few of those measures could end up before voters in the 2020 general election, but in most cases, lawmakers will work over the summer and fall to tweak their bills in hopes of winning more support in next year’s session.

Here are a few high-profile measures that didn’t make the cut:

___

PROPERTY TAXES

Several attempts to lower property taxes imploded even though many senators identified it as the session’s most pressing issue, but lawmakers aren’t giving up.

“We will keep working all summer on the property tax issue,” said Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee.

The biggest hang-up: many proposals sought to lower property taxes by raising other taxes, a non-starter for business groups and conservatives, including Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Other measures that wouldn’t have raised taxes were criticized as too small to make much of a difference. The state budget does include a $51 million boost for the state’s property tax credit fund, but critics say it isn’t enough. Activists are already gathering signatures to put a massive property tax measure on the ballot that could cost the state about $1 billion a year.

Sen. Tom Briese, an Albion farmer who crafted several of the bills, said he plans to throw his support behind the petition drive. The Legislature’s inability last week to pass a last-minute bill “sent a clear signal to Nebraskans that the ballot measure may be their only option,” he said.

___

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Voters could also get the chance to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes after lawmakers refused to pass a narrow, tightly regulated program.

Lawmakers who championed the measure for years are now turning their attention to a petition drive that would place the issue on next year’s general election ballot. Sen. Anna Wishart, of Lincoln, said she’s confident voters will endorse the measure, opening the door to much looser rules.

The bill would have limited the amount of marijuana users can possess, maintained the state’s ban on smoking the drug and limited its potency. The ballot measure contains no such restrictions.

___

LAND BANKS

Nebraska cities that want to create municipal land banks to clean up dilapidated and vacant homes for redevelopment will have to wait at least another year.

A bill that would have allowed cities to create or join land banks stalled amid opposition from senators who saw it as government overreach. The bill by Sen. Dan Quick, of Grand Island, appeared to have enough support to overcome a legislative filibuster, but several key senators were absent the day it came up for a vote and it narrowly lost.

Quick said he plans to continue working on the bill after the session ends and expects to bring it back next year. Under current state law, Omaha is the only city allowed to establish a land bank.

“I don’t think it’s going away,” he said. “There are so many communities that need this, even smaller communities.”

___

FOOD STAMPS FOR FELONS

Nebraska residents with certain felony drug convictions will remain ineligible for federal food assistance, despite arguments that the benefit could help keep them from reoffending.

Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, introduced a bill that would have allowed more offenders to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. Supporters fell five votes short of the 33 needed to overcome a filibuster, but the bill is likely to come back in the future.

Opponents say drug users shouldn’t get government handouts.

___

PAID FAMILY LEAVE

A bill that would have required Nebraska employers to offer paid family and medical leave failed, but supporters plan to continue pushing the issue.

The perennial measure advanced out of a legislative committee for the first time this year but failed to reach a vote after three hours of debate. Bringing it to a vote would have required supporters to show the legislative speaker that they had at least 33 “yes” votes to overcome a filibuster.

Sen. Sue Crawford, of Bellevue, the lead sponsor, argued during debate that the bill would help strengthen Nebraska’s workforce and attract new employees. Opponents criticized it as a tax increase and a mandate on businesses that only a few liberal states have adopted.

___

PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS

Nebraska won’t give special tax breaks to donors who help pay for scholarships to private schools.

A bill that would have allowed donors to claim a dollar-for-dollar tax credit stalled in the Legislature, as it has several times in past years. If it had passed, donors could have reduced their income tax liability by as much as half by giving money to nonprofits that award scholarships to help low-income students attend private schools.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill would allow more students to afford a private school that fits them. Opponents countered that Nebraska should focus on funding for public schools and noted that the tax credit’s cost could balloon over time.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Kick off the summer with a weekend of fishing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is excited to offer such varied angling opportunities this Memorial Day.

And don’t go alone. Find someone new or someone who has not been fishing in a while and take them with you. When you do, snap a photo and enter to win prizes in the Take ’em Fishing challenge. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/takeemfishing for details.

“May and June are two of the best months for fishing across Nebraska,” said Daryl Bauer, Game and Parks’ fisheries outreach program manager. “Pick a water body and go fishing because something will be biting.”

Here is Bauer’s list of waters anglers might want to try this Memorial Day weekend:

Lake McConaughy – This is always a favorite destination all summer and anglers will find some excellent opportunities for walleyes, wipers, and channel catfish. The smallmouth bass fishery is excellent as well, and a little bit of a secret!

Harlan County Reservoir – It is always good news when we have reservoirs full of water and Harlan filled to capacity earlier this spring. That will send fish towards the flooded shallows, and that is where anglers have been extracting walleyes, white bass, channel catfish and some crappies.

Sherman Reservoir – Sherman has reached full pool and that means water back into the bays and coves where anglers can find some excellent crappie fishing. On the main lake, walleyes have been biting and if you are bouncing a crankbait along the bottom, you better hold onto that rod in case a big, predatory flathead catfish strikes!

Merritt Reservoir – Water levels are at full pool and several species are feeding in shallow water; walleyes, channel catfish, pike, muskies, and crappies are all a possibility.

Smith Lake – Recent reports have included nice bluegills. Also possible are largemouth bass, crappies and some northern pike.

Frye Lake – The Sandhills are bursting with water, and Frye is bursting with nice panfish and largemouth bass.

Box Butte Reservoir – Water levels are just a few feet below full pool. Exploring flooded trees right now should be productive for a variety of panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike. Look for some trophy channel catfish, too.

Lake Minatare – Water has been flowing through the canal into Lake Minatare, which means the walleyes and white bass are on the bite!

Calamus Reservoir – This is a great time for some hot white bass action towards the upper, west end of the reservoir. There can always be a few wipers mingling with the white bass, and again look for some walleye action in relatively shallow water.

Red Willow Reservoir – Another reservoir that recently has had low water levels due to dam repairs, but now those levels are recovering. Always one of the best waters in the state for wipers, the fishing has been good recently along wind-blown shorelines. Big crappies and largemouth bass are possible, too!

Swanson Reservoir – Recent reports have been good for walleyes, white bass, wipers, crappies, largemouth bass, channel and blue catfish.

Elwood Reservoir – Water levels have been more consistently high at Elwood in recent years and fish populations have responded! Trophy wipers are abundant in Elwood as well as walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, pike and a few muskies.

Lewis and Clark Reservoir – Walleyes and sauger have been scattered over the reservoir but expect the best bite in relatively shallow water near shore or on mud flats. Likewise, look for some big white bass and catfish in shallow water especially where there may be some current flowing.

Skyview Lake – This Norfolk lake has some excellent fishing for bluegill, largemouth bass and even some walleyes!

Maple Creek Reservoir – This is another good spot for some bluegills, crappies and largemouth bass, maybe a walleye or two.

Summit Reservoir – This is one of the best places this year for quality-size bluegills, plus it is an excellent fishery for largemouth bass and some big channel catfish.

Lawrence Youngman – There are excellent populations of largemouth bass and bluegills, more walleyes than you might expect, and some big redear sunfish.

Zorinsky Lake – Zorinsky has been producing some excellent fishing this spring for crappies, largemouth bass, and walleyes. Rogue muskies have been giving anglers a surprise, too!

Wehrspann Lake – Sport fish populations have responded favorably to recent management activities; anglers are catching nice crappies, largemouth bass and channel catfish.

Lake Wanahoo – Cold and dirty water this spring has challenged anglers at Wanahoo, but conditions are improving and the crappie, bass and walleye bite is taking off. Of course, there are pike waiting to shock unexpecting anglers, too.

Branched Oak Lake – The crappie bite has been good the past couple of weeks, plus some catfish, mostly channel cats, but also flatheads and even a few big blues. Walleyes, wipers and an occasional largemouth bass thrown in for variety.

Yankee Hill Lake – Very good reports coming in this spring for bluegills, crappies and some walleyes.

Iron Horse Trail Lake – Bass anglers have been whispering about it for the past several years; this reservoir in the southeast corner is one of the best bass fisheries in the state now, with some nice saugeye, too.

Burchard Lake – With great water quality and habitat, Burchard is consistently one of the best fisheries in southeastern Nebraska for largemouth bass, panfish and channel catfish.

Visit outdoornebraska.org to buy a fishing permit.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A handcuffed inmate escaped from the Dawson County Courthouse in Lexington but was quickly found a few blocks away.

The Kearney Hub reports 19-year-old Luis Sandoval-Magana had been terminated from drug court on Monday for violating terms of the program and was sentenced to five days in jail. Soon after being handcuffed, he managed to flee the courtroom.

Sheriff’s office deputies and Lexington police began a search and found Sandoval four blocks away from the courthouse.

He was charged with escape after conviction.