LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has awarded grants worth more than $1.6 million to encourage recycling and reduce littering.
The state Department of Environmental Quality recently announced the 54 grants.
Fees charged to certain manufacturers and retailers of products that contribute to litter pay for the grants.
Nearly $917,000 of the grants is earmarked for recycling programs.
Public education programs will receive $609,545.
Twelve grants are for cleanup programs are worth $108,483.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Insurance is reminding the public about the fast-approaching deadline to buy a health insurance plan.
Individuals who want coverage to begin on Feb. 1 should purchase their policy on or before Friday. Those who buy policies after Friday can expect their policy to begin on March 1.
Department of Insurance Director Bruce Ramge says customers should shop around for a policy that fits their needs. People who forego insurance for the 2016 plan year could face a federal tax penalty of $695 per adult or 2.5 percent of their household income, whichever is higher.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska corrections officials are still trying to fill many of the open jobs in the state prison system to ease a chronic staffing shortage.
Department of Correctional Services human resources administrator Erinn Criner says the agency is making progress, but officials are competing for a small pool of applicants.
Part of the challenge stems from Nebraska’s strong economy and low unemployment rate, which makes it easier for workers to find better-paying private sector jobs.
Entry-level corrections officers generally make a little more than $15 an hour. Union officials say a lack of longevity pay also makes it harder to keep experienced staffers.
Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse introduced a bill last week that would provide another $2.5 million to recruit and retain staff.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts will visit 10 Nebraska cities to discuss his legislative agenda following his annual State of the State address to lawmakers.
Ricketts will deliver the speech at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Nebraska Capitol. After a news conference, the governor will travel that day to South Sioux City, Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings.
On Friday, Ricketts will visit North Platte, Sidney, Scottsbluff, Alliance, Valentine and Fremont.
Ricketts is expected to focus on property tax reform, prison issues and roads in his second State of the State address since he took office.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts will visit 10 Nebraska cities to discuss his legislative agenda following his annual State of the State address to lawmakers.
Ricketts will deliver the speech at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Nebraska Capitol. After a news conference, the governor will travel that day to South Sioux City, Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings.
On Friday, Ricketts will visit North Platte, Sidney, Scottsbluff, Alliance, Valentine and Fremont.
Ricketts is expected to focus on property tax reform, prison issues and roads in his second State of the State address since he took office.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has overturned the kidnapping and assault convictions of a man accused of attacking his former wife.
The court said in a ruling Friday that the Custer County trial court should have held a hearing on the defendant’s claim that prosecutors had seen his confidential trial strategy, thus violating his constitutional rights.
Tyler Bain was convicted in 2014 of the 2011 attack and sentenced to life in prison.
One of the prosecutors who handled his case had told the trial court before Bain’s trial about seeing a document from the defense that discussed trial strategy. The trial judge determined that the prosecutor who actually tried the case hadn’t seen the document, but the high court says that was insufficient to ensure Bain’s rights were not violated.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator says families should not have to sacrifice financial stability to provide in-home care for loved ones.
Sen. Sue Crawford of Bellevue announced Friday she will introduce legislation to support Nebraska’s voluntary caregivers.
One measure would allow employees to purchase paid sick leave through the Department of Labor for up to eight consecutive weeks if caring for a sick family member or up to 12 weeks for a mother who has given birth.
The group Voices for Children says the state should support families as a critical part of the health care system.
The second would require hospitals to give detailed instructions and demonstrations for in-home care to a designated caregiver before the patient is discharged. The bill is backed by Nebraska AARP.
The North Platte Public School Foundation, in conjunction with the North Platte High School, has announced the winners of the 2016 NPHS Distinguished Alumni Award.
A committee of Foundation Directors, NPHS Administrators and NPHS Alumni and community members began the selection process in November, although the committee takes nominations year round. Three outstanding alumni of NPHS will be honored in North Platte on Friday, April 8th, at Harbor Lights as part of the Foundation’s Education After Hours event.
The 2016 NPHS Distinguished Alumni are:
Tyler Tysdal (Class of 1989), Outstanding Accomplishments in Business:
Tyler Tysdal was nominated by Matt Martin. Tyler is a 1989 graduate of NPHS and went on to attend Georgetown University where he received his Business Administration in Finance degree and was also the President of Georgetown University Student Body. He then attended Harvard Business School where he received his MBA, (Master of Business Administration). Tyler received Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award in 2009. Tyler is also an active member of the Greater Denver Business Community and is instrumental in helping Denver grow their chapters of Entrepreneurs Organization and the Young Presidents Organization. Since graduation Mr. Tysdal has grown to not only become a very successful entrepreneur, but to help people fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams as well; he is also a very successful financial advisor and leader in Denver.
Robert McFarland (Class of 1968), Outstanding Accomplishments in Education:
The late Dan McGuire started the nomination process with the help of his wife, Tia completing his quest to nominate Robert McFarland. McFarland graduated NPHS in 1968, also the year that he was won the Nebraska Gold Medal Champion sprinter for the 220 yard dash. He still holds records for the NPHS in the 100 yard dash and the 220 yard dash (now the 200 meter dash) and was also inducted into the NPHS Track Hall of Fame. Robert attended the University of Nebraska and played on the Nebraska football team which won the National Championship in 1970. Robert earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from UNL and then went on to receive his Masters of Education. After college Robert has taught, coached, has been an Associate Principal and still substitutes. He was a successful business owner; operating McFarland Greenhouses for 35 years. Robert served on and held esteemed positions in his church and community boards and continue to giving back to our community and schools. Mr. McFarland has become a highly respected and revered individual in the North Platte community.
Dr. Ivan McMurtry (Class of 1961), Outstanding Accomplishments in Medicine:
Jim and Mary States, along with their family, nominated Ivan McMurtry. Ivan graduated in 1961 and then went on to attend the University of Wyoming to earn his Bachelor of Science in Zoology, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to receive his Master of Science in the area of Physiology and then onto Colorado State University where he earned his PhD in Physiology. Ivan has held many notable positions and honors from college on, including Research Assistant, Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Professor, faculty Affiliate, Director of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research, National Research Service Award and is currently the Professor for the Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine and Center for Lung Biology, USA College of Medicine. Dr. McMurtry has made a significant impact with his medical accomplishments, especially in the area of pulmonary vascular disease, where he is credited for the development of two therapies widely used today on patients with pulmonary hypertension.
The Foundation will be honoring their 2016 Distinguished Alumni and their 2015-16 Teachers of the Year, Administrator of the Year and Staff Member of the Year. “Education after Hours” is an evening to celebrate public education in North Platte.
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