SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — Sidney’s former police chief has filed with the Nebraska Appeals Court a challenge to his conviction and 30-day jail sentence for obstructing government operations.

The lawyer for Byron Wilkinson filed the appeal earlier this month, repeating arguments made in an unsuccessful appeal to the Cheyenne County District Court. Wilkinson says the trial court didn’t have a factual basis to find him guilty, that an amended prosecutors’ complaint didn’t adequately charge a violation of the statute, and that Wilkinson’s sentence was excessive.

State prosecutors say Wilkinson failed to pursue criminal charges against John Hehnke, who then was Sidney’s public works director, after Hehnke’s ex-girlfriend filed a complaint against him in January 2014.

HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) — Two boys have been treated at a local hospital and released after falling through lake ice at a park in the south-central Nebraska city of Holdrege.

Bystanders and Holdrege police officer Martin McIntire helped the boys reach shore and safety on Wednesday evening. McIntire told the Holdrege Daily Citizen that the boys were walking on the ice to test its depth when they broke through into the frigid water at the lake in North Park.

The boys were identified as 13-year-old Gage Huston and 7-year-old Roman Urbom, who live in Holdrege. They were released around 10 p.m. Wednesday from Phelps Memorial Health Center.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Campus police are investigating a violation of rules against hazing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Court documents say police have obtained video of a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member being taped face down to a bench outside the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house earlier this month. The video shows the student was wearing only underwear as he was doused with ketchup and mustard.

It’s unclear how long he was restrained. The video shows him freeing his hands and pulling off tape while still being sprayed with the condiments.

University spokesman Steve Smith says no action has been taken yet against the fraternity but that the university will do so “at the appropriate time.” A frat spokesman declined to comment.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Public Service Commission has ordered that taxi companies cannot force elderly and disabled people whose rides are paid for by Medicaid to share taxis with others.

Omaha-based Happy Cab, which doesn’t transport multiple people without passengers’ permission, filed a complaint against Lincoln-based Servant Cab, which did. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said the federal government encourages cabs to take multiple riders because it saves money. The department said it has the authority to instruct taxis to multiload because the state pays the fare.

The Lincoln Journal Star (http://bit.ly/1MwdMPp ) reports that the service commission, which regulates taxi companies, wrote a Dec. 15 opinion disputing the health department. The commission says consent must be received from the first passenger, regardless of who is paying for the fare.

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — No injuries have been reported after a train struck a stalled semitrailer at a crossing near Sidney.

The Chicago-bound Union Pacific train hit the truck around 2 a.m. Monday, and three locomotives and seven rail cars ran off the tracks. Railroad spokeswoman Calli Hite says nearby U.S. Highway 30 was closed so crews with heavy equipment could clear away the wreckage and make repairs. The highway was reopened by early afternoon.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s population grew modestly again this year, but it might not be enough to protect all three of the state’s U.S. House seats after the 2020 Census.

The new U.S. Census estimates released Tuesday show that Nebraska’s population grew by 0.7 percent to 1.896 million by July 1 of this year.

David Drozd with the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research says the state is likely in good position to keep all three House seats, but there’s still some risk if Nebraska grows slower than most other states.

Since this estimate was completed, ConAgra Foods announced more than 1,000 layoffs in the state and Cabela’s has said it is considering major changes that could affect employment.

The national population grew 0.8 percent to 321.4 million this year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is bringing a private aide into a public job in his administration.

Ricketts announced Monday that Jessica Flanagain will join his office as a special adviser to the governor for external affairs.

Flanagain, formerly Jessica Moenning, worked as a privately paid consultant helping the governor with longer-term policy issues. Moenning wrote Ricketts’ first State of the State speech and helped lead the Nebraskans for the Death Penalty campaign.

A Ricketts spokesman says Flanagain is becoming a public employee because her duties are expanding. She will focus on communications, strategic planning and coalition building. Her salary will be $130,000.

Ricketts’ chief operating officer, Felix Davidson, is also changing from full-time employee to part-time. Davidson will work as a contract adviser on special projects.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson is warning the public about a recent postcard scam that has targeted businesses.

Peterson says several businesses have reported receiving an official-looking postcard that purports to be from “United Business Services Compliance Division.” The message includes a “Notice of Potential Compliance Violation,” and lists a phone number to call immediately to avoid fees and penalties.

The attorney general’s office says the mailing is not an official government document, and there are no entities registered to do business as “United Business Services.”

Postcard recipients have reported that when calling the number, they’re directed to pay a one-time fee of roughly $70 or to pay for a service that is not necessarily needed.