OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Travel remains difficult in eastern Nebraska and much of Iowa after a strong winter storm moved across the area.

Iowa officials closed Interstate 35 between Ames, Iowa, and the Minnesota border on Sunday because of blowing and drifting snow. The storm dropped several inches of snow on central Iowa, but parts of northwest Iowa received as much as 16 inches of snow.

In Nebraska, Interstate 80 remained closed Sunday between Grand Island and Gretna just southwest of Omaha because of weather conditions and several crashes. Much of eastern Nebraska received between 6 and 10 inches of snow in the storm.

Forecasters warn that even though the snow has stopped falling in Iowa and Nebraska strong winds could still cause blizzard conditions.

Many churches canceled their Sunday services because of conditions

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A national fight between for-profit banks and nonprofit credit unions is spilling into Nebraska, and state lawmakers could get caught in the middle.

Nebraska’s banking industry is supporting a bill this year that would require state regulators to notify them anytime a credit union seeks approval to expand its membership, giving bankers the opportunity to challenge it in a public hearing.

“The department would basically have to send a certified letter to our competitors,” said Linda Carter, president of the Lincoln-based MembersOwn Credit Union. “I can’t quite understand why we want to add that extra layer of government.”

The bill comes as several Nebraska-based credit unions try to move into parts of the state dominated by banks, following a similar trend nationwide that has pitted banks against the nonprofit lenders.

Nebraska requires state-chartered credit unions to get state approval before they can expand their “field of membership” — the group of people who are eligible to become members.

“Credit unions provide competition to for-profit banks, and where there’s competition, consumers benefit,” said Brandon Luetkenhaus, chief advocacy officer for the Nebraska Credit Union League. “This is an attempt by the bankers’ association to build barriers to business. They’re trying to insert themselves into the regulatory process.”

Credit unions offer the same basic products as banks but operate as nonprofit cooperatives, with a governing board elected by their members. They frequently boast about offering better customer service and lower fees than banks. Banks are for-profit businesses, owned by shareholders, and often have more locations than credit unions, but they don’t get the same tax breaks.

Carter said credit unions already face substantial barriers when they try to expand, and the bill would impose even more. MembersOwn currently serves people who live in or have a connection to Lancaster or Gage counties, but it’s looking to expand into 11 surrounding counties.

Banks counter that credit unions get an unfair advantage because their nonprofit status lets them avoid federal income taxes. Unlike other nonprofits, credit unions do pay state and local taxes.

“Our banks don’t back away from competition,” said Richard Baier, president of the Nebraska Bankers Association. “We compete with each other all the time. We just don’t like having to compete with someone who gets subsidies we don’t.”

Banks far outnumber credit unions in Nebraska and held about 95 percent of the state’s market share in 2017, according to the Credit Union National Association. The state’s banks topped $1 billion in combined net income in 2018, the first time they’ve hit that milestone, according to data released last week from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Nebraska has 155 state-chartered banks and 12 state-chartered credit unions, according to the Department of Banking and Finance. Another 17 banks and 48 credit unions are federally chartered.

A similar dispute between banks and credit union has erupted in Iowa. Last week, the state’s top banking lobbyists called on lawmakers to impose the same tax on credit unions that banks pay and “end credit unions’ free ride.” A bill last year in the Iowa Legislature threatened credit unions with a major tax increase, but the measure stalled.

One measure that did pass bars Iowa-based credit unions from using the names of state universities in their titles — a shot at the University of Iowa Community Credit Union, the state’s largest credit union. Iowa bankers argued that the credit union unfairly competes by using the name of the university, even though it has no affiliation with the school.

In August, Nebraska’s SAC Federal Credit Union changed its name to Cobalt Credit Union and announced it would switch from a federal charter to an Iowa state charter — a move that lets it expand into Lancaster and Dodge counties in Nebraska. The expansion wasn’t allowed under the credit union’s federal charter, but Iowa’s charter rules are more relaxed.

Cobalt Credit Union officials said they changed the name because many people falsely believe that membership is limited to military personnel. It was formed in 1946 to serve Strategic Air Command. Baier, of the bankers association, said the move was designed to gain market share in Nebraska.

Baier said his group proposed the Nebraska bill out of concern that banks could miss the existing public notices that are buried in local newspapers when a credit union wants to expand its membership field.

He said his group doesn’t mind smaller, niche credit unions, but is concerned that many of them are growing rapidly and acting like large banks when their original purpose was to provide basic financial services for people of ordinary means.

“Credit unions nationally and in Nebraska are engaging in many practices to grow their membership and geographic footprints,” the Nebraska Bankers Association said in its August newsletter. “These practices and plans for credit union expansion are indeed a growing concern for (the banking association’s) members.”

Sen. Rob Clements, an Elmwood banker, said he introduced the bill because credit unions are branching out far beyond their traditional purpose of serving specific groups of people, such as government employees or residents of a single town.

“The bankers would just like to be informed when credit unions propose modifications to expand their territory,” he said.

Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance Director Mark Quandahl said his agency hasn’t yet decided whether it will take a position on the bill. A hearing is set for Tuesday before the Legislature’s Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee.

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — Officials say Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area has closed to let construction crews complete upgrades to campground amenities.

The campground is situated about 15 miles (24 kilometers) 15 miles west of Kingsley Dam on Nebraska Highway 92 near Otter Creek Bay. It’s closed to public use until about May 24, and some aspects of the project may not be completed until this fall.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the upgrades will include new electrical and water utilities leading to 85 camping sites. Eight existing campsites will be updated to bring them into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with renovations to the showers.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) and Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) have closed Interstate 80 due to numerous crashes and whiteout conditions in the eastern half of the state. Currently, I-80 is closed between mile marker 312, near Grand Island, and mile marker 439, near Gretna.

Troopers have responded to numerous crashes, including large crashes at mile markers 329, 355, and 409 on Interstate 80. Some of those crashes involve injuries, but the extent of those injuries is not immediately clear.

The first large crash occurred near mile marker 355, east of York, involving an estimated 30 vehicles, including at least 15 semis. The crash occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. More than 100 vehicles became stranded behind that crash. Those vehicles have been escorted off of I-80.

At approximately 3:10 p.m. a crash occurred at mile marker 329, near Aurora. That crash involved approximately 15 vehicles, including 10 semis. At least 50 vehicles became stranded behind that crash and have since been escorted off of I-80.

There were an estimated 25 vehicles involved in the crash at mile marker 409, near Waverly. About 15 of those vehicles were semis. The crash occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. No significant injuries have been reported in that crash.

Troopers on the road report that conditions are still treacherous for travel. NSP encourages all drivers to stay off the roads during the blizzard and allow NDOT and local crews to work on the roads. More information on the large crashes will be released when possible.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Nearly 50 bighorn sheep in the Nebraska Panhandle have been outfitted with new tracking devices to help wildlife officials monitor their health and combat diseases.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says helicopter crews captured the sheep, gave them vaccinations and equipped the animals with tracking collars and ear tags. Several ewes also received vaginal implant transmitters to help study lamb mortality.

Twenty-two sheep were tagged in the Wildcat near McGrew and 26 at three locations in the Pine Ridge near Chadron and Crawford. Seven chronically ill ewes also were taken to South Dakota State University for additional study.

About 50 people helped with the process, including commission staff and those with South Dakota State University, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, the Lincoln Zoo, private veterinarians and the Alliance Animal Clinic.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett says the company he built through decades of acquisitions continues to perform well even though he hasn’t found any major deals at attractive prices recently.

Buffett released his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders on Saturday. He says the two potential successors he promoted last year to oversee most day-to-day operations are doing well, but the 88-year-old tycoon makes no mention of retiring.

Buffett also encourages investors to continue betting on the American economy because Berkshire has prospered by doing so, but he says they shouldn’t forget about the rest of the world.

He says Americans will benefit and be safer if all nations thrive.

Today, Deputy Phelps County Attorney Natalie Nelsen announced the charges filed against Manuel Gomez, 45, of Holdrege, in connection with the shooting deaths of Raymond Burton, 65, and David Rogers, 54, as well as the shooting of Doyle Morse, 64. Morse is currently in serious condition at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney after being transported via life-flight in critical condition Thursday.

Gomez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, three counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of flight to avoid arrest. Gomez will make his first appearance in Phelps County Court this afternoon.

Gomez was arrested Thursday afternoon outside the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office following a brief, low-speed pursuit. He had previously been identified as the suspect in a shooting that occurred at 416 Logan Street in Holdrege, where Doyle Morse had been shot but was able to call 911.

Additional crime scenes were identified in multiple units at the Sunrise View Apartments at 1422 12^th Avenue, where Raymond Burton and David Rogers were both found deceased with gunshot wounds.

The investigation remains ongoing. The Nebraska State Patrol, the Holdrege Police Department, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, and South Central Area Law Enforcement Services are working together in the investigation.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case or anyone who had contact with Manuel Gomez prior to these events Thursday is asked to call Nebraska Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-1494, the Nebraska State Patrol, or the Holdrege Police Department.

The crash that occurred Wednesday morning on Interstate 80 near Aurora has now claimed the life of an Indiana man.

Jason Palmer, 29, of Mishawaka, Indiana passed away Friday morning as a result of injuries suffered in the crash that occurred Wednesday at approximately 9:10 a.m. on eastbound I-80 near mile marker 328.

The chain-reaction crash involved nine semis and two passenger vehicles. Palmer was the passenger in a Jeep Cherokee that was involved in the early stages of the crash. After it had come to a stop, two semis that were traveling together came upon the scene. One of the semis was able to slow down, but the other was not. That semi struck the first semi and then collided with the Jeep Cherokee.

Palmer was transported to the hospital in Aurora before being life-flighted to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, where he passed away this morning. The driver of the Cherokee was transported by a trooper to the hospital in Aurora and was treated for minor injuries and released.

Weather conditions were a factor in the crash. The crash investigation is ongoing.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Howling winds and heavy snow are forecast for much of Nebraska and Iowa this weekend.

The National Weather Service says a rain later Friday could precede freezing rain and ice accumulations before the snow arrives in abundance on Saturday.

Snow totals could range up to 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) or higher in some spots. Blizzard or near blizzard conditions are expected, with wind gusts reaching 55 mph (88.5 kph) or more.

The service says the conditions could make travel all but impossible in many areas and cause power outages.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) crews are prepared for the latest round of winter weather which looks to impact most of the State and good portions of the country.  While the forecast could fluctuate, concerns are highest for high winds creating low visibility and potential for freezing drizzle or rain.  Workers and equipment will be out to clear the highways and monitor changing conditions throughout the storm which look to impact travel today into Sunday.

“This latest storm looks to have a significant impact on a majority of the State this weekend on top of already significant snowfall,” said NDOT Director Kyle Schneweis.  “As always, drivers are encouraged to be informed about weather and road conditions before making the decision to travel.  Regardless, our crews will be out working to clear roadways as conditions allow in a potential blizzard.  We urge caution if you must travel during this winter storm and know before you go.”

“Driving conditions can change quickly during a winter storm,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP).  “Knowing what to expect is critical if you have to travel during this weekend’s weather.  Please stay up-to-date with local forecasts and check 511 or NDOT’s Plow Tracker before you venture out.  If you become stranded or need assistance while traveling, our troopers will be on the road throughout the state and ready to help.”

Travelers are advised to be alert, be aware and check the most up to date travel conditions available through 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System.  The system is available at all times via by phone, online at www.511.nebraska.gov, Nebraska 511’s smartphone app or by dialing 511. Travelers are also encouraged to utilize NDOT’s Plow Tracker at https://plows.nebraska.gov/index.html where the public will be able to observe road conditions in real time from the cabs of NDOT snowplows. Please note that weather conditions are often worse than they appear on camera.

Should travel be absolutely necessary,  NDOT reminds motorists to be prepared with warm clothing water and food.  Be sure to travel on well-established routes and notify someone when you are leaving for your destination.  If traveling a distance, a winter weather survival kit is advised with additional basic items.  Travelers are advised to not drive faster than conditions allow.  Surfaces will be slick under the snow and visibility may be poor.  Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination.

With snowplows out on the roads, travelers are urged to be cautious and courteous to those operating
them, making sure to:

• Slow down as you approach plows.  They travel slowly, usually 25-30 miles per hour or less.
• Stay well behind plows to give you and them plenty of room.  When traveling outside of a business or residential district, it is unlawful to follow a highway maintenance vehicle (snowplow, truck or grader) more closely than 100 feet when it is plowing snow, spreading salt or sand, or displaying a flashing amber or blue light.
• Never pass a plow on the right – snowplows are equipped with “wing plows” which extend beyond the truck itself.
• Know where plows are and actions they may be taking while they plow snow.

Motorists are reminded to make sure everyone in their vehicle wears a seat belt and children are in a car safety seat.  Do not use cruise control in wet or snowy weather and keep a full gas tank.

For safe-driving tips and winter weather information, visit NDOT’s website:
http://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/driving/winter/.

As a reminder, the NSP Highway Helpline is available 24 hours per day for motorists in need of assistance.  Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone. Call 911 for any emergency.