SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A western Nebraska police chief has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing government operations.

Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson Jr. was sentenced Friday by Judge Paul Wess, who was specially appointed to hear the case.

The charge stems from what state prosecutors say was Wilkinson’s failure to pursue a criminal case against city Public Works Director John Hehnke after Hehnke’s ex-girlfriend filed a criminal complaint in January 2014 against Hehnke.

A special prosecutor later charged Hehnke with viewing a person in a state of undress and disturbing the peace, both misdemeanors. He pleaded no contest in April and was convicted of disturbing the peace and fined $300.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Grand juries will be convened to investigate two inmate deaths this week at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln.

49-year-old Douglas Wright died Thursday afternoon. Authorities say Wright was being treated for a long-term medical condition when he died. He was serving a four- to five-year prison sentence for dealing methamphetamine and had been set to be released in February.

On Monday, 56-year-old Charles Burriell was found unresponsive in his cell. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He had been serving a 20- to 30-year sentence for first-degree sexual assault of a child. Prison officials have not released the cause of Burriell’s death.

State law requires a grand jury investigation anytime someone dies in custody.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it considers many factors when determining ways to euthanize large numbers of animals during a disease outbreak.

The agency released the statement Thursday in response to a letter from an animal rights group criticizing a USDA proposal to respond to a future outbreak of bird flu.

The Humane Society of The United States’ letter focused on statements made by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford during a Senate committee hearing last week.

Clifford said shutting off ventilation systems to barns when the highly contagious disease is found may be more humane and efficient than gassing or using foam to suffocate the birds. Those methods were used amid this year’s outbreak.

The animal rights group says the latest idea is gruesome and should be scrapped.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A company plans to help clean up groundwater pollution at its soybean extraction plant in Lincoln by use fracking technology.

The state’s environmental quality agency gave preliminary approval last month to Archer Daniels Midland Co. for the work.

Crews will inject emulsified iron and vegetable solutions under high pressure into the ground to help remove lingering contaminants, including carbon tetrachloride. The hazardous chemicals were once commonly used as a grain fumigant to kill insects during the 1950s and 1960s.

Company officials believe the contamination was there before it bought the grain elevator complex in 1966.

Supervisor Tom Buell, of the state agency’s voluntary cleanup program and Superfund unit, says there’s no public health risk associated with the groundwater contamination.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a luncheon to benefit one of their own.

On Saturday, July 25, the LCSO will host the luncheon at the Eagles Club, 620 North Chestnut Street, to benefit Lieutenant Jeff Hedgecock.

Hedgecock has been an employee of the Lincoln County Detention Center since 1986, and has been active in youth sports for over 25 years.

According to organizers, Hedgecock is facing significant medical issues stemming from Type II diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and is currently completing processing to be placed on the donor list for a double kidney/liver transplant.

In order to help offset the enormous expenses the Hedgecocks will incur, the LCSO will be serving hot dogs and sides from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., for a free-will offering.

Additionally, a silent auction will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and bidders need not be present to win.

Monetary donations can also be made to Nebraskaland National Bank or online at www.gofundme.com/jeffhedge.

The Mix 97.1 crew will be broadcasting live, so come help us support the Hedgcock family.

• Ruben Marquez 26, Dickens and Dafne Abril Yanez, 20 Dickens

• Manuel Aldo Nunez, 37, Stratton and Paz Esmeralda Enriquez, 32, Stratton

• Ryan Christopher Martinez, 47, Oshkosh and Dana Lee Juarez, 50, Oshkosh

• Lancelot Leroy Witt, 30, North Platte and Kristina Nicole Haws, 25, North Platte

• Christopher Aaron Cassell, 29, North Platte and Crystal AnnMarie Zwickl, 27, North Platte

• Joshua Alan Spencer, 28, Sutherland and Peggy Lynn Knight, 36, Sutherland

• Trevor Gene Kucera, 25, North Platte and Molly Lennea Hinkle, 22, North Platte

• Travis Anthony Fitzpatrick, 41, Sutherland and Tara Christine Brennan, 30, Sutherland

• David Wayne Keck, 26, North Platte and Relissa Grace Williams, 27, North Platte

• Greg Mark Hernandez, 42, North Platte and Jamie Jo Ruffin. 37, North Platte

• Michael Sam Richardson, 57, North Platte and Ann Marie Schwenke, 55, North Platte

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Renovation of Scottsbluff High School in western Nebraska has begun.

Members of the architecture firm and school facilities team reported the project’s progress to the public school board on Monday.

Construction will take place over the next 2 1/2 years. There will be a gradual progress of renovation that will allow for more flexibility for the contractors and accommodate school operations.

Randy Scott, director of the district’s facilities and maintenance, says 80 percent of the school will be new or heavily remodeled when the project is complete. Some of the additions include a new media center, commons area, career center and classrooms that will be based on the needs of the different areas of Career Academy courses.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — The Kearney City Council has voted to rezone and annex more than five acres of land just west of the Younes Hospitality Development.

The unanimous vote came Tuesday night. The approval paves the way for developers to build a new hotel, two or three restaurants and four apartment buildings.

Mayor Stan Clouse says any development is a good sign of growth for the city.

The council also approved plans for single-family housing in southwest Kearney near Yanney Heritage Park. Fourteen single family lots will now be part of the Park View Estates subdivision.