By Officer Rodney Brown-NPPD Public Information Officer

Parking enforcement is seldom a popular subject with the public; much like a barking dog complaint, but a necessary function to ensure parking availability for all citizens.

This time of the year the City of North Platte generally receives an increase in complaints from the public regarding the length of time boats, trailers, RV’s etc. can be legally parked on public roadways.  As a reminder, just as motor vehicles, an owner is allowed 72 hrs for their property to be parked before it should be moved.

• 76.10  MAXIMUM TIME LIMIT.

Unless otherwise posted with appropriate signs, and subject to the provisions of § 76.21, it shall be unlawful for anyone to park or leave standing any motor vehicle, truck trailer, mobile home, travel trailer, boat, boat trailer, pontoon trailer, utility trailer, pickup camper, horse trailer, car trailer, stock trailer or machinery of any kind upon the public streets for more than 72 consecutive hours.

(Prior Code, § 50-240)  (Ord. 3409, § 1, 3-19-2002)  Penalty, see § 76.99

Understand the goal for law enforcement is always voluntary compliance of the law.   Thanks from the North Platte Police Department.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 25-year-old Tennessee man has been given 20 to 30 years in a Nebraska prison for trying to kill a friend.

Evan Swenson, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced on Monday in Buffalo County District Court in Kearney. He’d pleaded no contest and was convicted of attempted murder. Prosecutors dropped a weapons charge in exchange for Swenson’s plea.

Prosecutors say Swenson shot 31-year-old Gerard Vinett twice on Nov. 19. Swenson, Vinett and Swenson’s girlfriend at the time, Ashley Dominguez, were in Kearney that day because their vehicle had broken down on their way to California. Prosecutors say Swenson became angry with Vinett because, among other things, he thought Vinett had stolen money from him and thought Vinett had hit on Dominguez.

It’s a brief moment, but it signifies a huge step on the pathway to nursing.

A total of 27 Mid-Plains Community College students will receive Associate Degree of Nursing pinsFriday during a special ceremony planned for noon at the North Platte Community College South Campus McDonald-Belton Theater.

The event is open to the public. Kristyn Clapp, of Culbertson, and Merry Sedlacek, of North Platte, will be the featured student speakers.

According to Cindy Lovette, nursing administrative assistant for MPCC, the act of being pinned doesn’t automatically make someone a nurse. However, it does signify that he or she has completed the necessary schooling to become one.

Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and, upon passing the examination, they are qualified to receive a registered nurse license.

MPCC students eligible for pinning include:

• Kendra Ash – Sutherland
• Holly Barrett – Ogallala
• Joseph Benson – McCook
• Lisa Bryant – North Platte
• Dierdrie Christensen – North Platte
• Kristyn Clapp – Culbertson
• Tasha Clark – Oshkosh
• Jami Comer – North Platte
• Tessa Cumming – Hershey
• Taylor Dunn – Cozad
• Lynelle Foster – Big Springs
• Brandy Harness – North Platte
• Savannah Higdon – North Platte
• Savanna Hollibaugh – Wallace
• Todd Hovey – McCook
• Jennell McGee – Ogallala
• Nicole Miller – North Platte
• Melinda Neill-Tyler – North Platte
• Deirdre Nichelson – Sutherland
• Elena Ramos – North Platte
• Sarah Riddell – North Platte
• Jamie Sosa – Sutherland
• Lori Schanou – North Platte
• Merry Sedlacek – North Platte
• Justina Snider – North Platte
• Tasia Stumpf – Ogallala
• Kassandra Willey – North Platte

Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. High near 68. East southeast wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 9 to 11 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska school districts could receive reimbursement for preparing students for college and careers under a bill that cleared a first-round vote in the Legislature.

Senators voted 27-15 Monday to advance a broad education measure by Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids, which senators initially called a “clean-up bill” to clarify existing laws.

But Sen. Rick Kolowski of Omaha successfully tacked on another bill that had lacked support earlier in the session. The addition would designate $2 million to reimburse qualified school districts that offer college readiness programs like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.

Some senators worried the move would set a precedent for other senators to use amendments to revive bills that failed.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska counties looking to expand livestock operations could receive extra funds for planning and improving infrastructure under a bill that cleared a first-round vote in the Legislature.

Senators voted 37-0 Monday on a measure by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala that would funnel $1.5 million to counties approved by the Nebraska director of agriculture as livestock friendly.

Schilz says the measure puts the control in the hand of local authorities to seek out the livestock friendly designation and apply for grants.

During debate, some senators tried to expand the bill to other agricultural operations, with specific emphasis on certified organic food systems. But Schilz says broadening the language could detract from the emphasis on livestock development.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says he has reached a compromise with a state senator over a proposed increase in government aid for low-income families.

The announcement on Monday came four days after the Republican governor vetoed the increase, which he described as well-intentioned but unsustainable.

The bill by Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln would increase monthly payments to families participating in the Aid to Dependent Children program.

Under current law, a family of two gets $293 a month plus $71 for each additional person. Formula changes under the bill would increase the average payment by $112 a month.

Ricketts says in a press release that based on the agreement, Campbell will not try to override his veto.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — University of Nebraska at Kearney students have raised more than $4,500 for earthquake relief in Nepal.

Seven students who are members of the Nepalese Student Association at Kearney led a fundraising effort last week that ended in a Friday candlelight vigil.

Graduate student Anjana Prasain says about $4,700 has been raised so far and that total is expected to grow.

She calls the response “totally amazing.”

The money will go toward helping rural areas hit hard by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25, killing more than 7,000 people.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska farmers and business owners could get a property tax break under a bill moving through the Legislature.

Lawmakers gave first-round approval Monday to an exemption for personal business property. The bill would apply to farm equipment such as irrigation pivots, pumps and motors, and machines used in a factory.

The measure by Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island would allow owners to exempt the first $10,000 worth of property, for an average tax savings of $162. The bill would cost the state $19.6 million a year.

Lawmakers advanced the bill on a 29-0 vote. Some senators argued that the Legislature hasn’t done enough, and has taken a “whack-a-mole” approach to reducing taxes when the focus should be on broad-based reductions.

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s board of directors passed a motion to permit the use of alcohol on District lakes associated with the Supply Canal.

According to Nebraska law, the consumption of alcohol on any property owned by the state or a governmental subdivision is prohibited unless authorized by the governing bodies having jurisdiction over such property.

The board had decided at its March meeting to look into the issue further in response to confusion among visitors to Johnson Lake about rules concerning the consumption of alcohol at the lake.  Alcohol consumption is allowed — subject to a number of regulations — in the campgrounds at Johnson Lake operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), but was prohibited on the water.

In a 10-0 vote during Monday’s monthly meeting (two directors were absent), the board authorized the consumption of alcohol on all of Central’s Supply Canal lakes, including Johnson, Jeffrey and Midway lakes as well as Elwood Reservoir.  The action does not apply to Lake McConaughy where alcohol is prohibited.

Alcohol use on Central’s lakes remains subject to state laws that regulate the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly with regard to operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Central staff solicited comments from the public before today’s decision.  Public input overwhelmingly favored removal of the prohibition of alcohol on District lakes.