The week of March 23-27, 2015 has been designated as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Nebraska.

The week provides opportunities for public, government and private businesses to raise awareness, prepare, test and practice procedures for what to do during a severe weather event.

As long as no severe weather is expected or occurring, the statewide tornado drill will be conducted by the National Weather Service on Wednesday, March 25th between 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT (9 a.m. to 10 a.m. MDT).

In the event of active weather on March 25th, the tornado drill will be completed on March 26th.

The purpose of the drill is to ensure that Nebraskans can adequately receive a tornado warning and to practice any actions which would be taken to protect your life in the event of a real tornado.  The test warning will be sent through all communication channels which are normally used for severe weather dissemination.

Officials say this tornado drill presents an excellent opportunity for everyone at work, school, or home to practice their safety measures.

Severe Weather Awareness Week provides the National Weather Service the opportunity to get potentially lifesaving  information out to the public.  

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 18 to 23 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a north wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. North wind 12 to 17 mph becoming light north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
Thursday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north northwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

Mid-Plains Community College has been named as a Career Preparedness Award recipient by the Nebraska ACT State Organization.

The honor makes MPCC Nebraska’s community college representative in the national ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign.

Started in 2013, the campaign celebrates exemplary employers, community colleges, high schools and high school seniors across the U.S. who promote or exemplify readiness for college and careers.

“I think the state award really recognizes the amount of career preparation we constantly work toward at MPCC,” said Bill Eakins, area dean of Career Services. “We do everything we can for our 18-county service area. We use the most up-to-date career information systems, bring in business leaders to speak to our students and provide a variety of classroom-specific skills assessments.”

To be considered for the award, MPCC had to outline the career readiness assessments and career preparation programs it has in place.

The college also had to demonstrate strong relationships with local employers, a commitment by administrators and faculty to provide a support structure for students and the presence of student leadership opportunities outside the classroom.

“This award is definitely a reflection of the college as a whole – not just Career Services,” said Berva Arensdorf, area career specialist for MPCC. “Although some students plan to continue their postsecondary education after leaving MPCC, many students come here with the goal of being career ready. It takes an institution-wide effort to make that happen for them.”

The college will be recognized during a luncheon in Lincoln on April 9. Approximately 150 education and workforce leaders are expected to attend the event.

MPCC will also be considered for recognition at the National Gala for College and Career Readiness in Washington, D.C. in June.

The North Platte Public Schools Foundation has announced that Courtney Feeney, Dee Tuenge, Abigail Persinger and Vikki Carlson have been awarded the 2015 North Platte Public Schools Employees of the Year.

According to NPPSF Executive Director, Heather Halligan, these awards recognize and encourage superior professional effort to improve instruction and to cultivate the continuation of educational excellence in our schools.

Courtney Feeney (2015 Teacher of the Year, PreK-5^th grade) is a first grade teacher at McDonald Elementary.  She received her degree in Elementary Education from Chadron State College and completed her Master degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Peru State College.  Last year Courtney was NTV’s Teacher of the Month for March after being nominated by her students and foster grandparent Sheila White.  She lives in North Platte with her husband, Drew Feeney.

“Courtney Feeney is very deserving of this recognition. She consistently places the needs of her students at the forefront of all her decisions,” said McDonald Principal Tim Vanerderheiden.  “With an inner drive to find what will best meet those needs, Mrs. Feeney continually collaborates with her colleagues and pushes herself to grow her instructional practice.”

Dee Tuenge (Dee Tuenge 2015 NPPS Teacher of the Year, grades 6^th-12^th grade) has been the Project Search Instructor since it began in North Platte in 2010-2011.

Project Search is a transition program for students 18-21 located at the Walmart DC 7018.

“On behalf of the staff of North Platte High School, we would like to congratulate Dee on this award,” said NPHS principal, Mike Brownawell. “She is an amazing teacher who develops unique relationships with her students that go beyond the classroom.”

Tuenge has been a Special Education teacher for NPPSD since 2002.

Abigail Persinger (2015 NPPS Staff Member of the Year) is the secretary at McDonald Elementary for the 2nd year.

She was born and raised in central Ohio and earned a Liberal Arts degree from The Ohio State University.

In 2012 Abigail and her family relocated to Nebraska with her husband’s job.  She currently lives in North Platte with her husband Kenneth and her 8 year old daughter Gracie.

In her spare time Abigail enjoys traveling and visiting with family and friends.

“The energy and personality of Abigail Persinger keeps McDonald Elementary rolling,” said McDonald Elementary principal, Tim Vanderheiden.  “Her smile and welcoming demeanor is always waiting to greet and assist new families and visitors.”

Vikki Carlson (2015 NPPS Administrator of the Year) has always been drawn to leadership.

From her early elementary school years at McDonald Elementary and Eisenhower Elementary here in North Platte, she participated in lead roles in musicals and athletic clubs.

As a student at Adams Junior High and then a 1987 graduate of North Platte High School, she continued her leadership journey participating in student council, swim team, softball and drill team, along with many other school and community organizations.

Her passion for leadership and learning landed her at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she held various offices in her sorority as well as various governing bodies for the Teachers College at UNL.  Service to these organizations included Assistant Rush Chairman and Public Relations Representative for her sorority, to name a few.  In addition, she was elected president of the Teachers College Advisory Board and served as a member of the committee for Promotion and Tenure of University of Nebraska professors.

Vikki earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Language Arts, Speech Communication, and Theatre in 1991.  In the year 2000, she completed her Master of Arts degree from Doane College in Curriculum and Instruction.  She earned her Masters of Educational Administration Endorsement for Secondary School Principalship in 2011 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Vikki has more than 22 years of experience in education.  She spent 13 years as a classroom Language Arts teacher at both the middle school and high school here in North Platte; was the regional coordinator for Tom and Nancy Osborn’s Teammates Mentoring program for four years traveling the 3^rd district to help manage current school based Teammates Mentoring Programs and assisting schools in opening new chapters.

She is currently in her 5^th year as an administrator for the NPPSD.

“Vikki is an advocate for students and teachers and she is a true professional in everything she does,” said Adams Middle School principal, Jeff Steinbeck.  “Vikki has a passion for the North Platte school district and she is very deserving of this award.”

These individuals will be honored at the Foundation’s “Education after Hours,” Friday, April 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and can be reserved online at www.NPPSF.org.

 

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An attempt to repeal Nebraska’s motorcycle helmet law has stalled in the Legislature.

Supporters on Monday fell nine votes short of the 33 needed to halt debate and vote on the measure. The repeal bill now falls to the bottom of this year’s agenda, likely killing it for the year.

The repeal measure would have lifted Nebraska’s restriction on motorcycle helmets for riders who are at least 21 years old. Operators would still have to wear eye protection.

Motorcyclist groups have tried to repeal the law for more than two decades. Nebraska is one of 19 states that require helmets for all riders.

Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins says he introduced the bill because riders should have the choice. Opponents say the law saves lives.

DETROIT (AP) — Families of at least 74 people killed in crashes caused by defective General Motors ignition switches will get compensation from the company.

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM to compensate victims, updated the total Monday. It was up from 67 last week.

An additional 126 injured people also are eligible for compensation.

The fund received a total of 4,342 claims by the Jan. 31 deadline. Of those, 1,326 are still under review. Feinberg says more than half were ineligible or lacked documentation.

GM knew about problem switches in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars for more than a decade but recalled them only last year. They can slip out of the “on” position, which cuts off the engine, knocks out power steering and turns off air bags.

Since arriving on the scene from their native Australia, the NEWSBOYS have taken Christian music by storm.  The NEWSBOYS will be appearing at the Nebraska State  Fair on Thursday, September 3, at7:30pm. Tickets are on sale now for a $6 convenience fee plus gate at Etix.com or at the Heartland Events Center Box Office in Grand Island.  Fan Club premier packages are also available for $30 plus gate and fees.

“The NEWSBOYS have had an impressive career over the past three decades garnering six gold albums; eight million career sales units; 33 number one singles; multiple GRAMMY® Award nominations and more,” said Chelsey Jungck, entertainment and events director for the Nebraska State Fair.

“They even got into movie making when the band appeared in 2014’s Pure Flix release “God’s Not Dead,” inspired by their song of the same name.” Other hits include, “Your Love Never Fails”, “We Believe”, “Born Again,” and “Shine” to name a few,” Jungck said.

The NEWSBOYS album “Hallelujah for the Cross” features many of the standard Hymns enjoyed by generations.  Their goal is to introduce these traditional favorites with a new generation of Christians around the world.

Jungck says, “The Nebraska State Fair has been fortunate in being able to bring some of Christian music’s top artists over the years, and the NEWSBOYS are no exception.  We always expect a sold-out performance as Nebraskans gather for a night of praise and worship.”

The concert will be held Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for $6.00 at the gate, online at Etix.com or at the Heartland Events Center Box Office.

Fan club tickets are available for $30.00

 

Several students at North Platte High School have been cited for marijuana infractions following a sweep of the school and school property by area law enforcement.

On March 23, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, North Platte Police Department and numerous other law enforcement agencies conducted a K-9 search of NPHS.

According to the LCSO, law enforcement didn’t locate any contraband inside the school building.  They did however locate numerous illegal items in vehicles parked on school grounds.

Deputies say following the search, four students were cited for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia.

They say the search was part of a continuing effort to “keep our schools drug free.”

Authorities say the Broken Bow Police Department, Deuel County Sheriff’s Office and the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office assisted local law enforcement with the effort.

Additional searches will be conducted at other Lincoln County Schools.

The names and ages of the students cited were not released.

In Nebraska, first offense possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $300.

Today: A 10 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
Tonight: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southeast wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a south wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west northwest 16 to 26 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West northwest wind 12 to 17 mph becoming light west southwest. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Blustery.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — The Stuhr Museum hopes to attract more visitors this year thanks to a state tourism program and new advertising in the Kansas City area.

Museum officials believe it will help to be included in the Nebraska Passport Program again this year.

The passport program lists attractions across the state, and visitors can qualify for prizes if they see everything on the list.

The pioneer museum also received a $3,591 grant to pay for advertising on touch screen kiosks in the Kansas City area.

The museum tries to portray the era of the pioneer town builders who created the first communities in Nebraska.