LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have revved up a new debate over the state’s motorcycle helmet law.

Senators who want to abolish the 1989 law argued Thursday that it infringes on a personal freedom. Its defenders argue it saves lives and helps contain Medicaid and insurance costs that would increase with more traumatic brain injuries.

Motorcyclist groups have tried for more than two decades to repeal the law without success, but came close in recent years with turnover in the Legislature.

Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins says he introduced the bill because riders should have the freedom to decide for themselves.

Medical and traffic-safety groups argue that Nebraska already lacks services for residents with brain injuries, and eliminating the helmet requirement would only worsen the problem.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska gun-safety activists say a proposal to eliminate city and county firearm ordinances in favor of statewide regulations would benefit the national gun lobby more than residents.

Senators heard testimony Thursday on a bill that would impose statewide uniformity for gun and ammunition ownership, eliminating what gun-rights lobbyists call a confusing patchwork of local ordinances.

Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete says her bill would still allow communities to regulate where a firearm could be discharged.

Opponents say the bill slashes the ability of community leaders to protect citizens with their own gun ownership rules. The bill would allow for an individual or organization “adversely affected” by a local ordinance to sue the city or county that created it.

A 26-year-old North Platte man is facing a felony arson charge after he allegedly lit a firework that sparked a wildfire in North Platte on March 16.

According to the North Platte Police Department, since the time of the fire, police have received information from several individuals saying that the fire was started by a firework that had been lit in the area. Several witnesses were reportedly contacted by police.

Following an investigation, police determined that Aaron Clark and several other people had been having a picnic in the 1600 block of East 16th Street (Cody Park).

Police say witnesses stated that Clark lit an artillery shell without a tube to entertain the group.

Because Clark did not use a tube, the artillery shell failed to launch into the air and exploded on the ground.

Authorities say this caused several small fires to start in the area.

Clark and the group were unable to put the fires out, according to police, and left the area.

The fire then grew, burning 110 acres before emergency personnel were able to bring it under control.

Police made contact with Clark and cited him for 3rd degree arson, a class IV felony.

No further arrests are expected.

RELATED CONTENT:

https://www.northplattepost.com/2015/03/17/coordinated-effort-saves-homes-prevents-injuries-in-north-platte-wildfire/

Deputies say alcohol use is suspected in an early morning crash in Lincoln County.

At around 1:18 a.m., on Thursday, deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to an injury accident near the intersection of East Swanson Road and South Gilman Road, in rural Lincoln County.

An investigation revealed that a Ford F-250, driven by 22-year-old Warren Schultz, of Gothenburg, was traveling on Gilman Road and failed to negotiate a curve.

The vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times.

Deputies say neither Schultz or his passenger, 20-year-old Abigail Hanson, of Seward, were wearing their seatbelts. Schultz was ejected from the vehicle.

Both Schultz and Hanson were transported to a Gothenburg hospital with serious injuries.

Deputies say it does appear that alcohol was a factor in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

The conditions of Schultz and Hanson are unknown at this time.

A 61-year-old North Platte woman has died following an accident south of North Platte.

At around 8:33 p.m., on Wednesday, deputies with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an injury accident at the intersection of North Lake Road and US Highway 83.

Deputies and troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrived and found that two vehicles were involved in the crash, a 2003 Peterbilt semi, pulling an empty trailer, and a 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

According to deputies, the driver of the Hyundai, Celestina “Tina” Mohr, was turning north onto Highway 83, and didn’t see the southbound semi in the passing lane.

Deputies say the semi struck Mohr’s vehicle on the driver’s side.

Mohr, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Great Plains Health, where she died shortly after arrival.

Authorities say it does not appear that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

The driver of the semi was not injured.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing.

March marks a month of madness in sports, and Great Plains Health sees an opportunity to use the captivated male audience to talk about men’s health issues.

On Thursday, March 19 from 6 to 7 p.m., Great Plains Health is hosting the Month of Madness & Men’s Health event at Wild Bills Wings & Bowling in North Platte.

The event is designed to engage men in the importance of taking care of their health, but doing so in a way that taps into their love of sports. The event will be held in a casual and informal setting with the opportunity to watch the NCAA tournament on the big screen TVs. Brief health information sessions will be presented by:

• Mark Nielsen, MD, an internal medicine physician with Midlands Family Medicine,  who will be sharing information regarding general men’s health, prevention and screenings
• Arshad Ali, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Great Plains Heart & Vascular Center, will discuss heart health and cardiac event symptoms
• Michael Gallentine, MD, a urologist with Great Plains Urology, will provide an overview of men’s urologic health

The event is offered to community free of charge and no registration is required. Complimentary wings and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. The event is part of the Great Plains Health GPFit! initiative developed last year as part of the health system’s focus on improving health in the region.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities in the communities we serve to help inspire health and wellness.” said Fiona Libsack, vice president of marketing and support services. “If we can make an impact through helping others see the many benefits associated with living a healthier lifestyle, then our GPFit! initiative will be successful.”

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Light northwest wind becoming north northwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed a law to require carbon monoxide detectors in many new homes, starting in 2017.

The new law approved on Wednesday will require the detectors in any residence sold, rented or issued a building permit on or after Jan. 1, 2017.

Sen. Sara Howard of Omaha has said she introduced the measure in response to past carbon monoxide deaths and close calls.

The city of Wahoo became one of the first in Nebraska to require detectors in 2006, after a father and son died in their home from poisoning.

Carbon monoxide has no color, smell or taste, and produces symptoms often mistaken for the flu.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Supporters and opponents of abortion rights are clashing over a bill that would impose tougher regulations on Nebraska’s three abortion centers.

A legislative committee heard testimony Wednesday on a measure that would reclassify facilities that perform five or more abortions a month as ambulatory surgical centers.

Advocates say the measure by Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha is a women’s health initiative, but opponents say it’s a veiled attempt to limit access to abortions. McCoy is an outspoken abortion opponent.

Senators also heard testimony on a bill by Papillion Sen. Bill Kintner that would require abortion clinics to post signs reiterating the importance of informed consent.

Neither bill has a priority designation, limiting the chances that either will pass this year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The biological fathers of children conceived through a sexual assault would lose their parental rights under a proposal reviewed by Nebraska lawmakers.

Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue presented the proposal to the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Garrett says women who are sexually assaulted often feel pressure to terminate their pregnancy or put the child up for adoption to keep their assailant out of their lives.

Garrett says 29 other states have passed laws to end fathers’ parental rights in rape cases. Supporters of the bill say 25,000 to 32,000 pregnancies occur because of rapes each year.

Garrett says the bill allows fathers to reclaim parental rights if their convictions are overturned. He says the bill still needs some work, but creates important protections for women.