LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska state government tax receipts in January were nearly 6 percent below projections.

The Department of Revenue reported Tuesday that the state’s net tax receipts were $348 million. The state’s certified forecast for the month was $368 million.

According to the report, Nebraska’s net individual income tax receipts were more than 14 percent below the forecast. Net sales-and-use taxes were down slightly, while net corporate income and miscellaneous taxes came in higher than projected.

Net receipts for the current fiscal year are still more than 1 percent ahead of the forecast for the year. The state revenue projection was approved by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson has joined a nationwide coalition warning oil companies about synthetic drug sales at convenience stores.

Peterson signed a letter that was sent to the presidents of major oil companies on Tuesday, expressing concern that employees of their gas stations distribute synthetic marijuana.

The letter from the National Association of Attorneys General says confusion surrounding synthetic drugs allows dealers to convince smoke shops and gas stations to carry the products despite their illegality. The Association called for leaders at BP, Phillips 66, Chevron, Shell, Citgo, Sunoco, Valero, Exxon Mobil and Marathon Petroleum to communicate and enforce standards with store franchisees.

Peterson has been a vocal opponent of marijuana and has thrown his weight behind a legislative bill to strengthen enforcement in Nebraska.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Net income for U.S. farmers is expected to fall by nearly 32 percent this year because of low crop prices and increasing expenses, placing many farmers in an unprofitable situation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released estimates on Tuesday that show 2015 is expected to be the second year in a row that farmers will see their income fall. Income was down 16 percent from 2013 to 2014.

The report estimates net farm income will be $73.6 billion in 2015, down from $108 billion in 2014. It was at a record $129 billion in 2013.

The report also anticipates that as income falls, expenses will increase by one-half percent.

Government programs that pay farmers when commodity prices are low are expected to increase 15 percent this year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report by an Omaha think tank says Nebraska could ease prison crowding by reforming how and when it releases inmates, and lifting the barriers that make it harder for them to find jobs.

The report by the Platte Institute for Economic Research comes as lawmakers look at ways to reduce crowding. Its recommendations were endorsed Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, which has threatened to sue the state if Nebraska policymakers fail to act.

The recommendations are designed to avoid costly new prison construction. They include an incentive system for probationers who find jobs or go back to school, and more community supervision.

The group also suggests a liability shield for employers who hire reformed offenders and sealing the records of long-reformed offenders.

 

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

02/09/2015 00:00:33 ASSAULT- 2ND DEGREE “600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 00:40:24 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “200 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 01:06:12 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “E 11TH ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 01:54:07 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 04:51:03 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “600 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 07:02:36 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 07:53:58 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “400 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 08:57:19 SPEEDING “1000 W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 08:59:27 H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED “200 E FRONT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 09:58:36 MOTORIST ASSIST “RODEO RD /N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:09:20 THEFT BY DECEPTION “1200 S OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:17:23 H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED “1300 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:21:02 ALARM – OTHER “100 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:34:33 FOUND PROPERTY “700 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:38:01 LOOSE ANIMALS “2100 W 13TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:55:51 CITIZEN ASSIST “4000 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 10:57:29 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION “2000 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 11:10:21 LOOSE CATS “100 S OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 11:39:05 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER “800 BAY TREE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 11:49:56 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “W D ST /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 11:53:00 OTHER POLICE SERVI “E G ST /S WELCH AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 12:24:22 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “400 E FRANCIS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 12:34:49 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC “100 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 12:58:04 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 13:01:10 CARE OF ANIMALS “E B ST /S BAILEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 14:02:21 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “900 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 14:17:49 CITIZEN ASSIST “200 S COTTONWOOD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 14:50:38 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “200 RIVERSIDE DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 14:57:48 H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED “500 CENTENNIAL CR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 15:19:21 LOOSE ANIMALS “3800 SUGARBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 15:39:52 HANDICAPPED PARKING “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 15:45:34 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 15:51:58 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “400 N ALLEN ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 16:21:24 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “2100 W 15th
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

02/09/2015 16:58:12 DOG-SURRENDER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 16:57:03 CITIZEN ASSIST “2300 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 17:02:13 WELFARE CHECK “700 S WELCH AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 17:02:52 THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING “500 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 17:34:57 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION “1200 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 17:42:43 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “800 S POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 17:44:33 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “300 S Sycamore ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 17:49:43 WATCH FOR/INFORMATION “NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 18:28:02 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “500 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 19:07:36 LOOSE ANIMALS “2400 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 19:29:33 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “4th ST / Jeffers ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 19:47:24 FOUND PROPERTY “500 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 20:08:04 WELFARE CHECK “2200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 20:46:24 SPEEDING “1100 S POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 20:48:01 CITIZEN ASSIST “2400 W 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 21:09:16 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “2600 W E ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 21:10:22 ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- MINOR INJURY “W LEOTA ST /S BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 21:40:31 OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS “200 W FRONT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 21:46:59 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “W 8TH ST /N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 23:00:41 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 23:09:42 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 “E FRANCIS ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 23:37:24 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “E PHILIP AV /S COTTONWOOD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/09/2015 23:36:43 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “200 EUGENE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 00:04:24 WELFARE CHECK “1600 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 01:17:54 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “200 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 01:57:07 1ST DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASS “600 W 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 02:33:20 NO PROOF OF INSURANCE “W FRONT ST /N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 03:10:14 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING “1100 S TABOR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 04:22:41 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 06:47:48 OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS “E 5TH ST /N BAILEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 07:08:04 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “W PHILIP AV /S WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 07:37:53 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

02/10/2015 07:43:47 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “S DEWEY ST /E LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources has received money to create a center to educate people about their food.

The institute received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to start the National Agricultural Literacy Center. The center’s goal is to teach K-12 students about where their food comes from. The university won the grant after submitting a proposal to the USDA as part of a competition to create the center.

Faculty members have begun to create lesson plans about the science of agriculture that will be accessible to any teacher in the U.S.

Ronnie Green, the vice chancellor for the institute, says that one of the biggest obstacles facing the agriculture industry is people’s lack of understanding about their food.

Despite efforts by business leaders and community members, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has decided to go ahead with their plan to relocate the North Platte Main Post Office, 300 East Third Street, to the location of their Distribution and Processing Center at 1302 Industrial Avenue.

At a news conference, Monday morning, Mayor Dwight Livingston and City Administrator Jim Hawks distributed a letter from the USPS, stating their intentions.

In the letter, the USPS said they were appreciative of the community and their involvement in the “process.”

Officials said after consideration of the comments received from the public meeting in December 2014, and further assessment, the USPS has decided to proceed with the relocation project.

Any person may appeal the decision within 30 days.  Appeals must be postmarked by Monday, March 9.

Hawks said, while anyone can file an appeal, the City will lead the way when going through the appeal process.  That being said, Hawks encourages all community members to voice their concern to the USPS.

Appeals can be directed to:

Vice President, Facilities
c/o Bobbi Hergenreter
7500 East 53rd Place, Room 1108
Denver, CO 80266-9918

Click HERE to see the letter to Mayor Livingston.

 

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $485 million, making Wednesday night’s drawing the fifth largest prize in U.S. history.

It’s been more than two months since someone won the Powerball jackpot, so the prize has been gradually growing from its $40 million starting point.

The last time Powerball grew nearly so large was February 2014.

Because of strong sales, lottery officials Tuesday raised the estimated jackpot from $450 million to $485 million.

Lottery officials are quick to point out that the game is for fun and a chance to dream. They note the chance of winning a Powerball jackpot is about 1 in 175 million.

Powerball revenue has been down slightly during a drought of jackpots, but officials say this big prize has caused sales to surge.

 

ST. PAUL, Neb. (AP) — The City Council has rejected a proposal to pour a new concrete pavement to replace a brick section of St. Paul’s main street.

The council voted 3-2 against a $1.5 million paving project that would have included removal of bricks from a stretch of Howard Avenue west of Ninth Street. Other brick streets in the downtown would have remained.

The vote came after a discussion about St. Paul’s brick streets, which have been a part of the community for 115 years or more. Several residents said removing bricks from any city streets would hurt the historical atmosphere of St. Paul and harm tourism.

• Today:Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. North northwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. North northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. North northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Northeast wind 6 to 13 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56