Two distinctive singer/songwriters have been added to the 2015 US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series lineup.

Colt Ford will open for Florida-Georgia Line on Saturday, June 27th, while Will Hoge will serve as support for Thomas Rhett on Friday, June 26th . Ford’s unique mix of country and hip-hop rhythms make him one of the most unique artists in the industry.

He’s cut his tour teeth with the likes of Toby Keith, and has partnered with a who’s who list of artists on album tracks.

“I’m just blessed to be able to play music,” he says. “Every artist who gets to do this for a living should thank their lucky stars, be humble and grateful. “I just set out to make the best songs I can make, try to be honest and this is what comes out. I write about things I know about, things I’ve done or things someone else did while I was standing there… Like, hey, hold my beer and watch this!”

Will Hoge is a known quantity as a singer/songwriter in Nashville, but has yet to achieve the commercial success many predicted. His ninth project, Never Give In, reflects his range as an artist.

“In both my career and personal life, I’ve had a million chances to walk away or quit,” says Will, a married father of two. “But with this project, there is a sense of pride and ownership that we—the band, our families and our fans—have taken, and that mentality is about never giving in. It represents where we all are, artistically and in our lifestyles.”

Tickets for the NEBRASKAland DAYS US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series are available at www.nebraskalanddays.com. The combo price for both shows is $89. That price will be good through March 31, when prices return to their normal price of $59 for Florida-Georgia Line with Colt Ford and $39 for Thomas Rhett with Will Hoge.

The North Platte Public School Foundation, in conjunction with the North Platte High School, has announced the winners of the 2015 NPHS Distinguished Alumni Award!  A committee of Foundation Directors, NPHS Administrators and NPHS Alumni and community members began the selection process in November, although the committee takes nominations year round.

These outstanding alumni of NPHS will be honored in North Platte on Friday, April 24th, at Harbor Lights as part of the Foundation’s Education After Hours event.

The 2015 NPHS Distinguished Alumni are:

Matt Martin (Class of 1989), Outstanding Accomplishments in Athletics:

Matt Martin was nominated by Mike McGuire. Matt is a 1989 graduate of NPHS and went on to attend the University of Nebraska earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 and his Masters of Science in 1999. Matt will be entering his 19^th season as the Huskers’ recruiting coordinator and is in his 10^th season assisting with the Nebraska Huskers sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams. He is known as one of the premier recruiters in the country.

Read more about Matt’s accomplishments by following this link: https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=93&SPID=32&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=5311&Q_SEASON=2014

 

Richard L. McNeel (Class of 1964), Outstanding Accomplishments in Business:

John F. Foxen nominated Richard McNeel.  After graduation from NPHS in 1964, he went on to attend the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He then attended the University of Chicago and earned an MBA. Richard has had a very successful career, some of his prior positions include: Vice President, BP Amoco Chemical in London, Group Vice President, Chemical Intermediates and Amoco Chemicals, President, Amoco Performance products. Upon retiring from BP Amoco in 2002 he accepted an invitation to become president and CEO of LORD Co., based in Cary, N.C., where he developed and expanded the company’s presence globally.

Read more about Richard by following this link:

https://www.lord.com/our-company/leadership

Harold “Butch” Rasmussen (Class of 1957), Outstanding Accomplishments in Business & Service to North Platte Community::

Georgia Rasmussen nominated Harold “Butch” Rasmussen.  Butch graduated in 1957 and then went on to attend Denver University. After completing his freshman year of college he returned to North Platte to manage the Cedar Bowl. Butch has owned, operated and been awarded for many successful businesses over a 42 year business career, which include: The Cedar Bowl, The Touchdown Club, Two Kentucky Fried Chicken operations, and The Little King Deli.

In his retirement Butch writes sports column for the North Platte Telegraph, Husker Illustrated Magazine as well as offering expert Husker advice and opinions on a Husker sports blog.

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
• Tonight: Snow, mainly after midnight. Low around 19. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
• Wednesday: Snow likely before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 21. North wind 13 to 18 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• Wednesday Night:Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -5. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the evening.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. South southwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
351 AM CST TUE FEB 3 2015

...ACCUMULATING SNOW ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF WESTERN AND NORTH
CENTRAL NEBRASKA TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.A FAST MOVING UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL COMBINE WITH AN ARCTIC
COLD FRONT...PRODUCING ACCUMULATING SNOWS ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF
WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY
MORNING.

LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE EASTERN PANHANDLE AND WESTERN
SANDHILLS LATE THIS EVENING...AND SHIFT SOUTHEAST OVERNIGHT. MODERATE
SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE EASTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE...THE
CENTRAL AND WESTERN SANDHILLS...AS WELL AS WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES AND LOCALLY HIGHER ARE
POSSIBLE.

IN ADDITION TO SNOW...NORTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 25
MPH LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...WHICH WILL PRODUCE AREAS
OF BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE WIND SHOULD DECREASE
BY LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO CENTRAL
NEBRASKA.

SHERIDAN-EASTERN CHERRY-BROWN-GARDEN-GRANT-HOOKER-THOMAS-BLAINE-
LOUP-GARFIELD-ARTHUR-MCPHERSON-LOGAN-CUSTER-DEUEL-KEITH-LINCOLN-
WESTERN CHERRY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GORDON...RUSHVILLE...VALENTINE...
AINSWORTH...OSHKOSH...HYANNIS...MULLEN...THEDFORD...DUNNING...
TAYLOR...BURWELL...ARTHUR...TRYON...STAPLETON...BROKEN BOW...
CHAPPELL...BIG SPRINGS...OGALLALA...NORTH PLATTE...CODY...
MERRIMAN...KILGORE
351 AM CST TUE FEB 3 2015 /251 AM MST TUE FEB 3 2015/

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM CST /9 PM MST/
THIS EVENING TO NOON CST /11 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTH PLATTE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM CST /9
PM MST/ THIS EVENING TO NOON CST /11 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY.

* TIMING...LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE EASTERN PANHANDLE
  AND WESTERN SANDHILLS LATE THIS EVENING...AND SHIFT SOUTHEAST
  BECOMING MODERATE IN INTENSITY OVERNIGHT. THE SNOW WILL DIMINISH
  AND END WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...3 TO 5 INCHES AND LOCALLY HIGHER ARE
  POSSIBLE.

* WIND...NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 MPH
  LATE TONIGHT AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE
  TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two bills under legislative review could expand Nebraska’s craft-brewing industry while boosting tourism and economic development.

The General Affairs Committee heard testimony Monday on the measures by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala.

One bill aims to boost the market for Nebraska-grown barley and hops by offering a non-refundable tax credit to breweries using Nebraska-grown crops.

Brian Podwinski of Nebraska Malt says the bill would help the state’s barley growers keep competitive prices with larger, more cost-effective operations out of state.

The second bill would allow restaurants to sell growlers of craft beers to customers for off-site consumption. Current law only allows for growlers to be sold if the beer is brewed on the premises.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials say 215 cases of whooping cough were diagnosed in January alone.

Dr. Joseph Acierno, director of public health for the state Department of Health and Human Services, says the number of diagnosed cases is higher than some totals for previous years. There were 395 confirmed and probable cases of whopping cough in all of 2014.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease marked by severe coughing.

Tim Timmons, communicable disease specialist with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, says 162 of January’s cases were in Lancaster County. He says 51 cases have been confirmed, and the rest are probable cases.

Acierno says parents should check family vaccination records to ensure protection.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Singers from across Nebraska will unite in song March 21 as part of Nebraska Sings at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The event will mark the Lied Center for Performing Arts’ 25th anniversary. Vocalists are being sought for a community choir that will perform with members of several other choirs. The event will include the world premiere of “Let There Be Music,” a new choral work by Nebraska composer Kurt Knecht.

Singers 16 and up may apply through Feb. 13. Applications may be downloaded at https://www.liedcenter.org/nesings or obtained by contacting Petra Wahlqvist at pwahlqvist2@unl.edu or 402-472-3215.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Winter weather has postponed a vote on a bill to increase Nebraska’s marriage license fees.

Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley said Monday that this weekend’s snowstorm kept many senators from making it to the Capitol to vote on the contested bill.

Opponents have sought to prolong debate on the measure, describing it as a tax increase. Lawmakers were expected to cast a procedural vote Monday to force an end to that debate, but it wasn’t clear whether they had enough votes to do so.

The bill by Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln would increase the fee from its current $15 to $50. Campbell has said the current fee doesn’t cover processing costs for counties.

Senators moved past the bill to debate other legislation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A retired judge from Nebraska City has been appointed to serve on the state Board of Parole.

Former District Court Judge Randall L. Rehmeier was named to the position Monday by Gov. Pete Ricketts. Rehmeier presided as a judge in Nebraska’s 2nd judicial district from 1990-2013. The district includes Sarpy, Cass and Otoe counties in the eastern part of the state.

Rehmeier’s term began Jan. 22, and expires on September 9, 2017. His annual salary will be $77,223.

The Nebraska Board of Parole is a five-member board which reviews the status of criminal offenders, determines when to grant parole, and sets the conditions of parole.

Rehmeier’s appointment fills one of three vacancies on the board. He previously served as a county court judge, a private attorney and a county attorney.

A sixteen-year-old North Platte boy has been charged with a felony after he allegedly gave marijuana to a 13-year-old girl.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of West B Street at around 11:30 p.m., on January 30.

Police had received a report from a mother who alleged that her 13-year-old daughter had smoked marijuana.

The woman alleged that the girl was given the pot by the 16-year-old male juvenile, while she had been at the residence on West B Street with a 12-year-old friend.

Officers made contact with the adult residents, 52-year-old Robert Lawrence, Sr. and 51-year-old Christina Cardenas, and say they “detected marijuana use.”

Following further investigation, officers found probable cause to arrest the male juvenile and charge him with felony distribution of marijuana.

He was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.

Cardenas and Lawrence Sr., were both cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child abuse.

Police say Lawrence was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana-less than 1 oz.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov Pete Ricketts has named three finalists for the top job at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The governor’s office released the names Monday after a national search for a “transformational leader” within the department.

The candidates are Clarence Carter of Scottsdale, Arizona; David Newell of Omaha; and Courtney Phillips of Prairieville, Louisiana.

Carter recently served as director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security under Gov. Jan Brewer. Newell is the president and CEO of Nebraska Families Collaborative, a non-profit child welfare corporation in the Omaha area. Phillips serves as deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals under Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Ricketts says he interviewed Sydney Squier of the New Mexico Human Services Department, but Squier was not chosen as a finalist.