OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have received a $1.9 million grant to develop a new therapy for members of the military exposed to nerve agents.
Nerve agents, which can be deadly, are often made from some of the same chemicals as insecticides.
The researchers plan to develop a therapy based on a molecule that exists in human plasma that already works to deactivate nerve agents in the blood.
Dr. Steven Hinrichs and Oksana Lockridge are the main researchers on the Defense Department project.
Hinrichs says the idea is for soldiers to use the medication before going into an area where nerve agents would be used to provide protection.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says it will receive $1.2 million in federal grants over the next five years to help private landowners improve grasslands and croplands for wildlife habitat and agriculture production.
The money comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The new program, created in the 2014 Farm Bill, is managed by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Through service forms a public-private partnership that enables private companies, local communities and other partners to invest in efforts that protect natural resources.
Game and Parks’ assistant wildlife administrator Alicia Hardin says the cost-share grant dollars will be used to enhance grasslands in southeastern Nebraska for livestock grazing and wildlife, such as quail and prairie chickens.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Supporters and opponents of a Nebraska voter identification bill packed a public hearing in a fierce debate over the measure.
The Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard heated arguments Friday on a bill by Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill. The legislation would require voters to show a driver’s license or state identification card at a polling place.
Advocates say the bill prevents voter fraud and non-citizens from voting, although voter fraud is exceedingly rare in Nebraska.
Opponents call the bill biased, racist and oppressive, saying it places an unconstitutional burden on voters.
ACLU of Nebraska legal director Amy Miller says voter fraud is almost non-existent in Nebraska, and warned the committee that her group would sue the state and win if the bill becomes law.
In 2012, Nebraska recorded the first motorcycle fatality on record for the month of January.
With this month’s mild temperatures, many motorcyclists are out on the roadways enjoying the unusual, warmer temperatures.
Tragically, during the past two weeks, three motorcyclists have lost their lives in crashes on Nebraska roadways, setting a new all-time high death toll for the month of January.
AAA is urging all drivers to be on the lookout for motorcyclists in the traffic mix.
Before attempting to make a left turn, train your mind and eyes to always look for motorcycles approaching from the opposite direction. If you’re preparing to change lanes, use the three step process. Always use your turn signals, check mirrors specifically looking for motorcyclists, and turn your head to check your blind spot where a motorcycle can easily be hidden from view. Never tailgate a motorcyclist or change lanes abruptly in front of one.
Keep in mind your spinning rear tires can make a small rock in the roadway become a dangerous flying projectile.
While driving, always avoid dangerous distractions, such as using wireless communication devices, which take your mind and eyes off the road. New motorcycle operators are encouraged to take a rider training course and wear bright, reflective clothing while riding.
Experienced riders should consider taking an advanced course to refresh their defensive driving skills.
A North Platte man has been indicted on weapons charges by a federal grand jury.
Gary Wilson, 64, of North Platte, is charged in a two-count indictment, according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office.
Federal agents, with assistance from the North Platte Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol, executed search warrants on two properties owned by Wilson in North Platte, on December 17.
Count one of the indictment charges Wilson with possession of unregistered firearms, specifically, destructive devices, on or about December 17.
If convicted, the maximum possible penalty is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Count two of the indictment charges Wilson with possession of firearms by a prohibited person. As a convicted felon, Wilson is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.
Count two carries the same potential penalty as count one.
Wilson was also investigated for explosives violations in 2012.
Federal agents execute a search warrant on Gary Wilson’s property on South Carr Street. (December 2014)
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — University officials say gifts totaling $3.5 million will help Nebraskans with their education, health and well-being.
Former University of Nebraska at Kearney student Ron Williams and his wife, Cille, have given $2 million to establish two endowed funds. Half of it will help the university’s College of Education, and the remainder will establish the Cille and Ron Williams Community Chair for Early Childhood Education.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center says a Nebraska native has donated $1.5 million to help the medical center’s students, faculty and programs.
The gift was made through the estate of Paul Kamrath, who graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He worked in California to help develop spacecraft before returning to Nebraska. He died last year in Columbus.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lawmakers who investigated Nebraska’s prison system will seek an expansion of mental and behavioral health services and sentencing reform to address overcrowding.
Members of a special prisons committee vowed Friday to act this year, saying the problem needs to be fixed before civil liberties groups or the federal government sue the state. Senators have introduced seven bills and other measures.
Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha says lawmakers will work with Gov. Pete Ricketts’ new corrections director, Scott Frakes. Krist says Frakes, who starts on Feb. 2, may have new ideas that lawmakers haven’t considered.
Sen. Les Seiler of Hastings says Nebraska’s criminal code hasn’t been reviewed since 1970, and needs to be updated.
Nebraska’s prison population reached more than 159 percent of its design capacity last month, with 5,221 inmates.
A North Platte woman is facing a drunken driving charge after she rammed her car into a neighbor’s house, as children played in the living room.
At around 5:00 p.m., on Thursday, North Platte Police responded to 1202 William Court, after receiving a report that a vehicle had struck a house.
Officers arrived and met with the owner of the house, who advised that his two children were in the living room watching TV, when a vehicle drove through the side of the house and into the living room.
Both children were uninjured, but were transported to Great Plains Health as a precaution.
Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as 63-year-old Janet Shepherd.
Shepherd told officers that she did not know what had happened. She indicated that she was backing out of her driveway when the vehicle accelerated and hit the house.
Authorities believe Shepherd mistook the accelerator for the break.
As officers inspected the vehicle, they found a clear glass in the vehicle that smelled of alcohol. An officer also reported smelling alcohol on Shepherd’s breath.
Following a preliminary breath test, Shepherd was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center. Upon arrival at the jail, a second breath test was administered. Shepherd reportedly blew a .227.
As a result, Shepherd was charged with driving under the influence of liquor-over .15 (aggravated), and jailed.
According to police, Shepherd’s vehicle sustained an estimated $4,000 in damage, while the damage to the house is estimated at around $15,000.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have received a $1.9 million grant to develop a new therapy for members of the military exposed to nerve agents.
