Kearney Police are on the hunt for a big kitty after a mountain lion was spotted near a school.

According to a post on the Kearney Police Department’s Facebook page, an officer was on patrol at around 4:00 a.m. this morning, when they observed a mountain lion in a residential area near Horizon Middle School.

Police say the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been notified, and are assisting police in locating the cougar.

Authorities say people should use caution while going outside this morning, and should always be aware of their surroundings, saying the cat could be anywhere in town.

If you spot the mountain lion, contact the KPD at 308-237-2104, or call 911.

Another possible mountain lion was reported in Kearney last May.  Game and Parks officials later determined that it was just a dog.

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No Mountain Lion Found Near Kearney (May 2014)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s new Advisory Council on Public Guardianship has been appointed.

The new members include Douglas County Judge Susan Bazis, social worker Julie Sebastian, of Omaha, and attorneys Lisa Line and Ann Mangiameli, both of Omaha; John McHenry, of Lincoln; and Mike McCarthy, of North Platte. Other members are mental health expert Dennis McNeilly, of Omaha; aging expert Patricia Cottingham, of Lincoln, developmental disability expert Bruce Cudly, of Lincoln, and at-large members Russ Leavitt, of Omaha, and Darla Schiefelbein, of Columbus.

The council will advise the state’s new Nebraska Office of Public Guardian, created last year by state lawmakers. The new office serves as a means of last resort as guardian or conservator for those where no family member or suitable individual is available.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has appointed the president of TD Ameritrade Clearing Inc. to serve as the state’s first chief operating officer.

Ricketts announced Friday that Felix Davidson will fill the new position.

Davidson has been president of TD Ameritrade Clearing Inc. since 2007. He previously held managerial roles for the company’s investor services and brokerage operations divisions. Ricketts is a former TD Ameritrade executive.

He served six years as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from the University of Nebraska.

The governor’s office says Davidson will focus on new business and technology strategies with the governor and agency directors.

Former Nebraska Govs. Charley Thone and Mike Johanns also created new staff positions in the office. Davidson will begin Feb. 2.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of senators says Nebraska is losing in the nationwide push for renewable energy.

The senators announced proposals Friday to cultivate and market wind energy in the state.

The American Wind Energy Association ranks Nebraska fourth in the nation for wind energy resources, but Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm says state regulations prevent resource development. Haar announced a measure to remove barriers for construction of renewable energy facilities.

Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha unveiled a bill that would create a production tax credit for renewable energy facilities. Oklahoma and Iowa offer similar credits.

Other bills include measures to create a comprehensive energy plan by the end of the year and one to establish a longer-term and more stable tax structure for wind projects.

• Justin Daniel Klein, 31, Valentine NE and Roka Loree Streiff, 26, Sutherland NE

 

• Randy Lane Eckhoff, 55, Sutherland and Brenda Lea Hansmeier, 53, Sutherland NE

 

• Jamie Ray Carlyle, 34, North Platte and Leah Lucille Hutchison, 33, North Platte

 

• Jose Santos Perez Jr. 31, North Platte and Brenda Jasmine Carreon, 22, North Platte

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of the world’s top-ranked zoos could be exempt from Nebraska’s state sales tax under a bill filed in the Legislature.

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha introduced a bill Friday to exempt zoos and aquariums from the tax. The bill would benefit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, ranked No. 1 in the world this summer by travel website TripAdvisor. The zoo draws more than 1 million visitors to the city each year.

The measure would include any zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Nebraska has three other accredited facilities: Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari in Ashland, the Children’s Zoo in Lincoln and the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts has chosen a Wisconsin business recruiter to lead Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development.

Brenda Hicks-Sorenson was chosen after a national search that began in December. In a statement Friday, Ricketts praised her as an innovative leader who stood out because of her recruiting record.

Hicks-Sorenson recently served as a vice president for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin. Her 21-member team had a $4.3 million operating budget and oversaw $34 million in business and community assistance money.

Hicks-Sorenson developed a business attraction strategy for the state of Wisconsin. Her efforts have helped attract Collaborative Consulting, Ta-Chen, Kenall Manufacturing, and Amazon.com.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s beef exports have reached an all-time high as the state saw a significant increase in overseas sales.

The state’s Department of Agriculture said Friday that the approximately $1 billion worth of beef purchased by foreign buyers through November sets a new record.

Ag Director Greg Ibach says markets such as Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, have increased Nebraska beef purchases over the past six years. The state has conducted trade promotions in each of these countries.

Muscle meat exports have more than tripled since 2009. Exports of beef products generally not favored in the United States, such as beef livers and tongues, have grown as well. Nebraska sold $93 million worth of such goods in 2014, compared to $32.3 million in 2009.

Statistics show that shelter euthanasia is the leading cause of death for dogs and cats in the United States.

The staff and volunteers at the North Platte Animal Shelter work hard to find homes for animals brought to the shelter and avoid euthanasia whenever possible.

Animal shelters nationwide experience euthanasia rates of around 50%. In 2014, the North Platte Animal Shelter took in 754 dogs and 568 cats.  Amazingly, the euthanasia rate for dogs was 2%, and 8% for cats.  Staff at the shelter say the majority of the pets they euthanize are either sick or dangerous.

The staff credits local volunteers and organizations for allowing them to keep these rates extremely low.

Volunteers assist with animal promotion, foster care and placement.  Organizations such as Fur the Love of Paws, Animal Rescue of Kindness and Home of Hope also provide an enormous amount of volunteer hours, and PAWS-itive Partners will often pay for veterinary care animals that arrive at the shelter receive.

Shelter staff encourages pet owners to spay or neuter their pets, and use tags, microchips and up-to-date veterinary care, in order to keep the number of animals in the shelter at a minimum.

If you are interested in adoption, visit the shelter located at 1402 North Sycamore Street, or like them on Facebook.

 

 

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

01/15/2015 01:59:45 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 02:00:54 MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL “1300 N SHERIDAN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 06:03:33 ALARM – OTHER “500 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 06:43:38 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1500 W 14TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 07:25:49 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “W 3RD ST /N EMORY
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 07:36:27 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 08:07:41 SPEEDING “300 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 08:21:53 MOTORIST ASSIST “300 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 08:32:04 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “100 S DIXIE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 08:53:40 LOST PROPERTY “2400 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 09:00:46 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “3300 W NORTH LAKE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 09:24:01 SPEEDING “2000 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 09:57:27 SPEEDING “E PHILIP AV /S Welch AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 10:22:55 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “SOUTH RIVER,
1600 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 11:29:23 LOOSE ANIMALS “100 MAPLEWOOD CR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 11:29:19 H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED “1600 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 11:41:30 VEHICLE INSPECTION “2100 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 12:14:35 SPEEDING “200 N BARE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 12:33:02 DEAD ANIMAL CALL NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/15/2015 12:34:25 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 “W FRANCIS ST /S Jeffers ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 12:38:50 CITIZEN ASSIST “1400 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 13:01:03 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 13:12:42 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “E LEOTA ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 13:58:40 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING “3900 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 14:02:10 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION “N SHERIDAN AV / RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 14:17:17 LOOSE ANIMALS “S WALNUT ST /E B ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 14:13:32 LOOSE ANIMALS WALNUT ST / TABOR
01/15/2015 14:27:28 ANIMAL TRAP “2700 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 14:45:08 LOOSE ANIMALS “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 14:47:19 LOOSE ANIMALS “500 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 14:59:40 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 15:08:19 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/15/2015 15:53:37 EXPIRED INTRANSIT TAGS “S Buffalo AV / Birchwood DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 16:12:15 CITIZEN ASSIST “700 N AUGUSTA AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 16:17:36 OTHER DISTURBANCE “600 E 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 17:31:04 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “800 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 18:00:09 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “800 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 19:54:54 LICENSE PLATES- DISPLAY OF “3100 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 19:57:20 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “W 9TH ST /N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 20:14:23 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “E WILLIAM AV /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 20:30:43 CITIZEN ASSIST “1400 Rodeo RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

01/15/2015 20:32:22 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “E PHILIP AV /S SILBER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 22:01:03 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “E F ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 22:07:56 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “700 S GRIFFITH AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 22:29:11 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “4000 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 22:39:02 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “1300 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 22:40:03 CITIZEN ASSIST “600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 23:09:54 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 23:11:35 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “RODEO RD /N MADISON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/15/2015 23:28:28 ALARM-GENERAL “800 W WILLIAM AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 00:11:58 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “RODEO RD /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 00:34:29 FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN “W B ST /S SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 01:17:46 SPEEDING “1900 block Rodeo RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

01/16/2015 01:34:13 FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN “4th / Willow
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

01/16/2015 01:43:09 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 02:01:46 CITIZEN ASSIST “700 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 02:49:19 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1000 N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 07:19:56 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

01/16/2015 07:39:27 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “E LEOTA ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”