LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A program offered in the Nebraska prison system offers a select number of inmates training for entry-level work in the construction business.
The program is run by Prairie Gold Homes Inc., a nonprofit that not only teaches inmates to build houses, but provides energy-efficient residences to buyers.
The course provides inmates who graduate a pre-apprenticeship certificate through the Home Builders Institute.
Prairie Gold offers four courses per year and trains six to 12 inmates per course. Between 150 and 175 inmates apply to participate each year.
Inmates must have a record of good behavior and be near the end of their sentences. They also must have either a GED or high school diploma.
Nebraska and Iowa are among those states preparing for another blast of wintry weather this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of eastern Nebraska and most of Iowa beginning Saturday evening through Sunday morning. The weather service says the region could see light snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches in northern areas and up to 4 inches further south.
But the weather service says high winds and plummeting temperatures will make for dangerous conditions for travelers and anyone venturing outdoors.
Temperatures are expected to drop to near zero by midnight and into Sunday morning, and wind chills could fall to 20-below zero.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s college savings plan is exchanging Pimco’s Total Return Fund in favor of another bond fund.
Nebraska’s Investment Council decided this fall that the MetWest Total Return Bond Plan Fund would be a better option for investors saving for college.
Pimco went through a change of leadership this fall when Bill Gross surprised many by resigning from the firm.
Deborah Goodkin, who manages Nebraska’s 529 college savings plans for First National Bank of Omaha, says the state investment council looked at Pimco’s organization and competing options with similar costs before making the change.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale has recognized the work of 95 poll workers who have 20 years or more of service working elections.
Gale serves as the state’s chief elections officer. Gale said in a statement Friday that the voluntary civic service provided by poll workers is invaluable and that Election Day “could not happen without them.”
Inductees into the Nebraska Poll Worker Hall of Fame represent the following counties: Buffalo, Cass, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, and Hall, as well as Keith, Madison, Richardson, Sarpy, Scotts Bluff and Wayne.
The Poll Worker Hall of Fame was begun in 2006. Since then, more than 1,400 workers have been honored from across the state.
Only those with a minimum 20 years of consecutive service can be nominated.
2014 Poll Worker Hall of Fame inductees:
Buffalo: Jeanne Ackerman, Kearney.
Cass: Laura Weatherby, Murray; Diane Lynn Baxter, Murray; Shirley Thompson,
Plattsmouth; Shirley Stipe, Plattsmouth; Barbara Meisinger, Plattsmouth; Janet
Meisinger, Plattsmouth; Karyl Terryberry, Murray; Barbara Jameson, Nehawka;
Helen Mather, Weeping Water; Hallie Mills, Murdock; Lauraine Harris, Louisville;
Ruth Ann Hlavac, Louisville; Linda Flynn, Louisville; Norma Jean Reinke, Ashland;
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Lottery distributed more than $35 million to various state funds in 2014.
Officials said Friday that the payments now total more than $544 million since the Nebraska Lottery began operating 1993. The last quarterly transfer of 2014 totaled $8.6 million.
The distributions went to the Nebraska Innovation Fund, the Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, the Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, and the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund.
Money is dispersed in accordance with state law. In 2013, the Nebraska Lottery reached $2 billion in total sales since 1993.
A North Platte woman, who apparently can’t get enough of Wal-Mart’s five-finger discount, is now facing a felony theft charge.
On December 31, at around 4:16 p.m., North Platte police responded to Wal-Mart, 1401 South Dewey Street, on the report of a female shoplifter who was running for the store’s Loss Prevention personnel.
Before police arrived, the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Emily Lembke, fled in a vehicle.
An officer located Lembke and conducted a traffic stop.
A subsequent search led to the discovery of more than $200 worth of merchandise, Lembke allegedly took from the store.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, Lembke had previously been arrested for shoplifting from Wal-Mart, and was told she was no longer welcome to shop at the store.
As a result, Lembke was charged with 2nd degree trespassing and shoplifting. Brown said, because Lembke has prior convictions for shoplifting, the charge was enhanced to a felony.
Lembke was incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
On the afternoon of January 2, Great Plains Health welcomed the first baby of 2015.
Kree Rose was born to parents, Morgan and Jonathan Bryant, of North Platte.
She was born a 1:25 p.m., weighed 6 lbs. 6 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.
“Caring for new moms and babies is always rewarding, but we are especially excited for the New Year’s baby,” said Teresa Dowling, director of women’s services at Great Plains Health, “ For the New Year’s baby this year, we put together a gift basket with items for both mom and baby to celebrate this special time.”
“We didn’t know what we were having and were so happy to find out it was a girl,” said Morgan.
Mommy and baby are both doing well and are anticipating going home this weekend.
“We are so excited to bring her home and watch her grow,” added Morgan.
The Archway, in Kearney, has announced its 2014 attendance at 50,457.
This is a 1% increase over 2013 numbers despite a two month closure at the beginning of 2014. It’s also the highest yearly attendance since 2011.
“It’s been a phenomenal year for The Archway,” said Marketing Coordinator Jace Robinson. “And the thing that isn’t represented in our attendance number is the thousands of local people that have attended one of the many community events throughout the year.”
The Archway hosted several community events in 2014 including the Compass Superhero Dash, the Concrete Cares annual fundraiser as well as Crane River Theater’s inaugural Zombies Attack: A Run for Your Life.
Robinson also said Archway staff is excited for 2015. This year the 1.5 millionth visitor is expected to tour the exhibit as well as a celebration to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the opening of The Archway will take place. Additionally, The Archway Society is in the planning stages of a bi-annual fundraiser that is expected to occur sometime during spring of this year.
Robinson said, “Over the past 15 years, millions of memories have been created at The Archway. We’ve taken great strides in 2014 to not only improve the guest and community experience, but we’re also working diligently to ensure the longevity of the facility itself so we can continue making memories far into the future.”
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested 71 impaired drivers during the two-week long “You Drink & Drive You Lose” national enforcement campaign Dec. 12-Jan. 1, 2015.
In addition to the 71 impaired driving arrests, troopers issued 1,761 Speeding citations, 103 Driving Under Suspension (DUS), and 70 No Proof of Insurance citations. Troopers also wrote 374 Seat Belt citations & warnings, as well as 46 Child Restraint citations & warnings. Motorist assistance was provided to 851 travelers.
Troopers and communication specialists put in overtime hours during the special enforcement thanks in part to a $23,565 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).
The following statistics are a reflection of statewide activity by the Nebraska State Patrol during the “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” enforcement.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A program offered in the Nebraska prison system offers a select number of inmates training for entry-level work in the construction business.
