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NSP, NDOT urge continued caution on Nebraska roadways

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have responded to roughly 200 weather-related incidents during the winter storm that has dropped several inches of snow in central Nebraska and forced the closure of Interstate 80 for several hours Thursday.

As the snow continues to fall in some areas, the moisture and cold temperatures have contributed to icy conditions on some roads. Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) crews have been working around the clock to clear roads. NSP responded to more than 20 crashes overnight and several more this morning.

“Our troopers and dispatchers have been busy assisting stranded motorists, investigating crashes, and working with NDOT crews to both close and reopen Interstate 80,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We’d like to thank the public for their patience and for the vast majority who have utilized sound winter driving practices to stay safe.”

Since the storm began, troopers have performed nearly 150 motorist assists, such as helping stranded motorists. If any motorist becomes stranded, they can call *55 from any cell phone to reach the NSP Highway Helpline. For any emergency, please call 911.

Travelers are urged to check the most up-to-date travel conditions available through 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System. The system is available at all times via phone by dialing 511, online at www.511.nebraska.gov, or on Nebraska 511’s smartphone app.

Drivers are also urged to follow Nebraska’s Move Over law and allow first responders, road crew workers, and tow truck operations room to perform their jobs.

Nebraska state senator resigns early from Legislature

Sen. Tyson Larson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state lawmaker slated to leave office next month because of term limits has stepped down early.

Former Sen. Tyson Larson, of O’Neill, announced his resignation in a letter Wednesday to Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Larson has represented the mostly rural 40th legislative district in northeastern Nebraska since 2011. He will be replaced by Tim Gragert, of Creighton, who is set to take office when a new legislative session begins next month.

Larson doesn’t say why he’s stepping down early. He describes his experience in the Legislature as a humbling, valuable experience.

Larson served as chairman of the General Affairs Committee. He faced criticism for spending a lot time in Omaha instead of his district, which he says was necessary to care for his son during a custody battle.

Nebraska prisons head says execution appeared to go normally

Carey Dean Moore (NE Dept. of Corrections Photo)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s corrections director says the execution of convicted double-murderer Carey Dean Moore was similar to other executions he has witnessed, and Moore never appeared to be in pain.

Director Scott Frakes made the comments to a grand jury in sworn testimony released Thursday, nearly three weeks after the death investigation ended.

Frakes says Moore breathed heavily in August as the first of four lethal injection drugs was administered. He says Moore began to snore, but made no other sounds. He says everything he saw was consistent with his past experiences.

The Lancaster County grand jury concluded that Moore died of respiratory failure due to toxicity from multiple drugs.

The 60-year-old Moore was put to death for the 1979 murders of Omaha cab drivers Maynard Helgeland and Reuel Van Ness Jr.

Janssen Auto Group to offer ‘free safe rides’ home on NYE

A local automobile dealer once again wants to help keep you off of the Hot Sheets on New Year’s Eve.

Janssen Auto group will be offering “free safe rides” home on New Year’s Eve in McCook, North Platte, Kearney, York, Holdrege and Larned, Kansas.

“This is our 10th year offering this service and we are pleased to be able to offer it again this year,” said Dave Janssen of Janssen Auto Group. “While we don’t want to encourage anyone to overindulge this New Year’s Eve, we do want to make sure that everyone makes it home safely.”

The shuttle service will run within a five-mile radius of the cities from 8:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and is available to anyone free of charge.

In North Platte, contact Lisa May at 308-520-2287 or Jim Brannon at 308-530-6971.

Eagle Radio launches FM 98.1/1410 AM with new format, morning show

North Platte has a new radio station on 98.1 FM and 1410 AM.

Eagle Communications with stations Mix 97.1, QCountry 107.3 have announced the change of ESPN 1410 Radio to 98.1 FM. North Platte’s Greatest Hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

98.1 will still be the exclusive Voice of the North Platte Bulldogs and The North Platte Community College Knights but are now a music station with hits from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s.

Starting Thursday, January 2nd listen to Mornings with Scotty C and Kyle from 5a to 10a with Entertainment, Local News, Weather, and Sports plus Local happenings from around the Community.

All Eagle Radio stations can be streamed in high-definition at www.northplattepost.com.

Federal shutdown forces closure of Homestead monument

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A shutdown of parts of the federal government has forced the closure of buildings at Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice.

Homestead Park Superintendent Mark Engler told the Beatrice Daily Sun on Wednesday that buildings at the monument will be closed but outdoor trails and parking lots would remain accessible. However, if it snows during the shutdown, Engler says trails and the lots won’t be maintained except for emergency situations.

The monument, about five miles west of Beatrice, commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862, which granted 160 acres of free land to claimants.

Longtime Nebraska athletic trainer George Sullivan dies

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — George Sullivan, the head athletic trainer at Nebraska for 20 years and a member of the athletic program’s medical staff for more than 50, has died. He was 91.

Current head athletic trainer Jerry Weber said Sullivan died Tuesday.

Sullivan was regarded as a pioneer in athletic training practices and was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 1976. Memorial Stadium’s athletic training room is named for him.

He retired from full-time work in 1994 and continued as a consultant to the athletic department and other organizations.

Sullivan grew up in Rockville and served in the Army in Germany and France during World War II. He studied physical education and physical therapy and played football at Nebraska upon his discharge. He was hired full-time as an athletic trainer in 1953 and treated players on national championship football teams coached by Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne.

Nebraska motorists urged to prepare for winter driving conditions

As another round of winter weather has prompted storm warnings and advisories across the state, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) are urging motorists to be prepared.

“This storm is expected to potentially bring up to a foot of snow in some areas of Nebraska,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “It’s important that people finishing their holiday travel are prepared for winter driving conditions and drive safely.”

Travelers are urged to check the most up-to-date travel conditions available through 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System.  The system is available at all times via phone by dialing 511, online at www.511.nebraska.gov, or on Nebraska 511’s smartphone app.

“With holiday travel on all our minds, we encourage our fellow Nebraskans to be fully informed about the weather and travel conditions, said NDOT Director Kyle Schneweis. “We recommend travelers keep tabs on the weather and take every precaution to keep themselves safe and always remember to buckle up.”

NDOT workers and equipment will be out to clear the highways and monitor changing conditions firsthand. NDOT has more than 630 snow plows and 1,000 team members prepared to handle snow removal across the state. The NDOT State Operations Center is staffed during any winter weather event to help keep Nebraska 511 up to date and provide assistance to crews in the field.

State Troopers will also be on the road to assist drivers if necessary. Anyone who becomes stranded can call *55 to reach the NSP Highway Helpline. Call 911 for any emergency.

Additionally, motorists will likely encounter snowplows while driving.  NDOT urges drivers to not crowd the plow and keep plenty of distance for all workers to do their job clearing the road.

Motorists should avoid distractions while driving, increase following distance, never drive faster than conditions allow, and always buckle-up. NSP and NDOT also recommend keeping a winter survival kit in the vehicle to use in the event travelers become stranded.

Winter storm expected to bring snow, poor travel conditions

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A large winter storm coming on the heels of Christmas is expected to bring snow to Nebraska, the Dakotas and Minnesota this week.

Andrew Kalin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said Tuesday that the storm was set to start overnight in the western Dakotas and continue Wednesday into Minnesota. Kalin said the storm could deliver more than 8 inches of snow to some locations.

Kalin said southeastern South Dakota and southern Minnesota were expected to see rain or a wintry mix for the first half of the storm. A National Weather Service report issued Tuesday warned that significantly reduced visibility from snow and blowing snow should be expected, particularly on Thursday and Friday.

Kalin said poor travel conditions are expected, and people should monitor the forecast and adjust their travel plans as needed. He said that even after the snowfall stops, areas that receive significant amounts will experience blowing and drifting snow.

He added that the weather service recommends that people who must travel have emergency kits in their vehicles and follow winter-driving rules.

Patrol says Colorado girl died in crash near Ogallala

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Colorado girl died in a crash along Interstate 80 in western Nebraska.

The accident occurred east of Ogallala around 4 p.m. Saturday. The Nebraska State Patrol says the eastbound sport utility vehicle veered into the median when the driver had a medical emergency. Passengers were unable to control the SUV, and it ran back across the eastbound lanes and hit a culvert in a ditch on the south side of the roadway.

The patrol says four of seven people in the SUV were ejected. The patrol says one of the passengers died later at an Ogallala hospital. She was identified as 11-year-old Karen Valverde. She lived in Longmont, Colorado.

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