SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say space heaters caused a fire at a Scottsbluff house.

The Scottsbluff Fire Department says an overuse of space heaters caused an electrical overload in the house’s attic, leading to the Wednesday morning fire.

Nearly two dozen personnel from two fire departments responded to the scene. Smoke could be seen coming from the second floor. Flames also broke through the house’s roof.

Fire crews were able to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported, though four people have been displaced.

Damage from the fire has been estimated at up to $35,000.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman is issuing a call for more parents to adopt children who are in state care.

The governor appeared at the Capitol on Wednesday with a Lincoln couple that has adopted three children and plans to adopt a fourth.

Thomas Pristow, the state’s Child and Family Services director, says 326 children have been adopted in Nebraska as of the end of October, and another 122 will be adopted later this year. The Department of Health and Human Services still has 322 children who are available.

Heineman appeared with Andrea and Adam Walter of Lincoln as part of Adoption Awareness Month. Andrea Walter says the adoption process was long but worth it for their family.

More information is available at www.dhhs.ne.gov/adoption.

MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — A southern Nebraska school board has accepted the resignation of a special education teacher accused of spraying water in a child’s face.

The McCook School Board voted 4-2 to accept teacher Kay Hardin’s resignation, which will be effective in January.

Kent and Amber Davis told the board that Hardin used the inappropriate technique on their child, who has Down syndrome and cannot speak.

Other parents spoke in support of Hardin and asked the board let her continue teaching. One parent said that while Hardin’s actions were wrong and demeaning, she deserved a second chance.

The superintendent’s office says it can’t release the phone number it has for Hardin.

 

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

11/10/2014 00:15:50 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “500 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 00:30:48 OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS “1000 W 18th St
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 01:51:44 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1900 ALPHA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 03:05:10 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 03:50:06 PARKING OF BOATS AND TRAILERS “500 S BRYAN
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 04:59:20 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “3200 S NEWBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 05:09:22 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1500 E D ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 06:53:52 CITIZEN ASSIST “1100 N WALNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 07:06:39 ESCORT- ADAMS & SWANSON “ADAMS AND SWANSON FUNERAL HOME,
421 W 4TH ST 1040
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 07:10:53 ESCORT- ADAMS & SWANSON “ST PATRICKS,
415 N CHESTNUT ST 1345
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 07:12:00 ESCORT- ADAMS & SWANSON “ADAMS AND SWANSON FUNERAL HOME,
421 W 4TH ST 1440
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 07:33:32 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/10/2014 07:54:20 ANIMAL TRAP “1400 E 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 08:37:50 ASSIST OTHER AGENCY-GENERAL “NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 08:37:25 WELFARE CHECK “2100 CEDARBERRY LN
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 08:57:54 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “900 E B ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 09:50:15 CITIZEN ASSIST “2000 W 17TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 09:57:10 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “700 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 09:58:41 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “3400 S NEWBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 10:01:46 CARE OF ANIMALS “W 17TH ST /N FRANKLIN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 10:21:55 CITIZEN ASSIST “2400 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 10:28:01 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC “300 W 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 10:41:03 THEFT BY DECEPT BY USE OF CREDIT/CHARGE CARD “100 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 10:49:25 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE “700 S MCCABE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 11:35:10 LOOSE ANIMALS “E 4TH ST /N SILBER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 12:21:34 INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT “W E ST /S WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 12:26:01 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “300 N SHERMAN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 13:07:17 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “Rodeo RD /N WILLOW
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 13:19:08 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE “700 W 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 13:32:34 CARE OF ANIMALS “500 S ELDER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 13:40:31 VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV “E LEOTA AV /S DEWEY AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 14:35:28 CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 14:49:31 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 14:57:09 THEFT BY DECEPTION “W 4TH ST /N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 15:01:06 CARE OF ANIMALS “1200 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 15:18:14 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 16:33:08 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “800 W E ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 17:44:14 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “300 HALLIGAN DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 18:11:21 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “400 W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 19:09:14 FALSE REPORTING “1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 20:03:52 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “W 4th ST /N Willow ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/10/2014 20:08:34 CITIZEN ASSIST “2600 W 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 20:17:56 ALARM-GENERAL “100 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 21:07:17 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1400 E 12TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 21:20:56 ASSIST OTH AGENCY “2400 W 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 21:29:07 CITIZEN ASSIST “1900 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE “

11/10/2014 21:32:43 OTHER DISTURBANCE “600 S Bailey ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/10/2014 21:53:34 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1800 JACKSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 22:07:26 LOUD MUSIC “100 W 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 22:32:35 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

11/10/2014 22:45:34 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “100 W 6th
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 23:00:47 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “N ELM ST /W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/10/2014 23:19:39 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 01:04:37 ALARM-GENERAL “INLAND TRUCK PARTS,
3820 S NEWBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 02:00:59 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE “200 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 02:42:52 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 03:41:08 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “E 12TH ST /N MEYER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 07:36:28 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/11/2014 08:07:00 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC “1600 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 08:44:32 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “E 10TH ST /N EASTMAN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 09:21:28 MOTORIST ASSIST “RODEO RD /N MILES AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 09:31:40 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC “W PHILIP AV / MCDONALD RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 10:01:30 CITIZEN ASSIST “2600 W 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 10:57:03 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “4500 SOUTH PARKWAY DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 11:53:47 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

11/11/2014 12:29:04 LV SCENE OF ACC PROP DAMA “1300 S Chestnut
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/11/2014 14:24:22 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “W A ST / REGENCY LN
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 14:48:26 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “E PHILIP AV /S NEWBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 15:02:42 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “N BUFFALO BILL AV / RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 15:04:26 THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING “200 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 15:42:41 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

11/11/2014 16:14:44 FOUND PROPERTY “500 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 16:51:24 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “E 3RD ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 17:01:48 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “E / Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 18:22:47 WELFARE CHECK “600 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 18:39:01 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “1100 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 18:57:31 WELFARE CHECK “1100 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 19:02:57 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 “W B ST /S MAPLE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 19:13:21 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “A ST / Buffalo Bill AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 19:22:25 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “500 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 19:37:15 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “G ST / Jeffers ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 19:47:24 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “W PHILIP AV /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 19:49:14 SPEEDING “800 block W Philip
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/11/2014 19:54:40 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “W 6TH ST / JACKSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 20:34:13 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “1300 W WILLIAM AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 20:45:33 WINDOW PEEPING “1400 E 12TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 22:12:45 MOTORIST ASSIST “W PHILIP AV /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 22:40:01 WINDOW PEEPING “1400 E 13TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 22:50:23 EXPIRED INTRANSIT TAGS “100 block E 9th
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103″

11/11/2014 23:11:12 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 23:40:56 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1200 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/11/2014 23:57:52 SUSPICIOUS PERSON NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

11/12/2014 00:12:30 CITIZEN ASSIST “1100 S TABOR AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/12/2014 01:35:33 ALARM-GENERAL “400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/12/2014 01:39:36 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “W 5TH ST /N VINE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/12/2014 02:47:31 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/12/2014 06:32:38 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “3200 S NEWBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

11/12/2014 07:20:18 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101″

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A major health insurer is trying to help customers in rural Nebraska deal with the fact that it has been unable to agree a new contract with one of the biggest medical networks in the state.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska said Wednesday that in January it will treat five CHI Health hospitals mostly as if they were part of the network, even though a new overall agreement remains elusive.

Numerous facilities and doctors affiliated with CHI Health have been out of the Blue Cross network since Sept. 1, so they have become significantly more expensive for the insurer’s customers.

The communities affected by this change are Kearney, Grand Island, Schuyler, Plainview and Nebraska City. In those areas, the hospitals affiliated with CHI Health are virtually the only option.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A 23-year-old man has been killed in a collision after his van skidded on an icy Interstate 80 in south-central Nebraska.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the accident was reported a little before 8:30 p.m. Monday, about five miles west of Lexington.

The patrol says the man was driving a van eastbound when it went out of control on the icy pavement, ran across the median and rammed into a westbound semitrailer. The semi rolled onto a side and blocked traffic for a time. The driver was treated for minor injuries.

The names of those involved in the collision haven’t been released.

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -17. North northwest wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -3. Wind chill values as low as -15. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -17. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. Wind chill values as low as -9. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
• Friday: A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance for flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. South southeast wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry says workforce issues are a top concern for businesses around the state.

The chamber released its annual survey this week of Nebraska business owners, executives and community leaders. About 39 percent of survey respondents identified workforce quality and availability as a major concern. Another 37 percent said federal regulations posed the biggest threat to businesses.

The survey was conducted from late August through October as part of the state chamber’s annual legislative forums held across the state. The forums were attended by more than 1,200 Nebraskans, including 54 state senators and candidates for the Legislature.

Chamber officials say this marks the third consecutive year that respondents have identified workforce issues as a leading concern.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Citing recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, a civil liberties group will again challenge Nebraska’s ban on same-sex marriage.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska confirmed Tuesday that it will file a lawsuit in federal court next week on behalf of several Nebraska residents. The group plans to announce more details about the lawsuit at a news conference Monday.

The ACLU also challenged the ban in 2003, and a federal judge struck it down in 2005. But in 2006, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Nebraska’s ban.

Since then, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a federal provision that denied a range of benefits to legally married gay couples. It also recently ordered the federal government to recognize state-sanctioned gay marriages.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Kearney woman accused of leaving her 2-year-old daughter unattended in a car also faces a drug charge.

38-year-old Angel Poore faces a felony charge of distribution of methamphetamine following her arrest Friday. Court records do not list an attorney.

Poore is accused of leaving the toddler unattended in a vehicle outside a store parking lot in Kearney. Authorities say they found Poore inside the store. Three small bags inside the car later tested positive for meth.

An affidavit says Poore told police her teen son was watching the child while she was inside the store. Police were unable to locate him.

The child was not injured. She was later released to family members.

Poore was cited on suspicion of child abuse and shoplifting.