LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln neighborhood group is proposing a monument to honor the architect of the Nebraska Capitol.

The Near South Neighborhood Association wants to place a concrete monument at Goodhue Boulevard and A Street in Lincoln, seven blocks south of the Capitol.

But the project first needs approve from the Capitol Environs Commission, which raised questions about the project at a meeting last week. Commission members generally support the project, but asked about possible traffic dangers and the types of materials that would be used.

The monument would pay tribute to Bertram Goodhue, the New York architect who designed the Capitol. The association wants to use a $2,500 grant it received from NeighborWorks Lincoln to pay for the project.

With harvest season set to get underway the Nebraska State Patrol encourages all motorists to exercise caution as we experience an increase in agricultural equipment on state roadways.

“During this time of year it is common to see slow moving agricultural equipment especially on our rural roads,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We want to take this opportunity to remind all motorists to pay extra attention and to take care when approaching, following or passing farm vehicles.”

Motorists are reminded combines, grain carts, tractors and other agricultural implements typically travel at slower speeds. Due to their dimensions and loads, operator visibility is often reduced.  Drivers are also reminded to watch out for wildlife often shifting locations due to the increase in activity.

Operators of agricultural implements are reminded they may travel upon the shoulder of the roadway when available. They are also reminded of the need for Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) warning triangles and to utilize their flashing yellow caution lights whenever they are on the road. When turning left from a roadway into a field or farm entrance, operators are cautioned to be aware of vehicles attempting to pass them. If an occupant restraint system is available in the implement they are driving, operators are encouraged to buckle up.

Colonel Sankey said, “Let’s have a safe harvest season.  Be sure to watch out for others and always wear your seat belt.”

A North Platte man who has a bad habit of driving on a suspended license has been charged with a felony.

According to a North Platte Police Department news release, an officer was on patrol at around 10:10 p.m., on September, 26, when they received a report that 60-year-old Dana Lyon was driving on a suspended license near the Platte River Mall, 1000 South Dewey.

The officer observed Lyon and a female passenger driving east on Philip Avenue, and conducted a traffic stop.

After speaking with Lyon and running a check on his license, the officer confirmed that Lyon had a 15-year license revocation.

Lyon was arrested and jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on a charge of felony driving under suspension.

According to arrest records, this is the fifth time Lyon has been arrested for driving under suspension since 2001.

Two North Platte men are facing misdemeanor charges after participating in a drinking game led to an encounter with police.

At around 1:00 a.m., on September 26, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to a report of suspicious activity at a residence in the 600 block of East 10th Street.

Upon arrival, officers noted a light on in the garage of the residence, and observed 21-year-old Sean Vieyra exit the garage.

An officer also observed what he believed were several others in the garage playing Beer Pong.

As officers spoke to Vieyra, a second subject, 20-year-old Anthony Macias, exited the garage and joined the conversation.

Officers detected the odor of alcohol on Macias, who claimed he lived at the residence.

However, after further investigation, officers determined that Macias did not reside there, and they attempted to take him into custody.

NPPD Public Information Officer, Rodney Brown, said Macias refused to comply with officers and attempted to pull away from them.

Eventually, Macias was handcuffed and taken to jail.

Macias was charged with minor in possession and resisting arrest.

Vieyra was also arrested and charged with procuring alcohol for a minor and false reporting for telling officers that Macias was a resident of the home.

Both were transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have formally charged a 19-year-old who’s accused of using social media to make a bomb threat at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Matthew C. Skinner of Ogallala was charged in Buffalo County with threatening to use explosives, a felony. Skinner is a freshman at the university.

The university’s library was briefly evacuated on Wednesday after the anonymous threat was posted on a social media app. The university says the social network Yik Yak cooperated with university police in tracking the post.

Authorities say two other threats were made against university buildings on Tuesday.

Online court records show that a judge has appointed a public defender to represent Skinner, but a specific attorney wasn’t listed.

• Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
• Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4am. Low around 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
• Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 16 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
• Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Light north wind becoming north northeast 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s candidates for governor are both promising to lower property taxes if elected, but they are offering different approaches.

Republican Pete Ricketts and Democrat Chuck Hassebrook are trying to persuade voters that their approach would help reduce the tax, which has soared in rural counties even as commodity prices have fallen.

Ricketts unveiled a property tax plan earlier this month, and Hassebrook says his renewable energy platform would generate local tax revenue to offset what property owners have to pay.

Ricketts says reducing property taxes would be his top priority if elected. Hassebrook says property taxes are his top focus when it comes to taxes, but he’d like to see if most of the relief goes to owner-occupied farms and landowners who actually live in the state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s Board of Health is seeking professional members for several health care boards.

The boards are responsible for licensing health care providers. Terms run for five years.

There are vacancies on boards for alcohol and drug counseling; audiology and speech language pathology; chiropractic; cosmetology; dentistry; mental health practice; nursing; psychologists; podiatry; registered environmental health specialists; and veterinary medicine and surgery.

Applications and documents related to the appointment process are available online at https://1.usa.gov/1uxQW2T . Completed applications must be received by Oct. 13. Members would be appointed on Nov. 17.

There also are vacancies on the Board of Emergency Medical Services, the Nebraska Center for Nursing Board, and the State Board of Health. Members of the three boards are appointed by the governor. Applications may be obtained at https://1.usa.gov/1mQimT3 .

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A Chadron man has been jailed and charged with sexually assaulting a child.

The Panhandle Post website for Chadron radio station KQSK reports hat 24-year old Rudy Martinez is being held on $250,000 bond for three counts of first-degree sexual assault.

Chadron Police Chief Tim Lordino says an investigation began Tuesday shortly after his department received a report that Martinez was having sex with a child. Martinez was arrested Wednesday.

The age of the child has not been released.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Western Nebraska firefighters say an electrical fire at a grain storage facility in Scottsbluff was quickly extinguished.

The fire was reported Friday morning at the Kelley Bean storage facility.

Investigators say the fire started in an electrical panel. By the time firefighters arrived, an employee had already extinguished much of the fire.

Scottsbluff Fire Department spokesman Justin Houstoun says the room was still filled with black smoke when they arrived.

It’s unclear how much, if any, damage occurred from the fire.