OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Learning Community Council members have voted to fund an early childhood education plan to help impoverished children in 11 Omaha-area school districts.

The council members unanimously approved the measure Thursday. Officials with the educational cooperative say the funding will provide quality services for children up to 8 years old. Specific schools haven’t yet been chosen for the program.

Officials plan to encourage Nebraska lawmakers to expand the program statewide if it works.

The education cooperative will pay for the first-year cost of $1.5 million using its reserve funds. Officials plan to impose a property tax increase in Douglas, Sarpy and part of Washington County to pay for the plan’s annual $2.8 million cost the second and third years.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska authorities say two teenage girls have been injured in a one-vehicle rollover.

Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Deputy Kris Still says troopers were dispatched to the accident south of Scottsbluff Wednesday evening. He says the girls suffered serious injuries to their heads, faces and upper bodies. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

The 16-year-old passenger was flown to an area hospital and the 16-year-old driver was transported by ambulance. The passenger was listed in serious condition Thursday. The driver was listed as fair.

Deputies cited the driver for driving under the influence, refusal to submit a chemical test and misuse of a learner’s permit.

North Platte Police are investigating an assault involving a firearm at the South Platte Terrace Apartments.

At around 9:15 a.m., on August 14, officers responded to South Platte Terrace, 700 East Philip Avenue, on the report of a physical disturbance involving a male subject with a gun.

Officers were advised that a 21-year-old female had called the North Platte 911 Center, and reported that a male subject had struck her in the face with a firearm.

She also said that someone was banging on her door as she spoke to dispatchers.

When officers arrived, they were unable to locate the male subject, and soon learned that the assault had allegedly occurred on Wednesday evening.

The victim was transported to Great Plains Health by ambulance.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, a 23-year-old male suspect was later located and interviewed at the NPPD.  However, Brown said no arrests were made in conjunction with the assault.

The investigation is ongoing.

• Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
• Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
• Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling 83,250 vehicles because a faulty part could cause them to lose power or roll away if they’re parked.

The recall involves the 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX; the 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT; and the 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS.

The company says that due to the improper installation of a clip in the axle, the halfshaft can disengage from the linkshaft. If that happens, power won’t be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, the vehicles could roll out of the “park” position if the emergency brake isn’t engaged.

Ford says there have been no reports of injuries or accidents related to the defect.

Ford will notify owners and begin free repairs by the end of August.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Fair’s new home in Grand Island places it closer to the center of the state, but the move from Lincoln four years ago has created a potential opening for Iowa.

Iowa State Fair organizers are working to attract visitors from Omaha, which sits halfway between Nebraska’s fair in Grand Island and Iowa’s in Des Moines.

Both fairs are advertising to Omaha residents, but organizers say they aren’t competing. They argue that the fairs are scheduled at different times of the month, and offer different concerts and events.

Marla Calico of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions says fairs want to draw as many patrons as possible, but attendance alone isn’t the best way to measure success. Sometimes, revenue will increase even when turnout is down.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The ACLU of Nebraska has named a state senator from Lincoln as its executive director.

Sen. Danielle Conrad will join the group in November. She is leaving the Legislature in January due to term limits.

Conrad worked as a policy counsel for the group Nebraska Appleseed before serving as a lawmaker. She also served as executive director of the Lincoln Parks Foundation, and led this year’s campaign to place a proposed minimum wage increase on the November ballot.

In the Legislature, Conrad served on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee and worked on legislation related to workplace fairness, reproductive freedom and immigration.

ACLU President Leslie Seymore says Conrad has been as a strong advocate for basic civil rights and liberties.

Conrad earned her law degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol will begin its Labor Day enforcement effort this week as part of a nationwide campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.

The patrol will begin its participation in the “You Drink and Drive, You Lose” campaign on Friday. The effort will run through Labor Day on Sept. 1.

Troopers will conduct special enforcement efforts to include high visibility patrols, DUI checkpoints and other efforts to catch drunken drivers.

Troopers will put in overtime hours during the holiday weekend. A $27,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety will help fund the special enforcement.

For 44 days, beginning August 18 through Sept. 30, troopers with Troop E-Scottsbluff will conduct high visibility patrols in and around Scotts Bluff County. The effort will place special emphasis on seat belt usage as troopers work to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes.

In the past 18 months, nine people have been killed on county roads in Scotts Bluff County. Two people have died in crashes on state highways in the County. Of the nine people killed on Scotts Bluff County roads, none were wearing a seat belt. To date in 2014, 78% of the fatal crashes in the panhandle involve unrestrained occupants.

“We need motorists to buckle-up,” said Captain Mike Gaudreault, Commander Troop E-Scottsbluff. “Whether it’s a quick trip or a long journey, wearing your seat belt increases your odds of surviving a crash by up to 50%.”

A $5,850, grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety will help fund the special enforcement effort.

Captain Gaudreault said, “Do your part, help us save lives, buckle up every trip, every time.”

STAPLETON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a fire that menaced several homes has burned an estimated 150 acres of ranchland, north of North Platte.

The fire was reported Wednesday afternoon along U.S. Highway 83, about halfway between North Platte and Stapleton to the north. No injuries were reported.

Fire crews from the Stapleton, North Platte, Maxwell and Lincoln County Rural departments were called for help. The fire was under control by 4 p.m.