Several employees at North Platte businesses have been cited for selling tobacco products to minors.

On July 2, officers from the North Platte Police Department conducted compliance checks throughout the city to ensure employees responsible for the sale of tobacco products were asking for proper identification and refusing to sell to minors.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, the checks are conducted multiple times each year, and are a tool to identify tobacco retail establishments that sell tobacco to underage youth.

Both the United States Food and Drug Administration and Nebraska state law require tobacco vendors to be licensed, and prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.

NPPD investigators, in coordination with Community Connections/Tobacco Free Lincoln County, supervised a 17-year-old male juvenile volunteer as he entered 17 local businesses.

Employees at two of the 17 random locations were cited for selling to the juvenile: 29-year-old Misty M. Crouse, Casey’s, 2421 Rodeo Road, and 71-year-old Marilyn M. Kohl, Wicked Fast Cenex, 1020 North Jeffers.

Brown said both were cited for sale of tobacco to minors, a Class III misdemeanor.

A Brady woman is facing a child abuse charge after a young boy was found wandering around Brady unsupervised.

At around 11:30 a.m., on July 18, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a young boy was walking around the village unsupervised.

It was reported that the boy was four or five years old, and was walking downtown looking for his mother.  Concerned citizens spoke to the boy and kept him safe until deputies arrived.

Upon arrival, deputies took the boy home and discovered that nobody was there.

Eventually, they were able to contact the boy’s mother, 36-year-old Frederica Keffer.

Keffer advised that she had a meeting and could not find a babysitter, so she left the boy home alone.

Following further investigation, Keffer was charged with child abuse.

The boy was placed in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Since the 2015 Florida-Georgia Line show was announced at the conclusion of the 2014 NEBRASKAland DAYS Celebration, the most asked question has been when tickets would go on sale. The answer is…this week.

The first round of ticketing begins on Wednesday, July 23, for Florida-Georgia Line Fan Club members. NEBRASKAland DAYS Sustaining Members will go next on Thursday and Friday the 24th and 25th, followed by Public sale on Monday, July 28th.

“We’re just a few weeks past 2014, but the excitement is already building for this show,” says NLD Executive Director David Fudge. “We see it on our social media pages, we hear it on the street and on the phone. People are cranked up to see this show.”

Prices remain in check for 2015, with top level access at $99, GA and seating will sell for $59.

The major change is that FGL will close the Celebration on Saturday, June 27th. “We’re thrilled to have them in town for the final night. In the past our bigger show has been Friday. It just worked out that its Saturday next year,” says Fudge.

All sales commence at 9:00 a.m., at www.nebraskalanddays.com.

A stolen bicycle has led to a meth possession charge for a North Platte man.

At around 10:00 a.m., on July 18, an officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to Cycle Sport, 413 East 5th Street, on the report of a stolen bicycle.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, an 0ff-duty officer was at the business when 41-year-old Gregory Murdie arrived with a bicycle.

The officer recognized the bike as one that had been stolen.

Brown said the off-duty officer took the original theft complaint of the Ironhorse Warrior mountain bike, when it was reported stolen by an Illinois family who was traveling through town on July 12.

Further investigation confirmed that the bike in Murdie’s possession was the stolen bicycle.  Additionally, Murdie was found to be in possession of a clear baggie containing a white powdery substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Murdie was placed under arrest for felony possession of methamphetamine.

Brown said the investigation into Murdie’s role in the bicycle theft is ongoing.

The bike was returned to the owner.

Dangerously hot weather is predicted for Nebraska and Iowa, and the American Red Cross reminds everyone of the steps they should take to stay safe when the temperatures rise.

“In recent years there have been more deaths related to the heat than to all other weather events,” said Tina Labellarte, Region CEO. “There are steps people can take to stay safe and beat the heat.”

HEAT SAFETY

• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
• Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Ensure they have water and a shady place to rest.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To help avoid problems, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and limit drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.

If a person is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

HEAT STROKE IS LIFE-THREATENING. Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately if some shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

The Red Cross also has steps pet owners should take to keep their furry friends safe during hot weather.

Red Cross training can give someone the skills and confidence to act in an emergency, for more information contact www.redcross.org.

• Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South southwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. North northeast wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
• Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East northeast wind 7 to 14 mph.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska plans to ask lawmakers to approve a 5 percent increase in state aid next year to help pay for key initiatives.

The Board of Regents approved a budget request for $568 million in 2015-2016 and $600 million in 2016-2017.

This coming school year the University of Nebraska will receive $540 million in state tax money. That accounts for roughly 62 percent of NU’s publicly funded $864 million budget.

Interim University President James Linder says the additional funding to support programs that will help keep NU and the state economically competitive.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — When some hawks started diving on people and pets in Kearney recently, wildlife officials brought out the fireworks.

Nebraska Game and Parks officials hope the fireworks will persuade the Cooper’s hawks to relocate.

Wildlife biologist Nick Fryda says the hawks that are causing problems are younger birds who are learning to hunt and don’t fear people much.

Fryda says the fireworks scream and bang to teach the animals to be afraid of humans. But he says he’ll probably have to return and set off pyrotechnics several times before the hawks learn.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Some of the most intense heat of the summer so far is expected in Nebraska and Iowa, so forecasters are urging people to take precautions.

The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for the eastern half of Nebraska and for 74 of Iowa’s 99 counties on Monday and Tuesday.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s across the region and humidity will be high, so heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sunburn are possible.

Leslie Schaffer with the Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross says it’s important to take precautions in the heat, especially for the elderly and young children.

Staying inside during the hottest part of the day can be a big help. People who must work outside should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Ravenna man who was convicted of incest and sexually assaulting a child is seeking a new trial.

Buffalo County Deputy Public Defender Brandon Dugan raises questions about the evidence presented against the man in his motion for a new trial.

The Associated Press is not naming the man is to protect the identity of the girl who was younger than 12 at the time of the assault last September. The man was convicted earlier this month.

The girl testified that the man tried to perform oral sex on her while they were alone in a hotel room. She resisted and he stopped.

A hearing on the motion will be held this week. The man is scheduled to be sentenced in August.