LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Lottery won’t have to pay out to dozens of players who thought they won prizes in a holiday scratch-off game with misprinted tickets.

The state lottery cancelled its new Holiday Bonus Bucks game in September after discovering the mistake by International Game Technology, the company that produced the tickets. Lottery officials found that 405 tickets had been sold before the issue was identified within two hours of the game’s opening.

Winner amounts on the misprinted tickets varied from a few dollars to $40,000 prizes, but state law doesn’t legally obligate the Nebraska Lottery to pay prize money for tickets that are produced or issued in error, according to Brian Rockey, state lottery director.

“We’ve never had anything like this, to this degree. It was a real fluke,” Rockey said. “I’m glad we were able to catch it when we did or there would be many more disappointed people.”

Lincoln resident Connie Johnson was one of those first players to purchase and attempt to cash in Holiday Bonus Bucks tickets. She had several $40,000 winning combinations but learned that the tickets had been incorrectly printed.

The Nebraska Lottery is now asking anyone who purchased a Holiday Bonus Bucks ticket to return the card by March 24. Those who send in the tickets will receive Lottery scratch coupons in return.

Lottery spokesman Neil Watson said 150 of the tickets have been returned. About 80 of those appeared to be winners because of inaccurately printed symbols and 52 others appeared to win larger prizes than the actual amounts tied to the cards, he said.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Democrats are expected to decide soon on whether to hold a primary for the 2020 presidential election or hold caucuses again.

The state’s Democratic leader, Jane Kleeb, told the Omaha World-Herald that feedback is running about 3-to-1 in favor of scrapping the caucuses. The party is distributing a survey on the issue.

The party first caucused in 2008 in an effort to bolster party excitement and move the Nebraska nominee selection earlier.

Kleeb expects that holding caucuses would cost the state party at least $100,000 — maybe twice that — if the Democratic presidential field were to prove as large as expected.

The party is scheduled to vote on the question at its Dec. 7-8 quarterly meeting in Ord.

Nebraska Republicans hold a primary.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Lottery officials are seeking missing tickets from a canceled holiday scratch-off game months after a mishap that disappointed many players who thought they had won large prizes.

The state lottery deactivated its new Holiday Bonus Bucks game in September after discovering a misprint. Lottery officials found that 405 tickets had been sold before the issue was identified.

The Nebraska Lottery is asking anyone who purchased a Holiday Bonus Bucks ticket to return the card by March 24. Those who send in the tickets will receive Lottery scratch coupons in return.

Lottery spokesman Neil Watson says 150 of the tickets have been returned. He says 80 of those appeared to be winners because of inaccurately printed symbols and 52 others appeared to win larger prizes than the actual amounts tied to the cards.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Some highways and other roadways remain covered with snow or ice following the wind-whipped snowstorm that blasted through much of Nebraska and the southern half of Iowa.

The Nebraska Transportation Department reported Monday that portions of several state and U.S. highways are still closed from Sunday’s snow or ice accumulations in southern and southeast Nebraska. Interstate 29 in the southwestern corner of Iowa remains partially covered with snow, and Interstate 80 on the eastern end of the state was completely covered but passable.

The heaviest Nebraska snow occurred Sunday in the southeast corner of the state, with Tecumseh reporting 9 inches (23 centimeters). The National Weather Service says the storm dumped 17 inches (43 centimeters) on Oskaloosa in south-central Iowa.

The weather service hasn’t forecast snow for either state until possibly Thursday in Nebraska.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (Nov. 26, 2018) — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors to give now to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season.

Blood and platelet donations often decline during the holidays. Regular donors are busy with holiday activities, and travel and severe winter weather may cause blood drive cancellations. Yet donations remain critical for patients like 4-year-old Wyatt Monacelli who is in the midst of intense chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. He has received a number of transfusions since his diagnosis in June and will likely need more.

“We are fortunate to have had so many donors give the gift of life to our child so far throughout the course of his treatment, and even more so, we are lucky to have had a supply of blood available for him when he needed it,” said Julianna Monacelli, Wyatt’s mother.

Donors are urged to give now to ensure that families like Wyatt’s don’t have to worry about the availability of blood this winter. In thanks for helping meet the urgent need around the holidays, all those who come to donate blood or platelets now through Dec. 19, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong is to host a Red Cross blood drive this winter. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 26-Dec. 19

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center

1111 South Cottonwood St.
North Platte, NE 69101

Other donation opportunities

Chase

Wauneta
12/18/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wauneta Community Building, 325 North Tecumseh
_______________

Deuel

Chappell
11/26/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chappell Fire Hall, 1650 2nd Street
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Frontier

Curtis
12/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Curtis Community Bulding, 201 Garlick Avenue

Eustis
11/27/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Eustis-Farnam Public School, 504 N. Ingall Street

Maywood
12/6/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Hall, 202 N. Commercial Street
_______________

Furnas

Arapahoe
12/12/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ella Missing Community Building, 411 6th Street

Cambridge
11/29/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Building, 722 Patterson St
12/4/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cambridge Hospital, West Hwy 6 & 34
_______________

Hayes

Hayes Center
12/18/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hayes Center High School, 500 Troth Street
_______________

Hitchcock

Culbertson
12/3/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hitchcock County Elementary School, 712 Arizona Street
_______________

Keith

Ogallala
12/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Petrified Wood Gallery, 418 East 1st Street

Paxton
12/7/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Community Building, 205 N. Oak Street
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Lincoln

Hershey
12/3/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Hershey High School, 301 South Lincoln

North Platte
11/26/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., NPCC South Campus, 601 West State Farm Rd
12/4/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Eagles Club, 620 N Chestnut
12/6/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Valley Christian Church, 2001 W. State Farm Road
12/13/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 2700 West A Street
_______________

Logan

Stapleton
11/27/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Village Hall, 236 Main Street
_______________

Red Willow

Indianola
12/7/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Indianola VFW Community Hall, 408 F Street

Mc Cook
12/4/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ed Thomas YMCA of McCook, 901 West E St

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have responded to about a dozen crashes and performed more than 50 motorist assists since midnight.

At least one of the crashes involved an injury. At approximately 8:30 a.m. near Waverly, at mile marker 409 on Interstate 80, a westbound semi jackknifed on the roadway. A brief time later, another semi lost control and struck the trailer of the first semi.

A trooper was able to pull the driver out of the second semi and render medical assistance. The driver was then transported to Bryan West Campus in Lincoln with injuries. The driver of the first semi was not injured.

I-80 westbound was closed due to this and other crashes in the area for approximately 2.5 hours.

Weather may be improving for much of the state, but strong winds can still blow snow around causing reduced visibility. Troopers have also reported the presence of black ice in some areas. Drivers should use extreme caution if travel is necessary and check Nebraska 511 before venturing out.

Any motorist in need of assistance in a non-emergency situation can *55 to reach the NSP Highway Helpline. For emergencies, call 911.

11:15 a.m.

Nearly 500 flights have been cancelled on one of the busiest travel days of the year as a fast-moving winter storm bears down on much of the Midwest on the last day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The flight-tracking website FlightAware reported that 491 flights headed to or from the U.S. had been cancelled as of 11 a.m. Sunday.

The site reported that the majority of the cancellations are flights that were supposed to be routed through Chicago or Kansas City — two areas forecast to be hit hard by the storm.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Other parts of central plains and Great Lakes region are under a winter storm warning.

In total, the storm could dump a foot or more of snow in some places.

___

10:42 a.m.

A fast-moving winter storm is expected to blanket much of the central Midwest with snow on the final day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend — one of the busiest travel days of the year.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Other parts of central plains and Great Lakes region are under a winter storm warning. In total, the storm could dump a foot or more of snow in some places.

As of Sunday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration was reporting no flight delays in the region. But that is set to change later in the day, when the storm reaches the Chicago area. Chicago is home to one of the nation’s major airline hubs.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) and Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) are urging motorists to be prepared for hazardous conditions with an expected winter storm. The combination of snow and wind may make travel difficult Sunday.

The storm, which is expected to bring several inches of snow with winds gusting near 50 miles per hour, has prompted winter storm advisories or blizzard warnings for most of the state, including a blizzard warning for an extended portion of Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Cozad Sunday.

“We hope this has been a festive Thanksgiving weekend, but it’s important for drivers to be prepared for the trip home,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.

Travelers are urged to stay up-to-date on travel conditions with information available through Nebraska 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 the Nebraska 511 app.

“NDOT and our partners throughout Nebraska will work diligently to keep Nebraska’s roads clear,” said Kyle Schneweis, director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation. “Drivers can do their part by staying engaged in the drive and being as prepared as possible before they hit the road.”

Drivers should follow these reminders for motorists traveling in extreme weather conditions:

• Always wear your seat belt and never drive faster than conditions allow.
• Blowing and drifting snow can reduce visibility. Travel only when absolutely necessary.
• If you must travel, use well-traveled routes and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Let others know where you are going, your route, and when you will arrive.
• If you do become stranded while traveling, stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
• If your vehicle becomes stuck, run your motor sparingly and keep a window cracked to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide. Have a red flag or bandana to signal for help.
• Be sure to keep a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle as you travel.

The NSP Highway Helpline is available 24 hours per day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone. Call 911 for any emergency.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Three ice fishing clinics have been scheduled around Nebraska in January.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Youth Fishing Program will host two on-ice events: Jan. 12 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake from 1 to 4 p.m. and Jan. 20 at Kearney’s Fort Kearny State Recreation Area Lake No. 6 from 8 a.m. until noon.

The Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic Jan. 19 at Yanney Heritage Park’s Environmental Resource Center in Kearney from 1 to 5 p.m. This clinic will feature presentations by some of Nebraska’s top ice fishermen.

Seating is limited, so registration is requested by emailing [email protected].

Limited loaner equipment will be available. Bait and instruction will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment.

A park entry permit is required at Fort Kearny. Cancellation of an on-ice clinic for lack of safe ice would be posted on Game and Parks’ Facebook page.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man convicted of manslaughter in South Dakota has died after serving more than 16 years in a Nebraska prison.

The Department of Correctional Services says 57-year-old Daniel Stetter died Friday afternoon at a Lincoln hospital, where he was being treated for long-term medical conditions.

Stetter was convicted of manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault and driving in intoxicated in South Dakota. He was arrested after a 1991 crash that killed one person and injured two others.

Stetter was transferred to the Nebraska State Penitentiary in April 2002.