A pair of Broad-winged hawks with a nest has been confirmed in the 2600 block of Birchwood in North Platte.

Broad-winged hawks have been nesting in the North Platte area for at least seven years, which is unusual as in Nebraska this hawk species typically nests along the Missouri River and south of the Platte River.

“Their preferred habitat is eastern deciduous forest; apparently the North Platte neighborhoods with a lot of large trees are close enough to that for some of them as we now have a small breeding population here in North Platte.” said TJ Walker, NGPC District Manager, Wildlife Division and avid birder. “In past years the nests have been blown out of trees resulting in the loss of the young hawks.”

At least two young have been sighted in the nest this year.

Residents are being warned that if they walk or bike on the north side of the 2600 block of Birchwood for the next two to three weeks they may stand the chance of being dive-bombed by the adult birds protecting their nest.

“They are well equipped with sharp talons and a sharp beak” added Walker, who then suggested that North Platte residents should be urged to stay on the south side of the street in that block.

Broad-winged hawks prey on small mammals like mice and rabbits, small birds, reptiles and large insects.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — At a Kearney conference on prescribed burns, people will learn techniques and hear success stories in land management.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the July 14 event is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.

The conference will bring together landowners and fire professionals to discuss the challenges of prescribed burns. There will be presentations on economics, burn layouts, range health and the ecological objective of prescribed burns.

For more information or to register, go online at https://1.usa.gov/1mcWHD1 or contact Harlan Grunden at 308-367-7479 or hgrunden@curtis-ne.com.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Some military retirees in Nebraska will soon qualify for a tax exemption.

The Department of Revenue says retirees can exclude part of their military benefit income under a law that goes into effect on July 18. To qualify, they must choose between two options within two years of retiring from the service.

One option allows military retirees to exclude 40 percent of their income for seven consecutive years, beginning in the year the election is made. The other option allows them to exclude 15 percent of their retirement benefit for all taxable years, beginning in the year when they turn 67.

The exclusion is not available until tax year 2015. Forms are now available on the Department of Revenue website.

The Nebraska State Patrol continues its efforts to “Drive to Save Lives” with an increased presence over the July 4 Holiday.

Beginning Thursday, July 3 and continuing through Saturday, July 5, troopers and communications specialists will put in overtime hours thanks in part to an $18,960 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

Special enforcement efforts will focus on safe driving practices with an emphasis on crash causing behaviors such as speeding, following too closely, impaired and distracted driving.  In addition, motorist assist volunteers in specially marked vans will be available to help stranded motorists along Interstate 80 from Kearney to Omaha.

“Increased traffic can be expected on Nebraska roads over the holiday weekend,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.  “If you are planning to travel, we encourage you to help us save lives by complying with all highway safety laws.”

For more information on specific enforcement activities over the July 4^th weekend call your nearest Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area Headquarters. You may also view a calendar of selected NSP enforcement activities at https://1.usa.gov/1m2lo3i.

The final suspect in a theft scheme at JC Penney in North Platte has been arrested.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, a 17-year-old male juvenile was processed and released at the Lincoln County Detention Center yesterday after being arrested for felony theft by deception.

The investigation began on June 16, when store management suspected employees were stealing from the store.

It was reported to police that three employees had been selling merchandise to each other at hugely discounted prices, then returning the merchandise for a full-price refund.

Justin Bailey, 21, and Ashleigh Larson, 19, have also been charged with felony theft by deception in the case.

Brown said the trio is believed to have stolen over $7,400 from JC Penney over a three month period.

The Post is not naming the juvenile pending the filing of formal charges by the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office.

• Today: Sunny, with a high near 78. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
• Thursday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Independence Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Friday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

DETROIT (AP) — Graco Children’s Products is recalling 1.9 million infant car seats, agreeing to government demands in what is now the largest seat recall in American history.

The recall came after a five-month spat between Graco and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Earlier this year the company recalled 4.2 million toddler seats for a harness buckle problem. But it resisted the agency’s demand to recall the infant seats.

Buckles can get gummed up by food and drinks, making it difficult to remove children. In some cases parents had to cut harnesses to get their kids out. The agency says that increases the risk of injuries in emergencies.

Graco argued that infant seats are used differently, and in an emergency, an adult can remove the whole seat rather than using the buckle.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly business survey suggests the economy in nine Midwestern and Plains states should continue growing steadily in the months ahead.

The region’s overall economic index crept up to 60.6 in June from May’s 60.5 to hit another three-year high.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says the report offers plenty of reasons to be optimistic because the job market is strong and businesses report solid new orders.

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Some Nebraska farm and ranch groups have formed a coalition to fight what they say is a power grab by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The group called Common Sense Nebraska was announced Tuesday and includes the Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraska Corn Growers Association among its members.

Under a rule proposed by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, seasonal and rain-dependent streams and nearby wetlands would be protected by the Clean Water Act. The EPA says it wants to clarify protection for the upstream waters that are vital to downstream communities.

But Common Sense Nebraska says that under the proposal, basic farming and ranching activities would require permits when those water features are present. The group says the permitting requirements can be costly and could delay time-sensitive farming practices.

 

Three North Platte juveniles have been accused of burglarizing and vandalizing Jefferson Elementary School.

At around 9:00 p.m., on June 30, officers from the North Platte Police Department responded to an alarm at Jefferson Elementary, 700 East 3rd Street.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that unknown persons had entered the school and vandalized it.

It was determined that three juveniles had  forcibly entered the building and ransacked the hallways, spilled food and condiments all over the cafeteria and kitchen, damaged paper towel dispensers, discharged fire extinguishers and damaged books, furniture and a computer in a classroom.

Additionally, police say the boys had stolen food, pens and pencils.

Through the use of the video surveillance system, officer were able to identify one of the suspects.

A little over an hour later, police located the three juveniles, ages 11, 12 and 12, at a residence in the 1100 block of East 5th Street.

Officer Rodney Brown said officers met with the families at the Police Department and, following further investigation, determined that there was probable cause to arrest the juveniles and charge them with felony burglary.

Brown said the trio was also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief.  He said this charge may be amended to a felony, pending further investigation.

The three juveniles were released to the custody of their parents.