(AP) — Nine people have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver as part of a national crackdown on synthetic drugs.

Federal officials said Wednesday that the nine are from various states and some are also facing state charges. U.S. Attorney John Walsh says all are in custody after being arrested starting Wednesday morning.

Among those indicted is John Gilbert Bowen of Las Vegas. Investigators say he ran a business which sent synthetic drugs to Wisconsin, Nebraska, Alaska, Ohio, Georgia and Illinois as well Colorado.

Synthetic marijuana has been linked to outbreaks of illness in Colorado and elsewhere. It’s blamed for at least one death in Colorado — a 15-year-old Aurora boy who died last August.

While real marijuana is legal in Colorado, synthetic marijuana blends marketed under names such as K2 and Spice are not.

(AP) — The University of Nebraska at Kearney has received another anonymous gift of more than $1 million for its music program.

The university announced Tuesday that the money will be divided for several purposes. Among them is the creation of a $730,000 permanent endowment for the Lavern Clark Memorial Music Scholarship. It will provide scholarships for undergraduate music students and is named in memory of Lavern Clark, a longtime Kearney resident and patron of community arts.

The university says $250,000 will create an endowment for the Gerald Feese Professorship of Violin. The professorship is named in memory of Dr. Gerald Feese, who served at UNK and as director of the Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra for many years.

The anonymous donor has given nearly $6 million to the program.

(AP) — Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Jon Bruning has scored major endorsements from Gov. Dave Heineman and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert in the fiercely contested GOP primary race.

The announcement on Wednesday could give a substantial boost to Bruning, a three-term attorney general who is locked in a six-man primary race to replace Heineman.

Heineman says he endorsed Bruning because of his experience in state government, which also includes six years as a state senator. Stothert says Bruning worked his way up, and is likely to maintain Nebraska’s tradition of governing conservatively.

Bruning is competing for the GOP nomination with Omaha businessman Pete Ricketts, state Sens. Beau McCoy and Tom Carlson, State Auditor Mike Foley and Omaha tax attorney Bryan Slone.

In a statement, Ricketts cast Bruning as a “status quo” candidate.

A North Platte man is facing a slew of charges following an motorcycle vs. car accident on Tuesday.

According to Investigator John Deal, North Platte Police were dispatched to an injury accident at the intersection of 2nd Street and Sherman Avenue at around 1:40 p.m.

An investigation revealed that a blue 2001 Cadillac Deville, driven by 42-year-old Charles Lynch, had collided with a blue 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by 19-year-old Aaron Houser.

Deal said the Cadillac was stopped on 2nd Street at a stop sign facing west and the motorcycle was heading eastbound on 2nd.  Lynch began heading westbound, crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle head-on before Houser had reached the intersection.

Witnesses say Lynch was not watching the road when he crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle.

Officers determined that Lynch was driving under the influence of drugs and placed him under arrest.  Lynch was also found to be in possession of several types of prescription medication for which he did not have a prescription, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

In the end, Lynch as charged with possession of marijuana, driving under the influence of drugs, possession of narcotic equipment and possession of a legal drug without a prescription.

He was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.

Houser was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

A staple in the community and source of many fond memories for North Platte residents has officially closed.

The Cedar Bowl and the  Touchdown Club closed Sunday.

Cedar Bowl owner, Scott Rasmussen, says the facility closed after fulfilling it’s obligation to the women’s state bowling tournament.

Rasmussen said any contracts through May 20th will be honored, including graduation parties, birthday parties, after-school events and other special events.

Those with personal belongings and bowling equipment still in the business can call 308-650-0983 to arrange a time for pick up.

The business has stood in its current location since 1978, when it was moved from its original location at Rodeo Road and Willow Street.

The Touchdown Club was added in 1997.

Rasmussen says the business is for sale, but, contrary to rumors, there has not been any offers made.

The Cedar Bowl and Touchdown Club employed around 35 people, Rasmussen said.

 

• Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. North northeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
• Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East northeast wind 10 to 17 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
• Thursday: A slight chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68. West northwest wind 7 to 13 mph becoming south southwest in the morning.
• Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

The death of a 21-year-old Hastings College student has been ruled accidental.

According to the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Dinsdale died after he intentionally cut off oxygen to his brain.  Officials say Dinsdale partially suspended himself with the intention of passing out, and experiencing a euphoric feeling.

Dinsdale’s body was discovered near St. Paul, on property owned by his family, last Saturday.

“This was just an intentional event that turned into a very tragic accidental unattended death,” said Sheriff Howard Schenck.

Schenck said there is no evidence that suggests Dinsdale intended to harm himself, and drugs and alcohol are not believe to have been a factor.

Jackson is the son of Grand Island business owners Tom and Kim Dinsdale, and the nephew of U.S. Senate candidate, Sid Dinsdale.

 

A motorist’s report of a speeding vehicle led to the arrest of a Doniphan man for driving under the influence.

Just after 1:00 a.m., Friday, May 2, Nebraska State Patrol Troop C-Grand Island received a report of a silver Hyundai traveling at a high rate of speed east bound on Interstate 80 near Kearney.

A trooper observed a vehicle matching the description headed eastbound on I-80 west of the Kearney exit. The trooper clocked the vehicle at 111 mph and initiated a traffic stop just east of the Kearney exit.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the trooper smelled the odor of alcohol.  He initiated a DWI investigation that resulted in the arrest of the driver, Gabriel Bernal, 34, of Doniphan.

Bernal was lodged in the Buffalo County Jail on a charge of 1^st Offense Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), and speeding.

“This is a perfect example of how roadway safety is a shared responsibility,” said Captain Chris Kolb, Commander Troop C-Grand Island. “We appreciate the motoring public’s help in keeping impaired driver’s off our roadways,”

Motorists are reminded they can report impaired or reckless drivers to the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline when safe to do so by dialing *55 from any cellular phone, or 1-800-525-5555 from any landline. Emergencies should be reported to 911.

(AP) — Officials say a mountain lion has killed livestock in Nebraska for the first time since the predator re-emerged in the state in 1991.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials confirmed that a mountain lion was responsible for the death of a calf last month near Brewster.

The rancher reported the kill on April 2 after finding the carcass had been dragged about 60 yards and fed upon.

An analysis of animal droppings found nearby confirmed that a mountain lion killed the calf.

The property owner was granted a 30-day hunting license to kill the mountain lion if it returns to his property.

Game and Parks officials say livestock losses are more common in western states with larger lion populations.

Spring commencement ceremonies at McCook Community College and North Platte Community College will take place Friday, May 9.

The ceremony at MCC will take place at 10 a.m. in the MCC Events Center. The NPCC ceremony will be at 3 p.m. in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium at the South Campus.

NPCC Vice President Andy Long will provide introductions, remarks and the presentation of graduation candidates at the MCC ceremony. At the North Platte ceremony, NPCC Vice President Marcus Garstecki will serve in the same capacity. Dr. Jody Tomanek, Mid-Plains Community College Area Vice President for Instruction, will announce the graduates and MPCC President Ryan Purdy will confer diplomas and degrees at both ceremonies.

Student commencement speakers will be Joseph McCarty at MCC and Kari Lynn Hunt at NPCC.