Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Windy, with a north northwest wind 22 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 24 to 29 mph decreasing to 11 to 16 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 13 to 18 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
(AP) — Two legislative committees are planning to look at possible changes to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
A joint interim study will examine how the agency is structured. Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha said Tuesday that the Appropriations Committee, which he chairs, will conduct the review with the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.
Mello says senators might look at breaking DHHS into smaller agencies. Prior to 1996, the department’s responsibilities were divided among six different agencies.
Mello says the study seeks to increase transparency and fiscal oversight of the department. Lawmakers have tussled with department officials in recent years over past abuses at the Beatrice State Developmental Center and problems with child welfare services, among other issues.
(AP) — A judge has found a central Nebraska woman guilty of stealing more than $43,000 from the church where she was secretary.
The Dawson County Attorney’s Office says 51-year-old Valerie L. Hendricksen, of Oconto, entered a no contest plea Tuesday to a felony charge of theft by taking.
Hendricksen was accused of embezzling funds from the American Lutheran Church in Cozad between 2009 and 2011, when she worked for the church as secretary. She was charged with theft in April 2013 following an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Hendricksen is scheduled to be sentenced in June. She remains free on bond.
(AP) — Two Republican candidates for Nebraska auditor both argue they have the right set of experiences to lead the office.
The Republicans and a Democrat are seeking the office left open by auditor Mike Foley, a candidate for governor.
GOP legislator Charlie Janssen of Fremont says his experiences heading a business and serving on the Fremont City Council would be beneficial in the office.
Republican Larry Anderson, an auditor in Foley’s office, has an accounting degree and has served in the Nebraska National Guard since 2007. He says understanding the office is among his best assets.
Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln is the only Democrat vying for auditor.
The primary is May 13.
The office audits state fiscal activity and some local government and investigates reports of government fraud and mismanagement.
A 19-year-old North Platte is facing felony charges after he allegedly rammed a vehicle during an argument.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, North Platte Police responded to the area of 16th and Custer at around 9:40 p.m. on April 19th.
It was reported that a red Firebird had rammed into a Nissan occupied by three juveniles at Cody Park during a verbal argument.
The 17-year-old male driver of the Nissan alleged that the Firebird nearly struck him before colliding with the Nissan and fleeing.
Officers identified the driver of the Firebird as Nathen Wheeler.
On April 28, Wheeler was located and questioned about the incident. Following further investigation, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Wheeler for felony attempted 1st degree assault and felony criminal mischief.
He was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.
(AP) — A former Lexington police officer been sentenced to 120 days in jail.
49-year-old Terrance Smith was sentenced on Monday. Smith had pleaded no contest and was convicted of attempted burglary. Two other charges were dropped in exchange for his plea.
Authorities say Smith entered Landmark Implement near Lexington after business hours on May 19 last year, while on duty and without a law enforcement purpose. Video surveillance shows Smith searching through drawers and cabinets in offices before leaving without taking anything of value.
Smith was fired shortly thereafter. He’d been on the force for seven years.
A North Platte man racked up the charges after he was pulled over for having a broken headlight.
According to Officer Rodney Brown, officers were on patrol at around 11:00 p.m., on Monday, when they observed a Chevy Blazer operating without a front headlight.
A traffic stop was conducted near 1st Street and Buffalo Bill Avenue, and officers made contact with the driver, 36-year-old Sean Heinemann.
During the stop, an officer observed a Winchester Lever Action 30/30 being intentionally concealed by Heinemann between his leg and the center console of the vehicle.
Heinemann was ordered out of the vehicle, and the firearm, which was loaded, was seized.
Further investigation revealed that Heinemann had a prior conviction for domestic violence, and was therefore prohibited from carrying a firearm.
A further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of ammunition, drug paraphernalia commonly used in the use and distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana, prescription pills, including Morphine, Tapentadol and Lorazepam, burglary tools, a large amount of jewelry and multiple knives.
Officers placed Heinemann under arrest and charged him with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, possession of burglary tools, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during a drug violation.
Additionally, Heinemann was cited for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of motor vehicle light requirements and fictitious plates.
Heinemann was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
Today: A chance of rain and snow showers before 9am, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Windy, with a north northwest wind 29 to 34 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Windy, with a north northwest wind 26 to 31 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 24 to 29 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 23 to 28 mph decreasing to 14 to 19 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Breez
