(AP) — An effort to encourage more wind energy development in Nebraska hit a roadblock this legislative session, but some Nebraska lawmakers are determined to capitalize on the state’s wind potential.

Despite Nebraska’s strong potential for wind energy, the state has had difficulty getting major wind developments because of a lack of significant tax incentives and a public power structure that requires low-cost energy.

This session, Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm withdrew a bill that would have encouraged public power districts to consider more renewable energy.

A bill by Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis remains alive. It seeks to study Nebraska’s future needs for transmission infrastructure to serve consumers and to export electricity out of the state.

That bill faces one more vote in front of the Legislature.

• Timothy John Schweitzer, 30, North Platte and Jennifer Marie Thompson, 30, North Platte

 

• Bradley Miles Grover, 44, North Platte and Cheri Lynn Grover, 45, North Platte

 

• Eric Michael Sargent, 26, North Platte and Joette Lynne Peters, 27, North Platte

 

• Aaron Joseph Dodson, 33, Ashland NE and Virginia Florence Hamm, 44, Ashland NE

 

• Ryan Ray Greeley, 26, North Platte and Jennifer Nichole Favinger, 25, North Platte

 

• Nicholas John Bedlan, 29, North Platte and Jordan Ashley Max 25, North Platte

 

• James Michael Healey, 34, North Platte and Nancy Lynn Leach, 34, North Platte

 

• ShaunMichael Levi Hopkins, 25, North Platte and April Rose Beyer, 23, North Platte

 

• Tanner Jay Baker, 20, North Platte and Haley Lauren Smith, 21, North Platte

A North Platte man has been charged with a felony after he allegedly stole a camera from Menards.

According to Investigator John Deal, an officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to the store at around 9:12 a.m., on Thursday.

An employee reportedly found an empty box belonging to a digital inspection camera, according to Deal.

Suspecting the camera had been stolen, the employee viewed surveillance footage and was able to see a male subject, later identified as Jason Alexander, remove the camera from the box and walk out of the business without paying for any merchandise.

The employee was able to identify a logo from a local business on Alexander’s jacket.

Deal said the business was contacted, and a representative was able to positively identify Alexander after viewing the footage.

Officers made contact with Alexander and he informed them that the camera was in the garage at his residence.

He turned the camera over, and was arrested for theft.

The camera was valued at around $200, which would generally result in a misdemeanor charge.  However, Deal said Alexander had two prior convictions for theft which enhanced the new charge to a felony.

Alexander was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

(AP) — Kearney City Councilman Randy Buschkoetter has pleaded no contest and paid a fine for gambling at the boys state basketball game in Lincoln last month.

The 49-year-old Buschkoetter pleaded no contest Friday in Lancaster County Court to engaging in gambling, a misdemeanor. He paid a $200 fine, plus court costs.

Lincoln police have said that off-duty officers saw Buschkoetter take four of five bets that his 21-year-old daughter wrote down in a notebook during the course of several games March 14 at Pinnacle Bank.

Buschkoetter’s daughter was also cited in the incident, but charges were never filed against her.

(AP) — Court appearances have been set for two Broken Bow women charged in the death of a 20-month-old boy last fall.

23-year-old Brittney Pryce is scheduled for her first appearance in Custer County Court on April 28. Her mother, 50-year-old Diane Hill, will have her first appearance on May 5.

The two were arrested last month and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the Nov. 22, 2013 death of Noah Pryce. Authorities say the boy died of a head injury.

The boy was a ward of the state, and Brittney Pryce and her husband were his guardians.

The women are out of jail on bond. Phone listings for them couldn’t be found, and online court records don’t list attorneys for them.

RELATED CONTENT:

https://www.northplattepost.com/2014/03/26/arrests-made-in-death-of-broken-bow-toddler/

The United States is facing a major shortage of blood, and one North Platte service club is hoping to help change that.

The North Platte Noon Rotary Bloodhounds will hold their annual blood drive next week.

The drive will be held April 9th from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Quality Inn in North Platte.

Donors are encouraged to form a team, with the top three teams earning cash prizes to be donated to the charity of their choice.

Make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or online at redcrossblood.org.

You could help save a life!

 

(AP) — A bill designed to keep Nebraska minors from using electronic cigarettes has won final approval from lawmakers.

Senators voted 48-0 on Thursday to send the proposal to Gov. Dave Heineman. The bill would outlaw the sale of so-called e-cigarettes to anyone younger than 18 years old. Minors caught using the product could face a misdemeanor charge.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that give users a puff of water vapor and nicotine, sometimes with flavors.

Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber, the bill sponsor, says there hasn’t been enough study to know if e-cigarettes are safe.

(AP) — A bill that would protect Nebraskans against job discrimination based on their sexual orientation is facing resistance in the Legislature.

Lawmakers began debating the issue on Thursday before adjourning for the weekend.

The measure would ban employee discrimination based on the sexual orientation or gender identity. It would apply to public employees, government contractors and private companies with 15 or more workers. Religious organizations, including schools, would be exempt.

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who introduced the bill, says no one should be fired for who they are or who they love.

Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha says it could force companies to violate their own religious beliefs, or risk losing their business.

Debate resumes on Monday.

• Today: Sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 6 to 13 mph.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. South wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.
• Sunday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

(AP) — Ethanol producers say clogged rail lines and other shipping problems have forced them to reduce production of the fuel and contributed to higher prices.

The Renewable Fuels Association criticized railroads Thursday and triggered a strong response from the Association of American Railroads.

RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen says railroads should take the blame for ethanol prices jumping more than $1 a gallon between early February and late March.

AAR CEO Ed Hamberger acknowledges rail traffic slowed in certain areas, but he says it’s preposterous to suggest the rail network is in disarray.

Hamberger says railroads have done their best to deal with an exceptional winter, sizeable grain harvest and increased coal demand.

Railroads have hauled 6.8 million carloads this year — about 2 percent more than last year.