The American Red Cross announced its new Flood App to help save lives and reduce losses from floods and flash floods.
This free app gives iPhone, iPad and Android smart phone users instant access to local and real-time information, so they know what to do before, during and after a flood. The content is available in English and Spanish based on the user’s language settings on their mobile device. The app includes location-based, audible NOAA flood and flash flood watches and warnings – even if the app is closed.
“Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, and people can use the Red Cross app to create emergency plans so all household members know what to do if flooding threatens,” said Tina Labellarte, Region CEO. “The audible alerts in the app can save lives – even when users are away from a radio or TV.”
Other features of the app include:
The new Red Cross Flood App is being released during National Flood Safety Awareness Week, which runs from March 16-22.
“National Flood Safety Awareness Week is the perfect time to download the app and to start preparing,” added Labellarte.
The app is the latest in the series of Red Cross emergency preparedness apps that put lifesaving information right in the hands of people whenever and wherever they need it. The expert advice in Red Cross apps, which also includes apps for First Aid, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other services, has been used to help save lives during disasters and medical emergencies. Red Cross apps have been downloaded on nearly 4 million mobile devices.
The Flood App, along with the others, can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps. Apps can help prepare people for disasters, but they are not a substitute for training. Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED training empowers people to know how to respond to emergencies in case advanced medical help is delayed. People can visit redcross.org/takeaclass for course information and to register.
The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year and helps people get ready to respond to emergencies by providing these preparedness apps for free. The Red Cross needs the help of the public to continue this lifesaving effort. People can make a donation to the Red Cross by going to redcross.org, texting REDCROSS to 90999 or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
(AP) — Roughly 42,000 ponderosa pine tree seedlings will be planted in fire-damaged areas of northwest Nebraska this spring.
John Lee with the U.S. Forest Service says these seedlings will begin the long process of reforesting areas damaged by fire in 2012 and 2006.
But the recovery may take more than 20 years, and thousands more trees will need to be planted.
The trees being planted this April will go in an area 17 miles southwest of Chadron and in Strong Canyon, which is about eight miles away from Chadron.
Roughly 25,000 acres in those areas were damaged by wildfires in 2006 and 2012.
(AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are nearly three-fourths of the way through this year’s 60-day session, with many of the most high-profile issues still awaiting a vote.
Lawmakers will begin debate Tuesday on the Wellness in Nebraska Act, a revamped version of a Medicaid expansion bill that died in the Legislature last year.
Of the 105 bills designated as priorities this year, lawmakers have advanced 52 beyond a first-round vote. Forty have reached the floor of the Legislature, but haven’t received a vote, and 13 are stuck in committee.
Speaker of the Legislature Greg Adams says his goal is to have debate on every priority bill that has moved out of committee. Still ahead this year are proposals to increase the minimum wage and address prison overcrowding.
(AP) — A Lisco teen accused of helping plan a fatal attack on a western Nebraska jail guard has been scheduled for trial.
16-year-old Guy Eagle Elk appeared Friday in Scotts Bluff County District court for arraignment on a charge of aiding and abetting first-degree assault. His trial is set to begin in early July.
Eagle Elk is accused of playing a role in the Feb. 14 slaying of 24-year-old jail guard Amanda Baker on Feb. 14. Another teen, 15-year-old Dylan Cardeilhac, of Torrington, Wyo., is charged with first-degree murder.
Authorities say security video shows Cardeilhac lured Baker into his cell, pouncing on her and strangling her from behind.
Authorities say Eagle Elk told Cardeilhac how to choke the woman.
Both boys are charged as adults.
(AP) — Health officials in southwest Nebraska have confirmed a case of rabies in a skunk, stoking concerns the state could see another full year of rabies cases.
The Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department in McCook reported the rabid skunk.
Tami Herskowitz with the department says her office received the rabies results on Feb. 25.
The skunk had been found earlier in the month in Hayes County in southwest Nebraska. It is the second case of rabies reported in Nebraska so far this year. The first was on Feb. 6 in a cow in northwest Nebraska’s Sheridan County.
Last year, the state saw 33 confirmed cases of rabies, down from 59 cases in 2012.
(AP) — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, in conjunction with fellow Republicans and U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Mike Johanns, will host a U.S Military Day for high school and college students interested in enrolling in U.S. service academies.
The event will be held March 22 at Lincoln North Star High School and is an opportunity for students and their parents to learn more about military opportunities — particularly the nomination process for U.S. military academies.
Information regarding the National Guard, Reserve, the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), and other military enlistment options will also be presented.
(AP) — The Mega Millions jackpot has grown to an estimated $400 million.
No one matched all six numbers in Friday night’s drawing. The numbers were 7-20-40-54-69, with a Mega Ball of 12. Friday’s $353 million prize would have been the fifth-largest jackpot in the multistate lottery game’s history.
The next drawing is Tuesday.
The jackpot has been rolling since January 3.
The biggest lottery prize in the U.S. was a $656 million dollar Mega Millions jackpot in 2012.
Mega Millions changed its rules in October to help increase jackpots by lowering the odds of winning the top prize. That means the chances of winning the jackpot are now about 1 in 259 million. It used to be about 1 in 176 million.
The North Platte Police Department has named their 2013 Best Dressed Officer of the Year and Employee of the Year.
NPPD Chief of Police, Mike Swain, announced the recipients of the awards, which are give to “exemplary employees of the North Platte Police Department.”
Officer Scott Baker has been named the Best Dressed Officer of the Year for 2013.
Baker is a 13-year veteran of the Department and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.
According to Swain, the Department holds regular inspections of their officers to ensure they maintain a high standard of uniform dress and overall appearance. Swain said all uniformed officers compete for this honor each year.
Animal Shelter Attendant, Dixie Lehmkuhler, has been named as the 2013 Employee of the Year.
Lehmkuhler began her career with the Department in April of 2011.
Swain says Lehmkuhler is a reliable, efficient and hard-working employee, who is very conscientious about the quality of her work and maintaining a professional environment at the Animal Shelter.
Lehmkuhler serves as the primary contact for most visitors and volunteers.
“Running an animal control unit requires the teamwork of all our employees and many dedicated volunteers,” Swain said. “Dixie sets a good example for others and she puts forth extra effort to ensure the animals and customers are cared for properly.”
