(AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are debating a bill that would have the state apply for a federal grant to increase the number of elderly people living in their own homes.

But senators failed to reach a vote on the measure, and are expected to resume debate on Wednesday.

The measure by Sen. Kate Bolz would direct the state to spend $8.5 million to qualify for $36 in federal aid for existing home and community-based services. Services include adult day care or respite services.

Some lawmakers say they’re concerned about the cost. Bolz says she expects the cost of the bill to decrease after a review of the bill on Friday.

The bill would also create a task force to examine the needs of the state’s aging population.

(AP) — After a two-month closure, the archway museum over Interstate 80 in Kearney is scheduled to open on Saturday.

The Archway will be unveiling its revamped gift shop and the Frank Morrison Theater.

Officials say visitors will be able to start their tour in the theater, viewing a video highlighting the establishment of The Archway. Known since its opening as the Great Platte River Road Archway, the monument has been renamed The Archway.

The museum has struggled with disappointing attendance since its opening. Nearly 250,000 people visited in 2001, for example, but last year’s attendance was 49,960. The Archway emerged from bankruptcy in September.

The museum has exhibits that commemorate the Oregon, Mormon and California pioneer trails and honors the nation’s highway systems and railroads.

A North Platte man has been charged with selling weed.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, an officer with the North Platte Police Department went to a residence in the 100 block of South Chestnut, in an attempt to make contact with 20-year-old Austin Welch.  Welch had an active warrant for failure to appear.

The officer knocked on the door and it was answered by a male subject who invited the officer into the residence.

Once inside, the officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana and observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.  A search revealed marijuana and items commonly used in the distribution of drugs.

During this time, Welch arrived at the residence, and was taken into custody for the warrant as well as a charge of distribution of marijuana.

Following further investigation, officers learned that 18-year-old Logan Reed was also involved with Welch in the distribution of marijuana.

On Monday, an officer responded to the courthouse and made contact with Reed, who was appearing on unrelated charges, and advised him of the investigation.  Following questioning, probable cause was found to issue Reed a summons for distribution of marijuana, a Class III felony.

Reed was processed and released from the Lincoln County Detention Center.

 

(AP) — A Nobel Prize winner will make this year’s DNA Day address at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Mario Capecchi is a molecular geneticist who won his Nobel in 2007.

The title of his presentation is “The Making of a Scientist — An Unlikely Journey.” It is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on April 25 at the UNK Health and Sports Center. The event is free and open to the public.

DNA Day honors Doug Lund. He was a UNK professor of biology for more than 37 years. Now retired, Lund continues to participate in the molecular biology seminar every Friday.

(AP) — A former Lexington police officer has made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded no contest to a reduced charge.

Forty-nine-year-old Terrance Smith was convicted last week of attempted burglary and faces up to five years in prison. Two other charges were dropped in exchange for his plea. His sentencing is scheduled for April 28 in Dawson County District Court.

Smith is accused of entering 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.

(AP) — A woman accused of stealing from the Sidney Federation Wrestling Club is scheduled to be sentenced April 14.

30-year-old Amanda Sykora made a plea deal with prosecutors last week. Online court records say she pleaded guilty to attempted theft. Prosecutors had lowered the charge and dismissed another in exchange for Sykora’s pleas.

Authorities say the 30-year-old Sykora wrote and cashed or deposited 13 unauthorized checks totaling more than $4,500 when she was treasurer of the wrestling club.

(AP) — Bills to require paid family medical and sick leave in Nebraska are drawing support from worker-advocacy groups and opposition from business organizations, but no action is likely this year.

One bill by Sen. Annette Dubas would provide up to six consecutive weeks of paid family leave to care for a newborn, or an adopted or foster child. Another by Sen. Danielle Conrad would require certain employers to offer paid sick leave to full-time employees. Both were presented Monday to the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee.

The proposals are unlikely to advance because they weren’t designated as priority bills, and the session is more than halfway finished. Dubas says she hopes to work with groups to keep the issue alive for lawmakers next year.

• Today: Snow likely, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -6. East northeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around -10. Wind chill values as low as -19. North wind 9 to 14 mph becoming light and variable. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values as low as -22. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 10. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. East northeast wind 5 to 14 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

A teen accused in the stabbing of two workers at the Nebraska Youth Shelter in North Platte has made a plea deal with prosecutors.

Jordan Baker, 16, appeared in Lincoln County District Court on Monday.

Baker and 18-year old Keenan Lambert are accused of stabbing Diana Johns and Robin Schneider during an escape attempt on July 8, 2013.

The duo allegedly attacked the two women, then stole one of their cars and fled.  They were eventually captured in Dawson County and arrested.

Prosecutors say Baker stabbed Johns twice in the neck.  Johns had to be transported to a Level 1 trauma center, because the knife hit an artery which caused serious, potentially fatal bleeding.  She has since recovered from the wounds.  Schneider was allegedly stabbed five times by Lambert.

Both teens underwent a psychological evaluation and were found competent to stand trial.

Baker originally entered a not guilty plea, and planned to go to trial in March.

However, prosecutors recently offer him a deal and he accepted.

In exchange for a no contest plea, an attempted murder charge was reduced to 1st degree assault, a Class II Felony.

Lincoln County Attorney, Rebecca Harling, said the deal was made after discussion with the victims and their families, and said they were understanding.

Baker will be sentenced on April 28th for the assault charge and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

Lambert’s trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection on March 11th.

A North Platte couple accused of manufacturing child pornography and sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl, stood mute in Lincoln County District Court on Monday.

Billy Schrader and Julia Thiemann both appeared in court on Monday.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, in mid-November, LCSO Investigators received a report that Schrader had engaged in sexual intercourse with a 7-year-old girl.  It was also reported that he may have photographs on his computer that would be considered child pornography.

Investigators met with the victim and several other children who were all interviewed at the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center.  Authorities say the results of the interviews were inconclusive.

Deputies then served a search warrant on the home and personal belongings of Schrader, and removed numerous electronic devices from the residence.  The items were transferred to the North Platte Police Department for a forensic analysis.

The NPPD conducted the analysis on the seized devices on December 13th.

The preliminary results produced at least four images that were considered to be child pornography.

Deputies again made contact with Schrader and placed the children under his care in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  Schrader denied any knowledge of the images.

Additional interviews were then conducted, with the children, at the Bridge of Hope.  During the interviews, a juvenile disclosed that Schrader did have sex with the girl while Thiemann allegedly took photos and participated in the act.

Both Thiemann and Schrader have been charged with 1st degree sexual assault of a child, felony child abuse, possession of child pornography and four counts of manufacturing child pornography.

Schrader’s attorney, Kent Florom, said that in all his years of practicing law, this was one of the most frustrating cases he has worked.

Florom stated that a defense of Schrader is extremely difficult if not impossible, because uploading and viewing the evidence in the case on his computer, could result in him being criminally prosecuted.

Judge Richard Birch, Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling and Thiemann’s attorney, P. Stephen Potter, agreed with Florom’s argument. The cases were continued so this issue can be resolved.

Thiemann originally entered a not guilty plea, but Potter withdrew the plea following Florom’s statement.

Schrader and Thiemann will be back in court on April 28th for a status hearing, and both remain incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center.