(AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 46 percent of Nebraska’s winter wheat crop rated good or excellent last month.

The latest USDA report says 3 percent of the crop was rated very poor, 15 percent poor and 36 percent fair.

The USDA also says last month’s windy, dry weather sapped soil moisture supplies in the state.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 16 percent very short, 44 percent short and 40 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 18 percent very short, 38 percent short and 44 percent adequate.

(AP) — A former Lincoln city councilman has been named executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

In addition to his time on the council, Dan Marvin has served as executive director of the West Haymarket Joint Public Agency for the Pinnacle Bank Arena project.

Party chairman Vince Powers says that “with Dan Marvin, the Nebraska Democratic Party will have a leader who will be an aggressive advocate for our candidates, while holding the Republican ticket accountable as we approach the 2014 elections.”

Marvin has owned and operated Marvin Investment Management Co. since 1993.

Marvin is replacing Jim Rogers, who left the party post to run the Senate campaign of Democrat David Domina.

(AP) — A Nebraska bill that would let civilian crime-prevention groups patrol the streets with flashing amber lights on their vehicles has fallen by the wayside in the Legislature.

Supporters on Tuesday fell one vote short of the support needed to stop a filibuster by state Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha. Chambers has argued that citizens shouldn’t act as law enforcement officers.

The bill was inspired by citizen groups in Omaha that patrol neighborhoods to deter crime. The groups are taught by police to observe and report crimes, but they aren’t supposed to confront the perpetrators.

Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha says he introduced the measure so group members could use the caution lights to alert people of their presence.

The bill stalled during second-round debate.

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

02/03/2014

00:13:11

CITIZEN ASSIST

300 W D ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

00:24:11

CITIZEN ASSIST

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

00:37:44

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

200 E LEOTA ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

00:55:58

IMPEDING TRAFFIC 39-665

500 W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

01:10:42

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

E 6TH ST /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

02:08:25

RECEIV- RETAIN- DISPOS OF STOLEN PROPERTY

2400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

02:55:58

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LBF, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

03:10:22

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

300 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

06:23:32

FOUND PROPERTY

500 E G ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

07:19:32

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LEE BIRD FIELD, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR North Platte, NE 69103

02/03/2014

08:00:32

IMPEDING TRAFFIC 39-665

200 W 9th ST North Platte, NE 69101

02/03/2014

08:04:27

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

1200 S COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

08:12:06

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

100 W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

08:26:44

ASSIST OTH AGENCY

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

09:45:26

WELFARE CHECK

2100 W 14TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

09:51:51

ALL OTHER VIOLAT

300 BOYD AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

10:46:09

WATCH FOR/INFORMATION

Rodeo RD /N Adams AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

10:50:08

OTHER DISTURBANCE

1500 E D ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

10:48:50

CITIZEN ASSIST

RODEO RD /N WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

10:58:12

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

1200 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

11:18:35

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1000 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

11:24:20

WELFARE CHECK

300 S WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

11:28:47

PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT

600 N Silber NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

12:00:56

ARSON – 1ST DEGREE

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

12:23:03

WELFARE CHECK

400 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

13:08:07

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

W FRANCIS ST /S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

13:12:23

CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN

1400 N SYCAMORE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

13:49:13

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM BUILDING NO TRESPASS

2000 JACKSON LN NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

14:03:24

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

100 W FRANCIS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

13:58:20

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

400 S TAFT AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

15:06:04

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

3400 S NEWBERRY RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

15:11:56

THEFT BY DECEPTION

200 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

15:28:30

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

15:42:21

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE

1000 E 7TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

15:56:24

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

E E ST E /S COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

16:01:49

CAT-SURRENDER

1400 N SYCAMORE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

16:31:27

DOG-STRAY FR CITIZEN

1400 N SYCAMORE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

17:03:44

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

3100 Rodeo Rd North Platte, NE 69101

02/03/2014

18:13:44

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM BUILDING NO TRESPASS

200 PLATTE OASIS NORTH PLATTE, NB 69101

02/03/2014

19:07:56

DOG BITES

1100 E 8 NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

02/03/2014

20:07:02

STANDBY TO PREV VIOLENCE

400 W 9TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

20:23:53

NO REGISTRATION

200 N Jeffers NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

02/03/2014

21:09:25

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

300 W 10TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

21:27:38

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

E PHILIP AV /S SILBER AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

21:41:34

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

HALLIGAN DR /S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

21:50:42

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

E PHILIP AV /S BRYAN AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

21:53:12

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

E G ST /S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

22:15:41

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1200 E 12TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

22:32:15

CITIZEN ASSIST

800 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

23:34:57

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

2500 W 21ST ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

23:45:35

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

AIRPORT, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

00:00:14

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

2300 N SHERIDAN AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/03/2014

23:34:57

WELFARE CHECK

2500 W 21ST ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

01:04:20

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE

E PHILIP AV /S COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

02:54:43

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

AIRPORT, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

04:10:02

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

05:41:03

ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- THREATEN IN MENACING MANNER

2400 E E ST E NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

05:45:30

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

300 S ELDER AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

07:16:12

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

LEE BIRD FIELD, 5400 E LEE BIRD DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

02/04/2014

07:57:38

72 HR PARKING VIOLATION

300 W F ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

 

(AP) — The body of a 54-year-old woman has been recovered from a canal near Johnson Lake in south-central Nebraska’s Gosper County.

The accident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Monday. Investigators think Denise Carlberg lost control of her car and it went off the road, down an embankment and into the canal. The car and Carlberg’s body were recovered around 5:30 p.m.

An autopsy has been ordered.

(AP) — A new survey of business leaders suggests the economy will continue growing in nine Midwestern and Plains states in the months ahead.

The monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 57.7 last month, compared with 53.2 in December.

Looking six months ahead, the business confidence index dropped to a still strong 62.2 from 66.5 in December.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

 

 

Highlights from Lincoln County District Court Feb. 3, 2014

Nicholle Caudillo, 23, of North Platte, was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine.  Caudillo had originally been sentenced to Drug Court, but was removed from the program after a probation officer found methamphetamine in her home in September 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

Ted Evans, 66, of Wallace, was sentenced to one year of probation for attempted terroristic threats and 3rd degree assault.  Evans is accused of trying to run down his son-in-law, Lawrence Kidd, with his vehicle.  Evans’ attorney said Evans became enraged when Kidd, who had just been released from jail for domestic assault, returned to live with Evans’ daughter.  Prosecutors say Kidd suffered an injury to his arm when Evans’ vehicle struck him.  Originally charged with assault with a deadly weapon, Evans entered a no contest plea to the reduced charges after reaching a deal with the County Attorney’s Office.

 

 

 

 

Chelsea Mackey, 19, of Ogallala, was sentenced to 18 months probation for attempted 2nd degree assault.  North Platte Police responded to the Emergency Room at Great Plains Regional Medical Center after hospital staff reported that Mackey was causing a disturbance last April.  Upon arrival, officers confronted Mackey who became combative and engaged the officers.  One officer sustained a fracture to his leg that required multiple surgeries.  Mackey was originally charged with aggravated assault on an officer, however, the charge was reduced following a plea deal with prosecutors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Today: Snow, mainly after 9am. High near 14. Wind chill values as low as -6. Northeast wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Tonight: Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around -5. Wind chill values as low as -22. North wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• Wednesday: A slight chance of flurries before noon. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 5. Wind chill values as low as -22. North northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -12. Wind chill values as low as -22. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 9. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.

...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW EXPECTED TODAY AND TONIGHT...

.A STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING WIDESPREAD SNOW TO SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA.
ALSO...ARCTIC AIR IN ITS WAKE WILL BRING WIND AND VERY COLD
TEMPERATURES TO CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA...THE NEBRASKA
SANDHILLS AND THE EASTERN PANHANDLE...AND SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA. THE
RESULT WILL BE DANGEROUS WIND CHILL VALUES.

DEUEL-KEITH-PERKINS-LINCOLN-CHASE-HAYES-FRONTIER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHAPPELL...BIG SPRINGS...OGALLALA...
GRANT...NORTH PLATTE...IMPERIAL...HAYES CENTER...CURTIS...EUSTIS
329 AM CST TUE FEB 4 2014 /229 AM MST TUE FEB 4 2014/

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST /5 AM
MST/ WEDNESDAY...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM CST /10 PM MST/ THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTH PLATTE HAS ISSUED A WIND
CHILL ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM CST /10 PM MST/
THIS EVENING TO 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY. A WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ WEDNESDAY.

* TIMING...LIGHT SNOW WILL BEGIN THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE INTO
  TONIGHT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...AROUND 3 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED IN LINCOLN
  COUNTY AND WEST.

* WIND...NORTHEAST TO NORTH AT 15 TO 25 MPH GUSTING TO 30 MPH.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL RESULT IN LOWER
  VISIBILITIES...LESS THAN 1 MILE...LOCALLY LESS THAN HALF A MILE.
  ALSO...COLD TEMPERATURES WITH THE WIND WILL GIVE WIND CHILL
  VALUES COLDER THAN TWENTY BELOW ZERO.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING AND
BLOWING SNOW. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING... ESPECIALLY IN OPEN
AREAS.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

(AP) — Parts of Nebraska could see several inches of snow as a storm system moves through the state.

The National Weather Service says snowfall will begin overnight Tuesday, with the heaviest snow expected during the day before tapering off.

A winter storm warning will be in effect between midnight Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday for some counties in southeast Nebraska. A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 3 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday for swaths of south-central Nebraska and the Panhandle area.

Anywhere from 2 to 8 inches of snow could fall in the affected areas, including Beatrice and Nebraska City.

Meteorologist Scott Bryant says blowing and drifting snow is expected to reduce visibility on the roads. Gusts are expected to reach around 30 mph.

(AP) — Officials say a vehicle hit and killed a mountain lion over the weekend in northwest Nebraska.

The state Game and Parks Commission says the car hit the creature Saturday on Highway 20 in Sioux County. The adult male weighed about 150 pounds and had appeared to be in good health.

The commission says the driver of the vehicle immediately contacted state officials following the incident. It is the sixth mountain lion killed by a vehicle in the Pine Ridge area since 2007.

Officials say such incidents are common for states with resident populations.