(AP) — The state fire marshal is warning Nebraskans that the danger of wildfires for most of the state is high.

State Fire Marshal Jim Heine says the map released Wednesday by the Nebraska Forest Service sets the wildfire danger status for most Nebraska counties at high or very high.

Heine says a lack of moisture, recent high winds and people failing to exercise proper caution is a combination for disaster and causes concern for the Nebraska Fire Service.

Heine suggests Nebraskans obtain required burn permits and avoid burning in windy weather to help allay the danger. He also says people should never leave a fire unattended and should not throw lit cigarettes on the ground.

(AP) — A 35-year-old California man has been found guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of a Nebraska panhandle man.

A Cheyenne County District Court jury found Jason William Custer guilty for the November 2012 death of Adam McCormick, of Sidney. Custer was also convicted of two weapons counts in the case.

Custer faces a mandatory life sentence when he’s sentenced March 18.

Prosecutors said Custer shot McCormick on Nov. 3 at a Sidney house after the two men argued over $160 in drug money.

(AP) — As nurses age and more people gain access to health care, state officials and educators are concerned about a nursing shortage.

It’s already an issue in Nebraska, where eight counties lack a registered nurse and 39 counties lack a nurse practitioner.

To deal with the issue, the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing has changed its program for registered nurses earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Nursing college dean Juliann Sebastian says the change will help make the transition to a bachelor’s degree seamless and aligned with a nurse’s prior education and experience.

In the Legislature, Sen. Sue Crawford, of Bellevue, introduced a bill that would remove a rule requiring a doctor to sign on as someone who is working with the nurse practitioner.

(AP) — Authorities say a 30-year-old woman accused of robbing a Sidney bank is the wife of a Sidney police officer.

An FBI affidavit filed to support a bank robbery charge says Janetta Lenstrom, of Potter, had quit her job at another area bank the day before she robbed the Sidney Federal Savings & Loan last week.

A bank employee told investigators that she thought she recognized Lenstrom as the robber, who was wearing a stocking cap and sunglasses.

The affidavit says Lenstrom’s husband was among the first officers on the scene but was pulled from the investigation. He later called her and asked her to meet him at a Sidney parking lot. The Sidney police chief arrested her when she arrived.

Court records don’t list the name of her attorney.

(AP) — The U.S. State Department report on the Keystone XL may have removed a hurdle for the pipeline, but it hasn’t swayed the entrenched foes and supporters in Nebraska.

Project backers argued Friday that the report leaves President Barack Obama no choice but to approve the entire Canada-to-Texas pipeline. Opponents say they still plan to fight the pipeline in court and hold a series of public vigils next week in Omaha, Lincoln, York and O’Neill.

Ernie Fellows, a ranch owner from the northern Nebraska town of Mills, says opponents will continue with their lawsuit challenging a state law that allowed the pipeline to proceed in Nebraska.

Brad Miller of the Omaha-based Laborers’ Local 1140, a union group, says numerous reviews have found no significant problems with the pipeline.

A student at Adams Middle School in North Platte has been diagnosed with whooping cough.

Adams Middle School Principal, Jeff Steinbeck, contacted sixth grade students and their parents through an automated phone message and via email on Friday evening.

According to Steinbeck, seventh and eighth grade students at the school have already received the vaccination as part of their school mandated vaccine schedule.

“As a precaution against the spread of whooping cough, our District is advising that 6th grade students get a vaccination as soon as possible,” said Steinbeck.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

Officials from the West Central District Health Department will be administering the vaccine in the Adams Middle School Library this evening until 8:30 p.m.

Vaccines will be given until the current supply is depleted.  More vaccinations will be offered early next week when additional doses are available.

There is no cost for the vaccine for those with insurance or medicaid, according to Steinbeck, and there are a number of “gift doses” available for those without insurance.

Students receiving a vaccination must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

(AP) — Animal welfare advocates spoke in support of a bill that would stop people from owning animals if they had been convicted of mistreating animals.

People favoring the bill Friday before the Judiciary Committee included representatives of the Nebraska Humane Society and an animal shelter.

Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, introduced the bill.

Chambers noted that people convicted of misdemeanor cruel mistreatment can be restricted from owning or living with an animal for up to five years, but the ban can’t be applied toward someone convicted of misdemeanor cruel neglect.

Chambers says the main difference between the two types of cruelty is how they are inflicted, but the animals can suffer equally.

No one testified against the bill and the committee took no immediate action.

 

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

01/30/2014

00:29:34

CARE OF ANIMALS

1300 E 14TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

02:24:21

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

01/30/2014

04:16:18

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

06:51:39

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE

2600 S WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

07:34:22

INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT

S MAPLE ST /W 1ST ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

07:44:36

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

01/30/2014

08:19:29

B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING

1400 E D ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

08:22:12

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

1200 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

08:25:54

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

1600 E 5TH ST North Platte, NE 69101

01/30/2014

09:30:22

BURGLARY

300 W 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

09:54:11

BURGLARY

900 E 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

10:28:11

EXPIRED INTRANSIT TAGS

S POPLAR /E PHILIP NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

10:41:15

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

1400 N SYCAMORE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

10:57:14

CITIZEN ASSIST

500 N EMORY AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

10:59:19

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

11:58:41

LOOSE ANIMALS

500 W 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

12:11:27

VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV

W 4TH /N BUFFALO NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

12:15:07

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

1000 N WALNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

12:43:31

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE

1200 WILLIAM CT NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

13:08:52

ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- MINOR INJURY

2000 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

13:11:08

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL

1200 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

13:17:08

ILLEGAL TURN

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

01/30/2014

13:47:30

STANDBY TO PREV VIOLENCE

900 E 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

13:52:33

CITIZEN ASSIST

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

13:56:53

CITIZEN ASSIST

900 N Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101

01/30/2014

13:57:01

B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING

3900 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

14:43:36

CITIZEN ASSIST

500 PACIFIC PL NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

15:09:29

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

100 N DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

15:12:50

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

15:17:08

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

700 E 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

15:25:57

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

400 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

15:48:11

LOOSE ANIMALS

600 WASHINGTON ST GOTHENBURG, NE 69138

01/30/2014

16:10:14

WELFARE CHECK

500 N PACIFIC ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

16:11:43

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

300 S SYCAMORE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

16:36:59

CITIZEN ASSIST

300 GLEN ROSE AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

16:44:36

THEFT BY DECEPT BY USE OF CREDIT/CHARGE CARD

800 S YORK AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

17:23:29

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

3000 EAST STATE FARM RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

17:28:36

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

2100 W 16TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

18:45:49

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

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

01/30/2014

19:19:10

OTHER DISTURBANCE

300 S VINE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

19:38:33

NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323

S CHESTNUT ST /E B NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:04:32

ASSIST OTH LAW ENF

200 E LEOTA ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:20:10

STANDBY TO PREV VIOLENCE

600 E 10TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:22:31

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

W A ST /S WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:33:51

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

2600 CEDARBERRY RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:35:27

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

4000 W 2ND ST 402 NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:50:22

FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN

Emory / Rodeo RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

20:51:22

SPEEDING

300 block W Philip NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

01/30/2014

20:51:30

FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT

2300 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

21:00:16

BARKING DOGS

1800 N MADISON AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

21:56:33

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

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

01/30/2014

22:05:26

WATCH FOR/INFORMATION

900 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/30/2014

23:10:47

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

01/30/2014

23:57:31

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

800 E 9TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

00:48:53

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

300 W D ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

00:52:59

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

N JEFFERS ST /E 9TH NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

00:58:42

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

300 N MILLS AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

01:38:14

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

01/31/2014

02:35:02

DOMEST ASSAULT-MISD

200 N JEFFERSON AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

03:37:40

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1800 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

04:52:44

PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT

E 4TH ST /N BELMONT AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

05:25:30

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE

800 S CHESTNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

05:51:37

MOTORIST ASSIST

JEFFERS VIADUCT, 1 JEFFERS VIADUCT NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

07:20:21

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

01/31/2014

07:53:25

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

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

01/31/2014

08:20:15

BURGLARY

100 MCDONALD RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

08:24:40

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

600 E D ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

08:28:55

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

2800 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

08:33:19

H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED

1800 W 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

09:19:51

ALARM – OTHER

500 N DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

01/31/2014

10:01:30

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL

1200 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

This is the final week to bid on North Platte Community College’s custom home. All bids must be received by 12:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 7. The highest bidder will not only win the house, but will also have input in the completion of the home so it is better suited to their personal style.

This year’s house features an open floor-plan concept and includes numerous special elements and upgrades. Approximately one third of the 1,784 square-foot house is dedicated to the master bedroom and bath, which is separated from the guest bedrooms by the living area. Some of the features of the spacious master suite include walk-in closets, a contemporary cultured marble shower, and his & hers vanities.

Another third of the house is dedicated to two guest bedrooms and another full bath. The remaining square footage is dedicated to the kitchen, dining room, and living room areas.

The kitchen area features appliances, Moen and/or Kohler plumbing fixtures, a breakfast island, hickory kitchen cabinets and solid surface countertops. The dining and living areas come together under cathedral ceilings with recessed lighting.

The floor plan also includes a dedicated utility room and an area that was designed for a crawlspace or basement stairway. Hickory trim and base is used throughout the house.

Flooring in the home includes carpeted bedrooms, Dura-Ceramic tile in the utility room, stairway and bathrooms, and three-quarter-inch hickory wood floors in the living area, dining room, and kitchen.

The home was built with a tongue and groove floor system and laminated I-beam floor joists. DuPont Tyvek energy saving house wrap was used to conserve energy and all exterior walls and ceilings were sealed to meet 2011 Green Build Savings Standards. Pella Triple Pane casement windows add to the efficiency of the home.

The front of the house features a single sidelight front door. Heritage Asphalt shingles on the roof have a 30-year warranty and there is a 50 year guarantee on the house siding.

Those wishing to bid will need to submit an official form to begin the process. The form can be found online at www.mpcc.edu or you can pick one up at the college’s Business Office, located at 1101 Halligan Dr. in North Platte. The form must be marked with date and time by Business Office personnel to be eligible.

Mid-Plains Community College will serve as the escrow agent. The successful bidder must deliver a $10,000 deposit (cash or certified check) to the Business Office no later than 1 p.m. CDT on Friday, Feb. 14. The balance is payable upon mutually agreeable closing date.

All fees related to the sale are the responsibility of the Purchaser. The successful bidder is responsible for house removal and agrees to have house removed by Friday, Aug. 15, 2014.

• Today: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 23. Light and variable wind becoming south southeast 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
• Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as zero. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -3. North wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
• Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 2. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
309 AM CST FRI JAN 31 2014

...LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW CONTINUES THIS MORNING...

.AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE THROUGH SOUTHERN NEBRASKA
EARLY THIS MORNING AND EXIT THE REGION BY NOON. HEAVIEST SNOWFALL
IS EXPECTED TO END AROUND 9 AM CST...8 AM MST.

GARDEN-DEUEL-KEITH-PERKINS-LINCOLN-CHASE-HAYES-FRONTIER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OSHKOSH...CHAPPELL...BIG SPRINGS...
OGALLALA...GRANT...NORTH PLATTE...IMPERIAL...HAYES CENTER...
CURTIS...EUSTIS
309 AM CST FRI JAN 31 2014 /209 AM MST FRI JAN 31 2014/

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST /8 AM
MST/ THIS MORNING...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST /8 AM
MST/ THIS MORNING.

* TIMING...ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL END BY MID MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...3 TO 5 INCHES...MAINLY SOUTH OF INTERSTATE
  80 WITH HIGHEST ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS CHASE...HAYES AND PERKINS
  COUNTIES. 1 TO 3 INCHES ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED ALONG AND NORTH
  OF INTERSTATE 80.

* WIND...EAST AT 10 TO 15 MPH PRODUCING MINOR DRIFTING AND WIND
  CHILL READINGS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS.

* IMPACTS...SNOWFALL RATES OF 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH PER HOUR WILL LOWER
  VISIBILITY TO AROUND 1 MILE. ROADS WILL BE SLIPPERY AND
  HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.