(AP) — A monthly economic report suggests supply managers surveyed in nine Midwestern and Plains states are optimistic about the regional economy over the next six months.
The confidence index for the Mid-America Business Conditions Index jumped to 66.5 last month from 57.2 in November. However, the overall index rose just 2 points, to 53.2 from 51.2 in November.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says businesses tied to agriculture continue to report softer economic conditions.
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.
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested 78 impaired drivers during the two-week long “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” national enforcement campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.
During the enforcement period which ran December 13- January 1, 2014, the Nebraska State Patrol conducted special enforcement efforts thanks in part to a $27,900 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).
In addition to the 78 DWI arrests, troopers issued 1,744 Speeding citations, 96 Driving Under Suspension, and 79 No Proof of Insurance citations. Troopers also wrote 326 seat belt citations & warnings, as well as 44 child restraint citations & warnings. Motorists’ assistance was provided to 574 travelers.
The following statistics are a reflection of statewide activity by the Nebraska State Patrol during the “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” enforcement:
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Sen. Amanda McGill has formally launched her campaign for state auditor.
McGill on Thursday pointed to her experience dealing with issues that affect the state budget, including a problem-plagued effort to privatize foster care services. Lawmakers enacted a series of reforms in 2012.
McGill, a Democrat, is entering her eighth and final year in the Legislature. She serves as head of the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee, but cannot seek re-election because of term limits.
Her announcement at the Capitol marked the beginning of a 15-city campaign kickoff tour.
Sen. Pete Pirsch of Omaha, a Republican, has also launched a bid for auditor. Both candidates are vying to replace Republican State Auditor Mike Foley, who is running for governor and cannot seek re-election.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Scottsbluff police say two men attacked officers following a disturbance call on New Year’s Day.
Police responded early Wednesday to a woman’s report alleging she was struck by her brother, 20-year-old David Lopez.
Police say responding officers were confronted by 32-year-old Frederick Lucius, Lopez’s stepfather. He is accused of struggling with officers, who used a stun gun on him. Police say they eventually encountered Lopez, who is accused of hitting and kicking officers.
Authorities say Lopez and Lucius were taken into custody. Lopez is charged with third-degree assault and assault on a police officer. Lucius faces charges of obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest.
Another family member, 41-year-old Leticia Lopez, was cited for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Records do not list attorneys.
The Nebraska State Patrol has announced the promotion of four officers to the rank of Captain.
Lynn Williams, 52, of North Platte, has been promoted to Captain in command of Troop D Headquarters- North Platte. Prior to accepting his current promotion Williams, was a Lieutenant in the Investigative Services Division stationed in North Platte. A 30-year veteran of the agency, he has served in both Field Operations and Investigative Services. Williams, who has attended Leadership in Police Organizations training at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy is President of the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center Board in North Platte.
Lance Rogers, 48, of Lincoln, was promoted to Captain in command of Headquarters Troop-Lincoln. Prior to accepting his current promotion he was a Lieutenant in Field Services in Troop E-Scottsbluff. An 18-year agency veteran, Captain Rogers has served in multiple capacities within the agency to include Field Services, Investigative Services, and the Training Academy. He has also served as a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member and a mobile field force commander.
Mark Williams, 50, of Grand Island, was promoted to Captain in command of the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy (NSPTA) in Grand Island. Prior to accepting his current promotion he was a Lieutenant in Field Services in Troop C-Grand Island. A 25-year agency veteran, Captain Williams began his service to the agency in the Field Services Division. He served 11 years at the NSPTA, as both the Executive Officer for basic recruit training and as the Assistant Director of Training. Captain Williams is a graduate of the 226th session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.
Sean Caradori, 39, of Lincoln was promoted to Captain in command of the Division of Professional Standards. Prior to accepting his current promotion he was Lieutenant in charge of the Executive Protection/Capitol Security Division. An 18-year veteran of the agency, Captain Caradori has served in Field Services, Police Service Dog Division and as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
(AP) — Five Nebraska cities will receive $11.5 million in additional state roads funding due to unexpectedly low contractor bids on earlier projects.
The money will go to Omaha, Lincoln, Papillion, North Platte and Aurora in fiscal year 2015, which starts July 1. Gov. Dave Heineman said Thursday that last year’s bids were $21 million lower than engineering estimates.
Omaha will receive $6 million to repair and maintain state highways, while the Lincoln area will get $2.5 million. Papillion will receive $1.5 million, $North Platte will receive $1.1 million and Aurora will receive $400,000.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert says the funding will free up city money for neighborhood streets. Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler says local funding by itself has only allowed his city to upgrade 39 of its 1,200 miles of road.
A North Platte woman has been charged with a felony after she allegedly assaulted a 13-year-old.
According to North Platte police, officers were dispatched to the 900 block of East 3rd Street on the report of a disturbance at around 11:56 p.m. on Wednesday.
Upon arrival, officers met with a 13-year-old juvenile and several other witnesses. It was reported that Terry Boles had been at the residence prior to officers arriving. Witnesses said Boles got into an argument with the juvenile over cleaning up a mess in the home.
At one point, Boles allegedly dragged the juvenile up some stairs by the leg, then hit them multiple times in different areas of the body, including the face.
Investigators say the juvenile had injuries that were consistent with the account given by witnesses.
Boles was contacted at a local motel a short time later and placed under arrest. She’s been charged with felony cruelty toward a child.
Police say Boles was temporarily staying at the residence, but is not related to the victim.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. South southeast wind 5 to 11 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Blustery, with a west wind 9 to 14 mph becoming north northwest 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Scottsbluff’s mayor says he’s frustrated with delays in the federal approval of a “quiet zone” that will silence train horns as they pass through the city.
Mayor Randy Meininger tells KNEB-AM that the government shutdown last fall delayed the Federal Railroad Administration’s consideration of the city’s request.
He says a federal official that has to approve the zone has been on vacation, but that he’s hopeful the approval will come soon.
In a quiet zone, railroads are directed to stop the routine sounding of their horns when approaching public highway-rail grade crossings but may still use them in an emergency.
A federal rule requires cities seeking to establish a quiet zone to take steps to reduce the safety impact from the absence of a horn.
KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Police in Kearney are looking for a vehicle involved in an explosion or a fire that left a Kansas woman with significant burns.
Kearney police say they received a report on Tuesday evening that burning items had been dumped in an alley. Around the same time, authorities learned that a woman had been burned at the same location.
Sgt. Tony Cordova said witnesses described a fire or explosion, and that a red 1998 Ford Taurus with Kansas license plates 206FUF left the scene.
The Kansas woman was transferred to the burn unit at St. Elizabeth’s Regional Medical Center in Lincoln. She’s in critical but stable condition.
Cordova says two others may have also been injured, and officers are looking for them.
(AP) — A monthly economic report suggests supply managers surveyed in nine Midwestern and Plains states are optimistic about the regional economy over the next six months.
