Nebraska State Patrol Troopers and Communications Specialists participated in special enforcement efforts during the 2013 Husker football season thanks in part to a $12,800 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

The special enforcement effort helped to put additional troopers on the road during times of heavy traffic both before and after Husker home football games.

Designed to ease traffic congestion and reduce the potential for injury crashes, the special enforcement efforts resulted in the following enforcement activity:

A man accused of breaking into vehicles in the North Platte area now has a drug charge to add to the list.

According to North Platte Police Department Public Information Officer, Rodney Brown, in early August, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of East 2nd on the report of a male subject breaking into vehicles.

Officers made contact with the suspect, 29-year-old Erik Brian, and placed him under arrest.

As a result of the arrest, officers performed a search of Brian and found him to be in possession of a clear glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.

The pipe was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol lab for testing.

The results, which were recently returned, showed that the pipe tested positive for methamphetamine.

On December 7th, on officer made contact with Brian at the Kwik Stop on East 4th Street and placed him under arrest for possession of methamphetamine.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A fire that flared up has destroyed a home in the south-central city of Lexington.

Residents fled unharmed when the fire first erupted a little before 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fire Chief Dahlas Holbein says the home sustained major damage. The fire flared anew around 2 a.m. Monday, consuming the third floor.

Officials say the blaze started in the house attic and likely was caused by an electrical problem.

12/06/2013

01:34:14

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/06/2013

01:42:57

WELFARE CHECK

1300 E G ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

01:46:52

FOUND PROPERTY

200 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

07:24:10

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/06/2013

08:03:23

FOUND PROPERTY

1200 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

08:25:01

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

500 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

08:37:34

FOUND PROPERTY

1200 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

08:38:42

SPEEDING

1700-1600 Blk Rodeo Road North Platte, NE 69101

12/06/2013

08:42:12

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

500 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

08:52:30

WELFARE CHECK

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

09:15:28

NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323

500 Blk Rodeo Rd North Platte, NE 69101

12/06/2013

08:39:18

MINOR IN POSS OF TOBACCO-CITY

1400 N MADISON AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

09:39:35

LOOSE ANIMALS

500 S CHESTNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

10:19:57

HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS

700 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

10:58:27

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

700 W LEOTA ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

11:24:36

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1000 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

11:56:01

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

12:11:08

CITIZEN ASSIST

1300 ROOSEVELT AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

12:31:48

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER

400 HALLIGAN DR NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

12:48:54

CITIZEN ASSIST

500 N Dewey North Platte, NE 69101

12/06/2013

12:53:32

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL-MOT VEH PARTS & ACC

800 S GRIFFITH AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

13:13:43

CITIZEN ASSIST

900 N DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

13:56:31

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

2200 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

14:03:48

BARKING DOGS

S CARR AV /W WILLIAM AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

14:07:50

ILLEGAL TURN

W 5TH ST /N WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

14:28:48

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

E 4th ST /N Jeffers ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

14:25:22

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

14:45:25

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

1500 W 13TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

15:06:34

VEHICLE INSPECTION

200 W 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

15:21:27

WELFARE CHECK

600 E 9TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

15:34:58

ASSIST OTH LAW ENF

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

15:43:46

SPEEDING

2100 W 9TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

16:08:36

CITIZEN ASSIST

3400 S NEWBERRY RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

16:23:14

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

W 6th ST /N Sycamore ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

16:55:02

ASSIST OTHER AGENCY-GENERAL

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

12/06/2013

17:29:17

ALARM – OTHER

600 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

17:32:08

ALARM – OTHER

200 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

18:15:32

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

1400 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

18:22:17

PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT

REDWOOD DR /N LAKEVIEW BL NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

21:09:03

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL-GAS FROM SELF SERV STATION

1000 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

21:10:53

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

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

12/06/2013

21:34:53

SPEEDING

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

12/06/2013

21:48:56

NO REGISTRATION

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

12/06/2013

21:49:33

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

1900 N Buffalo NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/06/2013

21:51:52

ALARM – OTHER

800 W WILLIAM AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

22:53:42

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

W 16TH ST / CODY AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/06/2013

22:57:41

NO NEBRASKA OPERATORS LICENSE

500 block N Buffalo Bill NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/06/2013

23:38:45

LOUD MUSIC

500 S WALNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

00:11:27

EXCESSIVE ANIMAL NOISE

2900 W 21ST ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

00:22:34

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/07/2013

00:44:59

OTHER DISTURBANCE

200 S COTTONWOOD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

01:17:58

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

1300 E 5TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

01:28:24

DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION

W 9TH ST /N BUFFALO BILL AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

01:34:37

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

E 4TH ST /N POPLAR ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

01:48:50

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

1100 E 6TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

03:12:51

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

500 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

03:38:38

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/07/2013

06:30:25

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

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

12/07/2013

07:30:15

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/07/2013

07:57:06

WELFARE CHECK

500 N PACIFIC ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

07:57:09

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

Willow & Rodeo Road North Platte, NE 69101

12/07/2013

09:08:37

72 HR PARKING VIOLATION

100 S ELM ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

09:54:25

PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT

100 E WILLIAM AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

10:05:46

FAILURE TO YIELD ROW

RODEO RD /N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

10:25:44

LOOSE ANIMALS

W 4TH ST /N ADAMS AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

10:48:12

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

10:54:57

ASSIST OTH LAW ENF

400 S POPLAR ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

11:11:32

ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER

300 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

11:26:23

LOOSE ANIMALS

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

12/07/2013

11:29:55

WELFARE CHECK

600 W LEOTA ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

11:41:54

CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN

1400 N SYCAMORE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

11:53:06

GEN PARK & TRAFFIC

N MAPLE ST /W 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

12:20:42

WATCH FOR/INFORMATION

NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

12:26:41

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

400 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

12:25:10

OTHER DISTURBANCE

4000 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

12:36:36

THEFT OF SERVICES BY DECEPTION

1400 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

12:47:17

CITIZEN ASSIST

NORTH PLATTE, 1 NORTH PLATTE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

12:50:27

H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED

1300 N COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

13:32:15

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

1000 W 11TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

13:38:41

LOOSE ANIMALS

900 N EMORY AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

14:44:12

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE

1000 W 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

14:55:50

LOOSE ANIMALS

200 N CHESTNUT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

16:15:46

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL-GAS FROM SELF SERV STATION

1400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

16:22:00

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

400 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

18:31:06

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

300 E 3RD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

18:47:36

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

500 RODEO RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

20:39:53

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

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

12/07/2013

20:54:01

ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- MINOR INJURY

1200 W 9TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

21:06:13

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

900 W B ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

21:25:37

THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM BUILDING NO TRESPASS

1100 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

21:45:51

NO REGISTRATION

600 N Poplar NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/07/2013

22:21:30

CARE OF ANIMALS

800 W A ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/07/2013

23:01:08

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

2400 W 15TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

00:10:19

CHILD RESTAINT NOT IN USE

2400 W 17th NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/08/2013

00:07:50

LOOSE ANIMALS

2300 W 3rd NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/08/2013

00:37:05

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/08/2013

01:24:47

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

W 4TH ST /N HAYES AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

02:06:01

EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION

800 block W 9th NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/08/2013

03:18:40

ASSAULT- 3RD DEGREE- MINOR INJURY

2200 E 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

03:53:25

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/08/2013

07:27:58

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/08/2013

08:33:35

BURGLARY

2400 E E ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

09:32:59

NON-CRIMINAL/GENERAL

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

12/08/2013

10:08:46

LOOSE ANIMALS

600 W 2ND ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

11:07:12

OTHER DISTURBANCE

500 N PACIFIC ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

11:22:20

WATCH FOR/INFORMATION

1000 S DEWEY ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

11:57:47

CITIZEN ASSIST

400 W 4TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

12:08:17

PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT

E 10TH ST /N POPLAR ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

13:20:57

NO NEBRASKA OPERATORS LICENSE

E 10TH ST /N COTTONWOOD ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

14:24:16

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

800 N WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

14:19:02

FOUND PROPERTY

1000 N JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

16:06:52

EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION

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

12/08/2013

16:12:01

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET

2300 W 17TH ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

16:37:27

CARE OF ANIMALS

2000 JACKSON LN NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

16:49:32

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

1800 S JEFFERS ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

17:22:30

OTHER DISTURBANCE

100 W PRAIRIE RIDGE NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

17:57:44

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

300 N BELMONT AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

19:05:55

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

9th/ Willow NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/08/2013

20:01:07

ASSIST FIRE DEPT

700 E PHILIP AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

20:04:58

H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED

1500 BIRCHWOOD RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

20:11:11

NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323

W 4TH ST /N CARR AV NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

20:56:23

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

100 W B NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/08/2013

22:18:42

CITIZEN ASSIST

3400 S NEWBERRY RD NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/08/2013

23:22:39

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/08/2013

23:24:39

MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

1800 N Buffalo NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103

12/09/2013

00:30:01

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

W 4TH ST /N WILLOW ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/09/2013

03:07:42

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

W 5TH ST /N VINE ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

12/09/2013

03:32:56

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

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

12/09/2013

04:21:44

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/09/2013

07:16:43

AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT

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

12/09/2013

08:09:04

TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL

1800 W FRONT ST NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska teacher has been honored as an outstanding educator.

Kearney High School social studies teacher Kevin Witte received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award at a ceremony last week in a surprise presentation by Gov. Dave Heineman, Deputy Nebraska Education Commissioner Scott Swisher and others at the school.

Officials say Witte’s classroom activities are varied and student-centered and that Witte has traveled abroad multiple times, bringing back information to enrich his classroom. Witte also was credited for developing a new imaginative course called International Wealth and Poverty.

Witte was one of only 40 nationwide to receive the award this year. He receives $25,000 with the honor.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lawmakers would step into an ongoing dispute over the new Central Nebraska Veterans Home, if one state senator has his way.

Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island says he will introduce a bill in January requiring legislative approval before the state could relocate major buildings or services. The bill would apply to facilities that cost more than $15 million.

Gloor says requiring legislative approval would make the process more transparent. He says he’s also concerned that the current open bidding process pits Nebraska cities against one another in a fight for resources.

Gov. Dave Heineman announced in July the 126-year-old facility would move to Kearney from its longtime home in Grand Island. Heineman made the decision after getting a recommendation from a committee of three appointed state department heads.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Several inches of snow has fallen across most of eastern Nebraska, creating slick driving conditions.

The state Department of Roads was urging drivers to use extreme caution Sunday all across the eastern third of Nebraska because of slippery roads.

The snow began falling in Nebraska on Saturday and light snow continued to fall in some places Sunday as the storm moved east. Most areas will receive 2 to 4 inches of snow.

Near northwest Lincoln, officials had to close a three-mile section of Interstate 80 Sunday morning because of multiple accidents, including two semitrailer trucks that leaked fuel. No serious injuries were reported.

The interstate reopened shortly before 1 p.m.

Nearly 6 inches of snow fell in the Lincoln area.

The driver of a car involved in a two vehicle crash that claimed the life of an Ogallala woman and critically injured her passenger has been arrested on a charge of Driving Under the Influence.

Edward E. Hood, 45, Sheridan, Wyoming was lodged in the Garden County Jail on the charge following the crash which occurred Saturday, December 7, just before 3:00 p.m.,(MDT), five miles west of Oshkosh, on Highway 26.

The initial crash investigation indicates a 2002 Toyota driven by Hood was eastbound on Highway 26 when he lost control of the vehicle. The car crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2006 Chrysler Sebring driven by Terry J. Hofer, 62, of Ogallala.

Hofer was killed in the crash. A passenger in her vehicle Claudia Weinbender, 62, of Dix, was flown by medical helicopter to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, with life threatening injuries.

Hood, who was as also wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Florida for Failure to Appear on a Charge of DUI, was treated and released from the Garden County Hospital before being lodged in the Garden County Jail.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Garden County Sheriff’s Office, Keith County Sheriff’s Office, Oshkosh Volunteer Fire Department and the Garden County Attorney.

The investigation into the crash continues.  Reports once completed will be forwarded to the Garden County Attorney.

John Gale officially filed for re-election yesterday at the Secretary of State’s office. Gale, who has served as Secretary of State since 2000, is seeking a fourth full term.

Gale first announced his candidacy in June, when he launched a 1,000 mile announcement tour of Nebraska.

“It’s been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Nebraska in this capacity.  I continue to have a great passion for the duties of this office, and feel that the office has made significant improvements in service during my tenure. We have made great strides in modernizing and protecting the integrity of our statewide election process, improving business services and licensing and providing many new online services for our citizens. As chief protocol officer, I believe I have been an effective ambassador promoting the state internationally,” said Gale. “Building on my knowledge and experience, there are still more goals to be accomplished.”

Gale said some of his priorities for another term include: enhancing public access to government services online, streamlining the process for launching and growing businesses in Nebraska, and improving the security and reliability of the voter registration process to minimize possible fraud as well as working to boost voter registration and turnout.

Additionally, Gale serves as chairman for the Nebraska Real Estate Commission, Collection Agency Licensing Board and Nebraska State Records Board. He is a permanent member of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, the State Canvassing Board and the State Pardons Board.

“The responsibilities of the job are many and varied,” observed Gale. “I bring to another term the experience and ability to continue doing a good job for the people of Nebraska and the vision to see that those goals are met. My office motto is ‘prompt, personal, and professional service.’”

Gale has served as Secretary of State since 2000 when he was appointed by Governor Mike Johanns.  He is a fifth-generation Nebraskan. Gale graduated from Omaha North High School, received a B.A. from Carleton College in Minnesota and a law degree from the University of Chicago.

Gale is a former state chair of the Nebraska Republican Party, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for Nebraska and practiced law for 29 years in North Platte. He is married to Carol and has three children, and five grandchildren.