OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans who have bundled against bitter cold that has gripped much of the country are now preparing to break out their snow shovels.

The National Weather Service says the western and central part of the state will see a slight chance of snow Saturday afternoon. But on Sunday, central and eastern portions are expected to see between 1 to 4 inches, with the western region seeing a slightly lesser chance of snow.

The snow comes on top of temperatures that have hung in the single digits since Friday. Those temperatures are not expected to rise until about Tuesday, when temperatures will reach the mid-20s to lower 30s in parts of the state. Lows, however, are predicted to continue to drop into the single digits, with wind chills dropping below zero.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Experts with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are offering advice on how to choose a good Christmas tree and care for it during the holidays.

The UNL experts say tree shoppers should brush the needles backward to see how many needles fall out. If a large number of green needles fall out, the experts recommend shopping for another tree.

At home, soak the butt end of the trunk in water until the tree is ready to be put in a stand inside. At least an hour before erecting, make a fresh cut six inches above the original.

A Christmas tree can absorb a gallon or more of water a day, so it should be watered daily. If the tree is allowed to dry out, it may become a fire hazard.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Congressman Adrian Smith says his office has collected more than 10,000 holiday cards to help the American Red Cross deliver holiday cheer to military members and their families.

The Red Cross will deliver the cards to American military personnel, veterans and their families across the country and around the world.

Smith’s offices in Scottsbluff and Grand Island served as collection points for constituents to drop off postage-free cards for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Smith says he’s “grateful and inspired” by the support shown for American troops through the program.

GERING, Neb. (AP) — A judge says a Scottsbluff man who threw a dog against a wall can’t own a pet for five years.

Twenty-nine-year-old Richard Mackin was sentenced on Wednesday in Scotts Bluff County Court to 85 days he’s already served and fined $1,000. Mackin had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault and cruelty to animals.

Court documents say Mackin told the arresting officers in September that his oldest child had hit him with a dog chain. He says he got angry and threw the dog against the wall, breaking its neck. Mackin’s girlfriend told authorities that Mackin had yelled at the kids and told them that he was going to kill the dog. She says that when he tried to calm him down he became angrier and threw the dog.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal headed for the State Board of Education would set standards for fine arts education in Nebraska.

Backers of the proposal hope its adoption would raise visual and performing arts to the status of core subjects such as math, science and social studies.

The draft will be discussed at a public hearing on Jan. 16, then go to the board for consideration likely in February. If the board approves the standards, they could be made mandatory or be deemed as merely advisory.

The standards would be broad enough that school districts could adapt them to their curriculums and decide how they’d want the material taught.

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors have made a deal with a Nebraska Panhandle man who accused a woman of extortion over the molestation of her daughter.

Online court records say 55-year-old Jason Frei on Wednesday pleaded no contest to negligent child abuse and attempted witness tampering. Prosecutors lowered the original charge of sexually assaulting a child in exchange for Frei’s pleas.

Authorities said Frei, of Potter, groped the girl while giving her mother a massage in August. The Associated Press isn’t using the mother’s name in order to protect the girl’s privacy.

Court affidavits say that on Aug. 21, an investigator searched Frei’s home and interviewed him. Frei told the investigator that the woman was extorting $20,000 from him and that he’d already paid $10,000.

She’s been charged with theft by extortion.

One thing’s for sure…it’s downright cold.

In the frigid winter temperatures, many people forget to protect their water pipes.

Municipal Light and Water is reminding citizens to pay attention to forecasts and take action to keep your water pipes safe when temperatures are expected to be below freezing.

The utility says just an 1/8th inch stream of water will prevent the main water service from freezing, and will save you from paying costly repair bills.

ML&W does have a device available at their office, 201 West 3rd Street, that installs in your toilet tank and will keep the water running constantly.

Also, check your foundation vents to make sure they are closed and check for cracks or openings that would allow the wind to blow into your crawlspace.

Finally, make sure all hoses are disconnected from the faucet to prevent the faucet from freezing and bursting.

Customers with questions can contact ML&W at (308) 535-6740.

A 23-year-old North Platte man has been charged after police say he attempted to steal a vehicle and left a cell phone inside.

On November 1st, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the 300 block of West 1st Street in regards to an attempted theft of a vehicle.

The victim said they left the vehicle unlocked overnight and when they returned to the vehicle the next morning, the steering column had been damaged.

The victim also indicated that a cell phone in the vehicle did not belong to them.

An officer took the phone a placed a call to “Dad” in the contact list.

“Dad” answered the phone and indicated that the phone belonged to his daughter, but said she had let his son borrow the phone the night before.  Police determined that the son was Andrew Lauber.

Lauber was contacted by phone, but refused to meet with officers.

On December 5th, an officer had contact with Lauber on an unrelated issue and placed him under arrest for the attempted theft of the vehicle.

According to Investigator John Deal, because the value of the vehicle was over $1,500, the charge is a felony.

Lauber was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

One of the most influential people in history, Nelson Mandela, passed away at the age of 95, and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-staff.

Late last night, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation to fly flags at half-staff through Monday, December 9th, as a “mark of respect for the memory of Nelson Mandela.”

During this time, Gov. Heineman reminds Nebraskans that flags should also be flown at half-staff this Saturday, December 7th, for the annual National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in honor of the American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

Heineman said that flags at all state buildings are to be lowered to half-staff through sunset on Monday.  He encourages Nebraska residents to do the same.