ROSCOE, Neb. (AP) – Damage from strong winds has some residents in western Nebraska’s Keith County cleaning up.
Downburst winds of 80 mph Tuesday night nearly ripped a garage from a home and damaged cars around the unincorporated town of Roscoe.
Bonnie Johnson said that she and her husband escaped to their home’s cellar before the winds dismantled part of their attached garage, which hit the home and left a hole in its roof.
The winds also blew two vehicles off Interstate 80 near the Roscoe exit.

SUTHERLAND, Neb. (North Platte Post) – A 20-year old Paxton woman has died as a result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident Tuesday afternoon near Sutherland.
Rhiannon Peak succumbed to her injuries Tuesday evening. The driver of the motorcycle, 52-year old Vance Peak, also of Paxton, is being treated at Great Plains Regional Medical Center and is listed in stable condition with serious injuries.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reports that the motorcycle was traveling southbound on Prairie Trace Road about ten miles north of Sutherland around a curve when Vance Peak lost control of the bike and it slid into a ditch. Both Vance and Rhiannon Peak were ejected from the motorcycle.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Both were wearing helmets.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – A North Platte man has been jailed on suspicion of child abuse after an incident Monday night.
According to North Platte Police Officer Troy Erickson, 29-year old Justin Morrell had a scheduled visitation with his 9-year old daughter when the girl became upset and attempted to leave Morrell’s residence on foot. According to police, an argument between the two escalated and Morrell struck the girl with a belt, leaving a visible injury.
Morrell was arrested and taken to the Lincoln County Jail pending $10,000 bail. He is free on bond.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say damp soil slowed field work last week in Nebraska.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture survey report for last week says about 14 percent of the expected corn crop has been planted, compared with 4 percent last year and 9 percent on average.
The department also says 85 percent of the expected oat crop has been planted.
The winter wheat crop was rated 64 percent good to excellent, compared with 43 percent good to excellent last year and the average of 58 percent good to excellent.
The report says spring calving was 92 percent complete.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – According to statute in a news release from the Lincoln County Treasurer’s Office, 1st half 2011 real estate and personal property taxes are delinquent on May 1st, 2012. Interest at the rate of 14% will accrue.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A Nebraska state trooper remains in a Kearney hospital after a collision west of Stratton in south-central Nebraska.
The Nebraska State Patrol says the trooper, 28-year-old Jeffrey Van Stelton, was listed in serious, but stable condition on Monday at Good Samaritan Hospital.
His vehicle collided with another on U.S Highway 34 about 2 a.m. Sunday.
The patrol says the driver of the other car, a 17-year-old who didn’t have a license, has been released from a hospital in Benkelman.
A passenger in the other car, Antonia Valdez, was taken to Good Samaritan as well. Hospital spokeswoman Marsha Wilkerson said Monday that Valdez is listed by the name of Antonia Lopez at the hospital and is in serious condition.
No citations, charges or arrests have been reported.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – The NOAA and FEMA have announced that April 22nd through 28th, 2012 is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. To increase awareness of the severe weather that affects us all, they have announced their Be a Force of Nature pledge campaign.
The following steps are just a few of the ways that you can be better prepared:

• Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
• Take Action: Be a Force of Nature by taking the pledge to prepare at Ready.gov. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes developing a family communications plan, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved. Visit Ready.gov/severeweather for more on family preparedness for severe weather.
• Be an Example: Once you have taken action and pledged, share your story with your family and friends. Create a YouTube video, post your story on Facebook, or send a tweet. Post the Be a Force of Nature widget on your social media profiles.

Here in west central Nebraska, we have already had our first few rounds of severe weather. By being better informed, you can make sure you and your family stay safe during the peak severe weather season ahead!

(North Platte, Neb.) – A Nebraska State Patrol trooper received serious injuries when his patrol unit was struck nearly head-on by an unlicensed 17-year old driver.
Just before 2:00 a.m., Sunday, April, 22, Trooper Jeffrey Van Stelton, 28, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 34, about four miles west of Stratton, in Hitchcock County when a 2008 Ford Fusion, crossed the center-line striking his 2010 Dodge Charger nearly head-on.
Trooper Van Stelton’s vehicle which suffered extensive front-end damage came to rest in the south ditch, before bursting into flames. The other vehicle came to rest on the Highway.
Trooper Van Stelton, was transported by ambulance to the McCook hospital, and then flown by medical helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney with injuries to his pelvis, legs and arm. He is listed in serious condition.
The 17-year old male driver of the other vehicle was transported by ambulance to the Benkelman hospital, where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. A 40-year old female passenger, identified as Antonia Valdez, was transported by ambulance to the McCook hospital, and was later flown by medical helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, with non-life threatening leg injuries.
The 17-year driver of the vehicle did not have a driver’s license. Both the driver and his passenger are believed to be from the Denver metro area.
A six-year veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol, Trooper Van Stelton is assigned to Troop D-North Platte and is stationed in McCook.