KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A regional airline based in Alaska has been chosen to serve Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff.

The U.S. Department of Transportation approved PenAir’s bid for a two-year essential service contract on Wednesday.

PenAir is a family owned airline based in Anchorage that has been in operation since 1955. Outside of Alaska, the airline provides routes to and from Boston and Portland, Oregon. In Nebraska, it will provide flights to and from Denver.

Last year, it flew more than 266,000 passengers.

PenAir was the only airline that submitted bids which met all five of the department’s selection criteria.

Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse says city officials are excited to start working with PenAir. It will replace Kearney’s current provider, Great Lakes Airlines.

North Platte Community College is now accepting registrations for the next round of summer classes, many of which start in June.

Summer classes allow students to rack up credit hours in a short amount of time. On-site, online and distance learning courses are available, making it easier and more convenient than ever to pursue a postsecondary education.

Courses offered this summer include, but are not limited to: CPR Rescuer, General Biology, E-Marketing, Non-profit Management and Leadership, Personal and Professional Development, Human Relations: People Skills, College Prep Writing, American Government and Politics, Fundamentals of Mathematics, Trigonometry, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Philosophy, Professional Truck Driving and Fundamentals of Human Communication.

A complete list can be found at www.mpcc.edu/course-schedules.

To register, or for more information about a class, contact the college at (308) 535-3600.

Lincoln, Neb. – Sworn members of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) were honored during the 17^th Annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hero Awards.

The awards ceremony held Tuesday, May 24, in Lincoln, recognized law enforcement officers who work daily to ensure Nebraska roadways are kept safe from drinking and drugged drivers.

“I am very proud of our troopers for the work they do in keeping our roadways and communities safe,” said Colonel Brad Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “I want to thank MADD for their recognition of these dedicated individuals and its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.”

The troopers listed below were honored by MADD for their dedication and commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Nebraska.

Troop B-Norfolk
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Bryan Wiggins #495

Troop C-Grand Island
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Andy Ecklund #84
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Nicole Saathoff #364

Troop D-North Platte
Adult DUI Enforcement-Team: Trp. Jeff Van Stelton #433 & Trp. Bryan Walter #456
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Justin Buhlke #12
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Jeremy Thorson #393

Troop E-Scottsbluff
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Cody Potthast #304

Troop H-Lincoln
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. Mike Thorson #394
Adult DUI Enforcement-Individual: Trp. John Lukesh #342

The North Platte River will be rising in the next few days. It is projected to rise just below the major flood stage of seven feet. This will cause more widespread flooding of low lying and agricultural land along the north bank of the North Platte River from Highway 83 to approximately four miles west of Highway 83 south of North River Road. Water encroachment into some residences property begins along and south of North River Road. Water encroachment into low lying areas of Cody Park worsens.

Due to the high river levels, groundwater will be pushed up in spots, causing some pooling and flooding.

The North Platte/Lincoln County Emergency Management office, the City of North Platte and the County of Lincoln, are collaborating with other agencies and monitoring this situation as it progresses.

Sandbags may be purchased by the public at Menards, with some possibly available through Orscheln and the Do-It-Center.

They are asking the public to notify their office if any flooding over roads is seen. Also, if the public is incurring flooding from the river, not groundwater, please let their office know.

The North Platte/Lincoln County Emergency Management office can be reached at 308-532-7383.

The downtown is the heart and soul of a community, where first impressions are made.  In North Platte, it is the hub of county and city government facilities and services. It is a vital role for overall commerce in the community.  For tourism, shopping and dining are among the top three requests of any traveler.  Tourists want to be engulfed in the community and downtown is a prime location for this where businesses are locally owned and operated; from restaurants and stores to breweries and galleries.

The Downtown Association recently received a grant to bring in a consultant to assist in improving the downtown area.  This consultant will focus on each building and work with the local landlord & tenants to improve each space individually, verses looking at a whole.  The Downtown Association understands the importance of having a vibrant downtown, and wants to spread the excitement and need to improve this area.  They also want to show the downtown businesses that they believe in them, the value they give and the value that a downtown can give to a community.

To kick-off of the “Building Strong Roots” campaign, the Downtown Association will be hosting a kick-off to the campaign and unveil the new logo at a community event on Thursday, May 26^th at 8:30 am in the “Clock Parking Lot” at 6^th & Dewey.

In 1908, after devastating fires to downtown North Platte, three organizations came together to help build brick buildings and re-build downtown.  In one year, the Elks, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows and the Masonic Temple where built giving new life to an otherwise unappealing area.  They are looking forward to bringing that community feel back with support, encouraging words and inspiration that once again can rebuild and renew the ever important downtown area.

Mayor Dwight Livingston, Chamber President/CEO Gary Person and Downtown Association President Micheal Phillips will speak to the crowd sharing a quick story, inspiring and supportive words to embark on this adventure “Building Strong Roots” in the community.  Over the next couple years, there will be new and exciting adventures for downtown.  This is just a small step to kick off that excitement and unveil a new modern logo, to help gain excitement and support for building upon on history and growing for the future.

On May 6, 2016 at 2:33 PM an officer responded to Adams Middle School in North Platte on a child abuse complaint.  A middle school aged female had arrived at school with a black eye.  The biological mother who lives in Lincoln had called to report that her daughter had texted her saying that her father, Justin Foust, had struck her in the eye with his fist.

The victim was interviewed at the Bridge of Hope.  It was reported that on May 5, 2016 an argument occurred between the victim and Justin.  Justin allegedly slapped the victim in the face several times and then punched her in the eye with a closed fist.  A visible injury to the victim’s eye was consistent with what was reported.  It was reported that Justin told the victim to lie about what occurred and tell people a picture fell off the wall and hit her in the eye.

It was also reported that the victim’s step mother, Courtny Foust, had witnessed the incident.  There are other children living in the home and it was alleged that Justin and Courtny have abused some of them as well.  All of the children living at the residence were removed by police and the Department of Health and Humans Services on May 5, 2016 until the allegations could be looked into further.

Two elementary aged victims, one male and one female, were removed from the home and placed with their biological mother in Lincoln.  They were interviewed at a Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln.  It was alleged that Justin and Courtny would screw the door shut to the male victim’s room at night and he was unable to go to the bathroom. It was also alleged that Justin picked him up and threw him on the ground.  The male victim had witnessed the initial incident with Justin striking the female victim in the eye.

The other female victim reported that she had witnessed Justin punch the oldest victim in the eye.  She reported that Justin has thrown silverware and plates at her.  She indicated that male sibling gets locked in his room and has no access to the bathroom and isn’t allowed to eat breakfast or lunch at the home.

Courtny and Justin were both contacted and incarcerated for felony child abuse.  The ages of the victims aren’t being released to ensure the anonymity of them, as there were other children living in the home that weren’t listed as victims.

Students planning to attend North Platte Community College during the 2016-17 school year have the chance to tap into $100,000 worth of scholarship money.

Offered through the North Platte Community College Foundation, the money is part of the “Oliver, Mildred, Marguerite, Mary and Albert Durbin Scholarship Fund” established in November of 2009 with a $1 million donation from the estate of Oliver Durbin.

Oliver, who died Dec. 25, 2008 at the age of 102, was a strong proponent of continuing education and NPCC. According to those who knew him, Oliver was quite frugal by nature, but exceptionally generous at heart.

His scholarship was designed to help students going through financial hardships due to family circumstances attend college. Almost $190,000 in Durbin funds have been awarded since 2009.

Recipients of the 2015-16 funds were recognized May 4 during the first-ever North Platte Community College Foundation Scholarship Reception at the Prairie Arts Center.

About 45 people attended the event, which gave NPCC scholarship recipients and donors a chance to meet each other face-to-face.

“We think that’s important,” said Carol Bodeen, the college’s area director of development. “None of this happens without all of us working together.”

Jody Tomanek, area vice-president of academic affairs and NPCC, Bodeen and Tom Gorman, vice president of the NPCC Foundation all spoke at the event.

The scholarship recipients also stood, said their names, described what they were studying at NPCC and detailed their plans for the future.

They were able to network with representatives from a variety of local businesses and organizations. At the same time, donors gained a better understanding of how their money was being used to improve student lives.

“Overall, I think the reception was a huge success,” said Gorman. “Next year is going to be even bigger and better. We expect events such as this to inspire others to pay it forward by donating toward scholarships at NPCC.”

More information about the NPCC Foundation can be found online at http://www.mpcc.edu/npcc-foundation. Students can apply for the Durbin scholarship at http://www.mpcc.edu/become-a-student/admissions.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln schoolteacher has finished third on “The Voice,” NBC’s singing contest.

Hannah Huston lost Tuesday night to former child actress Alisan Porter and runner-up Adam Wakefield. Celebrity coaches aided the competing singers on the show as they vied for a recording contract.

Huston teaches at Arnold Elementary School in Lincoln but took a leave to compete on “The Voice.” The district says a TV crew was in Lincoln in November to record Huston with her class.

Huston graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 2009 and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2013.