NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- According to federal officials, “failure is not an option” in regards to the Kingsley Dam. At the annual Emergency Action Plan meeting hosted by the Nebraska Public Power District and the Central Nebraska Public Power District, emergency action steps were discussed in the event of a failure at the Kingsley Dam, Lake Maloney Reservoir, Sutherland Reservoir and other area high risk locations. According to officials, in the unlikely event that a full scale breach would occur at Kingsley Dam, the city of North Platte would have 11-12 hours to evacuate. After that time, the North Platte River would flood to 20 feet or more. At the peak of this summer’s flood, the river flooded to around 8 feet.  The city would be inundated with water of varying depths.  However, both agencies regularly inspect all areas and action plans are in place in case of any type of calamity.
The forecast for spring flooding was also addressed at the meeting. It is still unclear to what extent the North Platte River will rise in 2012 as a result of upriver releases and snow run-off. Factors such as Wyoming basin and Lake McConaughy carry-over storage and La Nina weather patterns indicate a possible repeat of last year, perhaps to lesser severity. It still remains to be seen how the snowfall this winter will impact the situation, as well.

 

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) – Dawson County authorities have discovered the body of a 36-year-old man who they suspect was hit and killed by a hit-and-run driver.
A news release from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office says the body of Domingo Lujan Jr., of Oxford, was found a little after 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. It was near the roadway at an intersection southeast of Lexington.
No arrests have been reported. A search for the suspect vehicle is continuing.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska officials hope people will keep track of their own online purchases and pay taxes on them when they file their tax returns.
State Tax Commissioner Doug Ewald says Nebraskans are required to pay sales or use taxes on all their purchases even when retailers don’t collect it, and many online stores don’t.
Ewald says Nebraskans should keep track of their online purchases and report them on their income tax return. At that point, residents can pay the tax that’s due on those items.
The state tax rate Nebraskans are obligated to pay is the same as the sales tax rate the retailer would have collected.

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center has been scheduled to reopen, now that repairs have been made.
The tower in North Platte was closed Nov. 20 when a water pipe broke in the office area.
The tower is expected to reopen Tuesday.
The 120-foot-tall tower overlooks Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, which is believed to be the world’s largest rail yard. The tower contains educational and historical displays.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (North Platte Post) – Two separate traffic stops on Interstate 80 in the western and eastern parts of the state led to the seizure of 113 lbs of marijuana.

Just after 1:00 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 2, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis, for speeding on I-80 near the North Platte interchange. A probable cause search led to the seizure of 74 lbs of marijuana. The marijuana was located in four large duffle bags in the truck of the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, Michael A. Clarke, 53, Reno, NV was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

A second traffic stop in Lancaster County led to the seizure of 39 lbs of marijuana. Just after 3:00 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 2, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2005 BMW for failure to signal on I-80 near the Airport interchange (mm 399).  Upon contact with the occupants of the vehicle, the trooper smelled the odor of marijuana. A probable cause search led to the seizure of 39 lbs of marijuana.  The marijuana was located in a black bag in the truck of the car.

The driver of the vehicle, Sok Khoeun Loeun (M), 27, Fresno, CA and a passenger in the vehicle, Joseph D. Cai, 25, Fresno, CA were each lodged in the Lancaster County Corrections on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

 

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A February trial has been scheduled for a prisoner who’s charged with killing another inmate at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln.
Court records say 23-year-old Mohamed Abdulkadir has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and a weapons charge. His trial is scheduled to begin on Feb. 21.
Abdulkadir is accused of killing 22-year-old Michael Grandon, who died June 30 from his wounds.
Grandon pleaded guilty in 2007 to murder and to aiding and abetting murder in the slayings of 38-year-old Lori Solie, of North Platte, and her 5-year-old daughter.
Abdulkadir, of Grand Island, was sentenced in September 2010 to serve 25-to-50 years for aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
He also was convicted of drug and robbery charges.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Hunters in Nebraska have set another record for the number of deer killed this year.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says 64,548 deer were killed during November’s firearm, archery and other deer hunting seasons.
That total is 865 more than last year’s record harvest of 63,683.
The commission says that a full report on the species, sex and age of the deer killed should be available near the end of the year.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) – Angered by President Barack Obama’s delay of a proposed oil pipeline from Canada, Senate Republicans are moving to force him to act.
A bill introduced by 37 GOP senators, including Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns, would require the administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days, unless the president declares the project is not in the national interest.
The bill has little chance of approval in the Democratic-controlled Senate, but the measure illustrates Republicans’ frustration over the pipeline delay and their belief that Obama is vulnerable on the issue. GOP senators called the $7 billion pipeline the ultimate “shovel-ready” project and said it could create as many as 20,000 jobs.
The 1,700 mile pipeline would carry oil from Alberta, Canada to refineries in Texas.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Above average temperatures have helped Nebraska farmers wrap up most of their fall harvest chores.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the state’s corn harvest is about 99 percent done although farmers in the Panhandle are only about 90 percent complete with the corn harvest.
Typically, the corn harvest is only about 92 percent complete at this time of year, so farmers are about a week ahead of schedule.
Last week’s temperatures averaged 6 degrees above normal for the state, and little precipitation fell.
The USDA says farmers are busy applying anhydrous ammonia fertilizer to fields in many parts of the state.
About 74 percent of the winter wheat crop is either good or excellent condition.