GOTHENBURG, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a Colorado man killed himself after beating a woman who had accompanied him to a wedding in Gothenburg. North Platte television station KNOP reports that an 8-year-old boy flagged down an officer late Saturday night. Police say the woman and the boy had traveled to Gothenburg with 39-year-old Jason Melledy, of Peyton, Colo. The woman and her son live in Castle Rock, Colo. Police say Melledy had stopped the vehicle and removed the woman before he began beating her face and head. Her son hid in a nearby ditch until he saw the police cruiser. Police Chief Randy Olson says that after Melledy beat the woman, he drove off. He soon crashed off the road. Olson says Melledy walked away from the crash but soon killed himself.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says  Nebraska’s corn and soybean crops appear to be in good shape, but the recent cool, damp weather has hindered field work. The USDA issued its weekly update on crop conditions Monday.  About 74 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop is in good or excellent condition. That’s close to the average of 75 percent good or excellent at this time of year, but it’s behind last year’s 83 percent rating. The USDA says about 79 percent of the soybean crop rated was in good or excellent condition. That’s even with last year’s rating at this time and ahead of the average of 74 percent good or excellent.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.- (Eagle Radio) The You Drink, You Drive, You Lose campaign netted four arrests for driving under the influence, and 22 people were arrested for outstanding warrants. The effort, which ran August 19th through September 5th, also led to deputies writing 174 warnings and 39 citations for various traffic offenses. The deputies worked nearly 200 hours of overtime during the campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at reducing the number of injury and fatality accidents caused by impaired drivers. The You Drink, You Drive, You Lose program is funded by a $7,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) – The U.S. Postal Service is studying whether to close five mail processing centers in Nebraska to save money. The Norfolk Daily News reports the postal service announced Thursday that it would consider whether to continue operations at the centers in Alliance, Grand Island, Norfolk, North Platte and west Omaha. U.S. Postal Service spokesman Brian Sperry says that if the centers are closed, mail now processed through the Grand Island, Norfolk and west Omaha centers could be sent to the downtown Omaha center. Mail now destined for the Alliance and North Platte centers could go through Cheyenne, Wyoming. Sperry says no decision has been made and the postal service is considering its options. The postal service lost $8.5 billion last year and is expected to lose $10 billion this year.

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) – A Colorado man accused of firing at law enforcement officers during a chase in western Nebraska has pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder and attempt first-degree assault on an officer. KNOP-TV in North Platte says Mark Phillips of Louisville, Colo., pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Keith County court in Ogallala. Phillips remains in in the county jail on $1 million bond. Phillips is accused of firing at two officers in rural Keith County after fleeing a traffic stop in December. The officers fired back and wounded Phillips.

Signature sponsors Nebraskaland National Bank, North Platte Jaycees and First National Bank will host the North Platte Public Schools Foundation’s annual Bulldog Backyard BBQ event on Friday, September 30th, at the North Platte Senior High parking lot beginning at 5:00 PM. Teams will compete for awards in five different categories this year, while providing BBQ samples to the North Platte community.Jackie Lucas, Director of the NPPS Foundation said there is still room for a few more BBQ enthusiasts. The BBQ tailgate party is an extension of the Students Steppin’ Out for Education event. A portion of the money raised by students at every participating school is matched by a sponsor for that school. For more information on the Bulldog Backyard BBQ or to reserve a spot, contact the Foundation office at 696-3325.

The Running To Cure Breast Cancer Labor Day event had better than expected results. Participation was up, and organizer Howard Mendonca says they hope to reach an overall goal of $7,000 this year, which would be an increase of nearly $2,000 from last year. Proceeds from Running to Cure Breast Cancer events will go directly to the Bo Pelini Foundation Breast Cancer Research Fund and the Callahan Cancer Center. For more information on this year’s run and upcoming events, visit rtcbc.com.

This weekend, North Platte youth have a chance to help break a world record. This Saturday at Starz, local gymnasts will join thousands of other gymnasts across the country in an attempt to break the world record for simultaneous handstands at noon. The event is a benefit for the Children’s Miracle Network hosted by Miss Lincoln Outstanding Teen 2011 Meghan Thalken and Starz Gymnastics. For more information or to pick up a pledge sheet, stop by Starz at 413 North Dewey or call 532-3882.

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) – A western Nebraska man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting an Ogallala teenager has been sent to prison.  KNOP-TV in North Platte says 21-year-old Jade Cleveland, of Keystone, was sentenced on Tuesday in Keith County District Court. He will serve two consecutive terms of 15 to 30 years in prison, for a total of 30 to 60 years. Cleveland was accused of abducting a 17-year-old girl from her home at knifepoint and assaulting her in rural Keith County in October 2010. Cleveland was arrested in Ogallala and released on bond to a treatment facility in Kansas. In February, he was arrested on a robbery charge in Salina, Kan. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison in Kansas for attempted aggravated robbery.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – Veterinarians around North Platte in central Nebraska are reporting a rise in the number of dogs they’re treating for rattlesnake bites. The North Platte Telegraph reports that it’s a problem local vets see every autumn. Craig Kelly, a vet at Westfield Small Animal Clinic, says his clinic treats three to four cases a year. Kelly says the increase isn’t because of more active snakes, but more likely hunting dogs invading rattlesnake habitats as fall hunting seasons get under way. The treatment is not cheap. Susan Sjeklocha, veterinarian at Sjeklocha Veterinary Clinic, says the antivenom can cost anywhere from $600 to $4,000 per dose.