LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of the Heartland says it has made arrangements to offer adoption services in Nebraska.

The agency has had a partnership with Avalon Center, of Mason City, Iowa, to provide adoption services in Iowa since 2004.

The center provides counseling and adoption services to people facing unintended pregnancies. The center has received licensing so it can offer the same services in Nebraska.

Avalon Center will have offices at Planned Parenthood’s health centers in Lincoln and Omaha, with office hours and a 24-hour phone line. Staff members also can meet with people anywhere across the state.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has education and resource centers in Lincoln and Omaha and in Des Moines, Iowa.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 20-year-old man has been given five years in federal prison for selling crack cocaine in Omaha.

Prosecutors say Larry Johnson, of Omaha, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp. Johnson must serve four years of supervised release after he leaves prison.

Prosecutors say Johnson was arrested after he sold crack to a witness who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 30-year-old Iowan man has been sentenced for selling methamphetamine in Omaha.

Federal prosecutors say Darrell Adams, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Monday was sentenced to 121 months in prison. He’d been convicted of conspiring to sell 500 grams or more of meth. Adams must serve five years of supervised release after he leaves prison.

Prosecutors say Adams was arrested after selling meth to a witness who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners will consider staff recommendations for 2012 waterfowl and crow hunting regulations when they meet this week.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Friday at Game and Parks’ Lincoln headquarters.

A public hearing for the waterfowl recommendations is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Commissioners will consider several other recommendations, including changing the special deer depredation permit bag limit from one deer to one antlerless deer, creating regulations for the new Hunters Helping the Hungry program, and allowing hunting at various park areas across the state.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s 3rd House District congressman says he’s ready to respond to any requests for federal assistance to help contain several wildfires in his vast, rural district.

Rep. Adrian Smith says any Nebraskans in need of help can contact his Grand Island office.

Smith’s statement came as wildfires burning in north-central Nebraska threatened to force the evacuation of the small town of Sparks.

On Tuesday, the main Fairfield Creek fire expanded to about 92 square miles — an area just bigger than the state capital of Lincoln. Two other smaller fires about 20 miles to the east had burned more than six square miles.

The fires have destroyed at least 10 homes. A cold front expected to move in the area Wednesday could provide some relief.

HARVARD, Neb. (AP) — The south-central Nebraska city of Harvard is taking precautions to ensure a water crisis may be avoided.

The city has ordered restricted water use for even-numbered residences on even-number days and vice versa. Service can be shut off for those who don’t comply.

Harvard Mayor Michael Boyd says that the city has not reached crisis point.

He says there are indications, however, that the city needed to begin restrictions to “an alarming situation” can be avoided.

Harvard is a city of about 1,000 people.

YORK, Neb. (AP) — The second confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Nebraska this year has been reported in Butler County.

Christine Lawrence, a spokeswoman for the Four Corners Health Department says a man over the age of 50 has the virus, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The first case was reported last week in a Hamilton County man in his 70s.

Lawrence says the cases are earlier than usual. West Nile usually shows up in the late summer or early fall.

State health officials say West Nile activity is increasing across the state. Residents should use mosquito repellent and dress in long sleeves when outside.

Mosquitoes in Adams, Douglas, Hall, Madison, Scottsbluff, Sheridan and Richardson counties tested positive as have birds in Madison and Phelps counties

By: Deb Collins
(Lincoln, Neb.)- The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are encouraging motorists with travel plans in areas of Nebraska affected by wildfires to check travel routes for road closures.

“From motorcycle traffic headed to Sturgis, to campers and family vehicles on their way to vacation destinations, this is a very busy time on Nebraska roads,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Wildfires burning across north-central Nebraska mean an increase in emergency vehicles and road closures, which could affect travel plans.”

As of Tuesday, July 24, wildfires continue to burn in Keya Paha, Brown and Cherry Counties.  Highway 12 from the Keya Paha County line to the Cherry County line (Springview to Valentine) is closed. Travelers headed to South Dakota are encouraged to avoid Highway 12 as well as Highway 7 at this time. Highways 83 and 183 remain open for travel.

Motorists are encouraged to utilize 511, Nebraska’s Automated Traveler Information System to determine a preferred route of travel.  511 can be accessed via web at www.511.nebraska.gov  or by calling 511 or 800-906-9069 from any landline or cellular phone.

Travelers are reminded to allow extra time for unanticipated delays as they may encounter normal seasonal highway construction work and maintenance operations on other highways north and south across Nebraska.

Colonel Sankey said, “We thank everyone for their patience and encourage all travelers to take a little extra time to plan ahead.”

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 24-year-old man has been given three to six years in prison for causing a collision that fatally injured a 65-year-old man.

Casey Drew, of Riverdale, was convicted of manslaughter and drunken driving.

Prosecutors say Drew was driving his pickup north on Nebraska Highway 10 a few miles north of Kearney on Nov. 26. Prosecutors say the truck crossed the center line and ran into a sport utility vehicle driven by Samuel Sullivan III, of Rockville.

Court documents say Drew’s blood-alcohol content at the time was nearly four times Nebraska’s legal limit.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A detective for the Department of Veterans Affairs has been arrested, accused of forcible rape in south-central Nebraska.

The 40-year-old Justin Maltagliati, of Grand Island, was arrested and jailed on Friday evening.

Grand Island police say a woman had reported that she’d been raped earlier on Friday.

Maltagliati remained in Hall County custody on Tuesday. Online court records don’t list the name of his attorney.

Spokeswoman Anna Morelock of the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System says Maltagliati works for the VA Police Service as a detective. She would not comment Tuesday on his current job status.

Court records say Maltagliati has pleaded not guilty in an unrelated Hall County drunken-driving case filed in June.