LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Democratic Party is targeting GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Deb Fischer in a new television ad that portrays her family’s grazing leases on federal land as a welfare handout. 

Democratic Party Chairman-elect Vince Powers on Monday unveiled a new statewide television ad that accuses Fischer of benefiting from a deal that less than 1 percent of Nebraska ranchers receive.

Fischer, of Valentine, has faced criticism for her family’s participation in the program. The ranching corporation pays $4,700 to graze the cattle for seven months, about $110,000 less than the market rate for private land in Cherry County.

Republicans say the accusation distorts the true cost of grazing the land, which includes federal grazing permits, fencing requirements and other regulations. Public grazing also lowers the federal government’s land-maintenance costs.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln insurance agent plans to continue running for re-election to a natural resources district board even though he is due to be sentenced for perjury next month.

Larry Hall is also in the midst of bankruptcy, his insurance license is under review, and he owes an insurance company more than $55,000.

But Hall says to local media that after talking with his supporters, he intends to continue serving on the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District board.

The 67-year-old Hall pleaded no contest to perjury in June. He will be sentenced on Aug. 24 for making false statements under oath during the legal dispute over the sale of Hall’s company, Associated Insurance Managers, to the McCashland-Kirby Insurance Agency in 2007.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A mountain lion killed last year in Kearney will become the mascot of a new elementary school in the central Nebraska city.

The Kearney school district acquired the carcass and plans to have it stuffed and mounted. Then the cougar will go on display at Kenwood Elementary.

Superintendent Brian Maher says he thinks the stuffed cougar will be an educational tool and an artful presence at the school. Donations are paying for the taxidermy.

Police killed the mountain lion in May 2011 after it was spotted roaming through several yards one morning.

State wildlife officials studied the 2-year-old cougar and didn’t find anything wrong with it. The skull is on display at the Game and Parks Commission office in Kearney.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Anyone interested in a Nebraska paddlefish snagging permit should apply for one during July.

Nebraska Game and Parks officials plan to conduct a drawing for the permits in mid-August, so applications will be accepted through the end of July.

Paddlefish permits cost $20 for residents and $40 for nonresidents, but anglers must also have a valid 2012 Nebraska fishing permit.

Paddlefish snagging is permitted only in a prescribed section of the Missouri River during October.

Applications can be submitted online at www.outdoornebraska.org or at a Game and Parks office.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say second person has died after a shooting at an apartment in southeast Omaha.

Police say in a news release that officers were sent to the apartment around 3:45 a.m. Monday.

They found one person had already died. Police say two wounded people were taken to The Nebraska Medical Center, and one of them died there. There’s no word yet on the condition of the third person.

Homicide investigators are on the scene. Details about the shooting, including the names of those involved, have not been released.

No arrests have been reported.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The future of horse racing in Lincoln is uncertain after this year’s live racing session ends on Sunday because the current track is set to be demolished.

The track is being demolished to make way for a new research park the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is building at the former home of the Nebraska State Fair.

Lincoln will now be without live thoroughbred horse racing for the first time since 1935.

The state Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has purchased about 100 acres for a new Lincoln race track that the group hopes to build within the next two or three years.

But the group has yet to disclose how they plan to pay for the track, which may cost millions of dollars.

LYONS, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska homeowners and businesses interested in renewable energy can learn more about their options later this month.

The Nebraska Energy Fair will be held on July 21 in Lyons, Neb.

The event offers a chance to learn the basics of solar power and see several different solar systems that are available today.

Robert Byrnes with the Nebraska Renewable Energy Association says this is a good time to consider investing in solar power because of the tax credits that are available.

The solar experience class and tour costs $20 per person.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska ranchers worried about dealing with a hot and dry summer can get planning help from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The university put together a website with advice on managing a ranch during periods of drought that may come in handy in the state this year. The western two-thirds of Nebraska are already experiencing drought conditions.

The website  includes practical advice and examples of how other ranchers have dealt with drought.

The university’s Jerry Volesky says the most important thing ranchers need to do during drought is adjust their grazing plans and stocking rates.

A team of drought experts will offer ranchers advice at the Nebraska Grazing Conference in Kearney on Aug. 15.

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced that he has appointed Randy Peters of Lincoln to be the Director and State Engineer of the Nebraska Department of Roads. Peters, 57, a registered professional engineer, has served as the Deputy Director of Engineering since 2009.  He will officially take over on August 4.

 

“I’m pleased Randy will be the new Director of the Department of Roads,” Gov. Heineman said. “Randy has served as an excellent Deputy Director. He understands the various aspects of the Department. He works closely with federal officials and other partners across the state.  Randy has the knowledge, professionalism and experience to be a strong director.”

 

Peters went to work for the Nebraska Department of Roads in 1977 as a Photolog Technician in the Transportation Planning Division and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1987 from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He worked ten years in Planning, ten years in Roadway Design, ten years as the State Traffic Engineer and two years as the Planning and Project Development Engineer before being named Deputy Director – Engineering in 2009. His salary will be $140,000.

 

Peters was born and raised in Bloomfield. He is married and has two children. Peters will succeed retiring Director Monty Fredrickson, 65.

Gering, Neb. (NSP)- In an effort to reduce the potential for fatality crashes by removing impaired drivers from Nebraska roadways the Nebraska State Patrol Troop E Headquarters-Scottsbluff with assistance from local law enforcement will hold special enforcement activities during upcoming summer celebrations.

High visibility patrols and DUI checkpoints will be carried out in conjunction with both the Oregon Trail Days celebration in Gering and the Scotts Bluff County Fair in Mitchell.

“Both of these events draw large crowds,” said Captain Mike Gaudreault, Commander Troop E. “That means an increase in traffic volume on area roads. Our goal is to help ensure the roads are safe and the folks traveling them are doing so in a responsible manner.”

The special enforcement efforts will be conducted July 13-14 in Gering and August 3-4 in Mitchell.  Motorists are reminded to always wear their seat belt, obey the posted speed limit and never drive impaired or distracted.

Troopers will be vigilant in identifying individuals under age 21, who may consume alcoholic beverages in violation of state statute.

The special enforcement efforts are paid for thanks in part to a $10,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.