OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Most Nebraska farmers are still waiting to start planting as the early spring gets a touch of frost.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in the weekly crop report on Monday that while conditions were favorable for planting last week, only a limited number of fields were planted with most farmers waiting for the crop insurance initial plant date.
Temperatures averaged 3 degrees above normal in the western half of the state, while the eastern half was up to 10 degrees warmer.
March 2012 was the warmest on record for the central U.S., which could lead to an increased risk for freeze damage – which could happen this week. A freeze warning is issued for central and eastern Nebraska into Tuesday morning. Lows could dip into the upper 20s.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has vetoed a bill that would allow machine bets on previously run horse races, saying it would create to a new form of gambling.
The Republican governor said Monday that the measure contradicts the spirit of live horse racing that has been approved by Nebraska voters.
Heineman says in his veto message that the bill would expand gambling beyond what the state constitution currently allows. He says that a horse racing exception in the constitution has always been construed to apply only to live races.
The bill’s sponsor, Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, has said the measure would save jobs in the struggling horse racing industry.
Lawmakers approved the bill 26-18 – four votes short of the support needed to override Heineman’s veto.

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – A North Platte woman has been arrested for stealing and using a debit card.
19 year old Ashley Carpenter allegedly stole the victim’s debit card from their vehicle on March 28th. An investigation revealed that the card was used twice at Wal-Mart and again at a local Timesaver store. Video footage led to Carpenter’s arrest for the crimes. She has been charged with Theft by Deception and Unauthorized Use of a Transaction Device.
Carpenter is free on bond.

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – Threats and gunfire prove to be an unwise combination for a North Platte man.
58 year old Dan Koch has been charged with two counts of Terroristic Threats, Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and two counts of Disturbing the Peace for allegedly firing a gun 3-4 times early Sunday morning.
Police responded to a complaint on the 700 block of North Maple where two victims claimed that Koch had fired the gun and threatened to “come back and kill them” if they called the cops. Police located Koch at his residence and found two firearms and spent casings in his vehicle.
Koch remains in custody at the Lincoln County Jail. No bond is listed.

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – Two North Platte residents have been arrested after an alleged weekend attack.
Police responded to a report of an assault around 4:15 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of North Jeffers. Police found signs of an altercation in the parking lot of the Dollar General store including a tooth, as well as a blood trail which led to the parking lot of the American Veteran Affiliates Club where the victim of the assault was found. An investigation at the club led to the arrest of 29 year old Adam Sheesley and 33 year old Tori Chrisman, both of North Platte.
Sheesley was charged with 1st Degree Assault, as was Chrisman, who was also charged with Strangulation. Both Sheesley and Chrisman are free on bond.

 

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – Five teenagers have been hurt in a single-car crash on Interstate 80.
Nebraska State Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said that 18-year-old Nyamal Gatlauk, of Grand Island, fell asleep at the wheel, causing the car to crash into the median, hit a guardrail and spin. The crash happened between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday just east of Greenwood.
Collins says four 15-year-old girls were passengers in the car, and all five teens were taken to hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Gatluak was cited for driving without a license, reckless driving and for seat belt violations. No number was listed for Gatlauk.