WASHINGTON (AP) – The issue may be dust in the wind, but Republicans are still moving to block it.
Environmental Protection Agency officials have said repeatedly that they won’t propose new regulations to limit dust kicked up by farm equipment. But anti-regulation sentiment is strong this year on the campaign trail – which is why House Republicans are planning to vote this week to prevent the imaginary regulation.
Republicans and even some Democrats have told farm-state audiences that the EPA is considering a crackdown on farms, despite an agency statement last month calling that a “myth.”
Republicans say they want more certainty for the agriculture industry. The House GOP has pushed a host of measures aimed at weakening, delaying or scrapping environmental regulations in recent months, saying they view them as job killers.

 

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.