Workers add sandbags to a levee being built to protect Cargill’s corn milling facility from Missouri River flood waters, in Blair, Neb., Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman said the state is preparing for the worst as the Missouri River continues to rise. (Nati Harnik / AP)

UNION, Neb. (AP) – Crews along the Missouri River say they are keeping a cautious eye on Nebraska’s man-made flood barriers, with a focus on the southeast community of Lake Waconda.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency spokesman Mike Wight says
officials are most concerned now about the recent levee break near
the town, 25 miles south of Omaha. Wight said crews are monitoring
the levees are looking for water seepage, boils, or any other
structural trouble signs.

Wight said officials were urging the public not to walk on
levees anywhere along the river, in case they fall or if a flood
barrier suddenly ruptures. He said levee workers have not seen only
a scattering of onlookers climbing on top.

Hundreds of tributaries that feed the congested Missouri River face a greater-than-normal flood risk thissummer because of water levels that have kept smaller rivers from draining. Flood experts and emergency officials say backed-up water channels in South Dakota and Missouri have already caused flooding at points where they meet the Missouri River. In Hamburg, Iowa,work crews are keeping close watch on the Nishnabotna River to their east, as they battle the Missouri River from the west.  Hydrologists say tributary backups generally do not stretch more than a few miles from the point where rivers meet. But with flood waters expected to stay through at least August, forecasters say the lesser-known tributaries could pose a significant threat as well if Missouri River flows increase or an intense storm strikes.

LINCOLN, Neb (AP) – The Nebraska Department of Correctional
Services says a North Platte man serving a life sentence for a
double murder died in a prison stabbing.
Twenty-two-year-old Michael Grandon died Thursday from wounds
suffered at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.
Grandon pleaded guilty in 2007 to first-degree murder and to
aiding and abetting first-degree murder in the slayings of
38-year-old Lori Solie of North Platte and her five-year-old
daughter.
The Lincoln Journal-Star says Grandon was stabbed during an
incident with another inmate and died at a nearby hospital.
The Nebraska State Patrol and the Corrections Department are
investigating Grandon’s stabbing, and a grand jury will be convened
to look into his death while in custody.

A woman has been sentenced to a year in jail for buying alcohol for a minor who later caused a fatal wreck. Sarah Danoff pleaded no contest last October to buying alcohol for her 19-year-old brother-in-law, Aaron Danoff of Omaha. Aaron Danoff admitted to driving drunk later that night andcausing a crash that killed Jessica Lutton-Bedient and injured her husband. Aaron Danoff was sentenced to up to 14 years in prison in April. Judge Joseph Caniglia said he would make anexample of Sarah Danoff and gave her the maximum sentence.  The case helped push legislation that will make it a felony to buy alcohol for a minor in Nebraska if serious bodily injury occurs. The new law goes into effect Jan. 1.

A worker at a security building outside of a nuclear power plant north of Omaha was badly burned while refilling a gas tank for a portable pump. The Omaha Public Power District says the pump caught fireThursday, and the unidentified worker suffered burns to his armsand face while putting out the blaze. Emergency personnel of the Fort Calhoun Station took him outsidethe plant to a medical helicopter, which transported him to a burncenter in Lincoln. The power district says the security building isn’t part of the nuclear plant and is surrounded by a sand-filled barrier to keep water out. Officials say the nuclear plant was not in danger, though theNuclear Regulatory Commission has been notified of the incident. The worker’s name is being withheld pending notification of hisfamily.

Two state teams are assessing damage tohomes along the swollen Missouri River in eastern Nebraska. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency says the teams wereconducting an aerial tour Thursday of damaged property reported tothe state. Early reports indicate 115 houses have sustained major damage. The state continues to urge property owners to report damage tohomes and businesses. Report can be submitted online atwww.nema.ne.gov/newsroom/home-damage-contact.html or by calling855-211-2453 or 855-211-2454. NEMA’s Cindy Newsham says the damage estimates could help thestate get federal approval for individual aid.

A fire at a playground in Lexington that caused close to $100,000 worth of damages on Tuesday is being investigated. Lexington Police believe the fire was started by juveniles who were playing with fireworks, which set the wooden play structure at Morton Elementary School ablaze. The equiptment, which had been installed just last summer, is considered a total loss. Because of the amount of damage that occurred, criminal mischief charges could potentially be filed against those responsible for the fire.

 

The Nebraska State Patrol, with the assistance from Norfolk Police Department, conducted surprise commercial vehicle inspections today, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in Norfolk.  The surprise inspections target commercial vehicles that might not travel outside the city or pass through weigh stations as part of their regular routes.

During the special enforcement effort, the Metropolitan Aggressive and Prevention Selective (MAPS) Teams conducted 48 inspections, discovered 204 violations, and took 26 vehicles out of service (not allowed to continue on the road).  Vehicles are placed out of service for a variety of reasons relating to bad brakes or tires, or other problems that pose immediate safety risks. In addition, one driver was taken out of service (not allowed to continue driving) for No Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).  Officers issued a total of $ 4,995 in fines.

“The MAPS Team ensures truck operators who rarely leave the city limits are maintaining their vehicles and abiding by safety regulations,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “While most truck owners and operators share our concern for safety, we know some think they can ignore safety standards as long as they avoid the weigh stations. The MAPS Team extends our reach into cities and towns across the state.”

This was the 4^th MAPS Team event of 2011. Inspections have also been conducted in LaVista, Lincoln, and Sarpy County this summer. More surprise inspections are planned throughout the spring and summer in cities and towns across Nebraska.

 

NRoute Entertainment presents Phil Lee performing during the Fort Cody Music Series thisThursday night. Local opener, Bryan Williams and his no name band, kicks off the night at 6pmand Phil Lee begins at 7pm. Phil Lee has a comfortable, straight shooting voice that blends Dylan‐esque rock and roll, country and western, mid‐sixties British and medicine show sounds,critics say. He “combines the social conscience of Woody Gunthrie with the twisted fury ofJerry Lee Lewis” is how the Associated Press describes him. Log onto www.phillee1.com tolearn more about the artist.

Accomplished musical artists play every Thursday evening in the NRoute series at Fort CodyTrading Post on I‐80 & Hwy 83 in North Platte. Musicians are often en route to weekend gigsacross the country and NRoute is able to work with the musicians to provide an additionalopportunity to perform. Adult admission is $5. Adult beverages are available. Picnic tables are in place and blanketsand lawn chairs are welcome. If inclement weather, the show moves indoors to the RiverfrontTerrace at the Quality Inn and Suites. For additional information please call Muriel Clark at 308‐386‐8257.

The criminal charges against former Lincoln County Chief Deputy Sherrif Dean Sparks have been dropped. Sparks was arrested and charged with violating a protection order against his ex-girlfriend in May. The ex-girlfriend filed a motion to vacate the charges, which was granted in Lincoln County Court. Lincoln County Sherrif Jerome Kramer said that the case will not be investigated further. While Sparks is eligible to return to law enforcement, he will not be returning to the Lincoln County Sherrif’s department.