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.

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — The regional publisher for daily newspapers in Fremont and Columbus has resigned to take a job with the Fremont Area Medical Center.

Bill Vobejda announced on Monday that he will leave next month.

Vobejda will become vice president of administration for the hospital. He will be responsible for human resources, marketing and public relations, community health, the hospital foundation and external affairs.

Vobejda became the Tribune’s publisher in January 2005. In 2009 he was named regional publisher to also oversee the Columbus Telegram and two weekly newspapers, The Banner-Press in David City and Schuyler Sun. Oversight of the Plattsmouth Journal was added recently.

The newspapers are owned by Lee Enterprises, which is based in Davenport, Iowa.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly report says Nebraska’s corn and soybean crops are ailing and getting sicker.

A report says only 37 percent of the corn crop is rated in good or excellent shape. Last week the figure was 43 percent, which also is well below the average of 79 percent for this time of year. Thirty-three percent of the crop was rated in very poor or poor condition.

The soybean crop rated even lower, with only 28 percent in good or excellent condition, compared with 34 percent a week earlier. Normally, about 77 percent of the soybean crop is rated in good or excellent shape.

The heat and lack of rain have taken a toll on pastureland as well, with 72 percent rated very poor or poor.

NEBRASKA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA) “Coordination and good communications will be the key to a successful day,” said Incident Commander Mark Hatcher this morning at briefing. On Monday, the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team B arrived to assist state and local firefighters in three counties to suppress the Fairfield Creek fire in north central Nebraska. Approximately 50,000 acres were mapped by infrared flight as of 6 a.m. Active burning has been observed on the east and west flanks.

Crews were able to burn out pockets of fuel on the north east corner to reinforce dozer lines. Firefighters will work on lines in all areas of the fire in anticipation of the dry, hot, windy weather expected today.

The weather outlook for Monday shows hotter weather with dry winds gusting up to 25 miles per hour near the fire area. A heat advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for winds and low relative humidity.

Four Divisions have been established for managing the fire:

•  Division C (northwest): Springville Fire District, Keya Paha County
•  Division E (northeast): Springville Fire District, Keya Paha County
•  Division H (southeast): Ainsworth Fire District, Brown County
•  Division A (southwest) Cherry County Fire District

Air Operations: Aircraft will be available as needed.

Road Closures

•  Road blocks will be in place on Highway 12. Motorists are asked to find alternate travel routes.

Evacuations:

•  Volunteer evacuations are still in place for Meadville.
•  Niobrara River is closed for recreational use between County Line and Brewer bridges.

Fire stats at a glance:
Start Date: July 20, 2012

Containment: none reported

Cause: Lightning

Acreage: 50,000

Personnel: 150

Crews: 3 ordered

Cooperating Agencies: Brown, Keya Paha and Cherry

Counties, State of Nebraska

Aviation : (3) Type (1) National Guard Black Hawks, and

1 Type 2

Engines: 30

Injuries: 3 (minor)

Structures destroyed: 10 and associated outbuildings

Structures/outbuildings threatened: 70

Cindy Todd

Omaha Neb.(AAA) -The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety is literally hitting the road with their latest statewide education and awareness campaign to combat drunk driving.  A dozen large delivery service vehicles wrapped with truck-size impactful images, stress the need for citizens to report drunk drivers immediately by dialing 911 or *55 on their cell phone.  The trucks are heading out on roadways traveling to nearly every county in Nebraska. 

With increased awareness about reporting drunk drivers, the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety expects that those who continue to drink and drive will be more conscientious about making the right choice not to get behind the wheel.  Last year 1,822 alcohol related crashes occurred on Nebraskaroadways resulting in 1,185 injuries and 51 deaths.

Nebraskalaw enforcement officers arrested more than 12,000 motorists in 2011 on drunk driving charges.  Tougher driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws and enforcement efforts, an expansion of education and awareness campaigns, and higher conviction rates for DWI offenses, have all contributed to a reduction in alcohol related fatal crashes.

For the past two years, Nebraskahas recorded the lowest alcohol related death rates on record.   AAA says that even with the positive advancements Nebraskahas made towards getting drunk drivers off the road, education and awareness efforts must remain a priority.  Nebraskaneeds to do so since more than one-third of all fatal crashes are alcohol related, says AAA.  By taking this strong message on the road, more citizens will become actively engaged in doing their part to help keep our roadways safe.