Motorists who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol will be the focus of a nationwide campaign designed to remove impaired drivers from our nation’s roadways.

Beginning Friday, August 16 and continuing through Labor Day, Sept. 2, the Nebraska State Patrol will participate in the “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose,” enforcement campaign. Troopers and Communication Specialists will put in overtime hours during the enforcement period thanks in part to a nearly $28,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS).

“As the summer travel season winds down, many of us are making plans for that last big trip,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “You can expect to see extra troopers out on the road during the special enforcement, as they work to help motorists reach their destination safely.”

An increase in traffic volume, coupled with continued road constructions means extra attention is needed when traveling.  Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit, always wear their seat belt and never drive impaired or distracted.

Report impaired or reckless drivers to the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline when safe to do so by dialing *55 from any cellular phone, or 1-800-525-5555 from any landline. Emergencies should be reported to 911.

• Today: Scattered thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Tonight: A chance of thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
• Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North northeast wind 7 to 11 mph.

(AP) — A 60-year-old man from northeast Nebraska has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for stabbing his adult son with a kitchen knife.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday that Judge Lyle E. Strom sentenced Mark Phillips, of Walthill, to 33 months in prison. He had been found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Walthill stabbed his adult son in the chest on Sept. 21, 2012, in the family home in Walthill, about 65 miles north of Omaha.

His son was treated for the wound and released.

The federal government had jurisdiction because the crime was within the Omaha Indian Reservation.

• Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
• Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then thunderstorms likely after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Light southeast wind becoming south southeast 8 to 13 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Thursday Night: A chance of thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East southeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

• Today: A chance of drizzle before 11am, then isolated showers after 4pm. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph.
• Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.

(AP) — A man who witnessed a western Nebraska homicide last year has been sentenced to five years of probation for illegally selling a prescription painkiller.

57-year-old Leland Blake, of Sidney, was sentenced in Cheyenne County District Court. Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub said Monday that Blake was accused of selling Vicodin pills twice to an undercover police officer last July. A second delivery of Vicodin charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal, as was a firearm possession charge.

Blake also agreed to testify in the trial of 53-year-old Larry Martinez. According to court documents, Black witnessed Martinez shoot and kill his friend, 30-year-old Mandy Kerschman of Sidney, at Blake’s home in August.