By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a

  Southwestern Scotts Bluff County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...

  Eastern Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming...

* At 657 PM MDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado

  was located 8 miles northeast of Hawk Springs Campground, or 20

  miles south of Torrington, moving east at 15 mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris

           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile

           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,

           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly

tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move

to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy

building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in

a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYThe National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a* Tornado Warning for... Southwestern Scotts Bluff County in the Panhandle of Nebraska... Eastern Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming...* Until 730 PM MDT.* At 657 PM MDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located 8 miles northeast of Hawk Springs Campground, or 20 miles south of Torrington, moving east at 15 mph. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW! HAZARD...Damaging tornado. SOURCE...Public confirmed tornado. IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible.* Locations impacted include... Stegall.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadlytornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Moveto a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdybuilding. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or ina vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protectyourself from flying debris.

Tornado Warning issued for Scotts Bluff County, Goshen County 

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Scotts Bluff County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...
  Southeastern Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming...

* Until 700 PM MDT.



* At 627 PM MDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
  was located over Hawk Springs, or 19 miles south of Torrington,
  moving east at 20 mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!



  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Public confirmed tornado.



  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete
           destruction is possible.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  southwestern Scotts Bluff and southeastern Goshen Counties.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.&nbsp;

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYThe National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
 Southwestern Scotts Bluff County in the Panhandle of Nebraska...
 Southeastern Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming...

* Until 700 PM MDT.

* At 627 PM MDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
 was located over Hawk Springs, or 19 miles south of Torrington,
 moving east at 20 mph.

 This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

 HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

 SOURCE...Public confirmed tornado.

 IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris
 may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile
 homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
 businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete
 destruction is possible.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
 southwestern Scotts Bluff and southeastern Goshen Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Tornado touches down in Goshen Co., Tornado Warning issued 

TORNADO WATCH 362 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR THE

 FOLLOWING LOCATIONS&nbsp;&nbsp;NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE:

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYTORNADO WATCH 362 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS&nbsp;&nbsp;NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE:BANNER BOX BUTTE CHEYENNEDAWESSIOUX KIMBALL MORRILLSCOTTS BLUFF

Tornado Watch issued for Panhandle counties 

Alliance – The Alliance Public Landfill, construction and demo area and the loose fill area are closed to the public due to muddy conditions until conditions clear up.

For more information, please contact the Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-2705.

By City of AllianceAlliance – The Alliance Public Landfill, construction and demo area and the loose fill area are closed to the public due to muddy conditions until conditions clear up.For more information, please contact the Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-2705.

Alliance landfill announces partial closure 

GRAND ISLAND, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team took one person into custody after a standoff in Minden Thursday evening.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., the NSP SWAT Team was activated to assist in an ongoing incident in Minden. The Minden Police Department had responded to a report that a woman had brandished a firearm during a visit from a counselor and had made threatening statements directed at the Kearney County Courthouse.

The courthouse was evacuated and the Minden Police Department obtained a search warrant for an apartment at the residence of 124 East 5th&nbsp;St. in Minden. Upon SWAT’s arrival, numerous attempts were made to communicate with the subject inside the apartment, but the subject did not respond.

Shortly after midnight, SWAT deployed chemical munitions into the residence and the subject exited voluntarily. She was immediately taken into custody. The subject was turned over to the Minden Police Department. The residence was also turned over the Minden PD for execution of the search warrant.

By NSPGRAND ISLAND, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team took one person into custody after a standoff in Minden Thursday evening.At approximately 8:20 p.m., the NSP SWAT Team was activated to assist in an ongoing incident in Minden. The Minden Police Department had responded to a report that a woman had brandished a firearm during a visit from a counselor and had made threatening statements directed at the Kearney County Courthouse.The courthouse was evacuated and the Minden Police Department obtained a search warrant for an apartment at the residence of 124 East 5th&nbsp;St. in Minden. Upon SWAT’s arrival, numerous attempts were made to communicate with the subject inside the apartment, but the subject did not respond.Shortly after midnight, SWAT deployed chemical munitions into the residence and the subject exited voluntarily. She was immediately taken into custody. The subject was turned over to the Minden Police Department. The residence was also turned over the Minden PD for execution of the search warrant.There were no injuries in this incident.

1 in custody after SWAT deployment in Minden

BBGH will offer youth sports physicals in July.&nbsp;

By BBGH<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687539554695.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBGH will offer youth sports physicals in July.&nbsp;

Box Butte General Hospital to offer youth sports physicals

Alliance, NE – Due to a scheduling conflict, there will be no night swim on Wednesday, June 28th at Big Blue Bay.

If you have questions, please call 308-762-2384.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – Due to a scheduling conflict, there will be no night swim on Wednesday, June 28th at Big Blue Bay.If you have questions, please call 308-762-2384.

Big Blue Bay announces Alliance Night Swim update 

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 6/23/23

On June 22, 2023, Sergeant Young stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic offense and contacted the driver, identified as 44-year-old Douglas Updike. Over the course of the traffic stop, Sergeant Young discovered Updike’s operator’s license privileges were revoked by the Nebraska DMV. Updike was subsequently arrested for Driving Under Revocation. During the arrest, a suspected methamphetamine pipe containing was discovered in Updike’s pocket.

Subsequently, the vehicle Updike was driving was searched and during the search, a lockbox was discovered inside the vehicle. The box was opened, and a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and suspected marijuana was discovered along with several other pipes and paraphernalia. Also discovered in the vehicle outside the lockbox were various forms of drug paraphernalia and suspected THC wax. Both Updike and the passenger in the vehicle, identified as 37-year-old Collette Yardley were arrested and transported to the Dawes County Jail.

Updike was arrested for Driving while Revoked, a Class IV Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class IV Felony, and possession of Drug Paraphernalia, an infraction. His bond was set at 10% of $20,000.

Yardley was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class IV Felony as well as Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, both infractions. Her bond was also set at 10% of $20,000.

If you have any questions, please contact the Chadron Police Department or Sergeant Patrick Young at 308-432-0510.

By Chadron Police DepartmentOn June 22, 2023, Sergeant Young stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic offense and contacted the driver, identified as 44-year-old Douglas Updike. Over the course of the traffic stop, Sergeant Young discovered Updike’s operator’s license privileges were revoked by the Nebraska DMV. Updike was subsequently arrested for Driving Under Revocation. During the arrest, a suspected methamphetamine pipe containing was discovered in Updike’s pocket.Subsequently, the vehicle Updike was driving was searched and during the search, a lockbox was discovered inside the vehicle. The box was opened, and a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and suspected marijuana was discovered along with several other pipes and paraphernalia. Also discovered in the vehicle outside the lockbox were various forms of drug paraphernalia and suspected THC wax. Both Updike and the passenger in the vehicle, identified as 37-year-old Collette Yardley were arrested and transported to the Dawes County Jail.Updike was arrested for Driving while Revoked, a Class IV Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class IV Felony, and possession of Drug Paraphernalia, an infraction. His bond was set at 10% of $20,000.Yardley was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class IV Felony as well as Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, both infractions. Her bond was also set at 10% of $20,000.If you have any questions, please contact the Chadron Police Department or Sergeant Patrick Young at 308-432-0510.

Traffic stop results in meth charges for Chadron man, woman

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. The National Safety Council and Panhandle Public Health District encourages everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals or be sure to follow the safety tips below.

• Wait for the appropriate weather conditions.

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

• Never drink and then drive to firework festivities.

• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.

• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.

• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of

• Check your local laws regarding fireworks.

• Remember to apply sunscreen while outdoors.

Nathan Flowers, City of Gering Fire Chief, states, “Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our independence with family and friends. This year we remind you to stay safe and have fun. Too often we become careless and have accidents, causing fires to damage homes and fields and cause injuries to our loved ones. Even though we have received much needed moisture, fires can still occur from fireworks due to how hot they burn. PPHD has provided some great tips on ways to have a successful celebration.”

For additional information about worksite wellness, visit the website or call Nicole Berosek at 308-279-3496. 

The Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council is proudly part of Panhandle Public Health District and specializes in supporting employers in the Panhandle region. We recognize that many employers support a diverse and remote workforce and offer innovative ways to overcome the challenge of working with a virtual team. We understand that many of our employers do not have full-time wellness resources and work to provide resources and training to make running a worksite wellness program as easy as possible.

Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community.

Sources: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/fireworks; https://www.safewise.com/blog/fireworks-safety-guide

By PPHD<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687479511643.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. The National Safety Council and Panhandle Public Health District encourages everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals or be sure to follow the safety tips below.• Choose the right location.• Designate a safety perimeter.• Wait for the appropriate weather conditions.• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.• Never drink and then drive to firework festivities.• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.• Never light them indoors.• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.• Never ignite devices in a container.• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case offire.• Never use illegal fireworks.• Check your local laws regarding fireworks.• Remember to apply sunscreen while outdoors.Nathan Flowers, City of Gering Fire Chief, states, “Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our independence with family and friends. This year we remind you to stay safe and have fun. Too often we become careless and have accidents, causing fires to damage homes and fields and cause injuries to our loved ones. Even though we have received much needed moisture, fires can still occur from fireworks due to how hot they burn. PPHD has provided some great tips on ways to have a successful celebration.”For additional information about worksite wellness, visit the website or call Nicole Berosek at 308-279-3496. The Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council is proudly part of Panhandle Public Health District and specializes in supporting employers in the Panhandle region. We recognize that many employers support a diverse and remote workforce and offer innovative ways to overcome the challenge of working with a virtual team. We understand that many of our employers do not have full-time wellness resources and work to provide resources and training to make running a worksite wellness program as easy as possible.Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community.Sources: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/fireworks; https://www.safewise.com/blog/fireworks-safety-guide

PPHD encourages firework safety this 4th of July throughout Panhandle 

  Southern Box Butte County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

  Northwestern Morrill County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

  Northeastern Scotts Bluff County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

  Southeastern Sioux County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

* At 729 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain

  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are

  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

  Alliance, Kilpatrick Lake, Berea, Alliance Airport, Lake Minatare

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYThe National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a* Flash Flood Warning for... Southern Box Butte County in the panhandle of Nebraska... Northwestern Morrill County in the panhandle of Nebraska... Northeastern Scotts Bluff County in the panhandle of Nebraska... Southeastern Sioux County in the panhandle of Nebraska...* Until 1030 PM MDT.* At 729 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Alliance, Kilpatrick Lake, Berea, Alliance Airport, Lake Minatare and Lake Minatare Campground.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or lawenforcement and request they pass this information to the NationalWeather Service when you can do so safely.

Flash Flood Warning issued for Box Butte, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sioux counties 

  Northwestern Scotts Bluff County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

  Southern Sioux County in the panhandle of Nebraska...

  East Central Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming...

* At 708 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of

  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are

  Mitchell, Morrill, Lyman, Lake Alice, Stegall, Huntley and Henry.

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYThe National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a* Flash Flood Warning for... Northwestern Scotts Bluff County in the panhandle of Nebraska... Southern Sioux County in the panhandle of Nebraska... East Central Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming...* Until 1015 PM MDT.* At 708 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Mitchell, Morrill, Lyman, Lake Alice, Stegall, Huntley and Henry.

Flash Flood Warning issued for Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Goshen counties 

FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive  rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of western Nebraska, including the following  county, Sioux.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

  Some low-water crossings may become impassable.

  - At 554 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to    thunderstorms. This will cause arroyo and small stream    flooding. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen.

  - Additional rainfall amounts up to 1.5 inches are expected    over the area. This additional rain will result in minor    flooding.

  - Some locations that will experience flooding include...    mainly rural areas of Southwestern Sioux County

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYFLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING...* WHAT...Arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.* WHERE...A portion of western Nebraska, including the following county, Sioux.* WHEN...Until 900 PM MDT.* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Some low-water crossings may become impassable.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 554 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause arroyo and small stream flooding. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts up to 1.5 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... mainly rural areas of Southwestern Sioux County - http://www.weather.gov/safety/floodPRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Flood Advisory in effect for Sioux County 

Hooks and The Huckleberries are on tour from New Mexico and traveling through Alliance and Scottsbluff for a couple concerts. Panhandle Post talked with Adam over the phone while they were in Scottsbluff.&nbsp;

They're set to perform in Scottsbluff Thursday night at Bands on Broadway and were to perform&nbsp; Bands on the Bricks in Alliance Friday night, but due to forecasted weather they will perform in The Gathering Spot from 8pm - 10pm. 

The Greendales from Scottsbluff will perform Bands on the Bricks August 4.&nbsp;

Alliance Bands on the Bricks 2023 Sponsors include:

PREMA&nbsp; H&amp;H&nbsp; Highway 2 Threads Bolek Built Dustin White Irrigation&nbsp; Grocery Kart&nbsp;&nbsp; Tritle Plumbing&nbsp; Gibson Irrigation&nbsp;&nbsp; Wolfe Auto WESTCO Farm Bureau&nbsp; FNBO Shelmadine Print Shop Heartland real estate Keystone RX FNIC, your trusted insurance advisors Meridian trust Western Nebraska Community College Red Beard Garage and towing Box Butte General Hospital&nbsp; Gathering Spot BNSF Crossroads Music in Alliance/Scottsbluff Bernie's &amp; Girard Well Service Eagles Communications- 1400AM/92.5FM KCOW Radio&nbsp; Alliance Chamber of Commerce City of Alliance Parker Hanifan Fergie's K Lawn Webb Eyecare

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Hooks and The Huckleberries to rock Alliance, Scottsbluff" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=khs45-143d1a2-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5"></iframe></div>Hooks and The Huckleberries are on tour from New Mexico and traveling through Alliance and Scottsbluff for a couple concerts. Panhandle Post talked with Adam over the phone while they were in Scottsbluff.&nbsp;They're set to perform in Scottsbluff Thursday night at Bands on Broadway and were to perform&nbsp; Bands on the Bricks in Alliance Friday night, but due to forecasted weather they will perform in The Gathering Spot from 8pm - 10pm. The Greendales from Scottsbluff will perform Bands on the Bricks August 4.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687463222892.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687463119055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alliance Bands on the Bricks 2023 Sponsors include:PREMA&nbsp; H&amp;H&nbsp; Highway 2 Threads Bolek Built Dustin White Irrigation&nbsp; Grocery Kart&nbsp;&nbsp; Tritle Plumbing&nbsp; Gibson Irrigation&nbsp;&nbsp; Wolfe Auto WESTCO Farm Bureau&nbsp; FNBO Shelmadine Print Shop Heartland real estate Keystone RX FNIC, your trusted insurance advisors Meridian trust Western Nebraska Community College Red Beard Garage and towing Box Butte General Hospital&nbsp; Gathering Spot BNSF Crossroads Music in Alliance/Scottsbluff Bernie's &amp; Girard Well Service Eagles Communications- 1400AM/92.5FM KCOW Radio&nbsp; Alliance Chamber of Commerce City of Alliance Parker Hanifan Fergie's K Lawn Webb Eyecare<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687463134687.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Tornando touches down near Sidney region; tennis ball size hail 

By Barbara Keegan, Box Butte County Roads Department

The Box Butte County Road Department and BNSF would like to notify the traveling public that the Nance Road/25th Street Crossing will be closed effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20 with plans to reopen the morning of June 23. 

 Please be patient as crews remove and replace the panels as well as level the adjacent asphalt. 

By Barbara Keegan, Box Butte County Roads DepartmentThe Box Butte County Road Department and BNSF would like to notify the traveling public that the Nance Road/25th Street Crossing will be closed effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20 with plans to reopen the morning of June 23. Please be patient as crews remove and replace the panels as well as level the adjacent asphalt. Thank you for your understanding.

BNSF, Box Butte Co. Roads Department to close crossing for construction

ATLANTA (AP) — Federal regulators want first responders to a train derailment to know exactly what they are dealing with even before they reach the scene, because the dangerous chemicals trains carry might require a specialized response.

So the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed a new rule Wednesday that would require all railroads to immediately send the details of everything aboard their trains to every emergency responder within 10 miles, as soon as the railroad becomes aware of an accident.

The new rule comes one day ahead of a National Transportation Safety Board hearing to scrutinize emergency responses to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">fiery Feb. 3 derailment</a>&nbsp;of a Norfolk Southern train outside East Palestine, Ohio. The NTSB is still working to determine exactly what caused that wreck, which prompted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">evacuation of thousands of people</a>&nbsp;and ignited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">nationwide concern</a>&nbsp;about railroad safety and calls for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">reforms</a>.

The largest freight railroads already have an app they developed, AskRail, which for nearly a decade has enabled firefighters to quickly look up the details of what each train carries. Some 35,000 first responders already have access to that app, and the rail industry is working to expand that. And crews have long carried printed copies of their cargo in the cabs of their locomotives.

And railroads should already know who to push that information to electronically — dispatchers and rail police are expected to maintain contacts for first responders all along their routes, to reach out to whenever there is a crossing accident, a trespasser or any other issue.

But this proposed rule would apply to every railroad that carries chemicals — not just the six biggest ones that created AskRail. Nearly 600 railroads would be covered. And the rule would force the railroads to proactively send out this information to all nearby emergency services, using electronic push alerts, anytime there is a derailment or hazardous chemical release, instead of expecting arriving firefighters to look up the details on an app.

“On-demand access to key information about hazmat shipments coupled with proactive information sharing with those closest to the problem will enable first responders to better prepare for the risks present at the scene of an incident before they arrive on scene,” said Tristan Brown, deputy administrator of the agency.

The old standby of expecting train crews to provide cargo information at the scene has its limitations. Precious minutes can elapse in the chaos of a major derailment before first responders find crewmembers. But that would still be the backup plan in case first responders don't get the electronic information right away.

The Association of American Railroads trade group emphasizes that railroads remain the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-territories-ohio-canada-business-accidents-d57651e17b2f9e0163c50298106950a3">safest way</a>&nbsp;to ship dangerous chemicals by land with more than 99 percent of those shipments arriving safety.

But even one derailment involving hazardous materials can prove disastrous, and last year there were more than 1,000 derailments — roughly three a day. More than three quarters happened at slow speeds in railyards, without causing major damage.

An AAR spokeswoman said railroads want to make sure “every first responder who arrives at the scene of a rail emergency has the right information to respond safely.” The industry plans to work with regulators to determine the best way to give first responders what they need while still protecting the security of sensitive information about the cargo railroads carry.

Since the East Palestine derailment, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other regulators have pressed for changes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">urging railroads</a>&nbsp;to do more to prevent similar disasters and issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-railroad-safety-df7ea511b8cc4f34c5f602be69a14e39">advisories</a>&nbsp;about various aspects of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-railroad-administration-freight-safety-derailments-53145452535c089190565ee43eceaafc">railroad operations.</a>

Regulators said this proposed rule may not have changed the outcome of the derailment in East Palestine, but that accident and others show how important it is to provide emergency responders with timely, complete and accurate information.

Volunteer firefighters were first on the scene of the East Palestine derailment, and Ohio officials said they handled it about as well as they could under the circumstances, but Gov. Mike DeWine has pushed the railroads to disclose more information ahead of time to states and communities about the chemicals they carry.

"We applaud the DOT for prioritizing fire fighter and public safety,” said Edward A. Kelly, who leads the International Association of Fire Fighters.

By Associated PressATLANTA (AP) — Federal regulators want first responders to a train derailment to know exactly what they are dealing with even before they reach the scene, because the dangerous chemicals trains carry might require a specialized response.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687445018228.jpeg" alt="This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed the night before in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 2023. The Federal Railroad Administration recently completed a review of Norfolk Southern's safety culture done in the wake of the fiery Feb. 3 derailment in Ohio, and officials plan to follow up with similar investigations of all the major freight railroads over the next year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)" />
 <figcaption>This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed the night before in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 2023. The Federal Railroad Administration recently completed a review of Norfolk Southern's safety culture done in the wake of the fiery Feb. 3 derailment in Ohio, and officials plan to follow up with similar investigations of all the major freight railroads over the next year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>So the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed a new rule Wednesday that would require all railroads to immediately send the details of everything aboard their trains to every emergency responder within 10 miles, as soon as the railroad becomes aware of an accident.The new rule comes one day ahead of a National Transportation Safety Board hearing to scrutinize emergency responses to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">fiery Feb. 3 derailment</a>&nbsp;of a Norfolk Southern train outside East Palestine, Ohio. The NTSB is still working to determine exactly what caused that wreck, which prompted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">evacuation of thousands of people</a>&nbsp;and ignited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">nationwide concern</a>&nbsp;about railroad safety and calls for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">reforms</a>.The largest freight railroads already have an app they developed, AskRail, which for nearly a decade has enabled firefighters to quickly look up the details of what each train carries. Some 35,000 first responders already have access to that app, and the rail industry is working to expand that. And crews have long carried printed copies of their cargo in the cabs of their locomotives.And railroads should already know who to push that information to electronically — dispatchers and rail police are expected to maintain contacts for first responders all along their routes, to reach out to whenever there is a crossing accident, a trespasser or any other issue.But this proposed rule would apply to every railroad that carries chemicals — not just the six biggest ones that created AskRail. Nearly 600 railroads would be covered. And the rule would force the railroads to proactively send out this information to all nearby emergency services, using electronic push alerts, anytime there is a derailment or hazardous chemical release, instead of expecting arriving firefighters to look up the details on an app.“On-demand access to key information about hazmat shipments coupled with proactive information sharing with those closest to the problem will enable first responders to better prepare for the risks present at the scene of an incident before they arrive on scene,” said Tristan Brown, deputy administrator of the agency.The old standby of expecting train crews to provide cargo information at the scene has its limitations. Precious minutes can elapse in the chaos of a major derailment before first responders find crewmembers. But that would still be the backup plan in case first responders don't get the electronic information right away.The Association of American Railroads trade group emphasizes that railroads remain the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-territories-ohio-canada-business-accidents-d57651e17b2f9e0163c50298106950a3">safest way</a>&nbsp;to ship dangerous chemicals by land with more than 99 percent of those shipments arriving safety.But even one derailment involving hazardous materials can prove disastrous, and last year there were more than 1,000 derailments — roughly three a day. More than three quarters happened at slow speeds in railyards, without causing major damage.An AAR spokeswoman said railroads want to make sure “every first responder who arrives at the scene of a rail emergency has the right information to respond safely.” The industry plans to work with regulators to determine the best way to give first responders what they need while still protecting the security of sensitive information about the cargo railroads carry.Since the East Palestine derailment, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other regulators have pressed for changes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">urging railroads</a>&nbsp;to do more to prevent similar disasters and issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-railroad-safety-df7ea511b8cc4f34c5f602be69a14e39">advisories</a>&nbsp;about various aspects of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-railroad-administration-freight-safety-derailments-53145452535c089190565ee43eceaafc">railroad operations.</a>Regulators said this proposed rule may not have changed the outcome of the derailment in East Palestine, but that accident and others show how important it is to provide emergency responders with timely, complete and accurate information.Volunteer firefighters were first on the scene of the East Palestine derailment, and Ohio officials said they handled it about as well as they could under the circumstances, but Gov. Mike DeWine has pushed the railroads to disclose more information ahead of time to states and communities about the chemicals they carry."We applaud the DOT for prioritizing fire fighter and public safety,” said Edward A. Kelly, who leads the International Association of Fire Fighters.

New rule would make railroads alert first responders within 10 miles of derailed train cargo

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing Coordinator

CHADRON – In April, Chadron State College student Corey Griffin of Omaha&nbsp;won the Best Undergraduate Presentation in Geoscience at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences (NAS) conference for his Analysis of Know Your Well Data on NUREP Data to Understand Changes in Groundwater Contamination.&nbsp;Griffin is a double major in environmental geoscience and studio art. NUREP was the 1980 Nebraska-South Dakota Uranium Resource Evaluation Project conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy.

“I'm really proud of where my paper led me,” Griffin said.&nbsp;“We mapped the new data with 1980 NUREP data and compared the groundwater samples taken then to the groundwater samples we took. Some were the same wells. Some were near the 1980 wells.&nbsp;The research we did was really important and I was happy to be a part of it. We have a more modern analysis of contaminants in our water supply now than we did two years ago.”

The Know Your Well (KYW) project was established in 2016 by the University of Nebraska Lincoln to involve high school students in sampling wells because the majority of Nebraska residents get their drinking water from wells. At Dr. Tawny Tibbits’ invitation, Griffin helped initiate the KYW program in the Panhandle in 2020.

“Because there are no EPA regulations regarding wells, you have to check your wells yourself. So UNL created this project to develop a wide base of well samples so we can track how our groundwater is doing,” Griffin said. “For now, we are testing Dawes County. Hopefully Box Butte County and Sioux County will join in.”

Four hundred wells were sampled by the NUREP testing.

“The project was part of a search for alternative fuel sources during the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its sole goal was to find material for nuclear power plants. The Crow Butte Uranium Mine in Crawford was a result. There is potential that a second uranium mine could be built in Marsland south of Crawford,” Griffin said.

“My project was asking if the uranium in water wells has changed since mining started,” Griffin said. “I'll be honest that the research didn't help that fear. We are finding some really high amounts of uranium in some people's well water. That's really disturbing. Four or five times what the EPA says is safe.”

After Griffin was trained by Dr. Mike Leite, he collected some samples and instructed Crawford High School students about the process at a well near Whitney, Nebraska.

“Then they sampled 10 wells in three months.&nbsp;And the data from the Crawford students starting to fill the gap from 1980,” Griffin said. We really haven’t gotten enough samples yet to conclusively say yes or no We only got one sample that actually changed. It is near the uranium mine. But it is also by a road, a town, and a sewage treatment plant, so it could be multiple factors,” Griffin said.

Crawford High School students led by CSC alum David Keim sampled unfiltered well water and collected GPS coordinates. With the help of Keim, the high school students tested for nitrites, copper, and coliform bacteria. They sent water samples to the Nebraska Water Center at UNL for results about uranium, arsenic, and other contaminants, according to Griffin.

“It's a win-win for everyone. All of this information gets sent to one database that can be accessed,” Griffin said.&nbsp;“This is kind of a revolutionary project because everyone has to test their wells individually if they want to make sure they're safe. With what we're doing, we'll be able to create maps and show where there are hotspots.”

Fourteen landowners were willing to participate. Although the number doesn’t seem impressive, Griffin said he was pleased with it.

“It's actually quite a feat to go through the paperwork process to get even one well tested,” Griffin said.

Future testing will be left to Panhandle high school students along with demonstrations from CSC students who will be able to use the data for capstone projects in geoscience or chemistry as long as they help collect some of that data, Griffin said.

“Uranium and nitrates and copper and arsenic have all been very serious problems, especially in the Panhandle, based on how the groundwater works.

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing CoordinatorCHADRON – In April, Chadron State College student Corey Griffin of Omaha&nbsp;won the Best Undergraduate Presentation in Geoscience at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences (NAS) conference for his Analysis of Know Your Well Data on NUREP Data to Understand Changes in Groundwater Contamination.&nbsp;Griffin is a double major in environmental geoscience and studio art. NUREP was the 1980 Nebraska-South Dakota Uranium Resource Evaluation Project conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687444435833.jpeg" alt="Chadron State College student Corey Griffin of Omaha, winner of the Best Undergraduate Presentation in Geoscience at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences (NAS) conference in April 2023 for his Analysis of Know Your Well Data on NUREP Data to Understand Changes in Groundwater Contamination. (Courtesy photo, used with permission)" />
 <figcaption>Chadron State College student Corey Griffin of Omaha, winner of the Best Undergraduate Presentation in Geoscience at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences (NAS) conference in April 2023 for his Analysis of Know Your Well Data on NUREP Data to Understand Changes in Groundwater Contamination. (Courtesy photo, used with permission)</figcaption>
 </figure>“I'm really proud of where my paper led me,” Griffin said.&nbsp;“We mapped the new data with 1980 NUREP data and compared the groundwater samples taken then to the groundwater samples we took. Some were the same wells. Some were near the 1980 wells.&nbsp;The research we did was really important and I was happy to be a part of it. We have a more modern analysis of contaminants in our water supply now than we did two years ago.”The Know Your Well (KYW) project was established in 2016 by the University of Nebraska Lincoln to involve high school students in sampling wells because the majority of Nebraska residents get their drinking water from wells. At Dr. Tawny Tibbits’ invitation, Griffin helped initiate the KYW program in the Panhandle in 2020.“Because there are no EPA regulations regarding wells, you have to check your wells yourself. So UNL created this project to develop a wide base of well samples so we can track how our groundwater is doing,” Griffin said. “For now, we are testing Dawes County. Hopefully Box Butte County and Sioux County will join in.”Four hundred wells were sampled by the NUREP testing.“The project was part of a search for alternative fuel sources during the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its sole goal was to find material for nuclear power plants. The Crow Butte Uranium Mine in Crawford was a result. There is potential that a second uranium mine could be built in Marsland south of Crawford,” Griffin said.“My project was asking if the uranium in water wells has changed since mining started,” Griffin said. “I'll be honest that the research didn't help that fear. We are finding some really high amounts of uranium in some people's well water. That's really disturbing. Four or five times what the EPA says is safe.”After Griffin was trained by Dr. Mike Leite, he collected some samples and instructed Crawford High School students about the process at a well near Whitney, Nebraska.“Then they sampled 10 wells in three months.&nbsp;And the data from the Crawford students starting to fill the gap from 1980,” Griffin said. We really haven’t gotten enough samples yet to conclusively say yes or no We only got one sample that actually changed. It is near the uranium mine. But it is also by a road, a town, and a sewage treatment plant, so it could be multiple factors,” Griffin said.Crawford High School students led by CSC alum David Keim sampled unfiltered well water and collected GPS coordinates. With the help of Keim, the high school students tested for nitrites, copper, and coliform bacteria. They sent water samples to the Nebraska Water Center at UNL for results about uranium, arsenic, and other contaminants, according to Griffin.“It's a win-win for everyone. All of this information gets sent to one database that can be accessed,” Griffin said.&nbsp;“This is kind of a revolutionary project because everyone has to test their wells individually if they want to make sure they're safe. With what we're doing, we'll be able to create maps and show where there are hotspots.”Fourteen landowners were willing to participate. Although the number doesn’t seem impressive, Griffin said he was pleased with it.“It's actually quite a feat to go through the paperwork process to get even one well tested,” Griffin said.Future testing will be left to Panhandle high school students along with demonstrations from CSC students who will be able to use the data for capstone projects in geoscience or chemistry as long as they help collect some of that data, Griffin said.“Uranium and nitrates and copper and arsenic have all been very serious problems, especially in the Panhandle, based on how the groundwater works.

Chadron student wins award for water research presentation

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

How many of us have used Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, child care, lawn mowing or snow removal services, seasonal delivery, cake decorators? Or maybe we've offered these kinds of temporary services. If so, we have been participating in the Gig Economy, with workers labeled as independent contractors. The gig economy is worth $455.2 billion this year. Businesses would have us believe that gig work is healthy for the U.S. economy, but many argue that it is exploiting segments of our population, especially immigrants, the poor, and the young.

As independent contractors, gig workers lose rights to a minimum wage, overtime pay, and a safe and healthy work environment. They are not protected against discrimination and harassment. And they lose access to unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation and paid sick leave.

Gig work consists of income-earning activities outside of standard, long-term employer-employee relationships. For decades teenagers have picked up extra money doing these types of jobs. It became a major part of our nation's economy after the Great Recession of 2008, when so many Americans lost their jobs and were looking for temporary work to keep themselves afloat. After COVID in 2020, we saw another upsurge of gig work, this time including people who were looking for more flexible employment.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that gig work accounts for 10% of our labor force, about 20 million workers. The Federal Reserve defines gig work to include any work that is temporary and variable in nature as either a primary or secondary source of earnings; researchers using this definition figure that it is currently around 35% of the labor force.

Gig workers can range from high-paid professionals working on a project-to-project basis to low-wage workers whose earnings are highly variable, who work in nonprofessional or semiprofessional occupations and who accept – by choice or necessity – volatile hours and a short-term time commitment from the organization paying for that work.

Young immigrants are often employed in retail and service jobs. They sometimes have limited education and English skills, and face extra costs like sending money to dependents back home and paying off debts they undertook to travel to the United States. Undocumented workers face the additional burden of not having papers that allow businesses to hire them. Often their bosses don't pay them the full amount owed, and the workers have no recourse. While breaking into the U.S. economy as a foreigner can be difficult, the gig economy offers quick, accessible work without having to meet many of the legal requirements.

Gig work is controversial. It has some benefits, especially flexibility. That makes it great for students, retirees, and parents who want part-time work or odd hours. People can try out different types of work or companies without making a full-time commitment.

Drawbacks are even greater, even exploitative. Research by the Economic Policy Institute in 2020 showed that 15% of workers earned less than the federal hourly minimum wage of $7.25; 29% earned less than their state's minimum wage (including in Nebraska). Businesses have been classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits or paid time off. There is no job security. No safety requirements or equipment. No time-and-a-half for overtime or holidays. And no way to file a complaint.

“Gig workers experienced high levels of hardship and profound economic insecurity, even compared with low-wage hourly workers employed by large service-sector firms,” said Daniel Schneider, Professor at Harvard University. “The economic insecurity of gig workers shows that precarious labor is the reality of the gig economy.”

The Department of Labor (DOL) must hold companies accountable for misclassification of workers, identifying them as employees rather than independent contractors. DOL should ensure that workers have access to fundamental workplace protections guaranteed to them by the law and enforcement of existing federal wage and hour laws.

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating OpportunityHow many of us have used Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, child care, lawn mowing or snow removal services, seasonal delivery, cake decorators? Or maybe we've offered these kinds of temporary services. If so, we have been participating in the Gig Economy, with workers labeled as independent contractors. The gig economy is worth $455.2 billion this year. Businesses would have us believe that gig work is healthy for the U.S. economy, but many argue that it is exploiting segments of our population, especially immigrants, the poor, and the young.As independent contractors, gig workers lose rights to a minimum wage, overtime pay, and a safe and healthy work environment. They are not protected against discrimination and harassment. And they lose access to unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation and paid sick leave.Gig work consists of income-earning activities outside of standard, long-term employer-employee relationships. For decades teenagers have picked up extra money doing these types of jobs. It became a major part of our nation's economy after the Great Recession of 2008, when so many Americans lost their jobs and were looking for temporary work to keep themselves afloat. After COVID in 2020, we saw another upsurge of gig work, this time including people who were looking for more flexible employment.The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that gig work accounts for 10% of our labor force, about 20 million workers. The Federal Reserve defines gig work to include any work that is temporary and variable in nature as either a primary or secondary source of earnings; researchers using this definition figure that it is currently around 35% of the labor force.Gig workers can range from high-paid professionals working on a project-to-project basis to low-wage workers whose earnings are highly variable, who work in nonprofessional or semiprofessional occupations and who accept – by choice or necessity – volatile hours and a short-term time commitment from the organization paying for that work.Young immigrants are often employed in retail and service jobs. They sometimes have limited education and English skills, and face extra costs like sending money to dependents back home and paying off debts they undertook to travel to the United States. Undocumented workers face the additional burden of not having papers that allow businesses to hire them. Often their bosses don't pay them the full amount owed, and the workers have no recourse. While breaking into the U.S. economy as a foreigner can be difficult, the gig economy offers quick, accessible work without having to meet many of the legal requirements.Gig work is controversial. It has some benefits, especially flexibility. That makes it great for students, retirees, and parents who want part-time work or odd hours. People can try out different types of work or companies without making a full-time commitment.Drawbacks are even greater, even exploitative. Research by the Economic Policy Institute in 2020 showed that 15% of workers earned less than the federal hourly minimum wage of $7.25; 29% earned less than their state's minimum wage (including in Nebraska). Businesses have been classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits or paid time off. There is no job security. No safety requirements or equipment. No time-and-a-half for overtime or holidays. And no way to file a complaint.“Gig workers experienced high levels of hardship and profound economic insecurity, even compared with low-wage hourly workers employed by large service-sector firms,” said Daniel Schneider, Professor at Harvard University. “The economic insecurity of gig workers shows that precarious labor is the reality of the gig economy.”The Department of Labor (DOL) must hold companies accountable for misclassification of workers, identifying them as employees rather than independent contractors. DOL should ensure that workers have access to fundamental workplace protections guaranteed to them by the law and enforcement of existing federal wage and hour laws.

Getting Ahead: The gig economy

TORNADO WATCH 350 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM MDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS &nbsp;NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE: BANNER CHEYENNE KIMBALL MORRILL &nbsp;SCOTTS BLUFF &nbsp;SIOUX

TORNADO WATCH 350 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM MDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS &nbsp;NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE: BANNER CHEYENNE KIMBALL MORRILL &nbsp;SCOTTS BLUFF &nbsp;SIOUX

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 6/21/23

An Alliance man was transported to multiple hospitals following a roll over accident on Monday, June 19. 

At approximately 8 p.m. 24-year-old Steven H. Kaiser was westbound on Otoe Road, when he was involved in a roll over accident in a 1990 Dodge Dakota pickup. 

"He went off the edge of the highway, over corrected, came back on, went into the south ditch and rolled approximately three times," Box Butte County Deputy Tim Wangler said. "The driver was ejected from the vehicle."

"Two of our officers were requested to respond and found one male outside of the vehicle in serious condition whereby they assisted in stabilization for medical," Alliance Police Chief Philip Lukens said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kaiser was transported to Box Butte General Hospital with serious injuries and life flighted to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.

 Kaiser was then transported to a Denver, Colorado hospital.

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle PostAn Alliance man was transported to multiple hospitals following a roll over accident on Monday, June 19. At approximately 8 p.m. 24-year-old Steven H. Kaiser was westbound on Otoe Road, when he was involved in a roll over accident in a 1990 Dodge Dakota pickup. "He went off the edge of the highway, over corrected, came back on, went into the south ditch and rolled approximately three times," Box Butte County Deputy Tim Wangler said. "The driver was ejected from the vehicle.""Two of our officers were requested to respond and found one male outside of the vehicle in serious condition whereby they assisted in stabilization for medical," Alliance Police Chief Philip Lukens said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kaiser was transported to Box Butte General Hospital with serious injuries and life flighted to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Kaiser was then transported to a Denver, Colorado hospital.Seat belts were not in use."They [Alliance police officers] turned the scene over to a BBCSO Deputy when they arrived," Lukens added. "They then assisted [NSP] troopers at the hospital with a blood draw for suspected alcohol consumption of the male."Deputy Wangler told Panhandle Post it is unknown if alcohol and drugs were involved in the accident. A medical account has been set up in Steven Kaiser's name at Consumers Coop Federal Credit Union in Alliance as well.&nbsp;

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