By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY

A High Wind Warning remains in effect through 3PM this afternoon, for the wind prone areas of southeast Wyoming, including Arlington/Elk Mountain, Bordeaux, the South Laramie Range and Foothills. The newest update now includes Central Laramie County. Wind gusts up to 65 MPH are possible in areas of the High Wind Warning. Use caution if traveling with lightweight or high profile vehicles.

Snow showers will accumulate across portions of the I-25 corridor into the Nebraska Panhandle today and overnight, which has resulted in a Winter Weather Advisory issuance. The areas in SE WY along and east of the I-25 corridor will have an earlier expiration time of 3pm this afternoon where 1-3 inches of snow is forecast to occur. The highest snowfall accumulations are expected in the Nebraska Panhandle where 3-7 inches are anticipated through early Sunday morning. Localized areas over small distances of moderate to heavy snow in persistent snow bands may result in areas of greater than 7 inches.

&nbsp; There are low to moderate probabilities of an additional at least 4 inches of snowfall this evening through Monday afternoon for portions of southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska. This evening and Sunday night are the main two time periods for the most snowfall. For travel details, refer to wyoroad.info (WY) and/or <a href="http://dot.nebraska.gov/?fbclid=IwAR2uyI5fT_EnGn8Z1CrBHCQ8drU4s5iVEqPD92i3u-5dQLEnT5OyNCxUZOU" target="_blank">dot.nebraska.gov</a> (NE)&nbsp; &nbsp;

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679785797830.jpeg" alt="Photo taken near Nebraska, South Dakota border. Photo courtesy: Thomas Schultz" />
 <figcaption>Photo taken near Nebraska, South Dakota border. Photo courtesy: Thomas Schultz</figcaption>
 </figure>A High Wind Warning remains in effect through 3PM this afternoon, for the wind prone areas of southeast Wyoming, including Arlington/Elk Mountain, Bordeaux, the South Laramie Range and Foothills. The newest update now includes Central Laramie County. Wind gusts up to 65 MPH are possible in areas of the High Wind Warning. Use caution if traveling with lightweight or high profile vehicles.Snow showers will accumulate across portions of the I-25 corridor into the Nebraska Panhandle today and overnight, which has resulted in a Winter Weather Advisory issuance. The areas in SE WY along and east of the I-25 corridor will have an earlier expiration time of 3pm this afternoon where 1-3 inches of snow is forecast to occur. The highest snowfall accumulations are expected in the Nebraska Panhandle where 3-7 inches are anticipated through early Sunday morning. Localized areas over small distances of moderate to heavy snow in persistent snow bands may result in areas of greater than 7 inches.&nbsp; There are low to moderate probabilities of an additional at least 4 inches of snowfall this evening through Monday afternoon for portions of southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska. This evening and Sunday night are the main two time periods for the most snowfall. For travel details, refer to wyoroad.info (WY) and/or <a href="http://dot.nebraska.gov/?fbclid=IwAR2uyI5fT_EnGn8Z1CrBHCQ8drU4s5iVEqPD92i3u-5dQLEnT5OyNCxUZOU" target="_blank">dot.nebraska.gov</a> (NE)&nbsp; &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679785686387.jpeg" alt="" />
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Winter Weather Advisory, High Wind Warning issued for areas of Panhandle 

-All highways are NOW OPEN in the Panhandle.&nbsp;

By NDOTUpdate&nbsp;3/26/23, 4 p.m.&nbsp;-All highways are NOW OPEN in the Panhandle.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Panhandle road closures 

PHOENIX (AP) — Years ago, skateboarding was branded as a hobby for rebels or stoners in city streets, schoolyards and back alleys. Those days are long gone.

Skateboarding, which has Native Hawaiian roots connected to surfing, no longer is on the fringes. It became an Olympic sport in 2020. There are numerous amateur and professional skateboarding competitions in the U.S. And on Friday, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing stamps that laud the sport — and what Indigenous groups have brought to the skating culture.

Di'Orr Greenwood, 27, an artist born and raised on the Navajo Nation in Arizona whose work is featured on the new stamps, says it's a long way from when she was a kid and people always kicked her out of certain spots just for skating.

“Now it's like being accepted on a global scale," Greenwood said. "There's so many skateboarders I know that are extremely proud of it."

The postal agency ceremoniously unveiled the “Art of the Skateboard" stamps in a Phoenix skate park as a skateboarding competition was going on nearby.

The stamps feature skateboard artists from around the country, including Greenwood and Crystal Worl, who is Tlingit Athabascan. William James Taylor Jr., an artist from Virginia, and Federico "MasPaz" Frum, a Colombian-born muralist in Washington, D.C., round out the quartet of featured artists. Everyone but Taylor was in attendance.

“Over time skateboards themselves have become works of art highlighting artists' creativity, boldness and energy,” William Zollars, of the USPS Board of Governors, told an audience of city officials and supporters. “As an American institution older than the country itself, the Postal Service is always looking for ways to highlight and honor stories and histories that are unique to the United States.”

The stamps underscore the prevalence of skateboarding, especially in Indian Country where the demand for skate parks is growing.

The artists see the stamp as a small canvas, a functional art piece that will be seen across the U.S. and beyond.

“Maybe I'll get a letter in the mail that someone sent me with my stamp on it,” said Worl, 35, who lives in Juneau, Alaska. “I think that’s when it will really hit home with the excitement of that.”

Antonio Alcalá, USPS art director, led the search for artists to paint skate decks for the project. After settling on a final design, each artist received a skateboard from Alcalá to work on. He then photographed the maple skate decks and incorporated them into an illustration of a young person holding up a skateboard for display. The person is seen in muted colors to draw attention to the skate deck.

Alcalá used social media to seek out artists who, besides being talented, were knowledgeable about skateboarding culture. Worl was already on his radar because her brother, Rico, designed the Raven Story stamp in 2021, which honored a central figure in Indigenous stories along the coast in the Pacific Northwest.

The Worl siblings run an online shop called Trickster Company with fashions, home goods and other merchandise with Indigenous and modern twists. For her skate deck, Crystal Worl paid homage to her clan and her love of the water with a Sockeye salmon against a blue and indigo background.

She was careful about choosing what to highlight.

"There are certain designs, patterns and stories that belong to certain clans and you have to have permission even as an Indigenous person to share certain stories or designs,” Worl said.

The only times Navajo culture has been featured in stamps is with rugs or necklaces. Greenwood, who tried out for the U.S. Women’s Olympic skateboarding team, knew immediately she wanted to incorporate her heritage in a modern way. Her nods to the Navajo culture include a turquoise inlay and a depiction of eagle feathers, which are used to give blessings.

“I was born and raised with my great-grandmother, who looked at a stamp kind of like how a young kid would look at an iPhone 13,” Greenwood said. "She entrusted every important news and every important document and everything to a stamp to send it and trust that it got there.”

Skateboarding has become a staple across Indian Country. A skate park opened in August on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-8f521edc0f0d58f44369a3393815b35d">Hopi reservation</a>. Skateboarders on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona recently got funding for one from pro skateboarder Tony Hawk's nonprofit, The Skatepark Project. Youth-organized competitions take place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Dustinn Craig, a White Mountain Apache filmmaker and “lifer” skateboarder in Arizona, has made documentaries and short films on the sport. The 47-year-old remembers how skateboarding was seen as dorky and anti-establishment when he was a kid hiding “a useless wooden toy” in his locker. At the same time, Craig credits skateboarding culture as “my arts and humanities education.”

So he is wary of the mainstream’s embrace, as well as the sometimes clique-ish nature, of today's skateboarding world.

“For those of us who have been in it for a very long time, it’s kind of insulting because I think a lot of the popularity has been due to the proliferation of access to the visuals of the youth culture skateboarding through the internet and social media,” Craig said. “So, I feel like it really sort of trivializes and sort of robs Native youth of authenticity of the older skateboard culture that I was raised on.”

He acknowledges that he may come off as the “grumpy old man” to younger Indigenous skateboarders who are open to collaborating with outsiders.

The four skateboards designed by the artists will eventually be transferred to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, said Jonathan Castillo, USPS spokesperson.

The stamps, which will have a printing of 18 million, will be available at post offices and on the USPS website beginning Friday. For the artists, being part of a project that feels low-tech in this age of social media is exciting.

“It’s like the physical thing is special because you go out of your way to go to the post office, buy the stamps and write something,” Worl said.

By Associated PressPHOENIX (AP) — Years ago, skateboarding was branded as a hobby for rebels or stoners in city streets, schoolyards and back alleys. Those days are long gone.Skateboarding, which has Native Hawaiian roots connected to surfing, no longer is on the fringes. It became an Olympic sport in 2020. There are numerous amateur and professional skateboarding competitions in the U.S. And on Friday, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing stamps that laud the sport — and what Indigenous groups have brought to the skating culture.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679688021147.jpeg" alt="Expert skateboarder Di'Orr Greenwood, an artist born and raised in the Navajo Nation in Arizona and whose work is featured on the new U.S. stamps, rides her skateboard next to her artworks in the Venice Beach neighborhood in Los Angeles Monday, March 20, 2023. On Friday, March 24, the U.S. Postal Service is debuting the "Art of the Skateboard," four stamps that will be the first to pay tribute to skateboarding. The stamps underscore how prevalent skateboarding has become, especially in Indian Country, where the demand for designated skate spots has only grown in recent years. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)" />
 <figcaption>Expert skateboarder Di'Orr Greenwood, an artist born and raised in the Navajo Nation in Arizona and whose work is featured on the new U.S. stamps, rides her skateboard next to her artworks in the Venice Beach neighborhood in Los Angeles Monday, March 20, 2023. On Friday, March 24, the U.S. Postal Service is debuting the "Art of the Skateboard," four stamps that will be the first to pay tribute to skateboarding. The stamps underscore how prevalent skateboarding has become, especially in Indian Country, where the demand for designated skate spots has only grown in recent years. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)</figcaption>
 </figure>Di'Orr Greenwood, 27, an artist born and raised on the Navajo Nation in Arizona whose work is featured on the new stamps, says it's a long way from when she was a kid and people always kicked her out of certain spots just for skating.“Now it's like being accepted on a global scale," Greenwood said. "There's so many skateboarders I know that are extremely proud of it."The postal agency ceremoniously unveiled the “Art of the Skateboard" stamps in a Phoenix skate park as a skateboarding competition was going on nearby.The stamps feature skateboard artists from around the country, including Greenwood and Crystal Worl, who is Tlingit Athabascan. William James Taylor Jr., an artist from Virginia, and Federico "MasPaz" Frum, a Colombian-born muralist in Washington, D.C., round out the quartet of featured artists. Everyone but Taylor was in attendance.“Over time skateboards themselves have become works of art highlighting artists' creativity, boldness and energy,” William Zollars, of the USPS Board of Governors, told an audience of city officials and supporters. “As an American institution older than the country itself, the Postal Service is always looking for ways to highlight and honor stories and histories that are unique to the United States.”The stamps underscore the prevalence of skateboarding, especially in Indian Country where the demand for skate parks is growing.The artists see the stamp as a small canvas, a functional art piece that will be seen across the U.S. and beyond.“Maybe I'll get a letter in the mail that someone sent me with my stamp on it,” said Worl, 35, who lives in Juneau, Alaska. “I think that’s when it will really hit home with the excitement of that.”Antonio Alcalá, USPS art director, led the search for artists to paint skate decks for the project. After settling on a final design, each artist received a skateboard from Alcalá to work on. He then photographed the maple skate decks and incorporated them into an illustration of a young person holding up a skateboard for display. The person is seen in muted colors to draw attention to the skate deck.Alcalá used social media to seek out artists who, besides being talented, were knowledgeable about skateboarding culture. Worl was already on his radar because her brother, Rico, designed the Raven Story stamp in 2021, which honored a central figure in Indigenous stories along the coast in the Pacific Northwest.The Worl siblings run an online shop called Trickster Company with fashions, home goods and other merchandise with Indigenous and modern twists. For her skate deck, Crystal Worl paid homage to her clan and her love of the water with a Sockeye salmon against a blue and indigo background.She was careful about choosing what to highlight."There are certain designs, patterns and stories that belong to certain clans and you have to have permission even as an Indigenous person to share certain stories or designs,” Worl said.The only times Navajo culture has been featured in stamps is with rugs or necklaces. Greenwood, who tried out for the U.S. Women’s Olympic skateboarding team, knew immediately she wanted to incorporate her heritage in a modern way. Her nods to the Navajo culture include a turquoise inlay and a depiction of eagle feathers, which are used to give blessings.“I was born and raised with my great-grandmother, who looked at a stamp kind of like how a young kid would look at an iPhone 13,” Greenwood said. "She entrusted every important news and every important document and everything to a stamp to send it and trust that it got there.”Skateboarding has become a staple across Indian Country. A skate park opened in August on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-8f521edc0f0d58f44369a3393815b35d">Hopi reservation</a>. Skateboarders on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona recently got funding for one from pro skateboarder Tony Hawk's nonprofit, The Skatepark Project. Youth-organized competitions take place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.Dustinn Craig, a White Mountain Apache filmmaker and “lifer” skateboarder in Arizona, has made documentaries and short films on the sport. The 47-year-old remembers how skateboarding was seen as dorky and anti-establishment when he was a kid hiding “a useless wooden toy” in his locker. At the same time, Craig credits skateboarding culture as “my arts and humanities education.”So he is wary of the mainstream’s embrace, as well as the sometimes clique-ish nature, of today's skateboarding world.“For those of us who have been in it for a very long time, it’s kind of insulting because I think a lot of the popularity has been due to the proliferation of access to the visuals of the youth culture skateboarding through the internet and social media,” Craig said. “So, I feel like it really sort of trivializes and sort of robs Native youth of authenticity of the older skateboard culture that I was raised on.”He acknowledges that he may come off as the “grumpy old man” to younger Indigenous skateboarders who are open to collaborating with outsiders.The four skateboards designed by the artists will eventually be transferred to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, said Jonathan Castillo, USPS spokesperson.The stamps, which will have a printing of 18 million, will be available at post offices and on the USPS website beginning Friday. For the artists, being part of a project that feels low-tech in this age of social media is exciting.“It’s like the physical thing is special because you go out of your way to go to the post office, buy the stamps and write something,” Worl said.

Indigenous artists help skateboarding earn stamp of approval

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Daniel Drews, 41, of Lincoln was sentenced today in federal
court in Lincoln.&nbsp; Senior United States 
District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Drews to 10 years in prison for
 possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine
 (actual) with a prior serious drug felony
 conviction.&nbsp; Because of Drews’s prior drug trafficking conviction, he 
faced a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.&nbsp; After serving his sentence,
 Drews will be placed on supervised release for 8 years.&nbsp; There is no 
parole in the federal system.&nbsp;


On
 May 10, 2022, drug investigators were surveilling a residence in 
Lincoln.&nbsp; Investigators saw Drews and two others exit the residence and 
get in the vehicle. Drews got in the
 passenger side of the vehicle.&nbsp; The vehicle departed and officers 
followed.&nbsp; Law enforcement stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation, 
and Drews exited the vehicle and started walking away with a backpack.&nbsp; 
Officers instructed him not to run, but he ran
 and threw the backpack on the ground.&nbsp; Drews was eventually apprehended
 and taken into custody.&nbsp; Officers searched the backpack that he threw 
on the ground and found two bags of marijuana, a gun, and a knife.&nbsp; 
Officers searched his person and found two baggies
 of suspected methamphetamine and $240 in currency.&nbsp; The suspected 
methamphetamine was sent to the lab for testing.&nbsp; The lab confirmed that
 there was at least 22.5 grams of methamphetamine, of which at least 21 
grams was actual methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Daniel Drews, 41, of Lincoln was sentenced today in federal
court in Lincoln.&nbsp; Senior United States 
District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Drews to 10 years in prison for
 possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine
 (actual) with a prior serious drug felony
 conviction.&nbsp; Because of Drews’s prior drug trafficking conviction, he 
faced a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.&nbsp; After serving his sentence,
 Drews will be placed on supervised release for 8 years.&nbsp; There is no 
parole in the federal system.&nbsp;
On
 May 10, 2022, drug investigators were surveilling a residence in 
Lincoln.&nbsp; Investigators saw Drews and two others exit the residence and 
get in the vehicle. Drews got in the
 passenger side of the vehicle.&nbsp; The vehicle departed and officers 
followed.&nbsp; Law enforcement stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation, 
and Drews exited the vehicle and started walking away with a backpack.&nbsp; 
Officers instructed him not to run, but he ran
 and threw the backpack on the ground.&nbsp; Drews was eventually apprehended
 and taken into custody.&nbsp; Officers searched the backpack that he threw 
on the ground and found two bags of marijuana, a gun, and a knife.&nbsp; 
Officers searched his person and found two baggies
 of suspected methamphetamine and $240 in currency.&nbsp; The suspected 
methamphetamine was sent to the lab for testing.&nbsp; The lab confirmed that
 there was at least 22.5 grams of methamphetamine, of which at least 21 
grams was actual methamphetamine.This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

Neb. man sentenced to 10 years on federal drug charges

Recently, Senator Fischer and I returned from an oversight visit of the southern border. We heard directly from Border Patrol personnel about the challenges they currently face and the lack of support they’ve received from the Biden administration. This disorder caused by the president’s inaction has made every state, including Nebraska, a border state.

The statistics show that we are living in the worst border crisis on record. More than 1,400 lbs of fentanyl and nearly 10,000 lbs of methamphetamine were seized at the southern border in January.&nbsp;In my last year as Governor, the Nebraska State Patrol confiscated two times as much methamphetamine, three times as much fentanyl, and ten times as much cocaine as just two years prior.

In addition, 156,274 illegal immigrants were apprehended trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in January 2023 – the highest January total in 22 years. Nearly 6 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border since Joe Biden became President. That’s 3 times the size the entire state of Nebraska in just over 2 years!

Sadly, this administration’s failure to secure our border continues to have tragic consequences in Nebraska and across our country. The leading cause of death for people aged 18-45 in 2020 and 2021 was fentanyl&nbsp;overdoses. A majority of those drugs are coming across our borders. It is a scourge on our country, our states, and our communities.

Most fentanyl is being shipped from the People’s Republic of China to Mexico. There it’s manufactured into pills in illegal labs, and smuggled across our border. The Chinese Communist Party and Mexican cartels have taken advantage of our weak border to surge the flow of fentanyl to the U.S. They have the blood of Americans who have died from these drugs on their hands and they need to be held accountable.

Taryn Lee Griffith was a 24-year-old single mom from Nebraska who died in 2021 of a fentanyl overdose. Taryn took a pill she thought was Percocet. Instead, it was a counterfeit laced with fentanyl and it killed her. It should have never happened,&nbsp;and now her daughters will have to get to know their mom through pictures and stories from family.&nbsp;

Tragically, President Biden’s budget request for 2024 shows that he is not serious about ending this crisis. He’s asked Congress for $535 million for border technology, but that pales in comparison to the $3.9 billion dollars he’s asking for&nbsp;the Department of Homeland Security’s&nbsp;&nbsp;“Climate Resilience Programs.”&nbsp;Think about that – President Biden believes we need seven times the money for climate resilience&nbsp;at Homeland Security&nbsp;than we do for the technology our Border Patrol officers rely on. Those are misplaced priorities at a time when Americans continue to die from fentanyl coming across our border.

The President might not be serious about border security, but my colleagues and I are. When I was governor, I worked with my fellow governors to propose real solutions to the administration. We need to give Border Patrol what they need to fully enforce our laws and stop this influx of deadly drugs. We need to take action.&nbsp;In the U.S. Senate,&nbsp;I stand ready to work with my colleagues and to pass serious solutions to engage this crisis. The lives of Americans and Nebraskans are on the line.&nbsp;

&nbsp; Along with Senator Deb Fischer and the rest of my colleagues in the Nebraska delegation, my team and I are here to serve you.&nbsp;Contact my team and I anytime&nbsp;by phone at 202-224-4224, on my website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ricketts.senate.gov/" target="_blank">www.ricketts.senate.gov</a>, or via email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:contactricke@ricketts.senate.gov" target="_blank">contactricke@ricketts.senate.gov</a>.&nbsp;I am honored to serve our great state and will continue&nbsp;to&nbsp;work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach.

By Sen. Pete RickettsRecently, Senator Fischer and I returned from an oversight visit of the southern border. We heard directly from Border Patrol personnel about the challenges they currently face and the lack of support they’ve received from the Biden administration. This disorder caused by the president’s inaction has made every state, including Nebraska, a border state.The statistics show that we are living in the worst border crisis on record. More than 1,400 lbs of fentanyl and nearly 10,000 lbs of methamphetamine were seized at the southern border in January.&nbsp;In my last year as Governor, the Nebraska State Patrol confiscated two times as much methamphetamine, three times as much fentanyl, and ten times as much cocaine as just two years prior.In addition, 156,274 illegal immigrants were apprehended trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in January 2023 – the highest January total in 22 years. Nearly 6 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border since Joe Biden became President. That’s 3 times the size the entire state of Nebraska in just over 2 years!Sadly, this administration’s failure to secure our border continues to have tragic consequences in Nebraska and across our country. The leading cause of death for people aged 18-45 in 2020 and 2021 was fentanyl&nbsp;overdoses. A majority of those drugs are coming across our borders. It is a scourge on our country, our states, and our communities.Most fentanyl is being shipped from the People’s Republic of China to Mexico. There it’s manufactured into pills in illegal labs, and smuggled across our border. The Chinese Communist Party and Mexican cartels have taken advantage of our weak border to surge the flow of fentanyl to the U.S. They have the blood of Americans who have died from these drugs on their hands and they need to be held accountable.Taryn Lee Griffith was a 24-year-old single mom from Nebraska who died in 2021 of a fentanyl overdose. Taryn took a pill she thought was Percocet. Instead, it was a counterfeit laced with fentanyl and it killed her. It should have never happened,&nbsp;and now her daughters will have to get to know their mom through pictures and stories from family.&nbsp;Tragically, President Biden’s budget request for 2024 shows that he is not serious about ending this crisis. He’s asked Congress for $535 million for border technology, but that pales in comparison to the $3.9 billion dollars he’s asking for&nbsp;the Department of Homeland Security’s&nbsp;&nbsp;“Climate Resilience Programs.”&nbsp;Think about that – President Biden believes we need seven times the money for climate resilience&nbsp;at Homeland Security&nbsp;than we do for the technology our Border Patrol officers rely on. Those are misplaced priorities at a time when Americans continue to die from fentanyl coming across our border.The President might not be serious about border security, but my colleagues and I are. When I was governor, I worked with my fellow governors to propose real solutions to the administration. We need to give Border Patrol what they need to fully enforce our laws and stop this influx of deadly drugs. We need to take action.&nbsp;In the U.S. Senate,&nbsp;I stand ready to work with my colleagues and to pass serious solutions to engage this crisis. The lives of Americans and Nebraskans are on the line.&nbsp;&nbsp; Along with Senator Deb Fischer and the rest of my colleagues in the Nebraska delegation, my team and I are here to serve you.&nbsp;Contact my team and I anytime&nbsp;by phone at 202-224-4224, on my website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ricketts.senate.gov/" target="_blank">www.ricketts.senate.gov</a>, or via email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:contactricke@ricketts.senate.gov" target="_blank">contactricke@ricketts.senate.gov</a>.&nbsp;I am honored to serve our great state and will continue&nbsp;to&nbsp;work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach.

Sen. Ricketts: Securing our southern border

CHADRON – Northwest Nebraska tourism industry professionals will have a chance to network with each other during the third annual Treasure Chest of the Northwest April 20, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dawes County Fairgrounds Event Center. RSVPs to attend the event are due April 6.

Discover Northwest Nebraska has once again teamed up with Chadrad Communications and the Heartland Center's committee for Rural Prosperity in Northwest Nebraska to host the event.

Three tourism awards will be presented to the Frontline Employee of the Year, the Business/Attraction of the Year and the Tourism Volunteer of the Year. Nominations for the awards are open until March 1 at https://discovernwnebraska.com/industry-awards/.

In addition to the awards, attendees will have the opportunity to network and exchange ideas and information with each other and hear from several speakers during the workshop. Topics to be addressed include: "Hospitality: What Is It and Why Is It Important?," "Mutual Promotion &amp; Collaboration," and "Diversified Marketing Strategies." There will also be a recap of the 2022 tourism season and information about the Discover Northwest Nebraska tourism office presented.

A brochure exchange will be offered, and attendees can play Brochure Bingo for a chance to win prizes, and there will be other opportunities to win prizes that evening as well.

Event coordinators, business/attraction managers, owners and employees are invited to enjoy heavy appetizers provided by B&amp;B Catering, networking and informational sessions. Invitations will be mailed out in the coming weeks, but anyone who works in the Dawes &amp; Sioux County tourism industry and wants to attend can do so, regardless of whether or not they receive an invitation. RSVPs are required, however, so interested individuals are asked to contact Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp by April 6 at director@discovernwnebraska.com, or by calling 308-432-3006.

Tickets are $5 per person, payable at the door to B&amp;B Catering.

By Discover Northwest NebraskaCHADRON – Northwest Nebraska tourism industry professionals will have a chance to network with each other during the third annual Treasure Chest of the Northwest April 20, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dawes County Fairgrounds Event Center. RSVPs to attend the event are due April 6.Discover Northwest Nebraska has once again teamed up with Chadrad Communications and the Heartland Center's committee for Rural Prosperity in Northwest Nebraska to host the event.Three tourism awards will be presented to the Frontline Employee of the Year, the Business/Attraction of the Year and the Tourism Volunteer of the Year. Nominations for the awards are open until March 1 at https://discovernwnebraska.com/industry-awards/.In addition to the awards, attendees will have the opportunity to network and exchange ideas and information with each other and hear from several speakers during the workshop. Topics to be addressed include: "Hospitality: What Is It and Why Is It Important?," "Mutual Promotion &amp; Collaboration," and "Diversified Marketing Strategies." There will also be a recap of the 2022 tourism season and information about the Discover Northwest Nebraska tourism office presented.A brochure exchange will be offered, and attendees can play Brochure Bingo for a chance to win prizes, and there will be other opportunities to win prizes that evening as well.Event coordinators, business/attraction managers, owners and employees are invited to enjoy heavy appetizers provided by B&amp;B Catering, networking and informational sessions. Invitations will be mailed out in the coming weeks, but anyone who works in the Dawes &amp; Sioux County tourism industry and wants to attend can do so, regardless of whether or not they receive an invitation. RSVPs are required, however, so interested individuals are asked to contact Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp by April 6 at director@discovernwnebraska.com, or by calling 308-432-3006.Tickets are $5 per person, payable at the door to B&amp;B Catering.

RSVP's due soon for Dawes Co. tourism workshop

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National Cocktail Day Poll!

By JOHN E. WEARE Keep Alliance Beautiful&nbsp;

U-turn back to Highway 2 and southeast to Alliance or take a right and go through downtown? Finding a snack and Mountain Dew won over, so I headed toward Raben’s Market and pulled into a parking spot on Box Butte Avenue. Glancing up, there was the Hemingford Library. On this occasion, years ago, I had a few minutes to spare and ventured inside for the first time. From a friendly welcome as I opened the door and conversation during my brief stay to the number of books and resources contained in the former post office/bank building the library made an impression. There’d be other occasions to walk among the stacks.

Not long after joining the afternoon shift at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center, I helped a lady carry in boxes of used paperbacks. She said they were from the Hemingford Library and asked if we accepted hardcover books. I replied that we did though the covers must be removed and baled with the paperboard. That effort is only a small part of the library’s environmentally responsible attitude as I learned on a recent visit.

“Happy Statehood Day,” Director Colleen Gardner said as I sat down next to the front desk. Sue Hennings, library board president, sorted puzzle pieces at the table to my left while board member Mary Ann Gordon worked on a project across the room. Sue explained how puzzles missing pieces can be cut into shapes for 3-D decorations such as a wreath. Colleen showed me other crafts made from recyclable materials there such as “smash books,” a type of journal that featured used wallpaper, and book safes, where pages are glued and a cavity cut out.

The crafts were evidence of an active place where the community likes to gather. “We’re not a typical library here,” Colleen said. “People can come in and have lunch and watch TV.” Which was what a man happened to be doing that day as I took notes over the noon hour. There is space to work on a puzzle and a discovery shelf featuring a Rubik’s cube, viewfinder and kaleidoscope among nostalgic items (they’d like to add an Etch-a-Sketch). On Fridays the library hosts activities that change weekly. She said youth stop in to play bingo, take part in Lego challenges, learn about saving with “money monsters” and how to find books and other library skills among the topics. The offerings are most popular among sixth- to 12th-grade students, Colleen explained, though younger children come with their parents. “People don’t use us as much as a babysitter,” Sue said.

Among downtown storefronts, the Hemingford library seems cozy yet still offers just under 1,000 books. It reminds me of the atmosphere when we’d come to town as kids and fill our drawstring bags at the Slagle Library. Echoing those memories, Colleen described shows put on with a collection of 30 donated puppets and summer reading programs.

The puppet stage is made from an old refrigerator box. “We did a short class on puppetry,” she said, including why people began using puppets to tell a story, puppet etiquette, how to hold them and look at each other.

A row of conch shells on a display case near the stage was a sign of what the children learned after school let out through “Ocean of Possibilities” in 2022. Sue and Colleen discussed how much trash is in the ocean, talking about groups of young people in California and on the East Coast who scuba dive and see how much garbage they can gather in a friendly competition. “Even our lakes and streams are like that too,” Colleen said. “Those baby calves will eat

anything.” Sue said, “When we lived out in the country we’d fill up a big black bag” with trash on walks down the road.

Colleen mentioned a summer reading program on where trash goes and how it’s never gone, noting archaeological digs that still uncover trash from the Romans, for example, compared to the lack of trash at a Native American site. Even “a book is compact and doesn’t break down,” she said.

The library continues to recycle books that are really old or have water damage while accepting donations to consider for the current collection. People can take magazines from stacks of recent issues with leftover copies going to the Mission Store in Alliance. Staff sorts other materials, mainly aluminum cans and plastic, that end up at KAB striving to recycle whatever they can while upcycling for craft classes and projects. The reuse/sharing practice also extends beyond books. Patrons can check out things they may need, yet are not practical to own, from a large coffee urn to a favorite pick of the library’s extensive collection of novelty cake pans.

January began the 100th year for the Hemingford Library, which started in the home of a local woman. Thousands of dollars and countless hours have been spent improving the current location, where the library has been since the 1960s. Continued investment in the facility promotes energy efficiency. A new thermostat complements an updated HVAC system. The front door has been replaced with a handicap-accessible opening upgrade and the back entrance will soon have a new security door. Smaller computers, using less electricity, arrived in December and LED overhead lights were put in during 2022.

By JOHN E. WEARE Keep Alliance Beautiful&nbsp;U-turn back to Highway 2 and southeast to Alliance or take a right and go through downtown? Finding a snack and Mountain Dew won over, so I headed toward Raben’s Market and pulled into a parking spot on Box Butte Avenue. Glancing up, there was the Hemingford Library. On this occasion, years ago, I had a few minutes to spare and ventured inside for the first time. From a friendly welcome as I opened the door and conversation during my brief stay to the number of books and resources contained in the former post office/bank building the library made an impression. There’d be other occasions to walk among the stacks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679668129837.jpeg" alt="Hemingford public library patrons upcycled common materials to make these crafts. " />
 <figcaption>Hemingford public library patrons upcycled common materials to make these crafts. </figcaption>
 </figure>Not long after joining the afternoon shift at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center, I helped a lady carry in boxes of used paperbacks. She said they were from the Hemingford Library and asked if we accepted hardcover books. I replied that we did though the covers must be removed and baled with the paperboard. That effort is only a small part of the library’s environmentally responsible attitude as I learned on a recent visit.“Happy Statehood Day,” Director Colleen Gardner said as I sat down next to the front desk. Sue Hennings, library board president, sorted puzzle pieces at the table to my left while board member Mary Ann Gordon worked on a project across the room. Sue explained how puzzles missing pieces can be cut into shapes for 3-D decorations such as a wreath. Colleen showed me other crafts made from recyclable materials there such as “smash books,” a type of journal that featured used wallpaper, and book safes, where pages are glued and a cavity cut out.The crafts were evidence of an active place where the community likes to gather. “We’re not a typical library here,” Colleen said. “People can come in and have lunch and watch TV.” Which was what a man happened to be doing that day as I took notes over the noon hour. There is space to work on a puzzle and a discovery shelf featuring a Rubik’s cube, viewfinder and kaleidoscope among nostalgic items (they’d like to add an Etch-a-Sketch). On Fridays the library hosts activities that change weekly. She said youth stop in to play bingo, take part in Lego challenges, learn about saving with “money monsters” and how to find books and other library skills among the topics. The offerings are most popular among sixth- to 12th-grade students, Colleen explained, though younger children come with their parents. “People don’t use us as much as a babysitter,” Sue said.Among downtown storefronts, the Hemingford library seems cozy yet still offers just under 1,000 books. It reminds me of the atmosphere when we’d come to town as kids and fill our drawstring bags at the Slagle Library. Echoing those memories, Colleen described shows put on with a collection of 30 donated puppets and summer reading programs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679668164945.jpeg" alt="Novelty cake pans are available for checkout at the Hemingford Library." />
 <figcaption>Novelty cake pans are available for checkout at the Hemingford Library.</figcaption>
 </figure>The puppet stage is made from an old refrigerator box. “We did a short class on puppetry,” she said, including why people began using puppets to tell a story, puppet etiquette, how to hold them and look at each other.A row of conch shells on a display case near the stage was a sign of what the children learned after school let out through “Ocean of Possibilities” in 2022. Sue and Colleen discussed how much trash is in the ocean, talking about groups of young people in California and on the East Coast who scuba dive and see how much garbage they can gather in a friendly competition. “Even our lakes and streams are like that too,” Colleen said. “Those baby calves will eatanything.” Sue said, “When we lived out in the country we’d fill up a big black bag” with trash on walks down the road.Colleen mentioned a summer reading program on where trash goes and how it’s never gone, noting archaeological digs that still uncover trash from the Romans, for example, compared to the lack of trash at a Native American site. Even “a book is compact and doesn’t break down,” she said.The library continues to recycle books that are really old or have water damage while accepting donations to consider for the current collection. People can take magazines from stacks of recent issues with leftover copies going to the Mission Store in Alliance. Staff sorts other materials, mainly aluminum cans and plastic, that end up at KAB striving to recycle whatever they can while upcycling for craft classes and projects. The reuse/sharing practice also extends beyond books. Patrons can check out things they may need, yet are not practical to own, from a large coffee urn to a favorite pick of the library’s extensive collection of novelty cake pans.January began the 100th year for the Hemingford Library, which started in the home of a local woman. Thousands of dollars and countless hours have been spent improving the current location, where the library has been since the 1960s. Continued investment in the facility promotes energy efficiency. A new thermostat complements an updated HVAC system. The front door has been replaced with a handicap-accessible opening upgrade and the back entrance will soon have a new security door. Smaller computers, using less electricity, arrived in December and LED overhead lights were put in during 2022.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679668243511.jpeg" alt="Librarian Colleen Garner holds a book with information on local history in the Hemingford Library's research room." />
 <figcaption>Librarian Colleen Garner holds a book with information on local history in the Hemingford Library's research room.</figcaption>
 </figure>

KAB: Take a page from Hemingford library’s book

Our Road trip this week led us to Grandma Jo's. We originally started off to go somewhere else, to find them closed.

Well if traveling that far, I should have been smart enough to see what there hours and days open were before heading out.  But their loss, is our gain. 

We ended up in Sidney, Nebraska at Grandma Jo's. 

 My side kick had the chicken fried steak, saying it was wonderful. And I had the lunch special of fried chicken.  In all the times I had gone to Sidney I can't believe I never saw this place. It's right on the corner 1144 Illinois St.

They are reminiscent of the typical American Cafe. The red tables and chairs reminds you of the 50's. The whole place is decorated perfectly. Makes you kind of feel like you're coming home. Our waitress was very efficient and friendly. Quite a few folks were having breakfasts and lunch. It was a cozy feeling, I even ran into a classmate of mine there! 

 So, if you get down that way, be sure and stop in and enjoy a great sit down meal. See you there!

By Tami Cox Swearingen<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679598237762.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Our Road trip this week led us to Grandma Jo's. We originally started off to go somewhere else, to find them closed.Well if traveling that far, I should have been smart enough to see what there hours and days open were before heading out. But their loss, is our gain. We ended up in Sidney, Nebraska at Grandma Jo's. My side kick had the chicken fried steak, saying it was wonderful. And I had the lunch special of fried chicken. In all the times I had gone to Sidney I can't believe I never saw this place. It's right on the corner 1144 Illinois St.They are reminiscent of the typical American Cafe. The red tables and chairs reminds you of the 50's. The whole place is decorated perfectly. Makes you kind of feel like you're coming home. Our waitress was very efficient and friendly. Quite a few folks were having breakfasts and lunch. It was a cozy feeling, I even ran into a classmate of mine there! So, if you get down that way, be sure and stop in and enjoy a great sit down meal. See you there!

Road Trip: Grandma Jo's in Sidney 

Today we spoke with Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District's Conservation Programs Coordinator Kylen Armstrong about the NRD's involvement in tree's.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Upper Niobrara White NRD talks tree’s" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=6npt6-13c4e2f-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Today we spoke with Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District's Conservation Programs Coordinator Kylen Armstrong about the NRD's involvement in tree's.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679598029904.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Post Podcast: Upper Niobrara White NRD talks tree's

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in April. Here are some opportunities:

Little Saplings program presents&nbsp;Terrific Trout&nbsp;

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2023 series continues April 5 with the theme Terrific Trout at 9 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program and includes admission to the Education Center after the program.

See the calendar event entry at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMjAuNzM2ODAxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vY2FsZW5kYXIub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiJ9.4BVWGs5AL4A76If1wNZfYClHzW6-3JN1eU6oMzd5CH4/s/2971285407/br/156450921913-l">Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Wildcat Tales preschool program is April 11&nbsp;

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program April 11.

The program Rowdy Reptiles will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. There will be a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required.&nbsp;For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Homeschool Hike set for April 19-20 at Schramm Park SRA&nbsp;

Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike to learn about bird language at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. April 19 and 2 p.m. April 20.

Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMjAuNzM2ODAxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhbGVuZGFyLm91dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvIn0.2E3kkrvuiNswQQdcTRkQg03IT60f7qz3ZmCD83bZ3x8/s/2971285407/br/156450921913-l">Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>. Cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program. This includes admission to the Schramm Education Center after the program. Schramm Family Pass members participate free.

This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.

Participants should dress in season-appropriate layers and wear closed-toed shoes that can get dirty. Hats and water bottles are recommended.

Connecting Communities to Urban Biodiversity is topic of webinar&nbsp;

Join the free virtual webinar Connecting Communities to Urban Biodiversity: The What, the Why, and the How at 12:30 p.m. Central time April 12.

Learn why urban biodiversity is so important and how we connect our communities to it to inspire stewardship.

This webinar is part of the Conservation Education Lunch and Learn Series, which dives into the science behind educational efforts and practices by learning from experts on a variety of science and educational topics. Direct questions to<a href="mailto:amber.schiltz@nebraska.gov">amber.schiltz@nebraska.gov</a>.

Visit the event listing at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMjAuNzM2ODAxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vY2FsZW5kYXIub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiJ9.ajxTDJf59dktuvl6A-BCmj1vSntJ4d5vDWcnhHEI_sA/s/2971285407/br/156450921913-l">Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;to register and get more information.

Enjoy Frog Fun at Schramm Education Center&nbsp;

Celebrate national frog month in April by making a foldable frog lifecycle booklet from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the maker space at the Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

While you’re there, discover some fun facts and information about these awesome amphibians.&nbsp;

The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and ages 4-12, and ages 3 and under are free.

Wildcat Hills to host&nbsp;Fishy Friends&nbsp;homeschool program

Participants will learn about different types of fish, fish anatomy and take part in an art project during the Wildcat Hills Homeschool program Fishy Friends on April 13.

This program meets at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Serenity Garden open house is April 22 at Schramm&nbsp;

Join an open house for the new Serenity Garden, located between Schramm Education Center and Schramm Park State Recreation Area from 10 a.m. to noon April 22.

The garden includes signage encouraging activities supporting serenity in the outdoors, an art feature including the work of local artisans, and stone benches. Master Naturalist Jeff Lacey will share his knowledge about nature journaling before an 11 a.m. guided hike to experience nature journaling.

The program is free, but a park entry permit is required.

It is mating season for frogs and the right time of year to hear their calls after dusk. So, why not go on a frog hike this spring? Nebraska state parks are wonderful places to keep an ear out.

Male frogs use their calls to attract a mate and can also use alarm calls to signal a predator. Listen to their chorus and try to identify a few of the 11 types of frogs and toads in Nebraska.

Frogs are most active at night and prefer areas with emerging vegetation and stagnant water. Your likelihood of hearing frogs is greater with warmer temperatures, low wind and with little-to-no precipitation.&nbsp;

Boreal chorus frogs are about the size of a quarter. Their call is a series of rapid short notes that sound like running your fingers down the length of a comb. Northern leopard frogs have a long, deep croaking call. Blanchard’s cricket frogs have a loud clicking sound, like tapping marbles together. Cope’s gray tree frogs make a fast, angry sounding “blaaaapt!” or yell, “blah! blah!” Bullfrogs are the bass section of the chorus, with a deep sounding “jug-o-rum” call.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625487168585.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NGPCNebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in April. Here are some opportunities:Little Saplings program presents&nbsp;Terrific Trout&nbsp;Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.The 2023 series continues April 5 with the theme Terrific Trout at 9 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program and includes admission to the Education Center after the program.See the calendar event entry at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMjAuNzM2ODAxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vY2FsZW5kYXIub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiJ9.4BVWGs5AL4A76If1wNZfYClHzW6-3JN1eU6oMzd5CH4/s/2971285407/br/156450921913-l">Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;for more information.Wildcat Tales preschool program is April 11&nbsp;Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program April 11.The program Rowdy Reptiles will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. There will be a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6.The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required.&nbsp;For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.Homeschool Hike set for April 19-20 at Schramm Park SRA&nbsp;Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike to learn about bird language at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. April 19 and 2 p.m. April 20.Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families.Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMjAuNzM2ODAxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhbGVuZGFyLm91dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvIn0.2E3kkrvuiNswQQdcTRkQg03IT60f7qz3ZmCD83bZ3x8/s/2971285407/br/156450921913-l">Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>. Cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program. This includes admission to the Schramm Education Center after the program. Schramm Family Pass members participate free.This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.Participants should dress in season-appropriate layers and wear closed-toed shoes that can get dirty. Hats and water bottles are recommended.Connecting Communities to Urban Biodiversity is topic of webinar&nbsp;Join the free virtual webinar Connecting Communities to Urban Biodiversity: The What, the Why, and the How at 12:30 p.m. Central time April 12.Learn why urban biodiversity is so important and how we connect our communities to it to inspire stewardship.This webinar is part of the Conservation Education Lunch and Learn Series, which dives into the science behind educational efforts and practices by learning from experts on a variety of science and educational topics. Direct questions to<a href="mailto:amber.schiltz@nebraska.gov">amber.schiltz@nebraska.gov</a>.Visit the event listing at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMjAuNzM2ODAxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vY2FsZW5kYXIub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiJ9.ajxTDJf59dktuvl6A-BCmj1vSntJ4d5vDWcnhHEI_sA/s/2971285407/br/156450921913-l">Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;to register and get more information.Enjoy Frog Fun at Schramm Education Center&nbsp;Celebrate national frog month in April by making a foldable frog lifecycle booklet from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the maker space at the Schramm Education Center near Gretna.While you’re there, discover some fun facts and information about these awesome amphibians.&nbsp;The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and ages 4-12, and ages 3 and under are free.Wildcat Hills to host&nbsp;Fishy Friends&nbsp;homeschool programParticipants will learn about different types of fish, fish anatomy and take part in an art project during the Wildcat Hills Homeschool program Fishy Friends on April 13.This program meets at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.Serenity Garden open house is April 22 at Schramm&nbsp;Join an open house for the new Serenity Garden, located between Schramm Education Center and Schramm Park State Recreation Area from 10 a.m. to noon April 22.The garden includes signage encouraging activities supporting serenity in the outdoors, an art feature including the work of local artisans, and stone benches. Master Naturalist Jeff Lacey will share his knowledge about nature journaling before an 11 a.m. guided hike to experience nature journaling.The program is free, but a park entry permit is required.Go on a frog hike this springIt is mating season for frogs and the right time of year to hear their calls after dusk. So, why not go on a frog hike this spring? Nebraska state parks are wonderful places to keep an ear out.Male frogs use their calls to attract a mate and can also use alarm calls to signal a predator. Listen to their chorus and try to identify a few of the 11 types of frogs and toads in Nebraska.Frogs are most active at night and prefer areas with emerging vegetation and stagnant water. Your likelihood of hearing frogs is greater with warmer temperatures, low wind and with little-to-no precipitation.&nbsp;Boreal chorus frogs are about the size of a quarter. Their call is a series of rapid short notes that sound like running your fingers down the length of a comb. Northern leopard frogs have a long, deep croaking call. Blanchard’s cricket frogs have a loud clicking sound, like tapping marbles together. Cope’s gray tree frogs make a fast, angry sounding “blaaaapt!” or yell, “blah! blah!” Bullfrogs are the bass section of the chorus, with a deep sounding “jug-o-rum” call.

Catch these Game and Parks education events in April

A couple nights ago, Trooper Dusatko and Trooper Sporer performed a traffic stop in Scottsbluff and discovered that the driver had a revoked license. They also discovered that the driver was in the process of delivering a couple meals to folks in Gering. 

So, while Trooper Sporer handled the processing of the driver, Trooper Dusatko finished the two deliveries. 

All in a day's service to the people of Nebraska. 

By Nebraska State Patrol - Facebook postA couple nights ago, Trooper Dusatko and Trooper Sporer performed a traffic stop in Scottsbluff and discovered that the driver had a revoked license. They also discovered that the driver was in the process of delivering a couple meals to folks in Gering. So, while Trooper Sporer handled the processing of the driver, Trooper Dusatko finished the two deliveries. All in a day's service to the people of Nebraska. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679593355887.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Western Nebraska Trooper performs traffic stop; delivers take-out meals

NORTH PLATTE, NEB.&nbsp; — A CODE Task Force operation led to the arrest of several people on drug charges Wednesday morning in Nebraska and Kansas.

The CODE Task Force, which includes officers from several law enforcement agencies in west-central and southwest Nebraska, obtained arrest warrants for several individuals in connection with narcotics investigations in Dawson County. Those arrested Wednesday were:

Brianna Pena, 35, was arrested in Lexington for distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

Shelby Irish, 31, was arrested in Oberlin, Kansas for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of methamphetamine.

Christopher Twohig, 44, was arrested in Cozad for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and habitual criminal. During the arrest, Twohig was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and a firearm, which led to additional charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm during a drug violation.

Luis Valdez, 26, was arrested in Broken Bow for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Eric Valtierra, 29, who is currently incarcerated with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Luis Lazo-Escobar, 31, who is currently incarcerated with the NDCS has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

The CODE Task Force was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Department, Decatur County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office, and FBI.

NSPNORTH PLATTE, NEB.&nbsp; — A CODE Task Force operation led to the arrest of several people on drug charges Wednesday morning in Nebraska and Kansas.The CODE Task Force, which includes officers from several law enforcement agencies in west-central and southwest Nebraska, obtained arrest warrants for several individuals in connection with narcotics investigations in Dawson County. Those arrested Wednesday were:Brianna Pena, 35, was arrested in Lexington for distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.Shelby Irish, 31, was arrested in Oberlin, Kansas for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of methamphetamine.Christopher Twohig, 44, was arrested in Cozad for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and habitual criminal. During the arrest, Twohig was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and a firearm, which led to additional charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm during a drug violation.Luis Valdez, 26, was arrested in Broken Bow for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.Eric Valtierra, 29, who is currently incarcerated with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.Luis Lazo-Escobar, 31, who is currently incarcerated with the NDCS has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.The CODE Task Force was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Department, Decatur County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office, and FBI.

NSP: Several arrested in CODE Task Force Operation

NORTH PLATTE — A CODE Drug Task Force operation led to the arrest of several people on drug charges Wednesday morning in Nebraska and Kansas.

Shelby Irish, 31, was arrested in Oberlin, Kansas, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of methamphetamine.&nbsp;

Eric Valtierra, 29, who is currently incarcerated with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.&nbsp;

NSPNORTH PLATTE — A CODE Drug Task Force operation led to the arrest of several people on drug charges Wednesday morning in Nebraska and Kansas.The CODE Task Force, which includes officers from several law enforcement agencies in west-central and southwest Nebraska, obtained arrest warrants for several individuals in connection with narcotics investigations in Dawson County. Those arrested Wednesday were:Brianna Pena, 35, was arrested in Lexington for distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.Shelby Irish, 31, was arrested in Oberlin, Kansas, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of methamphetamine.&nbsp;Christopher Twohig, 44, was arrested in Cozad for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and habitual criminal. During the arrest, Twohig was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and a firearm, which led to additional charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm during a drug violation.Luis Valdez, 26, was arrested in Broken Bow for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.Eric Valtierra, 29, who is currently incarcerated with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.&nbsp;Luis Lazo-Escobar, 31, who is currently incarcerated with the NDCS has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.The CODE Task Force was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Department, Decatur County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office, and FBI.

Several arrested in drug task force operation in Neb., Kan.

Join us this Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. We will be hosting some local crafters from around the area during our Spring Fling craft show.

Lots of handmade crafts, gift ideas and food. 

Alliance High School Band Parents group will be setup, so please come out and show your support.

By VFW Post 1517Join us this Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. We will be hosting some local crafters from around the area during our Spring Fling craft show.Lots of handmade crafts, gift ideas and food. The kitchen will also be open.Alliance High School Band Parents group will be setup, so please come out and show your support.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679581985348.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Alliance VFW to host 'Spring Fling Craft Show' 

By JACOB FISCHLER <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/22/priorities-for-rail-safety-bill-debated-in-u-s-senate-hearing-with-norfolk-southern-ceo/">States Newsroom</a>

Members of a U.S. Senate committee on
 Wednesday previewed what they would push for in bipartisan rail safety 
legislation likely to progress through Congress in the aftermath of the 
East Palestine, Ohio, derailment.

Democrats and Republicans on the U.S.
 Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hinted they 
wanted to strengthen requirements about reporting hazardous cargo, 
communicating in real time with train operators about potential problems
 and allowing more time for safety inspections.

A few Democrats on the panel also 
criticized railroads for an overemphasis on profits and stock buybacks, 
saying money should instead be spent on workers who could improve 
safety.&nbsp;

Though there is no evidence anyone broke existing regulations to cause the <a target="_blank" href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/02/20/for-them-its-just-one-train-a-view-from-east-palestine-and-an-update-on-response-efforts/">Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment</a>
 that led to a chemical fire and release of hazardous materials in 
eastern Ohio, the wreck could have been avoided if certain safeguards 
had been in place, several senators and experts said Wednesday.

Voluntary standards, like Norfolk 
Southern’s use of an app to internally communicate possible rail faults,
 have proven insufficient, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican, 
said.&nbsp;

“If the app was good enough, then why
 did it fail in East Palestine?” Vance said. “If the app provided proper
 notification, then why did firefighters in my state seven weeks ago go 
fight a chemical fire without knowing what was on it?”

Misti Allison, a resident of East 
Palestine, told the panel about the lasting effects the wreck has had on
 the village of 4,700. The derailment left lingering questions about the
 level of toxic chemicals still in the area, tanking home values and 
damage to residents’ mental health, she said.

“My 7-year-old has asked me if he is going to die from living in his own home,” she said. “What do I tell him?”

Allison implored the committee “to support commonsense safety regulation, so this doesn’t happen again.”

‘Bipartisan interest’ in rail safety overhaul

Vance and Ohio’s senior U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, authored a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.brown.senate.gov/download/railway-safety-act-of-2023-text">bill</a> to update rail safety standards that could be the template for a bipartisan overhaul this year.

Ranking Republican Ted Cruz of Texas 
said he supported several elements of the bill, but objected to parts 
that he said gave too much authority to the U.S. Transportation 
Department.&nbsp;

Cruz, who sought the Republican 
nomination for president in 2016, spent part of the hearing again 
criticizing the response to the derailment by Transportation Secretary 
Pete Buttigieg, who ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020.

Still, Cruz was optimistic about a rail safety bill advancing.

“I think there is bipartisan interest
 in moving rail safety legislation,” he said. “I think we’re going to be
 successful in doing that.”

Agreement on communication, monitoring, inspections

Senators voiced agreement on certain problems in rail safety.

Officials in East Palestine should 
have been notified in advance that a train carrying hazardous material 
was headed toward them, senators and hearing witnesses said Wednesday. 
And first responders should have known they were battling a chemical 
fire and been better prepared for the task with improved training and 
equipment, they said.

“People deserve to know what 
chemicals are moving through their communities and how to stay safe in 
an emergency,” National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer 
Homendy said. “That includes responders, who risk their lives for each 
of us every single day. They deserve to be prepared.”

That means they should have access to real-time information and proper communications and planning tools, she said.

Brown said he was working to create a
 fund to provide training for firefighters on how to manage hazardous 
material fires. Firefighters who responded to the East Palestine blaze 
were almost entirely volunteers, he said.

That fund would be paid for by the railroads and chemical companies, he said.

Cruz also highlighted problems with the way railroads monitor train temperatures.

The Norfolk Southern equipment caught
 a more than 60-degree temperature increase over 10 miles in the minutes
 before the train reached East Palestine, Cruz said, asking Norfolk 
Southern CEO Alan Shaw why the jump in temperature “did not trigger 
action.”

The higher temperature was still 
lower than “the alarm threshold,” Shaw said. Norfolk Southern practice 
was to stop trains when they reach 200 degrees above ambient 
temperature, regardless of the trend, he said.&nbsp;

The train, while it had gone from 38 
degrees above ambient temperature to 103 degrees above, did not reach 
that threshold, Shaw said.

Clyde Whitaker, the Ohio legislative 
director of the union Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation – 
Transportation Division, said more attention should be paid to how fast a
 train is heating.

“Once it starts trending, we need to go and check that out,” Whitaker told the panel.

Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a 
Washington Democrat, and Vance criticized a Norfolk Southern policy — 
listed in a Norfolk Southern document Cantwell said was provided to the 
committee – to spend about 30 seconds on a safety inspection for each 
side of a train car.

Shaw said there was no such time limit, but Cantwell said the document showed otherwise.

That was not enough time to conduct an adequate investigation, Whitaker said.

As he had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/norfolk-southern-ceo-apologizes-ohio-crash-wont-back-bipartisan-rail-safety-bill-1">at another Senate hearing</a>
 this month, Shaw again apologized to the East Palestine area and 
pledged “to make this right.” The railroad was continuing cleanup 
efforts and was providing hotel rooms and supplies to area residents, he
 said.&nbsp;

Norfolk Southern has spent $24 
million since the derailment to support the community, he said. And the 
railroad is in the planning stages of developing a long-term medical 
compensation fund, property value assurance program and water testing 
program, he said.

But he declined to fully endorse the Brown-Vance rail safety bill, saying he supported parts, but not all, of it.

Pressed by Minnesota Democratic Sen. 
Amy Klobuchar to say which parts he did not support, Shaw began to say 
what he did agree with. Klobuchar said she would seek a more complete 
answer in writing.

Appearing remotely from the East 
Palestine High School library, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine thanked 
the bill sponsors and called for swift congressional action.&nbsp;

He also demanded Norfolk Southern make the community whole.

“Norfolk Southern has an obligation 
to restore this community,” DeWine said. “It was their training, their 
tracks, their accident. They’re responsible for this tragedy. … Norfolk 
Southern must do everything in its power to put everything back as it 
was in East Palestine.”&nbsp;

The Brown-Vance bill would require 
two-worker crews on certain trains, which would force railroads to hire 
workers after deep labor cuts in recent years. The industry cut its 
workforce by 22% between 2017 and 2021, Cantwell said.&nbsp;

The industry has also cut its 
training program, Whitaker said. When he started as a railroad worker in
 2000, he had 26 weeks of training. Now, the standard is six weeks, he 
said.

“We’re hauling 200-plus-car trains of
 hazardous materials,” he said. “That’s not right. You’re putting too 
much pressure on employees right now with inadequate training.”

Whitaker also said he supported a 
rule to mandate at least two workers were on each train. That rule has 
been opposed by the rail industry.

A few Democrats on the panel criticized the rail industry for offering stock buybacks instead of investing in safety.&nbsp;

Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont pressed 
Shaw to suspend stock buybacks until the railroads finished their 
cleanup work in East Palestine.

Shaw declined, saying “stock buybacks
 never come at the expense of safety.” The railroad spends about $1 
billion per year on safety programs, he said.

In a floor speech Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer renewed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-leader-calls-safety-audit-all-major-railroads-after-ohio-derailment">his request for an NTSB investigation</a>
 into the safety culture of all major U.S. railroads and said he hoped 
Homendy would commit to such an investigation during the hearing.

No senator directly asked Homendy about that possibility, and she did not commit to an industry-wide investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679578767128.png" alt="Train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, taken Feb. 7, 2023, by the Environmental Protection Agency’s ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology) system. (Courtesy of EPA)" />
 <figcaption>Train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, taken Feb. 7, 2023, by the Environmental Protection Agency’s ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology) system. (Courtesy of EPA)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACOB FISCHLER <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/22/priorities-for-rail-safety-bill-debated-in-u-s-senate-hearing-with-norfolk-southern-ceo/">States Newsroom</a>Members of a U.S. Senate committee on
 Wednesday previewed what they would push for in bipartisan rail safety 
legislation likely to progress through Congress in the aftermath of the 
East Palestine, Ohio, derailment.Democrats and Republicans on the U.S.
 Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hinted they 
wanted to strengthen requirements about reporting hazardous cargo, 
communicating in real time with train operators about potential problems
 and allowing more time for safety inspections.A few Democrats on the panel also 
criticized railroads for an overemphasis on profits and stock buybacks, 
saying money should instead be spent on workers who could improve 
safety.&nbsp;Though there is no evidence anyone broke existing regulations to cause the <a target="_blank" href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/02/20/for-them-its-just-one-train-a-view-from-east-palestine-and-an-update-on-response-efforts/">Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment</a>
 that led to a chemical fire and release of hazardous materials in 
eastern Ohio, the wreck could have been avoided if certain safeguards 
had been in place, several senators and experts said Wednesday.Voluntary standards, like Norfolk 
Southern’s use of an app to internally communicate possible rail faults,
 have proven insufficient, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican, 
said.&nbsp;“If the app was good enough, then why
 did it fail in East Palestine?” Vance said. “If the app provided proper
 notification, then why did firefighters in my state seven weeks ago go 
fight a chemical fire without knowing what was on it?”Misti Allison, a resident of East 
Palestine, told the panel about the lasting effects the wreck has had on
 the village of 4,700. The derailment left lingering questions about the
 level of toxic chemicals still in the area, tanking home values and 
damage to residents’ mental health, she said.“My 7-year-old has asked me if he is going to die from living in his own home,” she said. “What do I tell him?”Allison implored the committee “to support commonsense safety regulation, so this doesn’t happen again.”<h2>‘Bipartisan interest’ in rail safety overhaul</h2>Vance and Ohio’s senior U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, authored a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.brown.senate.gov/download/railway-safety-act-of-2023-text">bill</a> to update rail safety standards that could be the template for a bipartisan overhaul this year.Ranking Republican Ted Cruz of Texas 
said he supported several elements of the bill, but objected to parts 
that he said gave too much authority to the U.S. Transportation 
Department.&nbsp;Cruz, who sought the Republican 
nomination for president in 2016, spent part of the hearing again 
criticizing the response to the derailment by Transportation Secretary 
Pete Buttigieg, who ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020.Still, Cruz was optimistic about a rail safety bill advancing.“I think there is bipartisan interest
 in moving rail safety legislation,” he said. “I think we’re going to be
 successful in doing that.”<h2>Agreement on communication, monitoring, inspections</h2>Senators voiced agreement on certain problems in rail safety.Officials in East Palestine should 
have been notified in advance that a train carrying hazardous material 
was headed toward them, senators and hearing witnesses said Wednesday. 
And first responders should have known they were battling a chemical 
fire and been better prepared for the task with improved training and 
equipment, they said.“People deserve to know what 
chemicals are moving through their communities and how to stay safe in 
an emergency,” National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer 
Homendy said. “That includes responders, who risk their lives for each 
of us every single day. They deserve to be prepared.”That means they should have access to real-time information and proper communications and planning tools, she said.Brown said he was working to create a
 fund to provide training for firefighters on how to manage hazardous 
material fires. Firefighters who responded to the East Palestine blaze 
were almost entirely volunteers, he said.That fund would be paid for by the railroads and chemical companies, he said.Cruz also highlighted problems with the way railroads monitor train temperatures.The Norfolk Southern equipment caught
 a more than 60-degree temperature increase over 10 miles in the minutes
 before the train reached East Palestine, Cruz said, asking Norfolk 
Southern CEO Alan Shaw why the jump in temperature “did not trigger 
action.”The higher temperature was still 
lower than “the alarm threshold,” Shaw said. Norfolk Southern practice 
was to stop trains when they reach 200 degrees above ambient 
temperature, regardless of the trend, he said.&nbsp;The train, while it had gone from 38 
degrees above ambient temperature to 103 degrees above, did not reach 
that threshold, Shaw said.Clyde Whitaker, the Ohio legislative 
director of the union Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation – 
Transportation Division, said more attention should be paid to how fast a
 train is heating.“Once it starts trending, we need to go and check that out,” Whitaker told the panel.Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a 
Washington Democrat, and Vance criticized a Norfolk Southern policy — 
listed in a Norfolk Southern document Cantwell said was provided to the 
committee – to spend about 30 seconds on a safety inspection for each 
side of a train car.Shaw said there was no such time limit, but Cantwell said the document showed otherwise.That was not enough time to conduct an adequate investigation, Whitaker said.<h2>Railroad chief offers another apology</h2>As he had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/norfolk-southern-ceo-apologizes-ohio-crash-wont-back-bipartisan-rail-safety-bill-1">at another Senate hearing</a>
 this month, Shaw again apologized to the East Palestine area and 
pledged “to make this right.” The railroad was continuing cleanup 
efforts and was providing hotel rooms and supplies to area residents, he
 said.&nbsp;Norfolk Southern has spent $24 
million since the derailment to support the community, he said. And the 
railroad is in the planning stages of developing a long-term medical 
compensation fund, property value assurance program and water testing 
program, he said.But he declined to fully endorse the Brown-Vance rail safety bill, saying he supported parts, but not all, of it.Pressed by Minnesota Democratic Sen. 
Amy Klobuchar to say which parts he did not support, Shaw began to say 
what he did agree with. Klobuchar said she would seek a more complete 
answer in writing.Appearing remotely from the East 
Palestine High School library, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine thanked 
the bill sponsors and called for swift congressional action.&nbsp;He also demanded Norfolk Southern make the community whole.“Norfolk Southern has an obligation 
to restore this community,” DeWine said. “It was their training, their 
tracks, their accident. They’re responsible for this tragedy. … Norfolk 
Southern must do everything in its power to put everything back as it 
was in East Palestine.”&nbsp;<h2>Workforce and profits</h2>The Brown-Vance bill would require 
two-worker crews on certain trains, which would force railroads to hire 
workers after deep labor cuts in recent years. The industry cut its 
workforce by 22% between 2017 and 2021, Cantwell said.&nbsp;The industry has also cut its 
training program, Whitaker said. When he started as a railroad worker in
 2000, he had 26 weeks of training. Now, the standard is six weeks, he 
said.“We’re hauling 200-plus-car trains of
 hazardous materials,” he said. “That’s not right. You’re putting too 
much pressure on employees right now with inadequate training.”Whitaker also said he supported a 
rule to mandate at least two workers were on each train. That rule has 
been opposed by the rail industry.A few Democrats on the panel criticized the rail industry for offering stock buybacks instead of investing in safety.&nbsp;Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont pressed 
Shaw to suspend stock buybacks until the railroads finished their 
cleanup work in East Palestine.Shaw declined, saying “stock buybacks
 never come at the expense of safety.” The railroad spends about $1 
billion per year on safety programs, he said.<h2>Schumer renews call for NTSB probe</h2>In a floor speech Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer renewed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-leader-calls-safety-audit-all-major-railroads-after-ohio-derailment">his request for an NTSB investigation</a>
 into the safety culture of all major U.S. railroads and said he hoped 
Homendy would commit to such an investigation during the hearing.No senator directly asked Homendy about that possibility, and she did not commit to an industry-wide investigation.