By John E. Weare, Keep Alliance Beautiful

ALLIANCE - Keep America Beautiful(R), the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, has presented Keep Alliance Beautiful (KAB) with its 2020 President’s Circle Award. The award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates of Keep America Beautiful in creating clean, green, and beautiful communities.

President’s Circle recognition is typically announced at Keep America Beautiful’s national convention each winter. However, affiliates were notified via email this year since the convention moved to November. Alliance is among 16 Nebraska affiliates to receive the honor for 2020.

KAB Executive Director Kathy Worley said, “Once again it is a team effort that wins us this award . . . From the community who brings us their recyclables, to all of our employees at the recycling center who help process the bundles to get them to their respective destinations, to office staff who helps input the information to the Keep America Beautiful website, and our education efforts to inform our community. We at KAB are very pleased to be recognized by Keep America Beautiful.”

KAB has been a President’s Circle honoree nearly every year this past decade.

In qualifying for the President’s Circle Award, KAB has met standards of merit of Keep America Beautiful by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index; calculating the affiliate’s cost/benefit ratio; and administering initiatives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify the community. KAB is one of nearly 700 community-based affiliates in the Keep America Beautiful network whose programs, initiatives, and efforts, supported by millions of volunteers, help transform public spaces into beautiful places.

Barb Niehues, KAB resource coordinator, described some of the ways the Box Butte County-based organization fulfilled the award requirements last year:

Community Appearance Index -- is a tool to visually assess overall appearance of communities through indicators such as litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned or junk vehicles, and outside storage -- conducted for KAB by Kari Bargen, education coordinator. She usually completes the index by May, dividing Alliance into four sections and covering Hemingford as a fifth section. There are specific sites she and volunteers check in each section, noting what’s there, then giving the section a rating on a 1-5 scale with one being the best. For 2020 the KAB litter index was 1.452.

Cost/Benefit Ratio -- is figured for Bargen’s and other employees’ activities as a demonstration of the ability to leverage community resources by determining the dollar value returned to the community for every dollar invested. For example, Niehues noted, Keep America Beautiful figures the ratio anytime Bargen does an activity, with specific rates for youth and adult volunteer hours. Last summer, 74 youth and 123 adult volunteers signed up to clean up fireworks waste netting a $10,671.58 in-kind total.

Initiatives to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify the Community -- include (littering) local participation in the Great American Cleanup; (recycling) a curbside program with 85

regular and 61 senior customers on the current list; and (beautification) painting messages on storefront windows as well as planned painting of bee/flower/honeycomb designs on crosswalks to enhance Alliance streets.

The work reviewed by Keep America Beautiful reflects KAB’s mission statement: Keep Alliance Beautiful encourages people to reduce, reuse, and recycle every day to improve and beautify their community environment.

By John E. Weare, Keep Alliance BeautifulALLIANCE - Keep America Beautiful(R), the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, has presented Keep Alliance Beautiful (KAB) with its 2020 President’s Circle Award. The award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates of Keep America Beautiful in creating clean, green, and beautiful communities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615568253478.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>President’s Circle recognition is typically announced at Keep America Beautiful’s national convention each winter. However, affiliates were notified via email this year since the convention moved to November. Alliance is among 16 Nebraska affiliates to receive the honor for 2020.KAB Executive Director Kathy Worley said, “Once again it is a team effort that wins us this award . . . From the community who brings us their recyclables, to all of our employees at the recycling center who help process the bundles to get them to their respective destinations, to office staff who helps input the information to the Keep America Beautiful website, and our education efforts to inform our community. We at KAB are very pleased to be recognized by Keep America Beautiful.”KAB has been a President’s Circle honoree nearly every year this past decade.In qualifying for the President’s Circle Award, KAB has met standards of merit of Keep America Beautiful by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index; calculating the affiliate’s cost/benefit ratio; and administering initiatives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify the community. KAB is one of nearly 700 community-based affiliates in the Keep America Beautiful network whose programs, initiatives, and efforts, supported by millions of volunteers, help transform public spaces into beautiful places.Barb Niehues, KAB resource coordinator, described some of the ways the Box Butte County-based organization fulfilled the award requirements last year:Community Appearance Index -- is a tool to visually assess overall appearance of communities through indicators such as litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned or junk vehicles, and outside storage -- conducted for KAB by Kari Bargen, education coordinator. She usually completes the index by May, dividing Alliance into four sections and covering Hemingford as a fifth section. There are specific sites she and volunteers check in each section, noting what’s there, then giving the section a rating on a 1-5 scale with one being the best. For 2020 the KAB litter index was 1.452.Cost/Benefit Ratio -- is figured for Bargen’s and other employees’ activities as a demonstration of the ability to leverage community resources by determining the dollar value returned to the community for every dollar invested. For example, Niehues noted, Keep America Beautiful figures the ratio anytime Bargen does an activity, with specific rates for youth and adult volunteer hours. Last summer, 74 youth and 123 adult volunteers signed up to clean up fireworks waste netting a $10,671.58 in-kind total.Initiatives to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify the Community -- include (littering) local participation in the Great American Cleanup; (recycling) a curbside program with 85regular and 61 senior customers on the current list; and (beautification) painting messages on storefront windows as well as planned painting of bee/flower/honeycomb designs on crosswalks to enhance Alliance streets.The work reviewed by Keep America Beautiful reflects KAB’s mission statement: Keep Alliance Beautiful encourages people to reduce, reuse, and recycle every day to improve and beautify their community environment.

KAB earns Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Award

Nevin Lawrence, Integrated Weed Management Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center, has been recognized by the Western Society of Weed Science as the Outstanding Weed Scientist – Early Career.

Lawrence was recognized by WSWS in early March during the society’s 74th&nbsp;annual meeting, held virtually. The award&nbsp;recognizes innovative or unique approaches by weed scientists in the public or private sector that result in learning, ability to clearly communicate ideas, motivation of the intended audience, demonstrate excellence and creativity in research accomplishments, applying results to solve problems in weed science, the impact on weed management practices and principals of weed science, and recognition of accomplishments by peers and intended audiences. It is&nbsp;open to people who are within 10 years of their terminal degree.

In his acceptance speech, Lawrence expressed appreciation to his colleagues and mentors, and said the collaboration with them has been rewarding. “This is what I love about being a weed scientist – taking real-world problems and trying to find solutions.”

Lawrence has been the Integrated Weed Management Specialist at the Panhandle Center since 2016, after receiving his Ph.D. in crop science from Washington State University in 2015. He received a master’s degree in agronomy in 2011 from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor of science in agroecology from the University of Wyoming in 2009. His research and extension programming in the Panhandle focuses on using a range of integrated methods to control weeds and invasive plants in both irrigated settings and range and natural areas, and providing information and decision-making tools for farmers.

The Western Society of Weed Science is one of four regional Weed Science Societies, which function under the national Weed Science Society of America.

Nevin Lawrence, Integrated Weed Management Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center, has been recognized by the Western Society of Weed Science as the Outstanding Weed Scientist – Early Career.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615921282509.jpeg" alt="Nevin Lawrence" />
 <figcaption>Nevin Lawrence</figcaption>
 </figure>Lawrence was recognized by WSWS in early March during the society’s 74th&nbsp;annual meeting, held virtually. The award&nbsp;recognizes innovative or unique approaches by weed scientists in the public or private sector that result in learning, ability to clearly communicate ideas, motivation of the intended audience, demonstrate excellence and creativity in research accomplishments, applying results to solve problems in weed science, the impact on weed management practices and principals of weed science, and recognition of accomplishments by peers and intended audiences. It is&nbsp;open to people who are within 10 years of their terminal degree.In his acceptance speech, Lawrence expressed appreciation to his colleagues and mentors, and said the collaboration with them has been rewarding. “This is what I love about being a weed scientist – taking real-world problems and trying to find solutions.”Lawrence has been the Integrated Weed Management Specialist at the Panhandle Center since 2016, after receiving his Ph.D. in crop science from Washington State University in 2015. He received a master’s degree in agronomy in 2011 from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor of science in agroecology from the University of Wyoming in 2009. His research and extension programming in the Panhandle focuses on using a range of integrated methods to control weeds and invasive plants in both irrigated settings and range and natural areas, and providing information and decision-making tools for farmers.The Western Society of Weed Science is one of four regional Weed Science Societies, which function under the national Weed Science Society of America.

Panhandle weed management specialist recognized by Western Society of Weed Science

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say three people walking on Mount Rushmore Road during snowy weather were struck by separate vehicles, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured. 

Rapid City police say the three pedestrians were walking in the middle of the southbound lanes about 6:25 a.m. when the crashes happened. 

A car had slowed down for the walkers when a pickup swerved to the right to avoid a rear-end collision and hit one of the pedestrians. 

The two other pedestrians were hit by an SUV as they walked over to their friend and the pickup.

 The first pedestrian hit by the pickup refused medical transport.

 The Rapid City Journal reports that one of the walkers hit by the SUV died and the other is hospitalized with serious injuries.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say three people walking on Mount Rushmore Road during snowy weather were struck by separate vehicles, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured. Rapid City police say the three pedestrians were walking in the middle of the southbound lanes about 6:25 a.m. when the crashes happened. A car had slowed down for the walkers when a pickup swerved to the right to avoid a rear-end collision and hit one of the pedestrians. The two other pedestrians were hit by an SUV as they walked over to their friend and the pickup. The first pedestrian hit by the pickup refused medical transport. The Rapid City Journal reports that one of the walkers hit by the SUV died and the other is hospitalized with serious injuries.

2 vehicles strike 3 pedestrians, killing 1 in Rapid City 

By Larry Pape, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – From Auburn to Alliance, Nebraska’s beginner-friendly lakes stretch form border to border.

These lakes have been designated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as family friendly because they are safe, comfortable and have great fish-catching potential. They include a combination of barrier-free fishing access, fishing trails, groomed parks, concessions, playgrounds, picnic areas, and maintained fish populations.

The following are 10 of the best examples of lakes for beginners and families to enjoy for a day of fishing. Most will have bass, bluegill and catfish, with rainbow trout seasonally stocked. Go for the fishing, stay for the other local activities.

•&nbsp;Optimist Lake&nbsp;in Auburn has a walking trail around the lake and a nearby playground, campground and ballpark. Trout are stocked in October and March. Fall City, Nebraska City and Humboldt are other area towns with similar ponds.

•&nbsp;Holmes Lake&nbsp;in Lincoln is a fishing family’s dream, with lots of fish, hiking trails, playgrounds and local services. It includes crappie and bluegill that are large enough to consider keeping for a dinner of fish filets. It also includes trophy bass and channel catfish. Areas of the dam and central part of the lake shoreline is sand; great for the kids to play in while waiting for the seasonally stocked trout to bite.

•&nbsp;Ponca State Park&nbsp;has a 1-acre pond with a boardwalk to fish from and mowed grass shorelines. Fishing rods and reels can be checked out at the visitor center to catch trout and panfish. Consider spending a weekend in the cabins or campgrounds and visiting the Lewis and Clark Museum displays while you are there.

•&nbsp;Two Rivers State Recreation Area Lake No. 5&nbsp;requires a fee to fish for rainbow trout. The lake has high numbers of fish for a great catching opportunity. Enjoy fishing from mowed shorelines and a handicapped accessible dock. Two Rivers has unique railroad cabooses turned into cabins that can be rented for your park stay.

• Yanney Park in Kearney includes a beautiful&nbsp;Yanney Lake, which is ringed by a hiking and biking trail that winds its way to Fort Kearny State Recreation Area Lake No. 6. Both of these lakes offer October and March trout stocking and great bass and panfish catching opportunity.

•&nbsp;Victoria Springs State Recreation Area&nbsp;is the third oldest area in Nebraska’s state park system and will be part of Game and Parks’ centennial celebration this summer. The Victoria Springs pond is a scenic setting for a day of fishing and relaxation. Nearby Broken Bow includes all of the services needed and is home to Melham Park Pond, another great beginner-friendly lake.

•&nbsp;Birdwood Wildlife Management Area Lake&nbsp;near North Platte is one of dozens of small lakes along Interstate 80 that was created by the digging of soil used in the interstate’s construction. Recent improvements make this lake more angler friendly, featuring fishing docks over clear water that has great panfish and seasonal trout fishing.

•&nbsp;Lake Ogallala&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lake McConaughy&nbsp;offer opportunity for a day-trip or weekend getaway that includes fishing. Trout can be caught from the shorelines or fishing docks of Lake Ogallala, or spend time on McConaughy’s sandy shores and fish for just about anything. Bring your sand toys and build a castle while you wait for a bite.

•&nbsp;Chadron State Park&nbsp;has a rare pond for Nebraska in that it is cold enough for trout year-round. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are the featured species. This beautiful location has a fishing dock and shaded shorelines. Plan ahead and reserve a cabin for a relaxing vacation.

• A golf course seems like an unlikely place to fish, but the&nbsp;Alliance Golf Course Pond&nbsp;allows fishing from sunrise until 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. Beautifully groomed shorelines, easy access and trout is the featured attraction.

To view a map of more lakes Game and Parks has designated as family friendly, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMTYuMzcwODk3OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9mYW1pbHlmcmllbmRseWxha2VzLyJ9.kHaw9KvrqVKxQ6Vx6Xkg17sexlntxuSepb8PR0s4txw/s/497221906/br/100089513682-l" target="_blank">outdoornebraska.gov/familyfriendlylakes</a>.

By Larry Pape, Nebraska Game and Parks CommissionLINCOLN, Neb. – From Auburn to Alliance, Nebraska’s beginner-friendly lakes stretch form border to border.These lakes have been designated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as family friendly because they are safe, comfortable and have great fish-catching potential. They include a combination of barrier-free fishing access, fishing trails, groomed parks, concessions, playgrounds, picnic areas, and maintained fish populations.The following are 10 of the best examples of lakes for beginners and families to enjoy for a day of fishing. Most will have bass, bluegill and catfish, with rainbow trout seasonally stocked. Go for the fishing, stay for the other local activities.•&nbsp;Optimist Lake&nbsp;in Auburn has a walking trail around the lake and a nearby playground, campground and ballpark. Trout are stocked in October and March. Fall City, Nebraska City and Humboldt are other area towns with similar ponds.•&nbsp;Holmes Lake&nbsp;in Lincoln is a fishing family’s dream, with lots of fish, hiking trails, playgrounds and local services. It includes crappie and bluegill that are large enough to consider keeping for a dinner of fish filets. It also includes trophy bass and channel catfish. Areas of the dam and central part of the lake shoreline is sand; great for the kids to play in while waiting for the seasonally stocked trout to bite.•&nbsp;Ponca State Park&nbsp;has a 1-acre pond with a boardwalk to fish from and mowed grass shorelines. Fishing rods and reels can be checked out at the visitor center to catch trout and panfish. Consider spending a weekend in the cabins or campgrounds and visiting the Lewis and Clark Museum displays while you are there.•&nbsp;Two Rivers State Recreation Area Lake No. 5&nbsp;requires a fee to fish for rainbow trout. The lake has high numbers of fish for a great catching opportunity. Enjoy fishing from mowed shorelines and a handicapped accessible dock. Two Rivers has unique railroad cabooses turned into cabins that can be rented for your park stay.• Yanney Park in Kearney includes a beautiful&nbsp;Yanney Lake, which is ringed by a hiking and biking trail that winds its way to Fort Kearny State Recreation Area Lake No. 6. Both of these lakes offer October and March trout stocking and great bass and panfish catching opportunity.•&nbsp;Victoria Springs State Recreation Area&nbsp;is the third oldest area in Nebraska’s state park system and will be part of Game and Parks’ centennial celebration this summer. The Victoria Springs pond is a scenic setting for a day of fishing and relaxation. Nearby Broken Bow includes all of the services needed and is home to Melham Park Pond, another great beginner-friendly lake.•&nbsp;Birdwood Wildlife Management Area Lake&nbsp;near North Platte is one of dozens of small lakes along Interstate 80 that was created by the digging of soil used in the interstate’s construction. Recent improvements make this lake more angler friendly, featuring fishing docks over clear water that has great panfish and seasonal trout fishing.•&nbsp;Lake Ogallala&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lake McConaughy&nbsp;offer opportunity for a day-trip or weekend getaway that includes fishing. Trout can be caught from the shorelines or fishing docks of Lake Ogallala, or spend time on McConaughy’s sandy shores and fish for just about anything. Bring your sand toys and build a castle while you wait for a bite.•&nbsp;Chadron State Park&nbsp;has a rare pond for Nebraska in that it is cold enough for trout year-round. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are the featured species. This beautiful location has a fishing dock and shaded shorelines. Plan ahead and reserve a cabin for a relaxing vacation.• A golf course seems like an unlikely place to fish, but the&nbsp;Alliance Golf Course Pond&nbsp;allows fishing from sunrise until 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. Beautifully groomed shorelines, easy access and trout is the featured attraction.To view a map of more lakes Game and Parks has designated as family friendly, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMTYuMzcwODk3OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9mYW1pbHlmcmllbmRseWxha2VzLyJ9.kHaw9KvrqVKxQ6Vx6Xkg17sexlntxuSepb8PR0s4txw/s/497221906/br/100089513682-l" target="_blank">outdoornebraska.gov/familyfriendlylakes</a>.

Top 10 beginner-friendly lakes across Nebraska

🎙 Post Podcast: Karen Benzel of United Way of Western Nebraska

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Today, Governor Pete Ricketts appointed Jeffrey A. Gaertig of Beatrice as County Court Judge in the First Judicial District.&nbsp; The First Judicial District consists of Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties. &nbsp;

Gaertig, 48, has practiced law in Beatrice since 2013.&nbsp; He has practiced at Smith Schafer Davis Gaertig since 2016, specializing in criminal defense.&nbsp; In his practice, Gaertig has engaged in complex corporate and commercial litigation on behalf of the firm’s clients.&nbsp; He has also practiced juvenile law and represented individuals in family law matters and cases consisting of both property and custodial disputes in district court. &nbsp;

Prior to practicing law in Beatrice, Gaertig served for seven years as an assistant attorney general for the Nebraska Department of Justice.&nbsp; In that capacity, he worked as a criminal prosecutor in the Child Protection Unit and the Drug and Violent Crime Unit.

Gaertig holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.&nbsp; He is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association and the Tri-County Bar Association.

Gaertig is a lifelong Nebraskan.&nbsp; He’s currently a member of Beatrice Sertoma, and he previously served on the board of the Gage County United Way.

He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of&nbsp;Judge Steven B. Timm.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Today, Governor Pete Ricketts appointed Jeffrey A. Gaertig of Beatrice as County Court Judge in the First Judicial District.&nbsp; The First Judicial District consists of Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615908628693.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gaertig, 48, has practiced law in Beatrice since 2013.&nbsp; He has practiced at Smith Schafer Davis Gaertig since 2016, specializing in criminal defense.&nbsp; In his practice, Gaertig has engaged in complex corporate and commercial litigation on behalf of the firm’s clients.&nbsp; He has also practiced juvenile law and represented individuals in family law matters and cases consisting of both property and custodial disputes in district court. &nbsp;Prior to practicing law in Beatrice, Gaertig served for seven years as an assistant attorney general for the Nebraska Department of Justice.&nbsp; In that capacity, he worked as a criminal prosecutor in the Child Protection Unit and the Drug and Violent Crime Unit.Gaertig holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.&nbsp; He is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association and the Tri-County Bar Association.Gaertig is a lifelong Nebraskan.&nbsp; He’s currently a member of Beatrice Sertoma, and he previously served on the board of the Gage County United Way.He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of&nbsp;Judge Steven B. Timm.

Ricketts appoints Jeffrey Gaertig as County Court Judge in the First Judicial District

From March 21-27, 2021 we’ll celebrate National Agriculture Week in Nebraska.&nbsp; It’s a great opportunity to highlight the hard work our farmers and ranchers do to produce high-quality and affordable food.&nbsp; The crops and livestock they raise feed families in our state, across the nation, and around the world.

Agriculture is our number one industry. &nbsp;It adds more than $21 billion to our state’s economy each year.&nbsp; Nebraska’s cash receipts from agricultural commodities are greater than ag receipts in Florida, Colorado, and New York combined. &nbsp;On a per capita basis, we generate more revenue from agricultural commodities than any other state.

Even with the global pandemic, 2020 was a strong year for U.S. corn and soybean exports.&nbsp; Soybean exports were up 38% over 2019, and corn exports were up 20%.&nbsp; American wheat exports in 2020 also topped 2019’s totals.&nbsp; The outlook is good for ag export growth to continue.&nbsp; Last month, the USDA forecasted the value of U.S. ag exports to hit record highs in 2021 (federal fiscal year).

While Nebraska beef exports in 2020 were down slightly (4%) compared to 2019, we fared better than the national average.&nbsp; This allowed us to climb past Texas to regain our #2 ranking among beef exporting states.&nbsp; We also gained market share in the European Union.&nbsp; Nebraska now supplies 62.6% of beef exports to the EU.

Activists like PETA are pushing a radical anti-agricultural agenda aimed at hurting states like Nebraska. &nbsp;They’re using false stereotypes of livestock agriculture to gain control over how Americans eat, drink, and make a living.&nbsp; While other states may abandon agriculture to appease radical environmentalists, the State of Nebraska will continue our proud and unwavering support of livestock producers.

Nebraska is the Beef State. &nbsp;The livestock industry is a prominent part of our state’s history and culture.&nbsp; Ranchers and feedlot owners in Nebraska are committed to quality care of the land, the water, and their animals. &nbsp;Beef is one of the most nutritionally dense foods we have, and it’s a great part of a healthy diet.&nbsp; To counter ill-informed attacks on animal agriculture, I’m declaring March 20th&nbsp;as “Meat on the Menu Day” in Nebraska.&nbsp; I encourage Nebraskans to fire up the grill or visit their favorite steakhouse on Saturday.&nbsp; Let’s dine on the fine Nebraska beef, pork, chicken, or lamb raised in our state to support our family farmers and ranchers.

We’re continuing to grow Nebraska by taking the crops raised here and adding value to them through innovative manufacturing processes.&nbsp; Promoting biofuels is an important part of supporting value-added agriculture in our state.&nbsp; Ethanol saves drivers money at the pump so that they can keep more money in their wallet.&nbsp; Filling up with ethanol reduces toxic emissions, which leads to cleaner air.&nbsp; Ethanol also creates opportunities for Nebraska’s farmers—35% of the corn grown in our state goes to our ethanol industry.

In June 2019, the State launched an EPA-approved pilot program to study the use of locally sourced E30 biofuel in conventional state-owned vehicles.&nbsp; We wanted to find out if the vehicles could run on E30 without maintenance problems or any decrease in performance.&nbsp; Teammates in the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (DAS) outfitted 40 State vehicles with onboard vehicle tracking systems to capture data on vehicle performance.&nbsp; The Nebraska State Patrol also participated in the study with 10 patrol vehicles. &nbsp;They monitored those vehicles for an entire year.&nbsp; At the end of the evaluation period, DAS submitted the data to engineers at UNL for analysis.

Earlier this month, I joined the Nebraska Ethanol Board and a professor from UNL to announce the groundbreaking results of the study.&nbsp; The results clearly demonstrated that E30 is a safe and reliable fuel for conventional vehicles.&nbsp; Having proof of its effectiveness will be a great benefit as we advocate for increasing the volume of ethanol in our nation’s fuel supply.

While the State of Nebraska stands behind our ag producers, the Biden Administration is pursuing policies that threaten the future of agriculture in America.&nbsp; I am especially troubled by President Biden’s January 27th&nbsp;executive order on the climate.&nbsp; It sets a goal of restricting “at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.”&nbsp; Attaining this goal would require far-reaching federal interventions to regulate the use of land and natural resources. &nbsp;While purporting to encourage conservation, this sort of government interference would hurt agriculture by taking away opportunities for our ag families to grow their operations.

Our farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists.&nbsp; They’re innovators in managing the soil, stewarding our abundant water resources, and enriching animal habitats on their lands.&nbsp; Earlier this month,&nbsp;US News &amp; World Report&nbsp;ranked Nebraska as the sixth-best state in the category of “Natural Environment” due to the great quality of our air and water.&nbsp; By contrast, the State of Delaware—which President Biden represented as a U.S. Senator from 1973 to 2009—ranked sixth-worst in the nation for its natural environment.&nbsp; Nebraskans don’t need bureaucrats in Washington telling us how to care for the land.

We’re watching the Biden Administration closely, and we’ll take action to oppose federal overreach that would harm agriculture here in Nebraska.&nbsp; We’ll also continue looking for creative ways to support our farmers and ranchers through initiatives like “Meat on the Menu Day.”&nbsp; If you have questions about our work to grow agriculture in Nebraska, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov" target="_blank">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp;

From March 21-27, 2021 we’ll celebrate National Agriculture Week in Nebraska.&nbsp; It’s a great opportunity to highlight the hard work our farmers and ranchers do to produce high-quality and affordable food.&nbsp; The crops and livestock they raise feed families in our state, across the nation, and around the world.Agriculture is our number one industry. &nbsp;It adds more than $21 billion to our state’s economy each year.&nbsp; Nebraska’s cash receipts from agricultural commodities are greater than ag receipts in Florida, Colorado, and New York combined. &nbsp;On a per capita basis, we generate more revenue from agricultural commodities than any other state.Even with the global pandemic, 2020 was a strong year for U.S. corn and soybean exports.&nbsp; Soybean exports were up 38% over 2019, and corn exports were up 20%.&nbsp; American wheat exports in 2020 also topped 2019’s totals.&nbsp; The outlook is good for ag export growth to continue.&nbsp; Last month, the USDA forecasted the value of U.S. ag exports to hit record highs in 2021 (federal fiscal year).While Nebraska beef exports in 2020 were down slightly (4%) compared to 2019, we fared better than the national average.&nbsp; This allowed us to climb past Texas to regain our #2 ranking among beef exporting states.&nbsp; We also gained market share in the European Union.&nbsp; Nebraska now supplies 62.6% of beef exports to the EU.Activists like PETA are pushing a radical anti-agricultural agenda aimed at hurting states like Nebraska. &nbsp;They’re using false stereotypes of livestock agriculture to gain control over how Americans eat, drink, and make a living.&nbsp; While other states may abandon agriculture to appease radical environmentalists, the State of Nebraska will continue our proud and unwavering support of livestock producers.Nebraska is the Beef State. &nbsp;The livestock industry is a prominent part of our state’s history and culture.&nbsp; Ranchers and feedlot owners in Nebraska are committed to quality care of the land, the water, and their animals. &nbsp;Beef is one of the most nutritionally dense foods we have, and it’s a great part of a healthy diet.&nbsp; To counter ill-informed attacks on animal agriculture, I’m declaring March 20th&nbsp;as “Meat on the Menu Day” in Nebraska.&nbsp; I encourage Nebraskans to fire up the grill or visit their favorite steakhouse on Saturday.&nbsp; Let’s dine on the fine Nebraska beef, pork, chicken, or lamb raised in our state to support our family farmers and ranchers.We’re continuing to grow Nebraska by taking the crops raised here and adding value to them through innovative manufacturing processes.&nbsp; Promoting biofuels is an important part of supporting value-added agriculture in our state.&nbsp; Ethanol saves drivers money at the pump so that they can keep more money in their wallet.&nbsp; Filling up with ethanol reduces toxic emissions, which leads to cleaner air.&nbsp; Ethanol also creates opportunities for Nebraska’s farmers—35% of the corn grown in our state goes to our ethanol industry.In June 2019, the State launched an EPA-approved pilot program to study the use of locally sourced E30 biofuel in conventional state-owned vehicles.&nbsp; We wanted to find out if the vehicles could run on E30 without maintenance problems or any decrease in performance.&nbsp; Teammates in the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (DAS) outfitted 40 State vehicles with onboard vehicle tracking systems to capture data on vehicle performance.&nbsp; The Nebraska State Patrol also participated in the study with 10 patrol vehicles. &nbsp;They monitored those vehicles for an entire year.&nbsp; At the end of the evaluation period, DAS submitted the data to engineers at UNL for analysis.Earlier this month, I joined the Nebraska Ethanol Board and a professor from UNL to announce the groundbreaking results of the study.&nbsp; The results clearly demonstrated that E30 is a safe and reliable fuel for conventional vehicles.&nbsp; Having proof of its effectiveness will be a great benefit as we advocate for increasing the volume of ethanol in our nation’s fuel supply.While the State of Nebraska stands behind our ag producers, the Biden Administration is pursuing policies that threaten the future of agriculture in America.&nbsp; I am especially troubled by President Biden’s January 27th&nbsp;executive order on the climate.&nbsp; It sets a goal of restricting “at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.”&nbsp; Attaining this goal would require far-reaching federal interventions to regulate the use of land and natural resources. &nbsp;While purporting to encourage conservation, this sort of government interference would hurt agriculture by taking away opportunities for our ag families to grow their operations.Our farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists.&nbsp; They’re innovators in managing the soil, stewarding our abundant water resources, and enriching animal habitats on their lands.&nbsp; Earlier this month,&nbsp;US News &amp; World Report&nbsp;ranked Nebraska as the sixth-best state in the category of “Natural Environment” due to the great quality of our air and water.&nbsp; By contrast, the State of Delaware—which President Biden represented as a U.S. Senator from 1973 to 2009—ranked sixth-worst in the nation for its natural environment.&nbsp; Nebraskans don’t need bureaucrats in Washington telling us how to care for the land.We’re watching the Biden Administration closely, and we’ll take action to oppose federal overreach that would harm agriculture here in Nebraska.&nbsp; We’ll also continue looking for creative ways to support our farmers and ranchers through initiatives like “Meat on the Menu Day.”&nbsp; If you have questions about our work to grow agriculture in Nebraska, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov" target="_blank">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp;

Gov. Ricketts: Celebrating and growing Nebraska agriculture

As of today, 16,866 or 25.7% of Panhandle adults have received the COVID vaccine. People are urged to help friends, family, and neighbors sign up for theirs. This can be done by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://vaccinate.ne.gov/" target="_blank">https://vaccinate.ne.gov</a>&nbsp;or calling 833-998-2275.

“The Panhandle’s COVID case fatality rate is double that of the state. With the risk of COVID variants increasing the chances of spread coupled with the Panhandle’s high case fatality rate, we can’t urge Panhandle residents enough to get vaccinated,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.

The Panhandle’s case fatality rate is currently 2.15% and the state overall is 1.04%. There are several reasons for the higher rate, but it remains critical that we understand the severity COVID presents to our most vulnerable residents with age as the biggest predictor in outcome.

“We are hopeful with each resident choosing to get vaccinated and watching the COVID cases continuing to decline but we can’t be too cautious as we get into spring activities like Easter, Mother’s Day, and graduation,” added Engel. “The best way to prepare for those celebrations is to get vaccinated now.”

COVID vaccines are currently available for Panhandle residents 50 or older and phase 1b employees to include educators, childcare providers, grocery and convenience store workers, railroad employees, truckers, public transit, postal service, cooperatives, and meat and food processing facility employees. Residents within these phase 1b categories can register here:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3este7ka" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3este7ka</a>.

There’s no need to wait, if you are in any of the currently eligible populations, register now so local vaccine providers can determine when to move to the next critical phases who are anxiously awaiting getting theirs. Please help your family, friends, and neighbors sign up now.

Studies are showing the COVID vaccines provide 100% protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines are one of the single greatest achievements in public health, be sure to get your COVID shot when it’s your turn.<a>&nbsp;People who are fully COVID vaccinated will not be required to quarantine due to close contact.</a>

If you have had COVID, you are still encouraged to get the vaccine once you no longer have symptoms and after you have been released from isolation. If you received the monoclonal antibody treatment, it is recommended to get the vaccine no sooner than 90 days after treatment.

Three Panhandle residents were announced as the most recent COVID deaths, a Sheridan County female in her 80s and two Cheyenne County residents, a male in his 80s and a male in his 90s, bringing the Panhandle total to 189.

“We share peace and comfort with the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents,” said Engel. Unified Command confirms 43 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Monday, March 8.&nbsp;The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.

By PPHDAs of today, 16,866 or 25.7% of Panhandle adults have received the COVID vaccine. People are urged to help friends, family, and neighbors sign up for theirs. This can be done by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://vaccinate.ne.gov/" target="_blank">https://vaccinate.ne.gov</a>&nbsp;or calling 833-998-2275.“The Panhandle’s COVID case fatality rate is double that of the state. With the risk of COVID variants increasing the chances of spread coupled with the Panhandle’s high case fatality rate, we can’t urge Panhandle residents enough to get vaccinated,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.The Panhandle’s case fatality rate is currently 2.15% and the state overall is 1.04%. There are several reasons for the higher rate, but it remains critical that we understand the severity COVID presents to our most vulnerable residents with age as the biggest predictor in outcome.“We are hopeful with each resident choosing to get vaccinated and watching the COVID cases continuing to decline but we can’t be too cautious as we get into spring activities like Easter, Mother’s Day, and graduation,” added Engel. “The best way to prepare for those celebrations is to get vaccinated now.”COVID vaccines are currently available for Panhandle residents 50 or older and phase 1b employees to include educators, childcare providers, grocery and convenience store workers, railroad employees, truckers, public transit, postal service, cooperatives, and meat and food processing facility employees. Residents within these phase 1b categories can register here:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3este7ka" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3este7ka</a>.There’s no need to wait, if you are in any of the currently eligible populations, register now so local vaccine providers can determine when to move to the next critical phases who are anxiously awaiting getting theirs. Please help your family, friends, and neighbors sign up now.Studies are showing the COVID vaccines provide 100% protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines are one of the single greatest achievements in public health, be sure to get your COVID shot when it’s your turn.<a>&nbsp;People who are fully COVID vaccinated will not be required to quarantine due to close contact.</a>If you have had COVID, you are still encouraged to get the vaccine once you no longer have symptoms and after you have been released from isolation. If you received the monoclonal antibody treatment, it is recommended to get the vaccine no sooner than 90 days after treatment.Three Panhandle residents were announced as the most recent COVID deaths, a Sheridan County female in her 80s and two Cheyenne County residents, a male in his 80s and a male in his 90s, bringing the Panhandle total to 189.“We share peace and comfort with the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents,” said Engel. Unified Command confirms 43 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Monday, March 8.&nbsp;The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615905929831.jpeg" alt="" />
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PPHD: 1 in 4 Panhandle adults has received vaccine, 3 more deaths reported

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state tax collections soared far above projections in February, but the numbers are likely to come back down in the next few months. 

The Nebraska Department of Revenue reported net tax receipts last month of $449 million, which is 96% higher than the certified forecast of $229 million. 

The surge was driven by net corporate income tax collections that were nearly 602% higher than expected and individual income tax collections that were nearly 164% above projections. 

A department spokeswoman says part of the reason for the increase was the Internal Revenue Service’s tax season beginning later than usual, which led to a lower-than-usual number of refunds issued in February.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state tax collections soared far above projections in February, but the numbers are likely to come back down in the next few months. The Nebraska Department of Revenue reported net tax receipts last month of $449 million, which is 96% higher than the certified forecast of $229 million. The surge was driven by net corporate income tax collections that were nearly 602% higher than expected and individual income tax collections that were nearly 164% above projections. A department spokeswoman says part of the reason for the increase was the Internal Revenue Service’s tax season beginning later than usual, which led to a lower-than-usual number of refunds issued in February.

Nebraska tax collections soar due to late tax season start

DENVER (AP) — Denver’s airport has reopened after a powerful late winter snowstorm dumped over 3 feet of snow to parts of Colorado and Wyoming over the weekend. 

Four of the airport's runways were cleared on Monday, enough to meet current demand following many flight cancellations. 

Major roadways in eastern Wyoming remained closed. Many schools and state legislatures in both states were also cancelled. 

The storm also interfered with COVID-19 vaccinations.

 A spokesperson for the Wyoming health department said federal officials shut down vaccine shipments to the region as the storm neared so the vials packed in dry ice wouldn’t spoil during mail delays.

DENVER (AP) — Denver’s airport has reopened after a powerful late winter snowstorm dumped over 3 feet of snow to parts of Colorado and Wyoming over the weekend. Four of the airport's runways were cleared on Monday, enough to meet current demand following many flight cancellations. Major roadways in eastern Wyoming remained closed. Many schools and state legislatures in both states were also cancelled. The storm also interfered with COVID-19 vaccinations. A spokesperson for the Wyoming health department said federal officials shut down vaccine shipments to the region as the storm neared so the vials packed in dry ice wouldn’t spoil during mail delays.

Denver's airport reopens after powerful winter storm

“It’s the easiest way to care about someone,” Oshkosh art educator and community catalyst Lauren Olson said when talking about her recent first dose COVID vaccine experience.

Olson cares deeply about her community. If you travel through Oshkosh, you will see a legacy of this commitment to her students, school, and community with various artwork and murals throughout the town.

“This pandemic forces us to think about others. I’ve missed hanging out with my elderly neighbor but soon we will both have both doses, and we are looking forward to a vaccine card party,” Olson added.

Olson’s mom has a compromised immune system, so they have taken extra precautions during the pandemic by not going out with friends and ordering takeout from restaurants so they could still support local business. Eating in restaurants again is something she’s looking forward to.

Olson’s students have been at the forefront of her mind, too. She’s a former Garden County Eagle herself and has been an art educator at the school since graduating from UNL nearly a decade ago.

“There was a lot of uncertainty as the start of school was nearing last fall. I had an extended family member not fare well with a COVID infection, so I was concerned with what school reopening was going to look like. Thankfully, the school took precautions very seriously and the kids are resilient, they have done well wearing masks and not complaining,” she stated.

Olson encourages others to get their COVID vaccine. Her sister is a doctor and they both firmly believe in science with the significant amount of research put into it.

Despite many tattoos, Olson has a fear of needles, but said she wasn’t able to feel the small, brief stick in the arm.

“Regional West Garden County was well-organized with their COVID shot process and both my mom and I were in and out in less than twenty minutes,” Olson said. Her students were anxious to hear her experience and she relayed it was just a bit of a sore arm but nothing else.&nbsp;

COVID vaccines are currently available for Panhandle residents 50 or older and phase 1b employees to include educators, childcare providers, grocery and convenience store workers, railroad employees, truckers, public transit, postal service, cooperatives, and meat and food processing facility employees.

Residents are encouraged to register now for their COVID vaccine at vaccinate.ne.gov or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873. There’s no need to wait, if you are in any of the currently eligible populations, register now so local vaccine providers can determine when to move to the next critical phases who are anxiously awaiting getting theirs. Please help your family, friends, and neighbors sign up now.

If you have received your first dose and have not heard when you will receive your second dose, don’t fret, you will be contacted by the vaccine provider that administered your first dose.

The Panhandle COVID dashboard is updated weekdays at 4:30 pm MT and available at www.pphd.org. For the most up to date information from the CDC, visit <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html</a>.

Panhandle Public Health District, Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Management, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department are working as a unified command on this evolving situation. Essential updates will be regularly communicated to the public and community partners.

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. Visit our website www.pphd.org.

By PPHD“It’s the easiest way to care about someone,” Oshkosh art educator and community catalyst Lauren Olson said when talking about her recent first dose COVID vaccine experience.Olson cares deeply about her community. If you travel through Oshkosh, you will see a legacy of this commitment to her students, school, and community with various artwork and murals throughout the town.“This pandemic forces us to think about others. I’ve missed hanging out with my elderly neighbor but soon we will both have both doses, and we are looking forward to a vaccine card party,” Olson added.Olson’s mom has a compromised immune system, so they have taken extra precautions during the pandemic by not going out with friends and ordering takeout from restaurants so they could still support local business. Eating in restaurants again is something she’s looking forward to.Olson’s students have been at the forefront of her mind, too. She’s a former Garden County Eagle herself and has been an art educator at the school since graduating from UNL nearly a decade ago.“There was a lot of uncertainty as the start of school was nearing last fall. I had an extended family member not fare well with a COVID infection, so I was concerned with what school reopening was going to look like. Thankfully, the school took precautions very seriously and the kids are resilient, they have done well wearing masks and not complaining,” she stated.Olson encourages others to get their COVID vaccine. Her sister is a doctor and they both firmly believe in science with the significant amount of research put into it.Despite many tattoos, Olson has a fear of needles, but said she wasn’t able to feel the small, brief stick in the arm.“Regional West Garden County was well-organized with their COVID shot process and both my mom and I were in and out in less than twenty minutes,” Olson said. Her students were anxious to hear her experience and she relayed it was just a bit of a sore arm but nothing else.&nbsp;COVID vaccines are currently available for Panhandle residents 50 or older and phase 1b employees to include educators, childcare providers, grocery and convenience store workers, railroad employees, truckers, public transit, postal service, cooperatives, and meat and food processing facility employees.Residents are encouraged to register now for their COVID vaccine at vaccinate.ne.gov or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873. There’s no need to wait, if you are in any of the currently eligible populations, register now so local vaccine providers can determine when to move to the next critical phases who are anxiously awaiting getting theirs. Please help your family, friends, and neighbors sign up now.Studies are showing the COVID vaccines provide 100% protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines are one of the single greatest achievements in public health, be sure to get your COVID shot when it’s your turn.<a>&nbsp;People who are fully COVID vaccinated will not be required to quarantine due to close contact.</a>If you have had COVID, you are still encouraged to get the vaccine once you no longer have symptoms and after you have been released from isolation. If you received the monoclonal antibody treatment, it is recommended to get the vaccine no sooner than 90 days after treatment.If you have received your first dose and have not heard when you will receive your second dose, don’t fret, you will be contacted by the vaccine provider that administered your first dose.The Panhandle COVID dashboard is updated weekdays at 4:30 pm MT and available at www.pphd.org. For the most up to date information from the CDC, visit <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html</a>.Panhandle Public Health District, Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Management, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department are working as a unified command on this evolving situation. Essential updates will be regularly communicated to the public and community partners.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. Visit our website www.pphd.org.

PPHD: Oshkosh art educator cares for her community by getting vaccinated

Chadron High School will present "Into the Woods" musical on March 19, 20 and 21.

The Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.&nbsp; Chadron High School Vocal Music/Theatre Director Wendy Mahr said her students haven't had a live performance since the pandemic began in 2020. "We're going to get to be the first one, so that's kind of fun," Mahr said. "We hope people will show up, I'm kind of a bit nervous to be honest." "Into the Woods" is a musical by Stephen Sondheim. "It's not that old of a show, it's been around since the 80's," Mahr said. "It's four different nursery rhyme stories happening at the same time. Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood all happening together in the same woods. There's giants and a witch. There's all kinds of things that happen...a whole bunch of irony and fun." Mahr told Panhandle Post it's a difficult theater production to put on. "I would never do [this] with high school kids just because of the vocal chops it takes, but I have such strong kids this year so I picked it and they're doing awesome," Mahr said. "With cast and crew I say we have 25 people. Because of COVID I wasn't sure what the restrictions were going to be...so I usually have a bigger cast. I have an assistant director that's Jeff Milburn; a wonderful singer....and a choreographer, that's Kat Rischling who was our student. We're on our eighth show together. She started working with me when she was still in high school with my summer drama programs. She's a fabulous choreographer." Chadron High School students have been working extremely hard for this production.&nbsp; "The theatrical rule is for every minute you see a production, an hour of rehearsal has occurred," Mahr said. "Because everything is copyrighted, you have seven weeks to prepare. The eighth week you have to be in production because everything that you've copyrighted has to go back to New York. I do auditions before the contract starts so that the kids know what parts they're going to prep for. Then we start the rehearsal process...in our case in Chadron we have to work around sports and all the other wonderful things because our kids are in so much. I use Cardinal Singer rehearsal time, which is before school and then we're the last thing at the end of day...usually at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. til 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. They work so hard. With Jeff and Kat and I we can run three different rehearsals at the same time. " Mahr notes that the students in this production are very talented, and some have been accepted into&nbsp;prestigious colleges.&nbsp; "Chadron is statistically the strangest&nbsp;anomaly and the most wonderful thing at the same time," Mahr said. "We're so small yet...look at our graduation rate based on our stats with normal stuff, our poverty rate, etc. We just defy everything all the time, which is a just a testament to a lot things. We have kids with so much talent in so many ways. It's funny because they don't know that. I think that's one reason that makes it so great. They have no idea that they're really good because they don't have anything to compare it to. In sports you always have a defense, you see another team, in art you don't see the other teams. You don't know what other kids' musicals are like. Part of that is a blessing because they don't really have any ego, which is super great. " Chadron Senior Lateshia Ngoi has been accepted into the Julliard performing arts schools. "At this moment in her life she thinks she wants to go into music or theatre, something in the arts for sure," Mahr said. "She's self driven. She's one of those kids that any coach loves. She knew the idea of Julliard. I do think culturally there's a disconnect. She's from Canada. The wait from getting, I think it meant a lot. First of all, it was just a 'shoot the moon', they only take five kids. She says she might as well try. It's pretty darn amazing...that she went through and got in." Chadron Senior Alexis Convoy got accepted into Princeton University through the QuestBridge Scholarship.&nbsp; "Both of those girls [Convoy,&nbsp;Ngoi] are well rounded," Mahr said. "They're both&nbsp;academically, extremely strong. They both qualified for State Speech, which is really hard to do. Actually, Alexis won her district division. They are in Cardinal Singers, FBLA and all the things that our kids do. It's just amazing." Mahr said she's really excited for this musical.&nbsp; "Usually, I don't have so many seniors," Mahr said. "In Cardinal Singers I have 11 seniors out of 25. It's fun because there isn't a weak link. Like Kennedy Stack, who is a beautiful actress and singer, she's going to Kearney on a softball scholarship but is also&nbsp;auditioning for music." Tickets for "Into the Woods" are available at the high school office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostChadron High School will present "Into the Woods" musical on March 19, 20 and 21.The Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.&nbsp; Chadron High School Vocal Music/Theatre Director Wendy Mahr said her students haven't had a live performance since the pandemic began in 2020. "We're going to get to be the first one, so that's kind of fun," Mahr said. "We hope people will show up, I'm kind of a bit nervous to be honest." "Into the Woods" is a musical by Stephen Sondheim. "It's not that old of a show, it's been around since the 80's," Mahr said. "It's four different nursery rhyme stories happening at the same time. Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood all happening together in the same woods. There's giants and a witch. There's all kinds of things that happen...a whole bunch of irony and fun." Mahr told Panhandle Post it's a difficult theater production to put on. "I would never do [this] with high school kids just because of the vocal chops it takes, but I have such strong kids this year so I picked it and they're doing awesome," Mahr said. "With cast and crew I say we have 25 people. Because of COVID I wasn't sure what the restrictions were going to be...so I usually have a bigger cast. I have an assistant director that's Jeff Milburn; a wonderful singer....and a choreographer, that's Kat Rischling who was our student. We're on our eighth show together. She started working with me when she was still in high school with my summer drama programs. She's a fabulous choreographer." Chadron High School students have been working extremely hard for this production.&nbsp; "The theatrical rule is for every minute you see a production, an hour of rehearsal has occurred," Mahr said. "Because everything is copyrighted, you have seven weeks to prepare. The eighth week you have to be in production because everything that you've copyrighted has to go back to New York. I do auditions before the contract starts so that the kids know what parts they're going to prep for. Then we start the rehearsal process...in our case in Chadron we have to work around sports and all the other wonderful things because our kids are in so much. I use Cardinal Singer rehearsal time, which is before school and then we're the last thing at the end of day...usually at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. til 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. They work so hard. With Jeff and Kat and I we can run three different rehearsals at the same time. " Mahr notes that the students in this production are very talented, and some have been accepted into&nbsp;prestigious colleges.&nbsp; "Chadron is statistically the strangest&nbsp;anomaly and the most wonderful thing at the same time," Mahr said. "We're so small yet...look at our graduation rate based on our stats with normal stuff, our poverty rate, etc. We just defy everything all the time, which is a just a testament to a lot things. We have kids with so much talent in so many ways. It's funny because they don't know that. I think that's one reason that makes it so great. They have no idea that they're really good because they don't have anything to compare it to. In sports you always have a defense, you see another team, in art you don't see the other teams. You don't know what other kids' musicals are like. Part of that is a blessing because they don't really have any ego, which is super great. " Chadron Senior Lateshia Ngoi has been accepted into the Julliard performing arts schools. "At this moment in her life she thinks she wants to go into music or theatre, something in the arts for sure," Mahr said. "She's self driven. She's one of those kids that any coach loves. She knew the idea of Julliard. I do think culturally there's a disconnect. She's from Canada. The wait from getting, I think it meant a lot. First of all, it was just a 'shoot the moon', they only take five kids. She says she might as well try. It's pretty darn amazing...that she went through and got in." Chadron Senior Alexis Convoy got accepted into Princeton University through the QuestBridge Scholarship.&nbsp; "Both of those girls [Convoy,&nbsp;Ngoi] are well rounded," Mahr said. "They're both&nbsp;academically, extremely strong. They both qualified for State Speech, which is really hard to do. Actually, Alexis won her district division. They are in Cardinal Singers, FBLA and all the things that our kids do. It's just amazing." Mahr said she's really excited for this musical.&nbsp; "Usually, I don't have so many seniors," Mahr said. "In Cardinal Singers I have 11 seniors out of 25. It's fun because there isn't a weak link. Like Kennedy Stack, who is a beautiful actress and singer, she's going to Kearney on a softball scholarship but is also&nbsp;auditioning for music." Tickets for "Into the Woods" are available at the high school office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chadron High School to perform 'Into the Woods' musical

From the Nebraska Department of Transportation&nbsp;

TRAVELER ALERT: I-80 westbound is now OPEN for ONLY those headed between Grand Island and the I-76/I-80 junction. I-76 to Denver is open. 

I-80 westbound remains CLOSED into Wyoming at the I-76/I-80 Junction. 

Stay current on closures by checking <a href="https://t.co/nyBhRVwnT3?amp=1" target="_blank">http://511.Nebraska.gov</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeRoad?src=hashtag_click">#NeRoad</a>

I-80 westbound is now OPEN for ONLY those headed between Grand Island and the I-76/I-80 junction. I-76 to Denver is open. 

I-80 westbound remains CLOSED into Wyoming at the I-76/I-80 Junction. 

Stay current on closures by checking http://511.Nebraska.gov #NeRoad

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615888326480.png" alt="As of 4:52 am March 16, 2021" />
 <figcaption>As of 4:52 am March 16, 2021</figcaption>
 </figure>From the Nebraska Department of Transportation&nbsp; TRAVELER ALERT: I-80 westbound is now OPEN for ONLY those headed between Grand Island and the I-76/I-80 junction. I-76 to Denver is open. 

I-80 westbound remains CLOSED into Wyoming at the I-76/I-80 Junction. 

Stay current on closures by checking <a href="https://t.co/nyBhRVwnT3?amp=1" target="_blank">http://511.Nebraska.gov</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeRoad?src=hashtag_click">#NeRoad</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Those are the I-80 gates at Grand Island (mile marker 312) going up. And with that, I-80 is open for westbound traffic up to the I-76 split. I-76 is open in Colorado. I-80 remains closed in the panhandle until traffic can move into Wyoming safely. <a href="https://t.co/hxQlOwkXVV">pic.twitter.com/hxQlOwkXVV</a>&mdash; Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/NEStatePatrol/status/1371645284615348226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Those are the I-80 gates at Grand Island (mile marker 312) going up. And with that, I-80 is open for westbound traffic up to the I-76 split. I-76 is open in Colorado. I-80 remains closed in the panhandle until traffic can move into Wyoming safely. <a href="https://t.co/hxQlOwkXVV">pic.twitter.com/hxQlOwkXVV</a>&mdash; Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/NEStatePatrol/status/1371645284615348226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>I-80 westbound is now OPEN for ONLY those headed between Grand Island and the I-76/I-80 junction. I-76 to Denver is open. I-80 westbound remains CLOSED into Wyoming at the I-76/I-80 Junction. Stay current on closures by checking http://511.Nebraska.gov #NeRoad<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">TRAVELER ALERT: I-80 westbound is now OPEN for ONLY those headed between Grand Island and the I-76/I-80 junction. I-76 to Denver is open. I-80 westbound remains CLOSED into Wyoming at the I-76/I-80 Junction. Stay current on closures by checking <a href="https://t.co/nyBhRVwnT3">https://t.co/nyBhRVwnT3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeRoad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NeRoad</a> <a href="https://t.co/UCwwRWvXdt">pic.twitter.com/UCwwRWvXdt</a>&mdash; Nebraska DOT (@NebraskaDOT) <a href="https://twitter.com/NebraskaDOT/status/1371623258769002511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

I-80 westbound open to I-76 travelers, still closed at I-80/I-76 junction to Wyoming border

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is railing against a proclamation by the governor of Colorado that encourages people to avoid meat for one day a week, calling it a “direct attack on our way of life” and signing a pro-meat declaration of his own. 

Ricketts surrounded himself with top officials from Nebraska’s meat, agricultural and restaurant industries on Monday as he declared Saturday “Meat on the Menu Day” in Nebraska. 

The day was chosen to coincide with Colorado’s “MeatOut Day,” a nonbinding proclamation signed by Gov. Jared Polis late last month and backed by an animal rights group. 

“MeatOut Day” was started in 1985 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement and seeks to encourage non-vegetarians to consider a plant-based diet.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is railing against a proclamation by the governor of Colorado that encourages people to avoid meat for one day a week, calling it a “direct attack on our way of life” and signing a pro-meat declaration of his own. Ricketts surrounded himself with top officials from Nebraska’s meat, agricultural and restaurant industries on Monday as he declared Saturday “Meat on the Menu Day” in Nebraska. The day was chosen to coincide with Colorado’s “MeatOut Day,” a nonbinding proclamation signed by Gov. Jared Polis late last month and backed by an animal rights group. “MeatOut Day” was started in 1985 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement and seeks to encourage non-vegetarians to consider a plant-based diet.

Nebraska declares pro-meat day on Colorado meatless day

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota woman whose prison sentence was commuted on Donald Trump’s last day in office says the missed experiences included spending time with her children and grandchildren _ and learning to use a smartphone.

 LaVonne Roach, of Rapid City, was set free in January after spending 23 years locked in three federal prisons for selling methamphetamine. 

The Rapid City Journal reported that Roach was among 144 people and seven South Dakotans who received pardons or commutations from Trump. 

A Lakota mother of three, Roach says she “broke down” when told she was getting out.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota woman whose prison sentence was commuted on Donald Trump’s last day in office says the missed experiences included spending time with her children and grandchildren _ and learning to use a smartphone. LaVonne Roach, of Rapid City, was set free in January after spending 23 years locked in three federal prisons for selling methamphetamine. The Rapid City Journal reported that Roach was among 144 people and seven South Dakotans who received pardons or commutations from Trump. A Lakota mother of three, Roach says she “broke down” when told she was getting out.

Rapid City woman enjoys freedom after commutation from Trump

DENVER (AP) — Denver’s airport was closed for a second day on Monday after a powerful late winter snowstorm dumped over 3 feet of snow to parts of Colorado and Wyoming. 

The storm has also shut down major roadways, closed the state legislatures in both states and interfered with vaccinations. 

Denver International Airport received more than 2 feet of snow, making it the fourth biggest snowfall in the city’s history. 

School on Monday was canceled in the Denver area and in Cheyenne and Casper. 

Classes were also canceled at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the University of Colorado’s main campus in Boulder.

DENVER (AP) — Denver’s airport was closed for a second day on Monday after a powerful late winter snowstorm dumped over 3 feet of snow to parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The storm has also shut down major roadways, closed the state legislatures in both states and interfered with vaccinations. Denver International Airport received more than 2 feet of snow, making it the fourth biggest snowfall in the city’s history. School on Monday was canceled in the Denver area and in Cheyenne and Casper. Classes were also canceled at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the University of Colorado’s main campus in Boulder.

Denver's airport closed for second day after winter storm

ALLIANCE- As the ice melts and days get longer, spring fishing opportunities heat up in western Nebraska.

Whether anglers want a Frye Lake crappie or a Fort Robinson trout, Joe Rydell, a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northwest district, said spring brings diverse angling opportunities throughout the region.

From data gathered from last year’s fish surveys and other observations, Rydell has some predictions of where anglers will have success this spring. Some of his picks for this year’s best opportunities in the district, which includes the 11 counties of the Panhandle and Cherry County, are listed below.

•&nbsp;Trout. Rydell said the first fishing opportunities that comes to mind for spring are trout stockings. Beginning in March and through May, select lakes throughout the state receive stockings of rainbow trout. Locations include Bridgeport State Recreation Area, Terry’s Pit, the Morrill Sandpits, Chadron State Park pond and Fort Robinson State Park ponds, such as Carter P. Johnson Lake and Grabel Ponds. Spring also is a prime time to pursue trout in western Nebraska’s streams, including Nine Mile Creek, the White River, and the south and middle forks of Soldier Creek.

•&nbsp;Northern pike. The second opportunity on Rydell’s list is ice-out pike fishing. Pike are a cool-water species that get aggressive in cold water. They also begin to move into the warmer shallow waters at ice-out in preparation to spawn. He said the best pike lakes in the district include Box Butte Reservoir, Dewey Lake, Hackberry Lake and Smith Lake.

•&nbsp;Largemouth bass. Largemouth bass can be aggressive early in the year, seeking warmer shallow areas such as drainage ditches, feeder creeks or shallow bays. Rydell said some of the best bass waters from 2020 surveys include Frye Lake, Avocet Lake, Island Lake, Home Valley Lake and Smith Lake.

•&nbsp;Walleye/Saugeye. As water becomes warmer, walleye begin to congregate in spawning locations such as gravel or rocky shorelines, along riprap, or even up flowing water. Rydell said some of the best early season walleye fishing can be found at Whitney Lake where the turbid water warms up quickly. Other lakes notable from 2020’s walleye surveys include Lake Winters Creek and Merritt Reservoir. Big Alkali Lake surveyed high for saugeye, a hybrid of walleye and sauger.

•&nbsp;Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Crappie. Panfish bites typically pick up in April into May as water temperatures break 50 degrees. Rydell said some of the best bluegill lakes include Smith Lake, Frye Lake and Box Butte Reservoir. Best bets for yellow perch include Watts Lake, West Long, Smith Lake and Home Valley. For crappie, the best lakes for population are Whitney Lake and Cottonwood-Steverson, and Home Valley and Frye Lake both have crappies over 12 inches.

More survey information can be found in the Nebraska Fishing Forecast, available in print and at outdoornebraska.org/fishingforecast.

For a map with locations of these fishing destinations, visit maps.outdoornebraska.gov. The spring trout stocking schedule, along with stocking records of other species, can be found at outdoornebraska.gov/fishstockingreports.

Lastly, Game and Parks fisheries staff provided updates in virtual public meetings throughout the state in recent weeks. Recordings of those meetings can be found at the “NGPC Conferences &amp; Sessions” YouTube channel.

ALLIANCE- As the ice melts and days get longer, spring fishing opportunities heat up in western Nebraska.Whether anglers want a Frye Lake crappie or a Fort Robinson trout, Joe Rydell, a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northwest district, said spring brings diverse angling opportunities throughout the region.From data gathered from last year’s fish surveys and other observations, Rydell has some predictions of where anglers will have success this spring. Some of his picks for this year’s best opportunities in the district, which includes the 11 counties of the Panhandle and Cherry County, are listed below.•&nbsp;Trout. Rydell said the first fishing opportunities that comes to mind for spring are trout stockings. Beginning in March and through May, select lakes throughout the state receive stockings of rainbow trout. Locations include Bridgeport State Recreation Area, Terry’s Pit, the Morrill Sandpits, Chadron State Park pond and Fort Robinson State Park ponds, such as Carter P. Johnson Lake and Grabel Ponds. Spring also is a prime time to pursue trout in western Nebraska’s streams, including Nine Mile Creek, the White River, and the south and middle forks of Soldier Creek.•&nbsp;Northern pike. The second opportunity on Rydell’s list is ice-out pike fishing. Pike are a cool-water species that get aggressive in cold water. They also begin to move into the warmer shallow waters at ice-out in preparation to spawn. He said the best pike lakes in the district include Box Butte Reservoir, Dewey Lake, Hackberry Lake and Smith Lake.•&nbsp;Largemouth bass. Largemouth bass can be aggressive early in the year, seeking warmer shallow areas such as drainage ditches, feeder creeks or shallow bays. Rydell said some of the best bass waters from 2020 surveys include Frye Lake, Avocet Lake, Island Lake, Home Valley Lake and Smith Lake.•&nbsp;Walleye/Saugeye. As water becomes warmer, walleye begin to congregate in spawning locations such as gravel or rocky shorelines, along riprap, or even up flowing water. Rydell said some of the best early season walleye fishing can be found at Whitney Lake where the turbid water warms up quickly. Other lakes notable from 2020’s walleye surveys include Lake Winters Creek and Merritt Reservoir. Big Alkali Lake surveyed high for saugeye, a hybrid of walleye and sauger.•&nbsp;Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Crappie. Panfish bites typically pick up in April into May as water temperatures break 50 degrees. Rydell said some of the best bluegill lakes include Smith Lake, Frye Lake and Box Butte Reservoir. Best bets for yellow perch include Watts Lake, West Long, Smith Lake and Home Valley. For crappie, the best lakes for population are Whitney Lake and Cottonwood-Steverson, and Home Valley and Frye Lake both have crappies over 12 inches.More survey information can be found in the Nebraska Fishing Forecast, available in print and at outdoornebraska.org/fishingforecast.For a map with locations of these fishing destinations, visit maps.outdoornebraska.gov. The spring trout stocking schedule, along with stocking records of other species, can be found at outdoornebraska.gov/fishstockingreports.Lastly, Game and Parks fisheries staff provided updates in virtual public meetings throughout the state in recent weeks. Recordings of those meetings can be found at the “NGPC Conferences &amp; Sessions” YouTube channel.

Panhandle, Sandhills offer spring fishing opportunities

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska prisons officials say an inmate attacked a staffer at the state prison in Tecumseh over the weekend. 

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says the assault occurred Sunday, when an inmate punched the staffer several times in the head. 

A spokeswoman for the department, Laura Strimple, said other staff members were able to restrain the inmate and stop the attack. 

The assaulted staffer was taken to a hospital treatment of head injuries considered serious enough to require immediate medical treatment and curtail the staffer's usual activity. 

Strimple says the Johnson County Attorney will review a prison investigation into the incident and decide whether to file charges.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska prisons officials say an inmate attacked a staffer at the state prison in Tecumseh over the weekend. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says the assault occurred Sunday, when an inmate punched the staffer several times in the head. A spokeswoman for the department, Laura Strimple, said other staff members were able to restrain the inmate and stop the attack. The assaulted staffer was taken to a hospital treatment of head injuries considered serious enough to require immediate medical treatment and curtail the staffer's usual activity. Strimple says the Johnson County Attorney will review a prison investigation into the incident and decide whether to file charges.

Official: Prison staffer at Tecumseh assaulted by inmate

LINCOLN – Prescribed burns are planned this spring on many Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather allows.

Historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Burns can help set back undesirable plants that invade native woodlands and prairies, as well as other grass and wooded areas.

Prescribed burning, if used with grazing, can set back smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, increase diversity in grasslands and improve habitat for wildlife. Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife. Acres managed by prescribed burning has better long-term effects on wildlife habitat compared to acres not burned.

Burns will take place spring through fall at the following areas:

Northwest District: Dawes County – Bordeaux Creek WMA, Chadron Creek Ranch WMA, Ponderosa WMA; Morrill County – Arnold Trupp WMA; Scotts Bluff County – Kiowa WMA, Nine Mile Creek WMA; Sioux County – Gilbert-Baker WMA, Peterson WMA.

Southeast District:&nbsp;Butler County – Redtail WMA; Cass County – Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Louisville WMA/SRA, Platte River SP, Rakes Creek WMA, Randall W. Schilling WMA; Douglas County – Two Rivers WMA; Fillmore County – Green Wing WMA, Redhead WMA; Gage County – Arrowhead WMA; Jefferson County – Alexandria WMA, Alexandria SW WMA, Flathead WMA, Rose Creek WMA; Johnson County – Hickory Ridge WMA, Osage WMA, Twin Oaks WMA;

Lancaster County – Bluestem WMA/SRA, Branched Oak WMA/SRA, Conestoga WMA/SRA, Hedgefield WMA, Olive Creek WMA, Pawnee SRA/WMA, Wagon Train SRA/WMA, Yankee Hill WMA; Nemaha County – Aspinwall Bend WMA, Langdon Bend WMA, Aspinwall Bend WMA; Otoe County – Triple Creek WMA; Pawnee County – Burchard WMA, Lores Branch WMA, Table Rock WMA, Taylor’s Branch WMA;

Richardson County – Kinter’s Ford WMA, South Fork WMA Thomas Matter WMA, Verdon SRA; Saline County – Divoky WMA; Saline County – Swan Creek WMA; Sarpy County – Schramm Park SRA; Saunders County – Bramble WMA; Seward County – Oak Glen WMA, Straight Water WMA; Thayer County – Little Blue WMA, Little Blue East WMA, Meridian WMA; York County – Marsh Duck WMA.

Southwest District:&nbsp;Buffalo County – Bassway Strip WMA; Chase County – Enders Reservoir WMA/SRA, Wanamaker WMA; Clay County – Bulrush WMA, Kissinger Basin WMA, Whitefront WMA; Custer County – Arcadia Diversion WMA, Berggren-Young WMA, Pressey WMA; Dawson County – Bittern’s Call WMA, Dogwood WMA; Dundy County – Rock Creek SRA; Frontier and Red Willow counties – Medicine Creek Reservoir WMA/SRA, Red Willow Reservoir WMA/SRA; Furnas County – Cambridge Diversion Dam WMA;

Hall County – Cornhusker WMA; Hamilton County – Deep Well WMA, Pintail WMA; Hayes County – Hayes Center WMA; Hitchcock County – Swanson Reservoir WMA/SRA; Howard County – Harold Anderson WMA, Leonard Koziol; Keith County – Clear Creek WMA; Lincoln County – Platte WMA; Nuckolls County – Smartweed Marsh WMA, Wapiti WMA; Phelps County – Sacramento-Wilcox WMA; Sherman County – Sherman Reservoir WMA/SRA; Webster County – Indian Creek WMA, Narrows WMA.

Northeast District:&nbsp;Antelope County – Grove Lake WMA, Hackberry Creek WMA, Red Wing WMA; Brown County – Keller Park WMA; Cedar County – Wiseman WMA; Dakota County – Danish Alps SRA; Dawson County – Plum Creek WMA; Dixon County – Elk Point Bend WMA, Powder Creek WMA; Garfield and Loup counties – Calamus Reservoir SRA; Greeley and Valley counties – Davis Creek WMA;

Knox County – Bazile Creek WMA, Lewis and Clark SRA, Niobrara SP; Madison County – Oak Valley WMA, Yellowbanks WMA; Nance County – Council Creek WMA, Don Dworak WMA; Platte County – George D. Syas WMA, Wilkinson WMA; Rock County – Fred Thomas WMA; Stanton County – Red Fox WMA, Wood Duck WMA; Wayne County – Thompson-Barnes WMA.

LINCOLN – Prescribed burns are planned this spring on many Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather allows.Historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Burns can help set back undesirable plants that invade native woodlands and prairies, as well as other grass and wooded areas.Prescribed burning, if used with grazing, can set back smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, increase diversity in grasslands and improve habitat for wildlife. Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife. Acres managed by prescribed burning has better long-term effects on wildlife habitat compared to acres not burned.Burns will take place spring through fall at the following areas:Northwest District: Dawes County – Bordeaux Creek WMA, Chadron Creek Ranch WMA, Ponderosa WMA; Morrill County – Arnold Trupp WMA; Scotts Bluff County – Kiowa WMA, Nine Mile Creek WMA; Sioux County – Gilbert-Baker WMA, Peterson WMA.Southeast District:&nbsp;Butler County – Redtail WMA; Cass County – Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Louisville WMA/SRA, Platte River SP, Rakes Creek WMA, Randall W. Schilling WMA; Douglas County – Two Rivers WMA; Fillmore County – Green Wing WMA, Redhead WMA; Gage County – Arrowhead WMA; Jefferson County – Alexandria WMA, Alexandria SW WMA, Flathead WMA, Rose Creek WMA; Johnson County – Hickory Ridge WMA, Osage WMA, Twin Oaks WMA;Lancaster County – Bluestem WMA/SRA, Branched Oak WMA/SRA, Conestoga WMA/SRA, Hedgefield WMA, Olive Creek WMA, Pawnee SRA/WMA, Wagon Train SRA/WMA, Yankee Hill WMA; Nemaha County – Aspinwall Bend WMA, Langdon Bend WMA, Aspinwall Bend WMA; Otoe County – Triple Creek WMA; Pawnee County – Burchard WMA, Lores Branch WMA, Table Rock WMA, Taylor’s Branch WMA;Richardson County – Kinter’s Ford WMA, South Fork WMA Thomas Matter WMA, Verdon SRA; Saline County – Divoky WMA; Saline County – Swan Creek WMA; Sarpy County – Schramm Park SRA; Saunders County – Bramble WMA; Seward County – Oak Glen WMA, Straight Water WMA; Thayer County – Little Blue WMA, Little Blue East WMA, Meridian WMA; York County – Marsh Duck WMA.Southwest District:&nbsp;Buffalo County – Bassway Strip WMA; Chase County – Enders Reservoir WMA/SRA, Wanamaker WMA; Clay County – Bulrush WMA, Kissinger Basin WMA, Whitefront WMA; Custer County – Arcadia Diversion WMA, Berggren-Young WMA, Pressey WMA; Dawson County – Bittern’s Call WMA, Dogwood WMA; Dundy County – Rock Creek SRA; Frontier and Red Willow counties – Medicine Creek Reservoir WMA/SRA, Red Willow Reservoir WMA/SRA; Furnas County – Cambridge Diversion Dam WMA;Hall County – Cornhusker WMA; Hamilton County – Deep Well WMA, Pintail WMA; Hayes County – Hayes Center WMA; Hitchcock County – Swanson Reservoir WMA/SRA; Howard County – Harold Anderson WMA, Leonard Koziol; Keith County – Clear Creek WMA; Lincoln County – Platte WMA; Nuckolls County – Smartweed Marsh WMA, Wapiti WMA; Phelps County – Sacramento-Wilcox WMA; Sherman County – Sherman Reservoir WMA/SRA; Webster County – Indian Creek WMA, Narrows WMA.Northeast District:&nbsp;Antelope County – Grove Lake WMA, Hackberry Creek WMA, Red Wing WMA; Brown County – Keller Park WMA; Cedar County – Wiseman WMA; Dakota County – Danish Alps SRA; Dawson County – Plum Creek WMA; Dixon County – Elk Point Bend WMA, Powder Creek WMA; Garfield and Loup counties – Calamus Reservoir SRA; Greeley and Valley counties – Davis Creek WMA;Knox County – Bazile Creek WMA, Lewis and Clark SRA, Niobrara SP; Madison County – Oak Valley WMA, Yellowbanks WMA; Nance County – Council Creek WMA, Don Dworak WMA; Platte County – George D. Syas WMA, Wilkinson WMA; Rock County – Fred Thomas WMA; Stanton County – Red Fox WMA, Wood Duck WMA; Wayne County – Thompson-Barnes WMA.

Prescribed burns planned for several Panhandle WMAs 

A powerful winter storm caused power outages in the City of Alliance on March 14.&nbsp;

On Sunday the City of Alliance said in a news release there was a "city-wide powerage", but Alliance&nbsp;Electric Superintendent Kirby Bridge said there was not.&nbsp;

"We had two breakers open up," Bridge said. "One at the Cody Substation and one at the Emerson Substation. It was a pretty good size outage, but it wasn't a system wide outage."

Bridge said many City of Alliance electric crews put in over 12 hours working on the outages.&nbsp;

"More like probably about 14 hours was the most anyone put in yesterday," Bridge said. "Then we were back out this morning at 3:30 a.m. We had three crews out."

Bridge said he's seen storms like this in the past in Alliance.&nbsp;

"We've had storms this bad...or probably even worse," Bridge added.&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostA powerful winter storm caused power outages in the City of Alliance on March 14.&nbsp;On Sunday the City of Alliance said in a news release there was a "city-wide powerage", but Alliance&nbsp;Electric Superintendent Kirby Bridge said there was not.&nbsp;"We had two breakers open up," Bridge said. "One at the Cody Substation and one at the Emerson Substation. It was a pretty good size outage, but it wasn't a system wide outage."Bridge said many City of Alliance electric crews put in over 12 hours working on the outages.&nbsp;"More like probably about 14 hours was the most anyone put in yesterday," Bridge said. "Then we were back out this morning at 3:30 a.m. We had three crews out."Bridge said he's seen storms like this in the past in Alliance.&nbsp;"We've had storms this bad...or probably even worse," Bridge added.&nbsp;

City of Alliance experienced multiple power outages 

By&nbsp;John Lutz, Nebraska Department of Transportation&nbsp;Hwy Maint. Superintendent

Westbound Wyoming State line to Big Springs, RP 0-108

North and southbound Colorado State line to Gering, RP 0-50

N-71 from Scottsbluff to the Junction of Hwy 2 and Hwy 71, RP 67-110

Wyoming State line to Bridgeport, RP 0-58

North and Southbound Colorado State line to Chappell, RP 0-8

North and southbound from Angora Hill to Alliance, RP 84-108

North and southbound, at the L62A Junction, north to Alliance, RP 84-108

By&nbsp;John Lutz, Nebraska Department of Transportation&nbsp;Hwy Maint. SuperintendentI-80:Westbound Wyoming State line to Big Springs, RP 0-108N-71:North and southbound Colorado State line to Gering, RP 0-50N-71 from Scottsbluff to the Junction of Hwy 2 and Hwy 71, RP 67-110N-88:Wyoming State line to Bridgeport, RP 0-58US-385:North and Southbound Colorado State line to Chappell, RP 0-8North and southbound from Angora Hill to Alliance, RP 84-108North and southbound, at the L62A Junction, north to Alliance, RP 84-108

Update: Panhandle road closures 

AP - People in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska are digging out from a powerful late winter snowstorm that led to airport and road closures, power outages and avalanche warnings. 

The National Weather Service says the storm dropped 27.1 inches of snow at Denver International Airport, making it the fourth biggest in the city’s history. 

Portions of interstates in Wyoming and Colorado remained closed as well as runways at Denver’s airport. 

The weather service said travel would remain dangerous for the next few days in parts of Wyoming and Nebraska because of slick and snow covered roads.

AP - People in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska are digging out from a powerful late winter snowstorm that led to airport and road closures, power outages and avalanche warnings. The National Weather Service says the storm dropped 27.1 inches of snow at Denver International Airport, making it the fourth biggest in the city’s history. Portions of interstates in Wyoming and Colorado remained closed as well as runways at Denver’s airport. The weather service said travel would remain dangerous for the next few days in parts of Wyoming and Nebraska because of slick and snow covered roads.

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