The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Feb. 28.&nbsp;

The fire at 346 Main Street started at approximately 7 p.m. and was under control at midnight. The 300 block of Main Street was closed down at the time of the fire.&nbsp;

"It was a single story commercial building," Chadron Fire Chief Branden Martens said. "Upon arrival there was heavy smoke and fire in the back of the building...alley side. With the way that the building was set up with brick and at least two different roofs, it made fighting the fire hard. With the different office rooms there was a lot of book cases, a lot of paper and things like that...that just kept smoldering."

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal determined the cause of the fire was electrical.&nbsp;

Chief Martens said most of the firefighters from the department helped fight the fire. There were six fire trucks used.&nbsp;

"The guys had a fight," Martens said. "That thing did not want to go out easy. We had two cascade systems...one on our rescue truck and one on our ladder truck. We used most of the air off both&nbsp;apparatuses last night. Most of the guys were five or eight bottles deep on fighting the fire. We had 45-minute bottles."

"The guys did a heck of a job," Martens added. "It was not an easy one. It was a hard fought fire and it was deep seeded. It was hard with all the different offices and all the different roofs that had been put on. It wasn't one that the guys could go in there and knock down quick. The way with the roof on top...it wasn't one we could put a guy on top safely and then ventilate it. It was like basically fighting inside on an oven box. The guys, they did it, they earned it last night."

The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by the Chadron Police Department, City of Chadron Electric Department, Black Hills Energy and Nebraska State Patrol.&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostThe Chadron Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Feb. 28.&nbsp;The fire at 346 Main Street started at approximately 7 p.m. and was under control at midnight. The 300 block of Main Street was closed down at the time of the fire.&nbsp;"It was a single story commercial building," Chadron Fire Chief Branden Martens said. "Upon arrival there was heavy smoke and fire in the back of the building...alley side. With the way that the building was set up with brick and at least two different roofs, it made fighting the fire hard. With the different office rooms there was a lot of book cases, a lot of paper and things like that...that just kept smoldering."The Nebraska State Fire Marshal determined the cause of the fire was electrical.&nbsp;Chief Martens said most of the firefighters from the department helped fight the fire. There were six fire trucks used.&nbsp;"The guys had a fight," Martens said. "That thing did not want to go out easy. We had two cascade systems...one on our rescue truck and one on our ladder truck. We used most of the air off both&nbsp;apparatuses last night. Most of the guys were five or eight bottles deep on fighting the fire. We had 45-minute bottles."No one was harmed in the fire.&nbsp;"The guys did a heck of a job," Martens added. "It was not an easy one. It was a hard fought fire and it was deep seeded. It was hard with all the different offices and all the different roofs that had been put on. It wasn't one that the guys could go in there and knock down quick. The way with the roof on top...it wasn't one we could put a guy on top safely and then ventilate it. It was like basically fighting inside on an oven box. The guys, they did it, they earned it last night."The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by the Chadron Police Department, City of Chadron Electric Department, Black Hills Energy and Nebraska State Patrol.&nbsp;

Chadron Volunteer Fire Department battle downtown fire 

CHADRON – About 30 local middle school and high school students will be competing in the Western District Division of National History Day Friday, March 5. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s contest will be virtual.

The theme for documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites is Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.

According to Kate Pope, Project Coordinator and District Judging Coordinator, students will compete as either a junior (grades 6-8) or senior (grades 9-12). Students can participate individually or as part of a group of five or fewer. Top competitors advance to the state competition, which will also be virtual.

Pope said the students conduct extensive research related to the theme and present their findings while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The public can view the results on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/history/historydaycontest/index.csc" target="_blank">CSC History page</a>&nbsp;after Monday, March 8.

By CSC College RelationsCHADRON – About 30 local middle school and high school students will be competing in the Western District Division of National History Day Friday, March 5. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s contest will be virtual.The theme for documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites is Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.According to Kate Pope, Project Coordinator and District Judging Coordinator, students will compete as either a junior (grades 6-8) or senior (grades 9-12). Students can participate individually or as part of a group of five or fewer. Top competitors advance to the state competition, which will also be virtual.Pope said the students conduct extensive research related to the theme and present their findings while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The public can view the results on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/history/historydaycontest/index.csc" target="_blank">CSC History page</a>&nbsp;after Monday, March 8.

Western District History Day follows a virtual format in Chadron

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials expect to release a plan in the next two weeks for vaccinating residents with underlying health conditions after they were removed from the high-priority group of senior citizens that are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine right now. 

Dr. Gary Anthone said Friday that the plan will likely give priority to people on dialysis, who have lung problems or whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients and recent organ transplant recipients.

 Ricketts faced criticism after state officials changed their vaccination plan to exclude people with underlying conditions from the current phase of eligibility so they could focus on residents who are at least 65 years old.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials expect to release a plan in the next two weeks for vaccinating residents with underlying health conditions after they were removed from the high-priority group of senior citizens that are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine right now. Dr. Gary Anthone said Friday that the plan will likely give priority to people on dialysis, who have lung problems or whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients and recent organ transplant recipients. Ricketts faced criticism after state officials changed their vaccination plan to exclude people with underlying conditions from the current phase of eligibility so they could focus on residents who are at least 65 years old.

Nebraska vaccine plan to prioritize certain ailments

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Republicans have reprimanded U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for his work in Washington, D.C., but stopped short of censuring him Saturday for his outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump. 

Sasse’s was one of just seven Republicans who voted last month to convict Trump at his impeachment trial, and he has been openly critical of Trump. 

The state GOP’s Central Committee approved a resolution Saturday that expresses “deep disappointment and sadness” about Sasse’s approach to the job he was just re-elected to in November and urges him to represent “the people of Nebraska to Washington and not Washington to the people of Nebraska.”

 Sasse dismissed the resolution afterward.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Republicans have reprimanded U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for his work in Washington, D.C., but stopped short of censuring him Saturday for his outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump. Sasse’s was one of just seven Republicans who voted last month to convict Trump at his impeachment trial, and he has been openly critical of Trump. The state GOP’s Central Committee approved a resolution Saturday that expresses “deep disappointment and sadness” about Sasse’s approach to the job he was just re-elected to in November and urges him to represent “the people of Nebraska to Washington and not Washington to the people of Nebraska.” Sasse dismissed the resolution afterward.

Nebraska Sen. Sasse rebuked by state's Republican committee

&nbsp; CHADRON, Neb. -- February 28, 2021 --&nbsp;For the first time in nine years, Chadron State College men's basketball will play postseason basketball, after qualifying for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday. The Eagles finished the regular season at 5-7, all in league play. Because of postponements throughout the conference and the uneven schedules they created, a rating index was used to determine the strength of each team's wins and losses, in order to produce seeding for the championship. CSC finished tied with South Dakota School of Mines, which won the tiebreaker based on each team's success against third-seed Black Hills State University, after tying in several other criteria. So, CSC will take the eighth and final seed in the tourney, which pits the Eagles against the top seed, No. 5 Colorado Mesa University Mavericks. The matchup is to take place in Grand Junction, Colorado, on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Per RMAC policy no attendance is allowed at any of the tournament games. The winner advances to the top remaining seed, out of the four teams which remain on Tuesday night, where the semifinals and championship game will be played. The RMAC Tournament champion receives an automatic bid in the NCAA West Region tourney, which will be located in Golden, Colorado. When the two teams last met, in Chadron on December 12, the game required two overtime periods to result in a 77-68 win for the Mavericks, who were then ranked No. 22. The Mesa win was its fourth in an 11-0 start. The Mavs' only loss came on January 30, at Western Colorado, and since then they managed to win seven more games including a win on the road at Colorado School of Mines, then the No. 1 team in NCAA Division II. They finished the season on Saturday at 18-1, all in conference action. Tuesday's game in Grand Junction will be CSC's second top-five matchup this season, after it played Mines when the Orediggers were ranked fourth. It will also be the seventh RMAC Tournament in the Eagles men's program history. The others occurred in 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2012. The Eagles may have won the first-ever RMAC Tournament game, at least in the Division II era of the league. The conference did not list a postseason tournament before it officially joined Division II in 1993, and CSC defeated Mines in the first round of that inaugural tourney, 95-83. Incidentally, Chadron State's semifinal matchup that season was against Mesa, which prevailed 78-62. On Tuesday, the Eagles will be without big men&nbsp;Jacob Jefferson, who lost the season to injury in January, and Deion Rhea, who departed the team in December. Jefferson was the team's leading scorer leading up to his injury, while Rhea led the Eagles in both scoring and rebounding against Mesa in December. Teddy Parham, Jr., now leads the Eagles in scoring, with 15.6 points per game, after pouring in 68 in his last three games.&nbsp;Deundra Roberson&nbsp;(11.0) and&nbsp;Marcus Jefferson&nbsp;(10.4) also average double figure scoring. Marcus Jefferson&nbsp;leads all active players in rebounding and assists. The game on Tuesday can be viewed on the RMAC Network, and Dave Collins of Double Q Country in Chadron will travel to broadcast live from Grand Junction on 97.5 FM.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614552153634.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Kaleb Center, CSC Sports Information&nbsp; CHADRON, Neb. -- February 28, 2021 --&nbsp;For the first time in nine years, Chadron State College men's basketball will play postseason basketball, after qualifying for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday. The Eagles finished the regular season at 5-7, all in league play. Because of postponements throughout the conference and the uneven schedules they created, a rating index was used to determine the strength of each team's wins and losses, in order to produce seeding for the championship. CSC finished tied with South Dakota School of Mines, which won the tiebreaker based on each team's success against third-seed Black Hills State University, after tying in several other criteria. So, CSC will take the eighth and final seed in the tourney, which pits the Eagles against the top seed, No. 5 Colorado Mesa University Mavericks. The matchup is to take place in Grand Junction, Colorado, on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Per RMAC policy no attendance is allowed at any of the tournament games. The winner advances to the top remaining seed, out of the four teams which remain on Tuesday night, where the semifinals and championship game will be played. The RMAC Tournament champion receives an automatic bid in the NCAA West Region tourney, which will be located in Golden, Colorado. When the two teams last met, in Chadron on December 12, the game required two overtime periods to result in a 77-68 win for the Mavericks, who were then ranked No. 22. The Mesa win was its fourth in an 11-0 start. The Mavs' only loss came on January 30, at Western Colorado, and since then they managed to win seven more games including a win on the road at Colorado School of Mines, then the No. 1 team in NCAA Division II. They finished the season on Saturday at 18-1, all in conference action. Tuesday's game in Grand Junction will be CSC's second top-five matchup this season, after it played Mines when the Orediggers were ranked fourth. It will also be the seventh RMAC Tournament in the Eagles men's program history. The others occurred in 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2012. The Eagles may have won the first-ever RMAC Tournament game, at least in the Division II era of the league. The conference did not list a postseason tournament before it officially joined Division II in 1993, and CSC defeated Mines in the first round of that inaugural tourney, 95-83. Incidentally, Chadron State's semifinal matchup that season was against Mesa, which prevailed 78-62. On Tuesday, the Eagles will be without big men&nbsp;Jacob Jefferson, who lost the season to injury in January, and Deion Rhea, who departed the team in December. Jefferson was the team's leading scorer leading up to his injury, while Rhea led the Eagles in both scoring and rebounding against Mesa in December. Teddy Parham, Jr., now leads the Eagles in scoring, with 15.6 points per game, after pouring in 68 in his last three games.&nbsp;Deundra Roberson&nbsp;(11.0) and&nbsp;Marcus Jefferson&nbsp;(10.4) also average double figure scoring. Marcus Jefferson&nbsp;leads all active players in rebounding and assists. The game on Tuesday can be viewed on the RMAC Network, and Dave Collins of Double Q Country in Chadron will travel to broadcast live from Grand Junction on 97.5 FM.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chadron State earns seed in RMAC postseason tournament

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — With the floodgates set to open on another round of unemployment aid, states are being hammered with a new wave of fraud as they scramble to update security systems and block scammers who already have siphoned billions of dollars from pandemic-related jobless programs.

The fraud is fleecing taxpayers, delaying legitimate payments and turning thousands of Americans into unwitting identity theft victims. Many states have failed to adequately safeguard their systems, and a review by The Associated Press finds that some will not even publicly acknowledge the extent of the problem.

The massive sham springs from prior identity theft from banks, credit rating agencies, health care systems and retailers. Fraud perpetrators, sometimes in China, Nigeria or Russia, buy stolen personal identifying information on the dark web and use it to flood state unemployment systems with bogus claims.

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating unemployment fraud by “transnational criminal organizations, sophisticated domestic actors, and individuals across the United States,” said Joshua Stueve, a spokesman for the department’s criminal division.

The Labor Department inspector general’s office estimates that more than $63 billion has been paid out improperly through fraud or errors — roughly 10% of the total amount paid under coronavirus pandemic-related unemployment programs since March.

“We’re all learning that there is an epidemic of fraud,” said U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House’s powerful Ways and Means Committee. Brady said the $63 billion estimate “is larger than the entire budget of the Department of Homeland Security.”

“These are frightening levels of fraud,” he said.

California has been the biggest target, with an estimated $11 billion in fraudulent payments and an additional $19 billion in suspect accounts. Colorado has paid out nearly as much to scammers — an estimated $6.5 billion — as it has to people who filed legitimate unemployment claims.

Other estimates, according to AP reporting across the states, range from several hundred thousand dollars in smaller states such as Alaska and Wyoming to hundreds of millions in more populous states such as Massachusetts and Ohio.

The nationwide fraud has fed on twin vulnerabilities: a flood of jobless benefit applications since the pandemic began that has overwhelmed state unemployment agencies and antiquated benefit systems that are easy prey for crafty and persistent criminals.

In Ohio, weekly first-time unemployment claims have ranged from 17,000 to more than 40,000 during the pandemic. But since late last month, those claims have topped more than 140,000 some weeks, with many of them believed to be fraudulent. The state has paid at least $330 million in fraudulent pandemic unemployment benefit claims.

Trying to catch so many bogus claims delays payouts to Ohioans who are legitimately in need of help. In the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington, Cynthia Sbertoli was receiving $228 a week after she was laid off in March from her job with a nonprofit that runs high school student exchange programs.

Her benefits were put on hold in January after she informed the state that someone had tried to use her identity in a scam to claim benefits. She thought the problem was resolved but has yet to see a renewal of her benefit checks, which she and her husband use to help pay for a son’s vision and auditory therapy.

“It’s just not a good way to take care of people,” said Sbertoli, 49.

In Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland, officials have said that for certain weeks in the new year at least two-thirds of the claims they received were classified as suspicious due to problems verifying identities. It’s not the first brush with serious fraud for Maryland. In July, officials said they’d discovered a massive criminal enterprise that had stolen more than $500 million in unemployment benefits.

Among states that have been hardest hit are those participating in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program adopted by Congress last year. It has been a lifeline for out-of-work freelancers and gig workers who normally don’t qualify for unemployment insurance, but it’s also been a boon for criminals who use stolen identities to make claims. Nearly 800,000 of the 1.4 million claims Ohio has received through this program have been tagged for potential fraud.

Scams have been so widespread that the U.S. Department of Justice is setting aside money to hire more prosecutors. In New York alone, the Department of Labor says it has referred “hundreds of thousands of fraud cases” to federal prosecutors. The state says it has blocked $5.5 billion in fraudulent claims, while New Jersey says it’s prevented $2.5 billion from flowing into the hands of criminals.

Despite those efforts, a government watchdog agency says not enough states are taking the necessary steps to prevent fraud.

In its memo this past week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General said that by the end of last year, 22 of the 54 state and territorial workforce agencies were still not following its repeated recommendation to join a data exchange run by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.

That system is designed to check Social Security numbers used in claims to see if they are being used in multiple states, or are linked to dead people or other scam methods. The office said it had found $5.4 billion in fraudulent payments from March through October.

The biggest chunk of that, $3.5 billion, came through claims that used the same Social Security numbers in multiple states. One number was used on claims in 40 states. Twenty-nine of the states paid those claims, totaling more than $220,000.

“The Department needs to take immediate action and increase its efforts to ensure (states) implement effective controls to mitigate fraud in these high risk areas,” the inspector general warned Labor officials.

The people whose identities are used to claim improper benefits often don’t find out until they receive their tax statements.

Andrew Heidtke received a letter in September from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development notifying him that unemployment claims he never applied for were being processed.

“I had no idea what was happening,” said Heidtke, who works as an administrative assistant for an engineering lobbying organization. “I kind of just thought it was spam at first.”

Another victim was 99-year-old Harry Hollingsworth of Strongsville, Ohio. The retired elevator car factory worker received a form in late January showing he had received $3,156 in benefits. Hollingsworth died recently, and his son, Jim Hollingsworth, said the bogus claim created a big hassle.

“It looks like the state, they dropped the ball on this completely,” he said.

In its own survey of state governments, the AP found that many are not publicly disclosing the level of fraud. Some officials expressed concern that providing any information, no matter how general, could provide criminals an opening to exploit their systems further.

President Joe Biden’s administration is pledging to cut down on unemployment fraud even as it tries to extend benefits through September. As part of previous legislation, the administration is sending states $200 million to fight it.

That would be welcome in Virginia, where House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, a Republican, said the Legislature’s watchdog agency should investigate how the state allowed $40 million in bogus payments through prison inmate-related scams.

“How many desperate people, laid off through no fault of their own, could have been helped with that money?” he asked. “It’s maddening.”

Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee; Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia; Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin; and Casey Smith in Indianapolis contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1561209733269.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — With the floodgates set to open on another round of unemployment aid, states are being hammered with a new wave of fraud as they scramble to update security systems and block scammers who already have siphoned billions of dollars from pandemic-related jobless programs.The fraud is fleecing taxpayers, delaying legitimate payments and turning thousands of Americans into unwitting identity theft victims. Many states have failed to adequately safeguard their systems, and a review by The Associated Press finds that some will not even publicly acknowledge the extent of the problem.The massive sham springs from prior identity theft from banks, credit rating agencies, health care systems and retailers. Fraud perpetrators, sometimes in China, Nigeria or Russia, buy stolen personal identifying information on the dark web and use it to flood state unemployment systems with bogus claims.The U.S. Justice Department is investigating unemployment fraud by “transnational criminal organizations, sophisticated domestic actors, and individuals across the United States,” said Joshua Stueve, a spokesman for the department’s criminal division.The Labor Department inspector general’s office estimates that more than $63 billion has been paid out improperly through fraud or errors — roughly 10% of the total amount paid under coronavirus pandemic-related unemployment programs since March.“We’re all learning that there is an epidemic of fraud,” said U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House’s powerful Ways and Means Committee. Brady said the $63 billion estimate “is larger than the entire budget of the Department of Homeland Security.”“These are frightening levels of fraud,” he said.California has been the biggest target, with an estimated $11 billion in fraudulent payments and an additional $19 billion in suspect accounts. Colorado has paid out nearly as much to scammers — an estimated $6.5 billion — as it has to people who filed legitimate unemployment claims.Other estimates, according to AP reporting across the states, range from several hundred thousand dollars in smaller states such as Alaska and Wyoming to hundreds of millions in more populous states such as Massachusetts and Ohio.The nationwide fraud has fed on twin vulnerabilities: a flood of jobless benefit applications since the pandemic began that has overwhelmed state unemployment agencies and antiquated benefit systems that are easy prey for crafty and persistent criminals.In Ohio, weekly first-time unemployment claims have ranged from 17,000 to more than 40,000 during the pandemic. But since late last month, those claims have topped more than 140,000 some weeks, with many of them believed to be fraudulent. The state has paid at least $330 million in fraudulent pandemic unemployment benefit claims.Trying to catch so many bogus claims delays payouts to Ohioans who are legitimately in need of help. In the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington, Cynthia Sbertoli was receiving $228 a week after she was laid off in March from her job with a nonprofit that runs high school student exchange programs.Her benefits were put on hold in January after she informed the state that someone had tried to use her identity in a scam to claim benefits. She thought the problem was resolved but has yet to see a renewal of her benefit checks, which she and her husband use to help pay for a son’s vision and auditory therapy.“It’s just not a good way to take care of people,” said Sbertoli, 49.In Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland, officials have said that for certain weeks in the new year at least two-thirds of the claims they received were classified as suspicious due to problems verifying identities. It’s not the first brush with serious fraud for Maryland. In July, officials said they’d discovered a massive criminal enterprise that had stolen more than $500 million in unemployment benefits.Among states that have been hardest hit are those participating in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program adopted by Congress last year. It has been a lifeline for out-of-work freelancers and gig workers who normally don’t qualify for unemployment insurance, but it’s also been a boon for criminals who use stolen identities to make claims. Nearly 800,000 of the 1.4 million claims Ohio has received through this program have been tagged for potential fraud.Scams have been so widespread that the U.S. Department of Justice is setting aside money to hire more prosecutors. In New York alone, the Department of Labor says it has referred “hundreds of thousands of fraud cases” to federal prosecutors. The state says it has blocked $5.5 billion in fraudulent claims, while New Jersey says it’s prevented $2.5 billion from flowing into the hands of criminals.Despite those efforts, a government watchdog agency says not enough states are taking the necessary steps to prevent fraud.In its memo this past week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General said that by the end of last year, 22 of the 54 state and territorial workforce agencies were still not following its repeated recommendation to join a data exchange run by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.That system is designed to check Social Security numbers used in claims to see if they are being used in multiple states, or are linked to dead people or other scam methods. The office said it had found $5.4 billion in fraudulent payments from March through October.The biggest chunk of that, $3.5 billion, came through claims that used the same Social Security numbers in multiple states. One number was used on claims in 40 states. Twenty-nine of the states paid those claims, totaling more than $220,000.“The Department needs to take immediate action and increase its efforts to ensure (states) implement effective controls to mitigate fraud in these high risk areas,” the inspector general warned Labor officials.The people whose identities are used to claim improper benefits often don’t find out until they receive their tax statements.Andrew Heidtke received a letter in September from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development notifying him that unemployment claims he never applied for were being processed.“I had no idea what was happening,” said Heidtke, who works as an administrative assistant for an engineering lobbying organization. “I kind of just thought it was spam at first.”Another victim was 99-year-old Harry Hollingsworth of Strongsville, Ohio. The retired elevator car factory worker received a form in late January showing he had received $3,156 in benefits. Hollingsworth died recently, and his son, Jim Hollingsworth, said the bogus claim created a big hassle.“It looks like the state, they dropped the ball on this completely,” he said.In its own survey of state governments, the AP found that many are not publicly disclosing the level of fraud. Some officials expressed concern that providing any information, no matter how general, could provide criminals an opening to exploit their systems further.President Joe Biden’s administration is pledging to cut down on unemployment fraud even as it tries to extend benefits through September. As part of previous legislation, the administration is sending states $200 million to fight it.That would be welcome in Virginia, where House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, a Republican, said the Legislature’s watchdog agency should investigate how the state allowed $40 million in bogus payments through prison inmate-related scams.“How many desperate people, laid off through no fault of their own, could have been helped with that money?” he asked. “It’s maddening.”____Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.___Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee; Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia; Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin; and Casey Smith in Indianapolis contributed.

Fraud overwhelms pandemic-related unemployment programs

CUSTER, S.D. (AP) — A compound in South Dakota’s Black Hills that was owned by a secretive polygamous cult has been sold at auction to three former members who broke with the sect years ago. 

Blue Mountain Ranch LLC, representing Patrick Pipkin, Seth Cooke and Andrew Chatwin, paid $750,000 for the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints’ sprawling compound at a Custer County sheriff’s auction Thursday. 

The Rapid City Journal reports that Pipkin said he left FLDS about 15 years ago and no longer believes in its teachings. 

He, Cooke and Chatwin successfully sued the FLDS after alleging they were illegally jailed in Arizona by local authorities who were handpicked by the sect, which they say conspired to illegally arrest and prosecute non-members.

CUSTER, S.D. (AP) — A compound in South Dakota’s Black Hills that was owned by a secretive polygamous cult has been sold at auction to three former members who broke with the sect years ago. Blue Mountain Ranch LLC, representing Patrick Pipkin, Seth Cooke and Andrew Chatwin, paid $750,000 for the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints’ sprawling compound at a Custer County sheriff’s auction Thursday. The Rapid City Journal reports that Pipkin said he left FLDS about 15 years ago and no longer believes in its teachings. He, Cooke and Chatwin successfully sued the FLDS after alleging they were illegally jailed in Arizona by local authorities who were handpicked by the sect, which they say conspired to illegally arrest and prosecute non-members.

Members who broke with polygamous cult buy former Black Hills compound

LINCOLN – Hunting often is a family tradition. It is for Riley Pollock. He began waterfowl hunting at a young age with his grandfather.

The 21-year-old from Seward was hunting with family while participating in the second year of the Nebraska Duck Slam this past season. He completed the challenge by harvesting an American wigeon, mallard, northern pintail and a teal in Nebraska during the 2020-2021 season.

Everyone who completed the Slam also received a pin and a certificate, and were entered into prize drawings for outdoor gear, hats, a print and a grand prize. Pollock was drawn as the grand prize winner of the Special Edition Ducks Unlimited Winchester Super X4 12 gauge shotgun.

Pollock says he’s been hunting all of his life, with one exception.

“Hunting has been a part of my family as long as I can remember,” Pollock said. “I’d been waterfowl hunting when I was a little kid with my grandpa. I got busy with school, and I picked it up again a couple of years ago. My grandpa wanted me to go with him again.”

In 2020-2021, the Duck Slam drew 316 hunters (291 Nebraskans) from Nebraska and 13 other states. Of the 127 hunters who completed the Slam, six were from states outside Nebraska.

Of the 903 ducks harvested in the challenge, 304 were teal, 245 were mallards, 180 were wigeon and 174 were pintails. More than half of the harvests occurred on publicly accessible lands.

Pollock first heard about the Duck Slam in an email from Game and Parks, then decided he would try it if he had the opportunity. Eventually, he told family members and friends about the Duck Slam.

Pollock, who also hunts deer, turkey, rabbit and squirrel, looks forward to spending time with his family. “I enjoy hunting with my family and watching birds work.”

A list of hunters who completed the Slam can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMjMuMzU3MzAyNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9kdWNrc2xhbWZpbmlzaGVycy8ifQ.gE7-hP7AV9TI-0wXZ5suhoxdGJHKVmNYfJCQTGcvnvg/s/497221906/br/98204363240-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/DuckSlamFinishers</a>.

LINCOLN – Hunting often is a family tradition. It is for Riley Pollock. He began waterfowl hunting at a young age with his grandfather.The 21-year-old from Seward was hunting with family while participating in the second year of the Nebraska Duck Slam this past season. He completed the challenge by harvesting an American wigeon, mallard, northern pintail and a teal in Nebraska during the 2020-2021 season.Everyone who completed the Slam also received a pin and a certificate, and were entered into prize drawings for outdoor gear, hats, a print and a grand prize. Pollock was drawn as the grand prize winner of the Special Edition Ducks Unlimited Winchester Super X4 12 gauge shotgun.Pollock says he’s been hunting all of his life, with one exception.“Hunting has been a part of my family as long as I can remember,” Pollock said. “I’d been waterfowl hunting when I was a little kid with my grandpa. I got busy with school, and I picked it up again a couple of years ago. My grandpa wanted me to go with him again.”In 2020-2021, the Duck Slam drew 316 hunters (291 Nebraskans) from Nebraska and 13 other states. Of the 127 hunters who completed the Slam, six were from states outside Nebraska.Of the 903 ducks harvested in the challenge, 304 were teal, 245 were mallards, 180 were wigeon and 174 were pintails. More than half of the harvests occurred on publicly accessible lands.Pollock first heard about the Duck Slam in an email from Game and Parks, then decided he would try it if he had the opportunity. Eventually, he told family members and friends about the Duck Slam.Pollock, who also hunts deer, turkey, rabbit and squirrel, looks forward to spending time with his family. “I enjoy hunting with my family and watching birds work.”A list of hunters who completed the Slam can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMjMuMzU3MzAyNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9kdWNrc2xhbWZpbmlzaGVycy8ifQ.gE7-hP7AV9TI-0wXZ5suhoxdGJHKVmNYfJCQTGcvnvg/s/497221906/br/98204363240-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/DuckSlamFinishers</a>.

Duck Slam challenges hunters, brings families together

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska health officials said Saturday they have found the first known cases in the state of a California variant of COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release that the variant has been identified by the Nebraska Public Health Lab in 13 cases in four different jurisdictions of the state.

Nine cases were identified in Douglas County, two in the Public Health Solutions district (which includes Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties), one in the East Central district (Boone, Colfax, Nance and Platte counties), and one in Lancaster County.

This particular variant strain was first identified in California and more recently has spread to multiple states, health officials said. Less is known about the California variant than other variants, but it is likely more easily transmitted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612437418456.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska health officials said Saturday they have found the first known cases in the state of a California variant of COVID-19.The Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release that the variant has been identified by the Nebraska Public Health Lab in 13 cases in four different jurisdictions of the state.Nine cases were identified in Douglas County, two in the Public Health Solutions district (which includes Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties), one in the East Central district (Boone, Colfax, Nance and Platte counties), and one in Lancaster County.This particular variant strain was first identified in California and more recently has spread to multiple states, health officials said. Less is known about the California variant than other variants, but it is likely more easily transmitted.

First known cases of California variant found in Nebraska

SCOTTSBLUFF -Western Nebraska Community College has earned the Military Friendly®&nbsp;School designation for the 2021-2022 academic year from Military Friendly and its parent company VIQTORY, a service-disabled,veteran-owned small business.&nbsp;

WNCC has earned the Military Friendly®&nbsp;School every year since 2010. In the 2019-2020 academic year, WNCC was also recognized as a Military Spouse Friendly®&nbsp;School.&nbsp;

"To be named as one of the top institutions for military veterans is quite an honor," said WNCC Military &amp; Veterans Affairs Director Chris Wolf. "I'm very proud of the work being done for our veterans and their families at WNCC, so to be named to this list again really validates the commitment and effort made toward being a military friendly institution."

The WNCC Military&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Veterans Affairs Office provides academic, career, and financial assistance to qualified veterans at no cost, as well as organized social and cultural activities. The Office also hosts the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program, which provides further resources for veterans and their families.&nbsp; The&nbsp;Military&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Veterans Affairs Office&nbsp;also serves as a certification site for Veterans Administration education benefits, and handles assistance with benefits applications, academic advising, college curriculum, and any additional information on veteran services in the region.&nbsp;With full support from the college and a staff of dedicated advisors, Military Friendly called WNCC a "one-stop center for all veteran's needs." Along with the 11 years on the Military Friendly®&nbsp;Schools list, WNCC has also been recognized as a "Best for Vets" institution by Military Times magazine nine times since 2010, which only recognizes the top 20 2-year colleges across the country. To learn more about WNCC's Military and Veterans Affairs Office, or the TRIO VUB program, visit wncc.edu. The Military Friendly&nbsp;Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly Schools survey from participating institutions.&nbsp; Institutions earning the Military Friendly®&nbsp;School designation were evaluated using both public data&nbsp;sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022&nbsp;survey with 747 earning the designation. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine&nbsp;and can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001CUZnH8qWGiZs5Uf7ciWUQ27Ha_o_6ejl-XJKM9N-bye74ZyXLUqvOGl0nYAn21Fe53y7jv3zSOfNP9V3y0mky4zCbTUZwY_xFsCGKJTah2ryDADIA-thfMywM7B-AmNPmM2m9jZv6nMhYTwXhamSj8Rh7v6fGYcnHZWzoMaZgb7frn9yoCgjhQ==&amp;c=BQfl9dnOMXYmVy6oD5HYF9pw7TXN6B30AfbUo0TBLC1yNA2QWijMhA==&amp;ch=YqHFu7Mr7TG5oPN9QKZf9xCOUcI1rNDnObIqL44E-TzFDZtyPw7ZQA==" target="_blank">militaryfriendly.com.</a>

SCOTTSBLUFF -Western Nebraska Community College has earned the Military Friendly®&nbsp;School designation for the 2021-2022 academic year from Military Friendly and its parent company VIQTORY, a service-disabled,veteran-owned small business.&nbsp;WNCC has earned the Military Friendly®&nbsp;School every year since 2010. In the 2019-2020 academic year, WNCC was also recognized as a Military Spouse Friendly®&nbsp;School.&nbsp;"To be named as one of the top institutions for military veterans is quite an honor," said WNCC Military &amp; Veterans Affairs Director Chris Wolf. "I'm very proud of the work being done for our veterans and their families at WNCC, so to be named to this list again really validates the commitment and effort made toward being a military friendly institution."The WNCC Military&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Veterans Affairs Office provides academic, career, and financial assistance to qualified veterans at no cost, as well as organized social and cultural activities. The Office also hosts the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program, which provides further resources for veterans and their families.&nbsp; The&nbsp;Military&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Veterans Affairs Office&nbsp;also serves as a certification site for Veterans Administration education benefits, and handles assistance with benefits applications, academic advising, college curriculum, and any additional information on veteran services in the region.&nbsp;With full support from the college and a staff of dedicated advisors, Military Friendly called WNCC a "one-stop center for all veteran's needs." Along with the 11 years on the Military Friendly®&nbsp;Schools list, WNCC has also been recognized as a "Best for Vets" institution by Military Times magazine nine times since 2010, which only recognizes the top 20 2-year colleges across the country. To learn more about WNCC's Military and Veterans Affairs Office, or the TRIO VUB program, visit wncc.edu. The Military Friendly&nbsp;Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly Schools survey from participating institutions.&nbsp; Institutions earning the Military Friendly®&nbsp;School designation were evaluated using both public data&nbsp;sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022&nbsp;survey with 747 earning the designation. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine&nbsp;and can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001CUZnH8qWGiZs5Uf7ciWUQ27Ha_o_6ejl-XJKM9N-bye74ZyXLUqvOGl0nYAn21Fe53y7jv3zSOfNP9V3y0mky4zCbTUZwY_xFsCGKJTah2ryDADIA-thfMywM7B-AmNPmM2m9jZv6nMhYTwXhamSj8Rh7v6fGYcnHZWzoMaZgb7frn9yoCgjhQ==&amp;c=BQfl9dnOMXYmVy6oD5HYF9pw7TXN6B30AfbUo0TBLC1yNA2QWijMhA==&amp;ch=YqHFu7Mr7TG5oPN9QKZf9xCOUcI1rNDnObIqL44E-TzFDZtyPw7ZQA==" target="_blank">militaryfriendly.com.</a>

WNCC earns 2021-2022 Military Friendly®  School designation 

The Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron will be featured on the nationally televised show, "Red Steagall Is Somewhere West Of Wall Street".&nbsp;

On March 1 the museum and Bean Broker Coffeehouse and Pub will be screening the TV show at 7:30 p.m.

The museum has a vast amount of history including over 6,000 pieces. It is the most extensive collection of artifacts covering the fur trade period in the world. The museum was started in 1955.&nbsp;

"The museum was started by a bunch of people spearheaded by Charles Hanson and they wanted something that would show the history of the west," Museum of the Fur Trade Director&nbsp;Nakaya Fester said. "They started with the broad scope, narrowed it down to the fur trade and then they decided they wanted to do it on an actual site...at a site of a trading post. So they looked around...you know three or four different places before deciding on here in Chadron."

The museum is located on the site of the Bordeaux Trading Post. There is a reproduction of the 1845 post outside of the main building.&nbsp;

Fester told Panhandle Post that the museum is known worldwide because of the research the museum does. That's also a way they reach out to people involved in history outside Nebraska.&nbsp;

"Lots of museums focus on fur trade type stuff of their specific area," Fester said. "We focus on the entire North American Continent...500 years of history. We cover the whole fur trade era. We've gone outside for a lot of research, but we've also done enough that people focus on us for research. We have a library, it has at least 10,000 volumes that relate to the fur trade in some manner."

The museum also has a big publication department.&nbsp;

"We have books...they're sketch books, but they're basically pattern books for different costumes, outfits and tools. We've working on a six volume&nbsp;encyclopedia set. Each book is a different aspect of the fur trade so we have firearms, clothing and&nbsp;textiles, provision...that kind of stuff. We also have publications. We have one that just came out about Spotted Tail, the Brulé [Lakota] Chief. Ciboleros is another one that just came out. It's about Spanish buffalo hunters."

Fester said the TV show&nbsp;"Red Steagall Is Somewhere West Of Wall Street" contacted the museum first.&nbsp;

"When I talked to them I thought it would be an interview kind of like this," Fester said. "When they showed up they wanted three 8-minute segments of the fur trade. Our historian Jim Hanson was out at that time and I can't do that. I can talk&nbsp; about the museum for maybe 8-minutes, but I can't talk about the fur trade. This episode is going to look a little different than most of his[Red Steagall]. They took footage of the museum, but he's going to do a voice over. We took some of our publications and is using that to create the story of the fur trade."

Fester said the museum is really excited to be on the television show.&nbsp;

"We're hoping that it helps get a little more national coverage for us and brings in some of those people for farther places," Fester added. "It brings outside people to not just us, but the whole of Chadron. It lets people know that we're here. We do a lot of sales on our website...so it just increases traffic to the community."

The museum encourages the Chadron community to check out what they have to offer.&nbsp;

"When people think of the fur trade they think largely of weapons and tools...we cover a whole larger variety than that," Fester said. "We have clothing and textiles, we have Native American items, we have quite a few unique items. We have a Chief sword...they were the&nbsp;governors of the Hudson Bay Company...18 of them were made; only two known of existence. One of them here. We have quite a few items like that, where there is only one or two known and we have one copy. We're a pretty unique place and we like to share that with people. We hope they come and see us."

The Museum of the Fur Trade is located three miles east of Chadron on Highway 20. They're open May 1 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. In the winter you can schedule an appointment to visit the museum by calling&nbsp; (308) 432-3843.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613491099907.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostThe Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron will be featured on the nationally televised show, "Red Steagall Is Somewhere West Of Wall Street".&nbsp;On March 1 the museum and Bean Broker Coffeehouse and Pub will be screening the TV show at 7:30 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613419449754.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The museum has a vast amount of history including over 6,000 pieces. It is the most extensive collection of artifacts covering the fur trade period in the world. The museum was started in 1955.&nbsp;"The museum was started by a bunch of people spearheaded by Charles Hanson and they wanted something that would show the history of the west," Museum of the Fur Trade Director&nbsp;Nakaya Fester said. "They started with the broad scope, narrowed it down to the fur trade and then they decided they wanted to do it on an actual site...at a site of a trading post. So they looked around...you know three or four different places before deciding on here in Chadron."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613490493625.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The museum is located on the site of the Bordeaux Trading Post. There is a reproduction of the 1845 post outside of the main building.&nbsp;Fester told Panhandle Post that the museum is known worldwide because of the research the museum does. That's also a way they reach out to people involved in history outside Nebraska.&nbsp;"Lots of museums focus on fur trade type stuff of their specific area," Fester said. "We focus on the entire North American Continent...500 years of history. We cover the whole fur trade era. We've gone outside for a lot of research, but we've also done enough that people focus on us for research. We have a library, it has at least 10,000 volumes that relate to the fur trade in some manner."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613490540212.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The museum also has a big publication department.&nbsp;"We have books...they're sketch books, but they're basically pattern books for different costumes, outfits and tools. We've working on a six volume&nbsp;encyclopedia set. Each book is a different aspect of the fur trade so we have firearms, clothing and&nbsp;textiles, provision...that kind of stuff. We also have publications. We have one that just came out about Spotted Tail, the Brulé [Lakota] Chief. Ciboleros is another one that just came out. It's about Spanish buffalo hunters."Fester said the TV show&nbsp;"Red Steagall Is Somewhere West Of Wall Street" contacted the museum first.&nbsp;"When I talked to them I thought it would be an interview kind of like this," Fester said. "When they showed up they wanted three 8-minute segments of the fur trade. Our historian Jim Hanson was out at that time and I can't do that. I can talk&nbsp; about the museum for maybe 8-minutes, but I can't talk about the fur trade. This episode is going to look a little different than most of his[Red Steagall]. They took footage of the museum, but he's going to do a voice over. We took some of our publications and is using that to create the story of the fur trade."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613490622564.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fester said the museum is really excited to be on the television show.&nbsp;"We're hoping that it helps get a little more national coverage for us and brings in some of those people for farther places," Fester added. "It brings outside people to not just us, but the whole of Chadron. It lets people know that we're here. We do a lot of sales on our website...so it just increases traffic to the community."The museum encourages the Chadron community to check out what they have to offer.&nbsp;"When people think of the fur trade they think largely of weapons and tools...we cover a whole larger variety than that," Fester said. "We have clothing and textiles, we have Native American items, we have quite a few unique items. We have a Chief sword...they were the&nbsp;governors of the Hudson Bay Company...18 of them were made; only two known of existence. One of them here. We have quite a few items like that, where there is only one or two known and we have one copy. We're a pretty unique place and we like to share that with people. We hope they come and see us."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613490689126.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Museum of the Fur Trade is located three miles east of Chadron on Highway 20. They're open May 1 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. In the winter you can schedule an appointment to visit the museum by calling&nbsp; (308) 432-3843.&nbsp;<figure>
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Chadron Fur Trade Museum to be featured on national television show 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Advocates for low-income residents have asked a judge to strike down Nebraska’s two-tiered Medicaid expansion system that imposes extra requirements to qualify for dental, vision, and over-the-counter drug coverage. 

The group Nebraska Appleseed filed the lawsuit Thursday against the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and its top administrators. 

The lawsuit alleges that agency officials exceeded their legal authority when they created a two-tiered system: a “basic” plan that covers physical and behavioral health care services, and a “prime” plan that also includes dental, vision and over-the-counter drug coverage. 

The two-tiered system only applies to people who qualify for expanded coverage, not those who received benefits through the traditional Medicaid program.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Advocates for low-income residents have asked a judge to strike down Nebraska’s two-tiered Medicaid expansion system that imposes extra requirements to qualify for dental, vision, and over-the-counter drug coverage. The group Nebraska Appleseed filed the lawsuit Thursday against the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and its top administrators. The lawsuit alleges that agency officials exceeded their legal authority when they created a two-tiered system: a “basic” plan that covers physical and behavioral health care services, and a “prime” plan that also includes dental, vision and over-the-counter drug coverage. The two-tiered system only applies to people who qualify for expanded coverage, not those who received benefits through the traditional Medicaid program.

Advocacy group sues Nebraska over two-tiered Medicaid plan

Dr. Gary Anthone said Friday that the plan will likely give priority to people on dialysis, who have lung problems or whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients and recent organ transplant recipients. 

Ricketts faced criticism after state officials changed their vaccination plan to exclude people with underlying conditions from the current phase of eligibility so they could focus on residents who are at least 65 years old.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials expect to release a plan in the next two weeks for vaccinating residents with underlying health conditions after they were removed from the high-priority group of senior citizens that are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine right now. Dr. Gary Anthone said Friday that the plan will likely give priority to people on dialysis, who have lung problems or whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients and recent organ transplant recipients. Ricketts faced criticism after state officials changed their vaccination plan to exclude people with underlying conditions from the current phase of eligibility so they could focus on residents who are at least 65 years old.

A Chadron woman has been arrested for&nbsp;methamphetamine, marijuana and child abuse charges.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Feb. 25 the Chadron Police Department received a report of suspected illegal drug use at a residence. 

Chadron Police Sgt. Patrick Young headed the investigation with assistance from Officer Derek Bauer, Sam Cafferty and Seth Orsborn. The officers conducted interviews with several people throughout the afternoon.

 Sgt. Young obtained a search warrant for 350 North Pine Street. The search of the home revealed several items of drug paraphernalia including glass pipes, a bong, residue amounts&nbsp;of methamphetamine and marijuana joints.

"At the time of the service of the search warrant there were children living in the residence," Chadron Police Lt. Rick Hickstein said. "Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, three minor children were placed into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services by the law enforcement officers."

37-year-old Laura Catches was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine (Class 4 Felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia (infraction). Catches was transported to the Dawes County Jail and bond was set at 10% of $10,000.

59-year-old Arvella Catches was issued a citation for possession of marijuana less than one ounce (infraction).

The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks, and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostA Chadron woman has been arrested for&nbsp;methamphetamine, marijuana and child abuse charges.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614373012831.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Feb. 25 the Chadron Police Department received a report of suspected illegal drug use at a residence. Chadron Police Sgt. Patrick Young headed the investigation with assistance from Officer Derek Bauer, Sam Cafferty and Seth Orsborn. The officers conducted interviews with several people throughout the afternoon. Sgt. Young obtained a search warrant for 350 North Pine Street. The search of the home revealed several items of drug paraphernalia including glass pipes, a bong, residue amounts&nbsp;of methamphetamine and marijuana joints."At the time of the service of the search warrant there were children living in the residence," Chadron Police Lt. Rick Hickstein said. "Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, three minor children were placed into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services by the law enforcement officers."37-year-old Laura Catches was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine (Class 4 Felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia (infraction). Catches was transported to the Dawes County Jail and bond was set at 10% of $10,000.59-year-old Arvella Catches was issued a citation for possession of marijuana less than one ounce (infraction).The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks, and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Chadron resident arrested for meth, marijuana, child abuse

McCOOK, Neb. (AP) — State prisons officials say a caseworker has been arrested on suspicion of having unauthorized contact with an inmate at the Nebraska Work Ethic Camp in McCook. 

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says in a news release that 29-year-old Kerstan Slater was arrested Thursday by the Nebraska State Patrol. 

Officials say Slater, who has worked for the department since 2018, resigned her position upon being arrested. 

Slater's is the latest in a slew of prison staffer arrests in recent weeks for similar charges.

 The agency's director, Scott Frakes, expressed frustration with the arrests, saying staff members are warned from the moment they're hired about the need to maintain professional boundaries with inmates.

McCOOK, Neb. (AP) — State prisons officials say a caseworker has been arrested on suspicion of having unauthorized contact with an inmate at the Nebraska Work Ethic Camp in McCook. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says in a news release that 29-year-old Kerstan Slater was arrested Thursday by the Nebraska State Patrol. Officials say Slater, who has worked for the department since 2018, resigned her position upon being arrested. Slater's is the latest in a slew of prison staffer arrests in recent weeks for similar charges. The agency's director, Scott Frakes, expressed frustration with the arrests, saying staff members are warned from the moment they're hired about the need to maintain professional boundaries with inmates.

Nebraska caseworker arrested, accused of inmate contact

By Kyren Gibson, Carnegie Arts Center

The Box Butte Art Society “Spring Show”2021 is an annual judged show for the members of the Box Butte Art Society. The show will be on display at the Carnegie Art Center in the Gretchen Garwood Gallery until March 20th. 

The entries included 1 student, 13 adults and an exhibited 37 pieces of art. Judging was held on the 23rd of February and the results were as follows…

In the adult category Best of Show was awarded to Rachel Brownlee for “An Uncomfortable Amount of Detail” (Charcoal).&nbsp; Certificates of Excellence were awarded to three artists: Tom Samson for “Morning Preen” (Scratch Board); Becci Thomas for “When Pigs Fly” (sculpture mixed media); and Rachel Brownlee for “Let Days Speak ”(Charcoal).&nbsp; Honorable Mentions were awarded to 4 artists: Robert Peltz, Rachel Brownlee, Kyren Gibson, and Steph Mantooth.&nbsp;

In the student category Certificate of Excellence was awarded to Ayvrie Waldron for “Once Upon a Mother’s Love” (pencil drawing).&nbsp; Honorable Mention was awarded to Avyrie Waldron for “Antique Romance” (watercolor).&nbsp;

The judge for 2021 was Rick Yusten from Gordon. The Art Society was honored to have him be a part of their annual show. Along with ribbon selections, choices were also made for the pieces that will be exhibited and judged at the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs annual Show this year. This show will appear in an online gallery only.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Box Butte Art Society it’s easy to do. Our objective is to promote and advance the study and appreciation of the visual Arts. Our club is for art experts, aspiring artists, beginners, and art appreciators. If you like art, we like you! And want you to join. It’s only a once a year $15 fee to be a member. BBAS holds a monthly meeting to learn fun art techniques that are easily tackled by an art enthusiast at any level! Currently we have a group of roughly 30 some members in Alliance, Hemingford, and Chadron area.

By Kyren Gibson, Carnegie Arts CenterThe Box Butte Art Society “Spring Show”2021 is an annual judged show for the members of the Box Butte Art Society. The show will be on display at the Carnegie Art Center in the Gretchen Garwood Gallery until March 20th. The entries included 1 student, 13 adults and an exhibited 37 pieces of art. Judging was held on the 23rd of February and the results were as follows…In the adult category Best of Show was awarded to Rachel Brownlee for “An Uncomfortable Amount of Detail” (Charcoal).&nbsp; Certificates of Excellence were awarded to three artists: Tom Samson for “Morning Preen” (Scratch Board); Becci Thomas for “When Pigs Fly” (sculpture mixed media); and Rachel Brownlee for “Let Days Speak ”(Charcoal).&nbsp; Honorable Mentions were awarded to 4 artists: Robert Peltz, Rachel Brownlee, Kyren Gibson, and Steph Mantooth.&nbsp;In the student category Certificate of Excellence was awarded to Ayvrie Waldron for “Once Upon a Mother’s Love” (pencil drawing).&nbsp; Honorable Mention was awarded to Avyrie Waldron for “Antique Romance” (watercolor).&nbsp;The judge for 2021 was Rick Yusten from Gordon. The Art Society was honored to have him be a part of their annual show. Along with ribbon selections, choices were also made for the pieces that will be exhibited and judged at the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs annual Show this year. This show will appear in an online gallery only.If you are interested in becoming a member of the Box Butte Art Society it’s easy to do. Our objective is to promote and advance the study and appreciation of the visual Arts. Our club is for art experts, aspiring artists, beginners, and art appreciators. If you like art, we like you! And want you to join. It’s only a once a year $15 fee to be a member. BBAS holds a monthly meeting to learn fun art techniques that are easily tackled by an art enthusiast at any level! Currently we have a group of roughly 30 some members in Alliance, Hemingford, and Chadron area.

Ribbons awarded during the Box Butte Art Society 'Spring Show'

By Eric Galatas, Nebraska News Connection&nbsp; LINCOLN - President Joe Biden has charged top White House officials with ensuring that communities living in the shadows of the nation's power plants, highways and refineries receive at least 40% of benefits from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/" target="_blank">new investments in clean energy</a>, public transit, affordable housing and pollution controls. Michele Roberts, national co-coordinator of the Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform said redlined neighborhoods in Nebraska and across the U.S. should be at the front of the line. "We need to prioritize those communities in such a way that we provide remedy and redress and make these communities whole," said Roberts. In the 1930s and '40s, the federal Home Owners Loan Corporation drew maps of U.S. cities, including Lincoln and Omaha, outlining in red where people of color lived. White neighborhoods received federal funding and benefited with amenities including better schools. Redlined areas were the only parts of cities where Black and Latino families could live. These communities, located near most of the cities' environmental hazards, did not receive funding. Roberts' group helped develop&nbsp;<a href="https://ajustclimate.org/" target="_blank">a national platform</a>&nbsp;for advancing environmental justice, which includes ranking neighborhoods based on their level of need, to ensure that communities most at risk aren't overlooked. The platform has been delivered to Cecilia Martinez, Biden's pick to lead the 40% initiative. Roberts said it's also important for Black and Brown communities to have a say in where investments are made. "We must make sure that those who have been impacted the most - our communities - must be consulted early, often and always," said Roberts. Roberts said the Biden administration's 40% plan also should include safeguards, so current residents are not priced out of their homes once communities have been restored. The plan, expected to cover investments in COVID recovery and infrastructure projects, is due May 27. All federal agencies would have 60 days after it's released by the White House to incorporate the guidance into their work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Eric Galatas, Nebraska News Connection&nbsp; LINCOLN - President Joe Biden has charged top White House officials with ensuring that communities living in the shadows of the nation's power plants, highways and refineries receive at least 40% of benefits from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/" target="_blank">new investments in clean energy</a>, public transit, affordable housing and pollution controls. Michele Roberts, national co-coordinator of the Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform said redlined neighborhoods in Nebraska and across the U.S. should be at the front of the line. "We need to prioritize those communities in such a way that we provide remedy and redress and make these communities whole," said Roberts. In the 1930s and '40s, the federal Home Owners Loan Corporation drew maps of U.S. cities, including Lincoln and Omaha, outlining in red where people of color lived. White neighborhoods received federal funding and benefited with amenities including better schools. Redlined areas were the only parts of cities where Black and Latino families could live. These communities, located near most of the cities' environmental hazards, did not receive funding. Roberts' group helped develop&nbsp;<a href="https://ajustclimate.org/" target="_blank">a national platform</a>&nbsp;for advancing environmental justice, which includes ranking neighborhoods based on their level of need, to ensure that communities most at risk aren't overlooked. The platform has been delivered to Cecilia Martinez, Biden's pick to lead the 40% initiative. Roberts said it's also important for Black and Brown communities to have a say in where investments are made. "We must make sure that those who have been impacted the most - our communities - must be consulted early, often and always," said Roberts. Roberts said the Biden administration's 40% plan also should include safeguards, so current residents are not priced out of their homes once communities have been restored. The plan, expected to cover investments in COVID recovery and infrastructure projects, is due May 27. All federal agencies would have 60 days after it's released by the White House to incorporate the guidance into their work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Advocates: Biden climate plan could help NE's redlined neighborhoods

Lincoln – For an initial group of inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), it is moving day. Around one dozen men are relocating to a newly built 100-bed dormitory. In addition to sleeping quarters and a large day area, the minimum-security unit also boasts additional rooms to provide clinical treatment and other programs. Eventually, additional occupants will move in.&nbsp;

“This building will not increase the number of inmates that we accommodate at the penitentiary, but it will allow us to free up space in other housing units,” said Scott R. Frakes, director, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).

“The addition of this housing unit provides us with a space that is ADA design compliant and equipped with the latest technology for staff members to work in and where inmates live,” added NSP Warden, Michele Wilhelm.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It has been more than 20 years since housing has been expanded at NSP.&nbsp; Two 100-bed dormitory units were added back in 1998.&nbsp; Funding for the new housing unit was covered, in part, from savings realized during the construction of the 160-bed female living unit at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln (CCC-L).

“The potential for further expansion on the penitentiary campus is limited,” stated Dir. Frakes. “That is part of the reason for putting forth the proposal to build a new, multi-custody level corrections facility. It will be challenging for NSP to attain five more years of use as a high-security facility. We can spend nearly $200 million to completely renovate NSP or repurpose it, in conjunction with building a newer facility.”

Lincoln – For an initial group of inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), it is moving day. Around one dozen men are relocating to a newly built 100-bed dormitory. In addition to sleeping quarters and a large day area, the minimum-security unit also boasts additional rooms to provide clinical treatment and other programs. Eventually, additional occupants will move in.&nbsp;“This building will not increase the number of inmates that we accommodate at the penitentiary, but it will allow us to free up space in other housing units,” said Scott R. Frakes, director, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).“The addition of this housing unit provides us with a space that is ADA design compliant and equipped with the latest technology for staff members to work in and where inmates live,” added NSP Warden, Michele Wilhelm.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It has been more than 20 years since housing has been expanded at NSP.&nbsp; Two 100-bed dormitory units were added back in 1998.&nbsp; Funding for the new housing unit was covered, in part, from savings realized during the construction of the 160-bed female living unit at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln (CCC-L).“The potential for further expansion on the penitentiary campus is limited,” stated Dir. Frakes. “That is part of the reason for putting forth the proposal to build a new, multi-custody level corrections facility. It will be challenging for NSP to attain five more years of use as a high-security facility. We can spend nearly $200 million to completely renovate NSP or repurpose it, in conjunction with building a newer facility.”

New 100-bed minimum-security dorm opens at NSP

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans who qualify for Medicaid under the expansion measure approved by voters in 2018 won’t be getting vision, dental or over-the-counter medication benefits anytime soon. 

State officials say their plans to offer those benefits starting April 1 have been put on hold after federal officials tasked with reviewing them raised concerns. 

Officials under Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts had planned to require that recipients meet “wellness and personal responsibility” goals to qualify for those benefits. 

State Medicaid Director Kevin Bagley told a legislative committee Thursday that President Joe Biden’s administration objected to the plan and isn’t likely to approve it in time for the rollout.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans who qualify for Medicaid under the expansion measure approved by voters in 2018 won’t be getting vision, dental or over-the-counter medication benefits anytime soon. State officials say their plans to offer those benefits starting April 1 have been put on hold after federal officials tasked with reviewing them raised concerns. Officials under Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts had planned to require that recipients meet “wellness and personal responsibility” goals to qualify for those benefits. State Medicaid Director Kevin Bagley told a legislative committee Thursday that President Joe Biden’s administration objected to the plan and isn’t likely to approve it in time for the rollout.

Some Nebraska Medicaid expansion benefits put on hold

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Members of the South Dakota House and Senate took turns deflating marijuana supporters on the same day. 

One body on Thursday approved a plan to delay implementation of medical cannabis and the other killed a bill that would have decriminalized the drug. 

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports that the House pushed forward on Gov. Kristi Noem’s idea to give the Department of Health additional time to work on a medical marijuana strategy and create a working group of lawmakers to help lay out the program. 

The Senate defeated a bill that would have changed existing statute so people who possess small amounts of cannabis are no longer arrested in South Dakota.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Members of the South Dakota House and Senate took turns deflating marijuana supporters on the same day. One body on Thursday approved a plan to delay implementation of medical cannabis and the other killed a bill that would have decriminalized the drug. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports that the House pushed forward on Gov. Kristi Noem’s idea to give the Department of Health additional time to work on a medical marijuana strategy and create a working group of lawmakers to help lay out the program. Noem wanted a year delay. The House settled on six months. The Senate defeated a bill that would have changed existing statute so people who possess small amounts of cannabis are no longer arrested in South Dakota.

South Dakota lawmakers snub marijuana backers on 2 bills

DENVER (AP) — A man allegedly tied to the killing of a Colorado woman nearly 40 years ago through DNA evidence has been arrested in Nebraska.

 Police in suburban Denver said Thursday that 62-year-old David Dwayne Anderson was arrested Feb. 10 in the killing of Sylvia Quayle in Cherry Hills Village in 1981. 

 According to court records, Anderson appeared in court in Dawson County and waived his right to fight extradition to Colorado. 

His lawyer didn't return a telephone call seeking comment. 

The Cherry Hills Village police chief says her thoughts are with Quayle's family and she's glad there's a path to seek justice.

DENVER (AP) — A man allegedly tied to the killing of a Colorado woman nearly 40 years ago through DNA evidence has been arrested in Nebraska. Police in suburban Denver said Thursday that 62-year-old David Dwayne Anderson was arrested Feb. 10 in the killing of Sylvia Quayle in Cherry Hills Village in 1981. According to court records, Anderson appeared in court in Dawson County and waived his right to fight extradition to Colorado. His lawyer didn't return a telephone call seeking comment. The Cherry Hills Village police chief says her thoughts are with Quayle's family and she's glad there's a path to seek justice.

Man arrested in Nebraska in Colorado cold case slaying

🏀| Boys High School Basketball Subdistrict Playoffs

F|&nbsp;#3 Sidney 48, #2 Scottsbluff 44

F|&nbsp;Championship: Alliance 49, Sidney 44

C1-12 at Ogallala Prairie View School

F|&nbsp;#4 Gordon/Rushville 68, #5 Valentine 54

F|&nbsp;#1 Ogallala 59, Gordon/Rushville 36

F|&nbsp;#2 Mitchell 48, #3 Chadron 34

F|&nbsp;Championship: Ogallala 66, Mitchell 51

F|&nbsp;#1 Bridgeport 86, #4 Kimball 27

F|&nbsp;#2 Bayard 55, #3 Hemingford 46

F|&nbsp;Championship: Bridgeport 77, Bayard 48

D1-12 at Perkins County High School

F|&nbsp;#1 Perkins County 64, #4 Garden County 45

F|&nbsp;&nbsp;#3 Leyton 48, #2 Morrill 43

F|&nbsp;Championship: Perkins County 52, Leyton 45

F|&nbsp;Mullen 71, Arthur County 23

F|&nbsp;Championship: Mullen 49, Paxton 36

F|&nbsp;#1 Potter-Dix 72, #4 Minatare 23

F|&nbsp;#2 South Platte 59, #3 Creek Valley 34

F|&nbsp;Championship: Potter-Dix&nbsp; 80, South Platte 53

F|&nbsp;#1 Hay Springs 56, #4 Sioux County 22

F|&nbsp;#2 Crawford 23, #3 Cody-Kilgore 18

F|&nbsp;Championship: Hay Springs 49, Crawford 21

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607523775411.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports DirectorUpdated: Thursday, 8:50 pm🏀| Boys High School Basketball Subdistrict PlayoffsB-8 at Alliance High SchoolF| #1 Alliance 52, #4 Gering 43F|&nbsp;#3 Sidney 48, #2 Scottsbluff 44F|&nbsp;Championship: Alliance 49, Sidney 44C1-12 at Ogallala Prairie View SchoolF|&nbsp;#4 Gordon/Rushville 68, #5 Valentine 54F|&nbsp;#1 Ogallala 59, Gordon/Rushville 36F|&nbsp;#2 Mitchell 48, #3 Chadron 34F|&nbsp;Championship: Ogallala 66, Mitchell 51C2-12 at Bridgeport High SchoolF|&nbsp;#1 Bridgeport 86, #4 Kimball 27F|&nbsp;#2 Bayard 55, #3 Hemingford 46F|&nbsp;Championship: Bridgeport 77, Bayard 48D1-12 at Perkins County High SchoolF|&nbsp;#1 Perkins County 64, #4 Garden County 45F|&nbsp;&nbsp;#3 Leyton 48, #2 Morrill 43F|&nbsp;Championship: Perkins County 52, Leyton 45&nbsp;D2-10 at Mullen High SchoolF|&nbsp;Mullen 71, Arthur County 23F|&nbsp;Paxton 58, Hyannis 37F|&nbsp;Championship: Mullen 49, Paxton 36D2-11 at South Platte High SchoolF|&nbsp;#1 Potter-Dix 72, #4 Minatare 23F|&nbsp;#2 South Platte 59, #3 Creek Valley 34F|&nbsp;Championship: Potter-Dix&nbsp; 80, South Platte 53D2-12 at Hay Springs High SchoolF|&nbsp;#1 Hay Springs 56, #4 Sioux County 22F|&nbsp;#2 Crawford 23, #3 Cody-Kilgore 18F|&nbsp;Championship: Hay Springs 49, Crawford 21

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