OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Norfolk Southern became the first major North American freight railroad with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-engineers-sick-time-norfolk-southern-contract-1a48b079655c28acdc2444f41949f5d8">deals</a>&nbsp;to provide paid sick time to all of its workers Monday, but the other railroads are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/labor-unions-kansas-city-southern-strikes-business-6e66b66a99415e12c2c1fa642d6a842f">making progress</a>, with nearly 65% of all rail workers securing this basic benefit since the start of the year.

All of the major freight railroads have said they are committed to resolving this key issue that nearly led to a strike in last year's bitter contract talks. But most of those railroads — which include CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City — are still negotiating with a number of their unions.

Also Monday, Union Pacific announced a deal that will provide paid sick leave to about 5,600 engineers in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that gives that railroad agreements with 12 of its 13 unions.

Most of the sick time deals, including the one Norfolk Southern announced for yardmasters Monday, provide four days of paid sick time and give workers the option to convert three days of personal leave time into sick days. The conductors and engineers who endure the most unpredictable schedules while operating the trains have been getting five days of paid sick leave with the option to convert two leave days into sick time. The Union Pacific deal follows that five-day model.

So all of these deals provide up to seven days of paid sick time, and the railroads promised to pay workers for any unused sick time at the end of each year.

Last fall, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-business-strikes-940da8fc519f8c526ca614e201d01216">railroads refused</a>&nbsp;to add paid sick time to the deal they had already been negotiating for several years, but they relented this year after intense pressure from the public, the Biden administration and several key lawmakers, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Rail workers were forced to accept a five-year deal that provided 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses after Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-pete-buttigieg-strikes-congress-c95510555dcd4cdc2d839e61d1195b06">blocked their ability to strike</a>&nbsp;because of fears of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-climate-and-environment-government-politics-92ea7632a29f807ccc0e2658c50d731e">economic catastrophe</a>, but that agreement didn't address their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-congress-d2ae4d3aecb27f176418518d977e69e1">quality-of-life concerns</a>.

The engineers' union said providing sick time to train crews can help make sure they aren't fatigued while at the controls of a locomotive.

“This agreement is really about health and safety,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Eddie Hall. “It’s not in our members’, the public’s or the railroad’s best interest for engineers to be operating trains when they’re sick."

Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said these agreements show “the well-being and quality of life for all employees are critically important to us.”

About 300 workers are covered by this latest Norfolk Southern agreement. Jeremy Ferguson, president of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents the Norfolk Southern yardmasters and conductors nationwide, praised the progress that has been made.

“This agreement will provide our hardworking yardmasters the time they need and deserve to take care of their personal wellbeing,” Ferguson said.

A separate larger agreement between SMART-TD and Norfolk Southern that also addresses schedule concerns for conductors was ratified Friday.

“Following national labor negotiations, we committed to address quality of life issues for our craft railroaders. With today’s agreement, we make good on that promise,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw.

Norfolk Southern and the other major railroads tout the progress they have made so far, but officials with the Transportation Trades Department — the AFL-CIO labor coalition that includes all the rail unions — said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-workers-unions-paid-sick-time-negotiations-10c5e688b85ef9be4f231499666ab756">much work remains</a>&nbsp;to address workers' concerns.

“For months, railroads have been at the table individually with their unions to find a path forward on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-contract-engineers-demanding-schedules-union-pacific-e2ffdb4830a313249ca2281de360acca">quality-of-life matters</a>&nbsp;that came into the spotlight during the round’s final days. Today, railroads have new paid sick leave agreements in place to cover the majority of the unionized rail workforce," said Ian Jefferies, who leads the Association of American Railroads trade group. "Additionally, multiple railroads have secured deals to give operating craft employees greater scheduling predictability."

Greg Regan, president of the TTD labor coalition, said the unions have been keeping up the pressure on the railroads ever since last year's contract talks.

“I think the the railroads probably realize the only way this is going to go away is if they actually bargain in good faith. And you know, so far it has yielded some decent results,” Regan said.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Norfolk Southern became the first major North American freight railroad with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-engineers-sick-time-norfolk-southern-contract-1a48b079655c28acdc2444f41949f5d8">deals</a>&nbsp;to provide paid sick time to all of its workers Monday, but the other railroads are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/labor-unions-kansas-city-southern-strikes-business-6e66b66a99415e12c2c1fa642d6a842f">making progress</a>, with nearly 65% of all rail workers securing this basic benefit since the start of the year.All of the major freight railroads have said they are committed to resolving this key issue that nearly led to a strike in last year's bitter contract talks. But most of those railroads — which include CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City — are still negotiating with a number of their unions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686067574107.jpeg" alt="A Norfolk Southern freight train rolls through downtown Pittsburgh, on March 26, 2018. Norfolk Southern became the first major freight railroad with deals to provide sick time to all of its workers Monday, June 5, 2023 but the other railroads are making progress with nearly 60% of all rail workers securing this basic benefit. All of the major freight railroads have said they're committed to resolving this key issue that nearly led to a strike last year. But most of those railroads are still negotiating with a number of their unions. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)" />
 <figcaption>A Norfolk Southern freight train rolls through downtown Pittsburgh, on March 26, 2018. Norfolk Southern became the first major freight railroad with deals to provide sick time to all of its workers Monday, June 5, 2023 but the other railroads are making progress with nearly 60% of all rail workers securing this basic benefit. All of the major freight railroads have said they're committed to resolving this key issue that nearly led to a strike last year. But most of those railroads are still negotiating with a number of their unions. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Also Monday, Union Pacific announced a deal that will provide paid sick leave to about 5,600 engineers in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that gives that railroad agreements with 12 of its 13 unions.Most of the sick time deals, including the one Norfolk Southern announced for yardmasters Monday, provide four days of paid sick time and give workers the option to convert three days of personal leave time into sick days. The conductors and engineers who endure the most unpredictable schedules while operating the trains have been getting five days of paid sick leave with the option to convert two leave days into sick time. The Union Pacific deal follows that five-day model.So all of these deals provide up to seven days of paid sick time, and the railroads promised to pay workers for any unused sick time at the end of each year.Last fall, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-business-strikes-940da8fc519f8c526ca614e201d01216">railroads refused</a>&nbsp;to add paid sick time to the deal they had already been negotiating for several years, but they relented this year after intense pressure from the public, the Biden administration and several key lawmakers, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Rail workers were forced to accept a five-year deal that provided 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses after Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-pete-buttigieg-strikes-congress-c95510555dcd4cdc2d839e61d1195b06">blocked their ability to strike</a>&nbsp;because of fears of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-climate-and-environment-government-politics-92ea7632a29f807ccc0e2658c50d731e">economic catastrophe</a>, but that agreement didn't address their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-strikes-congress-d2ae4d3aecb27f176418518d977e69e1">quality-of-life concerns</a>.The engineers' union said providing sick time to train crews can help make sure they aren't fatigued while at the controls of a locomotive.“This agreement is really about health and safety,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Eddie Hall. “It’s not in our members’, the public’s or the railroad’s best interest for engineers to be operating trains when they’re sick."Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said these agreements show “the well-being and quality of life for all employees are critically important to us.”About 300 workers are covered by this latest Norfolk Southern agreement. Jeremy Ferguson, president of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents the Norfolk Southern yardmasters and conductors nationwide, praised the progress that has been made.“This agreement will provide our hardworking yardmasters the time they need and deserve to take care of their personal wellbeing,” Ferguson said.A separate larger agreement between SMART-TD and Norfolk Southern that also addresses schedule concerns for conductors was ratified Friday.“Following national labor negotiations, we committed to address quality of life issues for our craft railroaders. With today’s agreement, we make good on that promise,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw.Norfolk Southern and the other major railroads tout the progress they have made so far, but officials with the Transportation Trades Department — the AFL-CIO labor coalition that includes all the rail unions — said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-workers-unions-paid-sick-time-negotiations-10c5e688b85ef9be4f231499666ab756">much work remains</a>&nbsp;to address workers' concerns.“For months, railroads have been at the table individually with their unions to find a path forward on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-contract-engineers-demanding-schedules-union-pacific-e2ffdb4830a313249ca2281de360acca">quality-of-life matters</a>&nbsp;that came into the spotlight during the round’s final days. Today, railroads have new paid sick leave agreements in place to cover the majority of the unionized rail workforce," said Ian Jefferies, who leads the Association of American Railroads trade group. "Additionally, multiple railroads have secured deals to give operating craft employees greater scheduling predictability."Greg Regan, president of the TTD labor coalition, said the unions have been keeping up the pressure on the railroads ever since last year's contract talks.“I think the the railroads probably realize the only way this is going to go away is if they actually bargain in good faith. And you know, so far it has yielded some decent results,” Regan said.

Norfolk Southern is 1st railroad to give all workers sick time

P202300365 10:41 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer observed a female, who did not have a valid license, driving near the area of 7th Street and Flack Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted. The female had an active Box Butte County Warrant. Female was taken into custody and cited for driving under revocation. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300366 15:33 OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN ACTIVE PHYSICAL ASSAULT ON THE 900 BLOCK OF BLACK HILLS AVENUE / OFFICERS ARRESTED A WHITE, MALE INDIVIDUAL / THE INDIVIDUAL IS BEING CHARGED WITH THIRD DEGREE ASSAULT AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT&nbsp; Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300367 12:36 OFFICERS WERE DISPATCHED TO ACTIVE PHYSICAL ASSAULT / ONE MALE STRUCK AFEMALE AND MALE IN THE HEAD WITH HIS FIST / ONE MALE WAS ARRESTED / CHARGES ARE PENDING Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300368 16:45 THEFT : THEFT Officers were informed that a juvenile male had gone to the Big Blue Bay. As the juvenile was going to leave, the scooter he rode in was gone. There were no known witnesses. Open - Under Investigation

P202300369 17:24 DRUGS : DRUGS Officers made a traffic stop on a gold Dodge Durango near 3rd Street and Yellowstone Avenue. The odor of marijuana emitted from the vehicle. Probable Cause search was conducted and drugs were located. The female driver was charged. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300370 17:24 DRUGS : DRUGS Officers initiated a traffic stop on a gold Dodge Durango near 3rd Street and Yellowstone. The odor of marijuana emitted from the vehicle. A male passenger had drug paraphernalia on his person. Citation issued. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300371 21:56 Officers were called to the residence for a physical disturbance no longer in progress, were later told it was just verbal. Upon investigation it was determined an assault had occurred. Closed - Charges, Recommended

P202300372 07:23 THEFT : THEFT Tower Apartments/ Reported theft of phone/ Case taken Inactive - Case Suspended

P202300373 08:36 FOUND : FOUND 100 W. 4th Street/ Found bicycle/ Found Property case taken Inactive - Case Suspended

P202300374 12:53 WARRANT : ARREST 600 Sweetwater Avenue/ Individual with warrant located/ Warrant for failure to pay ticket confirmed/ Individual arrested Closed - Resolved

P202300375 00:19 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Investigation of a male who struck a female with a baseball bat multiple times in the Haven Trailer Court. Male was located and arrested. Female was transported to BBGH for her injuries. Case has been forwarded to the Box Butte County Attorney Closed - Charges

P202300376 08:28 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : 500 block of Niobrara Avenue/ Report of Criminal Mischief/ Paint used to cover window and deck/ Citation issued Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300377 13:31 THEFT : THEFT Theft at Goodwill / Unknown suspect / case inactive pending further leads Inactive - Case Suspended

P202300378 16:51 TRESPASS : TRESPASS 300 W. 3rd Street/ Report of trespasser in home/ Individual cited/ Case closed and charges recommended Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300379 17:14 TRESPASS : TRESPASS Kloch's Liquor/ Trespasser/ Individual arrested Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300380 21:31 DEATH : UNATTENDED Investigation into the death of an elderly female. Female was transported to Bates Gould Funeral home. Closed - Resolved

P202300382 09:58 Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300383 16:01 FOUND : FOUND 200 W. 3rd Street/ Found property brought to station/ Case taken/ Inactivated and Suspended Inactive - Case Suspended

P202300384 06:07 ASSAULT : ASSAULT INVESTIGATED A DOMESTIC ASSAULT AT THE 1200 BLOCK OF W 14TH ST. / ARRESTED ONE MALE / CHARGES INCLUDING THIRD-DEGREEDOMESTIC ASSAULT, FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND STRANGULATION Closed - Charges Recommended

P202300386 12:02 10-44 : MVA NON INJURYRESPONDED TO A TWO VEHICLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT THE 300 BLOCK OF FLACK AVENUE / DAMAGES RESULTED IN OVER $1500 WORTH OF DAMAGE / ACCIDENT DID NOT RESULT IN ANY INJURIES /

By Alliance Police DepartmentP202300365 10:41 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer observed a female, who did not have a valid license, driving near the area of 7th Street and Flack Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted. The female had an active Box Butte County Warrant. Female was taken into custody and cited for driving under revocation. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300366 15:33 OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN ACTIVE PHYSICAL ASSAULT ON THE 900 BLOCK OF BLACK HILLS AVENUE / OFFICERS ARRESTED A WHITE, MALE INDIVIDUAL / THE INDIVIDUAL IS BEING CHARGED WITH THIRD DEGREE ASSAULT AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT&nbsp; Closed - Charges Recommended05/28/23 Total: 205/29/23P202300367 12:36 OFFICERS WERE DISPATCHED TO ACTIVE PHYSICAL ASSAULT / ONE MALE STRUCK AFEMALE AND MALE IN THE HEAD WITH HIS FIST / ONE MALE WAS ARRESTED / CHARGES ARE PENDING Closed - Charges Recommended05/29/23 Total: 105/30/23P202300368 16:45 THEFT : THEFT Officers were informed that a juvenile male had gone to the Big Blue Bay. As the juvenile was going to leave, the scooter he rode in was gone. There were no known witnesses. Open - Under InvestigationP202300369 17:24 DRUGS : DRUGS Officers made a traffic stop on a gold Dodge Durango near 3rd Street and Yellowstone Avenue. The odor of marijuana emitted from the vehicle. Probable Cause search was conducted and drugs were located. The female driver was charged. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300370 17:24 DRUGS : DRUGS Officers initiated a traffic stop on a gold Dodge Durango near 3rd Street and Yellowstone. The odor of marijuana emitted from the vehicle. A male passenger had drug paraphernalia on his person. Citation issued. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300371 21:56 Officers were called to the residence for a physical disturbance no longer in progress, were later told it was just verbal. Upon investigation it was determined an assault had occurred. Closed - Charges, Recommended05/30/23 Total: 405/31/23P202300372 07:23 THEFT : THEFT Tower Apartments/ Reported theft of phone/ Case taken Inactive - Case SuspendedP202300373 08:36 FOUND : FOUND 100 W. 4th Street/ Found bicycle/ Found Property case taken Inactive - Case SuspendedP202300374 12:53 WARRANT : ARREST 600 Sweetwater Avenue/ Individual with warrant located/ Warrant for failure to pay ticket confirmed/ Individual arrested Closed - Resolved05/31/23 Total: 306/01/23P202300375 00:19 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Investigation of a male who struck a female with a baseball bat multiple times in the Haven Trailer Court. Male was located and arrested. Female was transported to BBGH for her injuries. Case has been forwarded to the Box Butte County Attorney Closed - ChargesRecommendedP202300376 08:28 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : 500 block of Niobrara Avenue/ Report of Criminal Mischief/ Paint used to cover window and deck/ Citation issued Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300377 13:31 THEFT : THEFT Theft at Goodwill / Unknown suspect / case inactive pending further leads Inactive - Case SuspendedP202300378 16:51 TRESPASS : TRESPASS 300 W. 3rd Street/ Report of trespasser in home/ Individual cited/ Case closed and charges recommended Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300379 17:14 TRESPASS : TRESPASS Kloch's Liquor/ Trespasser/ Individual arrested Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300380 21:31 DEATH : UNATTENDED Investigation into the death of an elderly female. Female was transported to Bates Gould Funeral home. Closed - Resolved06/01/23 Total: 606/02/23P202300382 09:58 Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300383 16:01 FOUND : FOUND 200 W. 3rd Street/ Found property brought to station/ Case taken/ Inactivated and Suspended Inactive - Case Suspended06/02/23 Total: 206/03/23P202300384 06:07 ASSAULT : ASSAULT INVESTIGATED A DOMESTIC ASSAULT AT THE 1200 BLOCK OF W 14TH ST. / ARRESTED ONE MALE / CHARGES INCLUDING THIRD-DEGREEDOMESTIC ASSAULT, FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND STRANGULATION Closed - Charges RecommendedP202300386 12:02 10-44 : MVA NON INJURYRESPONDED TO A TWO VEHICLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT THE 300 BLOCK OF FLACK AVENUE / DAMAGES RESULTED IN OVER $1500 WORTH OF DAMAGE / ACCIDENT DID NOT RESULT IN ANY INJURIES /Closed - Resolved06/03/23 Total: 2Total Records: 20

Alliance Police Department: The media report

Residents and nonresidents may apply for a draw status Nebraska deer permit in three mule deer conservation areas June 12-23.&nbsp;

In 2023, the Platte Mule Deer Conservation Area, Pine Ridge MDCA and the Frenchman MDCA are the only deer permits in the drawing. A preference point may be purchased in lieu of participating in the drawing.

Residents and eligible landowners also may apply for a firearm or muzzleloader antelope permit, nonresidents may apply for an archery antelope permit and residents may apply for a general elk permit. An antelope preference point and an elk bonus point may be purchased in lieu of participating in the drawing.

The application period opens June 12 at 1 p.m. Central time. Applications must be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 5 p.m. Central time – or by 11:59 p.m. for online applications – on June 23. One application is allowed per person per species.

Draws are used to provide equal opportunity to obtain high demand permits. Resident and nonresidents are separated in the drawing, with at least 85% of permits reserved for residents.

Applications may be made at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MDUuNzc3ODIyMzEifQ.ifOowQ_0TqCN2l0v3SLFMWKZVL3iYsxhJtE7uKgVsjw/s/497221906/br/204256784923-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>, via application form in the 2023 Big Game Guide, or in person at a Game and Parks permitting office. A list of offices is in the Big Game Guide.

Results of the draw will be available by the first Friday in July.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuT3V0ZG9vck5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MDUuNzc3ODIyMzEifQ.MKEHQPpeIt-sFUHONWtgUVLyyxirJIo1Xx1V8F2zaK4/s/497221906/br/204256784923-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>, which includes a digital version of the Big Game Guide, for more information.

By Nebraska Game and ParksResidents and nonresidents may apply for a draw status Nebraska deer permit in three mule deer conservation areas June 12-23.&nbsp;In 2023, the Platte Mule Deer Conservation Area, Pine Ridge MDCA and the Frenchman MDCA are the only deer permits in the drawing. A preference point may be purchased in lieu of participating in the drawing.Residents and eligible landowners also may apply for a firearm or muzzleloader antelope permit, nonresidents may apply for an archery antelope permit and residents may apply for a general elk permit. An antelope preference point and an elk bonus point may be purchased in lieu of participating in the drawing.The application period opens June 12 at 1 p.m. Central time. Applications must be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 5 p.m. Central time – or by 11:59 p.m. for online applications – on June 23. One application is allowed per person per species.Draws are used to provide equal opportunity to obtain high demand permits. Resident and nonresidents are separated in the drawing, with at least 85% of permits reserved for residents.Applications may be made at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MDUuNzc3ODIyMzEifQ.ifOowQ_0TqCN2l0v3SLFMWKZVL3iYsxhJtE7uKgVsjw/s/497221906/br/204256784923-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>, via application form in the 2023 Big Game Guide, or in person at a Game and Parks permitting office. A list of offices is in the Big Game Guide.Results of the draw will be available by the first Friday in July.Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuT3V0ZG9vck5lYnJhc2thLmdvdiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MDUuNzc3ODIyMzEifQ.MKEHQPpeIt-sFUHONWtgUVLyyxirJIo1Xx1V8F2zaK4/s/497221906/br/204256784923-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>, which includes a digital version of the Big Game Guide, for more information.

Big game draw permit application period drawing near 

Alliance – Big Blue Bay will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9th, to allow the Alliance Swim Team time to set up for their annual home swim meet. The pool will also be closed for the swim meet on Saturday, June 10th all day. Big Blue Bay will reopen on Sunday June 11th at noon.

Noon to 1 pm Lap Swim and 8 and under Family swim

5 pm to 6 pm Lap Swim and 8 and under Family swim

6 pm to 7 pm Family Hour Tuesday - Saturday

Contact the Leisure Services Department at 762-2384 for additional information.

By City of AllianceAlliance – Big Blue Bay will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9th, to allow the Alliance Swim Team time to set up for their annual home swim meet. The pool will also be closed for the swim meet on Saturday, June 10th all day. Big Blue Bay will reopen on Sunday June 11th at noon.Normal hours of operation are:6 am to 7 am Lap SwimNoon to 1 pm Lap Swim and 8 and under Family swim1 pm to 5 pm Open Swim5 pm to 6 pm Lap Swim and 8 and under Family swim6 pm to 7 pm Family Hour Tuesday - SaturdayContact the Leisure Services Department at 762-2384 for additional information.

Big Blue Bay to close for Alliance swim meet

EAA Chapter 608 is thrilled to announce the annual Airport Appreciation Day and Fly-In event, taking place on June 10th, 2023 at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport. 

This event aims to bring together aviation enthusiasts, families, and the local community to celebrate the wonders of flight and showcase the importance of aviation in our region. The gates will be open to the public from 7:00 am until noon, providing ample time for attendees to explore a variety of engaging activities and attractions. One of the highlights of the day will be the opportunity for young aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrill of flying through Young Eagles Flights, which will be made available by the dedicated volunteers of EAA Chapter 608. Participants can learn more about this program and register online at&nbsp;<a href="http://youngeaglesday.org/" target="_blank">youngeaglesday.org</a> To kickstart the event, the first 200 visitors will be treated to a complimentary breakfast courtesy of the Scottsbluff Kiwanis. This gesture serves as a token of gratitude to those who join us early in the day and sets the stage for an enjoyable experience at Airport Appreciation Day.

Throughout the event, attendees will have the chance to explore a diverse display of aircraft and interact with representatives from local aviation businesses. This presents a unique opportunity for individuals to learn about the aviation industry, discover career paths, and gain insight into the fascinating world of flight. There will also be a KC-135 refueling tanker from the Nebraska Air Guard's 155th Refueling Wing, representatives of the Nebraska Army National Guard's local 1057th Military Police, and more. Airport Appreciation Day promises to be an unforgettable experience for aviation enthusiasts of all ages. Mark your calendars for June 10th, 2023, and join us at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport for a day filled with excitement, learning, and a celebration of the remarkable world of aviation. About EAA Chapter 608: EAA Chapter 608 is a dedicated group of aviation enthusiasts who aim to promote and preserve the spirit of aviation in our community. With a passion for flight, they organize various events, provide educational resources, and foster a welcoming environment for all aviation enthusiasts. About Western Nebraska Regional Airport: Western Nebraska Regional Airport is a vital transportation hub serving the region with commercial and general aviation services. Situated in a scenic location, it offers a range of facilities and services to support aviation activities while contributing to the economic growth of the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News Release&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685992920946.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EAA Chapter 608 is thrilled to announce the annual Airport Appreciation Day and Fly-In event, taking place on June 10th, 2023 at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport. This event aims to bring together aviation enthusiasts, families, and the local community to celebrate the wonders of flight and showcase the importance of aviation in our region. The gates will be open to the public from 7:00 am until noon, providing ample time for attendees to explore a variety of engaging activities and attractions. One of the highlights of the day will be the opportunity for young aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrill of flying through Young Eagles Flights, which will be made available by the dedicated volunteers of EAA Chapter 608. Participants can learn more about this program and register online at&nbsp;<a href="http://youngeaglesday.org/" target="_blank">youngeaglesday.org</a> To kickstart the event, the first 200 visitors will be treated to a complimentary breakfast courtesy of the Scottsbluff Kiwanis. This gesture serves as a token of gratitude to those who join us early in the day and sets the stage for an enjoyable experience at Airport Appreciation Day.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685992954239.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Throughout the event, attendees will have the chance to explore a diverse display of aircraft and interact with representatives from local aviation businesses. This presents a unique opportunity for individuals to learn about the aviation industry, discover career paths, and gain insight into the fascinating world of flight. There will also be a KC-135 refueling tanker from the Nebraska Air Guard's 155th Refueling Wing, representatives of the Nebraska Army National Guard's local 1057th Military Police, and more. Airport Appreciation Day promises to be an unforgettable experience for aviation enthusiasts of all ages. Mark your calendars for June 10th, 2023, and join us at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport for a day filled with excitement, learning, and a celebration of the remarkable world of aviation. About EAA Chapter 608: EAA Chapter 608 is a dedicated group of aviation enthusiasts who aim to promote and preserve the spirit of aviation in our community. With a passion for flight, they organize various events, provide educational resources, and foster a welcoming environment for all aviation enthusiasts. About Western Nebraska Regional Airport: Western Nebraska Regional Airport is a vital transportation hub serving the region with commercial and general aviation services. Situated in a scenic location, it offers a range of facilities and services to support aviation activities while contributing to the economic growth of the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Airport Appreciation Day coming to Western Nebraska Regional Airport

The Dawes County Historical Society will hold it's annual Garden Party fundraiser today from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the County Museum south of Chadron on Country Club Road.

The event highlights some of the Museum’s “Hidden Treasures,” with the primary fundraiser being an auction of hats from the Museum collection. 

Local auctioneer Bruce Schoepner will handle the bidding call.

Master of Ceremonies Dave Carlson will give a talk on the historic buildings now located on the museum grounds. 

Guests will be entertained by music from Jack Issacs, and there were refreshments. All guests will receive complimentary copy of a book full of facts about early Chadron.

Visitors are also invited to come out before the Garden Party or to remain after to visit the various buildings and exhibits at the Dawes County Historical Museum.

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle PostThe Dawes County Historical Society will hold it's annual Garden Party fundraiser today from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the County Museum south of Chadron on Country Club Road.The event highlights some of the Museum’s “Hidden Treasures,” with the primary fundraiser being an auction of hats from the Museum collection. Local auctioneer Bruce Schoepner will handle the bidding call.Master of Ceremonies Dave Carlson will give a talk on the historic buildings now located on the museum grounds. Guests will be entertained by music from Jack Issacs, and there were refreshments. All guests will receive complimentary copy of a book full of facts about early Chadron.Visitors are also invited to come out before the Garden Party or to remain after to visit the various buildings and exhibits at the Dawes County Historical Museum.

Dawes County Historical Society holds Garden Party fundraiser

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — According to Lincoln County District Court records, Logan Divine, 22, is facing a life sentence after pleading no contest last month to second-degree murder and the use of a weapon to commit a felony.

The charges stem from an incident that took place in August of 2021, as reported by the North Platte Police Department (NPPD).

Authorities allege that Divine beat 23-year-old Geoffrey Allen into unconsciousness using a baseball bat. Allen later died after being airlifted to a Denver hospital.

According to an arrest affidavit, Divine entered an apartment on South Cottonwood Street and struck Allen twice with a baseball bat. He then allegedly punched Allen multiple times while he sat on a chair.

The affidavit said witnesses told NPPD officers that Divine dragged Allen into a vehicle and drove him to a residence on East Phillip Avenue. Witnesses said Divine threw Allen over a fence before striking him again with a bat.

Divine then loaded Allen into his car and drove him back to the apartment on South Cottonwood Street. Upon arrival, he performed CPR on Allen before 911 was called.

Divine is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — According to Lincoln County District Court records, Logan Divine, 22, is facing a life sentence after pleading no contest last month to second-degree murder and the use of a weapon to commit a felony.The charges stem from an incident that took place in August of 2021, as reported by the North Platte Police Department (NPPD).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686150173557.png" alt="Logan Divine, 22, is facing a life sentence after pleading no contest last month to second-degree murder and the use of a weapon to commit a felony." />
 <figcaption>Logan Divine, 22, is facing a life sentence after pleading no contest last month to second-degree murder and the use of a weapon to commit a felony.</figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities allege that Divine beat 23-year-old Geoffrey Allen into unconsciousness using a baseball bat. Allen later died after being airlifted to a Denver hospital.According to an arrest affidavit, Divine entered an apartment on South Cottonwood Street and struck Allen twice with a baseball bat. He then allegedly punched Allen multiple times while he sat on a chair.The affidavit said witnesses told NPPD officers that Divine dragged Allen into a vehicle and drove him to a residence on East Phillip Avenue. Witnesses said Divine threw Allen over a fence before striking him again with a bat.Divine then loaded Allen into his car and drove him back to the apartment on South Cottonwood Street. Upon arrival, he performed CPR on Allen before 911 was called.Divine is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24.

North Platte man facing life in prison

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 6/5/23

POST PODCAST: United Way of Western Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — With the rail industry relying on longer and longer trains to cut costs, the Biden administration is handing out $570 million in grants to help eliminate many railroad crossings in 32 states.

The grants announced Monday will contribute to building bridges or underpasses at the sites of more than three dozen crossings that delay traffic and sometimes keep first responders from where help is desperately needed.

In some places, trains routinely stretching more than 2 miles (3.2 km) long can block crossings for hours, cutting off access to parts of towns and forcing pedestrians to attempt the dangerous act of climbing through trains that could start moving without warning.

“We see countless stories of people unable to get to work on time, goods being blocked from getting where they need to be and first responders being delayed by these these trains that can be slowed or stopped — even seeing images of children having to crawl between or under freight trains in order to get to school,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

In one case Buttigieg mentioned, a Texas mom called 911 because her 3-month-old baby was in distress, but an idle train kept the ambulance from getting there quickly and the baby died at the hospital two days later.

In addition to problems associated with blocked crossings, roughly 2,000 collisions are reported at railroad crossings every year. Nearly 250 deaths were recorded last year in those car-train crashes. In one instance Buttigieg cited, a woman in California wound up stopped on the tracks after traffic backed up and she was killed when a train slammed into her vehicle.

In recent years, the major freight railroads have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">overhauled their operations</a>&nbsp;to rely on fewer, longer trains so they can use fewer crews and locomotives as part of efforts to cut costs.

The railroads insist those changes haven't made their trains riskier, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">regulators</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">Congress</a>&nbsp;are scrutinizing their operations closely after several recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">high-profile derailments</a>. And the problems at rail crossings are well documented.

These grants are part of $3 billion in funding approved in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">$1 trillion infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;for these rail crossing projects that will be doled out over the next five years.

A number of the 63 projects that will receive grants involve only planning and design work for eliminating crossings in the future, but most of the money will go toward physical improvements at crossings and eliminating longstanding problems.

Buttigieg said he plans to visit Grand Forks, North Dakota, Monday to highlight a $30 million grant helping to pay for a project near the University of North Dakota campus that will improve access to the local hospital.

A grant worth nearly $37 million will help eliminate four rail crossings in Houston, which has the second-highest number of rail crossing deaths in the nation. The four new underpasses to be built will reduce traffic delays and improve pedestrian safety.

One $7.2 million grant will help improve access to an area of Fostoria, Ohio, known as the Iron Triangle because it is bordered on three sides by train tracks. A CSX train passes through the community about once every 26 minutes, with warning sirens at the crossings sounding for at least two hours daily. A new bridge will be built over the tracks on one side of the neighborhood to provide a safe route into the area.

In each of these grants, states and cities — sometimes with the help of the railroads — must cover at least 20% of the project cost.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — With the rail industry relying on longer and longer trains to cut costs, the Biden administration is handing out $570 million in grants to help eliminate many railroad crossings in 32 states.The grants announced Monday will contribute to building bridges or underpasses at the sites of more than three dozen crossings that delay traffic and sometimes keep first responders from where help is desperately needed.In some places, trains routinely stretching more than 2 miles (3.2 km) long can block crossings for hours, cutting off access to parts of towns and forcing pedestrians to attempt the dangerous act of climbing through trains that could start moving without warning.“We see countless stories of people unable to get to work on time, goods being blocked from getting where they need to be and first responders being delayed by these these trains that can be slowed or stopped — even seeing images of children having to crawl between or under freight trains in order to get to school,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.In one case Buttigieg mentioned, a Texas mom called 911 because her 3-month-old baby was in distress, but an idle train kept the ambulance from getting there quickly and the baby died at the hospital two days later.In addition to problems associated with blocked crossings, roughly 2,000 collisions are reported at railroad crossings every year. Nearly 250 deaths were recorded last year in those car-train crashes. In one instance Buttigieg cited, a woman in California wound up stopped on the tracks after traffic backed up and she was killed when a train slammed into her vehicle.In recent years, the major freight railroads have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">overhauled their operations</a>&nbsp;to rely on fewer, longer trains so they can use fewer crews and locomotives as part of efforts to cut costs.The railroads insist those changes haven't made their trains riskier, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">regulators</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">Congress</a>&nbsp;are scrutinizing their operations closely after several recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">high-profile derailments</a>. And the problems at rail crossings are well documented.These grants are part of $3 billion in funding approved in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">$1 trillion infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;for these rail crossing projects that will be doled out over the next five years.A number of the 63 projects that will receive grants involve only planning and design work for eliminating crossings in the future, but most of the money will go toward physical improvements at crossings and eliminating longstanding problems.Buttigieg said he plans to visit Grand Forks, North Dakota, Monday to highlight a $30 million grant helping to pay for a project near the University of North Dakota campus that will improve access to the local hospital.A grant worth nearly $37 million will help eliminate four rail crossings in Houston, which has the second-highest number of rail crossing deaths in the nation. The four new underpasses to be built will reduce traffic delays and improve pedestrian safety.One $7.2 million grant will help improve access to an area of Fostoria, Ohio, known as the Iron Triangle because it is bordered on three sides by train tracks. A CSX train passes through the community about once every 26 minutes, with warning sirens at the crossings sounding for at least two hours daily. A new bridge will be built over the tracks on one side of the neighborhood to provide a safe route into the area.In each of these grants, states and cities — sometimes with the help of the railroads — must cover at least 20% of the project cost.

Dozens of dangerous rail crossings will be eliminated with $570 million in grants

-Greg Matthew Lauder and Erica Dawn Smith

-Jacob Scott Mills and Arielle Elizabeth Anne Courchesne

-Adam Ray Snyder and Hannah Rae Sandersfeld

-Skylar Christian Howell and Tami Kay Hall

-Cameron Ryan Nagaki and Carissa Ann Adamson

-Shane Weldon Hobbs and Kelsey Jade Wahlgren

-Aaron Tunheim and Heidi Irish Tunheim&nbsp;

Marriages:&nbsp;-Greg Matthew Lauder and Erica Dawn Smith-Jacob Scott Mills and Arielle Elizabeth Anne Courchesne-Adam Ray Snyder and Hannah Rae Sandersfeld-Skylar Christian Howell and Tami Kay Hall-Cameron Ryan Nagaki and Carissa Ann Adamson-Shane Weldon Hobbs and Kelsey Jade Wahlgren-Simon Izak Gous and Molly Beth RaymerDivorces:&nbsp;-Jennifer D Swanson and Jason P Swanson-Joshua Brown and Marissa Peterson-Aaron Tunheim and Heidi Irish Tunheim&nbsp;

Marriages, divorces May 2023

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature has long prided itself on being a paragon of collegiality and function, as the only single-chamber, nonpartisan Legislature in the country.

But after a vicious 2023 session in which the body of 49 lawmakers remained irreconcilably split, Nebraska's statehouse is beginning to reflect broad, national discord.

The acrimony was on full display as a handful of progressive lawmakers carried out an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/filibuster-transgender-gender-affirming-therapy-bill-nebraska-cavanaugh-b9018fd1bf72112ca984ff58679eda6d">epic filibuster</a>&nbsp;of nearly every bill that came up for debate — even ones they supported — to protest a bill targeting transgender minors. The filibuster drew national media attention, revealing lawmakers' deep divide over political ideology — which was expressed through yelling, name-calling, crying and the refusal of some to even speak to other lawmakers.

“I never saw anything even close to what we witnessed this year,” said Patrick O'Donnell, who served for 45 years as clerk of the Nebraska Legislature until his retirement in December. “This was clearly the worst legislative session we've had. It's just a totally different animal.”

While officially nonpartisan, all of the Legislature's members are registered as Republicans, Democrats or independents. Republicans hold a strong majority with 32 seats, but need 33 votes to be able to break a filibuster — a slim margin that has left Republicans unable in recent years to pass signature legislation, such as a near-total abortion ban last year and a bill to allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit.

Frustration over those losses led conservatives to open this session with aggressive moves to exert even more control over a state government they’ve dominated for decades. They bucked norms to weight legislative committees, which determine what bills will be debated by the full Legislature. They did that by removing moderate and progressive lawmakers from key committees and replacing them with more conservative ones, a practice referred to as “cracking and packing.”

Then came the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-ban-bill-nebraska-60d64c873ef9279b607f5c172b366473">trans health bill</a>&nbsp;by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who parroted far-right fears that children are being manipulated, calling the rising number of transgender teens “a social contagion.”

Outraged, Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh warned she would filibuster every bill if Kauth's advanced, declaring she would “burn the session to the ground over this bill.” Conservatives pushed back, not only advancing the bill, but amending it to add a 12-week abortion ban, following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-laws-states-gender-affirming-zephyr-fc2528326823c8232cb0aaa7ece0beab">nationwide, conservative wave</a>&nbsp;of bills targeting abortion and transgender rights. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-transgender-ban-nebraska-filibuster-b0b88845d29f1aaadf7936b7304a0507">hybrid bill</a>&nbsp;passed and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen in late March.

The spectacle that played out over the 90-day session came as a shock to longtime statehouse observers. Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt, a left-leaning lawmaker who fled the Democratic Party mid-session to register as an independent, revealed that her 13-year-old child is transgender in a personal speech on the floor. She begged fellow lawmakers not to strip her or doctors of the right to care for her child.

Her plea was met with a formal ethics complaint filed against her by a far-right activist who claimed she had a conflict of interest because her child is transgender. That complaint was dismissed as unfounded on Friday.

Frustration saw Hunt and Cavanaugh often angrily lash out at conservative lawmakers who continued to vote to restrict residents' access to gender-affirming care, but also measures to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-health-nebraska-omaha-06b7febb41715e7e0b28ae3a2b62c6ca">strip abortion rights</a>, loosen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/constitutional-carry-bill-nebraska-a8168215d00c1e4bf51017e82e8da80b">gun laws</a>, and divert public money to scholarships for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/private-school-scholarships-nebraska-taxpayers-c7be118aa5a43b3ebc2da82aacaa4e29">private school tuition</a>. Hunt called other lawmakers “trash” and warned them on the statehouse floor not to speak to her, adding, “I don’t like you.”

Cavanaugh called the body “morally bankrupt” and said she was looking forward to the time "when I no longer have to serve with many of you.”

Some conservative lawmakers, in turn, lashed back. Sen. Julie Slama called for Cavanaugh's censure over remarks comparing the trans bill to genocide.

Others used racist and extremist language during debates over restricting abortion. Sen. Steve Erdman bemoaned that since the 1973 legalization of abortion, Nebraska's population has not grown “except those foreigners who have moved here or refugees who have been placed here … because we’ve killed 200,000 people.” Sen. Steve Halloran argued that the legalization of abortion in the U.S. had its roots not in choice for women, but in a plot to “kill off the Black race.”

Even moderates and peacemakers were caught in the partisan crossfire. Sen. John Arch, in his first year as Speaker of the Legislature, repeatedly called for calm during debate and was heavily criticized by both sides. Progressives accused him of favoring fellow Republicans as he sought to navigate unprecedented challenges. Conservatives thrashed him for refusing to change debate rules mid-session to cut off the filibuster.

The problem is multilayered, O'Donnell said, starting with national partisanship and big-money campaign funding that has seeped into state politics. He also pointed to term limits enacted in 2006 that keep state lawmakers from serving more than eight consecutive years. That doesn't give lawmakers enough time to learn how to develop long-term agendas or negotiate compromises, he said.

“What we have now is an uninformed and unenlightened Legislature,” O'Donnell said. “Lawmakers used to get to know each other and really talk to each other. That led to floor debate that used to change votes. But I'm afraid that's gone. What you have now are people who show up knowing how they're going to vote before they ever even get on the floor. And that's not legislating.”

A notable exception came when Republican Sen. Merv Riepe, an 80-year-old former hospital administrator, changed his mind on a proposed abortion ban at about six weeks of pregnancy. He had initially cosigned the bill, but after deciding the ban was too severe, he abstained from voting. Without his vote, the bill didn't have enough votes to advance. He later voted in favor of the 12-week ban that passed.

In response, he received threats from anti-abortion supporters who called him “demonic" and “pure evil." Conversely, many who support abortion rights angrily rebuked him for supporting the 12-week ban.

“Sometimes there's no way to win in this,” Riepe said when asked about the backlash. “I hope we do better next year and avoid some of the anger and drama we saw this year.”

By Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature has long prided itself on being a paragon of collegiality and function, as the only single-chamber, nonpartisan Legislature in the country.But after a vicious 2023 session in which the body of 49 lawmakers remained irreconcilably split, Nebraska's statehouse is beginning to reflect broad, national discord.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685925126177.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. The Nebraska Legislature has long prided itself on being a paragon of collegiality and function, as the only single-chamber, nonpartisan Legislature in the country. But after a vicious 2023 session in which the body of 49 lawmakers remained irreconcilably split, Nebraska's statehouse is beginning to reflect broad, national discord. (Eileen T. Meslar/Omaha World-Herald via AP)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. The Nebraska Legislature has long prided itself on being a paragon of collegiality and function, as the only single-chamber, nonpartisan Legislature in the country. But after a vicious 2023 session in which the body of 49 lawmakers remained irreconcilably split, Nebraska's statehouse is beginning to reflect broad, national discord. (Eileen T. Meslar/Omaha World-Herald via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>The acrimony was on full display as a handful of progressive lawmakers carried out an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/filibuster-transgender-gender-affirming-therapy-bill-nebraska-cavanaugh-b9018fd1bf72112ca984ff58679eda6d">epic filibuster</a>&nbsp;of nearly every bill that came up for debate — even ones they supported — to protest a bill targeting transgender minors. The filibuster drew national media attention, revealing lawmakers' deep divide over political ideology — which was expressed through yelling, name-calling, crying and the refusal of some to even speak to other lawmakers.“I never saw anything even close to what we witnessed this year,” said Patrick O'Donnell, who served for 45 years as clerk of the Nebraska Legislature until his retirement in December. “This was clearly the worst legislative session we've had. It's just a totally different animal.”While officially nonpartisan, all of the Legislature's members are registered as Republicans, Democrats or independents. Republicans hold a strong majority with 32 seats, but need 33 votes to be able to break a filibuster — a slim margin that has left Republicans unable in recent years to pass signature legislation, such as a near-total abortion ban last year and a bill to allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit.Frustration over those losses led conservatives to open this session with aggressive moves to exert even more control over a state government they’ve dominated for decades. They bucked norms to weight legislative committees, which determine what bills will be debated by the full Legislature. They did that by removing moderate and progressive lawmakers from key committees and replacing them with more conservative ones, a practice referred to as “cracking and packing.”Then came the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-ban-bill-nebraska-60d64c873ef9279b607f5c172b366473">trans health bill</a>&nbsp;by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who parroted far-right fears that children are being manipulated, calling the rising number of transgender teens “a social contagion.”Outraged, Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh warned she would filibuster every bill if Kauth's advanced, declaring she would “burn the session to the ground over this bill.” Conservatives pushed back, not only advancing the bill, but amending it to add a 12-week abortion ban, following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-laws-states-gender-affirming-zephyr-fc2528326823c8232cb0aaa7ece0beab">nationwide, conservative wave</a>&nbsp;of bills targeting abortion and transgender rights. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-transgender-ban-nebraska-filibuster-b0b88845d29f1aaadf7936b7304a0507">hybrid bill</a>&nbsp;passed and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen in late March.The spectacle that played out over the 90-day session came as a shock to longtime statehouse observers. Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt, a left-leaning lawmaker who fled the Democratic Party mid-session to register as an independent, revealed that her 13-year-old child is transgender in a personal speech on the floor. She begged fellow lawmakers not to strip her or doctors of the right to care for her child.Her plea was met with a formal ethics complaint filed against her by a far-right activist who claimed she had a conflict of interest because her child is transgender. That complaint was dismissed as unfounded on Friday.Frustration saw Hunt and Cavanaugh often angrily lash out at conservative lawmakers who continued to vote to restrict residents' access to gender-affirming care, but also measures to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-health-nebraska-omaha-06b7febb41715e7e0b28ae3a2b62c6ca">strip abortion rights</a>, loosen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/constitutional-carry-bill-nebraska-a8168215d00c1e4bf51017e82e8da80b">gun laws</a>, and divert public money to scholarships for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/private-school-scholarships-nebraska-taxpayers-c7be118aa5a43b3ebc2da82aacaa4e29">private school tuition</a>. Hunt called other lawmakers “trash” and warned them on the statehouse floor not to speak to her, adding, “I don’t like you.”Cavanaugh called the body “morally bankrupt” and said she was looking forward to the time "when I no longer have to serve with many of you.”Some conservative lawmakers, in turn, lashed back. Sen. Julie Slama called for Cavanaugh's censure over remarks comparing the trans bill to genocide.Others used racist and extremist language during debates over restricting abortion. Sen. Steve Erdman bemoaned that since the 1973 legalization of abortion, Nebraska's population has not grown “except those foreigners who have moved here or refugees who have been placed here … because we’ve killed 200,000 people.” Sen. Steve Halloran argued that the legalization of abortion in the U.S. had its roots not in choice for women, but in a plot to “kill off the Black race.”Even moderates and peacemakers were caught in the partisan crossfire. Sen. John Arch, in his first year as Speaker of the Legislature, repeatedly called for calm during debate and was heavily criticized by both sides. Progressives accused him of favoring fellow Republicans as he sought to navigate unprecedented challenges. Conservatives thrashed him for refusing to change debate rules mid-session to cut off the filibuster.The problem is multilayered, O'Donnell said, starting with national partisanship and big-money campaign funding that has seeped into state politics. He also pointed to term limits enacted in 2006 that keep state lawmakers from serving more than eight consecutive years. That doesn't give lawmakers enough time to learn how to develop long-term agendas or negotiate compromises, he said.“What we have now is an uninformed and unenlightened Legislature,” O'Donnell said. “Lawmakers used to get to know each other and really talk to each other. That led to floor debate that used to change votes. But I'm afraid that's gone. What you have now are people who show up knowing how they're going to vote before they ever even get on the floor. And that's not legislating.”A notable exception came when Republican Sen. Merv Riepe, an 80-year-old former hospital administrator, changed his mind on a proposed abortion ban at about six weeks of pregnancy. He had initially cosigned the bill, but after deciding the ban was too severe, he abstained from voting. Without his vote, the bill didn't have enough votes to advance. He later voted in favor of the 12-week ban that passed.In response, he received threats from anti-abortion supporters who called him “demonic" and “pure evil." Conversely, many who support abortion rights angrily rebuked him for supporting the 12-week ban.“Sometimes there's no way to win in this,” Riepe said when asked about the backlash. “I hope we do better next year and avoid some of the anger and drama we saw this year.”

Even Nebraska's nonpartisan Legislature is divided from acrimonious 2023 session

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A pilot was killed in the crash of a single-engine plane Friday near Kearney in central Nebraska, officials said.

A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot of the single-engine Vans RV-7 was the only person on board. The pilot's name was not immediately released.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office said the crash was reported by a citizen around 9:15 a.m. First responders found the wreckage about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of Kearney and south of Interstate 80 in a field near the Bassway Strip State Wildlife Management Area. The site is roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of the Kearney airport.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

The Vans RV-7 is a two-seat homebuilt plane sold in kit form and is capable of aerobatics and cross-country flights, according to the manufacturer.

By Associated PressKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A pilot was killed in the crash of a single-engine plane Friday near Kearney in central Nebraska, officials said.A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot of the single-engine Vans RV-7 was the only person on board. The pilot's name was not immediately released.The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office said the crash was reported by a citizen around 9:15 a.m. First responders found the wreckage about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of Kearney and south of Interstate 80 in a field near the Bassway Strip State Wildlife Management Area. The site is roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of the Kearney airport.The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.The Vans RV-7 is a two-seat homebuilt plane sold in kit form and is capable of aerobatics and cross-country flights, according to the manufacturer.

Pilot killed in crash of single-engine plane in central Nebraska

Each state in our nation has the opportunity to honor two great Americans hailing from their state with statues in the U.S. Capitol. When I was Governor, I had the privilege of signing legislation to change Nebraska’s statues and honor two tremendous Nebraskans: Chief Standing Bear and Willa Cather. This week as U.S. Senator, I am humbled to see that process come to fruition as we welcome the arrival of Willa Cather’s statue on June 7th.

Cather’s family moved to Nebraska at the age of nine, where she spent her&nbsp;formative&nbsp;years in Red Cloud. Upon reflecting on the impact of her family's move to Nebraska,&nbsp;Cather said,&nbsp;“By the end of the first autumn the shaggy grass country had gripped me with a passion that I have never been able to shake. It has been the happiness and curse of my life."

In 1890, after graduating high school at age 16, Cather&nbsp;enrolled&nbsp;at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Originally planning to study science and medicine&nbsp;at UNL,&nbsp;Cather’s ambitions quickly changed after seeing her first essay published. Later in her life, she described that as the launching pad of her&nbsp;success. Her classmates remember her as an intelligent, outspoken, opinionated, and talented person. Those characteristics led her to Pittsburgh to be the managing editor of a women’s magazine. While away from her home state, she honed her creative talents, writing and publishing a collection of short stories.

Cather had a career in the magazine industry for almost two decades, as she continued to develop her craft. She took the leap of faith to embark on a full-time writing career just months before her 38th&nbsp;birthday. In 1912,&nbsp;Cather published her first novel. Her second novel,&nbsp;O Pioneers,&nbsp;was published the next year,&nbsp;celebrating&nbsp;immigrant farmers and their desire to develop the prairie. This book launched Cather into the spotlight of American literature&nbsp;and brought&nbsp;much attention to her new and unique writing style.

Her most popular book,&nbsp;My Antonia,&nbsp;directly drew on her early life and followed&nbsp;an&nbsp;autobiographical theme&nbsp;through the eyes of Jim. The book was unanimously praised, and&nbsp;many,&nbsp;including&nbsp;Cather,&nbsp;claimed&nbsp;it as her&nbsp;greatest work.

Cather&nbsp;made waves again&nbsp;when she traded&nbsp;epic autobiographical novels for&nbsp;a&nbsp;streak of post-war novels.&nbsp;One of Ours&nbsp;told&nbsp;the story of her cousin’s experience fighting in the war, and was her most impactful.&nbsp;It earned tremendous praise from soldiers for the accurate depiction of&nbsp;their&nbsp;experiences, and would earn&nbsp;Cather a Pulitzer Prize.

Willa Cather epitomizes the Nebraska values we hold so dearly –&nbsp;a focus on family, a love of&nbsp;learning,&nbsp;the&nbsp;power&nbsp;of our experiences to shape us, and optimism&nbsp;for the future. She used our state and&nbsp;the&nbsp;varied&nbsp;experiences of our people&nbsp;to tell epic and innovative stories that are still revered by millions.&nbsp;She&nbsp;was a pioneer&nbsp;who&nbsp;redefined success and broke barriers. Cather’s headstone reads, “That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great."&nbsp;Cather’s legacy is great, indeed. I am pleased that she will now be representing Nebraska inside our United States Capitol for years to come.

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

By Office of Sen. Pete RickettsEach state in our nation has the opportunity to honor two great Americans hailing from their state with statues in the U.S. Capitol. When I was Governor, I had the privilege of signing legislation to change Nebraska’s statues and honor two tremendous Nebraskans: Chief Standing Bear and Willa Cather. This week as U.S. Senator, I am humbled to see that process come to fruition as we welcome the arrival of Willa Cather’s statue on June 7th.Cather’s family moved to Nebraska at the age of nine, where she spent her&nbsp;formative&nbsp;years in Red Cloud. Upon reflecting on the impact of her family's move to Nebraska,&nbsp;Cather said,&nbsp;“By the end of the first autumn the shaggy grass country had gripped me with a passion that I have never been able to shake. It has been the happiness and curse of my life."In 1890, after graduating high school at age 16, Cather&nbsp;enrolled&nbsp;at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Originally planning to study science and medicine&nbsp;at UNL,&nbsp;Cather’s ambitions quickly changed after seeing her first essay published. Later in her life, she described that as the launching pad of her&nbsp;success. Her classmates remember her as an intelligent, outspoken, opinionated, and talented person. Those characteristics led her to Pittsburgh to be the managing editor of a women’s magazine. While away from her home state, she honed her creative talents, writing and publishing a collection of short stories.Cather had a career in the magazine industry for almost two decades, as she continued to develop her craft. She took the leap of faith to embark on a full-time writing career just months before her 38th&nbsp;birthday. In 1912,&nbsp;Cather published her first novel. Her second novel,&nbsp;O Pioneers,&nbsp;was published the next year,&nbsp;celebrating&nbsp;immigrant farmers and their desire to develop the prairie. This book launched Cather into the spotlight of American literature&nbsp;and brought&nbsp;much attention to her new and unique writing style.Her most popular book,&nbsp;My Antonia,&nbsp;directly drew on her early life and followed&nbsp;an&nbsp;autobiographical theme&nbsp;through the eyes of Jim. The book was unanimously praised, and&nbsp;many,&nbsp;including&nbsp;Cather,&nbsp;claimed&nbsp;it as her&nbsp;greatest work.Cather&nbsp;made waves again&nbsp;when she traded&nbsp;epic autobiographical novels for&nbsp;a&nbsp;streak of post-war novels.&nbsp;One of Ours&nbsp;told&nbsp;the story of her cousin’s experience fighting in the war, and was her most impactful.&nbsp;It earned tremendous praise from soldiers for the accurate depiction of&nbsp;their&nbsp;experiences, and would earn&nbsp;Cather a Pulitzer Prize.Willa Cather epitomizes the Nebraska values we hold so dearly –&nbsp;a focus on family, a love of&nbsp;learning,&nbsp;the&nbsp;power&nbsp;of our experiences to shape us, and optimism&nbsp;for the future. She used our state and&nbsp;the&nbsp;varied&nbsp;experiences of our people&nbsp;to tell epic and innovative stories that are still revered by millions.&nbsp;She&nbsp;was a pioneer&nbsp;who&nbsp;redefined success and broke barriers. Cather’s headstone reads, “That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great."&nbsp;Cather’s legacy is great, indeed. I am pleased that she will now be representing Nebraska inside our United States Capitol for years to come.Along with Senator Fischer and the rest of my colleagues in the Nebraska delegation, my team and I are here to serve you.&nbsp;Contact my team and I anytime&nbsp;by phone at&nbsp;202-224-4224&nbsp;or on my website&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact" target="_blank">www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact</a>.&nbsp;I am honored to serve our great state and will continue&nbsp;to&nbsp;work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach.

Ricketts: Honoring Willa Cather

NORTH PLATTE, NEB. — A combined effort of several law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of a Lexington man following multiple pursuits in western Nebraska Friday.

The incident began at approximately 9:15 a.m., when the Nebraska State Patrol was informed that the Logan County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a vehicle that had fled an attempted traffic stop north of North Platte on Highway 83. The suspect vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, was southbound on Highway 83 at a high rate of speed and drove in the northbound lane at times. The Logan County deputy discontinued the pursuit at the Lincoln County line.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and North Platte Police officers picked up the pursuit north of North Platte but discontinued the pursuit out of concern for public safety as the vehicle entered North Platte at a high rate of speed.

At approximately 10:00 a.m., a trooper observed the vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 and attempted a stop near mile marker 220. The vehicle accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office also joined the pursuit. The suspect vehicle exited I-80 at mile marker 231, turned eastbound on Highway 30, and continued toward Lexington. The pursuit was discontinued as the vehicle entered Lexington.

NSP dispatchers were able to confirm the address associated with the vehicle registration. Troopers, Dawson County deputies, and Lexington Police officers responded to that address and located the vehicle in the driveway. The registered owner of the vehicle exited the residence and attempted to flee on foot. He was quickly apprehended.

The driver, Jesus Torres, 42, of Lexington, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and obstructing a peace officer. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail. Additional charges are possible in relation to the incidents in Logan and Lincoln counties.

By NSPNORTH PLATTE, NEB. — A combined effort of several law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of a Lexington man following multiple pursuits in western Nebraska Friday.The incident began at approximately 9:15 a.m., when the Nebraska State Patrol was informed that the Logan County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a vehicle that had fled an attempted traffic stop north of North Platte on Highway 83. The suspect vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, was southbound on Highway 83 at a high rate of speed and drove in the northbound lane at times. The Logan County deputy discontinued the pursuit at the Lincoln County line.Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and North Platte Police officers picked up the pursuit north of North Platte but discontinued the pursuit out of concern for public safety as the vehicle entered North Platte at a high rate of speed.At approximately 10:00 a.m., a trooper observed the vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 and attempted a stop near mile marker 220. The vehicle accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office also joined the pursuit. The suspect vehicle exited I-80 at mile marker 231, turned eastbound on Highway 30, and continued toward Lexington. The pursuit was discontinued as the vehicle entered Lexington.NSP dispatchers were able to confirm the address associated with the vehicle registration. Troopers, Dawson County deputies, and Lexington Police officers responded to that address and located the vehicle in the driveway. The registered owner of the vehicle exited the residence and attempted to flee on foot. He was quickly apprehended.The driver, Jesus Torres, 42, of Lexington, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and obstructing a peace officer. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail. Additional charges are possible in relation to the incidents in Logan and Lincoln counties.

Lexington man arrested after pursuits in 3 counties

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM MDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL BOX BUTTE AND NORTHWESTERN MORRILL COUNTIES...

At 346 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles south of
Kilpatrick Lake, or 21 miles southwest of Alliance, moving northeast
at 15 mph.



SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of south
central Box Butte and northwestern Morrill Counties.


For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.&nbsp;

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM MDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL BOX BUTTE AND NORTHWESTERN MORRILL COUNTIES...

At 346 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles south of
Kilpatrick Lake, or 21 miles southwest of Alliance, moving northeast
at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of south
central Box Butte and northwestern Morrill Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.&nbsp;

 Panhandle Weather Update

Alliance – Due to mechanical issues effecting one of the refuse trucks as well as the short week in observance of Memorial Day, refuse pickup is delayed. Next week is anticipated to be back on schedule. Staff thanks you for your patience as they continue to run their routes.

For more information, please contact the Administrative Offices at (308)762-5400.

By City of AllianceAlliance – Due to mechanical issues effecting one of the refuse trucks as well as the short week in observance of Memorial Day, refuse pickup is delayed. Next week is anticipated to be back on schedule. Staff thanks you for your patience as they continue to run their routes.For more information, please contact the Administrative Offices at (308)762-5400.

Garbage pickup delayed in City of Alliance 

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 6/2/23

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY

FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be

* WHERE...Portions of panhandle Nebraska and Wyoming, including the

  following areas, in panhandle Nebraska, Banner County, Box Butte

  County, Cheyenne County, Dawes County, Kimball County, Morrill

  County, Northern Sioux County, Scotts Bluff County and Southern

  Sioux County. In Wyoming, Central Carbon County, Central Laramie

  County, Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County,

  Converse County Lower Elevations, East Laramie County, East Platte

  County, Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains, Goshen County, Laramie

  Valley, Niobrara County, North Laramie Range, North Snowy Range

  Foothills, Shirley Basin, Sierra Madre Range, Snowy Range, South

  Laramie Range, South Laramie Range Foothills, Southwest Carbon

  County and Upper North Platte River Basin.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,

  creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

  - Heavy rainfall from slow moving thunderstorms, and training

    thunderstorms, will create the potential for localized flash

    flooding across portions of southeast Wyoming and the

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYFLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.* WHERE...Portions of panhandle Nebraska and Wyoming, including the following areas, in panhandle Nebraska, Banner County, Box Butte County, Cheyenne County, Dawes County, Kimball County, Morrill County, Northern Sioux County, Scotts Bluff County and Southern Sioux County. In Wyoming, Central Carbon County, Central Laramie County, Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County, Converse County Lower Elevations, East Laramie County, East Platte County, Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains, Goshen County, Laramie Valley, Niobrara County, North Laramie Range, North Snowy Range Foothills, Shirley Basin, Sierra Madre Range, Snowy Range, South Laramie Range, South Laramie Range Foothills, Southwest Carbon County and Upper North Platte River Basin.* WHEN...Through late Saturday night.* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Heavy rainfall from slow moving thunderstorms, and training thunderstorms, will create the potential for localized flash flooding across portions of southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/floodPRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take actionshould Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Flood Watch issued for portions of Panhandle 

Dawes County Highway Superintendent Wade Yada is warning drivers on unpaved county roads to be prepared for the possibility of flooding or washed out sections.

Yada said Thursday afternoon that Mansfield Road was currently closed between Raben Road and Old Highway 20 due to flooding. He advised drivers to avoid driving through flooded areas of roads, as it is impossible to know if there is surface or subsurface damage. 

Yada also said that unmarked flooding and washouts can occur.

Yada said that the recent rains and the threat of more to come have made the roads more susceptible to flooding. He urged drivers to use caution and to be aware of the potential hazards when driving on unpaved roads.

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle PostDawes County Highway Superintendent Wade Yada is warning drivers on unpaved county roads to be prepared for the possibility of flooding or washed out sections.Yada said Thursday afternoon that Mansfield Road was currently closed between Raben Road and Old Highway 20 due to flooding. He advised drivers to avoid driving through flooded areas of roads, as it is impossible to know if there is surface or subsurface damage. Yada also said that unmarked flooding and washouts can occur.Yada said that the recent rains and the threat of more to come have made the roads more susceptible to flooding. He urged drivers to use caution and to be aware of the potential hazards when driving on unpaved roads.

Dawes Co. Highway Superintendent warns of flooding on unpaved roads

Chadron City Hall will close at 4 p.m., an hour earlier than its previous closing time of 5 p.m. The change took effect today, June 2.

Chadron City Manager Tom Menke said the change was made in response to feedback from city employees. 

In a survey conducted earlier this year, employees said they would like to have an hour each day without phone calls or visitors so they could focus on their work. Menke said the busiest time at city hall in terms of citizens coming in is in the morning.

Menke said the plan is to review the 4 p.m. closure in about 6 months to see if it should be changed or made permanent.

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle PostChadron City Hall will close at 4 p.m., an hour earlier than its previous closing time of 5 p.m. The change took effect today, June 2.Chadron City Manager Tom Menke said the change was made in response to feedback from city employees. In a survey conducted earlier this year, employees said they would like to have an hour each day without phone calls or visitors so they could focus on their work. Menke said the busiest time at city hall in terms of citizens coming in is in the morning.Menke said the plan is to review the 4 p.m. closure in about 6 months to see if it should be changed or made permanent.