Reward Doubled for Information on Poached Elk near Crawford

Chadron – The reward for information leading to the prosecution of the person or people responsible for illegally killing a mature bull elk and leaving it to waste in northwestern Nebraska has been doubled.

The Panhandle Conservation Club of Scottsbluff has pledged $1,000 to match the $1,000 being offered by the Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers program.

Doyle Lund, president of the eight-member club, said the group donated the money because of its mission to support the region’s

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Congress questions Indian Health Service staff, management

By Regina Garcia Cano

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Members of Congress on Tuesday questioned the long standing staffing and management shortcomings that have led to poor health care services at government-run facilities caring for Native Americans across the country.

The hearing in Washington of the House subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs focused on proposed legislation that would expand the authority of the Indian Health Service to remove or demote employees and

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Panhandle mosquitoes have tested positive for the West Nile Virus

Panhandle mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus

A Panhandle mosquito pool has recently tested positive for West Nile Virus. This positive pool gives Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) an indicator of the location of the virus and the potential for it to be spread through human contact. Several counties in the Panhandle have been routinely testing sites to trap and monitor mosquitoes over the summer months.  

To help reduce the risk of West Nile Virus spread, Melissa Cervantes, Environmental Health Coordinator for PPHD, urges

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3 men missing on South Dakota reservation found dead

PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) ­-  Three men who went missing more than two weeks ago on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation have been found dead.

Oglala Sioux tribal officials said Tuesday that the men died in a single-car accident on the rural reservation. Details about the wreck haven’t been released.

Tribal Police Capt. Anthony Long Soldier confirmed the accident involved one vehicle. He said the victims have been identified as 24-year-old Juan Lamont, 21-year-old Tevin Tyon and

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Nebraska Legislature exempts itself from open records law

By GRANT SCHULTE

Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska’s one-house Legislature was created with the promise of greater transparency in state government, but that promise falls short when it comes to some of the records lawmakers keep.

Legislators have exempted themselves from the state’s public records law, allowing them to withhold “correspondence, memoranda and records of telephone calls’’ that other state agencies and local governments must disclose. Such documents give the

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Supporters unveil new plan to cover Medicaid gap population

By GRANT SCHULTE

Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Lawmakers unveiled a new plan Tuesday to cover the so-called Medicaid gap population in Nebraska while opponents made clear that the proposal faces a steep uphill slog.

Supporters hailed the latest bill as a bipartisan, business-friendly approach to cover an estimated 77,000 childless, low-income adults. Three previous attempts to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal health care law have failed because of conservative opposition.

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Nebraska senators advance ban on celebratory flying lanterns

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A bill to outlaw small, flame-powered paper air balloons in Nebraska has sped through first round debate in the Legislature.

Lawmakers voted unanimously on Tuesday to advance the measure.

The bill’s advocates say the lanterns create dangerous fire hazards if they land in neighborhoods or dry fields. If the bill passes, violators would face a $100 fine. The lanterns are made of flame-retardant paper and lifted by hot air from open flames at their bases. They’re often

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Conference will focus on ways to protect wildlife habitat

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - An annual state conference next month will focus on ways to preserve wildlife habitat in the state.

This year will be the 25th annual version of the Nebraska State Habitat Meeting that brings together landowners, hunters and wildlife professionals.

The event will feature presentations from Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The event will be held Feb. 13 at the Holiday Inn near Interstate 80 in Kearney. It costs $30 for members

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New Nebraska Medicaid bill to offer ‘private option’

By GRANT SCHULTE
Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ After three failed attempts to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law, Nebraska lawmakers will unveil a new proposal this week that would offer private coverage to low-income residents.

The bill is modeled after the so-called private option adopted by Arkansas, which received a federal waiver to spend Medicaid dollars on private insurance.

The plan by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha would cover an estimated

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