Nebraska Department of Transportation&nbsp;

 (McCook, Neb.) — Weather permitting, the Blackshirt Feeders’ turn lane project will resume April 7 on US-34, from reference post 0.80 to 1.20, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Work was suspended last December due to winter weather conditions. 

The added turn lane work is being done by Shelco Construction. This project includes building a new driveway, railroad crossing, and adding turn lanes to the highway. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers and a pilot car. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place. Anticipated completion is June 2025. 

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down. 

Added turn lanes on US-34, near Colorado state line 

North Platte, Neb. - The North Platte city council held a regular meeting on April 1st and different agendas were discussed amongst the council. Topics this session included the purchase of a new Chevy truck for the fire department, new auxiliary equipment for the fire department and more.

On Wednesday, Post Canon Rath chatted with North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher about the different topics from the council meeting. If you would like to learn more in-depth of what went on during the April 1st, North Platte City Council meeting check out the podcast below or check out the video below the podcast.

(Audio) North Platte City Council Meeting, April 1st recap

North Platte, Neb. - The Hershey Volunteer Fire Department is back again for its annual Free Will donation Spaghetti Dinner at the Hershey School Cafeteria. The event takes place from 11 am to 2 pm with all-you-can-eat spaghetti with meat sauce, Homemade buns, and deserts with a free-will donation.

Sports Director Paxton Gordon sat down with Toby, Amanda and Jenifer of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department the to discuss the up coming event.

(Audio) Hershey Volunteer Fire Department Annual Spaghetti Dinner

The Heartland Singers are having a spring concert on Sunday afternoon at 3pm at the First Baptist Church on McDonald Road in North Platte. Mike Douty spoke with the post about the concert Sunday. A Free Will Donation will be taken during the show.

Heartland Singers having concert Sunday afternoon (Podcast)

Kasey Kroeker from the Perkins County Fair Board announced on Friday, that the fair will host Rock group Eve 6 on Friday, July 18. Tickets onsale today at www.PerkinsCountyFair.com (LISTEN TO ANNOUNCEMENT HERE)

Perkins County hosting Rock Concert at 2025 Fair with Eve 6

North Platte, Neb. - People's Health in North Platte is back again to education young adults with their focus this time around on high school students with the annual Wild Night. This event is taking place Friday at Wild Bills from 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

Students have the opportunity to attend the event and earn a passport card and attend all the different agencies to learn. The event is geared around health. After students complete their passport, they will get a card and that card can get them free laser tag, bowling and pizza. Their will be raffles and giveaways. Students are asked to bring their HS ID with them

POST Canon Rath chatted with Elizabeth Thayer about the upcoming event. To learn more, checkout the podcast below.

(Audio) People's Health gearing up for Wild Night at Wild Bills this Friday

North Platte, Neb. - The North Platte city council held a regular meeting on March 18th and different agendas were discussed amongst the council. Topics this session included adopt resolution to approve the one and six road plan for 2024-2030, accept the certification of completion for street improvement district No. 362 (Willow Street Bridge over UPRR) and more.&nbsp;

Post Canon Rath chatted with North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher about the different topics from the council meeting. If you would like to learn more in-depth of what went on during the March 18th, North Platte City Council meeting check out the podcast below or check out the video below the podcast.

(Audio) North Platte City Council Meeting, March 18th recap

North Platte, Ne - March is National Agriculture Month, and Eagle Media is spotlighting businesses and organizations giving back to agriculure this month. For years, homeschool students either had to take a minimum number of classes at public schools to participate in Future Farmers of America, or missed out entirely. Now a new Nebraska Agriculture Acadamy has entered the picture over the last few years. It started with former public school teachers Breann Zimmer, and Ann Dvorak in 2022 and they ave since been joined by Katie Shadbolt who are all Nebraska Certified Agriculture Educators. The three teamed up to create an online agriculture education academy for homeschool students.

Zimmer, who joined Derek Beck this week on Sandhills Spotlight on Z 93.5 Country says, "The Nebraska Agriculture Academy provides hybrid education to students grades 7-12. Our goal is to make it possible for homeschool students across Nebraska to participate in FFA and learn about agriculture."

Get more information&nbsp;<a href="https://www.neagacademy.com/">here</a>. Enjoy the conversation with Zimmer and Derek Beck.

(Podcast) Homeschool Students can get agriculture classes and join FFA in Nebraska

The spring semester is here and People's Health is once again making their way over to NPCC for this semester STD and Tacos. The event is for college students only and runs from 11:00am - 1:00pm in the NPCC Health Building room #25. 

Students can get tested for STD's, learn educational facts about sexual activity and more. West Central District Health Department will be on location to provide vaccines.

POST news director Canon Rath chatted with Elizabeth Thayer about the upcoming event. To learn more, check out the podcast below.

(Audio) People's Health STD and Taco event for NPCC students on Wednesday

POST news director had the chance to talk with North Platte native and Saturday's main even Jayson Scott about this weekends fights. The pair discuss training preparation, Scott's background and more. To learn more check out the podcast below.

(Audio) MCF 28 St. Paddy's Beatdown XIII - Jayson Scott

North Platte, Neb. - It's the time of the year when the Sandhill Cranes migration journey begins with plenty of them stopping in North Platte, Lincoln County and you can venture out to see the Sandhill Crane Migration. This year, Dusty Trails is offering tours with different parts of the day to check out this yearly migration. During the tour, you will learn about the birds and so much more. <a href="https://www.dustytrails.biz/sandhill-crane-tours">To sign up for a tour click here</a>. You can also check out the Prairie Chickens during this time and tours are available as well.&nbsp;

Nominations are now open for the North Platte Area Excellence in Tourism Awards but not a whole lot of time is left to get your nominations in. You can nominate someone in the following categories:&nbsp;

If you would like to nominate someone,<a href="https://form.jotform.com/250224323569151"> click here.</a>&nbsp;

POST news director Canon Rath chatted with Lisa Burke, the Executive Director of Visit North Platte about the Sandhill Cranes, Prairie Chickens, Excellence in Tourism awards and more! To learn more, check out the podcast below.&nbsp;

(Audio) Sandhill Cranes migration coming to the area, prairie chickens and nominations for Excellence in Tourism Awards!

NORTH PLATTE – The North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment is kicking off a new capital campaign with an all-school pep rally at 2:45 pm on Friday, April 4th at McDaid Elementary. The goal is to encourage the entire community to get in the spirit of giving, in support of education. 

The event will serve as the official public launch of the Founded on&nbsp; Excellence fundraising campaign. Endowment Director Wendy Dodson says that campaign planning got underway during the fall of 2024, with the initial phase of fundraising taking place in early 2025. Dodson says the April 4th pep rally will serve as the official kickoff and unveiling of campaign goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The primary goal of the Founded on Excellence campaign is to establish a dedicated fund to increase teacher salaries.&nbsp; Depending on results of the campaign, this fund will provide an additional $100,000 to $150,000 annually to the&nbsp; operating budget of the North Platte Catholic Schools for salary increases for teachers. The aim is to address both&nbsp; teacher retention and teacher recruitment. 

Additional goals of the campaign are to complete a handful of much-needed&nbsp; capital improvements. These include updates to the boys’ locker room facilities and activities restrooms at St. Pat’s High School, and flooring and lighting in the common areas at McDaid Elementary.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dodson says that the first milestone of the campaign has already been achieved, with pledges to-date exceeding $2.5 million dollars. The current campaign total and goals will be revealed at the pep rally April 4th. All kindergarten through 12th grade students will be a part of the kickoff event… Parents and community members are also invited to attend.&nbsp;

Catholic Schools Launch New Fundraising Campaign 

Nebraska Department of Transportation

(North Platte, Neb.) —Weather permitting, construction will begin April 7 on State Highway 21 (N-21) in Cozad at reference post 13.83, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. 

Lobato Construction, LLC, of Brighton, Colo., is the contractor for this project. Work includes repair and resurfacing of the N-21 viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad, including new street lighting and sidewalk. Traffic will be reduced to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals. A 10-foot width restriction will be in place. A pedestrian shuttle will be operated while the sidewalk is closed. Anticipated completion is fall 2025. 

The purpose of this project is to preserve the transportation asset, improve the reliability of the  transportation system and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public. 

Motorists should expect reduced speeds and lane reductions within the work zones and are reminded to drive cautiously through highway construction zones.

Work to begin on N-21, Cozad Viaduct 

The Hot Sheets: April 2nd, 2025

The American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood or platelets now as&nbsp; seasonal travel ramps up. Donors of all blood types are essential this April to help keep&nbsp; the blood supply stable and ready to support patients in need.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Spring break and upcoming holidays can disrupt donor giving patterns. With record breaking travel expected, including 173 million Americans flying in the weeks ahead,&nbsp; people are encouraged to build a blood or platelet donation into their seasonal plans.&nbsp; The impact of busy spring calendars comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging&nbsp; winter, where tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather.&nbsp; Donors are asked to make and keep donation appointments this spring to keep the&nbsp; blood supply rising. Platelets and type O blood are especially needed right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Help hope bloom for patients in need – give blood or platelets now by visiting&nbsp; RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor&nbsp; App. All donors who come to give in April will be automatically entered for a chance to&nbsp; win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners! Those who come to give April&nbsp; 1-13, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Those who come to give&nbsp; later in the month, April 14-30, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while&nbsp; supplies last. Details on all April donor gifts can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/Hope.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In North Platte, those who come to give at the Red Cross Donation Center at 1111 S.&nbsp; Cottonwood Street, will have the opportunity to pick an extra gift from the prize basket.&nbsp; Items include gift certificates for local businesses, free food, and much more. This&nbsp; promotion is only valid at the Cottonwood Donation Center and only through Easter&nbsp; Sunday, April 20, 2025.&nbsp;

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood &nbsp;Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or&nbsp; enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process.&nbsp; To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood&nbsp; Donor App. 

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are&nbsp; required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental&nbsp; consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally&nbsp; good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18&nbsp; years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.&nbsp;

Give blood in April and get rewarded with fun prizes 

North Platte, Neb. - Gary’s Super Foods has been a staple of the North Platte area for a long time, but the two North Platte locations have been recently sold and will be rebranded as Fresh Foods. Kerri and Ben Dishman, both with North Platte ties, are the proud owners of Fresh Foods and are excited to own two locations&nbsp;in North Platte. The McCook Gary's Super Foods location will also rebrand as Fresh Foods.&nbsp;

Ben Dishman has been working in the grocery industry for most of his life. The North Platte native worked his way up the chain to different leadership positions beginning as a bagger, manager, to eventually owning his own grocery stores. He landed his first gig working for Sixth Street Food at the Westfield Shopping Plaza.&nbsp;

Dishman has experience working in grocery stores in North Platte, Ogallala and Gering. Ben and his wife Kerri opened up their first grocery store in 2012 in Gering. Since 2018, the husband-and-wife duo has bought and operates 10 locations including both North Platte stores and in McCook. The Dishmans are excited to operate two locations back in North Platte.&nbsp;

“I'm excited. I was just telling, I don't remember who I was talking to, but I went into the back room when I first started touring the store and I still have my name still written on the ceiling back there. It was kind of a rite of passage for anybody who worked here to take a marker, put your name up on the rafter. And so it was kind of fun going through all those names, just seeing some of the same people that I hired are still here,” said Ben Dishman, owner of Fresh Foods.&nbsp;

Ben and Kerri Dishman met in 1995 in North Platte after Kerri returned home from college and wanted to look for a group to play basketball with. She eventually met Ben but stated he was a shy person. Kerri also learned that he worked for Sixth Street Food.&nbsp;

“After that, I found out he had worked at the Sixth Street here in Westfield and I would always have to somehow go pick things up there and stock 'em all. He was stocking the shelves. So that was kind of how we met,” said Kerri Dishman, owner of Fresh Foods.&nbsp;

North Platte means a lot to the Dishman family as they met here, were married in 1997 here and also their children were born at Great Plains Health. Kerri and Ben both still have family living in town.&nbsp;

For the Dishmans, the acquisition of the locations may have been quick but has been in the works for quite some time.&nbsp;

“It was fast. So from the time we started getting serious about this until we closed was about five or six weeks. So it was fast, but there was a lot of conversations in the background, a lot of things that had to be done to get to that point,” said Ben Dishman. “So we probably started talking about this for years, three, four or five years.”&nbsp;

The Dishmans have had a strong relationship with Gary Suhr, owner of Gary’s Super Foods for a long time as Ben also worked for Gary. Suhr has been very supportive of the Dishmans over the years and even helped train the Dishmans to prepare them for owning their own store.&nbsp;

“Gary let me sit with his bookkeepers and learn some processes back there. And I know Ben did some training with Gary also before we opened up our store in Gering. So he definitely has a huge place in our heart: him, Chris and April,” said Kerri Dishman. “They really did a great job and we appreciate the path that they set before us and that we can continue to run down and put our flair on it with Fresh Foods, but definitely give honor to the Suhr family and what they've done for the community here.”&nbsp;

The big question that has been asked is about the current point system and the Dishman family has confirmed that the current point system will stay in place.&nbsp;

“We got the point not to change the points. So yes [the current point system will stay],” said Ben Dishman with a smile.&nbsp;

The Dishmans plan is to rebrand Gary's Super Foods stores as "Fresh Foods" and make some adjustments to the product selection and in-store offerings, while maintaining the existing customer loyalty programs. The store reset is set for May 12th to add more variety and remove underperforming items.&nbsp;

Gary’s Super Foods to rebrand as Fresh Foods 

Omaha, NE: The Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) has awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship to three students with aspirations to work in broadcasting upon graduation:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jacie Ambrose currently attends Northeast Community College and is transferring to the University of Nebraska – Omaha to pursue a degree in Journalism &amp; Media Communication.&nbsp; Following her anticipated graduation in May of 2027, Jacie plans to build a career as an on-air talent in broadcast radio.&nbsp;

Austin Glanz is pursuing a major in Media Production in Communications at Chadron State College.&nbsp; Following his anticipated graduation in May of 2027, Austin is considering career options including radio host, sports commentator/announcer and voice acting.&nbsp;

Jacqueline Ruiz-Rodriguez is pursuing a dual major in Broadcasting and Journalism at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.&nbsp; Following her anticipated graduation in May of 2027, Jacqueline aspires to become a&nbsp;radio or television news reporter or anchor.&nbsp;

This unique scholarship program is supported by participating NBA member Station Employment Units (SEUs), who fund and promote the program, and then review and score the qualified applications.&nbsp; All SEU scores are then averaged, with the top three scoring applicants each awarded a scholarship.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

NBAF Board Chairperson Jessie Johnson, Vice President of News Channel Nebraska Tri-Cities/General Manager – Kearney, said: “These hard-working students represent a broad range of experience, skills and talent that will serve our industry and audiences well in the near future.&nbsp; The new perspectives and innovations of these students will be welcome.&nbsp; On behalf of the NBA Board of Directors, congratulations to each of you!”&nbsp;

The NBA also offers scholarships to assist students enrolled in radio and/or television broadcasting or broadcast journalism educational programs at designated colleges and universities in Nebraska.&nbsp; Over $300,000 in scholarships have been awarded by the NBA and its foundation since the NBA first began a scholarship program in 1977.&nbsp;

Jacie Ambrose, Austin Glanz and Jacqueline Ruiz-Rodriguez earn    Nebraska Broadcasters Association EEO Scholarships 

(LINCOLN, NE – April 2025) The Lied Center's ARTS ACROSS NEBRASKA tours bring the best in music, theatre, and dance to communities across the state! On Thursday, April 17, AAN is proud to bring the thrilling musical trio Take3 to the community of North Platte.&nbsp;

“Stunning, Superb, Powerful …” says the Los Angeles Times of TAKE3: Where ROCK meets BACH, featuring the music of popular artists, including The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elvis, Neil Diamond, Imagine Dragons, and crowd favorites, “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Hallelujah,” “Game of Thrones.” “Stand by Me,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Featuring musicians trained at the world’s top conservatories, this unique trio of violin, cello, and piano brings together the power and energy of rock music with the sophistication and beauty of classical Bach.&nbsp;

Take3 will perform on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the North Platte High School Performing Arts Center, located at 1220 W 2nd Street in North Platte, NE. There will be a free will donation at the door, with proceeds going to the North Platte Foundation for a refurbished piano at the high school.&nbsp;

This special event is sponsored by a Mid Nebraska Community Betterment Grant and North Platte Foundation REACH Grant.&nbsp;

This performance is part of the Lied Center’s Arts Across Nebraska program, made possible by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Friends of Lied, and The Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation.&nbsp;

About the Lied Center for Performing Arts&nbsp;

‘Rock Meets Bach’ When the Spectacular Take3 Comes to North Platte 

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced that their staff will hold Service Academy Days in Bellevue, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, Grand Island, and Lincoln.

The events inform high school students about the process to apply for a congressional nomination to one of our nation’s military service academies. Service academy representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

“Home to Offutt Air Force Base and Camp Ashland, Nebraska has long been the home of our nation’s exceptional service members. To continue our state’s proud tradition of military service, I’m happy to host Academy Days for high school students and their parents to learn more about how to apply for nominations to one of our prestigious Military Service Academies,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

“Nebraska has a strong tradition of supporting our military. Each year, I honor that tradition by nominating outstanding young Nebraskans to attend our United States service academies. I encourage high school students from across our state to attend Academy Days and learn more about the nomination process,”&nbsp;said Senator Ricketts.“America’s Military Service Academies are training a new generation of young leaders who are stepping up to serve in our nation’s Armed Forces. Academy Days hosted by the Nebraska delegation will provide in depth briefings on how nominations work. I strongly encourage any young Nebraskan who has an interest in attending one of the academies to join our offices to learn more and get all your questions answered before diving into the application process,”&nbsp;said Representative Flood.

“As a veteran who served nearly 30 years in the Air Force, I cannot share enough how much my military career meant to me and these academies help our youth get a start on their own exciting and fulfilling careers. I encourage our high school students to check out each of the academies and wish them the best as they start their application process,”&nbsp;said Representative Bacon.“Nebraska has many bright young people who are willing to serve and would make outstanding cadets at our country’s service academies. It is an honor to partner with our congressional delegation and connect our state’s leading students with a first-rate education, leadership opportunities, and training for service,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Representative&nbsp;Smith.

The event includes representatives from the Nebraska chapters of the service academy alumni associations and Nebraska service academy parent clubs.

All high school students, parents, and guidance counselors who have an interest in the nation’s service academies are welcome and no preregistration is required. The targeted audience is freshman through juniors.

To learn more, please contact Kevin Huebert, Senator Fischer’s Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, at (402) 391-3411.Please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/173fe132-e148-4355-94d8-cb70bbbbc540/service-academy-nominations-state-flyer---delegation-.pdf">click here</a>&nbsp;or see below for dates, locations, and more information:

Fischer, Congressional Delegation Announce Military Service Academy Days Across Nebraska

*** POST news director Canon Rath chatted with Kim Baxter. The pair discusses the history behind the project, what rotary does and so much more. To learn more, check out the podcast above.

North Platte, Neb. - Kim Baxter is an optometrist who has been doing mission trips to provide eye care in developing countries for many years, including to Kenya.&nbsp;&nbsp;

About 13 years ago, Kim went on a trip to Kenya with his son Craig, and they were deeply impacted by the poverty and lack of access to healthcare, especially for newborns and expectant mothers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;After Craig's tragic passing a few years later, Kim worked with his local Rotary club to secure a large global grant from Rotary International to provide medical equipment and training to a hospital in Kenya.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Lots of this has to do with Craig, so his spirit is very much enthralled and a big part of it,” said Kim Baxter.&nbsp;

After Craig's passing, Kim made a promise to continue the work in Kenya in his son's memory, which led to a major global grant project through Rotary to improve the maternity ward and neonatal care at a hospital in western Kenya. This project was highly successful, reducing infant mortality at the hospital by 60% and leading to significant improvements in the hospital's facilities and equipment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Baxter and his Rotary club have continued to go on annual eye care missions to Kenya, providing eye exams and glasses to thousands of people who have never had access to such care.&nbsp;

The Rotary Club is working to build and equip a medical clinic called the "Craig Memorial Dispensary" in Kenya, named after a Kim’s son Craig.&nbsp; There was initial setback when the local village leader reneged on a promise to donate land for the clinic, but they found an abandoned clinic that they will renovate instead.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The club is working on a $250,000 global grant from Rotary International to provide medical equipment and other infrastructure for the clinic.&nbsp;This project has attracted partnerships with the Kenyan government, a local university, and other Rotary clubs that are providing additional funding and resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;The clinic will provide medical services and training opportunities for local students, helping to address a shortage of healthcare access in the region.&nbsp;

&nbsp;This project has involved many volunteers and donors from the local community and Rotary network and has been described as a story of "divine intervention" and people coming together to do good.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;"For anybody out there that thinks they can't make a difference in the world, particularly, I'm thankful to be a Rotarian because it's linked me up with many other Rotarians. It's given us access to the Rotary Foundation funds for these big projects, these big global grant projects that without that kind of funding behind us, we wouldn't be able to ever get off the ground with the magnitude of the projects that we've been involved in is tremendous,” said Baxter.&nbsp;

(PODCAST) "Craig Baxter's Kenya Dream with Rotary" - interview with Kim Baxter

Story by NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska suffered a 9-5 setback to Creighton on Tuesday afternoon at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.

Nebraska (12-16) scored five runs on nine hits, while Creighton (17-7) totaled nine runs and 12 hits.

Riley Silva led the Big Red at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Max Buettenback was 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Gabe Swansen, Hogan Helligso and Cael Frost had one hit and an RBI each.

TJ Coats recorded one out in the start, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk. Jalen Worthley pitched three innings in relief, surrendering one run on three hits. Drew Christo tossed 2.2 shutout innings, while Colin Nowaczyk was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs on two hits.

Ryan Harrahill dealt a pair of scoreless frames, followed by Pryce Bender and Luke Broderick combining to pitch the final inning.

Creighton raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first behind a pair of hits. The Bluejays had the bases loaded with one out after a leadoff double down the right-field line and a one-out hit batter and walk.

Back-to-back bases-loaded walks scored the first two runs, while an RBI single to right-center field grew the lead to three in the first.

The Husker offense locked the game at three in the second with a trio of hits in the bottom of the second. Dylan Carey was hit by the pitch to begin the inning, while Buettenback’s one-out single to right put runners on first and second.

Helligso got the Big Red on the board with an RBI single to center that brought home Carey from second. Case Sanderson drew a walk to load the bases with two outs, before Silva laced a two-RBI single to right-center field to even the game at three.

Creighton took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles after a one-out walk.

Cayden Brumbaugh reached on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the fifth and moved to second on a groundout to first. The Big Red had runners on first and second with two outs after the Bluejays intentionally walked Carey. Swansen stepped up to the plate and ripped a pinch-hit RBI double to left field, scoring Brumbaugh and tying the game at four.

A leadoff walk and double to right field in the top of the seventh set up the go-ahead two-RBI single to left-center field for the Bluejays.

Carey was plunked to open the bottom of the eighth, and Buettenback singled to left field to put runners on first and second with one out. Frost came to the plate in a pinch-hitting role and lined an RBI double down the right-field line to bring the Big Red within a run.

Trailing 6-5 with runners on second and third and one out, the next two Huskers were retired to maintain CU’s lead going into the ninth inning.

The Bluejays tacked on three runs on three hits in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 9-5. A leadoff double and wild pitch on strike three had runners on first and third, before a two-RBI triple down the right-field line stretched the lead to 8-5. CU added one more with a two-out RBI single to right field that made it a 9-5 game heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The Husker offense was retired in order in the bottom of the ninth to clinch Creighton’s 9-5 win on Tuesday afternoon.

Nebraska returns to action tomorrow, as the Huskers travel to Omaha to take on the Mavericks at Tal Anderson Field. First pitch between the Big Red and Omaha is set for 6 p.m.

Huskers fall to Bluejays on Tuesday

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications

North Platte, Neb.&nbsp; – North Platte took a one run lead into the final inning of game two against Central Community College, but a big seventh inning helped the Raiders claim the sweep on Tuesday afternoon.

Hannah Dahlke drew a walk to open the doubleheader before a home run from Kami Kaskie two batters later put the Raiders up 2-0. Alieze Moreno earned a free pass to first base, while Victoria Arellano blasted one over the left field fence to knot the game up in the bottom half of the frame.

Central tallied two more runs in the second, but Sarah Perez connected on her first home run of the day to tie the game at 4-4. The Raiders jumped back on the offensive and tallied six more runs over the next three innings to build a 10-4 advantage.

Facing a six-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Knights put two runners in scoring position with one down. A fielder’s choice allowed Moreno to score from third, before a Perez single scored the final run of the game.

Sheena Smith received the start in the circle for the Knights. The right-hander threw seven innings, allowing 10 runs on seven hits and struck out seven in the loss.

The scoring started early, as a single from Perez plated Moreno to give the Knights the 1-0 lead. North Platte was held off the board for the next two innings while Central racked up 10 runs.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Knights responded with nine runs to even the game at 10-10. During the big inning, North Platte posted eight hits including home runs from Wren Herrick and Perez.

North Platte briefly took the lead in the fifth on a wild pitch that plated Afia Hunt from third, but Central rallied in the top of the seventh inning to earn the come from behind sweep.

Arellano earned the start in the circle allowing eight runs on six hits in three innings. Moreno came on in relief and allowed 11 runs on eight hits in four innings in the loss.

Knights (4-16, 0-6 Region IX) will return to the diamond on April 9 against Northeastern Junior College. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the Dowhower Softball Complex in North Platte.

Knights fall to Raiders in Region IX doubleheader

Maxwell-St. Pat's 13 vs Sedgwick County, CO 4

NSAA Area Spring Sports scores from 4-1

LINCOLN&nbsp;— Jared Crick, the former Nebraska defensive line star who played five seasons in the NFL, has taken the Cozad High School head football coach job.&nbsp;

"I am proud and humbled to be announced as the Head Football Coach of my alma mater, to which I owe a great deal of credit and appreciation to the many that have come before me," Crick said in a statement. "Great people, who've shaped my life, resulting in the responsibility I now have before me as the leader of this program."

The 35-year-old was a two-time All-Big 12 defensive tackle at Nebraska and played on NU's first Big Ten team in 2011, donning a Sports Illustrated cover before that season. The Houston Texans selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He had 199 career tackles in five seasons, injured his back in 2017 training camp, and did not play again.&nbsp;

Cozad hires former Nebraska Defensive star as new Head Football Coach

Knights Women's Basketball land second recruit of 2025-2026 season

The No. 20 Nebraska softball team enjoyed a five-run sixth inning and downed the Purdue Boilermakers 6-0 on Sunday night at Bowlin Stadium.&nbsp;

The Huskers moved to 26-8 on the season with a 6-1 record in Big Ten competition, while Purdue fell to 17-15 (2-7 Big Ten).&nbsp;

As a team, NU out-hit the Boilermakers 10-2. Seven of those 10 hits came with runners on base. Olivia DiNardo and Samantha Bland notched two RBIs apiece for the Big Red, and DiNardo and Ava Kuszak had two hits each.&nbsp;

Hannah Camenzind (5-2) pitched 5.0 scoreless innings and allowed only two hits en route to claiming the win in the circle. Jordyn Bahl grabbed the save, as she threw the final two innings of the game and did not allow a hit while striking out five batters. Julia Gossett (5-5) took the loss for Purdue.&nbsp;

The Big Red got on the board and took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when a DiNardo RBI single sent Kuszak, who had earlier singled herself and advanced to second on a groundout, to the plate.&nbsp;

Ava Bredwell opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a leadoff triple and scored on a DiNardo single. Kennadi Williams came in to pinch run for DiNardo and Kacie Hoffmann hit a single to send Williams to third. Katelyn Caneda pinch ran for Hoffmann and advanced to second on a Lauren Camenzind single that also scored Williams. Bland then doubled to score L. Camenzind and Caneda. Bland capped the inning by scoring on a Bahl single.&nbsp;

NU will close the series with Purdue tomorrow, March 31 at 4 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network and can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.&nbsp;

Huskers down Boilermakers on Sunday

McCook, Neb. –&nbsp;North Platte Community College women’s golf closed out the McCook Community College Invitational with a second-place finish on Friday. The 36-hole tournament score of 798 is the first in program history.&nbsp;

Kaylee Carlson led the way with an opening round 93, before following that up with a 98 to finish in seventh place. Teammate Esperanza Mendoza-Rama&nbsp;finished the second round with a 104 to place eighth in the individual standings.

Kristyn Woolley&nbsp;bested her opening round by two strokes to finish ninth, while newcomer Delaine Mize carded a 103 on the final day to finish tied for tenth.

Knights will continue their spring season with the two-day Sand Creek Station Invite in Bethel, Kan. beginning April 5.

North Platte:&nbsp;7. Kaylee Carlson&nbsp;–&nbsp;93-98 (+47)8.&nbsp;Esperanza Mendoza-Rama&nbsp;– 96-104 (+56)9.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kristyn Woolley&nbsp;– 102-100 (+58)T10.&nbsp;Delaine Mize –&nbsp;102-103 (+61)

Knights finish second to open spring season

McCook Neb.&nbsp; – Taytom Timbers tallied a 36-hole score of 155 (+11) to tie for 17th, as the Knights finished fifth at the McCook Community College Invitational on Friday.

Timbers shot an opening round 81, before rallying with a 74 on the final day. The final round score consisted of one birdie, three bogeys and 14 pars.

Cole Kramer also bested his opening round score to finish in a tie for 22nd with a final round 78. Treyten York matched two of his teammates with an opening round 81, before a final round 79 placed him in a tie for 25th. Caeson Clarke&nbsp;rounded out the scorers with a 32nd place finish after rounds of 86 and 80.

Knights will continue their spring season with the two-day Sand Creek Station Invite in Bethel, Kan. beginning on April 5.

North PlatteT17.&nbsp;Taytom Timbers&nbsp;– 81-74 (+11)T22.&nbsp;Cole Kramer&nbsp;– 81-78 (+15)T25.&nbsp;Treyten York&nbsp;– 81-79 (+16)T32.&nbsp;Caeson Clarke&nbsp;– 86-80 (+22)36.&nbsp;Jason Jensen – 86-86 (+28)T38.&nbsp;Layne Smotzer&nbsp;– 86-90 (+32)

Knights finish fifth at McCook Community College Invitational

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WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced that it will surge FBI assets across the country to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, including crimes relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons.

FBI will send 60 personnel, rotating in 90-day temporary duty assignments over a six-month period.&nbsp; This operation is the longest and most intense national deployment of FBI resources to address Indian Country crime to date.&nbsp; FBI personnel will support field offices in Albuquerque; Denver; Detroit; Jackson, Miss.; Minneapolis; Oklahoma City; Phoenix; Portland, Oregon; Seattle; and Salt Lake City. The FBI will work in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions.

FBI personnel will be assisted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, and they will use the latest forensic evidence processing tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable.&nbsp; U.S. Attorney’s Offices will aggressively prosecute case referrals.

“Crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are unacceptably high. By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on tribal lands and find those who have gone missing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska supports this mission and has similarly sought to aggressively pursue violent criminals who have victimized people on Indian reservations in Nebraska. For example, this past February, our AUSAs obtained a murder conviction against Michelle Marr following a jury trial. The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on June 5, 2025.

Indian Country faces persistent levels of crime and victimization.&nbsp; At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.

Operation Not Forgotten renews efforts begun during President Trump’s first term under E.O. 13898, Establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.&nbsp; This is the third deployment under Operation Not Forgotten, which has provided investigative support to over 500 cases in the past two years.&nbsp; Combined, these operations resulted in the recovery of 10 child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments or judicial complaints.

Operation Not Forgotten also expands upon the resources deployed in recent years to address cases of missing and murdered indigenous people.&nbsp; The effort will be supported by the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which places attorneys and coordinators in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered indigenous people.

Justice Department to Surge Resources to Indian Country to Investigate Unresolved Violent Crimes

&nbsp; Lincoln, Neb. —&nbsp;The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will recognize current students, alumni, faculty, and friends at its annual department honors banquet on April 12. The event will be held at The Ballroom at Bosona in Bennet, Neb.

Maci Mueller, Merlyn Nielsen, and Tom Rathje will be honored for their accomplishments as animal science undergraduate or graduate alumni, Nebraska Cattlemen will be honored for its outstanding contributions made to the department, and Doyle Wolverton will be the 2025 Block and Bridle Club honoree. In addition to these awards, current students will be recognized along with departmental clubs.

Registration will open on March 12 will remain open for attendees until April 2. More information about the event can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFt13JziNHxlfY0X6HFJFKh72" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp;

Maci Mueller, B.S. 2016, will be honored with the Young Alumni of Distinction award. Mueller is an Assistant Professor of Animal Genetics at Kansas State University. After earning her degree in Animal Science with a minor in Political Science from Nebraska, she earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Genomics and Biotechnology from the University of California, Davis, in 2023. Originally from Princeton, Nebraska, Mueller developed her passion for animal genetics through active involvement in her family’s first-generation Angus seedstock operation. The focus of her research is leveraging genetic-based biotechnologies to enhance animal health and welfare while improving production efficiency. Passionate about science communication, she is dedicated to providing education and outreach to expand the use of genetic technologies in livestock systems.

Merlyn Nielsen, B.S. 1970, will be honored with the Undergraduate of Distinction award. Following his time as an undergrad at Nebraska, Nielsen went on to earn both his M.S. (1972) and Ph.D. (1974) degrees from Iowa State University. After completing his Ph.D., he returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he spent more than 30 years as a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science with a research and teaching career focusing on Animal Breeding and Genetics. Nielsen has received numerous awards, including the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Rockefeller Prentice Memorial Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics and the Beef Improvement Federation Pioneer Award. He is also a Teaching Fellow of ASAS.

om Rathje, M.S., 1991 and Ph.D. 1995, will be honored with the Graduate of Distinction award. Dr. Rathje is currently the Chief Technology Officer at DNA Genetics, one of the leading pig genetics companies in North America. After earning his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics under the direction of Dr. Rodger Johnson, he started his career in 1995 as one of the five foundational members of the Executive Management Team at Danbred North America, which later became DNA Genetics in 2013. 

He is considered one of the visionaries who increased the company’s market share from less than 5% in the startup phase to 40% in 2020, a growth that positioned DNA Genetics as the second-largest genetic supplier across North America in 2020, after the launch of an independent genetics research program. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the university since 1998, serving on advising committees for graduate students and actively mentoring post-doctoral research associates.

Nebraska Cattlemen will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award. Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation have been instrumental in the success of the faculty and students in the Department of Animal Science for many years. The Foundation's mission is to advance the future of Nebraska's Beef Industry by investing in research and education programs. Recipients of their generosity have been undergraduate students who have received academic scholarships each year and the hundreds of high school youth who have attended the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium. 

Others include the Nebraska Meats and Livestock Judging Teams through endowed scholarships, the Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars Program, and participants in the feedyard management internship program. These programs have all experienced growth and success over the years and continue to be one of the reasons why students choose to study animal science at the university. The Foundation has also established the Nebraska Beef Cattle Industry Professorship and contributed to the Terry Klopfenstein Feed Technology Center and the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center. 

In addition to the financial support, the Nebraska Cattlemen have been a strong advocate for the students, faculty, and department as a whole by endowing scholarships, sponsoring leadership and education programs, and assisting with research and infrastructure projects have been possible because of the support from Nebraska cattle producers and allied industries.

Doyle Wolverton, an emeritus professor, will be recognized as the 2025 Block and Bridle Club honoree. Since 1938, the Block and Bridle Club has recognized individuals who contributed to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects, community activities, and involvement with the university. The candidates are nominated by industry leaders and selected by the club officers and advisors.

After serving as an ag instructor and in extension director and specialist roles in the state of Iowa for 20 years, Wolverton joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an associate professor of animal science and youth livestock extension specialist in 1980. Doyle spent the next 17 years working closely with numerous livestock organizations to develop educational and leadership opportunities for youth who were passionate about agriculture and the livestock industries. 

An innovator, Wolverton was the first to develop and implement a “Meat Animal Quality Assurance Program” for those showing livestock, a precursor to the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training now required of everyone who shows livestock. Doyle also facilitated the early adoption of real-time ultrasound as a method to collect carcass data for livestock shows. Coordinating livestock shows for the Nebraska State Fair and Ak-Sar-Ben, Wolverton engaged with nearly 3,000 exhibitors that showed more than 6,000 animals annually. 

Doyle is a champion of programs that emphasize education, responsibility, and leadership development including coordinating Ak-Sar-Ben’s “Catch a Calf” program that challenged youth to not only raise and show the animals but to maintain detailed records and interact with industry sponsors

.For over 40 years, Doyle has maintained long-standing ties to the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, having served on the management and operations committees, serving as the contest superintendent in 1987-88, and sponsoring an award for the winning coach at the contest. Wolverton assisted in the running of the contest by procuring the livestock for the classes, caring for the livestock, and managing all of the backend operations of the contest. 

Doyle has judged hundreds of county livestock shows, facilitated competitive events at the local, state, and national levels, and has always placed educational value at the forefront of competitive youth events. Through his interaction with tens of thousands of youth at contests over the years, his contributions to the future of animal agriculture are immeasurable.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Animal Science To Honor Four Individuals, One Organization At Department Honors Banquet on April 12

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/01/nebraska-feedlot-political-fight-makes-way-to-statehouse/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2QjroqBfoFZVPcq4adV-1yc1hePtWvTDrDGypfqOEIefy-xJFJT9SlX8s_aem_kL9qfhm1S-DMGC4AyQTXFg">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A divide between rural Nebraska lawmakers is rustling in the statehouse.&nbsp;

State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, in west-central Nebraska, has proposed a bill that would exempt a significant sector of agriculture in the state — feedlots — from branding and inspection fees under the state’s livestock branding law that she has said she aims to “modernize” with Legislative Bill 646.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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