Members of the North Platte Community College choir sing during a holiday concert Thursday at NPCC. The concert can be viewed at <a href="https://npccknights.com/sports/2014/1/5/KnightsVideo.aspx?tab=knightsvideo">npccknights.com</a> and on the college’s YouTube channel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607646567333.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Members of the North Platte Community College choir sing during a holiday concert Thursday at NPCC. The concert can be viewed at <a href="https://npccknights.com/sports/2014/1/5/KnightsVideo.aspx?tab=knightsvideo">npccknights.com</a> and on the college’s YouTube channel.

 NPCC music department performs holiday concert, watch online

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (NSP)-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team have arrested a person wanted in connection with a homicide investigation in Red Willow County.

During the morning hours of Thursday, December 10, NSP SWAT was activated to effectuate the arrest of Travis Terwilliger, 45, of McCook. Terwilliger had an active felony warrant for use of a firearm to commit a felony, accessory to a felony, and terroristic threats.

With the assistance of the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office and McCook Police Department, NSP SWAT was able to apprehend Terwilliger at his home at 304 East 2nd&nbsp;Street in McCook without incident. Terwilliger was lodged in Red Willow County Jail.

The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency in the homicide investigation. The investigation began following an incident on October 8, 2020, in Red Willow County. All further media inquiries should be directed to the sheriff’s office.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (NSP)-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team have arrested a person wanted in connection with a homicide investigation in Red Willow County.During the morning hours of Thursday, December 10, NSP SWAT was activated to effectuate the arrest of Travis Terwilliger, 45, of McCook. Terwilliger had an active felony warrant for use of a firearm to commit a felony, accessory to a felony, and terroristic threats.With the assistance of the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office and McCook Police Department, NSP SWAT was able to apprehend Terwilliger at his home at 304 East 2nd&nbsp;Street in McCook without incident. Terwilliger was lodged in Red Willow County Jail.The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency in the homicide investigation. The investigation began following an incident on October 8, 2020, in Red Willow County. All further media inquiries should be directed to the sheriff’s office.

McCook man arrested in homicide investigation

A new type of storm is sweeping across West Central and Southwest Nebraska – leaving a hunger for science and technology in its wake.

Ever since LEGO MINDSTORMS arrived at the Mid-Plains Community College Ogallala Campus, the area response has been an insatiable desire for more.

“It has really taken off,” Mary Pierce, MPCC Ogallala Campus administrator, said of the programming. “We never could have predicted it would become this popular.”

In essence, LEGO MINDSTORMS is a hands-on, cross-curricular form of STEM education that engages students by encouraging them to design, build and program robots. The robots are then disassembled and used for additional classes.

The MPCC Ogallala Campus initially purchased eight LEGO MINDSTORMS kits after receiving a $3,600 grant from the Keith County Foundation Fund in the fall of 2017.

The kits were taken on the road with the first class being taught in Arthur in the spring of 2018 by University of Nebraska-Lincoln 4-H Extension Educator Mike Eskelson.

“We’ve had a session every fall, spring and summer since, and our classes are typically full,” said Pierce. “Kids love the technology. It has been a great way to encourage them to come to campus and become familiar with us. We offer the classes to children 10 and older and have even had a child and parent workshop, which was a fun way for families to spend time together. The entire program has been really successful.”

So successful, in fact, that by 2019 it was time to expand. A second grant for $2,500 was applied for and received from the Keith County Foundation Fund, allowing the Ogallala Campus to purchase additional kits and accessories.

The grant also paid for a “Train the Trainer” workshop to help others become LEGO MINDSTORMS instructors.

“It’s really hard to find instructors trained in the technology in the area,” Pierce said. “Two of the individuals who went through our workshop are now teaching LEGO MINDSTORMS classes for MPCC in McCook and Imperial.”

The MPCC Imperial Campus borrows the kits, which now total 12, from the campus in Ogallala. The target group in Imperial is students ages 8-10.

“They have a lot of fun,” said Brenda Ledall, MPCC Imperial Campus administrator. “In addition to assembling the robots, the students are learning to code them with a program on the laptop. It’s great for career exploration. The same technical skills are needed in fields such as computer programming, engineering and even automotive and diesel technology.”

She noted that several life skills are also gained through LEGO MINDSTORMS. Those include the ability to read and follow directions, creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.

Like Ogallala, Imperial’s classes fill up fast. They are currently offered in the fall and spring - whenever kits are available. Up until recently, the kits also had to be shared with MPCC’s campus in McCook.

“We were fortunate to be able to purchase 10 of our own kits in May,” said Sharon Kircher, MPCC business and community educator. “We’re thankful to the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which provided partial assistance in the form of a grant.”

The Business and Community Education department hosts classes for children throughout the year, and an extension of that is the LEGO MINDSTORMS courses.

By having its own kits, BCE can now offer additional robotics classes whenever it wants to – not just when the kits aren’t being used somewhere else. That flexibility is important – especially because LEGO MINDSTORMS classes in McCook are often in the double digits.

“We had anywhere from 15-21 students per session before COVID-19 hit,” Kircher said. “We had to double students up and sometimes even divide them into groups of three.”

The McCook classes are geared toward fourth through eighth grade students. This year, there will be a new offering in the form of a space station kit, which requires students to apply problem solving skills to address real space exploration challenges.

More information about LEGO MINDSTORMS classes in McCook is available by calling (308) 345-8123. In Imperial, the number is (308) 882-5972, and in Ogallala, it’s (308) 284-9830.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607625289574.png" alt="Alex Brinkema, of Ogallala, tries out a robot he programmed through a LEGO MINDSTORMS class at the MPCC Imperial Campus." />
 <figcaption>Alex Brinkema, of Ogallala, tries out a robot he programmed through a LEGO MINDSTORMS class at the MPCC Imperial Campus.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Heather Johnson-MPCCA new type of storm is sweeping across West Central and Southwest Nebraska – leaving a hunger for science and technology in its wake.Ever since LEGO MINDSTORMS arrived at the Mid-Plains Community College Ogallala Campus, the area response has been an insatiable desire for more.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607625300099.png" alt="Clayson Thayer, of Champion, tries out a robot he programmed through a LEGO MINDSTORMS class at the MPCC Imperial Campus." />
 <figcaption>Clayson Thayer, of Champion, tries out a robot he programmed through a LEGO MINDSTORMS class at the MPCC Imperial Campus.</figcaption>
 </figure>“It has really taken off,” Mary Pierce, MPCC Ogallala Campus administrator, said of the programming. “We never could have predicted it would become this popular.”In essence, LEGO MINDSTORMS is a hands-on, cross-curricular form of STEM education that engages students by encouraging them to design, build and program robots. The robots are then disassembled and used for additional classes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607625320034.png" alt="Ryker Olson, of Brule, codes a robot during a LEGO MINDSTORMS class at the MPCC Ogallala Campus." />
 <figcaption>Ryker Olson, of Brule, codes a robot during a LEGO MINDSTORMS class at the MPCC Ogallala Campus.</figcaption>
 </figure>The MPCC Ogallala Campus initially purchased eight LEGO MINDSTORMS kits after receiving a $3,600 grant from the Keith County Foundation Fund in the fall of 2017.The kits were taken on the road with the first class being taught in Arthur in the spring of 2018 by University of Nebraska-Lincoln 4-H Extension Educator Mike Eskelson.“We’ve had a session every fall, spring and summer since, and our classes are typically full,” said Pierce. “Kids love the technology. It has been a great way to encourage them to come to campus and become familiar with us. We offer the classes to children 10 and older and have even had a child and parent workshop, which was a fun way for families to spend time together. The entire program has been really successful.”So successful, in fact, that by 2019 it was time to expand. A second grant for $2,500 was applied for and received from the Keith County Foundation Fund, allowing the Ogallala Campus to purchase additional kits and accessories.The grant also paid for a “Train the Trainer” workshop to help others become LEGO MINDSTORMS instructors.“It’s really hard to find instructors trained in the technology in the area,” Pierce said. “Two of the individuals who went through our workshop are now teaching LEGO MINDSTORMS classes for MPCC in McCook and Imperial.”The MPCC Imperial Campus borrows the kits, which now total 12, from the campus in Ogallala. The target group in Imperial is students ages 8-10.“They have a lot of fun,” said Brenda Ledall, MPCC Imperial Campus administrator. “In addition to assembling the robots, the students are learning to code them with a program on the laptop. It’s great for career exploration. The same technical skills are needed in fields such as computer programming, engineering and even automotive and diesel technology.”She noted that several life skills are also gained through LEGO MINDSTORMS. Those include the ability to read and follow directions, creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.Like Ogallala, Imperial’s classes fill up fast. They are currently offered in the fall and spring - whenever kits are available. Up until recently, the kits also had to be shared with MPCC’s campus in McCook.“We were fortunate to be able to purchase 10 of our own kits in May,” said Sharon Kircher, MPCC business and community educator. “We’re thankful to the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which provided partial assistance in the form of a grant.”The Business and Community Education department hosts classes for children throughout the year, and an extension of that is the LEGO MINDSTORMS courses.By having its own kits, BCE can now offer additional robotics classes whenever it wants to – not just when the kits aren’t being used somewhere else. That flexibility is important – especially because LEGO MINDSTORMS classes in McCook are often in the double digits.“We had anywhere from 15-21 students per session before COVID-19 hit,” Kircher said. “We had to double students up and sometimes even divide them into groups of three.”The McCook classes are geared toward fourth through eighth grade students. This year, there will be a new offering in the form of a space station kit, which requires students to apply problem solving skills to address real space exploration challenges.More information about LEGO MINDSTORMS classes in McCook is available by calling (308) 345-8123. In Imperial, the number is (308) 882-5972, and in Ogallala, it’s (308) 284-9830.

Robots take STEM education by storm

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska prisoner in his 60s died at a Lincoln hospital on Wednesday after testing positive for the coronavirus in mid-November, corrections officials said.

Corrections officials said the inmate had underlying medical conditions, and the exact cause of death hasn't been confirmed.

Officials did not release the inmate's identity but said he was serving time for a robbery conviction in Seward County. A grand jury will investigate the death, as is normal procedures.

Nebraska officials reported 781 coronavirus patients who were hospitalized in the state as of Wednesday evening, a decline from last month's record highs but still far more than the number earlier this year. The state confirmed 1,321 new cases, bringing the total to 143,924 since the pandemic began.

So far, 1,294 people have died after contracting the virus. About two-thirds of those who have died were at least 75 years old, according to the state's online tracking portal.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska prisoner in his 60s died at a Lincoln hospital on Wednesday after testing positive for the coronavirus in mid-November, corrections officials said.Corrections officials said the inmate had underlying medical conditions, and the exact cause of death hasn't been confirmed.Officials did not release the inmate's identity but said he was serving time for a robbery conviction in Seward County. A grand jury will investigate the death, as is normal procedures.Nebraska officials reported 781 coronavirus patients who were hospitalized in the state as of Wednesday evening, a decline from last month's record highs but still far more than the number earlier this year. The state confirmed 1,321 new cases, bringing the total to 143,924 since the pandemic began.So far, 1,294 people have died after contracting the virus. About two-thirds of those who have died were at least 75 years old, according to the state's online tracking portal.

Nebraska inmate dies at hospital after catching coronavirus

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming Department of Health official who falsely described the coronavirus and development of vaccines against it as a communist plot has resigned. 

Igor Shepherd made the remarks at an event in Colorado last month and they undermined Wyoming’s public health efforts to contain the coronavirus. 

A health department spokeswoman said Wednesday that Shepherd submitted his resignation Tuesday and that department officials accepted it the same day. 

Shepherd couldn’t be reached for comment. 

A listed phone number for him did not work and as of Wednesday he had not returned social media and work phone messages left last Friday.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming Department of Health official who falsely described the coronavirus and development of vaccines against it as a communist plot has resigned. Igor Shepherd made the remarks at an event in Colorado last month and they undermined Wyoming’s public health efforts to contain the coronavirus. A health department spokeswoman said Wednesday that Shepherd submitted his resignation Tuesday and that department officials accepted it the same day. Shepherd couldn’t be reached for comment. A listed phone number for him did not work and as of Wednesday he had not returned social media and work phone messages left last Friday.

Wyoming official quits after calling COVID-19 communist plot


The North Platte Kids Academy recently purchased an additional
transportation van that will help expand transportation services for
children in North Platte. 


 North Platte is
home to nine elementary schools, creating a high demand among working
parents for transportation of children to and from school. Children
enrolled in the North Platte Kids Academy can register for the
transportation program by calling 308.534.9222. 


“We recognize
the need for child transportation in North Platte and we are thankful
to have the opportunity to help parents,” said Ciera Bank, North
Platte Kids Academy executive director. “We value quality of care
and we are excited to continue our efforts off the premises.”

“The expansion
of our transportation services could not have been possible without
the decision of our Board of Directors and the generous gifts
provided by our donors,” said Bank. “We thank our community for
the continued support of our non-profit Academy.”

The North Platte
Kids Academy is a fully-licensed, non-profit community child care
center designed to meet the needs of local families in all income
brackets and parents working varying shifts. The Kids Academy is
located at 1210 S. Ash St. and is open 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on
Saturdays by reservation from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 


For more
information about the North Platte Kids Academy, call 308.534.9222. 


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607608237626.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
The North Platte Kids Academy recently purchased an additional
transportation van that will help expand transportation services for
children in North Platte. 
 North Platte is
home to nine elementary schools, creating a high demand among working
parents for transportation of children to and from school. Children
enrolled in the North Platte Kids Academy can register for the
transportation program by calling 308.534.9222. 
“We recognize
the need for child transportation in North Platte and we are thankful
to have the opportunity to help parents,” said Ciera Bank, North
Platte Kids Academy executive director. “We value quality of care
and we are excited to continue our efforts off the premises.”“The expansion
of our transportation services could not have been possible without
the decision of our Board of Directors and the generous gifts
provided by our donors,” said Bank. “We thank our community for
the continued support of our non-profit Academy.”###The North Platte
Kids Academy is a fully-licensed, non-profit community child care
center designed to meet the needs of local families in all income
brackets and parents working varying shifts. The Kids Academy is
located at 1210 S. Ash St. and is open 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on
Saturdays by reservation from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
For more
information about the North Platte Kids Academy, call 308.534.9222.

North Platte Kids Academy expands transportation program

North Platte Community College is giving area high school students the opportunity to practice before taking the ACT test.

The college will offer an ACT Test Prep class from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 9-30, which is the week before the test is offered. Both math and English skills will be reviewed.

The math session will focus on algebra, geometry, trigonometry and problem solving, while the English section will consist of an overview of grammar, usage, punctuation and test-taking strategies.

Lane Swedberg is the instructor for the class, which will be in Room 202 of the W.W. Wood Building on NPCC’s North Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive.

The fee is $259. Registration can be done online at&nbsp;<a href="https://bceregister.mpcc.edu/" target="_blank">bceregister.mpcc.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607567687074.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte Community College is giving area high school students the opportunity to practice before taking the ACT test.The college will offer an ACT Test Prep class from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 9-30, which is the week before the test is offered. Both math and English skills will be reviewed.The math session will focus on algebra, geometry, trigonometry and problem solving, while the English section will consist of an overview of grammar, usage, punctuation and test-taking strategies.Lane Swedberg is the instructor for the class, which will be in Room 202 of the W.W. Wood Building on NPCC’s North Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive.The fee is $259. Registration can be done online at&nbsp;<a href="https://bceregister.mpcc.edu/" target="_blank">bceregister.mpcc.edu</a>.

NPCC offers ACT test prep

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska officials released further details on how the state's coronavirus vaccination plan will work, including that meatpacking plant workers, prison staffers and teachers will be among the first to receive doses after health care workers and people who work in long-term care facilities get them.

Nebraska is expected to receive its first shipment of 15,600 doses next week from the drug maker Pfizer, assuming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the vaccine as expected on Thursday.

Once the needs of hospitals and the care facilities are met, the state will expand who is eligible, said Angie Ling, incident commander for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Under the distribution plan that was updated Monday, first responders and people who work in education, the food and agricultural industries, correctional facilities and utilities and transportation will be next in line to be eligible to get vaccinated. After that, the vaccine will go to people who are 65 years and older or who are otherwise considered vulnerable, as well as to those living in shared living facilities.

Ling said the timeline for when Nebraska will reach each distribution phase is unclear because other scheduled vaccine shipments have already been delayed.

Nebraska is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-coronavirus-pandemic-2339970165634081ff9bf5b291821325" target="_blank">expected to receive 100,000 doses</a>&nbsp;by the end of December, but even the earliest recipients will likely have to wait until at least January to get full immunity. The vaccine is administered in two doses spread out over three or four weeks, and Gov. Pete Ricketts said Nebraska won't get those second doses until January.

Additionally, people who work in one of the priority industries may not necessarily qualify. In hospitals, for instance, vaccines will go to front-line medical staff.

"We're talking about people who are dealing with potential coronavirus patients, such as an ER nurse, and not necessarily someone who works in the office," Ricketts said.

Ricketts said state officials are still finalizing how they plan to notify people that they're eligible.

Ling said the first Pfizer shipment will go to eight undisclosed Nebraska hospitals, which in turn will provide doses to nine other hospitals.

She said the hospitals are spread throughout the state and that the first eight were chosen partly because they have the ability to properly store Pfizer's vaccine in an extremely cold space. A second vaccine produced by Moderna doesn't require those conditions and will go to other hospitals that need it, she said.

The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients in Nebraska held fairly steady Tuesday after a sharp increase that raised concerns about whether hospitals were at risk of getting overwhelmed.

The state reported 787 active hospitalizations in its most recent online posting, down from the record high of 987 set last month. The number is still elevated, however, raising concerns among public health officials.

Nebraska has confirmed 142,603 cases and 1,277 deaths in the state since the pandemic began. There were 1,476 new cases reported Tuesday.

Nearly two-thirds of those who have died from the virus were at least 75 years old.

State officials also reported that 28% of Nebraska's hospital beds, 26% of its intensive care unit beds and 71% of its ventilators were available for use by coronavirus patients.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services reported Tuesday that seven additional staff members tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 374 since the pandemic began. Of those, 286 have recovered.

By GRANT SCHULTE Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska officials released further details on how the state's coronavirus vaccination plan will work, including that meatpacking plant workers, prison staffers and teachers will be among the first to receive doses after health care workers and people who work in long-term care facilities get them.Nebraska is expected to receive its first shipment of 15,600 doses next week from the drug maker Pfizer, assuming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the vaccine as expected on Thursday.Once the needs of hospitals and the care facilities are met, the state will expand who is eligible, said Angie Ling, incident commander for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.Under the distribution plan that was updated Monday, first responders and people who work in education, the food and agricultural industries, correctional facilities and utilities and transportation will be next in line to be eligible to get vaccinated. After that, the vaccine will go to people who are 65 years and older or who are otherwise considered vulnerable, as well as to those living in shared living facilities.Ling said the timeline for when Nebraska will reach each distribution phase is unclear because other scheduled vaccine shipments have already been delayed.Nebraska is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-coronavirus-pandemic-2339970165634081ff9bf5b291821325" target="_blank">expected to receive 100,000 doses</a>&nbsp;by the end of December, but even the earliest recipients will likely have to wait until at least January to get full immunity. The vaccine is administered in two doses spread out over three or four weeks, and Gov. Pete Ricketts said Nebraska won't get those second doses until January.Additionally, people who work in one of the priority industries may not necessarily qualify. In hospitals, for instance, vaccines will go to front-line medical staff."We're talking about people who are dealing with potential coronavirus patients, such as an ER nurse, and not necessarily someone who works in the office," Ricketts said.Ricketts said state officials are still finalizing how they plan to notify people that they're eligible.Ling said the first Pfizer shipment will go to eight undisclosed Nebraska hospitals, which in turn will provide doses to nine other hospitals.She said the hospitals are spread throughout the state and that the first eight were chosen partly because they have the ability to properly store Pfizer's vaccine in an extremely cold space. A second vaccine produced by Moderna doesn't require those conditions and will go to other hospitals that need it, she said.The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients in Nebraska held fairly steady Tuesday after a sharp increase that raised concerns about whether hospitals were at risk of getting overwhelmed.The state reported 787 active hospitalizations in its most recent online posting, down from the record high of 987 set last month. The number is still elevated, however, raising concerns among public health officials.Nebraska has confirmed 142,603 cases and 1,277 deaths in the state since the pandemic began. There were 1,476 new cases reported Tuesday.Nearly two-thirds of those who have died from the virus were at least 75 years old.State officials also reported that 28% of Nebraska's hospital beds, 26% of its intensive care unit beds and 71% of its ventilators were available for use by coronavirus patients.The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services reported Tuesday that seven additional staff members tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 374 since the pandemic began. Of those, 286 have recovered.

Nebraska outlines next groups eligible for virus vaccine

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) - A western Nebraska man has died after being hit and pinned by a large hay bale on a Dawson County feedlot, authorities said.

The farm accident happened Tuesday afternoon on Darr Feedlot near Cozad, radio station KRVN&nbsp;<a href="https://krvn.com/regional-news/fatal-accident-at-lexington-area-feedlot/" target="_blank">reported</a>. The Dawson County Sheriff's Office said Vergil Heyer, 65, of Ainsworth, was unstrapping hay bales from a semitrailer when the bales fell off the truck, hitting Heyer.

One of the bales landed on top of Heyer and pinned him, witnesses told emergency responders. Workers at the feedlot moved the hay bale off Heyer and performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) - A western Nebraska man has died after being hit and pinned by a large hay bale on a Dawson County feedlot, authorities said.The farm accident happened Tuesday afternoon on Darr Feedlot near Cozad, radio station KRVN&nbsp;<a href="https://krvn.com/regional-news/fatal-accident-at-lexington-area-feedlot/" target="_blank">reported</a>. The Dawson County Sheriff's Office said Vergil Heyer, 65, of Ainsworth, was unstrapping hay bales from a semitrailer when the bales fell off the truck, hitting Heyer.One of the bales landed on top of Heyer and pinned him, witnesses told emergency responders. Workers at the feedlot moved the hay bale off Heyer and performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Man killed at Dawson County feedlot by hay bale

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients in Nebraska is holding fairly steady after a sharp increase that raised concerns about whether hospitals are becoming overwhelmed.

The state reported 787 active hospitalizations in its most recent online posting on Tuesday, down from the record high of 987 set last month. The number is still elevated, however, raising concerns among public health officials.

Nebraska has confirmed 142,603 cases and 1,277 deaths in the state since the pandemic began. There were 1,476 new, known cases reported on Tuesday.

State officials also report that 28% of Nebraska's hospital beds, 26% of its intensive care unit beds and 71% of its ventilators are available for use by coronavirus patients.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services reported Tuesday that seven additional staff members have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 374 since the pandemic began. Of those, 286 have recovered.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607533145227.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients in Nebraska is holding fairly steady after a sharp increase that raised concerns about whether hospitals are becoming overwhelmed.The state reported 787 active hospitalizations in its most recent online posting on Tuesday, down from the record high of 987 set last month. The number is still elevated, however, raising concerns among public health officials.Nebraska has confirmed 142,603 cases and 1,277 deaths in the state since the pandemic began. There were 1,476 new, known cases reported on Tuesday.Nearly two-thirds of those who have died from the virus were at least 75 years old.State officials also report that 28% of Nebraska's hospital beds, 26% of its intensive care unit beds and 71% of its ventilators are available for use by coronavirus patients.The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services reported Tuesday that seven additional staff members have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 374 since the pandemic began. Of those, 286 have recovered.

Nebraska virus hospitalizations down slightly but still high

From the <a href="https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/university-readies-for-mandatory-covid-19-testing/">UNL Newsroom</a>&nbsp;

By&nbsp;<a href="https://news.unl.edu/written-by/troy-fedderson-university-communication/">Troy Fedderson | University Communication</a>

To offer in-person instruction in the spring, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is planning a multi-layered, mandatory&nbsp;COVID-19 testing program for students, faculty and&nbsp;staff.

<a href="https://www.unl.edu/chancellor/enhanced-covid-safety-measures-for-spring-2021">Announced Dec. 9</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19.unl.edu/spring-testing">saliva-based diagnostic testing program</a>&nbsp;will be managed by the university through lab space in the Veterinary Diagnostic Center. It will offer multiple collection sites on City, East and Nebraska Innovation campuses; expected 24-hour return time on results; and a smartphone app that will permit access to campus&nbsp;buildings.

The free testing program follows recommendations made by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and is supported by the executive team of the Association of Students of the University of&nbsp;Nebraska.

Chancellor Ronnie Green said the mandatory testing and related protocols will help the university build upon success realized while offering in-person instruction in the&nbsp;fall.

“We remain committed to safely providing in-person educational experiences and to continuing our critical research and creative activity, as well as our vital outreach across Nebraska,” Green said. “These additional measures will help make our spring semester even more safe and&nbsp;successful.”

The testing program is required for faculty and staff who plan to come physically to the Lincoln campuses; students attending in-person classes; all students living in Lincoln or Lancaster County, including those who are taking only online courses; and students, faculty and staff in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Lincoln-based nursing and dentistry&nbsp;program.

University employees not physically coming to the Lincoln campuses are not required to participate in the mandatory testing program. However, they must get tested within two weeks, ideally two to three days before, accessing any campus&nbsp;facility.

Exemptions will be available to those who have tested positive for&nbsp;COVID-19 in the previous 90 days and to those who have a substantiated medical reason for an&nbsp;exemption.

All members of the campus community will be tested prior to the start of classes on Jan. 25 and every two weeks thereafter. Anyone who is required to take part in the testing program but fails to follow protocols will not have access to campus buildings and may face disciplinary&nbsp;action.

The university is working with Big Ten colleagues at the University of Illinois to finalize a smartphone app that will connect to individual testing results. Students, faculty and staff will use the app (or a printable option) to show a negative test result to wellness attendants stationed at campus building entrances. The wellness attendants will not grant access to any student, faculty and staff who are unable to show a current test result or those who test positive for the&nbsp;virus.

Students will also be required to complete the Spring 2021 Cornhusker Commitment, which is an affirmative agreement to adhere to the university’s testing program and health/safety measures. The updated&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19.unl.edu/we-are-cornhusker-committed">Cornhusker Commitment is available for review online</a>&nbsp;and will be available in MyRED for completion in&nbsp;January.

University leaders are also seeking members of the campus community who could temporarily redeploy and help staff testing sites, diagnostic center and conduct contact&nbsp;tracing.

“Standing up this capability is a major undertaking, and we need immediate staffing help,” Green said. “These are temporary assignments ranging from one to more than four months depending on the role and availability of the&nbsp;individual.”

Employees must get supervisory permission before pursuing a redeployment to assist with the testing program. Some positions are open to student workers. Learn more about the work and positions&nbsp;available.

Additional details about the spring semester’s testing program and app will be announced in January. Available information, including a list of frequently asked questions, is available on the university’s&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;website.

The recent Thanksgiving holiday gave us many reasons to be thankful. We successfully finished a fall semester with students on campus and in-person education, and our UNL community largely responded admirably to the restrictions and extra measures needed to keep our campus safe.

Yet, we can always improve. As the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified in Nebraska and globally, and as the colder weather forces us more indoors, we have thought about how to make our campus even safer next Spring when our students return. We will be instituting several new measures in January as we adapt to these growing challenges, including required, less invasive and faster testing for those in our campus community and an enhanced Cornhusker Commitment. Throughout the pandemic, we have had a close working partnership with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. These additional steps are based on their recommendations, with the support of our Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) executive team.

With the incredible support of UNL’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center, we will be able to provide saliva-based diagnostic testing on campus in the spring, with an expected 24-hour turn-around for positive or negative results.

Standing up this capability is a major undertaking, and we need immediate help staffing it. We are looking for members of our campus community who would be able to temporarily redeploy to help staff the testing sites, diagnostic center and conduct contract tracing. These temporary re-assignments range from one-month to more than four months, depending on the role and availability of the individual. If you are interested and have capacity to redeploy on a temporary basis next spring, please visit this&nbsp;<a href="https://go.unl.edu/springupdate_12-9-2020" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the available roles and to apply.

Mandatory Testing / New Campus COVID App

With this new capability for simpler, rapid diagnostic testing – we will be instituting free, mandatory testing in the Spring semester for our campus community.

All UNL students residing in Lancaster County during the Spring semester will be required to be tested every two weeks. Any students residing outside Lancaster County who physically come to campus in the Spring semester will also be required to be tested every two weeks. All students will be required to be tested prior to moving into any campus housing or prior to classes commencing on January 25, 2021. Students will be receiving full information on these testing requirements and how to sign up for their initial tests in early January.

Faculty and staff who are regularly on campus will also be required to be tested every two weeks. Faculty and staff who are primarily working remotely and come to campus infrequently will be required to be tested within the two weeks prior to visiting campus, preferably 2-3 days in advance. We are working to determine the capability to provide enhanced testing to any UNL faculty and staff outside of Lancaster County; for now, those employees should follow the recommended testing guidance of the local health departments. If coming to Lincoln, those employees should be tested in advance.

We are also working with our Big Ten colleagues at the University of Illinois-UC for a unique campus app that will incorporate the results of the saliva tests to provide members of the campus community with a color-coded status based on negative or positive test results. A “go” status will be required to enter any UNL buildings on City, East or Nebraska Innovation Campuses. Alternatives for demonstrating a negative test and gaining access to campus buildings will be made available for any students, faculty or staff who do not own a smartphone. Information about the new app and how to download will be provided in early January.

Students, faculty and staff are exempt from testing if they can show documentation of a positive COVID-19 test in the prior 90 days, or a documentation from a health care provider that substantiates a medical reason for an exemption. Those wishing to seek an exemption will be able to do so through a portal that will soon be available on our&nbsp;<a href="https://go.unl.edu/springupdate02_12-9-2020" target="_blank">COVID-19 website</a>.

In addition to the mandatory saliva-based testing, we will continue to have symptomatic and on-demand testing available for anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, who have been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or who feel the need to be tested prior to their next scheduled saliva test. In the Spring, even if you recently had a negative saliva test, we ask anyone demonstrating symptoms to be tested at the TestNebraska site.

Enhanced Spring 2021 Cornhusker Commitment

As we expand our testing, we are also enhancing the Spring 2021 Cornhusker Commitment. For the Spring semester, all students will be required to sign an affirmative agreement in MyRed agreeing to adhere to these expanded health and safety measures. Each student will need to commit to being tested as needed and to practicing the necessary safety measures of wearing masks indoors or when social distancing is not possible outdoors, avoiding large crowds and social gatherings, hand washing, and other proper hygiene. Students will acknowledge that a failure to adhere to these safety precautions could jeopardize their ability to be on campus.

More information on the new safety measures being taken for our Spring 2021 semester is available on our UNL&nbsp;<a href="https://go.unl.edu/springupdate03_12-9-2020" target="_blank">COVID-19 website</a>. We remain committed to safely providing in-person educational experiences and to continuing our critical research and creative activity, as well as our vital outreach across Nebraska. These additional measures will help make our Spring semester even more safe and successful.

Ronnie D. Green, Ph.D. Chancellor&nbsp;

From the <a href="https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/university-readies-for-mandatory-covid-19-testing/">UNL Newsroom</a>&nbsp; By&nbsp;<a href="https://news.unl.edu/written-by/troy-fedderson-university-communication/">Troy Fedderson | University Communication</a>To offer in-person instruction in the spring, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is planning a multi-layered, mandatory&nbsp;COVID-19 testing program for students, faculty and&nbsp;staff.<a href="https://www.unl.edu/chancellor/enhanced-covid-safety-measures-for-spring-2021">Announced Dec. 9</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19.unl.edu/spring-testing">saliva-based diagnostic testing program</a>&nbsp;will be managed by the university through lab space in the Veterinary Diagnostic Center. It will offer multiple collection sites on City, East and Nebraska Innovation campuses; expected 24-hour return time on results; and a smartphone app that will permit access to campus&nbsp;buildings.The free testing program follows recommendations made by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and is supported by the executive team of the Association of Students of the University of&nbsp;Nebraska.<figure>
 <img src="https://news.unl.edu/sites/default/files/styles/meta/public/ronnie%20green.jpg?itok=fg593ICg" alt="Green" />
 <figcaption>Green</figcaption>
 </figure>Chancellor Ronnie Green said the mandatory testing and related protocols will help the university build upon success realized while offering in-person instruction in the&nbsp;fall.“We remain committed to safely providing in-person educational experiences and to continuing our critical research and creative activity, as well as our vital outreach across Nebraska,” Green said. “These additional measures will help make our spring semester even more safe and&nbsp;successful.”The testing program is required for faculty and staff who plan to come physically to the Lincoln campuses; students attending in-person classes; all students living in Lincoln or Lancaster County, including those who are taking only online courses; and students, faculty and staff in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Lincoln-based nursing and dentistry&nbsp;program.University employees not physically coming to the Lincoln campuses are not required to participate in the mandatory testing program. However, they must get tested within two weeks, ideally two to three days before, accessing any campus&nbsp;facility.Exemptions will be available to those who have tested positive for&nbsp;COVID-19 in the previous 90 days and to those who have a substantiated medical reason for an&nbsp;exemption.All members of the campus community will be tested prior to the start of classes on Jan. 25 and every two weeks thereafter. Anyone who is required to take part in the testing program but fails to follow protocols will not have access to campus buildings and may face disciplinary&nbsp;action.<figure>
 <img src="https://news.unl.edu/sites/default/files/styles/meta/public/media/201203_Saliva_Tube_030.jpg?itok=VTIKMxWw" alt="Specialized tubes will be used for collection during the university's saliva-based COVID-19 testing in the spring. The mandatory tests will be required before classes start on Jan. 25 and every two weeks thereafter.&nbsp;Craig Chandler | University Communication" />
 <figcaption>Specialized tubes will be used for collection during the university's saliva-based COVID-19 testing in the spring. The mandatory tests will be required before classes start on Jan. 25 and every two weeks thereafter.&nbsp;Craig Chandler | University Communication</figcaption>
 </figure>The university is working with Big Ten colleagues at the University of Illinois to finalize a smartphone app that will connect to individual testing results. Students, faculty and staff will use the app (or a printable option) to show a negative test result to wellness attendants stationed at campus building entrances. The wellness attendants will not grant access to any student, faculty and staff who are unable to show a current test result or those who test positive for the&nbsp;virus.Students will also be required to complete the Spring 2021 Cornhusker Commitment, which is an affirmative agreement to adhere to the university’s testing program and health/safety measures. The updated&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19.unl.edu/we-are-cornhusker-committed">Cornhusker Commitment is available for review online</a>&nbsp;and will be available in MyRED for completion in&nbsp;January.University leaders are also seeking members of the campus community who could temporarily redeploy and help staff testing sites, diagnostic center and conduct contact&nbsp;tracing.“Standing up this capability is a major undertaking, and we need immediate staffing help,” Green said. “These are temporary assignments ranging from one to more than four months depending on the role and availability of the&nbsp;individual.”Employees must get supervisory permission before pursuing a redeployment to assist with the testing program. Some positions are open to student workers. Learn more about the work and positions&nbsp;available.Additional details about the spring semester’s testing program and app will be announced in January. Available information, including a list of frequently asked questions, is available on the university’s&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;website.Message to UNL Students&nbsp;Dear UNL Students, Faculty and Staff –The recent Thanksgiving holiday gave us many reasons to be thankful. We successfully finished a fall semester with students on campus and in-person education, and our UNL community largely responded admirably to the restrictions and extra measures needed to keep our campus safe.Yet, we can always improve. As the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified in Nebraska and globally, and as the colder weather forces us more indoors, we have thought about how to make our campus even safer next Spring when our students return. We will be instituting several new measures in January as we adapt to these growing challenges, including required, less invasive and faster testing for those in our campus community and an enhanced Cornhusker Commitment. Throughout the pandemic, we have had a close working partnership with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. These additional steps are based on their recommendations, with the support of our Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) executive team.New Saliva-Based Campus TestingWith the incredible support of UNL’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center, we will be able to provide saliva-based diagnostic testing on campus in the spring, with an expected 24-hour turn-around for positive or negative results.Standing up this capability is a major undertaking, and we need immediate help staffing it. We are looking for members of our campus community who would be able to temporarily redeploy to help staff the testing sites, diagnostic center and conduct contract tracing. These temporary re-assignments range from one-month to more than four months, depending on the role and availability of the individual. If you are interested and have capacity to redeploy on a temporary basis next spring, please visit this&nbsp;<a href="https://go.unl.edu/springupdate_12-9-2020" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the available roles and to apply.Mandatory Testing / New Campus COVID AppWith this new capability for simpler, rapid diagnostic testing – we will be instituting free, mandatory testing in the Spring semester for our campus community.All UNL students residing in Lancaster County during the Spring semester will be required to be tested every two weeks. Any students residing outside Lancaster County who physically come to campus in the Spring semester will also be required to be tested every two weeks. All students will be required to be tested prior to moving into any campus housing or prior to classes commencing on January 25, 2021. Students will be receiving full information on these testing requirements and how to sign up for their initial tests in early January.Faculty and staff who are regularly on campus will also be required to be tested every two weeks. Faculty and staff who are primarily working remotely and come to campus infrequently will be required to be tested within the two weeks prior to visiting campus, preferably 2-3 days in advance. We are working to determine the capability to provide enhanced testing to any UNL faculty and staff outside of Lancaster County; for now, those employees should follow the recommended testing guidance of the local health departments. If coming to Lincoln, those employees should be tested in advance.We are also working with our Big Ten colleagues at the University of Illinois-UC for a unique campus app that will incorporate the results of the saliva tests to provide members of the campus community with a color-coded status based on negative or positive test results. A “go” status will be required to enter any UNL buildings on City, East or Nebraska Innovation Campuses. Alternatives for demonstrating a negative test and gaining access to campus buildings will be made available for any students, faculty or staff who do not own a smartphone. Information about the new app and how to download will be provided in early January.Students, faculty and staff are exempt from testing if they can show documentation of a positive COVID-19 test in the prior 90 days, or a documentation from a health care provider that substantiates a medical reason for an exemption. Those wishing to seek an exemption will be able to do so through a portal that will soon be available on our&nbsp;<a href="https://go.unl.edu/springupdate02_12-9-2020" target="_blank">COVID-19 website</a>.In addition to the mandatory saliva-based testing, we will continue to have symptomatic and on-demand testing available for anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, who have been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or who feel the need to be tested prior to their next scheduled saliva test. In the Spring, even if you recently had a negative saliva test, we ask anyone demonstrating symptoms to be tested at the TestNebraska site.Enhanced Spring 2021 Cornhusker CommitmentAs we expand our testing, we are also enhancing the Spring 2021 Cornhusker Commitment. For the Spring semester, all students will be required to sign an affirmative agreement in MyRed agreeing to adhere to these expanded health and safety measures. Each student will need to commit to being tested as needed and to practicing the necessary safety measures of wearing masks indoors or when social distancing is not possible outdoors, avoiding large crowds and social gatherings, hand washing, and other proper hygiene. Students will acknowledge that a failure to adhere to these safety precautions could jeopardize their ability to be on campus.More information on the new safety measures being taken for our Spring 2021 semester is available on our UNL&nbsp;<a href="https://go.unl.edu/springupdate03_12-9-2020" target="_blank">COVID-19 website</a>. We remain committed to safely providing in-person educational experiences and to continuing our critical research and creative activity, as well as our vital outreach across Nebraska. These additional measures will help make our Spring semester even more safe and successful.<figure>
 <img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/RIPXbC3jeq_i443yC5Xqz4AXQrgkOHGlWgdj1eZJEAs4A43O0weywCNnKj1WwcM-5N20EGtgjaw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://go.unl.edu/ronniesig_11092020" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Ronnie D. Green, Ph.D. Chancellor&nbsp;

UNL to require mandatory bi-weekly COVID testing for students

A North Platte man was arrested, accused of assaulting a police officer as well as multiple citizens.

On December 7, 2020, at 12:52 p.m., officers with the North Platte Police Department and deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, responded to the 400 Block of South Ash for a disturbance. 

Police say \it was reported that a male subject had kicked in the door and was assaulting people in the residence. 

 Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the victims, as well as 39-year-old David Plaster. 

Police say it was reported that Plaster arrived at the residence and invited himself inside.  When the victims began telling him to leave, Plaster began causing problems inside the residence and then briefly stepped outside. 

According to police, at this time, the door was shut and locked behind him.  Plaster then went to his vehicle and retrieved a bat and began hitting the door where he was able to gain entry. 

Police say, once inside, it was reported that Plaster shoved a female victim to the ground and threw a chair at a male victim, causing them pain and injury. 

 Officers and Deputies contacted Plaster and advised that he was under arrest.  Plaster immediately began to physically resist their efforts to take him into custody.  A struggle ensued between officers and Plaster, and a Taser was deployed to assist in subduing Plaster. 

Police say two officers suffered minor injuries from the incident. 

 Plaster was incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center on suspicion of 3rd-degree assault, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and assault on an officer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Post StaffA North Platte man was arrested, accused of assaulting a police officer as well as multiple citizens.On December 7, 2020, at 12:52 p.m., officers with the North Platte Police Department and deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, responded to the 400 Block of South Ash for a disturbance. Police say \it was reported that a male subject had kicked in the door and was assaulting people in the residence. Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the victims, as well as 39-year-old David Plaster. Police say it was reported that Plaster arrived at the residence and invited himself inside. When the victims began telling him to leave, Plaster began causing problems inside the residence and then briefly stepped outside. According to police, at this time, the door was shut and locked behind him. Plaster then went to his vehicle and retrieved a bat and began hitting the door where he was able to gain entry. Police say, once inside, it was reported that Plaster shoved a female victim to the ground and threw a chair at a male victim, causing them pain and injury. Officers and Deputies contacted Plaster and advised that he was under arrest. Plaster immediately began to physically resist their efforts to take him into custody. A struggle ensued between officers and Plaster, and a Taser was deployed to assist in subduing Plaster. Police say two officers suffered minor injuries from the incident. Plaster was incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center on suspicion of 3rd-degree assault, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and assault on an officer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

North Platte man accused of assaulting officers, resisting arrest following disturbance

A new generator will play a vital role in keeping North Platte Community College online.

The generator will back up the servers in the college’s new Information Technology Services department and data center in the event of a power outage. The IT Data Center was designed and built by the NPCC Facilities department with electrical engineering from SES Engineering.

The generator, supplied by Knapp Electric, sits on a platform also constructed by the NPCC Facilities department. Crane service was provided by&nbsp;TK Welding.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607512767826.png" alt="A crane lifts a generator onto the W.W. Wood Building at North Platte Community College’s North Campus Tuesday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>A crane lifts a generator onto the W.W. Wood Building at North Platte Community College’s North Campus Tuesday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>A new generator will play a vital role in keeping North Platte Community College online.The generator will back up the servers in the college’s new Information Technology Services department and data center in the event of a power outage. The IT Data Center was designed and built by the NPCC Facilities department with electrical engineering from SES Engineering.The generator, supplied by Knapp Electric, sits on a platform also constructed by the NPCC Facilities department. Crane service was provided by&nbsp;TK Welding.

New generator will provide server backup for NPCC

Typically, when you hear the words outdoor concert in December, you immediately begin mentally planning for how many layers of clothing you can possibly fit on your body.

But, on Tuesday evening, in a year that has been anything but forgiving, Mother Nature provided a beautiful December evening for a concert outside.

Mr. Brett Bradley and Mrs. Leah Purdy of the North Platte High School Music Department led the school's Blue and Gold Singers, Jazz Band, and JV Jazz Choir in a Holiday themed concert that brought smiles to many faces.

Complete with coffee and hot cocoa on site from the Coffee Tree of Brady, the groups each performed several numbers.

The concert was free to attend with social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions in place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607482016867.png" alt="The North Platte High School JV Jazz Choir performs at an outdoor concert on Tuesday evening. (Photo: Scott Carlson/NP Post)" />
 <figcaption>The North Platte High School JV Jazz Choir performs at an outdoor concert on Tuesday evening. (Photo: Scott Carlson/NP Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>Typically, when you hear the words outdoor concert in December, you immediately begin mentally planning for how many layers of clothing you can possibly fit on your body.But, on Tuesday evening, in a year that has been anything but forgiving, Mother Nature provided a beautiful December evening for a concert outside.Mr. Brett Bradley and Mrs. Leah Purdy of the North Platte High School Music Department led the school's Blue and Gold Singers, Jazz Band, and JV Jazz Choir in a Holiday themed concert that brought smiles to many faces.Complete with coffee and hot cocoa on site from the Coffee Tree of Brady, the groups each performed several numbers.The concert was free to attend with social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions in place.

NPHS music groups lift holiday spirits with outdoor concert

Hardships of the pandemic resulted in changes to the restaurant landscape across the globe.  Closures to independent and national brands for retail and restaurant services continue to happen nationwide and North Platte has seen its own this past year. 

 Contrary to shuttering, Wilkinson Development announced this week that the company is working to create two new food options in North Platte for 2021.  Pepperjax Grill has signed to lease the space in the new Fat Dogs Travel Center &amp; Convenience Store next to McDonald’s on Dewey Street in North Platte at 1313 South Dewey Street.  Pepperjax is owned and operated by Weis Properties and Pepperjax Development out of Kearney, Nebraska.  Pepperjax in North Platte will be the 32nd location. 

 Pepperjax is known for its flattop grill sandwiches with all the fixings.  More about the brand can be found online at https://pepperjaxgrill.com.  Wilkinson’s designed the site with a drive‐thru for the restaurant which Weis identified as an important contributor during the pandemic for his company.  Both the C‐store and Pepperjax are slated to open the second quarter of 2021. 

Also in motion, Wilkinson Development will be opening a large-scale, full-service restaurant and bar designed for casual dining with quick‐express service options.  The newest trends in restaurants and bars will be implemented.  The restaurant will be located at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte at 300 Holiday Frontage Rd. 

“Our owners understand that changes are essential to ensure we continue to stay competitive and at our hotel sites there are a lot of opportunities for additional amenities,” stated Clarine Eickhoff, COO of Wilkinson Companies. 

  “We have seen a drastic change to the meeting and venue environment in 2020 and with unknown timelines and altered meeting habits, we anticipate the decline in business will continue going forward.  As a company, we want to make sure we offer what customers need and want while traveling and staying at our hotels.  North Platte has needed an establishment like the one we are proposing cushioned next to the many hotels south of the interstate.  Our company is positioned to make that happen,” added Eickhoff. 

The Holiday Inn Express will no longer tag the space as a Conference Center as limited small meeting space will remain.  The company is working through the trademark process at this time and further details of the restaurant and the name will be announced at a later date.  Wilkinson’s will own and operate the restaurant as an independent, locally-owned employer.  We have operated the Conference Center for 20 years serving our local customers.  We know that when we are open for business everyone will enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of TVs and outdoor patio with quality service. 

Catering services will continue to be offered at the Best Western Plus and other North Platte venues as the existing catering kitchen at the Holiday Inn Express will remain. A full versatile kitchen is being added to support the new restaurant so it is business as usual for the catering team. If all goes as planned, the restaurant will open by summer 2021. Additional construction updates and job offerings will be posted to Wilkinson Development’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wilkdev">Facebook</a> page as things progress.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607463925555.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News ReleaseHardships of the pandemic resulted in changes to the restaurant landscape across the globe. Closures to independent and national brands for retail and restaurant services continue to happen nationwide and North Platte has seen its own this past year. Contrary to shuttering, Wilkinson Development announced this week that the company is working to create two new food options in North Platte for 2021. Pepperjax Grill has signed to lease the space in the new Fat Dogs Travel Center &amp; Convenience Store next to McDonald’s on Dewey Street in North Platte at 1313 South Dewey Street. Pepperjax is owned and operated by Weis Properties and Pepperjax Development out of Kearney, Nebraska. Pepperjax in North Platte will be the 32nd location. Pepperjax is known for its flattop grill sandwiches with all the fixings. More about the brand can be found online at https://pepperjaxgrill.com. Wilkinson’s designed the site with a drive‐thru for the restaurant which Weis identified as an important contributor during the pandemic for his company. Both the C‐store and Pepperjax are slated to open the second quarter of 2021. Also in motion, Wilkinson Development will be opening a large-scale, full-service restaurant and bar designed for casual dining with quick‐express service options. The newest trends in restaurants and bars will be implemented. The restaurant will be located at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte at 300 Holiday Frontage Rd. “Our owners understand that changes are essential to ensure we continue to stay competitive and at our hotel sites there are a lot of opportunities for additional amenities,” stated Clarine Eickhoff, COO of Wilkinson Companies. “We have seen a drastic change to the meeting and venue environment in 2020 and with unknown timelines and altered meeting habits, we anticipate the decline in business will continue going forward. As a company, we want to make sure we offer what customers need and want while traveling and staying at our hotels. North Platte has needed an establishment like the one we are proposing cushioned next to the many hotels south of the interstate. Our company is positioned to make that happen,” added Eickhoff. The Holiday Inn Express will no longer tag the space as a Conference Center as limited small meeting space will remain. The company is working through the trademark process at this time and further details of the restaurant and the name will be announced at a later date. Wilkinson’s will own and operate the restaurant as an independent, locally-owned employer. We have operated the Conference Center for 20 years serving our local customers. We know that when we are open for business everyone will enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of TVs and outdoor patio with quality service. Catering services will continue to be offered at the Best Western Plus and other North Platte venues as the existing catering kitchen at the Holiday Inn Express will remain. A full versatile kitchen is being added to support the new restaurant so it is business as usual for the catering team. If all goes as planned, the restaurant will open by summer 2021. Additional construction updates and job offerings will be posted to Wilkinson Development’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wilkdev">Facebook</a> page as things progress.

In addition to Pepperjax Grill, new restaurant coming to North Platte Holiday Inn Express

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The water-cooler chatter around North Platte has, for quite some time now, included which restaurant is going into the new Fat Dog's convenience store near Walmart and McDonald's.

The mystery has been solved. The owner and developer of the new Fat Dog's, Wilkinson Development, announced that a lease has been signed for the restaurant space inside the new store.

Pepperjax Grill, owned and operated by Pepperjax Development and Weis Properties, of Kearney, signed a lease to operate in the space.

The restaurant's website says, "We craft good food for hardworking people. We're talking high-quality, one-of-a-kind meals, grilled right in front of you."

Pepperjax Grill's menu features Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, burritos, rice bowls, and more.

Pepperjax Grill currently has 31 locations in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, including locations in Kearney and Grand Island, and multiple locations in both Lincoln and Omaha.

Both the new convenience store and Pepperjax Grill are expected to be open in the first half of 2021.

View the Pepperjax Grill website <a href="https://pepperjaxgrill.com/">HERE</a>.

Visit Wilkinson Development's Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wilkdev">HERE</a>.

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/c857e87e-a3ae-4a4c-a27d-846c6ae3f112">New Restaurant coming to North Platte Holiday Inn Express</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607456197724.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Post StaffNORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The water-cooler chatter around North Platte has, for quite some time now, included which restaurant is going into the new Fat Dog's convenience store near Walmart and McDonald's.The mystery has been solved. The owner and developer of the new Fat Dog's, Wilkinson Development, announced that a lease has been signed for the restaurant space inside the new store.Pepperjax Grill, owned and operated by Pepperjax Development and Weis Properties, of Kearney, signed a lease to operate in the space.The restaurant's website says, "We craft good food for hardworking people. We're talking high-quality, one-of-a-kind meals, grilled right in front of you."Pepperjax Grill's menu features Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, burritos, rice bowls, and more.Pepperjax Grill currently has 31 locations in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, including locations in Kearney and Grand Island, and multiple locations in both Lincoln and Omaha.Both the new convenience store and Pepperjax Grill are expected to be open in the first half of 2021.View the Pepperjax Grill website <a href="https://pepperjaxgrill.com/">HERE</a>.Visit Wilkinson Development's Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wilkdev">HERE</a>.RELATED CONTENT<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/c857e87e-a3ae-4a4c-a27d-846c6ae3f112">New Restaurant coming to North Platte Holiday Inn Express</a>

Pepperjax Grill coming to new North Platte Fat Dog's

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge across the country, so does the need for convalescent plasma. The American Red Cross urges eligible COVID-19 survivors to sign up to give now to help ensure patients battling the virus have continued access to all potentially lifesaving treatments. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 that contains antibodies that might help patients actively fighting the virus. The current increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations has led the Red Cross to distribute a record number of convalescent plasma products in the past month – a 250 percent increase in November compared to September.

The Red Cross is collecting convalescent plasma at more than 170 locations throughout the country. If you have recovered from COVID-19, especially those with AB and B blood types, and are eligible to give, please sign-up to donate convalescent plasma now by clicking <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/">HERE</a>. Type AB plasma is the only universal plasma type and can be given to patients of any blood type. Eligible convalescent plasma donors can give with the Red Cross every seven days for up to three months.

Each week, blood donors with COVID-19 antibodies are helping to contribute hundreds of units of potentially lifesaving convalescent plasma for patients in need. In addition, this antibody testing initiative also helps provide insight for our donors concerning their possible prior exposure to this virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607450546866.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge across the country, so does the need for convalescent plasma. The American Red Cross urges eligible COVID-19 survivors to sign up to give now to help ensure patients battling the virus have continued access to all potentially lifesaving treatments. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 that contains antibodies that might help patients actively fighting the virus. The current increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations has led the Red Cross to distribute a record number of convalescent plasma products in the past month – a 250 percent increase in November compared to September.The Red Cross is collecting convalescent plasma at more than 170 locations throughout the country. If you have recovered from COVID-19, especially those with AB and B blood types, and are eligible to give, please sign-up to donate convalescent plasma now by clicking <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/">HERE</a>. Type AB plasma is the only universal plasma type and can be given to patients of any blood type. Eligible convalescent plasma donors can give with the Red Cross every seven days for up to three months.Each week, blood donors with COVID-19 antibodies are helping to contribute hundreds of units of potentially lifesaving convalescent plasma for patients in need. In addition, this antibody testing initiative also helps provide insight for our donors concerning their possible prior exposure to this virus.

Red Cross: Plasma of COVID-19 survivors can help up to 4 people recover

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, women in Nebraska and across the U.S. have left the workforce in unprecedented numbers. And a&nbsp;<a href="https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policies-for-a-Gender-Equitable-Recovery-Finalsm2.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a>&nbsp;suggests a full economic recovery will not be possible unless steps are taken to help women get back on the job. Nicole Mason, president and CEO at the Institute for Women's Policy Research, said the lack of access to child care has forced women to choose between their families' well-being and a paycheck. She said for a recovery that leaves no one behind, people who have been disproportionately impacted need to be front and center. "Women of color, low-wage workers, women in rural areas are most impacted by this COVID-fueled economic downturn," Mason said. "These are women who worked in service occupations, were earning lower wages, had fewer benefits and are really struggling to get by." Researchers found a direct correlation between school and day-care closures and reduced working hours for women. In September, the start of the school year, more than 865,000 women exited the workforce, compared with more than 200,000 men. Mason noted the U.S. is alone in the developed world in not providing publicly subsidized child care, and for decades, lawmakers have treated child care as a private responsibility. The report said an equitable economic recovery will require financial support for workers who lost jobs through no fault of their own, boosting wages and ensuring paid sick and family medical leave for all workers. But Mason said the broader economy will remain sluggish until mothers - who often are the primary caregivers in their families - have access to affordable, high-quality child care. "What we know is that when families have child care, women feel comfortable being in the workforce, they're able to sustain employment, families do better, children thrive when they are at high-quality child-care centers," she said. The report also recommends ramping up infrastructure projects, including building out true broadband internet in states including Nebraska, so those living in rural communities can complete online job applications, participate in virtual classrooms and access telemedicine. Of the 15 million Americans without broadband access, 14.5 million live in rural counties.

From News Service NebraskaBy Eric GalatasLINCOLN, Neb. -- Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, women in Nebraska and across the U.S. have left the workforce in unprecedented numbers. And a&nbsp;<a href="https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policies-for-a-Gender-Equitable-Recovery-Finalsm2.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a>&nbsp;suggests a full economic recovery will not be possible unless steps are taken to help women get back on the job. Nicole Mason, president and CEO at the Institute for Women's Policy Research, said the lack of access to child care has forced women to choose between their families' well-being and a paycheck. She said for a recovery that leaves no one behind, people who have been disproportionately impacted need to be front and center. "Women of color, low-wage workers, women in rural areas are most impacted by this COVID-fueled economic downturn," Mason said. "These are women who worked in service occupations, were earning lower wages, had fewer benefits and are really struggling to get by." Researchers found a direct correlation between school and day-care closures and reduced working hours for women. In September, the start of the school year, more than 865,000 women exited the workforce, compared with more than 200,000 men. Mason noted the U.S. is alone in the developed world in not providing publicly subsidized child care, and for decades, lawmakers have treated child care as a private responsibility. The report said an equitable economic recovery will require financial support for workers who lost jobs through no fault of their own, boosting wages and ensuring paid sick and family medical leave for all workers. But Mason said the broader economy will remain sluggish until mothers - who often are the primary caregivers in their families - have access to affordable, high-quality child care. "What we know is that when families have child care, women feel comfortable being in the workforce, they're able to sustain employment, families do better, children thrive when they are at high-quality child-care centers," she said. The report also recommends ramping up infrastructure projects, including building out true broadband internet in states including Nebraska, so those living in rural communities can complete online job applications, participate in virtual classrooms and access telemedicine. Of the 15 million Americans without broadband access, 14.5 million live in rural counties.

Report: Child care key for equitable economic recovery

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.- Great Plains Health is one of just 19 hospitals nationally and the only one in Nebraska to be named a top rural hospital by The Leapfrog Group, an independent quality monitoring organization. It is the second consecutive year that GPHealth has been named a top rural hospital.

“This recognition comes at an important time as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact healthcare around the country,” said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “It confirms that at Great Plains Health, every physician, medical team member and support staff is steadfast in doing their very best every day to ensure safe, high quality care for every patient. I couldn’t be prouder of our team. Being named Top Rural Hospital in 2019 was rewarding and validated the hard work of our team and our dedication to safety, but earning the Top Rural Hospital designation in 2020, amidst COVID-19, is remarkable.”

The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is given by The Leapfrog Group, a national quality monitoring organization of employers and other purchasers widely acknowledged as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.

Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, Great Plains Health received a Top Rural distinction. A total of 105 hospitals were selected as Top Hospitals in different categories, including:

The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital methodology.

“Being recognized as a Top Hospital is an extraordinary feat and we are honored to recognize Great Plains Health this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Despite the extraordinary pressure and strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Great Plains Health has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to patients and to the North Platte community. We congratulate the board, staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.”

To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in its category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2020 Top Hospitals, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals">www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals</a>.

News Release Great Plains HealthNORTH PLATTE, Neb.- Great Plains Health is one of just 19 hospitals nationally and the only one in Nebraska to be named a top rural hospital by The Leapfrog Group, an independent quality monitoring organization. It is the second consecutive year that GPHealth has been named a top rural hospital.“This recognition comes at an important time as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact healthcare around the country,” said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “It confirms that at Great Plains Health, every physician, medical team member and support staff is steadfast in doing their very best every day to ensure safe, high quality care for every patient. I couldn’t be prouder of our team. Being named Top Rural Hospital in 2019 was rewarding and validated the hard work of our team and our dedication to safety, but earning the Top Rural Hospital designation in 2020, amidst COVID-19, is remarkable.”The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is given by The Leapfrog Group, a national quality monitoring organization of employers and other purchasers widely acknowledged as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, Great Plains Health received a Top Rural distinction. A total of 105 hospitals were selected as Top Hospitals in different categories, including:<ol>
 <li>19 Top Rural Hospitals (Great Plains Health among them)</li><li>Nine Top Children’s Hospitals</li><li>29 Top General Hospitals</li><li>48 Top Teaching Hospitals</li>
 </ol>The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital methodology.“Being recognized as a Top Hospital is an extraordinary feat and we are honored to recognize Great Plains Health this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Despite the extraordinary pressure and strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Great Plains Health has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to patients and to the North Platte community. We congratulate the board, staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.”To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in its category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2020 Top Hospitals, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals">www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals</a>.

Great Plains Health earns 'Top Hospital' award for second year in a row

The Gallery winners have been announced for the Prairie Arts Center's (PAC) December show "TIMBER". 

   Artists were asked to submit pieces based on their interpretation of the word Timber. 

"Shows that focus on an artist's interpretation of a word adds so much variety and texture.  We have such a talented community and we are always impressed by the level of talent each month," said&nbsp;PAC's Executive Director, Holly Carlini.

 Pieces will be on display in the main gallery through the month of December.  

MPCC art instructor Dik Haneline judged this month's show. Most pieces are for sale and would make a great holiday gift for someone. All items in the gallery are currently 10% off and we are currently kicking off an <a href="https://www.pacart.shop/">art sales website</a> to purchase, ship, and sell local art.&nbsp;

 PAC hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11 am-4 pm. 

1st-  Ron Nordyke - "THE MUSIC IN THE WOODWINDS"

1. Brandy Jamerman - "ON THE BANKS OF TIMBER CREEK'

2. PATSY SMITH - "FLYING OVER THE TIMBERS OF OUR LAND"

The Gallery winners have been announced for the Prairie Arts Center's (PAC) December show "TIMBER". Artists were asked to submit pieces based on their interpretation of the word Timber. "Shows that focus on an artist's interpretation of a word adds so much variety and texture. We have such a talented community and we are always impressed by the level of talent each month," said&nbsp;PAC's Executive Director, Holly Carlini. Pieces will be on display in the main gallery through the month of December. MPCC art instructor Dik Haneline judged this month's show. Most pieces are for sale and would make a great holiday gift for someone. All items in the gallery are currently 10% off and we are currently kicking off an <a href="https://www.pacart.shop/">art sales website</a> to purchase, ship, and sell local art.&nbsp; PAC hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11 am-4 pm. TIMBER2-D1st- Ron Nordyke - "THE MUSIC IN THE WOODWINDS"2ND - KEN HOSMER -"FOREST SERENADE"3RD - SHARON SKINNER - "THE WOODS"3-D1ST - HOLLY CARLINI - "OLD ST. NICK"2ND - MARY TANNER - "GHOST RIDERS"3RD - BILL BRINGEWATT - "CROSS ON EASEL"Honorable Mentions:1. Brandy Jamerman - "ON THE BANKS OF TIMBER CREEK'2. PATSY SMITH - "FLYING OVER THE TIMBERS OF OUR LAND"3. TERRY KINGSTON - " LONE TREE HIGHWAY"4. RON MEYER - "LONGHORN"5. DESIREE WILSON - "FALLEN"6. CECELIA WONCH - "DOWN AT THE DISMAL"7. KARRIE STEELY - "MORNING ON THE PASS"8. JAY LEWIS - "NATIVE MAN"9. HEATHER HORN - " OWLS"10. LISA DEBORD - " LUMBERJACK"<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPrairieArtsCenter%2Fposts%2F3885123221511765&show_text=true&width=552&height=761&appId" width="552" height="761" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Prairie Arts Center announces winners of December show 'TIMBER'

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The latest virus numbers in Nebraska show some improvement, but health officials say virus cases remain high and it's not yet clear how Thanksgiving gatherings and travel will affect the numbers.

Dr. James Lawler with the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Global Center for Health Security said the state is seeing a real decrease in new virus cases and hospitalizations, but it's no time to let up on mask-wearing and other measures to limit the spread of the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606183578618.png" alt="Photo: Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The latest virus numbers in Nebraska show some improvement, but health officials say virus cases remain high and it's not yet clear how Thanksgiving gatherings and travel will affect the numbers.Dr. James Lawler with the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Global Center for Health Security said the state is seeing a real decrease in new virus cases and hospitalizations, but it's no time to let up on mask-wearing and other measures to limit the spread of the virus."There's a good chance, without more concerted effort, that we stand a chance to go back up," he&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/nebraskas-covid-related-deaths-rise-marking-dismal-record-but-case-numbers-drop-slightly/article_6ccafc6c-d9d8-5c30-8e6b-4b526912ec3c.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1" target="_blank">said&nbsp;</a>to the Omaha World-Herald.Nebraska had the fifth-highest rate of infection in the nation on Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. But the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska decreased over the past two weeks, going from 2,271.43 new cases per day on Nov. 23 to 1,909.71 new cases per day on Monday.Nebraska reported 1,293 new cases and 31 deaths Monday to give the state 141,127 cases and 1,236 deaths since the pandemic began.The number of people hospitalized with the virus did increase Monday to 810 from the previous day's 768, but the total remained well below the record of 987 set on Nov. 20.

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