CHADRON, Neb. – Forest thinning is either underway or scheduled to begin soon at three Nebraska Game and Parks Commission properties in the Pine Ridge near Crawford and Harrison.

The projects consist of 258 acres at Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area, 84 acres at Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area, and 80 acres at Fort Robinson State Park. The work is beginning this spring and will continue into fall.

Most of the efforts are targeting stands of ponderosa pine trees, which, as with other forests throughout the West, have become dense from generations of fire suppression. Thinning the forests, especially when combined with other management strategies, makes them more resilient to dangerous and costly catastrophic wildfires and improves wildlife habitat.

Targeted areas are on the southern portion of Gilbert-Baker, the Giant’s Coffin and Lover’s Leap butte vicinity on the eastern side of Fort Robinson, and the eastern side of Rim of the World Road at Ponderosa.&nbsp;

Bryce Gerlach, a forester for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation, said thinning on about one-third of the Gilbert-Baker acreage is designed to improve riparian health along Monroe Creek by removal of pines and junipers that are competing with deciduous species.

He noted the projects at Gilbert-Baker and Ponderosa will supplement the 2,200 acres on Pine Ridge wildlife management areas that have already been treated with thinning and removal of “ladder fuels,” the brush and other vegetation that helps wildfires climb trees, in recent years.

Game and Parks biologist Shelley Steffl said this marks the third forest management project at Fort Robinson within the past four years, and will bring the total of treated acres to 237 there. She said the projects not only are meeting forestry and wildlife objectives at Fort Robinson, but also lessening the wildfire risk for nearby Crawford. The work complements the extensive thinning and forest management that has been completed at another big Game and Parks tourism attraction in the Pine Ridge, Chadron State Park.

Visitors should use caution when thinning operations are in progress. Land managers say that although the projects may affect recreation for park and wildland users this year, they are sure to bring benefits of more healthy and sustainable forests for generations to come.

CHADRON, Neb. – Forest thinning is either underway or scheduled to begin soon at three Nebraska Game and Parks Commission properties in the Pine Ridge near Crawford and Harrison.The projects consist of 258 acres at Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area, 84 acres at Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area, and 80 acres at Fort Robinson State Park. The work is beginning this spring and will continue into fall.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588211904316.jpeg" alt="Game and Parks employees Shelley Steffl, near, and Erin Devine survey a thinning area at Fort Robinson State Park with contractor Forrest Futere in 2017. (Nebraskaland/Justin Haag)" />
 <figcaption>Game and Parks employees Shelley Steffl, near, and Erin Devine survey a thinning area at Fort Robinson State Park with contractor Forrest Futere in 2017. (Nebraskaland/Justin Haag)</figcaption>
 </figure>Most of the efforts are targeting stands of ponderosa pine trees, which, as with other forests throughout the West, have become dense from generations of fire suppression. Thinning the forests, especially when combined with other management strategies, makes them more resilient to dangerous and costly catastrophic wildfires and improves wildlife habitat.Targeted areas are on the southern portion of Gilbert-Baker, the Giant’s Coffin and Lover’s Leap butte vicinity on the eastern side of Fort Robinson, and the eastern side of Rim of the World Road at Ponderosa.&nbsp;Bryce Gerlach, a forester for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation, said thinning on about one-third of the Gilbert-Baker acreage is designed to improve riparian health along Monroe Creek by removal of pines and junipers that are competing with deciduous species.He noted the projects at Gilbert-Baker and Ponderosa will supplement the 2,200 acres on Pine Ridge wildlife management areas that have already been treated with thinning and removal of “ladder fuels,” the brush and other vegetation that helps wildfires climb trees, in recent years.Game and Parks biologist Shelley Steffl said this marks the third forest management project at Fort Robinson within the past four years, and will bring the total of treated acres to 237 there. She said the projects not only are meeting forestry and wildlife objectives at Fort Robinson, but also lessening the wildfire risk for nearby Crawford. The work complements the extensive thinning and forest management that has been completed at another big Game and Parks tourism attraction in the Pine Ridge, Chadron State Park.Visitors should use caution when thinning operations are in progress. Land managers say that although the projects may affect recreation for park and wildland users this year, they are sure to bring benefits of more healthy and sustainable forests for generations to come.

Forest thinning ramping up on properties near Crawford, Harrison

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Thirteen deaths related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were recently reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) bringing the state total to 68.

Deaths were reported in the following counties:

Local health departments are reporting deaths and cases in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data and deaths or cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up-to-date.

DHHS continues to work to remedy technical difficulties with the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Yesterday, numerous records came into the electronic tracking system from a lab, which affected the functionality of the system.&nbsp;As of tonight, the number of deaths reported to DHHS are fully reflected on the dashboard. However, the state's COVID-19 case totals are only partially reflected. It is always the aim of the Department to share timely and accurate information and we expect to have the issue resolved soon. &nbsp;

All 93 Nebraska counties are covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. An updated state DHM is posted. It extends the state DHM for Douglas, Sarpy and Cass Counties through May 3. The DHM also extends the statewide closure of all beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, gentleman's clubs, bottle clubs, indoor movie theatres, indoor theatres, and tattoo parlors/studios to May 3.

DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;

Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.

Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.

Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.

DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645 or toll free (833) 998-2275; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Thirteen deaths related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were recently reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) bringing the state total to 68.Deaths were reported in the following counties:Adams County – 1Custer County – 1Douglas County -1Hall County – 8Hamilton County - 2Local health departments are reporting deaths and cases in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data and deaths or cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up-to-date.DHHS continues to work to remedy technical difficulties with the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Yesterday, numerous records came into the electronic tracking system from a lab, which affected the functionality of the system.&nbsp;As of tonight, the number of deaths reported to DHHS are fully reflected on the dashboard. However, the state's COVID-19 case totals are only partially reflected. It is always the aim of the Department to share timely and accurate information and we expect to have the issue resolved soon. &nbsp;All 93 Nebraska counties are covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. An updated state DHM is posted. It extends the state DHM for Douglas, Sarpy and Cass Counties through May 3. The DHM also extends the statewide closure of all beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, gentleman's clubs, bottle clubs, indoor movie theatres, indoor theatres, and tattoo parlors/studios to May 3.DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Stay home.&nbsp; No non-essential errands and no social gatherings.&nbsp; Respect the ten-person limits.</li><li>Socially distance your work.&nbsp; Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.&nbsp;</li><li>Shop alone.&nbsp; Do this only once a week and do not take your family with you.</li><li>Help kids social distance. Play at home, no group sports and no playgrounds.</li><li>Help seniors stay at home.&nbsp; This can be done by shopping for them.&nbsp; Do not visit long-term facilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Exercise daily.&nbsp; Do your best to stay as healthy and safe as you can.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>.DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645 or toll free (833) 998-2275; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week.

Nebraska COVID-19 related deaths increase by 13, now 68 total

Public Health Command Center Update from North Platte on April 29, 2020.

Public Health Command Center Update from North Platte on April 29, 2020.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwcdhd%2Fvideos%2F3257171820961952%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥 Public Health Command Center Update from North Platte (April 29, 2020)

OMAHA (UNMC)-Hospitalized patients with advanced COVID-19 and lung involvement who received remdesivir recovered faster than similar patients who received placebo, according to a preliminary data analysis from a randomized, controlled trial involving 1,063 patients, which began on Feb. 21.

The trial (known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-clinical-trial-remdesivir-treat-covid-19-begins" target="_blank">Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial</a>, or ACTT, sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/coronaviruses" target="_blank">National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)</a>, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the first clinical trial launched in the United States to evaluate an experimental treatment for COVID-19.&nbsp;

The first trial participant in the ACTT trial was an American who was repatriated after being quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that docked in Yokohama, Japan, and volunteered to participate in the study at the first study site, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, in February 2020. A total of about 450 people across 68 sites ultimately joined the study—47 in the United States and 21 in countries in Europe and Asia.&nbsp;

Andre Kalil, M.D., a physician and researcher at UNMC and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, has been leading the trial at UNMC.

“My colleagues and I are pleased to be part of this study which is showing good preliminary results,” said Dr. Kalil, a professor of infectious diseases in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “We all are working diligently and swiftly to do the science in the appropriate way to help in this pandemic. It also gives us hope that soon this drug may be used widely.”

In its National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine housed 13 people who were repatriated Feb. 17 by the U.S. State Department from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Eleven of the 13 tested positive for COVID-19 and were monitored and have since been released. Nebraska Medicine also monitored and/or treated other hospitalized patients in the community.

An independent data and safety monitoring board overseeing the trial met on April 27 to review data and shared their interim analysis with the study team. Based upon their review of the data, they noted that remdesivir was better than placebo from the perspective of the primary endpoint, time to recovery, a metric often used in influenza trials. Recovery in this study was defined as being well enough for hospital discharge or returning to normal activity level.&nbsp;

Preliminary results indicate that patients who received remdesivir had a 31% faster time to recovery than those who received placebo (p&lt;0.001). Specifically, the median time to recovery was 11 days for patients treated with remdesivir compared with 15 days for those who received placebo. Results also suggested a survival benefit, with a mortality rate of 8.0% for the group receiving remdesivir versus 11.6% for the placebo group (p=0.059).

More detailed information about the trial results, including more comprehensive data, will be available in a forthcoming report. As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s commitment to expediting the development and availability of potential COVID-19 treatments, the agency has been engaged in sustained and ongoing discussions with Gilead Sciences regarding making remdesivir available to patients as quickly as possible, as appropriate. The trial closed to new enrollments on April 19. NIAID also will provide an update on the plans for the ACTT trial moving forward. This trial was an adaptive trial designed to incorporate additional investigative treatments.

Remdesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences Inc., is an investigational broad-spectrum antiviral treatment administered via daily infusion for 10 days. It&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/antiviral-remdesivir-prevents-disease-progression-monkeys-covid-19" target="_blank">has shown promise in animal models for treating SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection</a>&nbsp;and has been examined in various clinical trials.

OMAHA (UNMC)-Hospitalized patients with advanced COVID-19 and lung involvement who received remdesivir recovered faster than similar patients who received placebo, according to a preliminary data analysis from a randomized, controlled trial involving 1,063 patients, which began on Feb. 21.The trial (known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-clinical-trial-remdesivir-treat-covid-19-begins" target="_blank">Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial</a>, or ACTT, sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/coronaviruses" target="_blank">National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)</a>, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the first clinical trial launched in the United States to evaluate an experimental treatment for COVID-19.&nbsp;The first trial participant in the ACTT trial was an American who was repatriated after being quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that docked in Yokohama, Japan, and volunteered to participate in the study at the first study site, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, in February 2020. A total of about 450 people across 68 sites ultimately joined the study—47 in the United States and 21 in countries in Europe and Asia.&nbsp;Andre Kalil, M.D., a physician and researcher at UNMC and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, has been leading the trial at UNMC.“My colleagues and I are pleased to be part of this study which is showing good preliminary results,” said Dr. Kalil, a professor of infectious diseases in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “We all are working diligently and swiftly to do the science in the appropriate way to help in this pandemic. It also gives us hope that soon this drug may be used widely.”In its National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine housed 13 people who were repatriated Feb. 17 by the U.S. State Department from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Eleven of the 13 tested positive for COVID-19 and were monitored and have since been released. Nebraska Medicine also monitored and/or treated other hospitalized patients in the community.An independent data and safety monitoring board overseeing the trial met on April 27 to review data and shared their interim analysis with the study team. Based upon their review of the data, they noted that remdesivir was better than placebo from the perspective of the primary endpoint, time to recovery, a metric often used in influenza trials. Recovery in this study was defined as being well enough for hospital discharge or returning to normal activity level.&nbsp;Preliminary results indicate that patients who received remdesivir had a 31% faster time to recovery than those who received placebo (p&lt;0.001). Specifically, the median time to recovery was 11 days for patients treated with remdesivir compared with 15 days for those who received placebo. Results also suggested a survival benefit, with a mortality rate of 8.0% for the group receiving remdesivir versus 11.6% for the placebo group (p=0.059).More detailed information about the trial results, including more comprehensive data, will be available in a forthcoming report. As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s commitment to expediting the development and availability of potential COVID-19 treatments, the agency has been engaged in sustained and ongoing discussions with Gilead Sciences regarding making remdesivir available to patients as quickly as possible, as appropriate. The trial closed to new enrollments on April 19. NIAID also will provide an update on the plans for the ACTT trial moving forward. This trial was an adaptive trial designed to incorporate additional investigative treatments.Remdesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences Inc., is an investigational broad-spectrum antiviral treatment administered via daily infusion for 10 days. It&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/antiviral-remdesivir-prevents-disease-progression-monkeys-covid-19" target="_blank">has shown promise in animal models for treating SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection</a>&nbsp;and has been examined in various clinical trials.

UNMC: Results from NIH clinical trial shows remdesivir accelerates recovery from advanced COVID-19

Nebraska Joint Information Center Update (April 29, 2020)

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-It’s spring and the perfect time to be a tourist in your own
backyard! Get out and explore Lincoln County and win prizes!

The North Platte / Lincoln County
Visitors Bureau is hosting a selfie contest to encourage everyone to
explore Lincoln County. While most attractions are closed right now,
it is the perfect time to enjoy a drive around town and across the
county to explore – and make plans to visit once again when
everything reopens.

Playing is easy: Take a road trip
through North Platte and Lincoln County to find at least 10 of our
attractions. Find the sign at each location (HINT: there may be more
than one at each location) and snap a selfie. Post all 10 photos on
your timeline using the location hashtag #visitnorthplatte or post on
the Facebook event page. Winners will be announced each week during
the month of May and will win a total of $100 in Gift Cards to local
restaurants and attractions. (If you do not win, your entry will roll over into the next week. Enter each week if you’d like. You
could win up to 3 times!).

There are nearly 40 destinations to
choose from: Lincoln County Historical Museum, NEBRASKAland Days,
Fort Cody Trading Post, Stones and Bones Gallery (Hershey, Golden
Spike Tower, Cody Park Rides &amp; Concessions, Cody Park Train
Museum, Dusty Trails, Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, Lincoln
County Fairgrounds/Raceway, Cody Go Karts, Wild Bills Fun Center,
Children's Museum, Pals Brewing Company, Prairie Arts Center, Grain
Bin Antique Town, Downtown @ Fox Theater, Downtown @ Blackledge Park,
Westfield Shopping Center, Feather River Vineyard, 20th Century
Veterans Memorial/Law Enforcement Memorial, Fort McPherson National
Cemetery (Maxwell, Lake Maloney State Recreation Area, Sutherland
Reservoir (Sutherland, Jeffrey Lake (Brady, Veterans Memorial
(Maxwell, Potters Pasture (Brady, Splatterbox Paintball (Hershey,
Deb Goedert Memorial Park (Wallace, Wellfleet Lake (Wellfleet,
Oregon Trail Golf Course (Sutherland, Lake Maloney Golf Course,
Rivers Edge Golf Course, Indian Meadows Golf Course, Iron Eagle Golf
Course, North Platte Visitors Bureau, Peg Leg Brewing.

Players can visit every attraction
without violating any social distancing guidelines, while still
enjoying the beauty of Lincoln County. More information can be found
online at VisitNorthPlatte.com/BackyardTourist.

News ReleaseNORTH PLATTE, Neb.-It’s spring and the perfect time to be a tourist in your own
backyard! Get out and explore Lincoln County and win prizes!The North Platte / Lincoln County
Visitors Bureau is hosting a selfie contest to encourage everyone to
explore Lincoln County. While most attractions are closed right now,
it is the perfect time to enjoy a drive around town and across the
county to explore – and make plans to visit once again when
everything reopens.Playing is easy: Take a road trip
through North Platte and Lincoln County to find at least 10 of our
attractions. Find the sign at each location (HINT: there may be more
than one at each location) and snap a selfie. Post all 10 photos on
your timeline using the location hashtag #visitnorthplatte or post on
the Facebook event page. Winners will be announced each week during
the month of May and will win a total of $100 in Gift Cards to local
restaurants and attractions. (If you do not win, your entry will roll over into the next week. Enter each week if you’d like. You
could win up to 3 times!).There are nearly 40 destinations to
choose from: Lincoln County Historical Museum, NEBRASKAland Days,
Fort Cody Trading Post, Stones and Bones Gallery (Hershey, Golden
Spike Tower, Cody Park Rides &amp; Concessions, Cody Park Train
Museum, Dusty Trails, Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, Lincoln
County Fairgrounds/Raceway, Cody Go Karts, Wild Bills Fun Center,
Children's Museum, Pals Brewing Company, Prairie Arts Center, Grain
Bin Antique Town, Downtown @ Fox Theater, Downtown @ Blackledge Park,
Westfield Shopping Center, Feather River Vineyard, 20th Century
Veterans Memorial/Law Enforcement Memorial, Fort McPherson National
Cemetery (Maxwell, Lake Maloney State Recreation Area, Sutherland
Reservoir (Sutherland, Jeffrey Lake (Brady, Veterans Memorial
(Maxwell, Potters Pasture (Brady, Splatterbox Paintball (Hershey,
Deb Goedert Memorial Park (Wallace, Wellfleet Lake (Wellfleet,
Oregon Trail Golf Course (Sutherland, Lake Maloney Golf Course,
Rivers Edge Golf Course, Indian Meadows Golf Course, Iron Eagle Golf
Course, North Platte Visitors Bureau, Peg Leg Brewing.Players can visit every attraction
without violating any social distancing guidelines, while still
enjoying the beauty of Lincoln County. More information can be found
online at VisitNorthPlatte.com/BackyardTourist.

NP/Lincoln County Visitor's Bureau hosts 'Be a Tourist In Your Own Backyard' selfie contest

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officials with the West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) say another Lincoln County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials said Wednesday that a Lincoln County man in his 60s has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating at home and recovering.

There are now 23 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the six-county WCDHD service area, with two deaths.&nbsp;

Testing is available and WCDHD officials encourage people to get tested. Anyone who is symptomatic and/or believes they have possibly been exposed to the virus is strongly encouraged to get tested. This will allow for quarantining and contact tracing.

Officials say 561 people have been tested which is 1.6% of the Lincoln County population. Currently, three cases are "under investigation."

If you are interested in testing, contact WCDHD at&nbsp;(308) 696-1201 or the Great Plains Health COVID Line at (308) 568-8040.&nbsp;

Antibody testing is available at Pathology Services, P.C in North Platte or by contacting the Great Plains Health COVID Line.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officials with the West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) say another Lincoln County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.Officials said Wednesday that a Lincoln County man in his 60s has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating at home and recovering.There are now 23 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the six-county WCDHD service area, with two deaths.&nbsp;Testing is available and WCDHD officials encourage people to get tested. Anyone who is symptomatic and/or believes they have possibly been exposed to the virus is strongly encouraged to get tested. This will allow for quarantining and contact tracing.Officials say 561 people have been tested which is 1.6% of the Lincoln County population. Currently, three cases are "under investigation."If you are interested in testing, contact WCDHD at&nbsp;(308) 696-1201 or the Great Plains Health COVID Line at (308) 568-8040.&nbsp;Antibody testing is available at Pathology Services, P.C in North Platte or by contacting the Great Plains Health COVID Line.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwcdhd%2Fvideos%2F3257171820961952%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Officials report 23rd confirmed case of COVID-19 in Lincoln County

AccuWeather Global Weather Center – April 29,&nbsp;2020 –&nbsp;Summer in the United States is going to look different in many ways this year given how&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic has upended life. For many Americans, it’s still unclear if sports will be played and whether large gatherings will be held. Vacation plans remain up in the air for millions.

What’s not up in the air is that no matter what Americans end up spending time doing this summer, there will be weather to contend with. &nbsp;

AccuWeather’s long-range forecast team, led by veteran meteorologist Paul Pastelok, has provided an early look at what weather trends can be expected all around the nation this summer. With the official start to summer a little less than two months away, Pastelok and his team examine where severe weather will remain a&nbsp;threat as summer kicks off, look at places where scorching summer temperatures could build, bringing the possibility for a heat wave, and assess which areas are at risk of drought and wildfire threats as the season progresses.&nbsp;Plus, the forecasters analyze where and when the first tropical weather threat might emerge.

All of this and much more is addressed in the 2020 edition of AccuWeather’s annual summer forecast. Take a look at the complete region-by-region breakdown below.

Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, eastern Ohio Valley

Summer, which begins with the solstice on Saturday, June 20,&nbsp;will kick off with frequent showers and thunderstorms across the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes this year, not unlike the pattern that took hold for the early part of spring in those regions when persistent wet weather suppressed temperatures below normal on most days.

The weather pattern will spell frequent unsettled conditions for the regions, but particularly the mid-Atlantic, from late June into July.

However, the season&nbsp;won't be a total washout. Plenty of summer heat is poised to move in as the season progresses.

“Heat will come in spurts in the first half of the summer season,” AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. “But, as we get into July, it will start to dry out a little, and I think that’s when we’ll start to see the heat peak, with temperatures climbing into the 90s.”

Most of the scorching heat will take place in July and early August for places like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York. The latter part of&nbsp;summer will yield a good chance for heat waves, where highs can climb to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or greater for&nbsp;three consecutive days, although Pastelok said record-shattering stretches of heat&nbsp;are unlikely.

Compared with the summer of 2019, which brought grueling heat at times with above-average temperatures for the season, summer 2020 is likely to be a little hotter. Temperatures are expected to average 1-3 degrees higher across the Northeast compared to 2019 and closer to 1-2 degrees higher along the I-95 corridor, Pastelok said.

Once the hot weather arrives, the pattern may be tough to shake. Summer heat could persist well into September, said Pastelok, who’s been with AccuWeather for 28 years and in charge of long-range forecasting since 2011.

Southeast, Tennessee Valley, Gulf Coast&nbsp;

This threat will continue as frequent heavy thunderstorms target the area into the middle of the season. And that's only half of the story, particularly for the Southeast,&nbsp;where the threat of hurricanes loom especially large.

Tropical weather could also trigger flooding with the Gulf Coast appearing the most likely area for early development, not unlike last summer when&nbsp;Hurricane Barry, briefly a Category 1 storm, made landfall over part of the Louisiana coast on July 13, 2019.

“The risk this year is the Gulf of Mexico. Everything that we look at -- past years, modeling, you name it -- suggests that the Gulf Coast is going to be active," Pastelok said. Earlier in April,&nbsp;AccuWeather released the 2020 edition of its annual hurricane forecast. This year, forecasters are expecting above-normal tropical activity with seven to nine hurricanes, two to four of which are predicted to strengthen into&nbsp;major hurricanes.

Dan Kottlowski, AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, said the risk area for early development could extend farther, but the Gulf Coast is a primary area of concern earlier in the season.

"The U.S. Gulf Coast, all of Florida and the Georgia to Carolina coast, has the highest chance of being impacted directly by tropical activity this season," Kottlowski said, stressing that areas from the Louisiana coastline eastward to the Florida Panhandle face a higher likelihood than normal to experience an early-season hit.

Central and southern Florida drought conditions will persist as the peninsula is expected to pick up less rainfall than the rest of the Southeast, but a potential tropical impact could alleviate any drought conditions being experienced in the Sunshine State.

Areas farther west will also have to watch tropical forecasts closely though, but the threat for those places may not emerge until&nbsp;later in the season.

"I do think there is a higher-than-normal chance for Texas to have a direct impact from a tropical storm or hurricane this season. However, statistically Texas is more vulnerable during August and September," Kottlowski, who’s been focused on tropical weather for 43 years,&nbsp;said.

Even outside of tropical threats, more rain is anticipated for the lower Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley, which can lead to further delays for farmers, Pastelok warned. His team looks at how weather could affect a host of industries, including farming and commodities. Minor setbacks are expected for crops such as soybeans and rice, as farmers were already dealt slowdowns amid a wet spring. Flash flooding could also lead to crop damage and losses, and cotton could take a hit if heavy rain persists through May ahead of a wet summer.

In the Ohio Valley, Midwest and northern Plains, stretches of cooler weather with lower humidity will prevail throughout the summer season.

Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City may experience periods of pleasant afternoons followed by cooler summer nights, Pastelok said.

Early on in the summer, severe thunderstorms are forecast to roll through the Ohio Valley, but the severe activity will shift eastward as the season progresses.

“We do think the air masses will become more stable as the season progresses,” Pastelok said. “There may be very little severe weather to talk about in the Plains and parts of the Midwest. It’ll be farther east into the Ohio Valley and eastern Tennessee Valley as we get into late June and July.”

“Places like Detroit, Columbus and Cleveland have a higher risk this summer than places like Des Moines, Iowa, Kansas City and Minneapolis,” he added.

Parts of the central and southern Plains states may experience lower humidity and cooler-than-normal&nbsp;weather&nbsp;at times this summer.

“Frequent fronts may get down into the southern U.S., which is kind of unusual as you get into July and August,” Pastelok said.&nbsp;With cooler air prevailing to the north and a more humid air mass fueled by the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, parts of southeastern Texas up to Dallas could get more frequent severe weather, he said.

Meanwhile, southwestern Texas, including cities such as El Paso, is&nbsp;poised for prolonged hot weather. One city&nbsp;may feel some heat relief this summer compared to last as tropical moisture and cold fronts trim back temperatures in Laredo. Last summer, the city made headlines as temperatures soared past the triple-digit mark during a 38-day streak of sizzling heat.&nbsp;Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz declared, “Thank goodness, we have air conditioning!” at the height of the heat.

Drought conditions may persist and even intensify, particularly in areas away from the Southeast coast for most of the summer season.

Not surprisingly, hot weather will be a recurring theme during the first part of the season in the Southwest.

In fact,&nbsp;heat more typical of summer&nbsp;had already made an entrance in late April, complicating social distancing measures in Southern California, where many sought relief by heading to the beach.

In Phoenix, the mercury soared into the triple digits in late April as a heat wave set in. Not only was it hot in some of these places, but minimal precipitation made it very dry. By late April, parts of Central California, northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona were experiencing drought conditions.

“We’ve seen dry weather already in the middle of the spring," Pastelok said. "We think that’s going to continue all the way into June.”

The region will finally get a break from parched conditions in July and August, as monsoon moisture begins to arrive.

Despite the possibility of a few fire-prone areas in the early part of the season, the moisture should hold back wildfires until August and September for Central and Southern California, Pastelok said. However, the monsoon rainfall overall may average near to slightly below normal.

Residents in the Northwest and Rockies should brace for a very warm summer and possibly some water restrictions later in the season.

“Places anywhere from Spokane, Washington, southward down into Northern California near Redding will easily see high temperatures in the 90s in the middle of the summer, and it may continue all the way into August,” Pastelok said.

The heat, paired with a lack of precipitation, is likely to cause drought conditions to develop quickly across the interior Northwest.

“These areas missed out on a lot of the precipitation during the course of the winter and spring seasons, so water restrictions will probably come into high gear throughout the summer,” Pastelok said.

A severe drought could develop in San Francisco and much of northern California by the heart of the season, and drought conditions could expand into the northern Rockies by late&nbsp;summer and possibly early fall, he added.

The persistent dry weather will also increase the likelihood of wildfires, with an early start expected for Northern California and the interior Northwest.

AccuWeather Global Weather Center – April 29,&nbsp;2020 –&nbsp;Summer in the United States is going to look different in many ways this year given how&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic has upended life. For many Americans, it’s still unclear if sports will be played and whether large gatherings will be held. Vacation plans remain up in the air for millions.What’s not up in the air is that no matter what Americans end up spending time doing this summer, there will be weather to contend with. &nbsp;AccuWeather’s long-range forecast team, led by veteran meteorologist Paul Pastelok, has provided an early look at what weather trends can be expected all around the nation this summer. With the official start to summer a little less than two months away, Pastelok and his team examine where severe weather will remain a&nbsp;threat as summer kicks off, look at places where scorching summer temperatures could build, bringing the possibility for a heat wave, and assess which areas are at risk of drought and wildfire threats as the season progresses.&nbsp;Plus, the forecasters analyze where and when the first tropical weather threat might emerge.All of this and much more is addressed in the 2020 edition of AccuWeather’s annual summer forecast. Take a look at the complete region-by-region breakdown below.Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, eastern Ohio ValleySummer, which begins with the solstice on Saturday, June 20,&nbsp;will kick off with frequent showers and thunderstorms across the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes this year, not unlike the pattern that took hold for the early part of spring in those regions when persistent wet weather suppressed temperatures below normal on most days.The weather pattern will spell frequent unsettled conditions for the regions, but particularly the mid-Atlantic, from late June into July.However, the season&nbsp;won't be a total washout. Plenty of summer heat is poised to move in as the season progresses.“Heat will come in spurts in the first half of the summer season,” AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. “But, as we get into July, it will start to dry out a little, and I think that’s when we’ll start to see the heat peak, with temperatures climbing into the 90s.”Most of the scorching heat will take place in July and early August for places like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York. The latter part of&nbsp;summer will yield a good chance for heat waves, where highs can climb to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or greater for&nbsp;three consecutive days, although Pastelok said record-shattering stretches of heat&nbsp;are unlikely.Compared with the summer of 2019, which brought grueling heat at times with above-average temperatures for the season, summer 2020 is likely to be a little hotter. Temperatures are expected to average 1-3 degrees higher across the Northeast compared to 2019 and closer to 1-2 degrees higher along the I-95 corridor, Pastelok said.Once the hot weather arrives, the pattern may be tough to shake. Summer heat could persist well into September, said Pastelok, who’s been with AccuWeather for 28 years and in charge of long-range forecasting since 2011.Southeast, Tennessee Valley, Gulf Coast&nbsp;This threat will continue as frequent heavy thunderstorms target the area into the middle of the season. And that's only half of the story, particularly for the Southeast,&nbsp;where the threat of hurricanes loom especially large.Tropical weather could also trigger flooding with the Gulf Coast appearing the most likely area for early development, not unlike last summer when&nbsp;Hurricane Barry, briefly a Category 1 storm, made landfall over part of the Louisiana coast on July 13, 2019.“The risk this year is the Gulf of Mexico. Everything that we look at -- past years, modeling, you name it -- suggests that the Gulf Coast is going to be active," Pastelok said. Earlier in April,&nbsp;AccuWeather released the 2020 edition of its annual hurricane forecast. This year, forecasters are expecting above-normal tropical activity with seven to nine hurricanes, two to four of which are predicted to strengthen into&nbsp;major hurricanes.Dan Kottlowski, AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, said the risk area for early development could extend farther, but the Gulf Coast is a primary area of concern earlier in the season."The U.S. Gulf Coast, all of Florida and the Georgia to Carolina coast, has the highest chance of being impacted directly by tropical activity this season," Kottlowski said, stressing that areas from the Louisiana coastline eastward to the Florida Panhandle face a higher likelihood than normal to experience an early-season hit.Central and southern Florida drought conditions will persist as the peninsula is expected to pick up less rainfall than the rest of the Southeast, but a potential tropical impact could alleviate any drought conditions being experienced in the Sunshine State.Areas farther west will also have to watch tropical forecasts closely though, but the threat for those places may not emerge until&nbsp;later in the season."I do think there is a higher-than-normal chance for Texas to have a direct impact from a tropical storm or hurricane this season. However, statistically Texas is more vulnerable during August and September," Kottlowski, who’s been focused on tropical weather for 43 years,&nbsp;said.Even outside of tropical threats, more rain is anticipated for the lower Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley, which can lead to further delays for farmers, Pastelok warned. His team looks at how weather could affect a host of industries, including farming and commodities. Minor setbacks are expected for crops such as soybeans and rice, as farmers were already dealt slowdowns amid a wet spring. Flash flooding could also lead to crop damage and losses, and cotton could take a hit if heavy rain persists through May ahead of a wet summer.Ohio Valley, Midwest, northern PlainsIn the Ohio Valley, Midwest and northern Plains, stretches of cooler weather with lower humidity will prevail throughout the summer season.Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City may experience periods of pleasant afternoons followed by cooler summer nights, Pastelok said.Early on in the summer, severe thunderstorms are forecast to roll through the Ohio Valley, but the severe activity will shift eastward as the season progresses.“We do think the air masses will become more stable as the season progresses,” Pastelok said. “There may be very little severe weather to talk about in the Plains and parts of the Midwest. It’ll be farther east into the Ohio Valley and eastern Tennessee Valley as we get into late June and July.”“Places like Detroit, Columbus and Cleveland have a higher risk this summer than places like Des Moines, Iowa, Kansas City and Minneapolis,” he added.Central and southern PlainsParts of the central and southern Plains states may experience lower humidity and cooler-than-normal&nbsp;weather&nbsp;at times this summer.“Frequent fronts may get down into the southern U.S., which is kind of unusual as you get into July and August,” Pastelok said.&nbsp;With cooler air prevailing to the north and a more humid air mass fueled by the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, parts of southeastern Texas up to Dallas could get more frequent severe weather, he said.Meanwhile, southwestern Texas, including cities such as El Paso, is&nbsp;poised for prolonged hot weather. One city&nbsp;may feel some heat relief this summer compared to last as tropical moisture and cold fronts trim back temperatures in Laredo. Last summer, the city made headlines as temperatures soared past the triple-digit mark during a 38-day streak of sizzling heat.&nbsp;Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz declared, “Thank goodness, we have air conditioning!” at the height of the heat.Drought conditions may persist and even intensify, particularly in areas away from the Southeast coast for most of the summer season.SouthwestNot surprisingly, hot weather will be a recurring theme during the first part of the season in the Southwest.In fact,&nbsp;heat more typical of summer&nbsp;had already made an entrance in late April, complicating social distancing measures in Southern California, where many sought relief by heading to the beach.In Phoenix, the mercury soared into the triple digits in late April as a heat wave set in. Not only was it hot in some of these places, but minimal precipitation made it very dry. By late April, parts of Central California, northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona were experiencing drought conditions.“We’ve seen dry weather already in the middle of the spring," Pastelok said. "We think that’s going to continue all the way into June.”The region will finally get a break from parched conditions in July and August, as monsoon moisture begins to arrive.Despite the possibility of a few fire-prone areas in the early part of the season, the moisture should hold back wildfires until August and September for Central and Southern California, Pastelok said. However, the monsoon rainfall overall may average near to slightly below normal.Northwest to RockiesResidents in the Northwest and Rockies should brace for a very warm summer and possibly some water restrictions later in the season.“Places anywhere from Spokane, Washington, southward down into Northern California near Redding will easily see high temperatures in the 90s in the middle of the summer, and it may continue all the way into August,” Pastelok said.The heat, paired with a lack of precipitation, is likely to cause drought conditions to develop quickly across the interior Northwest.“These areas missed out on a lot of the precipitation during the course of the winter and spring seasons, so water restrictions will probably come into high gear throughout the summer,” Pastelok said.A severe drought could develop in San Francisco and much of northern California by the heart of the season, and drought conditions could expand into the northern Rockies by late&nbsp;summer and possibly early fall, he added.The persistent dry weather will also increase the likelihood of wildfires, with an early start expected for Northern California and the interior Northwest.

AccuWeather 2020 Summer Forecast: Cooler, drier season across Midwest and Plains

OMAHA (Union Pacific)-To protect the health and safety of its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders during the coronavirus pandemic, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today announced that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) will be conducted through a live audio meeting only, and will no longer include an in-person event. The previously announced date and time of the Annual Meeting (May 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, and the business items to be considered at the Annual Meeting, remain the same. However, shareholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person. Union Pacific's decision to host an audio annual meeting relates only to its 2020 Annual Meeting.

As described in the proxy materials previously distributed for the Annual Meeting, all Union Pacific shareholders as of the close of business on March 20, 2020, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are invited to access and participate in the live audio meeting. Any eligible shareholder who wishes to join the meeting, vote or submit questions for the meeting can do so by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020" target="_blank">www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020</a>; entering the eligible shareholder's 16-digit control number found on the proxy card, voting instruction form, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or email, as applicable, previously sent or made available to shareholders; and following the available instructions.

Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the Annual Meeting starts. Any shareholder who encounters difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting should call the support team at the numbers listed on the log-in screen.

In the event a technical malfunction or other situation delays the start of the Annual Meeting by more than thirty minutes, the chair or secretary of the Annual Meeting will convene the meeting at 9:00 am CDT on May 14, 2020 and at 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting to a date, time and location announced at such time by the meeting chair or secretary. In such circumstances, Union Pacific will post information regarding the chairman's announcement on its website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>.

All shareholders are encouraged to vote and submit their proxies in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials. The proxy card, voting instruction form or notice of internet availability that were previously distributed will not be updated to reflect this change in meeting format and may be used to vote shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who previously sent in proxies, or voted by telephone or by internet, do not need to take any further action.

Any additional details about the Annual Meeting will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>

News ReleaseOMAHA (Union Pacific)-To protect the health and safety of its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders during the coronavirus pandemic, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today announced that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) will be conducted through a live audio meeting only, and will no longer include an in-person event. The previously announced date and time of the Annual Meeting (May 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, and the business items to be considered at the Annual Meeting, remain the same. However, shareholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person. Union Pacific's decision to host an audio annual meeting relates only to its 2020 Annual Meeting.As described in the proxy materials previously distributed for the Annual Meeting, all Union Pacific shareholders as of the close of business on March 20, 2020, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are invited to access and participate in the live audio meeting. Any eligible shareholder who wishes to join the meeting, vote or submit questions for the meeting can do so by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020" target="_blank">www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UNP2020</a>; entering the eligible shareholder's 16-digit control number found on the proxy card, voting instruction form, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or email, as applicable, previously sent or made available to shareholders; and following the available instructions.Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the Annual Meeting starts. Any shareholder who encounters difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting should call the support team at the numbers listed on the log-in screen.In the event a technical malfunction or other situation delays the start of the Annual Meeting by more than thirty minutes, the chair or secretary of the Annual Meeting will convene the meeting at 9:00 am CDT on May 14, 2020 and at 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting to a date, time and location announced at such time by the meeting chair or secretary. In such circumstances, Union Pacific will post information regarding the chairman's announcement on its website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>.All shareholders are encouraged to vote and submit their proxies in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials. The proxy card, voting instruction form or notice of internet availability that were previously distributed will not be updated to reflect this change in meeting format and may be used to vote shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who previously sent in proxies, or voted by telephone or by internet, do not need to take any further action.Any additional details about the Annual Meeting will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.up.com/up/investor/index.htm" target="_blank">https://www.up.com/investors</a>

Union Pacific announces changes to 2020 shareholders meeting

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday announced plans to ease coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln and other parts of Nebraska, including some of the state's least-populated counties, even though the number of confirmed cases has surged.

Ricketts said he will extend the state's current public health restrictions in the Lincoln area through May 10, and will then relax them to match the less stringent rules that are set to go into effect in Omaha on Monday. The Lincoln-area restrictions were originally set to expire on May 6.

Ricketts, a Republican, said the decision to extend the restrictions before relaxing them was based in part on conversations with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, and the county's public health director.

"It was a collaborative process," he said at a news conference.

Public health officials in Lincoln have said they believe they have enough capacity to handle a surge in new cases and hospitalizations.

But Gaylor Baird said Wednesday that she reserves the right to reinstate the tougher restrictions if conditions in the city worsen. She said she and Ricketts agreed to wait until May 11 to lighten the restrictions out of concern over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/37a52f22147243a3f06468967ff2d225" target="_blank">Crete,</a>&nbsp;a meatpacking town about 25 miles from Lincoln that has seen a spike in cases.

"We are fully cognizant of the difficult balance between protecting public health and our economic vitality," Gaylor Baird said at a city news conference.

Nebraska's current statewide restrictions prohibit restaurants from offering dine-in services and have forced the closure of salons and tattoo parlors. They also limited day care centers to allow no more than 10 children in one room.

The new, lighter rules will allow salons, tattoo parlors and restaurant dining rooms to reopen with limits on the number of people who can be present. Restaurant employees will have to wear masks, and dining groups will have to be seated at least 6 feet apart. Day cares will be allowed to have up to 15 children per room.

Ricketts announce last week that the first wave of lighter restrictions will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a6f29bac43471481a2780cfc60116df" target="_blank">go into effect</a>&nbsp;May 4 in 59 of Nebraska's 93 counties, including Omaha's Douglas County.

The new order unveiled Wednesday will apply to 10 more, including the counties that encompass Lincoln, Fremont, North Platte, Blair and Wahoo. It also will ease restrictions in some of Nebraska's most sparsely populated counties, including Arthur, McPherson, Thomas and Hooker - each with less than 750 people.

Nebraska's total confirmed cases stood at 3,374 by Wednesday morning, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There have been at least 55 virus-related deaths in the Nebraska. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and people can be infected without feeling sick.

The governor's announcement came as a third Nebraska prisons department employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

The staffer works at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and has been isolated at home, according to the state Department of Correctional Services. Director Scott Frakes asked that anyone who may have had close contact with the employee in the last three days to self-quarantine until they are medically cleared to return to work.

Earlier Tuesday, the prisons department had announced that an employee at its Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln had tested positive for the virus. The department says no inmates have tested positive.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday announced plans to ease coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln and other parts of Nebraska, including some of the state's least-populated counties, even though the number of confirmed cases has surged.Ricketts said he will extend the state's current public health restrictions in the Lincoln area through May 10, and will then relax them to match the less stringent rules that are set to go into effect in Omaha on Monday. The Lincoln-area restrictions were originally set to expire on May 6.Ricketts, a Republican, said the decision to extend the restrictions before relaxing them was based in part on conversations with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, and the county's public health director."It was a collaborative process," he said at a news conference.Public health officials in Lincoln have said they believe they have enough capacity to handle a surge in new cases and hospitalizations.But Gaylor Baird said Wednesday that she reserves the right to reinstate the tougher restrictions if conditions in the city worsen. She said she and Ricketts agreed to wait until May 11 to lighten the restrictions out of concern over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/37a52f22147243a3f06468967ff2d225" target="_blank">Crete,</a>&nbsp;a meatpacking town about 25 miles from Lincoln that has seen a spike in cases."We are fully cognizant of the difficult balance between protecting public health and our economic vitality," Gaylor Baird said at a city news conference.Nebraska's current statewide restrictions prohibit restaurants from offering dine-in services and have forced the closure of salons and tattoo parlors. They also limited day care centers to allow no more than 10 children in one room.The new, lighter rules will allow salons, tattoo parlors and restaurant dining rooms to reopen with limits on the number of people who can be present. Restaurant employees will have to wear masks, and dining groups will have to be seated at least 6 feet apart. Day cares will be allowed to have up to 15 children per room.Ricketts announce last week that the first wave of lighter restrictions will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a6f29bac43471481a2780cfc60116df" target="_blank">go into effect</a>&nbsp;May 4 in 59 of Nebraska's 93 counties, including Omaha's Douglas County.The new order unveiled Wednesday will apply to 10 more, including the counties that encompass Lincoln, Fremont, North Platte, Blair and Wahoo. It also will ease restrictions in some of Nebraska's most sparsely populated counties, including Arthur, McPherson, Thomas and Hooker - each with less than 750 people.Nebraska's total confirmed cases stood at 3,374 by Wednesday morning, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There have been at least 55 virus-related deaths in the Nebraska. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and people can be infected without feeling sick.The governor's announcement came as a third Nebraska prisons department employee has tested positive for COVID-19.The staffer works at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and has been isolated at home, according to the state Department of Correctional Services. Director Scott Frakes asked that anyone who may have had close contact with the employee in the last three days to self-quarantine until they are medically cleared to return to work.Earlier Tuesday, the prisons department had announced that an employee at its Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln had tested positive for the virus. The department says no inmates have tested positive.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.

Nebraska to ease restrictions in Lincoln and other regions

LINCOLN, Mo. (AP) - The longtime pastor of the Newman Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln made "occasional" sexual advances to students and seminarians, the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln announced Wednesday.

Monsignor Leonard Kalin, who died in 2008, led the Newman Center from 1970 to 1998.

The report said the leadership of the diocese was aware of the socializing, frequent trips to casinos, alcohol and cigarette use by Kalin but said evidence did not support allegations that church leaders knew of sexual impropriety by the priest, The Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://www.omaha.com/news/report-says-late-lincoln-priest-made-sexual-advances-toward-college-students-seminarians/article_d34225fa-9525-5a2f-9edc-cafd7f1c0d92.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

The diocese&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2346df18db614644a43ee34be17ca696" target="_blank">began investigating</a>&nbsp;Kalin's conduct in April 2018 after two former seminarians alleged in that he had made sexual advances toward them in 1998.

In a letter to church members Wednesday, Archbishop George Lucas said the investigation by an independent private investigator focused on Kalin's leadership style and the culture he promoted at the Newman Center&nbsp;<a href="http://ournalstar.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/investigation-into-longtime-newman-center-monsignor-confirms-sexual-advances-to-students/article_151629bf-cbcc-51bc-bbff-59c5ec9876f2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1" target="_blank">.</a>

"The investigation did not find there was a culture of homosexuality at the Newman Center," Lucas' letter said. "The investigation did reveal that Msgr. Kalin did on occasion make sexual advances toward some seminarians and college students."

In April 2019, the diocese released names of nine former priests -- three of them now dead -- facing substantiated allegations that they sexually abused minors.

LINCOLN, Mo. (AP) - The longtime pastor of the Newman Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln made "occasional" sexual advances to students and seminarians, the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln announced Wednesday.Monsignor Leonard Kalin, who died in 2008, led the Newman Center from 1970 to 1998.The report said the leadership of the diocese was aware of the socializing, frequent trips to casinos, alcohol and cigarette use by Kalin but said evidence did not support allegations that church leaders knew of sexual impropriety by the priest, The Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://www.omaha.com/news/report-says-late-lincoln-priest-made-sexual-advances-toward-college-students-seminarians/article_d34225fa-9525-5a2f-9edc-cafd7f1c0d92.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.The diocese&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2346df18db614644a43ee34be17ca696" target="_blank">began investigating</a>&nbsp;Kalin's conduct in April 2018 after two former seminarians alleged in that he had made sexual advances toward them in 1998.In a letter to church members Wednesday, Archbishop George Lucas said the investigation by an independent private investigator focused on Kalin's leadership style and the culture he promoted at the Newman Center&nbsp;<a href="http://ournalstar.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/investigation-into-longtime-newman-center-monsignor-confirms-sexual-advances-to-students/article_151629bf-cbcc-51bc-bbff-59c5ec9876f2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1" target="_blank">.</a>"The investigation did not find there was a culture of homosexuality at the Newman Center," Lucas' letter said. "The investigation did reveal that Msgr. Kalin did on occasion make sexual advances toward some seminarians and college students."In April 2019, the diocese released names of nine former priests -- three of them now dead -- facing substantiated allegations that they sexually abused minors.

Diocese: Deceased pastor at UNL made sexual advances

COVID-19 update from Great Plains Health.

COVID-19 update from Great Plains Health.Speakers:&nbsp;Mel McNea, CEODr. Freitas, Infectious diseaseNicki Tomlinson, RN ICUDr. Vuksanovic, HospitalistElisha Pueppka, Respiratory therapyCassie Penn, Laboratory Director<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnorthplattepost%2Fvideos%2F576603983253835%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="406" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥 COVID-19 Update from Great Plains Health (April 29, 2020)

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Work to begin on Highway 30, North Platte area bridges

Wearing a cloth face mask can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. BUT it only works if you wear it correctly. Check out the flyer below for information on how to properly use a face mask and please share!

To download and print this flyer in English and Spanish please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nalhd.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR21gY5J-9BuMIeMtCCtsKBlhEox7qH8eYvnbTN6E3kBqRgLhfIsZzXy2_Q&amp;h=AT1YpWMMWut6CYGnatZiodzXnzt-B41CleJMRPgX8q0ttD8xRuVYBQpqE_wYpZun6gg-mEUrvYZzNzxf_Y7hjqFWctpVwHF_44ivsudFdH1Lu_0Z3FchmLjnUFV-4FLA58cM_sBecblfNYRMdKBVZpgF9wVkF6-v94rre6-NqyD1xnJSh9Rt-vces1ixK_VgtVN82dkyIDJydlPleVP0A8xAFSBgfYK7C9Kl5Zrzum6oXGTqUp9mnqDQTnVn2nzD6IE6JGVrtCxGBF3pZnEa1yOs9LIfx3yOfMsqqBR9FAVHmLcXcA974o_wXS2J2QACxdnOO1xFnVKy6C_HDMTAGrvi6hBqD96HjS8WNQaOujM01Oyc61OK0RsFYdfEo419ujp_WKNeF1Kkyk23y9iLiWPH5yBPkXNfGzTikTd4gxMC9_cLZ6ovGMct1WeIyg5UmxFhk0TA_E5gIz2eSYGzDwzcUfOsziSU3IqR2gC1oxcoxral3TrCj_YE3mGSAAtj38h9zODlX8EmPHwnzygRcC4-tBm1jxr_BGb1-eTGjQBucBqW0H6M5VeK1-cUKQ8u7osKfdQa0UbjXbJJc0jJS8IHbThjCUzeyw7xuCU1tjOaMy6ibTji36nqduNbLEQTnGTZMw" target="_blank">www.nalhd.org</a>

Wearing a cloth face mask can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. BUT it only works if you wear it correctly. Check out the flyer below for information on how to properly use a face mask and please share!To download and print this flyer in English and Spanish please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nalhd.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR21gY5J-9BuMIeMtCCtsKBlhEox7qH8eYvnbTN6E3kBqRgLhfIsZzXy2_Q&amp;h=AT1YpWMMWut6CYGnatZiodzXnzt-B41CleJMRPgX8q0ttD8xRuVYBQpqE_wYpZun6gg-mEUrvYZzNzxf_Y7hjqFWctpVwHF_44ivsudFdH1Lu_0Z3FchmLjnUFV-4FLA58cM_sBecblfNYRMdKBVZpgF9wVkF6-v94rre6-NqyD1xnJSh9Rt-vces1ixK_VgtVN82dkyIDJydlPleVP0A8xAFSBgfYK7C9Kl5Zrzum6oXGTqUp9mnqDQTnVn2nzD6IE6JGVrtCxGBF3pZnEa1yOs9LIfx3yOfMsqqBR9FAVHmLcXcA974o_wXS2J2QACxdnOO1xFnVKy6C_HDMTAGrvi6hBqD96HjS8WNQaOujM01Oyc61OK0RsFYdfEo419ujp_WKNeF1Kkyk23y9iLiWPH5yBPkXNfGzTikTd4gxMC9_cLZ6ovGMct1WeIyg5UmxFhk0TA_E5gIz2eSYGzDwzcUfOsziSU3IqR2gC1oxcoxral3TrCj_YE3mGSAAtj38h9zODlX8EmPHwnzygRcC4-tBm1jxr_BGb1-eTGjQBucBqW0H6M5VeK1-cUKQ8u7osKfdQa0UbjXbJJc0jJS8IHbThjCUzeyw7xuCU1tjOaMy6ibTji36nqduNbLEQTnGTZMw" target="_blank">www.nalhd.org</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNALHD%2Fposts%2F2523817994498133&width=500" width="500" height="676" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

When wearing a mask, wear it right

From the <a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/Being-Socially-Isolated-with-Mental-Illness-A-Perspective-for-Loved-Ones?fbclid=IwAR2X2cLvoBxDD1PbBe5SqIBV22lnA9mfwt3xW-J2gCZQrvyZKkffl_fYGvM">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>

One of the mental health conditions I deal with is social anxiety. So, you would probably think that I rejoiced when the CDC guidelines came down about social isolation.&nbsp;However, that’s far from the truth.

Social anxiety doesn't mean I want to be a hermit. I still crave human interaction, just not all types (like crowds, small talk or making phone calls). The amount of anxiety I feel about social situations varies depending on where I am with my other mental health issues. In fact, with everything going on, I actually need social contact now more than ever.

In addition to social anxiety, I have bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and agoraphobia. Each condition causes me to react differently to this period of social isolation based on my individual symptoms.

Here is how each of my symptoms affects me during this time, and what I want loved ones to know.

I get hyper-focused on multi-tasking. In this case, when a friend reaches out to me, I often ignore the phone call or text until a later time "when I'm finished."

It's not that I'm ignoring that&nbsp;person.&nbsp;I often really want to touch base, especially now when there's so little regular human interaction taking place. It's just that once my brain is locked on accomplishing certain tasks&nbsp;right now, I can't quickly switch out of that mode.&nbsp;

In my mind, I always think I'm almost finished and will call or text that person right back. But then one of these outcomes usually occurs:

Please understand that I’m&nbsp;never&nbsp;ignoring you because I don’t want to hear from you or because I don’t value our relationship. If I did manage to stop what I was doing to take that call or reply to that text, I would be very distracted. My plan is always to wait until I have calmed down from all the “doing” to focus on you. However, it rarely works out that way. If you don’t hear back from me right away, don't assume it's because I don't want to talk. Please reach out again.

Another way I'm affected during social isolation is how hard it is for me to reach out to others due to my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/anxiety-disorders">social anxiety</a>. Making a phone call can take a herculean effort.

I will often put off making a phone call for hours, or until it's too late, even when I really need or want to talk to the person I'm calling. I've always assumed it's because I don't want to disturb that person, but I don't know if that's the actual reason or just one I can deal with. It also may be fear of rejection if they don’t answer the phone. I've tried to overcome it, but I haven't been able to yet.

However, texting is easier to use for initial reaching out, so I will text someone I want to talk to and ask if I can call them.

Please understand that I want to reach out so much more than I actually do. I think about it throughout the day, but if I'm having a hard time with anxiety, making that initial contact with you can take more effort than I have. Reaching out has been even harder lately, now that I’m experiencing more anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don't forget about me. When I'm in this state I can take calls and texts — I just can't always initiate them myself.

<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/depression">Depression</a>&nbsp;makes it hard for me to communicate with others generally. However, when I'm really depressed (or really anxious, I need to know you are there for me more than ever.&nbsp;

Clinical depression is a state where you often can't make yourself do what you want to do or enjoy. Concentration issues, crying, feeling hopeless, apathy and irritability are other common symptoms.&nbsp;

During a depressive phase, I need to know that someone cares. At the same time, I don't want to burden others with how I feel. I don't want to snap at you because I'm angry or spend an entire conversation crying.

If we haven't communicated in a while, please make the effort to reach out to me. If you call, know that I might not be able to talk. Talk to me. Tell me about your day. Something as simple as sitting on the phone with you while you watch TV can help, even if neither of us says a word. It's a reminder that someone is out there and cares when I feel so alone. If I'm severely depressed, a phone call at the right time can literally save my life (and actually has in the past).

So, what do you do when someone you love has multiple illnesses that each take different strategies to overcome? I try to talk to the people I love when I am in a good mental health state, so they know how to respond when I'm struggling. I also&nbsp;don’t mind being asked at the beginning of a conversation where I am with my mental health, so please ask if that option is available to you and your loved one.

Don’t give up on those you love with mental illness,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;during this fearful time. We need you now more than ever.

Tracy Riggs is a professional photographer (<a href="http://www.cmbtphotography.com/" target="_blank">www.cmbtphotography.com</a>) and writer.&nbsp; She deals with several invisible illnesses in her and loved ones' lives and is passionate about lessening the stigma of those with invisible illnesses (<a href="http://www.spotlightonstigma.com/" target="_blank">www.spotlightonstigma.com</a>&nbsp;).&nbsp; She has one daughter in college and is in a steady relationship with a fellow photographer.

From the <a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/Being-Socially-Isolated-with-Mental-Illness-A-Perspective-for-Loved-Ones?fbclid=IwAR2X2cLvoBxDD1PbBe5SqIBV22lnA9mfwt3xW-J2gCZQrvyZKkffl_fYGvM">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>By Tracy Riggs<figure>
 <img src="https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/BlogImageArchive/2020/social-isolation-blog.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>One of the mental health conditions I deal with is social anxiety. So, you would probably think that I rejoiced when the CDC guidelines came down about social isolation.&nbsp;However, that’s far from the truth.Social anxiety doesn't mean I want to be a hermit. I still crave human interaction, just not all types (like crowds, small talk or making phone calls). The amount of anxiety I feel about social situations varies depending on where I am with my other mental health issues. In fact, with everything going on, I actually need social contact now more than ever.In addition to social anxiety, I have bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and agoraphobia. Each condition causes me to react differently to this period of social isolation based on my individual symptoms.Here is how each of my symptoms affects me during this time, and what I want loved ones to know.<h2>When I’m manic</h2>I get hyper-focused on multi-tasking. In this case, when a friend reaches out to me, I often ignore the phone call or text until a later time "when I'm finished."It's not that I'm ignoring that&nbsp;person.&nbsp;I often really want to touch base, especially now when there's so little regular human interaction taking place. It's just that once my brain is locked on accomplishing certain tasks&nbsp;right now, I can't quickly switch out of that mode.&nbsp;In my mind, I always think I'm almost finished and will call or text that person right back. But then one of these outcomes usually occurs:<ol>
 <li>I take&nbsp;&nbsp;longer than I thought I would to complete the tasks and the person is no longer available.</li><li>I am absolutely worn out from my frantic focusing and just can't deal with communicating with anyone at that point.</li><li>I forget that they called because the part of my brain that remembers those types of things was being used to keep up with all the tasks I was trying to accomplish.</li>
 </ol><h2>To my loved ones</h2>Please understand that I’m&nbsp;never&nbsp;ignoring you because I don’t want to hear from you or because I don’t value our relationship. If I did manage to stop what I was doing to take that call or reply to that text, I would be very distracted. My plan is always to wait until I have calmed down from all the “doing” to focus on you. However, it rarely works out that way. If you don’t hear back from me right away, don't assume it's because I don't want to talk. Please reach out again.<h2>When I'm anxious</h2>Another way I'm affected during social isolation is how hard it is for me to reach out to others due to my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/anxiety-disorders">social anxiety</a>. Making a phone call can take a herculean effort.I will often put off making a phone call for hours, or until it's too late, even when I really need or want to talk to the person I'm calling. I've always assumed it's because I don't want to disturb that person, but I don't know if that's the actual reason or just one I can deal with. It also may be fear of rejection if they don’t answer the phone. I've tried to overcome it, but I haven't been able to yet.However, texting is easier to use for initial reaching out, so I will text someone I want to talk to and ask if I can call them.<h2>To my loved ones</h2>Please understand that I want to reach out so much more than I actually do. I think about it throughout the day, but if I'm having a hard time with anxiety, making that initial contact with you can take more effort than I have. Reaching out has been even harder lately, now that I’m experiencing more anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don't forget about me. When I'm in this state I can take calls and texts — I just can't always initiate them myself.<h2>When I'm depressed</h2><a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/depression">Depression</a>&nbsp;makes it hard for me to communicate with others generally. However, when I'm really depressed (or really anxious, I need to know you are there for me more than ever.&nbsp;Clinical depression is a state where you often can't make yourself do what you want to do or enjoy. Concentration issues, crying, feeling hopeless, apathy and irritability are other common symptoms.&nbsp;During a depressive phase, I need to know that someone cares. At the same time, I don't want to burden others with how I feel. I don't want to snap at you because I'm angry or spend an entire conversation crying.<h2>To my loved ones</h2>If we haven't communicated in a while, please make the effort to reach out to me. If you call, know that I might not be able to talk. Talk to me. Tell me about your day. Something as simple as sitting on the phone with you while you watch TV can help, even if neither of us says a word. It's a reminder that someone is out there and cares when I feel so alone. If I'm severely depressed, a phone call at the right time can literally save my life (and actually has in the past).So, what do you do when someone you love has multiple illnesses that each take different strategies to overcome? I try to talk to the people I love when I am in a good mental health state, so they know how to respond when I'm struggling. I also&nbsp;don’t mind being asked at the beginning of a conversation where I am with my mental health, so please ask if that option is available to you and your loved one.Don’t give up on those you love with mental illness,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;during this fearful time. We need you now more than ever.Tracy Riggs is a professional photographer (<a href="http://www.cmbtphotography.com/" target="_blank">www.cmbtphotography.com</a>) and writer.&nbsp; She deals with several invisible illnesses in her and loved ones' lives and is passionate about lessening the stigma of those with invisible illnesses (<a href="http://www.spotlightonstigma.com/" target="_blank">www.spotlightonstigma.com</a>&nbsp;).&nbsp; She has one daughter in college and is in a steady relationship with a fellow photographer.

Being socially isolated with a mental illness: A perspective for loved ones

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - An inmate has assaulted two staffers at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, state prison system officials said.

The assaulted happened Tuesday morning in the prison yard, when multiple groups of men started fighting, according to a Nebraska Department of Correctional Services news release.

Staff members used pepper spray to break up the fights, which resulted in two inmate receiving cuts from homemade weapons. Prison officials say their injuries were not serious, and both men were treated by medical staff at the facility.

As prisoners were being escorted back to their cells, one inmate managed to slip out of his restraints and repeatedly punched a nearby staffer, then attacked another staffer who came to help, officials said. Both staffers were treated at a local hospital for injuries described as serious.

The Lancaster County Attorney will determine whether to bring charges in the attack once the investigation is complete.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - An inmate has assaulted two staffers at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, state prison system officials said.The assaulted happened Tuesday morning in the prison yard, when multiple groups of men started fighting, according to a Nebraska Department of Correctional Services news release.Staff members used pepper spray to break up the fights, which resulted in two inmate receiving cuts from homemade weapons. Prison officials say their injuries were not serious, and both men were treated by medical staff at the facility.As prisoners were being escorted back to their cells, one inmate managed to slip out of his restraints and repeatedly punched a nearby staffer, then attacked another staffer who came to help, officials said. Both staffers were treated at a local hospital for injuries described as serious.The Lancaster County Attorney will determine whether to bring charges in the attack once the investigation is complete.

Officials: Inmate assaults 2 Nebraska State Pen staffers

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://news.unl.edu/written-by/leslie-reed-university-communication/">Leslie Reed | University Communication</a>

In a joint effort, University Operations and University Housing are preparing up to 45 rooms in Harper Hall to be available under a state government contract to provide self-quarantine space for first responders, health care workers and others.

To allow for proper social distancing, no more than five rooms on each of nine residential floors of the hall will be assigned to people who need out-of-home quarantine housing because they or someone they live with has been exposed to COVID-19.

The University of Nebraska system signed a contract with the State of Nebraska in early April to supply beds for quarantine purposes at University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska at Kearney and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the launch of the program during his COVID-19 briefing April 17 at the State Capitol. He said the first people seeking quarantine space would arrive at UNO facilities soon. It is not known when Harper Hall rooms might be brought into use.

According to Jim Jackson, associate vice chancellor of University Operations, Harper Hall will be used to house people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, but need to self-quarantine because of possible exposure to the coronavirus. Harper Hall is a traditional college residence hall, with communal restrooms on each floor.

Each room in use for quarantine will be assigned to a different set of fixtures in the restroom, so that those in quarantine will not share toilets, sinks or showers.

If isolation space is needed for people who have developed symptoms, they will be placed in suite-style housing on East Campus. Suite-style housing has bathroom facilities in each suite. In addition, if more self-quarantine space is needed for asymptomatic people, a second traditional residence hall on City Campus may be opened under operations similar to those planned for Harper Hall.

The Nebraska National Guard will be responsible for operation, security and maintenance of the facility while it is used for quarantine purposes. The university has hired an outside firm, Advance Services, Inc., to provide custodial services, with personnel being trained to follow CDC and other public health care protocols for COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting.

University Dining Service will deliver three meals a day to the building, with offerings to include hot meals, vegetarian and special needs options. The meals will be distributed to individual rooms by the National Guard.

Jackson said the decision to hire an outside custodial firm was based upon an abundance of caution to separate the university community from the outside community. Housing staff continues to serve approximately 750 students who have been moved to suite-style housing on another part of the City Campus. The separation will reduce opportunities for coronavirus to be transmitted to university students or staff.

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://news.unl.edu/written-by/leslie-reed-university-communication/">Leslie Reed | University Communication</a>In a joint effort, University Operations and University Housing are preparing up to 45 rooms in Harper Hall to be available under a state government contract to provide self-quarantine space for first responders, health care workers and others.To allow for proper social distancing, no more than five rooms on each of nine residential floors of the hall will be assigned to people who need out-of-home quarantine housing because they or someone they live with has been exposed to COVID-19.The University of Nebraska system signed a contract with the State of Nebraska in early April to supply beds for quarantine purposes at University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska at Kearney and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis.Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the launch of the program during his COVID-19 briefing April 17 at the State Capitol. He said the first people seeking quarantine space would arrive at UNO facilities soon. It is not known when Harper Hall rooms might be brought into use.<figure>
 <img src="https://news.unl.edu/sites/default/files/styles/meta/public/media/200410_Harper_332a.jpg?itok=Z8idnvf2" alt="Craig Chandler | University CommunicationHarper Hall could be used to house first responders and medical personnel who need to self-isolate while still working. The Nebraska National Guard would supervise the hall. (Craig Chandler/University Communication)" />
 <figcaption>Craig Chandler | University CommunicationHarper Hall could be used to house first responders and medical personnel who need to self-isolate while still working. The Nebraska National Guard would supervise the hall. (Craig Chandler/University Communication)</figcaption>
 </figure>According to Jim Jackson, associate vice chancellor of University Operations, Harper Hall will be used to house people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, but need to self-quarantine because of possible exposure to the coronavirus. Harper Hall is a traditional college residence hall, with communal restrooms on each floor.Each room in use for quarantine will be assigned to a different set of fixtures in the restroom, so that those in quarantine will not share toilets, sinks or showers.If isolation space is needed for people who have developed symptoms, they will be placed in suite-style housing on East Campus. Suite-style housing has bathroom facilities in each suite. In addition, if more self-quarantine space is needed for asymptomatic people, a second traditional residence hall on City Campus may be opened under operations similar to those planned for Harper Hall.The Nebraska National Guard will be responsible for operation, security and maintenance of the facility while it is used for quarantine purposes. The university has hired an outside firm, Advance Services, Inc., to provide custodial services, with personnel being trained to follow CDC and other public health care protocols for COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting.University Dining Service will deliver three meals a day to the building, with offerings to include hot meals, vegetarian and special needs options. The meals will be distributed to individual rooms by the National Guard.Jackson said the decision to hire an outside custodial firm was based upon an abundance of caution to separate the university community from the outside community. Housing staff continues to serve approximately 750 students who have been moved to suite-style housing on another part of the City Campus. The separation will reduce opportunities for coronavirus to be transmitted to university students or staff.

University of Nebraska prepared to provide quarantine space for community

Many households in Nebraska’s rural counties, especially in the Panhandle and Sandhills, are slow in responding to the 2020 Census, compared to those in more populous counties. 

If that trend continues, parts of rural Nebraska could potentially lose a lot of dollars and growth opportunities over the next decade, according to several Nebraska Extension Community Vitality educators and specialists. They are encouraging rural Nebraskans to make sure they are counted in the 2020 Census.

Community Vitality professionals have been receiving updates about Census response from&nbsp;David&nbsp;Drozd, research coordinator&nbsp; of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO, who shares&nbsp;data from “<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__public.tableau.com_views_ResponseRateChallenge_CountyDashboard-3F-253AshowVizHome-3Dno-26-253Atabs-3Dn-26State-3DNebraska-26Select-2520Mode-3DTotal-26Share&amp;d=DwMFAg&amp;c=Cu5g146wZdoqVuKpTNsYHeFX_rg6kWhlkLF8Eft-wwo&amp;r=hj_plkhQR_oEAtHGKucmS15JgP9NT6emdS8UL1_RDOE&amp;m=RuCwvymG9ssfVuRg6Hc-pps4nrg9PKrKk4gPeOBnYSU&amp;s=aN-PFlJtDeVBS3ui9pBzPNF7t1oV17vc_0i6mbCIqLE&amp;e=" target="_blank">real-time response rates</a>” to the 2020 Census that the Bureau updates daily. Response rates are the percentage of households that have self-responded to mailings from the Census Bureau, either on the internet or via mail.

The areas where response is lower are predominately rural, according to Drozd. Counties with higher response rates tend to be outlying/commuting areas for the Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island metros. Other areas with higher household response rates include Nebraska’s two largest counties, Douglas and Lancaster, and counties with a medium-sized community serving as a regional center for goods and services like Platte, Madison, Adams, and Buffalo counties.

Counties with lower response rates were concentrated primarily in the western half of the state, as well as the Sandhills, the southwest corner, and the northeast corner of Nebraska (bordering the Missouri River).

The only counties in the Panhandle above a 50 percent response rate were Box Butte, Dawes, Cheyenne, and Scotts Bluff.

As a state, Nebraska has a self-response rate of above 60 percent, compared to the nationwide response rate of above 53 percent. 

Rural Nebraska has a lot at stake in the 2020 Census, according to several Extension professionals in western Nebraska who work extensively with rural communities. Counties who under-report their population run the risk of losing funding for the next decade.

The Census is more than a headcount, said Jason Weigle, Community Vitality Educator for Nebraska Extension based in Sidney. “The Census provides an important starting point for allocation of population-based Federal funding as well as allocation of Congressional members. It allows researchers and agencies to assist local governments in making decisions about how to allocate their resources. Not having an accurate number creates unintended consequences further down the road.”

The UNO Center for Public Affairs Research estimates that each Census enumeration brings approximately $20,000 per person per decade in Federal population-based funding into the state. A missed household of typical Nebraska size (2.5 persons) equates to a $50,000 loss. 

“That’s additional funds that could have been used across the Panhandle for infrastructure, for hospitals and medical clinics, for agriculture programs, for schools, and for other areas where population-based funding is allocated.” 

The Extension experts list several additional good reasons for responding: The Census is safe and confidential – personal information cannot be identified or used by ICE or law enforcement. And the Census is easy; it asks only 10 generic questions that take about 10 minutes once every 10 years. 

The low response from rural Nebraska may be partly explained by bad coincidence, according to

Extension Community Development Specialist Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel: “We had bad timing with the promotion of the Census and COVID-19 happening at the same time.” Regardless, the stakes are high for the future of rural Nebraska, she said: “Low responses rates will haunt our county budgets for 10 years – we can’t let that happen.” 

Not only are rural counties slower to respond to the 2020 Census; particular groups within communities in rural Nebraska may have relatively lower rates of self-response to the Census, according to Jackie Guzman, Extension Educator based in Scottsbluff. 

Nebraska Extension is collaborating with a local nonprofit in Scottsbluff, Empowering Families, to reach out to Latino and Native American communities in Scottsbluff to encourage them to participate.&nbsp;They are focusing on two areas in Scottsbluff that had a low response rate currently and in the 2010 census responses in comparison to others in the county.&nbsp;One is a predominately Latino and Native American neighborhood. 

By Nebraska Extension<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588174983179.png" alt="Nebraska’s self-response rate to the 2020 Census, by county, as of April 26 is depicted in this computer screen capture. The view is taken from a U.S. Census website. Counties shaded in yellow, orange and brown indicate where the self-response rate is at or below 50 percent. Darker shading indicates a lower response. Counties shaded in blue indicate a response of 51 percent or higher; darker blue shading indicates a higher response. Rural counties tend to have a lower response rate in much of western Nebraska." />
 <figcaption>Nebraska’s self-response rate to the 2020 Census, by county, as of April 26 is depicted in this computer screen capture. The view is taken from a U.S. Census website. Counties shaded in yellow, orange and brown indicate where the self-response rate is at or below 50 percent. Darker shading indicates a lower response. Counties shaded in blue indicate a response of 51 percent or higher; darker blue shading indicates a higher response. Rural counties tend to have a lower response rate in much of western Nebraska.</figcaption>
 </figure>Many households in Nebraska’s rural counties, especially in the Panhandle and Sandhills, are slow in responding to the 2020 Census, compared to those in more populous counties. If that trend continues, parts of rural Nebraska could potentially lose a lot of dollars and growth opportunities over the next decade, according to several Nebraska Extension Community Vitality educators and specialists. They are encouraging rural Nebraskans to make sure they are counted in the 2020 Census. Community Vitality professionals have been receiving updates about Census response from&nbsp;David&nbsp;Drozd, research coordinator&nbsp; of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO, who shares&nbsp;data from “<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__public.tableau.com_views_ResponseRateChallenge_CountyDashboard-3F-253AshowVizHome-3Dno-26-253Atabs-3Dn-26State-3DNebraska-26Select-2520Mode-3DTotal-26Share&amp;d=DwMFAg&amp;c=Cu5g146wZdoqVuKpTNsYHeFX_rg6kWhlkLF8Eft-wwo&amp;r=hj_plkhQR_oEAtHGKucmS15JgP9NT6emdS8UL1_RDOE&amp;m=RuCwvymG9ssfVuRg6Hc-pps4nrg9PKrKk4gPeOBnYSU&amp;s=aN-PFlJtDeVBS3ui9pBzPNF7t1oV17vc_0i6mbCIqLE&amp;e=" target="_blank">real-time response rates</a>” to the 2020 Census that the Bureau updates daily. Response rates are the percentage of households that have self-responded to mailings from the Census Bureau, either on the internet or via mail. The areas where response is lower are predominately rural, according to Drozd. Counties with higher response rates tend to be outlying/commuting areas for the Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island metros. Other areas with higher household response rates include Nebraska’s two largest counties, Douglas and Lancaster, and counties with a medium-sized community serving as a regional center for goods and services like Platte, Madison, Adams, and Buffalo counties.Counties with lower response rates were concentrated primarily in the western half of the state, as well as the Sandhills, the southwest corner, and the northeast corner of Nebraska (bordering the Missouri River).The only counties in the Panhandle above a 50 percent response rate were Box Butte, Dawes, Cheyenne, and Scotts Bluff.As a state, Nebraska has a self-response rate of above 60 percent, compared to the nationwide response rate of above 53 percent. Rural Nebraska has a lot at stake in the 2020 Census, according to several Extension professionals in western Nebraska who work extensively with rural communities. Counties who under-report their population run the risk of losing funding for the next decade.The Census is more than a headcount, said Jason Weigle, Community Vitality Educator for Nebraska Extension based in Sidney. “The Census provides an important starting point for allocation of population-based Federal funding as well as allocation of Congressional members. It allows researchers and agencies to assist local governments in making decisions about how to allocate their resources. Not having an accurate number creates unintended consequences further down the road.”The UNO Center for Public Affairs Research estimates that each Census enumeration brings approximately $20,000 per person per decade in Federal population-based funding into the state. A missed household of typical Nebraska size (2.5 persons) equates to a $50,000 loss. “That’s additional funds that could have been used across the Panhandle for infrastructure, for hospitals and medical clinics, for agriculture programs, for schools, and for other areas where population-based funding is allocated.” The Extension experts list several additional good reasons for responding: The Census is safe and confidential – personal information cannot be identified or used by ICE or law enforcement. And the Census is easy; it asks only 10 generic questions that take about 10 minutes once every 10 years. The low response from rural Nebraska may be partly explained by bad coincidence, according toExtension Community Development Specialist Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel: “We had bad timing with the promotion of the Census and COVID-19 happening at the same time.” Regardless, the stakes are high for the future of rural Nebraska, she said: “Low responses rates will haunt our county budgets for 10 years – we can’t let that happen.” Not only are rural counties slower to respond to the 2020 Census; particular groups within communities in rural Nebraska may have relatively lower rates of self-response to the Census, according to Jackie Guzman, Extension Educator based in Scottsbluff. Nebraska Extension is collaborating with a local nonprofit in Scottsbluff, Empowering Families, to reach out to Latino and Native American communities in Scottsbluff to encourage them to participate.&nbsp;They are focusing on two areas in Scottsbluff that had a low response rate currently and in the 2010 census responses in comparison to others in the county.&nbsp;One is a predominately Latino and Native American neighborhood. Guzman said anybody with questions can contact her (<a href="mailto:jguzman2@unl.edu" target="_blank">jguzman2@unl.edu</a>,&nbsp;308-220-8239) or Leo Sierra, 4-H Assistant (<a href="mailto:lsierra2@unl.edu" target="_blank">lsierra2@unl.edu</a>, 402-318-2387, and receive help in either English or Spanish. Census operations have been pushed back 2-4 months, given the virus, so rural Nebraska residents still have time to improve the response rate.&nbsp; Those who never received a paper survey, or who received one but threw it away or lost it, can go to&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__my2020census.gov_&amp;d=DwMFAw&amp;c=Cu5g146wZdoqVuKpTNsYHeFX_rg6kWhlkLF8Eft-wwo&amp;r=dmOmVfUEyxLrjsX-vIn6dD7lxdYo6j9xn9S8B7VrMOI&amp;m=ekKO5jiBDoa1Qil0GwfrfNeRfV3xScpoQldNcDImvCQ&amp;s=4bJOxCUHEVzkFeMW-CtsNSVmFQ39tarmotowRUmTEr0&amp;e=" target="_blank">https://my2020census.gov/</a>&nbsp;Using the 12 digit ID from the mailings is recommended, but it can be completed based upon the household’s address as well.People can also fill it out by phone (using their address) by calling 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish). “The ten minutes it takes to complete the Census form will help everyone over the next 10 years,” Weigle said. “We have the time to change this trend – to get more people counted – but it’s going to take everyone chipping in to do it.” Added Burkhart Kriesel: “This is something each of us can do&nbsp;now&nbsp;to help our communities, counties and region.&nbsp; It may seem like a little thing to complete the Census but our collective actions do make a difference.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Household response rates for Panhandle counties as of April 26 (total response, including online and mail):Banner: 42.1Box Butte: 58.0Cheyenne: 53.3Dawes: 55.5Deuel: 44.9Garden: 43.0Kimball: 49.3Morrill: 37.8Scotts Bluff: 53.9Sheridan: 44.7Sioux: 31.6