MCLAUGHLIN, S.D. (Rapid City Journal) — A family of five on the Standing Rock Reservation has been living in a car and floating among relatives after a small South Dakota town shut off the utilities at their trailer home. 

The mayor of McLaughlin, Arnold Schott, said there was no choice because the town wouldn’t be able to pay its own bills if it didn’t turn off utilities for those who haven’t paid for them. 

Thirty-nine-year-old Patric White Mountain tells the Rapid City Journal his wife, Heaven Strong Heart, and their three children, ages 7, 5 and 1, are at greater risk for contracting the coronavirus without stable housing and running water.&nbsp;

MCLAUGHLIN, S.D. (Rapid City Journal) — A family of five on the Standing Rock Reservation has been living in a car and floating among relatives after a small South Dakota town shut off the utilities at their trailer home. The mayor of McLaughlin, Arnold Schott, said there was no choice because the town wouldn’t be able to pay its own bills if it didn’t turn off utilities for those who haven’t paid for them. Thirty-nine-year-old Patric White Mountain tells the Rapid City Journal his wife, Heaven Strong Heart, and their three children, ages 7, 5 and 1, are at greater risk for contracting the coronavirus without stable housing and running water.&nbsp;

Family loses utilities, mayor says there's no other choice

AP- President Donald Trump on Saturday granted state leaders’ request for Wyoming to be declared a major disaster area because of the effects of the coronavirus. 

The declaration means state, local and tribal governments in Wyoming will be eligible for federal aid to help recovery efforts. 

As of Friday, Wyoming had recorded over 300 confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus in 19 of its 23 counties; 105 of those people had recovered. 

Pete Gaynor, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, named Lee K. dePalo as the federal coordinating officer for the state.&nbsp;

AP- President Donald Trump on Saturday granted state leaders’ request for Wyoming to be declared a major disaster area because of the effects of the coronavirus. The declaration means state, local and tribal governments in Wyoming will be eligible for federal aid to help recovery efforts. As of Friday, Wyoming had recorded over 300 confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus in 19 of its 23 counties; 105 of those people had recovered. Pete Gaynor, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, named Lee K. dePalo as the federal coordinating officer for the state.&nbsp;

Trump declares Wyoming major disaster area because of virus

By Tim Lordino, Chadron Police Chief

On Thursday April 9 at approximately 2 p.m. officers of the Chadron Police Department were dispatched to a report of a domestic assault which had occurred at the 100 block of Bordeaux Street. Officers learned that the suspect of the assault had fled in a vehicle.

Officers continued to look for the suspect throughout the day and learned that he was headed back into Chadron at approximately 7 p.m. The suspect was stopped by the Nebraska State Patrol and detained until officers from the Chadron Police Department arrived and arrested 25-year-old Patrick Bordeaux.

Bordeaux was booked into the Dawes County Jail for the charges of Strangulation (Class IIIA Felony, Terroristic Threats (Class IIIA Felony) and Domestic Assault 3rd Degree (Class I Misdemeanor). 

Bond for Bordeaux was set at 10% of $10,000.

The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sheridan County Sheriffs Office.

By Tim Lordino, Chadron Police ChiefOn Thursday April 9 at approximately 2 p.m. officers of the Chadron Police Department were dispatched to a report of a domestic assault which had occurred at the 100 block of Bordeaux Street. Officers learned that the suspect of the assault had fled in a vehicle.Officers continued to look for the suspect throughout the day and learned that he was headed back into Chadron at approximately 7 p.m. The suspect was stopped by the Nebraska State Patrol and detained until officers from the Chadron Police Department arrived and arrested 25-year-old Patrick Bordeaux.Bordeaux was booked into the Dawes County Jail for the charges of Strangulation (Class IIIA Felony, Terroristic Threats (Class IIIA Felony) and Domestic Assault 3rd Degree (Class I Misdemeanor). Bond for Bordeaux was set at 10% of $10,000.The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sheridan County Sheriffs Office.

Chadron man arrested for strangulation, terroristic threats, domestic assault

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — More than 104 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in South Dakota, bringing the state's total number of confirmed cases to 730. 

An update Sunday from the state Department of Health says 89 of the new cases are in Minnehaha County, where more than half of that county's 527 cases have been in employees at the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls.

 The company announced Sunday that it would close the plant until further notice. No new COVID-19-related deaths were reported Sunday; a total of six people in the state have died from the virus.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — More than 104 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in South Dakota, bringing the state's total number of confirmed cases to 730. An update Sunday from the state Department of Health says 89 of the new cases are in Minnehaha County, where more than half of that county's 527 cases have been in employees at the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls. The company announced Sunday that it would close the plant until further notice. No new COVID-19-related deaths were reported Sunday; a total of six people in the state have died from the virus.

Number of COVID-19 cases in South Dakota surpasses 700

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586734132738.png" alt="loup-basin-4-12-20.png" />
 <figcaption>loup-basin-4-12-20.png</figcaption>
 </figure>

Six additional cases of COVID-19 reported in Custer County

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A North Platte rescue has announced that they will be temporarily closing their doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue made the following announcement:

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that today we announce the **TEMPORARY** closing of the Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue FURcility.&nbsp;

We know that COVID-19 has affected our entire world, and it has finally affected us.&nbsp;

Our rescue program is based entirely on volunteers. Even myself, the Director who never sleeps and eats, breathes and lives for rescue - rescues voluntarily and runs the rescue after a regular job and regular life stuff. Because of this, I depend greatly on other volunteers to help me care for the cats in our facility.

We've been open for three years and had some amazing, AMAZING volunteers and also some not so great ones. I've been stolen from, lied to and betrayed. All part of the learning process. But I've learned that I must be picky about who I allow into our program. They must meet standards of responsibility, reliability, and honesty. Not all do. I only mention this because integrity is important to me and this program. And not every person who applies has that. I can't and won't just allow any 'ol person to come in here.

I have a volunteer that has been with me since day one who recently had to step back for personal reasons. I've had some with me for 2+ years who had health issues and had to step back. I still have some that have been with me for a long time and remain. It's just always a juggle for them and me, and that's fine. I can handle it, I appreciate all my volunteers from the depths of my soul, and they know that. But when you take the normal struggles and changes in a volunteer program and mix in COVID-19..... Everything changes. Everything.

Let me say that we are all fine.. No one is sick. We're fine. But it's ever-changing and in the blink of an eye, that can be different. We lost two volunteers when we weren't even a full bunch again, due to the college closing and an (understandably) self-imposed isolation for safety. We tried to fill those spots and can't. Then we lost another for another reason. We can't have open shifts, or the cats don't get care. They don't get meds, they don't get the things they need. I have to work, I can't afford not to, so I can't be there at all hours of every day. I depend on volunteers...

Yesterday, I learned a third volunteer needed to take a break as she works directly with the public and could have been exposed to someone who may have been exposed. Sounds like a long shot right? Yes. Not panic for me, even 6 months pregnant, I'm OK with that - but I am not OK with putting volunteers I love at any possible risk. Our doors are closed to the public and have been. We have one person per shift, so there is zero minglings. We are literally the cleanest, most disinfected building you'll ever find. But....... I am killing myself with stress trying to make sure my volunteers stay safe and finding new ones to come help. The help isn't coming right now... Because the world is locked up, scared and we all want to protect ourselves and our families.

Our vets are closed except essentials. We can't do anything about that. They are continuing to see Cyrus but they are also in a predicament and affected.

I have cried for weeks over what to do and where to go. I have prayed for answers and sat quietly trying to be the best, most responsible leader I can be. It is a gut-wrenching choice, but it is the right one. Until this all passes, and once Cyrus gets adopted, we will lock up for a bit. *Temporarily.* Take a break. And return when it is safe for the humans who sacrifice so much to help us save our furry friends.

We will still have all our other programs running. We will still support the city shelter, provide them medical care, make sure those aninals are safe. They are also closed to the public at this time. But we will continue to communicate with them and keep our promise to protect those animals.

We will continue our Snip it in the bud program for spay-neuter assistance.

We will still run&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LostPawsNorthPlatte/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDjCrRuVEX1FyadXSHU5rQjXWAbx-BsjNgJ2MHoJqlsM3ZoN3aOtQH1_QXCmS5vDaCTIgcimYkKI6MpKRlNWokf_Ffiyq-gz8v2_3RhWzQFFGdeDsJop2NfPd_UjkoUiHjdUxNAhU68oCY4uW1-ATFH5062jBBQAnhP3jAg-WjuphvYivwAXJYE_yX9OZthC322dxrn0_PJ2KaDt6d2gr1eVKi3kUJmg5E4uO-DAUEx6cWsXPwhe4UycjWkakWy7RcDudazbYPj8YXAkrJ66T2skEG7l8LNCb1Mj2wNgSudFEBohl8GPz4O4aROKzcRg8NbL0uTpzr80XUe_E4-ZrAVFrLuDzYX-kBJcZQJz2D_yfWBtm3Ypew&amp;__xts__%5B1%5D=68.ARANpuMVIYgBgLkmnjtd3S2v4vlkj6_HdQCiwUni3g6jOdss8W6VBHaCLHU-k5Wnvw0Uxpe11gcEINwcyBQr4-e_2LhlOhTCFs9Ju_JdcqkuCYQlKHDJqL-NE13ahUwQEVReE0DkW2m--0_9W2XGreDIAlkXt86vatREwM-NOf7N8dOou0_FSqg6wicdUVtANQZ8M64iYNpQHSqQ8eJHA56Fju31Hj5J5fJmWg81PBhxuKoBvjy0-mv3KAbAWReiOS5Z3igfUnny1-0QnJoZhpre8AwP5DprZCNkTCAv0stPncKvrGVEf2T7xchJhpMCqjd4ffBWdnpKgj_-EudE0eaSkA&amp;__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARA05ew0CSHXHeZLXDhKKLcAd1Su4uDBKlXtAuCG0CCNTFdEPhrJlG67yBEiJs5A6A2DN_g3DUUdY52y&amp;fref=mentions">LOST PAWS - North Platte, NE.</a>, Cans for Critters and co-op the North Platte Pet Food Pantry.

We will still do all the things behind the scenes that we always have.. You have our word we will still be here, fighting for the animals. Nothing else changes, we just won't have a facility capable of running without humans hands inside, for a little while.

Thank you all for understanding and please, selfishly, say a pray for me as I try to come to terms with a gigantic change in my life, although temporary, this is my life work. My everything. And I will pray for all of you. Thank you all.

We will be back in action soon. God Bless. Stay safe. Stay strong! It's all only temporary, for all of us.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586729577237.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A North Platte rescue has announced that they will be temporarily closing their doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue made the following announcement:It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that today we announce the **TEMPORARY** closing of the Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue FURcility.&nbsp;We know that COVID-19 has affected our entire world, and it has finally affected us.&nbsp;Our rescue program is based entirely on volunteers. Even myself, the Director who never sleeps and eats, breathes and lives for rescue - rescues voluntarily and runs the rescue after a regular job and regular life stuff. Because of this, I depend greatly on other volunteers to help me care for the cats in our facility.We've been open for three years and had some amazing, AMAZING volunteers and also some not so great ones. I've been stolen from, lied to and betrayed. All part of the learning process. But I've learned that I must be picky about who I allow into our program. They must meet standards of responsibility, reliability, and honesty. Not all do. I only mention this because integrity is important to me and this program. And not every person who applies has that. I can't and won't just allow any 'ol person to come in here.I have a volunteer that has been with me since day one who recently had to step back for personal reasons. I've had some with me for 2+ years who had health issues and had to step back. I still have some that have been with me for a long time and remain. It's just always a juggle for them and me, and that's fine. I can handle it, I appreciate all my volunteers from the depths of my soul, and they know that. But when you take the normal struggles and changes in a volunteer program and mix in COVID-19..... Everything changes. Everything.Let me say that we are all fine.. No one is sick. We're fine. But it's ever-changing and in the blink of an eye, that can be different. We lost two volunteers when we weren't even a full bunch again, due to the college closing and an (understandably) self-imposed isolation for safety. We tried to fill those spots and can't. Then we lost another for another reason. We can't have open shifts, or the cats don't get care. They don't get meds, they don't get the things they need. I have to work, I can't afford not to, so I can't be there at all hours of every day. I depend on volunteers...Yesterday, I learned a third volunteer needed to take a break as she works directly with the public and could have been exposed to someone who may have been exposed. Sounds like a long shot right? Yes. Not panic for me, even 6 months pregnant, I'm OK with that - but I am not OK with putting volunteers I love at any possible risk. Our doors are closed to the public and have been. We have one person per shift, so there is zero minglings. We are literally the cleanest, most disinfected building you'll ever find. But....... I am killing myself with stress trying to make sure my volunteers stay safe and finding new ones to come help. The help isn't coming right now... Because the world is locked up, scared and we all want to protect ourselves and our families.Our vets are closed except essentials. We can't do anything about that. They are continuing to see Cyrus but they are also in a predicament and affected.I have cried for weeks over what to do and where to go. I have prayed for answers and sat quietly trying to be the best, most responsible leader I can be. It is a gut-wrenching choice, but it is the right one. Until this all passes, and once Cyrus gets adopted, we will lock up for a bit. *Temporarily.* Take a break. And return when it is safe for the humans who sacrifice so much to help us save our furry friends.We will still have all our other programs running. We will still support the city shelter, provide them medical care, make sure those aninals are safe. They are also closed to the public at this time. But we will continue to communicate with them and keep our promise to protect those animals.We will continue our Snip it in the bud program for spay-neuter assistance.We will still run&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LostPawsNorthPlatte/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDjCrRuVEX1FyadXSHU5rQjXWAbx-BsjNgJ2MHoJqlsM3ZoN3aOtQH1_QXCmS5vDaCTIgcimYkKI6MpKRlNWokf_Ffiyq-gz8v2_3RhWzQFFGdeDsJop2NfPd_UjkoUiHjdUxNAhU68oCY4uW1-ATFH5062jBBQAnhP3jAg-WjuphvYivwAXJYE_yX9OZthC322dxrn0_PJ2KaDt6d2gr1eVKi3kUJmg5E4uO-DAUEx6cWsXPwhe4UycjWkakWy7RcDudazbYPj8YXAkrJ66T2skEG7l8LNCb1Mj2wNgSudFEBohl8GPz4O4aROKzcRg8NbL0uTpzr80XUe_E4-ZrAVFrLuDzYX-kBJcZQJz2D_yfWBtm3Ypew&amp;__xts__%5B1%5D=68.ARANpuMVIYgBgLkmnjtd3S2v4vlkj6_HdQCiwUni3g6jOdss8W6VBHaCLHU-k5Wnvw0Uxpe11gcEINwcyBQr4-e_2LhlOhTCFs9Ju_JdcqkuCYQlKHDJqL-NE13ahUwQEVReE0DkW2m--0_9W2XGreDIAlkXt86vatREwM-NOf7N8dOou0_FSqg6wicdUVtANQZ8M64iYNpQHSqQ8eJHA56Fju31Hj5J5fJmWg81PBhxuKoBvjy0-mv3KAbAWReiOS5Z3igfUnny1-0QnJoZhpre8AwP5DprZCNkTCAv0stPncKvrGVEf2T7xchJhpMCqjd4ffBWdnpKgj_-EudE0eaSkA&amp;__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARA05ew0CSHXHeZLXDhKKLcAd1Su4uDBKlXtAuCG0CCNTFdEPhrJlG67yBEiJs5A6A2DN_g3DUUdY52y&amp;fref=mentions">LOST PAWS - North Platte, NE.</a>, Cans for Critters and co-op the North Platte Pet Food Pantry.We will still do all the things behind the scenes that we always have.. You have our word we will still be here, fighting for the animals. Nothing else changes, we just won't have a facility capable of running without humans hands inside, for a little while.Thank you all for understanding and please, selfishly, say a pray for me as I try to come to terms with a gigantic change in my life, although temporary, this is my life work. My everything. And I will pray for all of you. Thank you all.We will be back in action soon. God Bless. Stay safe. Stay strong! It's all only temporary, for all of us.&nbsp;

Fur the Love of PAWS announces temporary closure

Lincoln –&nbsp;Three counties reported new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Saturday.

The Panhandle Public Health District reported Box Butte County's first case of COVID-19.&nbsp; The Box Butte County case is a female in her 70s who has been isolating in her home since April 3. This case is travel-related.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/Site/Documents/NewsReleases/COVID-19%20Positive%20test%20results%2004.11.2020%20Scotts%20Bluff%20%26%20Box%20Butte%20County.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.pphd.org/Site/Documents/NewsReleases/COVID-19%20Positive%20test%20results%2004.11.2020%20Scotts%20Bluff%20&amp;%20Box%20Butte%20County.pdf&nbsp;</a>

The Northeast Nebraska Public Health District reported Wayne County's first case of COVID-19, a male in his 70s who has been isolating at home since before symptoms started.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nnphd/photos/a.1329229240478436/2868190959915582/?type=3&amp;theate" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/nnphd/photos/a.1329229240478436/2868190959915582/?type=3&amp;theate&nbsp;</a>

The North Central District Health Department also reported a first case in Pierce County.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCDHD/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/NCDHD/&nbsp;</a>

The Loup Basin Public Health Department (LBPHD) confirmed nine additional cases at a long-term care facility in Custer County. The cases are all related.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lbphd.org/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/lbphd.org/&nbsp;</a>

A resident of the Central Nebraska Veterans' Home (CNVH) in Kearney has tested positive for COVID-19.

Tonight's state case total, as of 6:00 pm Central Daylight Time, is 704. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that provides daily updates to the state's COVID-19 case totals. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.

All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs) until May 11 –&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.

In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>

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;</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;</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; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.

DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

Lincoln –&nbsp;Three counties reported new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Saturday.The Panhandle Public Health District reported Box Butte County's first case of COVID-19.&nbsp; The Box Butte County case is a female in her 70s who has been isolating in her home since April 3. This case is travel-related.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/Site/Documents/NewsReleases/COVID-19%20Positive%20test%20results%2004.11.2020%20Scotts%20Bluff%20%26%20Box%20Butte%20County.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.pphd.org/Site/Documents/NewsReleases/COVID-19%20Positive%20test%20results%2004.11.2020%20Scotts%20Bluff%20&amp;%20Box%20Butte%20County.pdf&nbsp;</a>The Northeast Nebraska Public Health District reported Wayne County's first case of COVID-19, a male in his 70s who has been isolating at home since before symptoms started.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nnphd/photos/a.1329229240478436/2868190959915582/?type=3&amp;theate" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/nnphd/photos/a.1329229240478436/2868190959915582/?type=3&amp;theate&nbsp;</a>The North Central District Health Department also reported a first case in Pierce County.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCDHD/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/NCDHD/&nbsp;</a>The Loup Basin Public Health Department (LBPHD) confirmed nine additional cases at a long-term care facility in Custer County. The cases are all related.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lbphd.org/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/lbphd.org/&nbsp;</a>A resident of the Central Nebraska Veterans' Home (CNVH) in Kearney has tested positive for COVID-19.Tonight's state case total, as of 6:00 pm Central Daylight Time, is 704. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that provides daily updates to the state's COVID-19 case totals. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs) until May 11 –&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>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;</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;</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; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.I

First cases of COVID-19 reported in Box Butte, Wayne and Pierce Counties

Meeting
of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to be held on April 13,
2020 at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at
9:00 A.M.

Meeting
of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization to be held on April 13,
2020 at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at
9:15 A.M.

Lincoln County is
inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Time: Apr 13, 2020
09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

<a href="https://zoom.us/j/487812444">https://zoom.us/j/487812444</a>

2.	Approve
minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting


Recess
as the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and convene as the
Lincoln County Board of Equalization.

4.	9:15
A.M.	Discuss and consider the following:

Adjourn
or recess to time certain as the Lincoln County Board of Equalization
and reconvene as the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

5.	9:30
A.M.	Discuss and consider the tort claim filed by Rich and Beth
DeFreece

6.	9:40
A.M.	Discuss and consider entering into an agreement with Mainelli
Wagner

	&amp;
Associates, Inc. for Bridge Replacement CBMP project and authorize
the Chairman

7.	9:45
A.M.	Update by Brandon Myers of Region 51 Emergency Management

8.	10:00
A.M.	Discuss and consider an application by Byron Perkins, owner, and



	Dave
Colvin, purchaser, for Wagon Trail Administrative Subdivision located
at 1618

	North
Wagon Trail Road.  The property is located in a TA-1 agricultural
district and

	described
as part of the N ½ of the NE ¼ of Lots 3 and 4 Section 33, Township
14

	North,
Range 31 West of the 6th
P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska

9.	10:15
A.M.	2020 Primary Election Update by Rebecca Rossell, Lincoln County 


  Hear
concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads, and their
representative

NOTICE
OF HEARING AND AGENDAMonday,
April 13, 2020Meeting
of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to be held on April 13,
2020 at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at
9:00 A.M.Meeting
of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization to be held on April 13,
2020 at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at
9:15 A.M.Lincoln County is
inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.Topic: Board of
Commissioners MeetingTime: Apr 13, 2020
09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meeting<a href="https://zoom.us/j/487812444">https://zoom.us/j/487812444</a>Meeting ID: 487 812
444One tap mobile+13462487799,,487812444#
US (Houston)+16699006833,,487812444#
US (San Jose)Dial by your
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6099 US (New York)Meeting ID: 487 812
4441.	Open
with prayer2.	Approve
minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting	held
April 6, 20203.	Consider
the following:<ol>
 <li>Claims
	&amp; Treasurer’s Receipts
	</li><li>Receive
	and order filed the fee reports submitted by the County Clerk,
	Register of Deeds and County Sheriff
</li>
 </ol>
Recess
as the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and convene as the
Lincoln County Board of Equalization.4.	9:15
A.M.	Discuss and consider the following:<ol>
 <li>Approve
	minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting
</li>
 </ol><a></a>
held
on April 6, 2020<ol>
 <li>Certificates
	of correction and refund as submitted by the County Assessor	
	</li><li>2020
	Tax Exemption Applications on Real and Personal Property by
	qualifying organizations – Form 451 
	
</li>
 </ol>Adjourn
or recess to time certain as the Lincoln County Board of Equalization
and reconvene as the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.5.	9:30
A.M.	Discuss and consider the tort claim filed by Rich and Beth
DeFreece6.	9:40
A.M.	Discuss and consider entering into an agreement with Mainelli
Wagner	&amp;
Associates, Inc. for Bridge Replacement CBMP project and authorize
the Chairman	to
sign (O’Fallon Bridge)7.	9:45
A.M.	Update by Brandon Myers of Region 51 Emergency Management8.	10:00
A.M.	Discuss and consider an application by Byron Perkins, owner, and

	Dave
Colvin, purchaser, for Wagon Trail Administrative Subdivision located
at 1618	North
Wagon Trail Road. The property is located in a TA-1 agricultural
district and	described
as part of the N ½ of the NE ¼ of Lots 3 and 4 Section 33, Township
14	North,
Range 31 West of the 6th
P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska9.	10:15
A.M.	2020 Primary Election Update by Rebecca Rossell, Lincoln County 
	Election
Commissioner Hear
concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads, and their
representative

Lincoln County Commissioners Meeting Agenda (April 13, 2020)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -Nebraska had 790 reported coronavirus cases as of Sunday, up 90 from the number reported Saturday, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

No new deaths were reported. So far, 17 people have died from the virus in Nebraska.

The uptick in cases came as some churchgoers attended drive-in Easter services from their cars to ensure social distancing.

St. John Lutheran Church held services at the Gage County Fairgrounds, where attendees listened from their car radios, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/photos-beatrice-area-celebrates-easter-with-drive-in-church-service/collection_77e686b9-155a-54b0-bb77-b4522771be7d.html#1" target="_blank">reported</a>.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -Nebraska had 790 reported coronavirus cases as of Sunday, up 90 from the number reported Saturday, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.No new deaths were reported. So far, 17 people have died from the virus in Nebraska.The uptick in cases came as some churchgoers attended drive-in Easter services from their cars to ensure social distancing.St. John Lutheran Church held services at the Gage County Fairgrounds, where attendees listened from their car radios, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/photos-beatrice-area-celebrates-easter-with-drive-in-church-service/collection_77e686b9-155a-54b0-bb77-b4522771be7d.html#1" target="_blank">reported</a>.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia.

Nebraska virus cases up to 790

Today is Sunday, April 12, the 103rd day of 2020. There are 263 days left in the year.

On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began as Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

In 1776, North Carolina's Fourth Provincial Congress authorized the colony's delegates to the Continental Congress to support independence from Britain.

In 1912, Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, died in Glen Echo, Maryland, at age 90.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, at age 63; he was succeeded by Vice President Harry S. Truman.

In 1954, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission opened a hearing on whether Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, scientific director of the Manhattan Project, should have his security clearance reinstated amid questions about his loyalty (it wasn't). Bill Haley and His Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock" in New York for Decca Records.

In 1955, the Salk vaccine against polio was declared safe and effective.

In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to fly in space, orbiting the earth once before making a safe landing.

In 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, charged with contempt of court and parading without a permit. (During his time behind bars, King wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail.")

In 1981, the space shuttle Columbia blasted off from Cape Canaveral on its first test flight. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, 66, died in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 1988, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent to Harvard University for a genetically engineered mouse, the first time a patent was granted for an animal life form.

In 1990, in its first meeting, East Germany's first democratically elected parliament acknowledged responsibility for the Nazi Holocaust, and asked the forgiveness of Jews and others who had suffered.

In 2006, jurors in the Zacarias Moussaoui (zak-uh-REE'-uhs moo-SOW'-ee) trial listened to a recording of shouts and cries in the cockpit as desperate passengers twice charged hijackers during the final half hour of doomed United Flight 93 on 9/11.

In 2009, American cargo ship captain Richard Phillips was rescued from Somali pirates by U.S. Navy snipers who shot and killed three of the hostage-takers. Angel Cabrera became the first Argentine to win the Masters.

Ten years ago: President Barack Obama opened a 47-nation nuclear summit in Washington, boosted by Ukraine's announcement that it would give up its weapons-grade uranium. The musical "Next to Normal" won the Pulitzer for drama; Paul Harding's "Tinkers" was the surprise fiction winner.

Five years ago: Hillary Rodham Clinton jumped back into presidential politics, announcing in a video her much-awaited second campaign for the White House. Pope Francis marked the 100th anniversary of the slaughter of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, calling it "the first genocide of the 20th century," a politically explosive declaration that provoked a furious reaction from Turkey. Jordan Spieth (speeth) romped to his first major championship with a record-tying performance at the Masters, shooting an 18-under 270 to become the first wire-to-wire winner of the green jacket since 1976.

One year ago: A 5-year-old boy was seriously injured when he was thrown from a third-story balcony at the Mall of America in Minnesota by a stranger who had randomly grabbed the child. (Emmanuel Aranda pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 19 years in prison; the injured child was hospitalized for months.) A former Florida prep school administrator, Mark Riddell, pleaded guilty to taking college entrance exams for students in exchange for cash to help wealthy parents get their kids into elite universities. (Riddell later cooperated with investigators.) Former NFL player and coach Forrest Gregg died in Colorado Springs from complications of Parkinson’s disease; he was 85. Actress Georgia Engel, best known as Georgette on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died in New Jersey at the age of 70.

Today's Birthdays: Children's author Beverly Cleary is 104. Actress Jane Withers is 94. Playwright Alan Ayckbourn (AYK'-bohrn) is 81. Jazz musician Herbie Hancock is 80. Rock singer John Kay (Steppenwolf) is 76. Actor Ed O'Neill is 74. Actor Dan Lauria is 73. Talk show host David Letterman is 73. Author Scott Turow is 71. Actor-playwright Tom Noonan is 69. Rhythm-and-blues singer JD Nicholas (The Commodores) is 68. Singer Pat Travers is 66. Actor Andy Garcia is 64. Movie director Walter Salles (SAL'-ihs) is 64. Country singer Vince Gill is 63. Actress Suzzanne (cq) Douglas is 63. Model/TV personality J Alexander is 62. Rock musician Will Sergeant (Echo &amp; the Bunnymen) is 62. Rock singer Art Alexakis (al-ex-AH'-kihs) (Everclear) is 58. Country singer Deryl Dodd is 56. Folk-pop singer Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) is 56. Actress Alicia Coppola is 52. Rock singer Nicholas Hexum (311) is 50. Actress Retta is 50. Actor Nicholas Brendon is 49. Actress Shannen Doherty is 49. Actress Marley Shelton is 46. Actress Sarah Jane Morris is 43. Actress Jordana Spiro is 43. Rock musician Guy Berryman (Coldplay) is 42. Actor Riley Smith is 42. Actress Claire Danes is 41. Actress Jennifer Morrison is 41. Actor Matt McGorry is 34. Actress Brooklyn Decker is 33. Contemporary Christian musician Joe Rickard (Red) is 33. Rock singer-musician Brendon Urie (Panic! at the Disco) is 33. Actress Saoirse (SUR'-shuh) Ronan is 26.

Thought for Today: "The surest test of discipline is its absence." — Clara Barton (1821-1912).

From the Associated PressToday in HistoryToday is Sunday, April 12, the 103rd day of 2020. There are 263 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began as Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.On this date:In 1776, North Carolina's Fourth Provincial Congress authorized the colony's delegates to the Continental Congress to support independence from Britain.In 1912, Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, died in Glen Echo, Maryland, at age 90.In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, at age 63; he was succeeded by Vice President Harry S. Truman.In 1954, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission opened a hearing on whether Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, scientific director of the Manhattan Project, should have his security clearance reinstated amid questions about his loyalty (it wasn't). Bill Haley and His Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock" in New York for Decca Records.In 1955, the Salk vaccine against polio was declared safe and effective.In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to fly in space, orbiting the earth once before making a safe landing.In 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, charged with contempt of court and parading without a permit. (During his time behind bars, King wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail.")In 1981, the space shuttle Columbia blasted off from Cape Canaveral on its first test flight. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, 66, died in Las Vegas, Nevada.In 1988, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent to Harvard University for a genetically engineered mouse, the first time a patent was granted for an animal life form.In 1990, in its first meeting, East Germany's first democratically elected parliament acknowledged responsibility for the Nazi Holocaust, and asked the forgiveness of Jews and others who had suffered.In 2006, jurors in the Zacarias Moussaoui (zak-uh-REE'-uhs moo-SOW'-ee) trial listened to a recording of shouts and cries in the cockpit as desperate passengers twice charged hijackers during the final half hour of doomed United Flight 93 on 9/11.In 2009, American cargo ship captain Richard Phillips was rescued from Somali pirates by U.S. Navy snipers who shot and killed three of the hostage-takers. Angel Cabrera became the first Argentine to win the Masters.Ten years ago: President Barack Obama opened a 47-nation nuclear summit in Washington, boosted by Ukraine's announcement that it would give up its weapons-grade uranium. The musical "Next to Normal" won the Pulitzer for drama; Paul Harding's "Tinkers" was the surprise fiction winner.Five years ago: Hillary Rodham Clinton jumped back into presidential politics, announcing in a video her much-awaited second campaign for the White House. Pope Francis marked the 100th anniversary of the slaughter of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, calling it "the first genocide of the 20th century," a politically explosive declaration that provoked a furious reaction from Turkey. Jordan Spieth (speeth) romped to his first major championship with a record-tying performance at the Masters, shooting an 18-under 270 to become the first wire-to-wire winner of the green jacket since 1976.One year ago: A 5-year-old boy was seriously injured when he was thrown from a third-story balcony at the Mall of America in Minnesota by a stranger who had randomly grabbed the child. (Emmanuel Aranda pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 19 years in prison; the injured child was hospitalized for months.) A former Florida prep school administrator, Mark Riddell, pleaded guilty to taking college entrance exams for students in exchange for cash to help wealthy parents get their kids into elite universities. (Riddell later cooperated with investigators.) Former NFL player and coach Forrest Gregg died in Colorado Springs from complications of Parkinson’s disease; he was 85. Actress Georgia Engel, best known as Georgette on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died in New Jersey at the age of 70.Today's Birthdays: Children's author Beverly Cleary is 104. Actress Jane Withers is 94. Playwright Alan Ayckbourn (AYK'-bohrn) is 81. Jazz musician Herbie Hancock is 80. Rock singer John Kay (Steppenwolf) is 76. Actor Ed O'Neill is 74. Actor Dan Lauria is 73. Talk show host David Letterman is 73. Author Scott Turow is 71. Actor-playwright Tom Noonan is 69. Rhythm-and-blues singer JD Nicholas (The Commodores) is 68. Singer Pat Travers is 66. Actor Andy Garcia is 64. Movie director Walter Salles (SAL'-ihs) is 64. Country singer Vince Gill is 63. Actress Suzzanne (cq) Douglas is 63. Model/TV personality J Alexander is 62. Rock musician Will Sergeant (Echo &amp; the Bunnymen) is 62. Rock singer Art Alexakis (al-ex-AH'-kihs) (Everclear) is 58. Country singer Deryl Dodd is 56. Folk-pop singer Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) is 56. Actress Alicia Coppola is 52. Rock singer Nicholas Hexum (311) is 50. Actress Retta is 50. Actor Nicholas Brendon is 49. Actress Shannen Doherty is 49. Actress Marley Shelton is 46. Actress Sarah Jane Morris is 43. Actress Jordana Spiro is 43. Rock musician Guy Berryman (Coldplay) is 42. Actor Riley Smith is 42. Actress Claire Danes is 41. Actress Jennifer Morrison is 41. Actor Matt McGorry is 34. Actress Brooklyn Decker is 33. Contemporary Christian musician Joe Rickard (Red) is 33. Rock singer-musician Brendon Urie (Panic! at the Disco) is 33. Actress Saoirse (SUR'-shuh) Ronan is 26.Thought for Today: "The surest test of discipline is its absence." — Clara Barton (1821-1912).

Today in History-April 12

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586653017463.png" alt="loup-basin-4-11-20-GOOD.png" />
 <figcaption>loup-basin-4-11-20-GOOD.png</figcaption>
 </figure>

Officials confirm 9 additional COVID-19 cases at Callaway Good Life Center

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officials with Great Plains Health in North Platte say they have accepted and will care for COVID-19 patients from the Loup Basin Public Health Department district.&nbsp;



&nbsp;﻿“We have accepted 9 patients from the Loup Basin Public Health district that have tested positive for COVID-19, said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “Those that have arrived so far are being cared for by our highly skilled and compassionate staff.”

“We are taking every precaution and have isolated the patients in our COVID19 unit, which is separate from our other patient rooms, said McNea. “Our staff is following all CDC guidelines to minimize exposure and stay safe.”

The latest update from LBPH stated that they had 13 positive cases in their district.&nbsp;

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Officials with Great Plains Health in North Platte say they have accepted and will care for COVID-19 patients from the Loup Basin Public Health Department district.&nbsp;

&nbsp;﻿“We have accepted 9 patients from the Loup Basin Public Health district that have tested positive for COVID-19, said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “Those that have arrived so far are being cared for by our highly skilled and compassionate staff.”“We are taking every precaution and have isolated the patients in our COVID19 unit, which is separate from our other patient rooms, said McNea. “Our staff is following all CDC guidelines to minimize exposure and stay safe.”The latest update from LBPH stated that they had 13 positive cases in their district.&nbsp;

Great Plains Health treating COVID-19 patients from Loup Basin Public Health district

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A North Platte woman was arrested after fleeing from police in a vehicle.

According to North Platte Police, on April 10, 2020, at 2:42 a.m., Officers observed a female known to them as 26-year-old Karen Currie, operating a vehicle near Philip and Dewey.  Officers were looking for Currie due to her involvement in a prior disturbance and were also aware she was driving on a revoked driver's license. 

According to police, an officer initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle did not stop.  The vehicle fled to a residence in the 800 Block of South Chestnut.  The vehicle pulled into a garage and Currie exited the vehicle quickly and shut the garage door. 

Police say officers secured the outside of the residence but Currie refused to come out.  Officers also detected the odor of marijuana coming from the residence at this time. 

 Officers then requested a search warrant for the house which was granted.  The search warrant was executed on the house where Currie was located inside.  Currie continued to be uncooperative and verbally berate officers.

Police say Currie physically resisted the officers' attempts to arrest her but was eventually taken into custody with no injuries to officers or herself. 

 During the search of the residence, Officers also located 21-year-old Brody Witte, who had active Lincoln County Warrants.  Witte was taken into custody without incident.

 Officers continued searching the home where they located marijuana, suspected cocaine, and other items associated with narcotics. 

 Currie was arrested on suspicion of 3rd-degree assault, driving under revocation, resisting arrest, and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. 

 Witte was arrested for the warrants.  Both were incarcerated at the Lincoln County Jail. 

 While waiting for the search warrant, Officers made contact with 23-year-old Charles Robinson outside the residence.  Robinson was given orders by officers to leave the property as a search warrant was being requested.  Robinson defied several orders and attempted to enter the home. 

 Robinson was detained and eventually cited and released for obstructing a police officer 

 The investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending. 

 The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol also assisted during this incident.&nbsp;

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A North Platte woman was arrested after fleeing from police in a vehicle.According to North Platte Police, on April 10, 2020, at 2:42 a.m., Officers observed a female known to them as 26-year-old Karen Currie, operating a vehicle near Philip and Dewey. Officers were looking for Currie due to her involvement in a prior disturbance and were also aware she was driving on a revoked driver's license. According to police, an officer initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle fled to a residence in the 800 Block of South Chestnut. The vehicle pulled into a garage and Currie exited the vehicle quickly and shut the garage door. Police say officers secured the outside of the residence but Currie refused to come out. Officers also detected the odor of marijuana coming from the residence at this time. Officers then requested a search warrant for the house which was granted. The search warrant was executed on the house where Currie was located inside. Currie continued to be uncooperative and verbally berate officers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586641404248.png" alt="Karen Currie" />
 <figcaption>Karen Currie</figcaption>
 </figure>Police say Currie physically resisted the officers' attempts to arrest her but was eventually taken into custody with no injuries to officers or herself. During the search of the residence, Officers also located 21-year-old Brody Witte, who had active Lincoln County Warrants. Witte was taken into custody without incident.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586641424451.png" alt="Brody Witte" />
 <figcaption>Brody Witte</figcaption>
 </figure> Officers continued searching the home where they located marijuana, suspected cocaine, and other items associated with narcotics. Currie was arrested on suspicion of 3rd-degree assault, driving under revocation, resisting arrest, and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. Witte was arrested for the warrants. Both were incarcerated at the Lincoln County Jail. While waiting for the search warrant, Officers made contact with 23-year-old Charles Robinson outside the residence. Robinson was given orders by officers to leave the property as a search warrant was being requested. Robinson defied several orders and attempted to enter the home. Robinson was detained and eventually cited and released for obstructing a police officer The investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol also assisted during this incident.&nbsp;

North Platte woman arrested after fleeing from police, fighting with officers

KEARNEY, Neb. (NSP)-Four people were arrested Friday afternoon in a cooperative effort by the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.

At approximately 4:00 p.m. Friday, Nebraska State Patrol dispatchers received information about a stolen Subaru Legacy traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Overton. A Buffalo County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled, eventually turning southbound and entering Kearney County. The stolen vehicle was being tracked with onboard GPS technology.

A short time later, troopers located the vehicle, which had been abandoned, at 2240 W Road in Kearney County south of Gibbon. Troopers and deputies from both Kearney and Buffalo County began searching a heavy tree line in the area. All four suspects voluntarily surrendered and were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, Benjamin Zamzes, 22, of Westminster, Colorado, and passengers Michael Zamzes, 23, of Broomfield, Colorado, Diana Wycoff, 54, of Denver, Colorado, and Brian Reedy, 44, of Denver, Colorado, were all arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Benjamin Zamzes was also arrested for operating a vehicle to avoid arrest and driving with a revoked license.

All four suspects were transported to Kearney County Jail.

KEARNEY, Neb. (NSP)-Four people were arrested Friday afternoon in a cooperative effort by the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.At approximately 4:00 p.m. Friday, Nebraska State Patrol dispatchers received information about a stolen Subaru Legacy traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Overton. A Buffalo County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled, eventually turning southbound and entering Kearney County. The stolen vehicle was being tracked with onboard GPS technology.A short time later, troopers located the vehicle, which had been abandoned, at 2240 W Road in Kearney County south of Gibbon. Troopers and deputies from both Kearney and Buffalo County began searching a heavy tree line in the area. All four suspects voluntarily surrendered and were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.The driver, Benjamin Zamzes, 22, of Westminster, Colorado, and passengers Michael Zamzes, 23, of Broomfield, Colorado, Diana Wycoff, 54, of Denver, Colorado, and Brian Reedy, 44, of Denver, Colorado, were all arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Benjamin Zamzes was also arrested for operating a vehicle to avoid arrest and driving with a revoked license.All four suspects were transported to Kearney County Jail.

NSP arrests 4 after tracking stolen vehicle with GPS

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Rich Tokheim's sports apparel shop is right across the street from TD Ameritrade Park. More than half his annual revenue comes in the 11 or 12 days of the College World Series each June.

"We're here," he said, "because of the College World Series. It's just so many people."

Those people won't be in Omaha this year. The Division I baseball championship, decided in this city of just under a half-million for the past 70 years, is a prominent sports casualty of the coronavirus pandemic - a blow not just to the ledgers and coffers of local businesses but to the identity of the city itself.

Omaha has long prided itself on hosting the eight-team tournament and even built $100 million TD Ameritrade Park a decade ago in exchange for an NCAA promise to keep the CWS here through at least 2035.

The 24,000-seat stadium is dark 50 of 52 weeks a year, except for Creighton home games in front of small crowds, but for those two weeks each summer, it's the place to be. More than 332,000 people attended the 15 games a year ago and thousands more were outside tailgating, patronizing bars and restaurants, or visiting the Omaha Baseball Village shopping and entertainment area.

Average occupancy in the metro area's 15,000 hotel rooms was 85% during last year's CWS, with a high of 95% on opening day. Thousands of full- and part-time jobs are tied to the event. The economic impact has been estimated at $74 million per year, with more than $6 million generated in local and state taxes.

"My heart bleeds for those folks," said Kathryn Morrissey, executive director of the local organizing group College World Series Inc. "It's their Christmas, our Mardi Gras for our community, when we celebrate."

Instead, there is a void this summer for people who have grown up with the event and made it a tradition - a blow familiar elsewhere across the country. The Associated Press is examining how the cancellation or postponement of iconic sporting events impacts some of those communities.

The CWS started in 1947 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It moved to Wichita, Kansas, for 1949 before a group of local businessmen brought it to Omaha in 1950 and helped keep it afloat here after it lost money 10 of the first 12 years.

Crowds at the old Rosenblatt Stadium grew and the memories piled up, from Dave Winfield's dominant pitching and hitting for Minnesota in 1973 to the complete game by Roger Clemens to help Texas beat Alabama for the championship a decade later. By the 1980s, ESPN was airing hours of CWS games.

Ed and Carolyn Conrath of Omaha started attending games in 1974. They bought two season tickets on the first-base line four years later and still own them. The Conraths enjoy the games, of course, but they also look forward to visiting with friends they see only at the CWS.

"You get to know people around you," Carolyn Conrath said. "We've watched entire families grow from little children into parents of teenagers and adults now."

Her favorite baseball memory is Whit Merrifield's walkoff single in the 11th inning to give South Carolina the 2010 championship in the final game played at Rosenblatt, but it's about far more than baseball for devoted fans of the CWS.

Carolyn laughed as she told the story of the streaker who interrupted a game in 1974, swinging a pink plastic bat at home plate and taking off toward third base before security caught him as he tried to exit through right field. She said she enjoys the tradition of fans batting around beach balls or trying to start the wave, and the people in the right- and left-field bleachers yelling clever chants at each other.

ESPN college baseball analyst Kyle Peterson grew up in Omaha and pitched for Stanford in the CWS in 1995 and '97 before a four-year pro career.

"For all of us, there's certain things in your life you just assume are going to be annual things, and this is one," Peterson said. "There was nothing that you would think would be enough to interrupt this."

All-time college wins leader Mike Martin, who brought 17 Florida State teams to the CWS, said he's as sad for Omaha businesses and fans as much as he is for the players who will miss out.

"It puts everybody in Omaha and the rest of college baseball in a sad state that we've got to wait a long time before we can get that excitement built up again," said Martin, who retired last year. "It's not easy to accept this, but the excitement will return, good lord willing, and we'll be right back where we were."

The Omaha Baseball Village provides temporary employment for about 400 and generates hundreds of thousands of dollars from vendors renting space and nightlife. Marketing director Jenny Peters said more than 250,000 people come through the village during the CWS.

"The College World Series to Omaha is such a signature event, an identity for the community," Peters said. "To lose that, it's more than jobs and revenue. There's a little bit of heart that goes into it from everyone who lives here and works here and gets to show off our town."

Tokheim, who has operated sports apparel stores in Omaha for more than two decades, has an ideal location for "The Dugout" - an infield grounder away from the stadium's front door. He employs about 30 people during the CWS, some 25 more than the rest of the year.

Tokheim said his shop should survive one year without the CWS, but that might not be the case for neighboring businesses.

"I think we're all just stunned right now," he said.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Rich Tokheim's sports apparel shop is right across the street from TD Ameritrade Park. More than half his annual revenue comes in the 11 or 12 days of the College World Series each June."We're here," he said, "because of the College World Series. It's just so many people."Those people won't be in Omaha this year. The Division I baseball championship, decided in this city of just under a half-million for the past 70 years, is a prominent sports casualty of the coronavirus pandemic - a blow not just to the ledgers and coffers of local businesses but to the identity of the city itself.Omaha has long prided itself on hosting the eight-team tournament and even built $100 million TD Ameritrade Park a decade ago in exchange for an NCAA promise to keep the CWS here through at least 2035.The 24,000-seat stadium is dark 50 of 52 weeks a year, except for Creighton home games in front of small crowds, but for those two weeks each summer, it's the place to be. More than 332,000 people attended the 15 games a year ago and thousands more were outside tailgating, patronizing bars and restaurants, or visiting the Omaha Baseball Village shopping and entertainment area.Average occupancy in the metro area's 15,000 hotel rooms was 85% during last year's CWS, with a high of 95% on opening day. Thousands of full- and part-time jobs are tied to the event. The economic impact has been estimated at $74 million per year, with more than $6 million generated in local and state taxes.All that is lost in 2020."My heart bleeds for those folks," said Kathryn Morrissey, executive director of the local organizing group College World Series Inc. "It's their Christmas, our Mardi Gras for our community, when we celebrate."Instead, there is a void this summer for people who have grown up with the event and made it a tradition - a blow familiar elsewhere across the country. The Associated Press is examining how the cancellation or postponement of iconic sporting events impacts some of those communities.The CWS started in 1947 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It moved to Wichita, Kansas, for 1949 before a group of local businessmen brought it to Omaha in 1950 and helped keep it afloat here after it lost money 10 of the first 12 years.Crowds at the old Rosenblatt Stadium grew and the memories piled up, from Dave Winfield's dominant pitching and hitting for Minnesota in 1973 to the complete game by Roger Clemens to help Texas beat Alabama for the championship a decade later. By the 1980s, ESPN was airing hours of CWS games.Ed and Carolyn Conrath of Omaha started attending games in 1974. They bought two season tickets on the first-base line four years later and still own them. The Conraths enjoy the games, of course, but they also look forward to visiting with friends they see only at the CWS."You get to know people around you," Carolyn Conrath said. "We've watched entire families grow from little children into parents of teenagers and adults now."Her favorite baseball memory is Whit Merrifield's walkoff single in the 11th inning to give South Carolina the 2010 championship in the final game played at Rosenblatt, but it's about far more than baseball for devoted fans of the CWS.Carolyn laughed as she told the story of the streaker who interrupted a game in 1974, swinging a pink plastic bat at home plate and taking off toward third base before security caught him as he tried to exit through right field. She said she enjoys the tradition of fans batting around beach balls or trying to start the wave, and the people in the right- and left-field bleachers yelling clever chants at each other.ESPN college baseball analyst Kyle Peterson grew up in Omaha and pitched for Stanford in the CWS in 1995 and '97 before a four-year pro career."For all of us, there's certain things in your life you just assume are going to be annual things, and this is one," Peterson said. "There was nothing that you would think would be enough to interrupt this."All-time college wins leader Mike Martin, who brought 17 Florida State teams to the CWS, said he's as sad for Omaha businesses and fans as much as he is for the players who will miss out."It puts everybody in Omaha and the rest of college baseball in a sad state that we've got to wait a long time before we can get that excitement built up again," said Martin, who retired last year. "It's not easy to accept this, but the excitement will return, good lord willing, and we'll be right back where we were."The Omaha Baseball Village provides temporary employment for about 400 and generates hundreds of thousands of dollars from vendors renting space and nightlife. Marketing director Jenny Peters said more than 250,000 people come through the village during the CWS."The College World Series to Omaha is such a signature event, an identity for the community," Peters said. "To lose that, it's more than jobs and revenue. There's a little bit of heart that goes into it from everyone who lives here and works here and gets to show off our town."Tokheim, who has operated sports apparel stores in Omaha for more than two decades, has an ideal location for "The Dugout" - an infield grounder away from the stadium's front door. He employs about 30 people during the CWS, some 25 more than the rest of the year.Tokheim said his shop should survive one year without the CWS, but that might not be the case for neighboring businesses."I think we're all just stunned right now," he said.

Deserted icons: No College World Series hits Omaha hard

By <a href="https://www.gothenburgleader.com/news/an-unexpected-journey-of-healing-hope-love-and-miracles/article_2a32b3ac-79a1-11ea-a7bb-0bb9571df03c.html?fbclid=IwAR3cxOsBIa-r5KOrZ1SBwbE58Ja4AXrs1_rnokqPxW_efZdZ8GXQFMDlrP8#utm_campaign=blox&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social">Ellen Mortensen-The Gothenburg Leader</a>

93 days and counting for Alan and Jenny Daup

No one goes through a difficult time - loss, hardship, disease - alone. When someone we love hurts, we hurt. Alan Daup’s journey began three months ago. And his loving family has been there every step of the way.

The medical world is far from an unfamiliar place for Alan. He holds a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy from Creighton University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. At the time this began, he was employed as an occupational therapist at Gothenburg Health.

Alan was in Omaha helping his daughter, Maddie, with some projects that needed to be done on the house that she lives in. On Jan. 5, he woke up with terrible cramps in his stomach and a high fever. “There was a stomach virus going around at Christmas time and he thought that he probably had that,” his wife Jenny explained. “Maddie called me and thought Alan should go to the ER but he thought he just had a virus. I came to Omaha that night to take him back home and get the virus out of Maddie’s house, but he was too nauseous for me to drive him home.”

Jenny said the next day Alan was not as nauseous but his fever was still high. “We thought this was progress so we just let him sleep off and on all day. When he woke up on the 7th and was not any better, we decided to go to the ER at Creighton University/Bergan Mercy Hospital. At first, the doctors thought he just had gastroenteritis but they did a CT scan and within 15 minutes, they had a surgeon talking to us and were preparing him for emergency surgery,” she said. “There happened to be a vascular surgeon at the hospital that day who had just finished another surgery. They had two different surgeons doing surgery that first day- a general surgeon to take care of the intestines and a vascular surgeon to patch the hole in his superior mesenteric artery and to clear out the clot in that artery.”

There was a hole in the artery and as the body tried to heal itself, it formed a clot in the artery, Jenny explained. The clot had completely cut off the blood supply to his small intestine. A second surgery was performed the next morning which was exploratory surgery to confirm that the intestines were still healthy.

“They thought that the intestines were probably going to have some ischemic (dead) spots that would need to be removed because he had spent 50 hours in this condition before he had the surgery,” said Jenny.

With the complications of such a major surgery entailing the digestive system, it was two full weeks before Alan was reintroduced to solid food. On Jan. 21 he was given the green light to eat anything he wanted. He started small - just some fruit - but became nauseous after only three bites. His intestines had still not “woke up” to begin processing food again yet, so they waited.

In the meantime, a central line had been inserted to provide “feeding” directly into his stomach, commonly known as an NG tube. However, Alan had encountered some pretty serious complications along the way, including a collapsed lung.

“After a week or two, Alan had some unexplained bleeding in his digestive tract and they thought they were going to have to do a colonoscopy so they stopped his heparin (a blood-thinning medicine) to be able to safely do the colonoscopy,” explained Jenny. “When they stopped that medicine, the bleeding in his digestive tract stopped so they did not have to do anything...but the clot re-formed in the superior mesenteric artery at that time. The blockage came back and the doctors were just shocked and terribly concerned.”

On the evening of Jan. 24, things took a severe turn for Alan. “Alan became septic and the critical care team earned their gold stars,” Jenny shared. “He was stable but the sickest we had seen him. We were so very thankful that he made it through the night. He was intubated and hooked to every tube and machine known to man.”

He was placed on a ventilator, but luckily that was very short term. By late morning on Jan. 26, the vent had been removed and Alan was talking, laughing and joking with his family and team of nurses. A new drain tube was inserted to remove the infected fluid from his body, and things were looking up. On Jan. 30, he went for his first walk in a week, and his white blood cell count was nearly back to normal - which meant the antibiotics and drainage tube were working. He was also able to have the NG tube removed.

Doctors were uncertain, however, about the clot. “The doctors didn’t think it was gone but were hopeful that the intestines might have enough blood flow from the smaller vessels to work, regardless of the status of the clot,” Jenny explained.

Once again, just as Alan seemed to be taking steps forward he would take more steps back. A CT scan on Feb. 3 revealed he had multiple small perforations in his bowel which were leaking into his abdomen. “They were likely due to all of the swelling that happened throughout all of this - nothing anybody did wrong - just what happens when tissue is swollen and irritated for a long period of time,” said Jenny.

He was scheduled for surgery later that day, and doctors anticipated at least another 10 days in the hospital following that. In the meantime, they discovered the blood clot had not dissolved, but the small blood vessels had stretched to compensate for the artery and were supplying the blood flow Alan needed for his small intestine to stay healthy. Good news.

“I have done a LOT of reading about this darn clot that started this whole adventure,” said Jenny. “Since it re-formed, I wanted to understand everything I could about why this might have happened and what the future might hold. It is still a mystery. It is very rare for a clot like this to spontaneously occur. God put us in the right place at the right time to allow Alan to survive. The survival rate for this is 50% when it is discovered and surgery performed in the first 24 hours after it has occurred. The survival rate drops to 30% after the first 24 hours. Alan’s clot was not even discovered until 55 hours after he had his first symptoms.”

The surgery to repair the perforations in his bowel was a success. A section of his small intestine was removed but he was expected to make a full recovery. However, a few days later he was still unable to speak out loud and had to resort to whispering and writing on a board to communicate. An ENT specialist concluded that Alan had sustained some nerve damage from being intubated which caused vocal cord paralysis. Though the timeframe was uncertain, the doctor did expect the issue to resolve on its own.

Unfortunately, the paralyzed vocal cord did not just affect his ability to speak. “It turns out that your vocal cords tighten together to cover the opening into your lungs when you swallow,” Jenny explained. “They found that all liquid and food (thick or thin) was going right down into his lungs. So, that means he could not eat or drink until that paralysis is over - which did not have any time frame.”

Alan and Jenny had a big Valentine’s Day celebration when a swallow study resulted in his being able to eat solid foods and drink thickened liquids once again. “I went a little crazy with a variety of tastes for him,” Jenny laughed.

Meanwhile, life went on around them. The couple’s two children, Maddie and Seth, continued to have activities and school events that their dad was not able to be there for. But thanks to modern technology he wasn’t missing everything - Alan got to watch Seth’s confirmation in real-time over the Internet.

Feb. 19 was a good day for Alan. He slept well, ate some food, took a couple of walks and had a good session with the speech-language pathologist who was encouraged that the whisper was getting stronger and louder. But on Feb. 25, he began experiencing abdominal pain that became unbearable. Another CT scan revealed Alan had a bowel obstruction and the team began preparing for surgery the following day. What happened next, Jenny will tell you, was nothing short of a miracle.

“We started the morning with the plan for Alan to have surgery to remove a bowel obstruction. Right before they went in for surgery the doctors sat me down to deliver the news that Alan’s scans showed more than a bowel obstruction - they showed that he had an ischemic bowel, an obstruction and a likely perforation. His lactic acid levels had gone up significantly overnight. The doctors wanted me to be aware that they believed he was beginning to become septic and they wanted me to be prepared for any of a number of outcomes to this. They believed that his bowel was probably not healthy and they were sure that they would be removing at least part of it.

“Their theory was that the lack of blood flow from the clot was slowly taking a toll on the bowel and parts of it were likely dying off,” Jenny continued. “They warned us that removing a portion would stabilize him enough for us to make some decisions about how far we wanted to go - that it was possible that this would happen over and over again until he no longer had enough intestine to process nutrition. There was a possibility that he would leave the surgery with an ostomy bag. Then came the miracle.

“Dr. Sasse came into the consultation room and the first thing she told us was, ‘I did not expect to see what I saw when we first opened him up. I expected his intestines to be in bad shape but they were pink. They were not swollen and they did not look bad at all. The reason that it took us so long in there was that we explored every inch of them and we could not find a single thing wrong with them. We didn’t find any holes, we didn’t find a blockage, and when we looked at the place that we repaired before, we found that it was completely fused - so well that you can barely see the stitches. We don’t know why his labs looked bad this morning. Maybe he is getting a touch of pneumonia or maybe it is because we were flushing his drainage tubes for the past couple days because they had stopped draining and that irritated things a little bit - but we don’t have an explanation for what we found.’”

His insides did not look anything like what the scans showed. In fact, she said that his intestines looked BETTER than the last time they finished surgery.

Within 48 hours of the surgery, Alan’s pain was under control, he was awake and alert and cracking jokes. The next turn would come just a couple of days later. Alan’s surgical wound was in really bad shape, and for two weeks Jenny had been asking for a referral to the wound team. The surgeons finally agreed; the wound care team put a plan in place and went right to work.

On March 20, two weeks after beginning the wound care, Alan had skin graft surgery which took a section of skin from his leg to be grafted onto his belly. The official “reveal” of the skin graft came on March 26.

“Initially, the surgeons wanted to wait five days before peeking at the skin graft, but they had to change some dressings early. Their early glimpses had them fairly sure that the graft was doing ok and when they took a good look at it they were happy to report that it was successful! We thank God that through all of the issues - Alan’s skin graft has remained healthy and he won’t have to have a second one,” Jenny said. The first plan was for a small graft, wait five days, then a second small graft, and wait five more days.

While the doctors had great success with the skin graft, they were struggling to get Alan’s digestive system to heal. They believed that was likely due to the clot which remained in the main artery in his abdomen. But there is progress. On April 1, Alan was moved to a real bed and was able to stand up for the first time in three weeks. The skin graft is healing well.

And then there’s COVID-19. The hospital has taken the steps of closing to most visitors, and on Tuesday night, March 31, Maddie and Seth got to spend the last evening with their dad until this ordeal is over. Jenny was granted an exception and gets to remain with Alan in their new “home-away-from-home”.

“I won’t be allowed to leave at all. We are so grateful for this little mercy which will allow me to be with him,” Jenny said. “His situation is so complex and changes so quickly that I cannot begin to tell you how much of a relief it is to be able to stay with Alan.”

His extended hospital stay has dealt the couple another blow as well. They were notified that as of April 7, Alan will have been absent from work for 90 days - and since the company does not meet the requirement to offer FMLA, his employment was terminated at that time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586633684097.png" alt="The Daup family, Maddie, Seth, Alan and Jenny. Together for one last night before the hospital went on COVID-19 lockdown. (Photo: Jenny Daup-Facebook)" />
 <figcaption>The Daup family, Maddie, Seth, Alan and Jenny. Together for one last night before the hospital went on COVID-19 lockdown. (Photo: Jenny Daup-Facebook)</figcaption>
 </figure>By <a href="https://www.gothenburgleader.com/news/an-unexpected-journey-of-healing-hope-love-and-miracles/article_2a32b3ac-79a1-11ea-a7bb-0bb9571df03c.html?fbclid=IwAR3cxOsBIa-r5KOrZ1SBwbE58Ja4AXrs1_rnokqPxW_efZdZ8GXQFMDlrP8#utm_campaign=blox&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social">Ellen Mortensen-The Gothenburg Leader</a>93 days and counting for Alan and Jenny DaupNo one goes through a difficult time - loss, hardship, disease - alone. When someone we love hurts, we hurt. Alan Daup’s journey began three months ago. And his loving family has been there every step of the way.The medical world is far from an unfamiliar place for Alan. He holds a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy from Creighton University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. At the time this began, he was employed as an occupational therapist at Gothenburg Health.Alan was in Omaha helping his daughter, Maddie, with some projects that needed to be done on the house that she lives in. On Jan. 5, he woke up with terrible cramps in his stomach and a high fever. “There was a stomach virus going around at Christmas time and he thought that he probably had that,” his wife Jenny explained. “Maddie called me and thought Alan should go to the ER but he thought he just had a virus. I came to Omaha that night to take him back home and get the virus out of Maddie’s house, but he was too nauseous for me to drive him home.”Jenny said the next day Alan was not as nauseous but his fever was still high. “We thought this was progress so we just let him sleep off and on all day. When he woke up on the 7th and was not any better, we decided to go to the ER at Creighton University/Bergan Mercy Hospital. At first, the doctors thought he just had gastroenteritis but they did a CT scan and within 15 minutes, they had a surgeon talking to us and were preparing him for emergency surgery,” she said. “There happened to be a vascular surgeon at the hospital that day who had just finished another surgery. They had two different surgeons doing surgery that first day- a general surgeon to take care of the intestines and a vascular surgeon to patch the hole in his superior mesenteric artery and to clear out the clot in that artery.”There was a hole in the artery and as the body tried to heal itself, it formed a clot in the artery, Jenny explained. The clot had completely cut off the blood supply to his small intestine. A second surgery was performed the next morning which was exploratory surgery to confirm that the intestines were still healthy.“They thought that the intestines were probably going to have some ischemic (dead) spots that would need to be removed because he had spent 50 hours in this condition before he had the surgery,” said Jenny.With the complications of such a major surgery entailing the digestive system, it was two full weeks before Alan was reintroduced to solid food. On Jan. 21 he was given the green light to eat anything he wanted. He started small - just some fruit - but became nauseous after only three bites. His intestines had still not “woke up” to begin processing food again yet, so they waited.In the meantime, a central line had been inserted to provide “feeding” directly into his stomach, commonly known as an NG tube. However, Alan had encountered some pretty serious complications along the way, including a collapsed lung.“After a week or two, Alan had some unexplained bleeding in his digestive tract and they thought they were going to have to do a colonoscopy so they stopped his heparin (a blood-thinning medicine) to be able to safely do the colonoscopy,” explained Jenny. “When they stopped that medicine, the bleeding in his digestive tract stopped so they did not have to do anything...but the clot re-formed in the superior mesenteric artery at that time. The blockage came back and the doctors were just shocked and terribly concerned.”On the evening of Jan. 24, things took a severe turn for Alan. “Alan became septic and the critical care team earned their gold stars,” Jenny shared. “He was stable but the sickest we had seen him. We were so very thankful that he made it through the night. He was intubated and hooked to every tube and machine known to man.”He was placed on a ventilator, but luckily that was very short term. By late morning on Jan. 26, the vent had been removed and Alan was talking, laughing and joking with his family and team of nurses. A new drain tube was inserted to remove the infected fluid from his body, and things were looking up. On Jan. 30, he went for his first walk in a week, and his white blood cell count was nearly back to normal - which meant the antibiotics and drainage tube were working. He was also able to have the NG tube removed.Doctors were uncertain, however, about the clot. “The doctors didn’t think it was gone but were hopeful that the intestines might have enough blood flow from the smaller vessels to work, regardless of the status of the clot,” Jenny explained.Once again, just as Alan seemed to be taking steps forward he would take more steps back. A CT scan on Feb. 3 revealed he had multiple small perforations in his bowel which were leaking into his abdomen. “They were likely due to all of the swelling that happened throughout all of this - nothing anybody did wrong - just what happens when tissue is swollen and irritated for a long period of time,” said Jenny.He was scheduled for surgery later that day, and doctors anticipated at least another 10 days in the hospital following that. In the meantime, they discovered the blood clot had not dissolved, but the small blood vessels had stretched to compensate for the artery and were supplying the blood flow Alan needed for his small intestine to stay healthy. Good news.“I have done a LOT of reading about this darn clot that started this whole adventure,” said Jenny. “Since it re-formed, I wanted to understand everything I could about why this might have happened and what the future might hold. It is still a mystery. It is very rare for a clot like this to spontaneously occur. God put us in the right place at the right time to allow Alan to survive. The survival rate for this is 50% when it is discovered and surgery performed in the first 24 hours after it has occurred. The survival rate drops to 30% after the first 24 hours. Alan’s clot was not even discovered until 55 hours after he had his first symptoms.”The surgery to repair the perforations in his bowel was a success. A section of his small intestine was removed but he was expected to make a full recovery. However, a few days later he was still unable to speak out loud and had to resort to whispering and writing on a board to communicate. An ENT specialist concluded that Alan had sustained some nerve damage from being intubated which caused vocal cord paralysis. Though the timeframe was uncertain, the doctor did expect the issue to resolve on its own.Unfortunately, the paralyzed vocal cord did not just affect his ability to speak. “It turns out that your vocal cords tighten together to cover the opening into your lungs when you swallow,” Jenny explained. “They found that all liquid and food (thick or thin) was going right down into his lungs. So, that means he could not eat or drink until that paralysis is over - which did not have any time frame.”Alan and Jenny had a big Valentine’s Day celebration when a swallow study resulted in his being able to eat solid foods and drink thickened liquids once again. “I went a little crazy with a variety of tastes for him,” Jenny laughed.Meanwhile, life went on around them. The couple’s two children, Maddie and Seth, continued to have activities and school events that their dad was not able to be there for. But thanks to modern technology he wasn’t missing everything - Alan got to watch Seth’s confirmation in real-time over the Internet.Feb. 19 was a good day for Alan. He slept well, ate some food, took a couple of walks and had a good session with the speech-language pathologist who was encouraged that the whisper was getting stronger and louder. But on Feb. 25, he began experiencing abdominal pain that became unbearable. Another CT scan revealed Alan had a bowel obstruction and the team began preparing for surgery the following day. What happened next, Jenny will tell you, was nothing short of a miracle.“We started the morning with the plan for Alan to have surgery to remove a bowel obstruction. Right before they went in for surgery the doctors sat me down to deliver the news that Alan’s scans showed more than a bowel obstruction - they showed that he had an ischemic bowel, an obstruction and a likely perforation. His lactic acid levels had gone up significantly overnight. The doctors wanted me to be aware that they believed he was beginning to become septic and they wanted me to be prepared for any of a number of outcomes to this. They believed that his bowel was probably not healthy and they were sure that they would be removing at least part of it.“Their theory was that the lack of blood flow from the clot was slowly taking a toll on the bowel and parts of it were likely dying off,” Jenny continued. “They warned us that removing a portion would stabilize him enough for us to make some decisions about how far we wanted to go - that it was possible that this would happen over and over again until he no longer had enough intestine to process nutrition. There was a possibility that he would leave the surgery with an ostomy bag. Then came the miracle.“Dr. Sasse came into the consultation room and the first thing she told us was, ‘I did not expect to see what I saw when we first opened him up. I expected his intestines to be in bad shape but they were pink. They were not swollen and they did not look bad at all. The reason that it took us so long in there was that we explored every inch of them and we could not find a single thing wrong with them. We didn’t find any holes, we didn’t find a blockage, and when we looked at the place that we repaired before, we found that it was completely fused - so well that you can barely see the stitches. We don’t know why his labs looked bad this morning. Maybe he is getting a touch of pneumonia or maybe it is because we were flushing his drainage tubes for the past couple days because they had stopped draining and that irritated things a little bit - but we don’t have an explanation for what we found.’”His insides did not look anything like what the scans showed. In fact, she said that his intestines looked BETTER than the last time they finished surgery.Within 48 hours of the surgery, Alan’s pain was under control, he was awake and alert and cracking jokes. The next turn would come just a couple of days later. Alan’s surgical wound was in really bad shape, and for two weeks Jenny had been asking for a referral to the wound team. The surgeons finally agreed; the wound care team put a plan in place and went right to work.On March 20, two weeks after beginning the wound care, Alan had skin graft surgery which took a section of skin from his leg to be grafted onto his belly. The official “reveal” of the skin graft came on March 26.“Initially, the surgeons wanted to wait five days before peeking at the skin graft, but they had to change some dressings early. Their early glimpses had them fairly sure that the graft was doing ok and when they took a good look at it they were happy to report that it was successful! We thank God that through all of the issues - Alan’s skin graft has remained healthy and he won’t have to have a second one,” Jenny said. The first plan was for a small graft, wait five days, then a second small graft, and wait five more days.While the doctors had great success with the skin graft, they were struggling to get Alan’s digestive system to heal. They believed that was likely due to the clot which remained in the main artery in his abdomen. But there is progress. On April 1, Alan was moved to a real bed and was able to stand up for the first time in three weeks. The skin graft is healing well.And then there’s COVID-19. The hospital has taken the steps of closing to most visitors, and on Tuesday night, March 31, Maddie and Seth got to spend the last evening with their dad until this ordeal is over. Jenny was granted an exception and gets to remain with Alan in their new “home-away-from-home”.“I won’t be allowed to leave at all. We are so grateful for this little mercy which will allow me to be with him,” Jenny said. “His situation is so complex and changes so quickly that I cannot begin to tell you how much of a relief it is to be able to stay with Alan.”His extended hospital stay has dealt the couple another blow as well. They were notified that as of April 7, Alan will have been absent from work for 90 days - and since the company does not meet the requirement to offer FMLA, his employment was terminated at that time.“I completely understand that they have a policy that they have to follow for everyone,” said Jenny, noting that this is just an unfortunate circumstance. “They assured me they will welcome him back when he is able to return to work. We have had wonderful support.”Because the family’s health insurance is provided through Alan’s employment, Jenny has been busy finding an alternate resource. Though very expensive, she said they will be able to have COBRA insurance for 18 months.For now, they are hunkered down at Bergan Mercy Hospital - waiting, healing, and thanking God every day for his continued blessings.Contact Ellen Mortensen at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ellen@gothenburgleader.com">ellen@gothenburgleader.com</a>&nbsp;or call 308.536.6499