NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Lincoln County Commissioners have appointed local businessman Rob Stefka to serve on the Nebraska International Port of the Plains Board of Directors.
Stefka was officially sworn in during Monday’s commission meeting by board chairman Jim Hawks. He becomes the first person appointed to the board since its original members were named in 2024. His term will run through 2029.
Stefka, who has deep ties to the North Platte business community, brings years of local experience to the role as the port continues to develop.
In other matters, Region 51 Emergency Management Director Brandon Myers briefed commissioners on last week’s severe weather that triggered tornado activity south of North Platte.
Myers noted that an EF2 tornado touched down near Wellfleet and Dickens, carving a slow-moving path across open farmland for nearly three miles.
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“We’re fortunate it tracked over grazing land rather than populated areas,” Myers said, adding that the storm cell was initially projected to hit North Platte directly. “Had that happened, we would’ve seen a very different outcome.”
The tornado remained on the ground for approximately 45 minutes, causing no reported injuries but highlighting the unpredictable nature of early summer storms.