Former Syracuse fire chief named Nebraska Admiral

Syracuse Fire Chief Eric Fass presented Bruce Neemann with the Nebraska Admiral award. Fass read the following during the city council meeting and presented Mr. Neemann with the plaque. Nebraska Admiral is Nebraska's highest honor and an honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval by the governor of Nebraska, the only triply landlocked U.S. state. It is not a military rank, requires no duties, and carries with it no pay or other compensation. Admirals have the option of joining the Nebraska Admirals Association, a non-profit organization that promotes quote The Good Life" of Nebraska.
News Channel Nebraska

Expanded consumer firework sales bill advances in the Legislature

After a 34-2 vote Wednesday, legislation to expand consumer fireworks in Nebraska has passed to the next stage in the Unicameral. Local firework businesses say it’s a good first step, but there’s work to be done. Firework stores in Nebraska said there was a boom in business last year after firework shows were canceled. Although business was good, 76 Warroom owner, Seth Rye, said people still go to neighboring states to buy fireworks. “A lot of those folks are really stealing the business from Nebraskans who are starting small retail businesses and we’d just like to get our hands back into it,” Rye said. That’s because firework laws in Missouri are in line with federal laws. State senator Julie Slama, who introduced the bill, wants to change Nebraska’s laws to a similar standard. “All you need to do is look at the 2019 sales revenue in Nebraska compared to Missouri,” Sen. Slama said.
KSNB-TV NBC 4 Hastings

Five injured in two-vehicle crash in Stanton County

An accident Thursday evening in southern Stanton County sent five people to the hospital. Just after 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle accident that occurred at the Highway 32 and Highway 57 junction, about 8 miles south of Stanton. Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger said an eastbound pickup driven by Angel Sandoval, 31, Madison, pulled into the path of a southbound SUV driven by Mistie Foote, 34, Clarkson. The collision forced both vehicles off the roadway in the west ditch, he said. Sandoval was extricated from the wreckage. Sandoval and his two children, ages 8 and 10, were all transported to Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk by ambulance, the sheriff said.
Kearney Hub - Metered Site

New fire truck coming to Broken Bow

Broken Bow will be getting a new firetruck, possibly as early as this weekend. At Tuesday's City Council meeting (04/13/21), the council voted to spend $159,900 to purchase a 1999 Pierce Dash fire truck with a 100 foot arm. The 22-year-old vehicle has 17,821 miles on it and has a 2,000 gallons per minute (GPM) pump. The new purchase will replace city's 1977 ladder truck which has a 75 foot arm and a 1,250 GPM pump. The new truck also has a platform at the end of the arm as well as an air delivery system to deliver fresh air to the platform. Broken Bow Fire Chief Jason Baum said it is the goal of the department to reach 3,500 GMP with two trucks. The two pumper trucks will remain in service. Equipment from the 1977 truck will be moved to the 1999 truck and the truck will most likely be sold.
Custer County Chief

Bill to send more money to rural fire districts sees second-round approval in Nebraska legislature

A bill meant to send more money to rural fire districts from a state fund won quick second-round approval Wednesday in the Legislature. Senators by voice vote advanced Legislative Bill 664, introduced by state Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, to the third and last stage of floor debate. The bill would tap Nebraska’s Mutual Finance Assistance Fund, founded in 1998, by paying $10,000 a year to each district within a countywide “mutual finance” organization. Fire districts would continue to receive $10 from the fund for each resident living within their boundaries. The state fund receives 10% of proceeds from taxes Nebraskans pay on their insurance premiums. The current $10-per-resident payment takes about $3 million to $4 million a year from the fund, Groene said before senators gave the bill 42-0 initial approval April 6.
Kearney Hub - Metered Site