Newsflash [email protected] 308-345-5400 www.highplainsradio.net McCook Humane Society 100 South Street 345-2372 Hours: M-F: 2-5 Sat: 12-4 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 STOCKS DOW 22.86 TO 21,784.78 NASDAQ 4.55 TO 6,397.87 LISTEN WEEKDAYS 8:05 AM 12:45 PM ON YOUR BISON SPORTS STATION WALK-IN HOURS 7 AM - 5 PM MONDAY - FRIDAY 8 AM-10 AM SATURDAY NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 1401 EAST H STREET 344-4110 Today Sunny High 91 Sun Sunny High 91 Sat Chance T-storms High 90 WEATHER DEADLINE IS TONIGHT The deadline is tonight to nominate people for an award that recognizes Nebraska’s outstanding volunteers at nonprofit groups and local govern- ment agencies. Governor Pete Ricketts will present the finalists with the Step Forward Awards. Christina Franklin, program officer with ServeNe- braska, says they’re the most prestigious awards for the state’s volun- teers. “Originally, they were not called the Step Forward Awards. They were the First Lady’s Awards, so it’s been happening for several years here in the state,” Franklin says. “This year is especially special because we are working with the Nebraska Impact Initiative to celebrate Ne- braska’s 150th birthday.” Franklin says there are nine categories includ- ing Veteran Volunteer. She says volunteerism is what makes Nebraska the “Good Life.” “I believe in volunteerism so much and we know that it makes a difference in our state,” Franklin says. “If we didn’t have peo- ple that volunteer, there are a lot of services that wouldn’t happen in our rural communities, in our urban communities. Volunteerism makes our state great.” Franklin says Governor Ricketts will help review the submis- sions and select those deserving recognition. NEW SUPERINTENDENT FOR STATE PATROL Gov. Pete Ricketts has chosen a new superintendent for the Nebraska State Patrol. Port of San Diego Police Chief John Bolduc understands he’s an outsider taking over a patrol with 450 troopers and 730 total employees. “It’s about listening to those folks, understanding some natu- ral skepticism and that’s actually fair, but I think we can overcome that by saying, look, we’re here to do a job and we’re going to get about making this the best public safety agency that we can,” Bolduc tells re- porters during a news conference at the Capitol. Bolduc doesn’t see the problems which led to the firing of Superintendent Brad Rice and the suspension of others at NSP as all that troubling. “And really it’s about problem solving,” according to Bolduc. “There are no obstacles that are insurmountable if we work together and we have the right goal in mind and we will do just that.” An investigation of the Nebraska State Patrol by the Ricketts Administration found fault with former Superintendent Rice as well as the conduct of the chain of command during two use-of- force incidents. Five others have been suspended over allegations of dishonesty and dereliction of duty in two investigations into whether troopers used excessive force. PREPARING FOR HURRICANE IRMA Volunteers with the American Red Cross from all over the country are assisting hurricane victims in Texas and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Nebraska Red Cross spokesperson Dick Dinsdale says and now they are preparing for Hurricane Irma that could hit Flor- ida. Dinsdale says, “We are just starting to deploy folks to the Florida area and the Carolinas so that we can have manpower and materials closer to where the Hurricane Irma might hit.” He says they are also deploying several of their emergency response vehicles to the Florida. Dinsdale says about 50 volunteers from Nebraska and another 50 from Kansas are currently in Texas and Louisiana helping the victims of Hurri- cane Harvey. There are around 3,100 disaster workers are on the ground in Texas from around the country and another 200 in Louisiana. Volunteers are needed and applications are being taken at red- cross.org. Nebraskans wanting to help in advance of the arrival of Irma can text Irma to 90999 to donate $10.