07-19-12

Posted on Jul 19th, 2012 at 7:43 am

Happy Birthday Wishes to:

Jim Casey, Elmer Dreher, Beverly Kroupa, Gerald Sebade, John Sehi, Daniel Svitak, Mark Weidner, Russ Wilcox

Skywatch Weather:

Today, mostly sunny, high 99. Tonight, mostly clear, low 70. Friday, mostly sunny, high 98.

Sports:

ESPN Radio now at 105.9 WJAG-FM & 780 WJAG-AM Mon-Fri at 5:00 PM & Sat & Sun at 4:00!

The British Open began today with a little rain and a long birdie putt from James Driscoll. Barry Lane hit the opening tee shot in the 141st Open Championship, a 5-iron to about 45 feet on the par-3 opening hole at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. He wound up with a three-putt bogey. Driscoll, an unheralded American playing this major for only the second time, rolled in a 50-foot birdie putt across the green. Low clouds and a light rain at the start of the day were expected to give way to dry weather perhaps into the weekend. Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods, among those favored to contend, were among the early starters. World number one Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy were in the afternoon side of the draw.

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez was named one of 34 quarterbacks on the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award watch list released yesterday. Martinez has been one of the nation's best two-way threats from the quarterback spot the past two seasons, accounting for 5,559 yards of total offense to rank third on Nebraska's career list. It is the third straight year he has earned a spot on an O'Brien Award list, as he was on the watch list prior to 2011 and was a semifinalist in 2010. In 2011, Martinez set a school record for total offense by a sophomore totaling 2,963 yards and accounting for 21 touchdowns to rank third in the Big Ten in total offense per game. He threw for 2,089 yards and 13 scores while completing 56% of his passes. Martinez also rushed for 874 yards and nine touchdowns. The Foundation and the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee will announce three finalists on November 19. The winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 6, in Orlando.

The Norfolk Juniors baseball team hosts the first day of the A-6 Area Tournament today. South Sioux City meets Columbus Red at 2:30, Fremont battles Grand Island Wells Fargo at 5:30, and Norfolk tangles with Grand Island Five Points at 8:30. The sixth seeded Norfolk squad has a 7-24 record going into the game.

Local Schedule: Oklahoma City at Omaha Storm Chasers (Bsbl-7:05).

Local Scores: Oklahoma City 10 Omaha Storm Chasers 5 (Bsbl).

Kwifax:

By trade, a picador takes part in bullfighting.

News Briefs:

The problem of well interference seems to be widespread across the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District, and landowners are looking for solutions to the problem. At a meeting last night to discuss the issue, NRD Water Resources Manager Rick Wozniak said the solution is first and foremost to be a good neighbor. Wozniak says the NRD does not have the authority to intervene in short-term water issues like this, but does have a policy on well interference and will help neighbors work together to find a solution to the problem.

As the drought continues, residents of Northeast Nebraska are being urged to practice water conservation. Plainview Master Gardener Jim Laycock says we need to consider what in our yards really need water. He says trees and shrubs should be watered deeply, but it may be advisable to allow cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass go dormant. And Laycock says mulch in flowerbeds will help conserve moisture and keep the soil cooler.

Two of the new laws that go into effect today affect motorists. Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Bill Price says one requires that vehicle drivers provide a three-foot buffer when passing or meeting pedestrians and bicycles. Another allows legal drivers to operate golf carts on streets adjacent to golf courses.

Many court cases require people be transported to the courthouse site, adding to costs and, in the case of prisoners being held in another facility, affecting safety. Madison District Court Clerk Marge Shaffer recently told County Commissioners a proposal to add video conferencing abilities to the courtroom will save money and time. The board gave Shaffer permission to seek bids for the project.

A judge has agreed to delay the trial of former Nebraska football player Alfonzo Dennard, who is accused of assaulting a police officer outside a Lincoln bar. Dennard's lawyer says he needs more time to prepare a defense. Dennard is free on bond and is scheduled to begin training camp with the New England Patriots next week.

Worsening drought conditions have prompted the United States Department of Agriculture to open Conservation Reserve Program land in much of Nebraska for haying and grazing. FSA State Director Dan Steinkruger says CRP land in about two-thirds of the state will be eligible. Producers need to file a request to graze or hay land with their local FSA office.

An early morning high-speed pursuit lands a 21-year old Norfolk man in jail. The Stanton County Sherriff Mike Unger says Charles Loughman was arrested after he fled his vehicle on foot and was later observed in a field about a mile north of where he had abandoned his vehicle. Loughman was taken to the Pierce County jail on charges of driving during suspension, willful reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. Loughman is currently out on bond from both the Pierce and Madison County jail.