Many constituents have contacted my office regarding vehicle collisions on Highway 103 by Tri-County schools and we have been working with the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and Tri-County Superintendent Randy Schlueter to address the conditions which become even more concerning when the weather is foggy. I know there was a recent accident at the school, but fortunately the injuries were minor. I am happy to report that new lights have been installed and are now operational to bring attention to the lower speed limit along Hwy 103 by the school. I want to thank NDOT, Superintendent Schlueter and the Jefferson and Gage county boards for working together, and the patience and perseverance of the community and NDOT for being willing to work with the school and counties to install the safety equipment. Tri-County will continue to educate students on driving safety, including having assemblies that remind students about driving safety.

A couple of weeks ago, southeast Nebraska, particularly Fillmore and Thayer counties, were pounded by severe thunderstorms and strong winds. Eighty electric poles snapped and hundreds of center-pivots overturned. Up to 3,000 customers lost power at the height of the storm due to the damage to the power network between Geneva and Hebron. There was also scattered property damage with damage estimates in the tens of millions. I want to commend the work of the NPPD, Norris, and Perennial public power crews who worked around the clock to restore power as well as the city utilities staff that worked overnight and over the weekend to provide services, information and relief to residents awaiting their power to return. And after all that work, NPPD was still able to put on an Arbor Day celebration at Fillmore Central high. Thanks guys!

It’s the spring which other than severe weather and much needed rain means it is graduation time. I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the 578 graduating seniors this year. There were 4 from Bruning-Davenport, 136 from Crete, 14 from Deshler, 11 from Dorchester, 12 from Exeter-Milligan, 48 from Fairbury, 37 from Fillmore Central, 8 from Friend, 17 from Meridian, 179 from Norris, 10 from Shickley, 28 from Thayer Central, 33 from Tri County, and 41 from Wilber. Keep your eye on the mail and enjoy your summer!