Fourth grader Kaylynn Harper, one of nearly 2,000 entrants in the contest, was among only 18 students chosen statewide. Her name, “Hungry Hungry Snoweater” was chosen for use on a plow in NDOT’s District 5, which covers the Panhandle region.

Harper’s success was celebrated with a whole-school assembly, where Geil principal Angela Morris led all of her students in offering congratulations. Morris and NDOT representative John Lutz also explained what snowplows are used for and how “Hungry Hungry Snoweater” can be seen and tracked during any winter weather the region experiences this year.

“Here’s the cool thing,” Morris said. “I know it’s Dec. 6 and it hasn’t even snowed yet, but when it does — because you know it will — you might see her snowplow. So keep your eyes peeled when you see them out on their roads and say, ‘Hmm, I wonder if that’s Kaylynn’s snow plow.’”

Lutz also explained how students can ask their parents to help them track the fleet of snowplows online via 511.nebraska.gov.

“You can get online on the plow tracker, and you can watch all the plows that are named,” Lutz said. “It’ll show you where they’re at.”

Harper’s fourth grade peers got to join her outside for a tour of the plow and a more in-depth explanation of how it works from the NDOT crew.

Another winner was selected in District 5: 6-year-old Lacie Reeves’ entry, “Pete the Plow.” Reeves and her classmates learned of the honor in mid-November

The passage of LB 727 (2023) enabled the use of bonds to expedite critical infrastructure projects like those prioritized under the 2011 Build Nebraska Act. This corridor is vital to northeast Nebraska, improving safety, supporting regional industries like agriculture and manufacturing, and enhancing access to markets and national freight networks. This project underscores the state’s commitment to advancing infrastructure to improve quality of life and drive economic competitiveness.

Bonding helps condense construction schedules that could take longer using traditional pay-as-you-go strategies. NDOT Director Vicki Kramer emphasized the impact of the vote: “NDOT is using a fiscally conservative method to secure resources, safeguarding the schedule of the US-275 corridor. Innovative finance, bonding in this scenario, is a tool that can be leveraged to expediate project schedules, delivering needed safety and capacity improvements to communities. While this bond issuance will finance a portion of the corridor, it's important to state — bonding is not a revenue source but rather a financing tool. I’m thankful for the support of the Pillen Administration, Senator Moser and the NDOT team for making today a reality.”

Commissioner David Copple of Norfolk added, “With major employers and heavy truck traffic, completing the US-275 corridor is essential to supporting industries like steelmakers, manufacturers and farmers. This vital infrastructure will drive economic growth and strengthen connections to healthcare, education and major markets.”

“The completion of the Scribner – West Point corridor along the US-275 was a win for Nebraska, but there’s more work ahead,” said Gov. Jim Pillen. “Local communities have long supported this expressway, understanding the safety improvements and economic benefits it brings. I have directed NDOT to condense the timeline to complete the corridor.”

Local law enforcement officers recently participated in traffic safety campaigns around the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Gage County Sheriff's Office wrote seven citations for seat-belt violations during the annual Make It Click campaign from Nov. 23-Dec. 1.

“Receiving a ticket is a reminder that seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers,” said Deputy Spencer Behrens in a statement on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page. “To that end, we felt that this year’s campaign was successful, and I think we got people’s attention by using highly visible enforcement methods. Our goal is a safe community with safe drivers.”

The Beatrice Police Department participated in the Click It or Ticket campaign from Nov. 24-Dec. 1, using a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation to help pay for 37 additional hours worked by officers during that time period. During the campaign, officers issued 19 citations for seat belt, speeding and other traffic violations; made one arrest for driving under the influence; and issued several warnings.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 320 occupants in passenger vehicles died in crashes over the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday weekend nationwide, with 141 of them not wearing seat belts.

“The bottom line is that seat belts save lives,” said Sgt. Tim Hanson of the Sheriff's Office. “We’ll continue working to spread the message about the importance of seat belt safety, over the holidays, and every day,” he said.