Man sentenced on federal drug charge

A Grand Island man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 10 years, one months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Rodney A. Gleason, 28, will also serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence and must pay a $100 special assessment, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Joe Stecher.

On July 3, 2007, Gleason reported being assaulted at 414 N. Elm St. He told Grand Island police officers there was meth in the home and he knew the drugs were there because he had delivered them the day before. Officers searched the home and found more than 10 ounces of a substance containing meth, according to the release.

Kiwanis Club plans annual Pancake Day

The Grand Island Kiwanis Club is planning its 52nd annual Kiwanis Pancake Day from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15 at the Salvation Army Grimminger Center.

The menu for the all-you-can eat event includes pancakes, sausage, orange drink and coffee or milk. Tickets are available from members of the Grand Island Kiwanis Club, the A.M. Islanders Kiwanis Club and the Third City Kiwanis Club or at the door.

The cost is $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Proceeds help finance Kiwanis Club activities and projects for youths in the community. Ryder, Rosacker, McCue and Huston Insurance will match money raised from this event above last year, up to $250.

NSP motor carrier division receives safety funding

Nebraska is one of eight states to receive full incentive funding from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

A total of $189,357 will be used by the Nebraska State Patrol's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to reduce the number and severity of accidents and hazardous material incidents involving commercial motor vehicles.

A state qualifies for the additional incentive funding by demonstrating its Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Program has led to a reduction in fatal accidents and shown improvement in three categories related to the reporting of all fatal and nonfatal accidents. Nebraska, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, West Virginia and Wisconsin qualify for the additional funding for fiscal year 2008.

"This has truly been a cooperative effort between the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Department of Roads, Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, and the commercial motor vehicle industry working together in an effort to reduce commercial motor vehicle accidents statewide," said patrol Col. Bryan Tuma.

* hastings

Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village hosting soup supper and bake sale Tuesday

Residents of The Villa Assisted Living on the campus of Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village are hosting a soup supper and bake sale from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Hoeger Hall.

Beginning Monday, Villa residents will start preparing ingredients for the soup and residents, family members, and staff of the Village will be contributing items for the bake sale.

Funds raised from this event will go to purchase a flat -screen television and a Nintendo Wii for the Living Room. Cost for the soup supper is $3 per person and includes vegetable beef soup, chili, beverage and dessert.

Hastings Respite Care offering 'Night Out'

Hastings Respite Care will be holding a Caregiver/Respite Provider "Night Out" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Country Meadows, 1205 E. 42nd St., Hastings.

The goal of this meeting will be to help bring caregivers of persons with special needs and respite care providers together for a fun and informative evening.

This "Night Out" is sponsored by a mini grant from the Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network.

For more information, to register, or for respite to attend the meeting, call (402) 463-8124.

* Kearney

Platte Valley Iris Society looking for volunteers

The Platte Valley Iris Society recently organized as an informal group to share ideas and growing tips regarding the iris. The group is looking for people interested in growing and showing iris in the area surrounding Kearney. An introductory meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. March 15 at the Kearney Public Library, Norman Room, 2020 First Ave., in Kearney. Amy Hill of Lexington will be the featured speaker. Everyone is welcome, young people as well. Future meetings are set for April, June, July, August, September and October.

The Platte Valley Iris Society, which will be part of Region 21 of the American Iris Society, is planning an iris display this year in May. With additional experience, the group would like to conduct a judged show. For additional information, contact Cindy Hugg at (308) 234-6990.