Nebraska
Effort revived to preserve access to iconic rapids on scenic Niobrara River • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — An on-again, off-again effort to ensure public access to the Niobrara River is back on.
If the purchase of the Rocky Ford rapids area happens this time – it was blocked more than once a decade ago – it would maintain the public use of an important take-out point for those floating and kayaking the nationally designated scenic river.
A National Park Service representative and the private owner of the Rocky Ford rapids separately confirmed that discussions are underway to have the federal agency purchase the 26-acre site around the rapids, which is the ending point for many float trips down the Niobrara and a popular spot for camping and picnicking in north-central Nebraska.
About 75,000 people each year visit the 76-mile-long, federally designated scenic stretch of the Niobrara River, making it one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. Because Rocky Ford is in private hands, there’s always a worry that public access to the scenic spot will be shut off, or that access fees will become too expensive.
“There is no better deck in the state of Nebraska,” said Rocky Ford owner Brad Arrowsmith of the view from a cabin on the property.
“That place is therapeutic,” he said.
Arrowsmith, a rancher from Mills, purchased Rocky Ford eight years ago after a canoe outfitter’s effort to sell the property to the Park Service, and later to the Niobrara Scenic River Council, both fell through.
Members of the state’s congressional delegation, as well as local ranchers and representatives on the Niobrara Council, were among those who opposed federal ownership of the property.
In 2018, Arrowsmith said he purchased the rapids to retain local control and to avoid a new private owner from shutting off access to Rocky Ford. The river there has one of the state’s few Class III rapids – rapids with high waves and rocks that require an experienced paddler.
But when the $2.5 million sale to the Niobrara Council fell through, Arrowsmith retained ownership and a canoe outfitting business continued. He eventually took over the business.
But the semi-retired rancher, 58, said he’s more interested now in enjoying the “retired” side of his life and ditching the “semi” portion.
“I never bought it to get into the outfitting business in the first place,” Arrowsmith said. “My hair’s a little whiter than yours. I’m tired.”
So talks began a few months ago to sell the property to the Park Service.
Susan Cook, superintendent of the Niobrara National Scenic River office in Valentine, confirmed that she’s discussed a purchase with Arrowsmith.
“We’re just starting to look at it,” Cook said.
She declined to say whether the Park Service had money allocated for the purchase – as it did a decade ago – or where the money to purchase the site could come from.
Arrowsmith said that he’d also offered, again about a year ago, to sell Rocky Ford to the Niobrara Council, but was again rebuffed.
He said he’s also been approached by a private party to purchase the site and continue the outfitting business.
“At the end of the day I’d love to keep it in local hands … but I’m not sure they can come up with the change to do it,” he said.
Just how quickly, or how long, a purchase might take is unclear. Arrowsmith said he has made improvements to the property that make Rocky Ford more attractive for a buyer.
“It’s not the old ratty wood walkway up to the office,” he said, adding that he also replaced a “monstrosity of a retaining wall” on the land.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — After a hamstring injury during Nebraska’s baseball season, Will Jesske was advised to take it easy this summer. He is, but Jesske has found a new way to stay involved in the game.
Jesske is coaching a local legion baseball team. He is a volunteer assistant for Lincoln Hotel Group, the senior legion team for Standing Bear High School.
Jesske, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, describes himself as the “hype man” in the LHG dugout. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which players enjoy. Jesske said coaching is a way he can give back to local players while helping LHG’s coaching staff. Jesske played under Tanner Lewis and Kyle Beacom in high school. They now lead the LHG legion program.
Jesske is entering his senior season at Nebraska. He has appeared in 95 games over his career, including 33 during the Huskers’ 43-win season this spring. Jesske was injured early in the season but played through it as Nebraska hosted an NCAA regional. He hit .318 in his junior season. Jesske said he is fully healthy and credited extended rest with his recovery.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari is wanted in Lancaster County on suspicion of assaulting a pregnant woman in May.
An arrest warrant was filed for Ferrari on Thursday. He faces three felony charges which include first-degree false imprisonment and assault by strangling a pregnant woman.
According to an arrest affidavit, a woman from California contacted police in Lincoln on May 8 just after midnight. She told officers her daughter called for help and pointed them to Ferrari’s apartment.
Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. A pregnant woman came out after several minutes of knocking with no answer. Officers said the woman was visibly upset.
She told officers that Ferrari tried taking her phone away after an argument, but she wouldn’t let him take it. The arrest affidavit shows Ferrari then dragged her off a bed by her feet.
Police think Ferrari then got on top of her and strangled her, likely until she was unconscious. The woman told police that she felt as though her throat “collapsed” and that she was “breathing through a straw.”
Once regaining consciousness, police said the woman tried hiding in a closet and contacting her mother on another device. But Ferrari followed her, pushed her onto a bed and sat on her until she apologized, according to the affidavit.
She apologized in order to be released, police said. The woman then tried to leave the apartment, but police said Ferrari dragged her by the arm back inside. She found her phone and contacted her mother, yelling “help!”, prosecutors wrote.
Ferrari grabbed the phone and hung up, according to the affidavit. The woman’s mother tried calling several more times before calling police.
Authorities transported the woman to Bryan West for treatment. Officers said she sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, including bruising around her neck and other abrasions.
Last weekend, Ferrari was arrested in Lincoln County on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and obstructing the police. He was cited after a trooper chased a Corvette in the North Platte area.
Lincoln County authorities told KOLN that Ferrari is out on bond. His current whereabouts are unclear.
Court records show that the woman has filed for a protection order against Ferrari. A hearing has been set for July 7 to give him an opportunity to show the court why one should not be issued.
Previously, Ferrari was booked in Lancaster County, Nebraska for an outstanding warrant in January of this year, but those charges were dismissed later that week.
Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
The Nebraska State Fair is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 72-hour flash sale on Season Passes.
From July 3 through July 5, fans can purchase a 2026 Season Pass for just $50—a significant discount from its regular value of $132.
The pass includes one admission per day for all 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, making it ideal for visitors who plan to attend multiple days.
Fair officials say the promotion is one of the biggest Season Pass discounts offered in years and will not be extended.
After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.
-
Videos13 minutes agoIran gets ready for Khamenei’s funeral • FRANCE 24 English
-
Los Angeles, Ca25 minutes ago2 arrested after 3 LASD deputies injured during East L.A. World Cup celebration
-
Detroit, MI43 minutes agoEx-girlfriend in custody after Taylor man found fatally stabbed, police say
-
San Francisco, CA55 minutes agoMarina braces for Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show, massive crowds
-
Dallas, TX58 minutes agoMaradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball heads to auction in Dallas
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoMiami-Dade sheriff urges residents to celebrate Fourth of July safely
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoJaylen Brown says Celtics showed ‘lack of respect’ after trade to 76ers – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoWho are the Top 5 offensive linemen in Denver Broncos history?
