Nebraska
Nebraska Community Blood Bank declares emergency shortage
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A three-day supply is all the Nebraska Community Blood Bank is working with at the moment.
For the first time this year, the main blood supplier for metro hospitals declared a blood emergency, meaning they are critically low on blood supply for the hospitals and patients they serve.
“Right now we are in urgent need of two types of blood. O negative and B negative,” said Robin Stewart with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.
Ideally, it’d have a 7-day supply.
“We really want to have the blood on the shelves today for what happens tomorrow,” said Stewart.
The NCBB stocks the largest hospital system in the state, Nebraska Medicine. Nebraska Medicine’s lab manager said the shortage has not impacted them yet, but at this rate, it could soon. He said elective surgeries would be the first to go.
“The would be the first group impacted if the blood shortage does continue and we don’t have anything available,” said lab manager Brian White.
The shortage could impact hospitals as soon as the next week or in the next two weeks if people don’t donate, said White. Last year, a blood emergency was called twice.
“We’re sitting at about the same spot,” said White, comparing this year with last. “Right now it’s a critical need for O- blood. Yes it’s happened before. Great thing: we’re Nebraskans and we respond.”
Blood donated with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank stays local. Nebraskan people, helping Nebraskan patients.
For details time and location details of the blood bank, people can go to their website and schedule a time to donate.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Disaster declaration sought for May storm damage in Nebraska
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
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Nebraska
Today in History – June 17: Nebraska boomtown named Kearney County seat
LOWELL, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day in 1872, the boomtown of Lowell, Nebraska was named the seat of Kearney County.
The Nebraska State Historical Society says the Burlington and Missouri River Railroads chose it as a town site the year before.
For a short time, it became a major shipping point for central Nebraska.
Its status would be short-lived.
Later that year, the railroad expanded to Kearney, which became the center for regional trading.
Lowell’s land office was removed in 1874.
Four years later, the boom town was nothing more than a village.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
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On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. Every day leading up to it, First Alert 6 will take a look at the people and events that shaped our area.
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