FALLS CITY (AP)-- Falls City is getting a new fiber-optic system that will provide a massive digital portal to virtually every home and business in town. The $8 million to $10 million project is replacing copper lines with the "fiber to-the-home" technology, often referred to as FTTH technology.

LINCOLN (AP)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's tractor test laboratory will host a competition on April 10 for 4-H and FFA students. Organizers say that among other phases of the competition, contestants will have to maneuver tractors through a driving course. The winners will receive $500 scholarships to UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

NORFOLK-- A wood stove was a contributing factor in a fire that destroyed a Norfolk home Friday night. Norfolk Fire Shift Commander Steve Bettendorf says just before 7pm they were called to 313 north 9th street where the found the two story single family home heavily involved in fire on the main floor. Due to the intensity of the fire, firefighters were required to pull ceilings and walls to further extinguish the blaze. They also opened the roof around the brick chimney. The structure is listed as a total loss with 62-thousand dollars damage to the structure and 30-thousand to the contents. The home is owned by Rick McCain. A number of the occupants pets were rescued and taken to a local veterinarian for treatment of smoke inhalation. The Hadar volunteer fire department and the local chapter of the American Red Cross provided mutual aid.

WISNER, Neb. (AP)-- A dog trapped on an ice floe on the swollen Elkhorn River in Cuming County has returned home.
Rick Jacobs of Wisner says his dog became stranded on a chunk of ice in the river on Wednesday. He paddled out in a canoe and tried to rescue the dog, but the ice broke free and floated down the river before he got there. Wisner says he feared the dog would be crushed by the ice. But the dog returned home a day later, tired but in good shape. Jacobs says someone saw him along the road and brought him back.

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP)-- Work is set to begin on a new military facility in Columbus. A public groundbreaking ceremony for the $8 million Armed Forces Readiness Center will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Construction is
expected to be done in February. The project is a collaboration of the Nebraska Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. The 46,000-square-foot facility will replace the Guard's current readiness center, which was built in 1956. It will become home to the Guard's 87-member 1075th Transportation Company and the Reserve's 45-person 45th Military Police.

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP)-- A Homer man has been ordered to stand trial on allegations he sexually abused a 4-year-old and attempted to assault an older girl. Jose Ovence Salinas has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child, child abuse and first-degree false imprisonment. He's set to stand trial April 22 in Dakota County District Court.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)-- The state Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Nebraskans that people with developmental disabilities are important members of their communities. Developmental Disabilities director Jodi Fenner says people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities should be seen as valuable and contributing citizens. She says Nebraskans can make a positive difference by including those people in community groups and activities. The state provides services to more than 4,600 people with developmental disabilities through community-based programs.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP)-- The University of Nebraska Medical Center is making changes to its nursing program in an effort to alleviate the state's nurse shortage. The changes include adding more openings in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program at the campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk. A new nursing sciences center for the Omaha campus and revamped curriculum are also in the works. UNMC says the changes are designed to boost enrollment and increase the number of graduates. The goal is to get more nurses into the work force.

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP)-- The Dakota City clerk has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from allegations he overcharged a customer for a title transfer. Ted Piepho is scheduled to stand trial April 19 in Dakota County Court on charges of official misconduct and oppression under color of office. Burt County Attorney Daniel Smith says Piepho charged an Emerson man $13 to transfer the title on his mobile home on July 29. The transfer actually costs $10. Smith says investigators don't believe this was an isolated incident. Piepho says he's innocent and believes the case is politically motivated. He's running for re-election.