High costs and shortages of pharmaceuticals are serious, ongoing issues. Drug prices in the US are among the highest in the world. A recent survey by the Rand Corporation looked at drug prices in 32 developed countries. US prices were the highest in the group and were more than twice the average of prices in other countries. What is especially troubling is that the products sold in many of these countries are the same drugs produced by the same manufacturers as those sold in the US at much higher prices.

Mosquitos infected with West Nile Virus are on the rise in Nebraska. West Nile Virus is a disease spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE at the Ainsworth United Methodist Church - 310 N Woodward. Thursday, August 10th - 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Friday, August 11th - 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 12th - 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Summarized - All Cases Include $ 50.00 Court Cost Joyce A. Pojar: Speeding 11 - 15 MPH, $75.00 Fine; Brown County Sheriffs Office - Deputy Joel Carpenter.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a one-vehicle accident on July 30th at 5:02 p.m. A 2014 Ford F150 pickup driven by Beau Herrington of Bassett was south bound on Ponderosa Road near 437th Avenue south of Long Pine. Herrington lost control of his vehicle negotiating the curve and slid off the road. The officer observed skid marks leading to the point of rest of the vehicle. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $6,000.00. Along with the damage to the vehicle, there was damage to the barbed wire fence and at least one post was broken off at the ground. Herrington received a citation for willful reckless driving. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a one-vehicle accident on August 4th at 8:53 p.m. Glenn Johnson of Ainsworth was driving a 1999 Dodge Dakota westbound on Highway 20 near mile marker 249, when he struck a deer that ran out onto the highway. The vehicle was considered totaled.

There is a petition being circulated gathering signatures from Nebraskans to repeal LB 753. This is a bill we passed in the last session creating a modest school choice program for parents. I urge registered voters not to sign it.