The American Cancer Society is marking the 37th Great American Smokeout on November 15 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.

Benefits of quitting (from www.cancer.org)

LINCOLN, Neb. – A male mountain lion was shot by a deer hunter November 10th, the opening day of the November firearm deer season. The incident occurred about 10 miles northeast of Ainsworth in Brown County.

The hunter reported the shooting to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officer. According to the hunter, the cat walked parallel to him at about 35 yards as he left his hunting blind, made eye contact with him, then circled in front of the hunter’s path. A subsequent investigation concluded the hunter was justified in killing the 150-pound animal.

By law, a person may kill a mountain lion without a permit only if it “stalks, attacks, or shows unprovoked aggression toward such person or another person,” or if it is in the act of preying on livestock. Unlawful killing of a mountain lion is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to three months in jail.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska lawmakers are planning to revisit a proposed legislative salary increase that was overwhelmingly rejected by voters.

Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh says he will raise the issue again, although he hasn’t yet developed a specific proposal. Nebraska voters on Tuesday defeated the salary measure by a 2-to-1 ratio.

The measure would have increased lawmaker salaries from $12,000 to $22,500 per year. Lawmakers haven’t received a pay raise since 1988, and many senators argue that the current pay keeps qualified Nebraskans from serving. Supporters say the Legislature is dominated by retirees, lawyers, business owners, and those who are young and childless.

This year’s pay-raise proposal was opposed by Gov. Dave Heineman, who argued lawmakers didn’t deserve more money because of their support for taxpayer-funded prenatal care benefits to illegal immigrants.

December 5-7, many cattlemen from across the state will join together for the Nebraska Cattlemen 2012 Annual Convention in Kearney, Nebraska at the Holiday Inn.

At this meeting members of Nebraska Cattlemen have the opportunity to participate in discussions in council and committee meetings. These meetings determine the direction and policy of Nebraska Cattlemen for the upcoming year.

As in past years, the Convention will be packed with educational opportunities beginning with the Cattlemen’s College on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday the Nebraska Cattlemen Council Meetings will be held in the morning, the Foundation luncheon at noon and the Nebraska Cattlemen Committee meetings in the afternoon.

The 2012 Convention will feature a very distinguished group of speakers such as; Wyatt DeJong, 2010-2011 National FFA Central Region Vice President, Baxter Black, cowboy poet, and JD Alexander, 2012 NCBA President, to name a few.

As always Nebraska Cattlemen’s allied industry partners will present their goods and services with outstanding displays in the trade show. The welcome reception in the trade show on Wednesday evening will kick-off this year’s convention.

For more information or to register refer to your November issue of Nebraska Cattleman magazine or you can call Nebraska Cattlemen’s Lincoln office at 402.475.2333or go online to www.nebraskacattlemen.org.

Omaha, Neb., November 9, 2012 — Union Pacific today announced a $60,000 donation to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a national organization serving military service members who incurred service-connected injuries or illnesses on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and their families.

“We are extremely honored to contribute to Wounded Warrior Project, whose vision is to foster our nation’s most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members,” said Jack Koraleski, Union Pacific president and CEO. “Our company has a strong bond with the military, and the fact that military veterans represent approximately 20 percent of our employees reflects the special efforts we make to recruit them. We are proud of this connection.”

“It is through donations from companies such as Union Pacific that we are able to provide programs and services for injured service members,” said Steve Nardizzi, executive director, Wounded Warrior Project.  “We are grateful to Union Pacific for its support.”

More than 50,000 service men and women have been injured in the recent military conflicts. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment.

Union Pacific has a long and deep connection to the U.S. military, dating back to the company’s beginning when it hired Civil War veterans to help construct America’s first transcontinental railroad. During World War I, Union Pacific granted thousands of railroad employees indefinite leaves of absence with pay to serve the country. In addition, Union Pacific prioritized its flow of resources and goods to support various war efforts. During World War II, Union Pacific donated a renovated passenger terminal so soldiers arriving from across the country could take comfort in homemade meals from local citizens at the historic North Platte, Neb., canteen. Today, Union Pacific supports the military by shipping thousands of rail cars of military equipment to support our armed forces in protecting the nation.

Approximately 23 percent of Union Pacific’s 2012 new hires – nearly 800 in total – are military veterans.The railroad’s progressive reservist policy, which compensates the difference between military and company pay for employees called to duty and continues to provide health plan benefits for dependents when employees are deployed, is one example of how Union Pacific supports its reserve, active duty and veteran employees and their families.

Another example is UPVETS, a Union Pacific employee resource group devoted to attracting, developing and retaining employees who are military veterans.

Union Pacific donated funds to Wounded Warrior Project from one-time tax credits the company earned for hiring veterans meeting various government criteria. These veterans are talented and highly qualified individuals. As part of Union Pacific’s 150th anniversary year, the company chose to donate tax credit funds in appreciation of its military and veteran employees and all the country’s service men and women.

Union Pacific frequently is recognized for its commitment to military veterans. The company received the inaugural Hiring Our Heroes Award for Post 9/11 Veteran Employment and Internships by the National Chamber Foundation; has been named a top military friendly employer by G.I. Jobs 10 times; and was one of just three companies selected to the Platinum category by Military Times EDGE as a Best for Vets Employer. The company is a member of the Army Reserve’s Employee Partnership Initiative; is a supporter of the Army Partnership for Youth Success program; is a past recipient of the Freedom Award, the U.S. government’s highest employer recognition; and the Military Officers Association of America Distinguished Service Award.

About Union Pacific
It was 150 years ago that Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific. One of America’s iconic companies, today Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America’s infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

The Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors has approved a 3.75% average rate increase for both its wholesale and retail customers, effective January 1.

Wholesale customers are the rural public power districts and municipalities who purchase their power and distribute it to their electric customers while retail customers are those that receive an electric bill directly from NPPD.

While the average increase for all retail residential, commercial, and industrial classes is 3.75%, individual customer percent increases will vary depending on customer use. The residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see an average increase of $5.50 on their monthly electric bill.

NPPD President and CEO Pat Pope says the utility has been discussing this rate adjustment amount with customers since early this year, and reduced it slightly from the 4% originally forecast. He says while the utility isn’t happy about having to take the increase, rates will continue to be competitive both regionally and nationally.

The wholesale rate increase will be applied to debt payments and capital expenditures for investments in plants and facilities. NPPD has invested approximately $1 billion in its system over the past 5 years. Pope says much of that is the result of increased compliance and security requirements, along with the cost to operate and maintain the reliability of its existing generation and transmission infrastructure.

The retail rate increase is due primarily to the continuing upward costs to generate and deliver energy. Pope says it’s a balancing act for the utility as it tries to keep rates affordable while ensuring reliable service for customers, pointing out that NPPD cut its cost-based budget $15 million dollars by cancelling or deferring projects, travel and training that did not jeopardize safety or reliability.