HAPPY NEW YEAR!

      Because New Year’s Day falls on a Saturday, today is the de facto legal holiday. Essentially, any government agencies that are normally closed on Saturday mark the holiday today with workers getting the day off.

      The U-S Postal Service does operate on Saturdays, so it’s work as normal with mail delivery today and the holiday and no mail tomorrow.

      Tomorrow is the official bank holiday with financial institutions closed, but some take today off as well or close early. 

       Some cities offer a mix of closures. In Chadron, for example, there’s no Handi-bus today, the library is open today from 9-2 and closed tomorrow, and the Aquatics and Wellness Center is open this morning and tomorrow afternoon. 

       There are still more law enforcement officers on the roads than for a normal Friday thanks to tonight’s celebrations and because the latest edition national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving campaign doesn’t wrap up until tomorrow night.

      In Nebraska, the state Dept of Transportation – Office of Highway Safety again provided grants to more than 40 local law enforcement agencies and the State Patrol to cover overtime costs related to the added officers.

       Patrol Supt Colonel John Bolduc says over the first 10 days of the 16-day Drive Sober campaign, troopers arrested 37 impaired drivers across the state. 

      Bolduc says “holiday celebrations are always a fun way to close out the year, so he encourages everyone to make plans in advance to have a sober ride home.”

       He points to options that include having a designated driver in your group, rideshare, cabs, or safe ride programs offered by local businesses in some communities.