LINCOLN, Neb. – Wind damage from an overnight storm has forced the temporary closure of parts of Wagon Train State Recreation Area (SRA) in Lancaster County. No one was injured. Access to Areas 1 and 3, including the boat ramp at Area 3, is closed until further notice while crews clean up debris and downed trees from the Thursday night storm. Area 1 is located on the west side of the lake and Area 3 is on the east side. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Herb Angell, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Boating Law Administrator, was recently elected as the 53rd President of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) during closing ceremonies at the NASBLA annual Conference in Boise, ID. Elected to the NASBLA Executive Board in 2009, he was voted NASBLA Vice-President in 2012-2013. Angell has also served on the Northern Association of Boating Administrators (NABA) Education Committee, Law Enforcement Committee and Executive Board and was elected as …

You all know that I love to travel Nebraska, fish a variety of waters, catch a variety of fish, hopefully big ones, and tell you all about it.  Yep, I am going to do that again here, but this time with a little different twist. In spite of what you may think, I am not traveling the state all the time.  Like most folks, much of the time I am working out of the office, at Game & Parks headquarters …

This summer I played host to a very special guest from England.  I planned well in advance of his arrival to ensure that his visit to the states would be one that left him with experiences he would not soon forget.  The plans had to include events that would be well worth the long flights and meet his expectations of entertainment.  My European visitor’s name is Kai Jensen, my 6-year-old grandson. Kai lives about two hours from London and his …

Last Sunday, three generations of the Gabelhouse family headed to Lake Wanahoo for an afternoon of fishing.  The trio included, myself, my son Zach and his son Tyson.  This was a landmark event for me as I was amazed, honored and blessed to have witnessed my 2 ¾-year-old grandson, Tyson, catch his first fish all by himself. Now this wasn’t Tyson’s first time fishing. He had fished before, with help from his dad. What made this time different was that …

Michael Schultz has been hired at Game and Parks as the new Information Technology Application Developer.  His duties include being responsible for online application development, Content Management Systems (CMS), including  programming and maintenance on assigned computer applications.  Schultz coordinates with the Information Technology and Communications Divisions to install, develop and maintain new agency applications and communicate closely with content providers to determine system needs. His position will require him to research system enhancements; perform analysis of applications; troubleshoot and bug …

Dylan McCaugherty has stepped into the role of Interactive Digital Media Manager for the Communications Division at Nebraska Game and Parks. His duties will include conducting research, developing strategies and providing leadership for digital and interactive media communications. McCaugherty will serve as the key driver of all initiatives for the web, social media and digital editions. McCaugherty will lead the implementation of online marketing communications projects.  His role is to develop innovative interactive solutions and strategies. He will be working …

Amy Kucera was recently named Associate Editor of NEBRASKAland magazine. Her duties will include researching, writing, and photographing for NEBRASKAland Magazine, Trail Tails Magazine and creating the NEBRASKAland Magazine assignment schedule with the editor. Kucera also coordinates NEBRASKAland staff and freelance contributors on content submissions for the magazine. Kucera obtained an Associate’s Degree in English Education from Northeast Community College in Norfolk and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Writing from Wayne State College. Kucera also earned her certificate to teach English …

Jacquie Hirschman has been hired for the  Marketing Coordinator position at  Nebraska Game and Parks.  Her duties will include coordinating marketing tactics such as research, planning and execution for a variety of marketing or communication campaigns. Hirschman will be tasked with ensuring all details of marketing communications campaigns are delivered with a consistent brand image, message, and that all deadlines are met. she will Assist marketing manager with various advertising and marketing related tasks such as timelines, media planning, advertising …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A citizen of the Ukraine was cited with negligent boat operation by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in connection with an incident at Pawnee State Recreation Area on Aug. 7. Valentyn Siny, 37, was operating a personal watercraft that collided with two females on separate tubes being pulled by a boat. Game and Parks investigated the incident, which occurred at approximately 5 p.m. north of the main swimming area on Pawnee Lake. The females, ages 14 …