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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1990)
Severe weather ends drought for Nebraska, director says By Kara Wells Staff Reporter The recent onset of severe weather marks the end of the drought Ne braska has been experiencing, accord ing to Donald Wilhite, director of the International Drought Information Center at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, ‘We’ve largely pulled out of what we’ve been in for the last several years,” Wilhite said. For the second consecutive win ter, warm temperatures and below normal precipitation caused weather conditions corning into spring to be considerably worse than the year befpee, he said. As a result of the dry winter, he said, the ground water and soil re serves were drawn down. Wilhite said weather conditions began to improve in March. There was above normal precipitation in March and May, with a slight de crease in April. This pattern of in creased precipitation continued with severe weather to improve the soil’s condition, he said. Wilhitc said the current soil mois ture supply is good, but there is still concern for northeastern Nebraska and the Sandhills. He said there has been a lag in soil moisture improvement because ef fects of the drought tend to linger. But, he said, the groundwater levels are returning to normal. “The amount of above normal rainfall we’ve been getting will re plenish the soil and recharge ground water levels,” Wilhite said. Although Nebraska is recovering from the drought, he said, western states are in bad shape because they continue to suf fer from dry weather. Western states depend on large storage systems, for their water sup ply, Wilhite said He said those reser voirs are nearly empty, which con tributes to the severe drought condi tions there in Nebraska, he said, farmers rely on groundwater and irrigation for moisture. Wilhite said that for now, the 30 day outlook shows a continuation of the normal rainfall. But, he said, it could change dramatically in the lat ter summer months. “EJasically, we should be in £ood shape from the agricultural perspec tive,” he said. NelSaskan Editor News/NSE Editor Copy Desk Editor Sports Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Feature Editor Photo Chief Art & Graphics Director General Manager Production Manager Advertising Manager Sales Manager Publications Board Chairman Professional Adviser Jana Pedersen, 472-1766 Malt Herek Stephanie Neill Darran Fowler John Payne Robin Trlmarchl Michelle Paulman Brian Shelllto Daniel Shattll Katherine Pollcky Loren Melrose Todd Sears Bill Vobejda, 436-9993 Don Walton, 473-7301 The Daily Nebraskan (USPS 144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Hoard, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448, weekdays during the academic year (except holidays); weekly during the summer session. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by phoning 472-1763 between 9 a m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public also has access to tne Publications Board. For information, contact Biii Vobejda, 436-9993. Subscription price is $45 for one year. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb 68588-0448. Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, Neb ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1990 DAILY NEBRASKAN Apartheid Continued from Page 1 crowds of South African school chil dren who were protesting the teach ing of Afrikaans in school. Afrikaans is the language of white South Afri cans, More than 600 South Africans died during the violence of the next 11 months. Brian Chaffin, a graduate student in English, said the Coalition Against Apartheid wants the non-profit com pany to divest. But NU Foundation president Terry Fairfield said the foundation has ‘‘very minor” amounts invested in compa nies that do business in South Africa, and the foundation “focuses on in vestments as investments without consideration of social policies.” Because the foundation is a pri vate, not a state, organization, it isn’t required by law to withdraw its in vestments from South Africa. Nell Eckersly, Early Warning! facilitator, said the demonstrators also wanted to promote the upcoming apartheid rally scheduled for July 16. Though blacks’ freedom has pro gressed in South Africa, she said, people need to continue the fight. “It’s important that right now the U.S. makes a stand,” she said. After reaching the State Capitol, Joseph Akpan, president of the Nige rian Student Organization, spoke briefly to the demonstrators about support for the the anti-apartheid movement. “Keep the issue alive. Be involved. Voice your own support. If we mount a campaign . . . they will have to listen/* he said.