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Fremont illegal immigration law to be nuisance

2-22-12, FREMONT, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska city's attempt to fight illegal immigration appears likely to be more of an inconvenience for legal residents than a deterrent to illegal immigrants.

Fremont's newly court-approved ordinance won't have any effect beyond the city limits. That means two major meatpacking plants and some neighborhoods that have large

Man accused in Norfolk shooting in court

2-22-12, NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) - A man accused of shooting a woman in Norfolk has made his first appearance in Madison County Court.

34-year-old Carlos Arevalo-Martinez is charged with first-degree assault and use of a firearm to commit a felony. He's suspected of shooting 33-year-old Edna Gutierrez on Feb. 14. Gutierrez, who was shot in the head, remains hospitalized

Saunders County man finds wife, crashed vehicle

2-22-12, PRAGUE, Neb. (AP) - A Saunders County man who went on a search for his wife found her and her upside-down vehicle.

Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz says his office was notified about an injury accident just before 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Authorities say the woman had not arrived home as expected, so her husband got into his

Oakland mom to stand trial in crash that killed son

2-22-12, TEKAMAH, Neb. (AP) - A judge has ordered a Nebraska woman to stand trial in a crash that killed her 4-year-old son near Lyons in Burt County.

24-year-old Megan Douglas, of Oakland, was driving on U.S. Highway 77 when authorities say she lost control of her car and collided with another vehicle on Jan. 11. Her son, Zachery, was

Neb. lawmakers debate mandatory schooling until 18

2-22-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska lawmaker who wants to increase the minimum school dropout age to 18 says his proposal seeks to protect the long-term interests of children who will likely earn less without a diploma.

Lawmakers began debate Tuesday on a bill (LB996) that would require students to stay in school until they graduate, turn 18, or complete a separate

Nebraska health insurance plan debate begins

2-22-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The road to Nebraska creating its own health insurance exchange is likely to be a long one.

Lawmakers on Tuesday began discussion on two bills that would form the Nebraska Health Benefit Exchange Act. It's a plan that would be an alternative to the federal health insurance plan now being scrutinized by the U.S. Supreme

13 arrested for MIP at Columbus party

2-20-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - More than a dozen people are arrested early Sunday morning after police investigate a party where minors were consuming alcohol.

Columbus Police were called to a home near 29th Street and 3rd Avenue at around 1:30am and found on minor walking down the street with a bottle of alcohol.

In all 13 were arrested for minor in possession or consumption and one

Grand Island man in court for child sex assault charge

2-20-12, GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - A Grand Island man appears in court to face child sexual assault charges.

26-year-old Abraham Richardson is waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and will enter a plea when he arraigned March 13th in Hall County Court.

Richardson is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl near the Riverbend Apartment complex last

Bill angers Nebraska gay rights supporters

2-20-12, LINCOLN, Neb (AP) - Gay rights advocates are preparing to fight a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that would prevent cities from enforcing local rules to protect gays and transgendered people from discrimination.

Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy says his proposal would ensure that businesses are not subjected to piecemeal regulations by cities and counties. But opponents

Neb. lawmakers to debate health insurance exchange

2-20-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers are set to begin work on the state's version of health insurance reform.

Two bills to create the Nebraska Health Benefit Exchange Act come up for debate Tuesday.

Sen. Rich Pahls of Boys Town and Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha each have introduced a bill that would create a state exchange.

York voters to decide keno question in May

2-20-12, YORK, Neb. (AP) - York voters will decide in May whether to allow keno be played in their city.

The council decided last week to put the issue on the primary ballot.

Owners of the Offsides Tavern had raised the question with the council, with the backing of Big Red Keno.

No opposition to the proposal

Behlen Observatory open to the public on Feb. 24

2-20-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The moon, Jupiter and Mars will be the stars of the show later this month at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Behlen Observatory near Mead.

If the sky is clear, visitors will be able to view a variety of objects with the observatory's 30-inch telescope and with smaller telescopes set up outside on Feb.

Police: Suspect in Fremont shooting dead, woman critical

2-17-12, FREMONT, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say the suspect in a Fremont shooting has died.

Deputy Chief Jeff Elliott of the Fremont Police Department says officers were sent to a Fremont home a little before 9 p.m. Thursday.

Elliott says officers found a 22-year-old woman who had been shot in the face. She was taken to an Omaha hospital and is

Norfolk shooting suspect in custody in Stanton

2-17-12, STANTON, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say a suspect in the shooting of a woman in Norfolk has been taken into custody after a standoff at a mobile home in Stanton.

Authorities arrested 34-year-old Carlos Arevalo-Martinez Thursday evening. He's wanted in the shooting of 33-year-old Edna Gutierrez. She was shot in the head on Tuesday and is hospitalized in

Columbus business evacuated due to gas leak

2-17-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Crews are working on fixing a gas leak discovered at a Columbus business Thursday afternoon.

A gas company confirmed the leak and evacuated Columbus Tour & Travel.

The business will be closed today while crews work on repairs.

Cities ask Neb. lawmakers for more sales tax power

2-17-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Top city officials in Nebraska are asking lawmakers for the authority to increase sales taxes with voter approval.

City leaders from Omaha, Lincoln, York and other areas urged the Legislature's Revenue Committee Thursday to advance a bill (LB956) by Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford.

Supporters say it would allow cities

Blue Cross protests Neb. decision to switch plans

2-17-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska says it will challenge the state's decision to switch health benefit plans.

Company spokesman Brian Pickering said Thursday that the state's announced move to United Health Care was based on incomplete information.

Nebraska officials have said the move will save

FAA probing report of intoxicated pilot in Omaha

2-17-12, OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Federal authorities have begun an investigation into reports that an intoxicated pilot was prevented from boarding a flight in Omaha.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory says Frontier Airlines had reported Thursday's incident to the FAA, as required.

Cory says the pilot's

Police search for Norfolk man after woman found shot in head

2-15-12, NORFOLK, Neb. - 33-year-old Edna Gutierrez is in critical condition after being shot in the head Tuesday and police are searching for a man they term ‘a person of interest’ in the case.

Gutierrez was found by police on kitchen floor of a residence on 3rd Street and was taken to an Omaha hospital.

34-year-old Carlos Arevalo-Martinez is being sought in the

Trial date set for two accused in Columbus robbery spree

2-15-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Two of four men accused in a series of armed robberies around Columbus last November will head to trial on March 26th.

23-year-old Jose Arviso-Licano and 17-year-old Aaron Duran each face a number of charges, including robbery, receiving stolen property, and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

The two are accused, along with 18-year-old Maurice Brooks and

Rollover crash near NECC injures two

2-15-12, NORFOLK, Neb. - An investigation is ongoing regarding a rollover crash near Northeast Community College that injured two students.

Authorities say 19-year-old Braden Baseggio and 20-year-old Wade Oltjenbruns were injured when the truck they were in flipped over a guardrail and landed under a flood control bridge.

It happened just before 11am Tuesday. The two were flown

Neb. death row inmate wants sentence commuted

2-15-12, OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An attorney for Nebraska death row inmate Michael Ryan has filed a motion seeking to have his death sentence commuted to life without parole.

The motion filed Monday in Richardson County District Court says Nebraska's lethal injection protocol did not exist during Ryan's conviction, sentencing and previous appeals related to the 1985

Sentencing delayed again for ex-Schuyler teacher

2-14-12, OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Sentencing for a former Schuyler Central High School teacher in a federal child pornography case has been delayed.

A judge in Omaha granted 27-year-old Jesse Harmon a continuance last week because his new attorney was called to a separate jury trial.

Harmon faces sentencing on a charge of receipt of children pornography. He was to be sentenced on Jan.

Health insurance exchange proposal go to committee next week

2-14-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - The Legislature’s Banking, Commerce, and Insurance committee will get their first look next week at a pair of proposals for creating a health benefit exchange. Columbus Senator Paul Schumacher is on the committee and talked about the purpose for the proposals.

“Some portions of the federal health care act may or may not be in danger,”

Omaha Sen. Lathrop 'interested' in governor's seat

2-14-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska state lawmaker who was considered a prospect for the U.S. Senate has ruled himself out, but says he is interested in running for governor.

Sen. Steve Lathrop says he is considering a campaign for governor in 2014. The Omaha Democrat says he has not yet decided for sure, and won't in the near

Man sentenced in incest case in Cedar County

2-14-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A 38-year-year old man convicted of sexual assault and incest in Cedar County has been sentenced to prison.

The man was convicted in December on two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of incest.

The Nebraska attorney general's office says the man was sentenced on Monday to 25 to 30 years in

Neb. officeholders have 1 day to file candidacy

2-14-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Officeholders in Nebraska who want to run for re-election or seek a new elected office this year have one day to file their intent with the Nebraska Secretary of State's office.

To appear on the May 15 primary ballot, incumbents have until end of business Wednesday to file. The deadline for non-incumbents is March

Former Stanton County commissioner arrested

2-13-12, STANTON, Neb. (AP) - A former Stanton County commissioner has been arrested for allegedly living in a district other than the one he was elected to represent.

William Goodpasture was arrested on Friday on a warrant for false candidate filing. Sheriff Mike Unger says Goodpasture was taken to the Pierce County jail. Unger says a hearing is set for March

Schumacher introduces insurance bill to protect drivers

2-13-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Columbus State Senator Paul Schumacher talks about a bill he’s introduced regarding vehicle insurance coverage.

“1988 was the last time that an adjustment was (made) in the insurance requirements of $25,000/$50,000,”said Schumacher during a phone interview Friday. “If you just adjust for inflation, it should be double that

York man gets jail after DUI probation revoked

2-13-12, YORK, Neb. (AP) - A York man whose probation for drunken driving was revoked has been given a year in jail.

24-year-old David Anderson was given five years of probation in 2009 for third-offense drunken driving.

His probation was revoked last year after probation officers told a judge that Anderson wasn't following the judge's

Ex-clerk gets 180 days in York County theft case

YORK, Neb. (AP) - A woman has been given 180 days in jail for attempted theft in York County.

36-year-old Stacy Findley had pleaded no contest after making a deal with prosecutors, who lowered the charge.

Findley had been working at Petro Fuel Island in York. In February, a manager at the station showed police a security video. The manager says the video showed

New York trucker fined for hitting Neb. school bus

GREENWOOD, Neb. (AP) - A truck driver from New York City has been fined $100 for colliding with a school bus near Greenwood in eastern Nebraska.

56-year-old Jun Meng, who lives in the borough of Queens, also was ordered to pay $48 in court costs. He'd pleaded guilty last month to careless driving.

Authorities say 28 Kearney High School students and

Nebraska students join fight against cancer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The American Cancer Society is turning to Nebraska students for this year's Relay for Life events.

Students from Creighton University, Doane College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha will host Relay For Life events on their campuses.

Creighton kicks

Schumacher pleased with talk despite defeat of gambling bill

2-10-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. – Columbus State Senator Paul Schumacher says he’s pleased with the discussion about his proposed gambling amendment, even though it was killed in committee.

“I’d brought that particular measure in order to highlight the fact that an enormous amount of money is leaving the state and to get a public discussion started,” said Schumacher

Neb. U.S. Senate candidate Fischer considers herself 'pretty tough'

2-10-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate Deb Fischer responded to remarks by fellow candidate Don Stenberg about being a relative unknown.

“I’m glad Mr. Stenberg thinks I’m a nice lady,” Fischer said during an exclusive phone interview Thursday. “But I’m also known as being pretty tough.”

“I take on tough issues and

Search on for driver who sped stolen car through North Bend

2-10-12, NORTH BEND, Neb. - Dodge County authorities are searching for a person accused of speeding through North Bend in a stolen car.

Pursuit of the vehicle reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour along Highway 30. Police lost the sight of the vehicle when it ducked into a North Bend side street and driver turned off their vehicle lights.

No injuries were reported. The

Nebraska state tax receipts up in January

2-10-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A new report says Nebraska's net tax receipts were higher than projected in January.

State tax commissioner Doug Ewald reported Friday that net receipts totaled $333 million, more than 8 percent higher than predicted in forecasts.

The report shows net sales and use taxes, individual and corporate incomes

Neb. child support center a leader in technology

2-10-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's Child Support Payment Center is being recognized as one of the country's top performers when it comes to receiving child support payments electronically.

State Treasurer Don Stenberg says the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement lists Nebraska as No. 3 in the nation in electronic fund

Two men face separate charges for deadly Columbus crash

2-9-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Two men allegedly involved in a deadly crash are making separate court appearances.

21-year-old Genaro Anaya is accused of vehicular homicide and drunken driving for a rollover crash last month that killed two people. Police say Anaya’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Anaya will be arraigned in Platte

Probation for Aurora teen for thefts

2-9-12, YORK, Neb. - An Aurora teen is being sent to a work camp in McCook after being found guilty of attempted theft.

18-year-old Kody Atkins is accused of stealing equipment from two auto body shops in York County, then trying to sell to stolen items to shops in Grand Island back in November 2010.

Atkins is also serving five years probation and ordered to pay $5079

Authorities look for hit-n-run driver in Rising City

2-9-12, RISING CITY, Neb. - Butler County authorities are looking for the driver of a vehicle that struck a utility pole in Rising City.

The incident happened Saturday just before noon on the western edge of town, causing a power outage in the area.

Anyone with information on this accident should call Crimestoppers at 402-367-4555.

Mead imprisoned on theft, weapons convictions

2-9-12, WAHOO, Neb. (AP) - A 32-year-old Mead man has been imprisoned for attempted theft and for possessing a shotgun on school property.

A news release from the office of Saunders County Attorney Scott Tingelhoff says 32-year-old Joel Ludacka on Monday was given 20-to-48 months for the attempted theft and 20-to-60 months for the weapons charge. They are to be served

Mead imprisoned on theft, weapons convictions

Sutton mayor gets probation for trespassing charge

2-9-12, SUTTON, Neb. (AP) - The mayor of Sutton has been given probation and ordered to pay restitution for breaking into his estranged wife's home and stealing various items.

Robert Hale was given one year of probation and must pay $508 in restitution.

Hale was sentenced to two days in jail and given credit for time served. He pleaded no contest to

Nelson calls for Neb. road work progress

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson is calling on federal authorities to speed up the repair of nearly two dozen Nebraska roads and bridges - some that have been on hold since 2008.

The Nebraska Democrat said Wednesday that he has written to Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez about the issue. In the letter, Nelson asks for a detailed list of every document

Neb. bill would repeal liquor sales ban on Sundays

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Local governments may soon be allowed to decide whether stores can sell liquor between 6am and noon on Sundays.

A bill up for debate Thursday would lift the state ban on Sunday liquor sales and give the power to local governments to enact their own laws.

State law currently allows local governments to regulate Sunday beer

Neb. foreclosure rate remains 1 of the lowest

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A new report from a real estate data research firm says Nebraska had one of the lowest foreclosure rates in the nation in 2011.

CoreLogic says 1 percent of Nebraska homes were in the foreclosure process at the end of last year.

That's the fourth-lowest rate in the United States. Only Alaska, North Dakota and Wyoming had lower

York County drug dog showing off nose for money

YORK, Neb. (AP) - A 3-year-old yellow lab has been proving her worth to the York County Sheriff's Department.

Tikka recently found nearly $28,000 during a routine traffic stop. And Tikka found nearly $12,400 in suspicious cash during an earlier stop.

In the most recent stop, no drugs were found in the vehicle, so the driver and his passenger were

Committee kills gambling amendment

2-8-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Don’t bet on Nebraska getting casino gambling anytime soon.

By a five to one vote, the legislature’s General Affairs committee voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow casino gambling in Nebraska.

The proposal by Columbus Senator Paul Schumacher would have given Nebraska voters the right to decide if they want casino

Burglary charges facing two Columbus teens

2-8-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Authorities say two Columbus teens are suspected of burglarizing a Butler County residence.

A witness reported seeing a vehicle in the area of the burglary and that helped police connect the teens to the crime. They were arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center in Madison.

Police suspect they’re also involved in several other burglaries in

Columbus man accused of sex assault of stepdaughter

2-8-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. - Charges are facing a Columbus man accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter.

The man was arrested and charged with four-counts of sexual assault a child. An investigation revealed the man allegedly assaulted the now 16-year-old victim several times during the summer and fall of last year.

Grand jury to consider death of Neb. inmate

2-8-12, YORK, Neb. (AP) - A grand jury will be convened to investigate the death of an inmate at the Nebraska Center for Woman in York.

Prison officials say 61-year-old Michelle Bartlett died on Sunday.

She had been in prison since September 2008 and was serving 7-to-14 years for first-degree forgery and driving during revocation from Lancaster

Neb. AG planning lawsuit against health care law

2-8-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning says his office will coordinate a legal challenge against a requirement in the new federal health care law that forces church-affiliated employers to cover birth control for their workers.

Bruning sent a letter to his fellow attorneys general this week asking them to join a lawsuit against the new

Bee gets state grants to upgrade its water system

2-8-12, BEE, Neb. (AP) - The small eastern Nebraska town of Bee is getting more than $550,000 in grants and loans to help pay for upgrades to its water system.

Bee needs to replace its water mains, valves and water meters throughout the village, and it is due to repaint the water tower.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development says

Ex-Sen. Bob Kerrey not running again for Neb. seat

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – No comeback for Kerrey.

Former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey says he won't seek the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Sen. Ben Nelson.

Kerrey's announcement Tuesday shuts down hopes for a bid both parties called Democrats' best chance to hold on to the seat. Kerrey himself had described it as a long

Woman dies after Grand Island collision

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say a 72-year-old driver died after a collision at a Grand Island intersection.

Police say the accident occurred around 9:35 a.m. Monday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and 13th Street.

Police say a westbound sport utility vehicle on 13th Street ran a red light and collided with a southbound

Nebraska roads worker rescued from snow pile

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say a Hall County roads worker has been rescued from a pile of snow.

The worker was dumping snow from his truck on Monday when he became trapped in a pile with only his head and an arm free.

He used his cellphone to make a call for help, and Grand Island firefighters soon responded.

He was dug out

Oregon man pleads no contest in Nebraska pot case

YORK, Neb. (AP) - An Oregon man who was arrested while hauling 20 pounds of marijuana through Nebraska has pleaded no contest.

50-year-old Douglas Sutton, of Gold Hill, made his plea last week after making a deal with prosecutors, who lowered the charge to possessing more than a pound. Sutton's sentencing is scheduled for March 19.

The

Neb. lawmaker seeks to study countywide schools

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A state lawmaker wants to study the potential cost and impact of switching to single, countywide school districts throughout Nebraska.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krist will present a proposal (LB991) Tuesday to the Legislature's Education Committee. The proposed study would examine how a county-by-county district system might work, and whether school

Advocates prepare to push Neb. prenatal care bill

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Health care providers say more low-income women in Nebraska are waiting longer for prenatal care that helps protect their unborn children from health risks and complications at birth.

Providers said the increase stems from a 2009 federal order that has forced women to travel farther for check-ups, and prompted some to wait until late in their final

Neb. measure would give lawmakers a $20,000 raise

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Potential raises for Nebraska lawmakers would be put in the hands of the voters, under a resolution up for debate in the state Legislature.

Lawmakers on Tuesday will discuss whether to boost lawmaker salaries from $12,000 per year to $32,000 per year.

The move requires a constitutional amendment, which means the

Norfolk PD arrest Columbus man for child sex warrant

NORFOLK, Neb. - Child sexual assault charges are facing a Columbus man.

Four counts of sexual assault of a child are facing 25-year-old Jaime Macedo.

Macedo was arrested Friday afternoon in Norfolk after a felony warrant was issued against him in Platte County. Norfolk Police made the arrest after receiving information from Columbus Police that Macedo was working at a business

Final Downtown Columbus Revitalization meeting today

COLUMBUS, Neb. - The city of Columbus is advising the public that the final Downtown Columbus Revitalization meeting will be held today beginning at 5:30pm in the Columbus City Council Chambers.

Data analysis and information on concept designs will be made available.

The next step will be the application for a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Fremont couple charged with animal cruelty

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) - A Fremont couple have been charged with animal cruelty and neglect.

Nine dogs, three cats and a potbellied pig were removed from the Fremont residence in late December. The house later was condemned and demolished.

Executive director Clem Rohde, of the Dodge County Humane Society, says several of the dogs had to be

Deputy, woman injured when truck slides into them

GREENWOOD, Neb. (AP) - A Cass County Sheriff's deputy and a woman he had stopped to help were injured when a truck slid into them during a winter storm.

Sheriff William Brueggemann says the accident happened Saturday afternoon near Greenwood on Interstate 80. The sheriff said Deputy Randy Wilkins had stopped to help 20-year-old Cara Delp of Elkhorn, whose car had

Kearney man pays fine for gun in carry-on baggage

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - A rural Kearney man has paid a $300 fine and been place on probation for trying to take a loaded handgun onto a plane at Kearney Regional Airport.

37-year-old Randy Black recently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of violating his concealed-weapon permit for having a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on luggage at the airport on

Train derailment near Monroe causes traffic delays

MONROE,Neb. - A minor train derailment is causing delays along Highway 22 near Monroe.

According to a dispatcher at Nebraska Central Railroad, two cars of a 134 car train derailed around 10:30am Sunday. No injures were report but the train is blocking crossing until the derailment can be cleared.

Nebraska Central Railroad says the derailment should be cleared by around 3pm Sunday.

Hofbauer: Up to a foot, thunder snow possible in Platte, areas north

COLUMBUS, Neb. - Winter weather is expected to blanket Nebraska beginning this afternoon.

Platte County Emergency Management Director Tim Hofbauer says the storm may also produce thunder-snow.

“Typically when there’s thunder-snow, it snows really hard. Instead of rainin it’s snowing,” said Hofbauer during an interview Thursday. “That’s why

Nebraska Legislature cancels some Friday hearings

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska Legislature has cancelled hearings because a severe winter storm is expected to blow across the state beginning Friday and running through Sunday.

All committee hearings scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday will be moved to February 13th at 9:30 a.m.

Lawmakers will end their Friday floor session at 11 a.m. to let senators get a head

4th Dodge school board member recalled

DODGE, Neb. (AP) - Voters upset about the pending merger of the Dodge and Howells school districts in northeast Nebraska have recalled another Dodge school board member.

The Dodge County clerk's office says that in unofficial results from Tuesday's special election, 234 people voted to recall Allen Rolf and 140 voted to retain him in

Man accused in Schuyler shooting, chase to have competency hearing

SCHUYLER, Neb. - A competency hearing is scheduled for a man accused of leading officers on a high-speed chase through two counties following a shooting near a Schuyler bar.

27-year-old Travis Reitan was arrested December 28th in Dodge County. His lawyer claims he was insane at the time of the incident.

Reitan is accused of firing three shots near Tiny’s Bar on B Street

Peeping tom caught in Fremont

FREMONT, Neb. - Police arrest a Fremont peeping tom Thursday morning.

25-year-old Joel Juarez is accused of looking into the bedroom window of 26-year-old woman and trying to take pictures.

The area was under police surveillance after reports of a man seen looking into windows last week.

Grass fire burns nearly 4 acres near Nickerson

NICKERSON, Neb. - Fire fighters take on another grass fire, this time near Nickerson.

Officials say a controlled burn became unmanageable and destroyed about four acres of grass along County Road 17 Wednesday afternoon.

No injuries were reported.

Neb. bill would create deer donation program

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska lawmaker says the state should join surrounding states in offering a large-scale program that allows hunters to donate deer meat to feed needy Nebraskans and prisoners.

Senator Tony Fulton of Lincoln says the state's abundance of deer and charitable hunters make a good combination to feed the hungry.

Fulton

Neb. bill would let references say nice things

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Employers would be able to loosen their tongues a bit when they get calls about former workers, under a bill set for debate next week in the Legislature.

Businesses often encourage management to give out little information when asked about former employee because of the possibility of a lawsuit.

Legislative Bill 959 would

Experts urge food safety for Super Bowl parties

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Anyone planning to a Super Bowl party this weekend should make sure they know how to defend against foodborne illnesses.

Experts at the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service say a few simple steps can greatly reduce the chance of illnesses.

First, anyone preparing food should be sure to wash their hands and their

2nd person dies after weekend crash in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) - A second person has died from injuries sustained in a rollover crash in Columbus last weekend, and charges are pending against the driver.

22-year-old Zachary Tharnish of Columbus died at an Omaha hospital. Previously, another passenger - 19-year-old Candace Randall-Stewart of Columbus - also died.

One other passenger in

Blizzard feared as storm heads for Nebraska, Midwest

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A powerful winter storm system that could dump a dozen inches of snow in blizzard conditions has been forecast for Nebraska and portions of adjacent states.

A blizzard warning has been issued for three southwest Nebraska counties and nearby portions of Kansas and Colorado.

The National Weather Service says the warnings take

NSP seizes 325 pounds of marijuana near Bradshaw

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Almost 325 pounds of marijuana was seized in a single traffic stop along Interstate 80.

The Nebraska State Patrol says a trooper discovered the illegal drugs in a pickup truck's tool box on Wednesday.

The trooper stopped an eastbound Ford truck near Bradshaw, Neb., for failing to use a turn signal. The trooper obtained

Neb. bill would make youth sports fees tax exempt

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The loss of sales tax revenue is a small price to pay for healthier children in Nebraska.

That's the message Senator Abbie Cornett of Bellevue had for the Legislature's Revenue Committee on Wednesday.

Cornett is sponsoring a bill that would exempt entry fees to certain youth sports events or leagues from the state

Trial postponed for 2 in North Platte kenneled boys case

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) - Trial has been postponed for two North Platte residents accused of locking two young boys in a dog kennel.

The trials of 24-year-old Samantha Eyten and 20-year-old Lacy Beyer were supposed to begin Tuesday, but are now set for Feb. 13 in Lincoln County District Court.

The women are each charged with two counts of

Warrant issued for Oakland mom in fatal crash

2-1-12, LYONS, Neb. (AP) - An arrest warrant has been issued for a Nebraska woman in a crash that killed her 4-year-old son near Lyons in Burt County.

Officials say 24-year-old Megan Douglas, of Oakland, was driving south on U.S. Highway 77 when she lost control of her car and collided with another vehicle on Jan. 11. Her son, Zachery, was killed.

Investigators

Arlington man sent to prison for high-speed chase

2-1-12, FREMONT, Neb. (AP) - An Arlington man who led a state trooper on a dangerous high-speed chase through Dodge and Saunders counties has been sentenced to up to five years in prison.

28-year-old Steven Thomas was sentenced on Monday for flight to avoid arrest and driving under the influence. His driver's license was revoked for 2 years.

Thomas was

Collision kills 73-year-old Gibbon man

2-1-12, RAVENNA, Neb. (AP) - A two-vehicle crash at a rural intersection in central Nebraska has killed a 73-year-old man.

The Buffalo County Sheriff's office said Tuesday that Larry Homan, of rural Gibbon, died after Monday's crash.

The sheriff's office says Homan's Chrysler van collided with a semitrailer truck at an

Brainard man tries to sell vehicle for guns

2-1-12, BRAINARD, Neb. – Charges are facing a convicted felon in Brainard is accused of trying to sell a vehicle for a pair of shotguns.

42-year-old Donald Fults put an ad out on Craigslist that he’d trade his vehicle for the weapons and cash.

Fults was arrested last week for charges of a felon in possession of a firearm and marijuana possession.

Nebraska measure would expand lawmaker term limits

2-1-12, LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers could serve three back-to-back terms in office under a proposed constitutional amendment that would give voters the opportunity to expand the time they can serve.

Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson will present the measure Wednesday to the Legislature's Executive Board.

Nebraska's term limits for

Fremont dog has surgery after eating glue

2-1-12, FREMONT, Neb. (AP) - A Labrador retriever is recuperating after surgery in Fremont to remove a mass from its stomach from eating a small bottle of glue.

The dog, named Cali, chewed up a 2-ounce bottle of Gorilla Glue on Jan. 19. The glue expanded into a hard foam ball, about 5 to 6 inches in diameter, in the dog's