Two Area Men Sentenced for Two break-ins
Jacob Johnson and Patrick McGraw of York have been sentenced to two years in jail for break-ins at two area businesses.
The two were arrested the night of February 27th for breaking into Hitz Towing and Clarks Auto Salvage. The sentences were handed down Monday by District Judge Allan Gless in York County District Court.
York Man May Have Probation Revoked
Cory Dumpert of York appeared before District Court Judge Allen Gless Monday to face a motion from the York County Probation Office and the York County Attorney that his probation be revoked due to a violation of the law that occurred in Cass County. The motion alleges Dumpert broke probation when he left the track to hit another car with his vehicle during a NASCAR race at I-80 Speedway near Ashland. The incident led to a revocation of Dumpert’s NASCAR racing license, a fine and a one year suspension from racing at I-80 Speedway. This also allows Judge Gless to send him to jail, fine him or both. A hearing is set for August 2nd in the case.
Nebraska's Unemployment Rate Dropped In June
Nebraska's unemployment rate decreased by 0.1-percentage point to 4.8 in June. Nebraska Commissioner of Labor, Catherine Lang says Nebraska this takes into account what positions are "seasonally adjusted". (Some of our analysis attempts to take out the seasonal influence to try to give a more smooth effect as to what is going on in the labor force but we also know from a May to June time-frame, we have the potential for a lot of students to enter the labor force and by the week of the 12th, they may not be employed.) These numbers are from May 12th to June 12th of 2010 and Lang says July's report may show a bigger drop in the unemployment number as figures for those who became employed over the summer will show up in that report. Lang says they also compare numbers from year to year. (What we also look at is one year to the next from June to June to June and we really aren't seeing anything out of line for what is normal in June.) The largest gains in private industry sectors include mining, logging and construction, leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. Lang says the biggest news June's report brings is it marks the first time Nebraska increased jobs over the year since November of 2008. (This is our first increase in jobs over the period of the recession so for us this is a positive sign. We hope it continues.) The national unemployment rate for June decreased to 9.5-percent and Lang says Nebraska continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.
Johanns has new bill to hold the Federal Government more accountable in immigration cases
One of Nebraska’s U.S. Senators is trying to get a bill passed that would hold the federal government more accountable when suing, or threatening to sue, communities and/or states over immigration laws. Senator Mike Johanns says he wants to level the playing field by requiring the federal government to cover the cost of litigation if it sues a community or state and the local immigration law is upheld. He says it sends a message to the Justice Department that if they want to take these communities to court, they must make sure their reasons are pure and based on law. Johanns says he introduced the bill because such lawsuits are unfair to state and local governments because the federal government has virtually limitless resources. The bill is in response to the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging Arizona’s new immigration law. Johanns says he doesn’t want the courtroom to be used as a national stage to scare others from considering similar laws. On the Nebraska Radio Network, I’m Josh Mackey.
A crime spree like no other in Gretna
A crime spree like no other in Gretna. Brad Sloup (slope) with the Nebraska Fire Marshal's Office says last Thursday morning firefighters had to deal with two car fires at the same time. (We have not had that in this area or in the state have two vehicles being set on fire almost simultaneously.) Sloup says this vandalism / arson has law enforcement and fire departments concerned. (It's a concern that we have somebody running around intentionally starting these fires.) Sloup says firefighters were called to the first location and were getting the car fire under control when another vehicle fire was reported. (As that fire was being suppressed by the volunteer fire department a reporting party came up to that team and reported a second car fire.) JoAnn Schacher (shocker) owned a pick up that was set on fire. (It is just kind of sad that somebody ruins a safe neighborhood and makes everybody feel insecure in their own home now.) Schacher says now she is uneasy and waiting for the next shoe to drop. (I stay up a little later now. Keep and eye outside. It is just sad. There are a lot of kids in this neighborhood and you kind of hate to see something happen to ruin their neighborhood.) Both vehicles were parked in the driveways of two different homes. Officials are asking those with information to step forward. Both fires were acts of arson and apparently were random.
Attorney General Bruning Issues Statement on Bankshot Decision
Attorney General Jon Bruning today issued the following statement on the Lancaster County District Court decision regarding Bankshot electronic video gaming devices. "We are pleased the court agreed that as currently formatted these machines are illegal gambling devices. We expect these machines to be reconfigured or removed by the Court's deadline. We respectfully disagree with the Court that certain aspects of the devices are not games of chance. We will explore our options regarding appealing those portions of the Court's decision.” The court’s findings and declarations are effective at 5 p.m. July 21, 2010.
Alternative Energy Options Featured At Nebr. Renewable Energy Fair
Nebraska's Renewable Energy Fair is July 23rd and 24th in Lyons. Stephanie Fritz is an event planner for the Center for Rural Affairs and says this event will help Nebraskans learn about ways to conserve energy, save money and hopefully use this knowledge to better their communities. On July 23rd, a bus tour will take place where those along for the ride will be able to see renewable energy practices put to work. (On farm alcohol plant. The Nebraska Screw Press, tour the Nebraska Grain Fuel Station, see a renewable energy farm that is off the grid as well as solar insulation, solar water and wind turbines and check out some sustainable farming practices.) Seating is limited for this event however on July 24th is more of an in-house day. (We are going to have break-out sessions, exhibit booths. We've got a lot of fun things scheduled, even some conservation audits for your vehicle that kids from Lyons-Decatur Northeast will be doing as well as the break out sessions that will cover policy and support, wind energy, conservational alternatives. Solar power and biomass. Those will go throughout the day.) There is no charge to attend day two of this event however they would like a call so they can get a head count. Those activities will be taking place throughout the community of Lyons. Fritz says anyone who is interested in learning about alternative energy sources is welcome. (This is going to be great for business owners, farmers, ranchers, homeowners. Anybody will be able to take something back and hopefully be utilizing within their daily life.) For those wanting more information, either call the Department of Rural Affairs or go to www.cfra.org.
Key legislator hopes to avoid special session on budget
Slumping tax revenues have some Nebraska legislators talking about a special session to cut about 79-million dollars from the current year state budget. Senator Cap Dierks, of Ewing, is vice chair of the legislature's Revenue Committee, and says he'd like to avoid a special session, if possible. "If we can get by without, I'd rather do that but I guess it depends on the economic forecasting board and the governor, what he wants to do," Dierks says. "If he wants to hold a special session, I won't object to it." Dierks says with a possible 700-million dollar shortfall in next year's budget, legislators will have to make some hard choices. "We have some huge decisions to make, not only during this interim but also during the next legislative session," Dierks says. "You try to cut $700-million out of the budget, that's a chunk. Somebody's going to have to take some pay cuts or something. We'll just have to see, or lose jobs." Governor Dave Heineman has already ordered state employees to take two unpaid days off to help with the budget situation, saving about three-and-a-half million dollars. Dierks says lawmakers will have to help the Governor with the bigger cuts.
Two charges dismissed in complaint againt Shirley Phelps-Roper
Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov (PAUL-ah-KOV) says two counts of a four count criminal complaint against defendant Shirley Phelps-Roper are being dismissed. This stems from a case dating back to 2007 when she and other members of Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas protested at a Bellevue soldier's funeral. Polikov stated recent developments prompted the dismissal of two of four charges. Polikov says the State had argued successfully against a number of pre-trial motions. Sarpy County Court and District Court judges and United States District Judge, Laurie Smith Camp have held formal hearings and ruled in favor of the Sarpy County Attorney. Polikov says a federal judge in Lincoln could make decisions that could
interfere with the continued prosecution of the Flag Mutilation case. Polikov that time and expense prompted the decision to drop the two charges. There are two remaining Criminal Counts against Phelps-Roper. They include Disturbing the peace, a class III Misdemeanor and Negligent Child Abuse, a Class I Misdemeanor.
Eastern Nebraska collision kills 1 man, injures 2
Authorities say a 49-year-old Fremont man died after a collision that injured two other people near Kennard in eastern Nebraska. The collision occurred Tuesday on U.S. Highway 30, near County Road 29 east of Kennard. Washington County sheriff's deputies say an eastbound vehicle struck a guardrail and swerved into oncoming traffic. One of the vehicles burst into flames. Its driver was killed. His passenger, a 25-year-old Fremont man, and the driver of the other vehicle were flown to an Omaha hospital for treatment. The other driver was identified only as a 36-year-old man from Herman.
Neb. officials agree flag mutilation law unlawful
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning and other officials have agreed the state's flag-mutilation law is unconstitutional, siding with a Kansas-based church that stages protests outside funerals of military members. The stance by Bruning and others, made Monday in a conference call with a federal judge, cleared the way for the judge to issue a permanent injunction preventing the state from enforcing the law. A member of Westboro Baptist Church had filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Nebraska's flag law, which makes it illegal to intentionally cast "contempt or ridicule" upon an American or Nebraska flag by mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling it. Even though a final judgment in the case is pending, Bruning and others' agreement that the law is unconstitutional essentially settles the issue and leaves the state without a flag-mutilation law.
Man fights to get refund from closed Neb. College
Ron Cresong is the kind of guy who pays his bills early, but this time it seems to have backfired. On June 7, the 48-year-old from St. Louis paid $10,290 to Dana College for his son's tuition for the upcoming school year. The only problem is there will be no such school year - at least not there. Three weeks after his debit card was charged, the school closed due to debt, leaving Cresong in limbo without even a promise of a reimbursement. The closure of Dana College, a 600-student school in Blair that had operated for 126 years, came after the Higher Learning Commission refused to transfer accreditation to a group of investors who planned to operate the college as a for-profit enterprise. Its debt at the time was $11 million. Cresong paid a portion of his son's tuition two months before it was due and 23 days before Dana officials announced the closure. He is the only person known to have prepaid tuition for 2010-11 before Dana's closure, according to Mark Wagner of Cordes & Co. of Greenwood Village, Colo., the court-appointed receiver that will determine how Dana's financial assets will be distributed and in what order.
Omaha robbery suspect wounded by police gunshot
A robbery suspect is expected to survive after being wounded by a police gunshot in northwest Omaha. The shot was fired after a traffic accident that ended a short chase Tuesday night. Investigators were checking to see whether the man or his companion had fired at officers. None of the officers reported being shot. The officers were responding to reports of a robbery at a grocery store at 8:32 p.m.
A police helicopter helped track a suspect vehicle. As it sped away from police cars, it struck another vehicle at an intersection. The other man in the car was taken for questioning at police headquarters downtown.
Nebraska patrol probing Humboldt woman's death
The death of a 37-year-old woman in southeast Nebraska is being investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol. The Richardson County sheriff's department says deputies found the body of Linda White in her Humboldt home around 2 a.m. Saturday. No other information was being released, pending completion of the investigation.
Carbon monoxide suspected in 2 Omaha deaths
Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected in the deaths of a couple in central Omaha. Police say autopsies have been ordered on the bodies of 51-year-old Frances Gilroy and her husband, 60-year-old Charles Anderson. Their bodies were found by officers and firefighters called to the home a little before 10 a.m. Tuesday. A neighbor from an adjoining town home was taken to a hospital for treatment and was expected to recover. The couple's puppy also died.
Nebraska is Among States at Risk for Water Shortages
A new report says more than 1,000 counties across the United States could face potential water shortages by mid-century as warmer temperatures deplete supplies and agricultural and consumer demand for water rises. The report, released Tuesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council, says some regions including the Northeast could see a boost to water supplies as climate change shifts weather patterns. But for much of the rest of the country, the group paints a sobering picture of warm temperatures further taxing aquifers already stressed by heavy use. The report did not factor in future improvements to water supply systems. Fourteen states were highlighted as being most at risk -- Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Airman Gets 5 Years in Fatal Shooting
An Offutt Air Force Base airman has been sentenced to five years of confinement and given a dishonorable discharge after pleading guilty to fatally shooting a buddy during a game of "trust" in December. Airman 1st Class Corey Hernandez appeared for his court-martial on Tuesday, charged with manslaughter and giving false information to a police officer. The 21-year-old from Walnut, Calif., killed 23-year-old Senior Airman Michael Garcia from San Benito, Texas. In the "trust" game, military members point a gun at a comrade and ask, "Do you trust me?" The gun is usually unloaded.
Ammo Maker to Use Block Grant for Kimball Shop
A company that makes and sells small-caliber firearm ammunition has received a $315,000 Community Development Block Grant to assist with its startup in western Nebraska. Gov. Dave Heineman awarded the grant Tuesday to High Point Manufacturing in Kimball. High Point will manufacture, market and sell ammo and also plans to operate a factory retail store that sells ammunition. The governor's office said the company will create 23 full-time jobs . High Point will locate in a building on the east side of Kimball. The company will use the loan to make capital improvements and for inventory. The Community Development Block Grant funding will be matched by $250,000 in owner equity and $65,000 from Kimball's Economic Development Fund.
Two People Found Dead In Omaha Condo
Police confirm two people were found dead inside an Omaha home. It's believed to be a case of possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighters received a call to check on a party around 10 a.m. Tuesday in the area of 96th and Blondo. Several crews were called to the scene. According to radio dispatches, a car was found in the garage. The engine was apparently on until it ran out of gas. As is routine, a homicide unit is at the scene to help investigate. So far, the victims' names have not been released.
Last of 8 Involved in Omaha Slaying gets 3-5 Years
The last of eight people convicted in the killing of a man in west Omaha last year has been sentenced to three to five years in prison. Josh Dornacker was sentenced Tuesday for being an accessory to a felony in the death of Brian Carson. Ryan Carson was the ringleader in the fatal April 2009 beating of his 45-year-old father. Prosecutors say Ryan Carson plotted the murder after discovering he and his father were romantically linked to the same woman. Ryan Carson is serving 60 to 80 years for second-degree murder. The 18-year-old Dornacker apologized for his role in the slaying before Judge James Gleason sentenced him. Dornacker is eligible for parole in a year and a half.
Heineman continues to weigh opinions on park drinking
Gov. Dave Heineman will decide whether to allow drinking in Nebraska state parks before November's election. In May, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission voted 8-1 to rescind a 15-year-old ban on alcohol in state parks. The new policy would take effect Jan. 1 -- if the governor approves it. Heated opinion about the issue led some to speculate Heineman would duck the controversy before the Nov. 2 general election. The governor has said he will issue a decision before November. In the meantime, he's gathering public input on drinking in parks. On July 30, he will head to the part of the state where parks and alcohol engender perhaps the strongest opinions. He will tour Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area before attending a private meeting with community leaders to hear their views. The commission banned alcohol in 1995 largely in response to wild partying, drunken riots and alcohol-related fatalities at the state's largest reservoir. Law enforcement officers, who remain firmly in support of the ban, feared for their safety when they had to respond to intoxicated revelers.
Bar video game ruled as illegal gambling
A judge has ruled that a barroom video game prevalent in Nebraska is illegal because of the way it's currently programmed. But Tom Locher, the attorney representing Omaha-based Greater America Distributing Co., which distributes Bank Shot, said Tuesday the game will be reprogrammed to comply with the ruling. That's because Lancaster County District Court Judge Steven Burns ruled on Tuesday that one of the three ways the game can be played is legal. The judge said the games must be removed or reconfigured so they are legal by late Wednesday. Attorney General Jon Bruning said he might appeal portions of the ruling that aspects of the game are legal. Illegal gambling machines are those where the outcome predominantly is determined by chance.
Lincoln man gets 15 years for dealing crack
A 24-year-old Lincoln man has been sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine in the Lincoln area. U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf sentenced Andajaun Divers on Tuesday. Divers also must complete five years of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence. Divers conspired with a number of individuals to distribute more than a kilo of crack from January 2005 to September 2009. Investigators determined Divers bought and sold crack in amounts that reached two ounces at a time with several co-conspirators.
Suspected burglar caught with beer in hand
A 47-year-old man stopped by a north Omaha grocery story to pick up beer. The problem: KNJ Grocery was closed. David Holmes was hiding behind a cooler enjoying a cold one when police apprehended him about 2:45 a.m. Tuesday. Police were called to the store by someone who saw Holmes breaking in. Holmes was arrested on suspicion of possession of burglary tools, burglary and an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a shoplifting charge.
Neb 7th graders need whooping-cough shot
Nebraska's chief medical officer is reminding parents that students who are entering seventh grade this fall need to get a whooping-cough booster shot. State law now requires the shot along with boosters for tetanus and diphtheria. Chief medical officer Dr. Joann Schaefer said whooping cough can be very serious and potentially deadly. Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease marked by severe coughing. It's caused by bacteria found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Whooping cough is spread through close contact when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. There have been 47 cases of whooping cough reported in Nebraska this year.
Grand Island committee distributes development funds
The Grand Island Citizens Review Committee, a 7 person committee charged with distributing 3 quarters of a million dollars, approved two Grand Island economic development projects Tuesday potentially bringing hundreds of jobs to the area. The money is coming from 2 resources. The state is putting nearly a million dollars into developing local land, but local funds have to match so the Grand Island Economic Development Corporation is digging into LB840 funds. Those are funds collected through local taxes for economic development. The EDC will use nearly $580,000 to develop land in the Platte Valley Industrial Park. By putting in sewer and water systems, President Marlan Ferguson said the land will be more attractive to buyers and potentially bring hundreds of jobs. Another $200,000 will go to Hornady Manufacturing to create 50 new jobs and expand their facilities. Grand Island city council will vote on the proposal next Tuesday. Ferguson said the plan is to bid the project out late this fall and start marketing the land next spring.