Chadron State Football Player Dies in Alabama Crash
Auburn authorities say alcohol may have played a role in a crash that killed a Chadron State Football player from Ogallala and injured another traveling in Alabama for Spring Break Monday. Authorities say 19-year-old Garrett Schlichtemeier, a freshman wide receiver, was pronounced brain dead at 10:25 a.m. Monday from a severe closed-head injury suffered in the accident along Shug Jordan Parkway about 2:15 a.m. The driver, 18-year-old Michael Madkins of Elk Grove, California, is recovering from serious injuries at East Alabama Medical Center. Lee County Coroner Bill Harris says 18-year-old Tyler Perri of Covina, California was not injured in the crash. Authorities say Madkins lost control of the Range Rover Discovery, ejecting all the teens. Harris says the teens all attended Chadron State College. They were reportedly on their way to Spanish Fort and had stopped in Auburn to visit with a friend.
Prenatal care bill will be heard on the floor
The first hurdle has been overcome for supporters of a bill that will allow the state to continue to provide prenatal care for illegal immigrants. The federal government has stopped funding the care. The health and human services committee voted this morning to advance the bill to the floor for debate. Senator Gwen Howard of Omaha says it's the baby that matters. Senator Dave Pankonin says he voted no to advance the bill and says other groups will step forward to help these mothers so taxpayer dollars will not have to be used. The Governor says if the bill passes, he will not sign it.
Ice Jams Cause Flood Concerns
Flooding is a huge concern right now and the National Weather Service wants people to take the possibility serious. (We have issued a flood advisory for most of the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers from about Interstate 80 upstream.) Meteorologist Brian Miller says ice jams are causing some of the problems.
(There are some local ice jams that are occurring up around North Bend and up near the Stanton-Cuming County line near the Pilger area.) Miller says with the rains, the situation could get worse.
(We are somewhat concerned with the rain, ice jams could cause some flooding along the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers.) Miller says there is also a lot of ice in the Loup River that is dumping into the Platt.
Center For Rural Affairs Reports Health Care Changes Are Needed
According to a new release by the Center for Rural Affairs', fewer people will be able to afford health care coverage in the next ten years. Media Director John Crabtree says over the next ten years, the annual cost of health care for all rural households will rise from $2,705 to $4,700. (What would happen in small towns if Congress fails to do any reform what’s-so-ever? The reality is if you follow current trends, by 2019, literally one in three people living in towns fewer than 2,500 would be uninsured. If I look out my window nine years from now and I still have health insurance, odds are that one of my next door neighbors won't.) Crabtree says most people who live in smaller communities work for a small business or are a business owner them self. He says many rural residents in Nebraska won't be able to afford the hike in health care costs. (Farmers, ranchers, small businesses, people who own their own business and create their own job but because of that, they don't belong to a group and have to buy insurance in the individual market, at the highest rate. Many, many rural small business people are finding it more difficult to afford health care, not only for themselves but their employees as well. Again, many of us in rural communities are self employed or work for very small businesses. If we don't do anything and sit idly by and let this opportunity for reform pass, we are going to end up with one in three not being able to afford their insurance. Maybe more.) Another sad statistic is those who live in rural areas often times receive less preventive care and hive higher rates of all chronic illness. (One-third of our rural communities are medically underserved meaning there is not sufficient access to a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a physicians assistant and that is compounded by higher rates of un-insurance and under-insurance, people who don't have adequate benefits in our rural communities. Again, as we go forward through this decade, if we fail to take action in Congress, we are going to end up with health care costs that are so staggering for small business people and farmers and self-employed people that they just will not be able to afford it.) The report also shows if Congress approves a health care reform bill, many barriers that prevent rural residents from obtaining health insurance coverage will be removed. Lincoln pet food company widens recall
Several Nebraska dealers being reinstated by GM
General Motors is reinstating several Nebraska car dealers, but the company is not releasing a list of the dealers so it's not clear how many will be included. GM said last week that it planned to reinstate 661 of the roughly 1,100 dealers it tried to drop from its sales network last year. The reinstated dealers are being notified this week. Officials with Meyer Automotive in Seward, Midway Chevrolet in Kearney, Advantage Chevrolet in Aurora and Reganis Auto Center in Scottsbluff say their dealerships are being reinstated.
Loy Todd, president of the Nebraska New Car & Truck Dealers Association, says he's heard of at least two Cadillac dealerships and one multibrand GM dealership that were reinstated. But Todd declined to name
those dealers.
Bubba foods may be operational by mid summer
The Hastings City Council took a big step in getting Bubba Foods started at last nights meeting. The council issued tax-exempt Industrial Revenue Development Bonds with a unanimous vote. Dee Haussler(Hi -Slur), executive director of Hastings Economic and Development Corporation explains what these bonds mean to the plant. Bubba Foods bought the Armour Eckrich Plant, which closed in July and plans to be operational by mid summer bringing in 200 jobs. Haussler also brought back good news from the auction of the Hastings Premium Protein Plant. Hastings Acquisition LLC acquired the plant and now has two week to determine if the want the Lincoln facility as well. Haussler says getting these two plants back and running again says a lot about the community. Hastings Acquisition will remain a slaughterhouse and projected plans are that they will be able to have more number of head. Premium Protein Products began furloughing employees last May before eventually filing for bankruptcy in November.
Legislators debate elimination of State Treasurer position
The next State Treasurer may have the duty of closing down his own office if a legislative resolution advances and the voters agree to adopt the constitutional amendment. Senator Dennis Utter of Hastings is sponsoring the bill. Many of the duties may go to the Department of Revenue. Opponents of the bill say this just transfers duties and makes other parts of Government even bigger. The State Treasurer is paid about 117-thousand dollars a year.
Nebraska Community Colleges Try to Resolve Money Fight
Nebraska's six community colleges appear to be making progress at resolving their funding dispute. Metropolitan Community College has been in settlement talks with the state's other colleges to resolve the lawsuit Metro filed last year. A Lancaster County judge has delayed trial in that lawsuit until at least late November. Omaha-based Metro says in its lawsuit that it has lost more than $10.8 million because of the state's miscalculations and the other colleges' misrepresentations. Metro was kicked out of the state's community college association last year for not paying its full dues. State Sen. Greg Adams of York plans to provide an update Tuesday afternoon on legislative proposals designed to fix the funding formula for community colleges.
The six community colleges have agreed to come together and work out a funding solutionMetropolitan Community College has dropped their lawsuit against the six other community colleges in the state regarding a funding dispute. State Senator Greg Adams of York held a news conference to announce that all six colleges have agreed to meet. They will need to come up with a temporary solution to the funding problems in the next week. They have a year to meet and come up with a more permanent solution. Metro community College claimed they lost nearly 11 million dollars because of the state's alleged miscalculations. The other community colleges will contribute nearly two million dollars to Metro while they discuss a new funding formula.
State Treasurer's office may be in jeopardy
The State Treasurers office is in jeopardy now that state lawmakers have approved on first round a resolution to eliminate the office. Senator Dennis Utter of Hastings brought the bill and says several other states operate without a treasurer and the duties can be handled by another office. Senator Charlie Janssen of Fremont thinks eliminating the Treasurers office could lead to bigger government elsewhere. If the resolution makes it through two more rounds of debate - the decision on eliminating the State Treasurer's office would go to the voters.
New Credit Card laws take effect
You might want to take a closer look at your next credit card statement. A new consumer protection law requires credit card companies to show how long it would take to pay off your card making only the minimum payment. Attorney General Jon Bruning says the law provides further protections. The law also forces credit card companies to apply your payment toward the balance wth the highest interest rate.
Major pot growing operation busted by police - Largest Chief can recall
The largest marijuana grow operation that police can remember in Lincoln was dismantled by the Narcotics Task Force. Police Chief Tom Casady says that over a thousand plants were growing in three Lincoln homes. Task Force Commander Captain Brian Jackson says that the homes were retrofitted for the plants.
Five men have been arrested so far. Captain Jackson says that they suspect there are more grow homes in Lincoln connected to this operation. The investigation is continuing.
Travel Season- Hotel Prices Dropping - How Nebraska Rates
The endless winter has many people thinking about spring break and summer vacation. Travel industry expert Nichole Hocken with "hotels.com" says lodging prices are dropping fast and furious at many travel hot spots. (Across the U-S and world-wide, hotel prices dropped substantially for U-S travelers, as much as 14-percent on average. We are seeing some really big drops right here in the U-S. In New York City, which has been one of the most expensive U-S destination actually dropped hotel prices almost 25-percent. That showing us prices under 200-dollars and for New York City. That is really a deal. Not only are we seeing prices down but a blurring of a line between three, four and five star hotels.) Hocken says along with low prices, it is also a good idea to see what deals you can get on your own. Don't be afraid to ask for special deals and make sure you know what is included in your night's stay.
(Prices were down 18-percent in Chicago and Las Vegas. Matter of fact, Las Vegas overtook New York City for the first time as the most popular destination for U-S travelers because the prices are too good and it is not just about the price. Look at what else you are getting for that price. Is there free wireless internet at the hotel? Is there breakfast. Are they offering stay two nights, get a third night free.) Hocken says many hot tourist destinations are offering great deals to bring the tourists in. Make sure to do your homework so you get the best deal possible. (Now, Hawaii took a big hit last year as one of the more expensive destinations so you are going to see some great prices coming out of the Hawaiian Islands which is always a plus. Washington D-C, Miami, Seattle, all the top U-S destinations are down so if you are thinking about traveling, regardless where you want to go, 2010 is going to be a good year. Look for those added values. Be smart about the hotels you are choosing and really let your travel dollars work for you.) When it comes to Nebraska hotel prices, Hocken says not much has changed. (Nebraska hasn't seen too much change. They are down about 2-percent. Omaha is down about 2-percent and the state as a whole down about 3-percent. Not a huge change and I think that is because the bulk of the change we see are in the most popular, tourism, leisure destinations and our good, standard cities across the country, we have seen very little and I think most of the prices are pretty well set. They weren't too inflated to begin with. That bodes well for Nebraska so they shouldn't see dramatic rises or falls in either direction. It should be pretty stable.)
Jury trial in Lex. over Furnas Co. death
A Dawson county jury on Tuesday begun hearing evidence in a trial for a man accused in a 2007 crash that killed a former Arapahoe volleyball coach. 36 year old Hershel Huff formerly of Grant and Holbrook is charged with motor vehicle homicide in Furnas County district court in the death of 28 year old Kacey Jo Warner. Prosecuting attorneys say on Oct. 3, 2007, Huff engaged in an afternoon of drinking with friends at bars in Oxford before climbing into his vehicle with one of the friends and heading to Holbrook. State's attorney Mike Guinan says the lives of Ms. Warner and Huff tragically combined that night between 7 and 7:15 p.m. when Huff's vehicle traveling 72-84 mph struck Ms. Warner while she was jogging on a county road south of Arapahoe and she died at the scene. Prior to the impact, Warner shoved her then-3-year old daughter out of the way. Guinan says at the hospital, Huff refused to take an alcohol test. Defense attorney Rick Calkins said Huff was having marital difficulties and spent a good deal of time talking on the phone with his wife while in the bars that afternoon. He also said that Furnas county authorities made mistakes in the investigation by not administering field sobriety tests and other tests at the scene of the crash. Calkins asked jurors to wait until the end of the trial to form an opinion. The state called Ryan Markwardt to the stand. The 24 year old spent the afternoon testifying about being in the bars with Huff that day and events leading up to the car-pedestrian accident that took the life of Kacey Jo Warner. The trial is taking place in Dawson County District Court over fears that a fair and impartial jury could not be impaneled in Furnas County. The trial resumes Wednesday.
Nebraska jobless rate 4.6 pct in January
State officials say Nebraska's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.6 percent in January, still less than half the national rate of 9.7 percent. In a news release Wednesday, the state said the preliminary December rate of 4.7 percent reported on Jan. 22 has been revised to 4.6 percent. The Nebraska unemployment rate in January was a half-point higher than the 4.1 percent reported a year ago. The national rate in January is two percentage points higher than a year earlier. The state report says two sectors of the Nebraska economy saw increases in the number of jobs in January: education and health services, up nearly 5,500 jobs; and other services-repair and maintenance, up more than 100 jobs.
Neb. woman accused of letting son, 14, drive
A 37-year-old Walthill woman has been accused of putting her 14-year-old behind the wheel because she was too drunk to drive. Victoria Valentino was arrested Saturday after Washington County Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle on U.S. Highway 75 near Blair because of erratic driving. Deputies found Valentino's 14-year-old son in the driver's seat and two other minors - ages 14 and 17 - in the car. She was arrested and has been charged with three counts of child neglect and one count of allowing a minor to drive. The sheriff's department says the children in the vehicle were turned over to an uncle in Tekamah.
Valentino was still being held in the Washington County jail early Wednesday morning on $1,000 bond.
Neb. woman sentenced for role in embezzlement
A 48-year-old Lincoln woman has been sentenced to up to six years in prison for helping a man steal thousands in merchandise from the store where she worked. Leigh Palmer was convicted in December of four counts of felony theft by deception. Police say Palmer altered and misapplied invoices for $44,000 in electronics and appliances taken mostly by another employee of Schaefer's TV and Appliance Center, Thomas Huff. Palmer had asked for probation, noting that she had not benefited from the thefts and had no criminal history. But Lancaster County District Judge Robert Otte said Palmer's crime was too serious to give her probation and sentenced her to four-to-six years - the same sentence he gave Huff in December.
Two People Cited For Climbing Iguana's Roof
Lincoln police responded to a call of people on the roof of Iguana's bar, located in downtown Lincoln. According to Captain Chris Peterson, just before 1am, police were sent to Iguana's Bar, at 1426 O Street, regarding a man and woman climbing the power pole in the alley behind the bar. Peterson says witnesses observed them scale the power pole and climb onto the roof top, possibly trying to get into an apartment above Iguana's. He adds that when they weren't able to get in, they later climbed down the other side of the building near 14th street. Peterson says that the two people, 23-year-old Chad R. Walton and 19-year-old Emma C. Nelson were sited and released for trespassing.
2 Nebraska Utilities get $600,000 in USDA Grants
Two Nebraska utilities will receive $600,000 to help create jobs and business opportunities in rural areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office recently announced the grants to Twin Valleys and Loup Valley public power districts. Twin Valleys in Cambridge will receive a $300,000 grant to set up revolving loan fund. The fund's first loan will help pay for an expansion at Tri Valley Health System's hospital. Loup Valley in Ord will also get $300,000 for a loan fund. The first loan will help pay for an expansion of the Valley County courthouse.
Crash Near Fremont Kills Woman
Investigators are trying to determine whether foggy conditions caused a crash that killed a woman. The crash occurred Tuesday morning on U.S. Highway 77 a few miles south of Fremont around 8 a.m. when the fog was heavy. Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stuckenholz says the car the woman was driving was southbound when it collided with a semi trailer truck. The car was crushed. The woman's name had not been released Tuesday evening. Traffic had to be diverted around the crash, and Highway 77 was closed for several hours during the investigation.
Agency Cuts, Cash Funds Part of Nebraska Budget Plan
Many state agencies would face 2 percent budget cuts, but several key services -- including the Nebraska State Patrol and centers that care for mentally disabled people -- might be spared. The Legislature's budget-writing Appropriations Committee tentatively signed off on the plan Tuesday. Changes are needed because the state faces a roughly $45 million budget hole in the current, two-year budget. The hole is created because state tax revenue has been lower than projected and spending on K-12 schools is growing. Besides agency budget cuts, the plan to fill the budget gap includes tapping a couple cash funds and taking $3 million from the state's rainy-day fund. And the state expects to receive more federal stimulus dollars than originally expected.
Village of Brady to Keep Police Services
Lincoln County commissioners have approved a request from the village of Brady to continue full police services. The services were to end March 31. The commissioners voted Monday to reinstate the policing agreement. Without the agreement, the sheriff had said, deputies would respond to violations only of state law , not local ordinances. Brady officials had said they needed extra money to replace the village's sewage lagoon system. Village clerk Pam Diehl said Tuesday that Brady held a public meeting about the police services, and residents made it clear they wanted to keep the full range. She says the sewage system project could take up to four years, so the village has time to arrange financing. About 380 people live in Brady.
Sheriff warns of possible census-related scams
US Census forms are beginning to arrive in Nebraska mailboxes, and the once-every-decade population tally will bring census workers to local doorsteps as well. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said Tuesday that a wave of scams could hit the area in an effort to capitalize off the legitimate effort. Wagner reminded residents to be wary of people posing as census workers. Scammers would be asking for too much information, he said. Specifically, they'd be asking for financial information. No US Census worker will ask you for your Social Security number, he said. They don't want your bank account number, or even your email, either. Wagner said census workers contact people in person, by the phone or through the mail.
Lincoln Man Arrested For Child Sex Assault
Lincoln Police arrested a man Monday on two counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. Lincoln police officer Katie Flood says a 16-year-old girl recently disclosed she was sexually assaulted by 44-year-old Gerald Meeker when she was a six year old. Flood says the victim's sister has also come forward saying
4 Rescued from Icy Pond in Omaha
Residents of a southwest Omaha neighborhood are being hailed as heroes after they helped rescue four people from an icy pond. Omaha's assistant fire chief Dan Stolinski says two children - ages 8 and 9 - were chasing geese on the frozen pond Tuesday evening and fell through the thinning ice. The water temperature was about 32 degrees. A woman living near the pond and her 17-year-old daughter tried to help the boys, but they, too, fell through the ice. So some neighbors, including a former North Platte firefighter, went to their rescue, using a ladder and garden hoses to get them all to safety. The rescue took just minutes. Stolinski says the four showed signs of hypothermia and were treated at the hospital. The depth of the pond wasn't known.