Six adults escaped the burning building near 22nd and Jones late Wednesday morning.
Fire officials say smoke and flames were coming from the third floor of the four story brick building at 22nd and Jones when they arrived around 10:30.
Battalion Chief Matt Carmichael says they were able to douse the flames quickly and damage was confined to a hallway.
Six adults living on the upper floor escaped without injury. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
More than 170 new jobs have been created in Omaha to help support the Mart's expansion in Texas
The ribbon was cut today on the new 44-thousand square foot building near 74th and Pacific, just south of the Furniture Mart's current store and warehouses.
Executive vice president Bob Batt says they needed room for their IT, acounting, e-commerce and payables departments. They will provide support for the retailer's new store in Texas that will employ two thousand people.
Batt also donated $650-thousand to the Omaha Parks Foundation. The money will be used to build a new pedestrian bridge over the Little Papio Creek that will connect to the main campus.
The money will also be used to improve the walking and biking trail.
Bohe Biotech hopes to develop an additive with the long-lasting menthol that could be used in mouthwash, floss, chewing gum or toothpaste.
(AP) _
New technology to reduce bad breath that was developed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has been licensed to a Chinese company.
UNMC's licensing unit, UNeMed Corporation, says the new form of menthol has been licensed to Bohe Biotech, which will try to develop commercial products with it.
Menthol is a common ingredient in oral hygiene products.
UNMC Researcher Dong Wang says the menthol he developed binds to the surface of teeth and slowly releases its flavor over time.
Bohe Biotech hopes to develop an additive with the long-lasting menthol that could be used in mouthwash, floss, chewing gum or toothpaste.
The lead is believed to have come from air emissions by a plant that once stood near Memorial Stadium.
(AP) _
People who live near a lead recycling plant site in Lincoln have questions and suspicions about a recently released contamination report.
More than four dozen people met Tuesday with officials from state and local health and environmental agencies to discuss higher-than-normal lead levels found in the yards of some homes in the North Bottoms neighborhood.
The lead is believed to have come from air emissions by the old Northwestern Metal Co. plant that once stood nearby, near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Memorial Stadium.
Some of those who attended the meeting asked whether the contamination tests were a ploy to reduce the value of their homes so real estate developers or the university could buy their homes cheap.
Officials said the testing had nothing to do with any redevelopment.
The Secretary of Defense will speak as his alma mater this afternoon.
(AP) _
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is making his first trip back to Nebraska for a speech at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Hagel, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, will speak Wednesday afternoon on the challenges the Defense Department is facing.
On Thursday, Secretary Hagel will visit U.S. Strategic Command on Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha for a series of briefings.
Hagel will return to Washington on Thursday night.
Hagel's visit comes a day after the Pentagon announced a plan to bring women into thousands of combat jobs, including those in elite special operations forces.
A breath test indicated the senator's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal driving limit.
(AP)
A state senator has been sentenced after pleading guilty to drunken driving in his northwest Omaha district.
On Monday Scott Lautenbaugh was fined $500 and given two days in jail and a year of probation. He qualified for house arrest so will serve his jail time at home.
Authorities say Lautenbaugh was stopped around 2 a.m. on Feb. 27 near 147th and West Maple after he was seen driving erratically. A breath test indicated his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal driving limit.
Lautenbaugh has served in the Legislature since 2007.
The lab has a special mission: identify the remains of missing soldiers, sailors and airmen from past wars.
(AP) _
A forensics lab has opened at Offutt Air Force Base with a special mission: identify the remains of missing soldiers, sailors and airmen from past wars.
The lab has been constructed at Offutt inside a section of the massive former Martin bomber plant.
The nearly 23,000-square-foot lab is a satellite of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, known as JPAC, that's based in Hawaii.
The accounting command is overseeing the search and identification of the remains of more than 83,000 missing Americans.
After the Sept. 11, 2011, terrorist attacks, officials decided to establish a mainland forensics lab to react quickly when tragedy strikes or terrorists attack.
Michael Haffke created more than 40 different business entities as part of his scheme to hide taxable income. It didn't work.
(AP) _
An Omaha man who created an elaborate scheme to avoid paying more than $422,000 in taxes has been given a year and a day in prison.
Federal prosecutors said Monday that 50-year-old Michael Haffke also must serve two years of supervised release after he leaves prison. Haffke had pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy.
Prosecutors say Haffke created more than 40 different business entities as part of his scheme to hide taxable income and didn't file any personal returns for several years. Prosecutors say Haffke later filed returns in 2012 for the tax years 2003 through 2007 and paid the taxes owed.
As part of his plea agreement, Haffke must work with the IRS to determine whether he owes any more taxes and must pay those taxes, if any.
Omaha Police say a man tried to grab a woman leaving hear Jazzercise class Monday morning
Investigators say the 24-year-old man they arrested is facing a number of charges, including attempted sexual assault and lewd conduct.
They say the man fondled himself in public places on three separate occasions.
Around 7:00 Monday morning officers were called to the Jazzercise near 121st and W.Center. A 53 year old woman says she was leaving her class when she saw a man fondling himself near the entrance.
She told investigators the man grabbed her shoulder and when she screamed for help, the man punched a witness who came to her rescue. The man ran away before officers arrived.
About three hours later officers were called to Maurice's near 120th and L Street after witnesses reported a man "rubbing himself." 24 year old Glenn Nickerson was arrested at the scene.
Police have also determined Nickerson was involved in a similar incident on June 7th at a business near 122nd and West Center Road.
He was booked for attempted first degree sexual assault, three counts of criminal trespass, lewd conduct, and 3rd-degree misdemeanor assault.
Omaha Police are looking for the lone gunman who stole Oxycodone from the CVS at 48th and Dodge Tuesday morning
Omaha Police say it was drugs and not money the gunman was after when he walked into the CVS Pharmacy at 48th and Dodge around 8:30 Tuesday morning.
An employee told police that a white man wearing all gray entered the pharmacy and demanded Oxycodone. He then jumped over the counter and pulled a gun.
Police say the man fled the scene on foot after stealing an undetermined amount of Oxycodone.
Anyone with information regarding the robbery is urged to contact police at (402) 444-5652, or Crime Stoppers at 444-STOP. Information leading to the arrest of any suspect involved in the robbery of a pharmacy is eligible for an additional $2,500.
16 year old Jake Burnside was the lone survivor that killed three high school classmates
Burnside's family says Jake has been moved out of the intensive care unit and he'll be tranported to a rehabilitation center on Tuesday.
His parents say Jake used a walker on Monday to take some steps, he's been sitting up in his chair without assistance and he's been talking to many well wishers. Among those paying a visit were
Creighton's Doug and Greg McDermott.
The family statement says the McDermott's visit was a welcome surprise that brought a big smile to Jake's face.
Jake's road to recovery is expected to be long. His parents say they don't know how long he will need the rehab.
Carter and Karen Burnside praised the doctors, nurses and support staff at Alegent Creighton Health Creighton University Medical Center. "They did a great job handling the emotional as well as the medical aspects of his care. They were caring, showed heartfelt sincerity and understood our issues. I can understand why this is one of the best facilities in the midwest."
The Burnside's say the continued thoughts and prayers for Jake's recovery are apppreciated.
Police say James Augustine was stabbed a little before 6 p.m. Monday.
(AP) _
A 21-year-old Council Bluffs man is expected to recover from injuries suffered when he was stabbed with a garden trowel.
Police say James Augustine was stabbed a little before 6 p.m. Monday inside a home on the west side of the city. He was taken to Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A suspect had fled the scene by the time officers arrived.
She said she married him, but he was already hitched... and his visa had run out.
(AP) _
A 32-year-old Nebraska woman has been sentenced to 30 months of probation for her fake marriage to a man who was living in the country illegally.
A news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says Crystal Foster was sentenced for harboring an alien.
Prosecutors say Foster married Ibrahim Matari in 2009 and tried to have his citizenship status changed.
But the stories Foster and Matari told investigators were inconsistent. Investigators determined that Matari was already married to another woman, and he had stayed in the country after his student visa expired.
Matari, who was born in Kuwait, was sentenced last month to time served and removed from the country.
One suspect is charged with trying to sell CWS tix to an undercover cop for twice face value.
Five people were arrested this past weekend for allegedly trying to scalp tickets at the College World Series.
One suspect allegedly tried to sell 35-dollar tickets to undercover officers at more than double their value. It is illegal in Omaha to sell event tickets at more than face value.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials plan to meet on June 26 with the Nebraska Public Power District to discuss the concerns inspectors identified last year.
(AP) _
The utility that runs the Cooper nuclear power plant in southeast Nebraska must persuade regulators it has improved the way workers respond to problems.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials plan to meet on June 26 with the Nebraska Public Power District to discuss the concerns inspectors identified last year.
The NRC says that Cooper's overall performance is acceptable, but regulators want to know what NPPD has done to improve the way problems are analyzed and addressed.
NPPD spokesman Mark Becker says the plant's managers are working to correct this issue, but he emphasized that Cooper continues to operate safely.
The homes are in Bellevue, Grand Island, Norfolk and Scottsbluff and have a combined capacity of 637 veterans.
(AP) _
Nebraska's four state-run veterans homes have received perfect scores on their most recent annual Health Care System Surveys from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The homes are in Bellevue, Grand Island, Norfolk and Scottsbluff and have a combined capacity of 637 veterans.
The homes were judged on safety, care, environment, staff training and development, food service, banking and billing services for veterans, recreation/activities, medical staff credentialing, social work and all areas related to quality assurance and care.
The homes' services range from assisted living care, for veterans able to essentially care for themselves, to skilled nursing care.
Nebraska Woman Who Bragged About Bank Heist Gets Prison
20 year old Hannah Sabata of Stromsburg was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison on Monday.
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In May Sabata pleaded guilty to robbery after a charge of theft was dismissed. She'd been charged with stealing a car to use for the robbery on November 27 at the Waco branch of Cornerstone Bank.
After the robbery, Sabata recorded a video in which she displayed cash and bragged about stealing a car and robbing a bank. She spoke of having the best day of her life.
The route is along the site of a series of shootings Saturday.
Residents in a south Omaha neighborhood will join in a prayer walk Monday evening in memory of those who died in a weekend shooting spree. It will begin at 34th and F Streets at 5:30pm.
Three people were killed and two others were critically injured in the Saturday shootings, all tied to one suspect.
Police chief Todd Schmaderer said Sunday that the unidentified suspect would have killed others if he hadn't been fatally shot by an officer after a 30-minute rampage in south Omaha.
Police say 31-year-old Aaron Anderson was critically injured in the shooting. Authorities were then called to another location, where 46-year-old Angel Cabrera was critically injured.
Another man, 25-year-old Anthony Vazzano, was shot and killed a short time later. Police were then called to 33rd and E streets, where they found 25-year-old Pascual Bautista Raymundo on the ground in an alley. Raymundo died in an apparent shooting.
The suspect was killed after a gunfight with police.
Swimmers rescued the man from the river at Two Rivers State Park on Sunday around 4 p.m. and began CPR.
A man pulled from the Platte River has died at an Omaha hospital.
Authorities say swimmers rescued Christopher Creekmore from the river at Two Rivers State Park on Sunday around 4 p.m. and began CPR. Creekmore and his brother had been jumping off a log into the water.
Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Parizek says the Creekmore was flown in critical condition to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he later died.
The Cass County Sheriff's office says the one-vehicle accident happened Saturday evening around 8:40.
(AP) _
A rollover crash near Plattsmouth last weekend killed one person and critically injured another.
The Cass County Sheriff's office says the one-vehicle accident happened Saturday evening around 8:40.
Authorities say 43-year-old Chris Frederick of Plattsmouth lost control of the 1999 Ford F-150 he was driving. The truck rolled several times and landed on its passenger side.
Rescuers had to cut open the truck's cab to reach Frederick and his passenger, 50-year-old Christine Foster.
Frederick died at the scene of the crash.
Foster was flown to an Omaha hospital in critical condition. Her condition wasn't immediately available Monday morning.
The shootings are the latest in a wave of violence that has hit the city this weekend
Omaha Police responded to 22nd and Saratoga around 1:30 Sunday morning after multiple shots had been fired.
When officers arrived they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other died at the hospital.
Police are asking anyone with information about the murders to call CrimeStoppers at 444-STOP.
This latest wave of violence comes on the heels of four shootings on Saturday in south Omaha that left two people dead and two critically injured.
One of those killed was a suspect that was shot by an officer near Dahlman Avenue and G Street. Police say the man exchanged gunfire with the officer.
A witness saw the suspect running from the third shooting scene and followed him while calling 911. An officer in the area confronted the suspect and shots were fired. Police have not said if the gunmen was connected to the first two shootings.
Occassional storms will pop up during the first weekend of play at TD Ameritrade.
Showers could pop in and out of the first weekend of the College World Series.
Channel 6 meteorologist Rusty Lord tells 1110 KFAB that the weekend ahead will stay pretty unsettled. "We still need to keep an eye out after 5pm for stronger storms to redevelop from (afternoon) humidity," he said. "Storm chances become greater the later we go into the evening hours."
And the prospect of on-again, off-again storms doesn't lessen for the weekend's games. "We're going to have storm chances Saturday as the front's just going to hang out, and even Sunday... but by Monday and Tuesday it appears everything's gone."
Jake Burnside continues to recover after a crash that killed three friends earlier this month
Jake Burnside's family says his condition has been upgraded to fair. In a statement released today Burnside's parents say he underwent a ten hour surgery yesterday.
Doctors used eight metal plates and 40 screws on his facial bones. Another surgery for a broken collarbone was also done.
"He walked from his bed to a chair in his room and Wednesday night, he was reading the sports section of the newspaper," the family statement says.
They say Jake is doing word recognition exercises with the staff and on Thursday night, he was able to write the words "I love you."
Carter and Karen Burnside say barring any complications, they are hopeful that their son will be moved to a rehabilitation center next week to continue his recovery.
The Burnside's ask everyone to keep the families of Jackson Blick, Tyler Walling and Trey Hansen in their prayers. Blick was driving when the Mustang went off the road and overturned near Fremont.
An Omaha couple will be getting a new roof on their home because some errant roofers tore off much of the old one.
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Ryan Stamm told deputies that he discovered the problem when he arrived at his home near 146th and Fort Thursday and noticed the shingles were gone.
He and his wife did some sleuthing and soon found a roofing crew working at the same Omaha house number on South 146th Street.
The roofing company owner, Jose Medrano, says there was indeed a mix-up on the address. He offered to have his crew take care of the Stamms' roof, but Ryan Stamm says his own roofing contractor will do the work on Friday.
Medrano's insurer is expected the cover the $8,500 cost for the Stamms' roof.
One day after a controversial order from Mayor Jean Stothert kept Fire Chief McDonnell quiet, Nebraska Watchdogs request to interview McDonnell was approved by the mayors office.
By Nebraska Watchdog
One day after a controversial order from Mayor Jean Stothert kept Fire Chief McDonnell quiet, Nebraska Watchdog’s request to interview McDonnell was approved by the mayor’s office.
A teen has died from her injuries from a crash near 70th and West Center Road.
A teen has died from her injuries from a crash near 70th and West Center Road.
Investigators say 19-year-old Alexandra Bedel lost control of her jeep when it went off the road and hit a tree. She later died at the Creighton University Medical Center.
Police say excessive speed does not appear to be a factor.
MUD workers are working to shut off and fix the gas line break near Florence Boulevard and Ames Avenue.
Homes have been evacuated because of a natural gas leak this afternoon.
Firefighters continue to escort folks out of the area as a precaution, while MUD workers are working to shut off and fix the gas line break near Florence Boulevard and Ames Avenue.
The mayor now requires city department heads to not talk with the media unless her office approves it.
Mayor Jean Stothert says when it comes to her goals for Omaha, it's vital that everybody on her team sticks to the game plan.
That's why she ordered departments heads to hold off on speaking to the media unless the interview is approved by her chief of staff or spokeswoman.
And that includes fire chief Mike McDonald.
"Every department director got the same memo Mike McDonald got," said the mayor. "And all it said was 'let us know'. So that was all it was. We didn't tell him he couldn't (talk to the media)."
Stothert was a guest on Thursday's Scott Voorhees show.
State Auditor Mike Foley has completed an audit of the Nebraska Supreme Court and has found multiple accounting and financial deficiencies.
State Auditor Mike Foley has completed an audit of the Nebraska Supreme Court and has found multiple accounting and financial deficiencies. Among the more notable of the 19 report findings are the following:
State agencies must operate within the budget established by the Legislature, as approved by the Governor. However, during fiscal year 2012, the Supreme Court incurred expenses roughly $220,000 above its 2012 appropriation limit and covered those excess expenditures with funds from fiscal year 2013 – a practice that is contrary to law.
As noted in prior audit reports, the Court continued its longstanding practice of not providing vacation or sick leave benefits to its law clerks despite clear statutory language requiring such benefits for all full-time State employees. After the issue was raised again in this most recent audit, the Court agreed to discontinue its practice of improperly denying mandatory employee benefits to its law clerks.
The Court operated contrary to State law by not processing and documenting all contracts for services through the State’s accounting system. The Court also awarded a computer services contract in excess of $665,000 without using competitive bidding, which is contrary to good management practices.
The auditors identified over $3,800 of improper travel expenses. Most of this was due to unnecessary hotel expenses for Court employees.
The Court charged the Federal government over $271,000 for Court employees’ work on Federally-funded grant projects but failed to document properly that the hours were actually worked, as required by the Federal granting agencies.
The Court owns fixed assets with an historical cost of well over $700,000 and is required by State statute to conduct an annual inventory of all of its assets. The Court disregards this statutory requirement, and the auditors identified many thousands of dollars of assets that were not properly recorded in the State’s accounting system – as well as multiple State assets that could not be located. This serious lack of internal control over State property increases the risk that assets purchased with taxpayer dollars may be lost or stolen.
Auditor Foley observed, “I am grateful for the Court’s full cooperation during the audit and its commitment to making improvements in the areas identified.”
Orel Hershiser and O.A.R. Headline Opening Ceremonies
Orel Hershiser and O.A.R. Headline Opening Ceremonies at 2013 NCAA Mens College World Series, Friday, June 14.
(OMAHA, Neb., June 12, 2013) – ESPN baseball analyst and former Bowling Green State University and L.A. Dodgers great Orel Hershiser, an O.A.R. concert and a special tribute to Dennis Poppe, NCAA lead administrator for the 2013 NCAA® Men’s College World Series®, will set the stage for Opening Ceremonies on Friday, June 14, at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
The Road to Omaha Jam featuring O.A.R. will begin at 6 p.m. Central Time in Lot B, south of the stadium. O.A.R., a national touring group that has provided music for ESPN’s coverage of the College World Series, is scheduled to take the stage at 7:15 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies start at 8:30 p.m. The Opening Ceremonies will conclude a full day of free activities with team practices and autograph sessions at the CWS Fan Fest presented by Capital One. Fan Fest activities begin outside the stadium at 10 a.m.
Parking is available on the TD Ameritrade Park Omaha/Century Link Center campus in Lots A, E and G, at Creighton University or at city owned lots in the downtown Omaha area. Metro’s popular circulator routes also will be available. Visit NCAA.com/CWS for more information.
Hershiser, the Opening Ceremonies featured speaker, still holds the Major League Baseball record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched (59) with the 1988 Dodgers. The 1988 World Series MVP also won the Cy Young, Babe Ruth and Gold Glove awards that season.
“Hershiser is a staple in Omaha as an ESPN baseball analyst,” said Damani Leech, NCAA director of championships and alliances. “He adds such great insight to the Men’s College World Series because of his baseball analyst experience ranging from Little League to Major League Baseball.”
Opening Ceremonies will feature an Olympic-style grand entrance and introduction of the team, including video highlights of each team’s season on the big screen. John Cernech, vice president of student life at Creighton University, will present NCAA academic awards to each team’s student-athletes earning academic honors, including the Elite 89 award – presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the College World Series.
June 14 is “Dennis Poppe Day” by proclamation of Governor Dave Heineman of Nebraska. Poppe, who is retiring from the NCAA in January, will be honored for his four decades of work with student-athletes. As Vice President of Championships and Alliances, Poppe is the lead administrator for the Men’s College World Series and was instrumental in helping grow the College World Series to its present-day stature, as well as keeping the baseball championship in Omaha through 2036.
A Flag Day celebration will feature patriotic music by the Lincoln Southeast High School Marching Knights and the Stepper-ettes will unfurl a large American flag in the shape of the United States. The first 20,000 fans entering Opening Ceremonies will receive a free miniature American flag to help celebrate the occasion. Activities will close with a spectacular fireworks finale.
The CWS Fan Fest presented by Capital One will feature free interactive games, contests and prizes sponsored by the NCAA Corporate Champions and Partners. Team autograph sessions presented by AT&T®, an NCAA Corporate Champion, will be held one-half hour after the completion of each team practice.
The team autograph sessions will start at 10:30 a.m. and continue to 6 p.m. To receive additional information on activities, parking and tickets visit NCAA.com/CWS or download the official 2013 CWS mobile app, hosted by Creighton University and College World Series of Omaha, Inc.
About the NCAA® The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 450,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.NCAA.org and www.NCAA.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes. The NCAA is proud to have the following elite companies as official Corporate Champions – AT&T, Capital One and Coca-Cola – and the following elite companies as official Corporate Partners – Allstate, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buick, Enterprise, Infiniti, LG, Lowe’s, Nabisco, Northwestern Mutual, Reese’s (Hershey’s), Unilever and UPS.
About CWS, Inc. ® College World Series of Omaha, Inc., is the non-profit local organizing committee for the annual NCAA Division I Men's College World Series. Its mission is enlisting wide-based community support from business, government, civic organizations and individuals to implement, promote, operate and host a successful CWS in Omaha in partnership with the NCAA. The 2013 NCAA Men's College World Series will begin with Opening Celebration Day, Friday, June 14. Games will begin Saturday, June 15, and continue through Tuesday/Wednesday, June 25/26. For a complete schedule of all games and times, please visit NCAA.com/CWS.
More tests are scheduled for Thursday on the 67 year old Omaha City Councilman
Omaha City Councilman Garry Gernandt was rushed to Alegent Creighton University Medical Center Wednesday after suffering chest pains and shortness of breath.
Medical Center spokesperson Kathy Niver tells 1110 KFAB that Gernandt was listed in serious condition Thursday morning. She says Gernandt will undergo more tests on Thursday and it's not yet known how soon the 67 year old Councilman will be released.
In a statement released by Gernandt he said "My heartfeld thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes."
Chad Yochum is suspected of disconnecting his home's meter so he didn't have to pay for the water.
(AP) _
A city councilman in Ashland has been accused of stealing water from the city.
Councilman Chad Yochum was cited Tuesday for misdemeanor theft.
Investigators say Yochum is suspected of disconnecting his home's meter so he didn't have to pay for the water. City officials say other residents are suspected of doing the same, but so far only Yochum has been cited.
City Attorney Mark Fahleson says he didn't know how much water was involved in Yochum's case.
State testing showed lead in the soil under the parking lot next to the Nebraska Champions Club at Memorial Stadium and in the yards of some homes.
(AP) _
A former lead recycling company may have left behind higher-than-normal lead levels in residential yards in a Lincoln neighborhood.
Recent state testing showed lead in the soil under the parking lot next to the Nebraska Champions Club at Memorial Stadium and in the yards of some homes in the North Bottoms neighborhood to the northwest.
Dirt from nine of the 20 homes had lead content above 400 parts per million, the level the federal government says could be dangerous for small children.
The old Northwestern Metal Co. once stood near the stadium, at Ninth and T streets.
Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality says more tests will be necessary to determine the scope and seriousness of any contamination.
A public service for Kathlynn Shepard is set for 1 p.m.
(AP) _
A memorial service has been scheduled for a 15-year-old Iowa girl who was kidnapped and remained missing for more than two weeks before her body was discovered in a river.
A public service for Kathlynn Shepard is set for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Southeast Webster-Grand Middle School gymnasium in Boxholm. She was a ninth grade student at the school district about 60 miles north of Des Moines.
Authorities say Kathlynn and a younger friend were coerced into a pickup on May 20 in Dayton by registered sex offender Michael Klunder. He hanged himself after the younger girl escaped. It remained unclear for more than two weeks what had happened to Kathlynn.
Her body was found June 7 in the Des Moines River near Boone.
Nebraska residents generate more than 1.5 million scrap tires each year.
(AP) _
Nebraska is awarding $1.93 million in grants to support more than 100 tire recycling and cleanup projects throughout the state.
Department of Environmental Quality director Mike Linder says the grant money comes from a $1 fee for every new tire purchased in Nebraska. Nebraska residents generate more than 1.5 million scrap tires each year, according to the department.
The grants will reimburse individuals, groups and local governments for crumb rubber purchases. Linder says they will prevent public health and environmental problems by eliminating tire piles.
Officials at Glad Tidings Church say the four vans were in the parking lot the night before Sunday services.
(AP) _
Authorities are investigating the theft of gasoline from vans with full tanks ready for services at an Omaha church.
Officials at Glad Tidings Church say the four vans were in the parking lot the night before Sunday services. They were discovered the next morning with doors open and gas caps missing. They estimate that 40 gallons of gas was siphoned from the vans.
The church is considering adding more lighting in the parking lot to combat its vandalism problem.
Lancaster County District Court Judge Stephanie Stacy rejected a motion by Nebraska state officials to dismiss the lawsuit.
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A judge has ruled that opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska can proceed with their legal challenge to a state law that paved the way for a new project route.
Lancaster County District Court Judge Stephanie Stacy rejected a motion by Nebraska state officials to dismiss the lawsuit.
The lawsuit filed by three Nebraska landowners asserts that Governor Dave Heineman's decision to approve a new pipeline route was rooted in an unconstitutional state law. The law was passed during a special legislative session in 2011 as a way to reroute the pipeline away from Nebraska's environmentally sensitive Sandhills.
Stacy did not rule on the merits of the case, but said opponents should be allowed to present their evidence and arguments.
Even if you arean't takin in the CWS, you shouldn't hesitate to drive downtown for other activities during the 11 or 12 days of the tourney.
(AP) _
The Omaha Downtown Improvement District wants people to know that even if you aren't going to the College World Series, you shouldn't hesitate to drive downtown for other activities during the 11 or 12 days of the baseball tournament.
Executive director Joe Gudenrath on Wednesday issued a statement urging the media to not exaggerate parking and traffic concerns in and around downtown.
Gudenrath said he believes there is a perception that downtown should be avoided during the CWS unless the purpose is to attend games.
Gudenrath said the CWS is contained to the north side of downtown and that traffic is manageable. He said plenty of parking is available for people who want to visit museums, attend shows or patronize businesses in the Old Market and other areas downtown.
Garry Gernandt was rushed to the hospital Wednesday afternoon
Update - Omaha City Councilman Pete Festersen tells 1110 KFAB news that Gernandt will spend the night at Creighton University Medical Center for observation. He will likely be released tomorrow.
KFAB news spoke to Carrie Murphy, Communications Director for Mayor Jean Stothert. She tells 1110 KFAB Gernandt was attending a grant ceremony at Spring Lake Park Wednesday afternoon when he complained about not feeling well.
Murphy says Gernandt was already in the back of an ambulance when she and Mayor Stothert arrived. Councilman Pete Festersen says Gernandt complained about chest pains before being rushed to Alegent Creighton University Medical Center.
KFAB News spoke to Medical Center spokesperson Kathy Niver. She says Gernandt complained about some discomfort and wanted to be checked out.
If convicted on all counts, Jefferson Potter could face up to 90 years in prison.
The man charged in last week's deadly hit and run crash is being held on $500,000 bond.
Douglas County Judge Edna Atkins ordered the bond during court Wednesday morning. Jefferson Potter is charged with manslaughter, theft and possession of a firearm. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 90 years in prison.
Investigators say Potter stole a truck and trailer which was carrying lawn equipment near 33rd & Arbor Friday morning. Police spotted the pickup near 48th & Hickory but did not initiate a pursuit according to court documents. A short time later, Potter crashed at the intersection of Saddle Creek and Leavenworth.
Witnesses described Potter driving erratically and speeding when he collided with several cars before coming to a stop at Jiffy Lube. Potter tried to run but he was tackled and held by two witnesses. Officers also found Potter in possession of a gun.
In court Wednesday, prosecutors outlined Potter's criminal history which included the failure to appear in court four times. He also has a history of escape and seven prior felony convictions.
Potter is due back in Douglas County Court July 9th.
