Samuel told police the brakes on her Chevy Suburban weren't working when she came off the Martha Street off ramp from I-480 last week.

Samuel's vehicle continued down the ramp and through the intersection of 28th and Martha where she slammed into a westbound Honda Accord.

The driver of the Honda, 50 year old Kathryn Hardiman, was killed.  A passenger was injured.  Niether Samuel or her passenger were injured.  Police have not said if Samuel's brakes malfunctioned. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Omaha Police say 50 year old Ronald Beckwith died Friday at Creighton University Medical Center.  The head injuries he suffered Thursday night were too severe. 

Investigators say Beckwith was crossing Leavenworth at 38th Street just before 7:00 Thursday night.  He was struck by an eastbound car.  A nurse who came upon the accident rendered aid until paramedics arrived. 

Police have not yet determined if Beckwith was in the crosswalk.  The driver has not been ticketed and the investigation continues.

The fire broke out just before 10:00 last night and heavily damaged one of the three story buildings.  It took about an hour to bring the fire under control.

Captain Tim McCaw with the Omaha Fire Department says 24 apartments sustained damage, but there were no injuries reported.

The American Red Cross is assiting the 35 residents who were affected.  This was the 11th fire in the metro area since last Friday.

In addition to the smoke and flames, McCaw says firefighters also had to battle the frigid conditions.  He says they had to deal with fire hydrants, hose lines and other equipment freezing up.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. 

Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner says a four-and-a-half inch dagger was found in O'Brien's briefcase while it was being scanned at the security checkpoint inside the Justice and Law Enforcement Center in Lincoln.

Wagner says O'Brien said he forgot the knife was in his briefcase and that is belonged to his son.  O'Brien was there to handle a case

He was cited for carrying a concealed weapon. 

Executive Director Mike Saklar says two of the buildings will house 48 independent living apartment units for homeless people with disabilities. 

Each tenant will pay $250 a month and each unit will be about 320 square feet.  Saklar says the first residents should move in this fall.

A third two story building will be home to a community services center that will provide office space, classrooms and meeting areas.  In that building, clients will have access to employment, education, healtcare and other services.

The project costs $7.25 million.  

(A-P)

A public relations representative for Hassebrook, Aaron Farber, confirmed Friday that Hassebrook will run.

The news of Hassebrook's intention comes three days after former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey announced his decision not to seek the seat and only days before the state's February 15 filing deadline for officeholders.

Hassebrook, of Lyons, has been a regent for District 3, which covers 15 counties in northeast Nebraska, since 1994.

He's also executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, a grass-roots nonprofit that advocates for rural communities.

The fire broke out around 6:45 Friday morning near 32nd and K Street.  Smoke and flames were visible from several blocks away.  Battalion Chief Joe Mancuso says the fire started on the second floor and burned away the front of the house.

He says firefighters were able to get in under control in about 15-20 minutes.  One of the two people in the house suffered minor arm burns.  Investigators say a space heater left to close to a bed sparked the fire.  Damage is estimated at $20-thousand. 

Ronald Beckwith was struck by an eastbound auto driven by a 26-year old Bellevue woman.   A University of Nebraska Medical Center who was walking home from classes offered assistance.  She and another student along with the driver of the car provided aid to Beckwith until paramedics arrived.

Beckwith was rushed to the Creighton Medical Center with a severe head injury. Police are trying to determine if Beckwith was in a crosswalk when he was struck.  No charges have been filed.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine has charged Robar with felony motor vehicle homicide in connection with a deadly rush hour crash last week on I-680 near Pacific Street.

According to accident investigators, Robar was driving at 89-92 miles per hour in a 60 mile per hour zone.  Robar lost control of his pick up as he passed another vehicle on the shoulder.

His pick up rolled onto it's top.  His pasenger, 20 year old Charles Brown, was thrown from the vehicle and later died at the hospital. Kleine says his blood alcohol level was .212, nearly three times the legal limit. 

Since Robar has a previous drunk driving conviction, he could spend up to 50 years in prison.

(A-P)

An American Indian tribe says it will sue some of the world's largest beer makers for knowingly contributing to alcohol-related problems on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe announced Thursday it will demand $500 million from five international beer manufacturers for the cost of health care, social services and child rehabilitation caused by chronic alcoholism on the reservation.

The lawsuit also targets four off-site beer stores in Whiteclay, Nebraska,  a town with a population of about a dozen people on the South Dakota border that sells nearly 5 million cans of beer annually.

The Connecticut-sized reservation has struggled with alcoholism and poverty for generations, despite an alcohol ban since 1832. Pine Ridge legalized alcohol in 1970, but restored the ban two months later.

Investigators say no one was home when the fire broke out around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. 

Heavy black smoke and flames could be seen coming from the house when fire crews arrived.  The fire caused about $93-thousand damage.

(A-P)

Doctors found severe burns and old bruises on the boy when he was taken to the hospital on Tuesday by his mother.

Sarpy County prosecutors have charged charged 29-year-old David Coleman with felony child abuse because he was watching the boy when he was burned.

Coleman is a registered sex offender who was convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child in 2004. He is being held on $500,000 bail.  Lt. Steve Grabowski with the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department says Coleman told the mother the boy was burned by a heating pad.

The baby remains hospitalized with third-degree burns, a broken leg and bruises. The boy's mother, 26-year-old Starr Manza, was ticketed on suspicion of child neglect.

(A-P)

The dogs were found Tuesday in large pet carriers inside the unit. They are expected to survive.

The Dodge County attorney is reviewing a report from the sheriff's office to determine whether more charges should be filed against 56 year old Daniel Newcomer and his 46 year old wife Ellyn Newcomer.

They face two felony charges and 11 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty over the nine dogs, three cats and a potbellied pig that were removed from their Fremont residence, which was later was condemned and demolished.

Local baseball fans will get a chance to learn more about the history of the Negro Leagues this summer.  The City of Omaha, OPS and Douglas County officials announced this morning that two traveling exhibits from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City will be at Conestoga School near 21st and Burdette from May 20th through June 26th.

Mayor Jim Suttle says the story of the Negro Leagues is about more than just baseball.  "It's a story about injustice, inequality and the important role that baseball played in bringing social change to this great nation."

One of the exhibits is an Illustrated History of Negro Leagues Baseball and the other tells the life story of former player and manager Buck O'Neil. 

Jim Beatty is the chairman of the board of the Great Plains Black History Museum in Omaha and says they plan to bring the exhibit back every summer for the College World Series.

(A-P)

The crane was being used for foundation work on a new residence hall when its treads sank into mud, causing it to list Tuesday morning.

Authorities feared the crane's boom and auger would fall on Knoll Residence Hall, leading to the evacuation of one wing of the hall. Workers were able to use a second crane to remove the first crane's auger, allowing the crane to lower its boom and spare any damage to the dorm.

Students were allowed to return to their rooms around 9:00 last night

Witnesses told police a southbound red pickup was weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed.  When the driver attempted to pass a car in the far left lane by driving on the shoulder,  he clipped the car,  then veered across four lanes of traffice before hitting an embankment.  The pickup then when airborne and rolled over at the exit ramp to Pacific Street.

20-year old Charles M. Brown of Bellevue was pronounced dead at the scene.  Tyler Robar of Omaha was at the wheel of the pickup. After the crash, he was treated for what were described as  non-life threathening injuries.

Investigators say speed and alcohol are likely factors in the crash.  Police found beer cans in the truck.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

(A-P)

Lautenbaugh says because lawmakers are only paid $12-thousand, everyday people are being discouraged from serving in the Unicameral.

He wants to boost lawmaker salaries to $32,000 a year. He says the state Legislature is becoming a collection of retirees, the wealthy and those who own their own businesses.

Lautenbaugh says there are many young, competent people who could run for office, but says it is difficult to serve the public and hold a full-time job.

Nebraska's legislative compensation has not been adjusted for 24 years. By law, any salary change would have to be approved by voters.

Lautenbaugh says there is never a good time to ask taxpayers for more money, but lawmaker raises are long overdue.

Omaha City Engineer Todd Pfitzer says they have purchased 300 replacement fixtures and will have the broken ones fixed in time for the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders weekend.

In an effort to save money, Pfitzer says they will replace the bulbs with LED technology. The original cost to replace the lights was around $500-thousand.  But the new energy efficient bulbs will  cost the City $200-thousand

Pfitzer says they will also be able to save 95 percent on electricity costs.  Over the next five years, all 700 bulbs will be replaced with the LED bulbs. 

In a statement released this morning Kerrey said "I have given the decision of becoming a candidate for the U.S. Senate very serious thought and prayer. For many reasons I nearly said yes. In the end I choose to remain a private citizen."

Kerrey also said "to those who urged me to do so, I am sorry, very sorry to have disappointed you. I hope you understand that I have chosen what I believe is best for my family and me."

Kerrey's announcement shuts down hopes for a bid both parties called Democrats' best chance to hold on to the seat. 

UNO officials say a company from Minnesota will be in Omaha today to begin repairing a nearly ten foot tear on the south side of the inflatable indoor dome.

The heavy, wet snow caused it to partially deflate over the weekend.  UNO spokesman Charlie Reed says says it's the first problem they have had with the dome in the five years they have owned it.

Reed says there were a couple of broken soccer goals inside.  The dome is rented for soccer leagues. 

(A-P)

The man was arrested after he allegedly hit his neighbor with a shovel in a dispute over where he was scooping snow.  Saturday's storm dumped over a foot of snow in some parts of Nebraska. 

Police say 50 year old Mark Chrisp was shoveling snow onto hi neighbor's vehicle on Saturday. The neighbor confronted him and Chrisp allegedly hit the man in the head with the metal handle.

Police says the neighbor suffered swelling and bleeding. Chrisp was jailed on suspicion of second-degree assault.

(A-P)

Council Bluffs Emergency Medical Service Operations Manager Rick Benson says the man was going from the second floor to the third floor of the casino on an escalator when he stumbled and fell over a railing, dropping 20 to 25 feet to the first floor.

The man was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died from head injuries.  Benson declined to release the man's name.

(A-P)

The house later was condemned and demolished.  Clem Rohde is the executive director of the Dodge County Humane Society and says several of the dogs had to be euthanized.

Rohde says "the house smelled so terrible you just couldn't believe it.'' 56-year-old Daniel Newcomer and his 46 year old wife Ellyn each were charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty and neglect and 11 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and neglect.

A jail spokesman said both are being held on $25,000 bail each.

Street Engineer Scott McIntyre tells 11-10 KFAB  street conditions are in fair to good shape for driving.  However, the winds are picking up and the temperature is dropping and that could impact clean up efforts. 

McIntyre says snow plows started clearing residential streets at noon Saturday and they are rushing to get as many done as they can before the temperature drops further.  McIntyre says the goal is to have all the residential streets cleared by noon on Sunday but that could change.  

Crews will start picking up the snow that is piled in the center lanes of Douglas and Dodge Streets at midnight Sunday.  McIntyre says on Sunday morning crews will make another pass of the main streets and plow and treat with sand and salt where necessary. 

McIntyre says their snow removal efforts are going as planned and there have been no major problems.

Update 2:00 pm:

Road conditions in west central Iowa have improved since noon today on Interstate 80 from Iowa 148 near Adair to Iowa 83 near Walnut, and on I-680 and a section of I-29 south of Council Bluffs. These areas and other roadways in west central Iowa are now listed as being partially or mostly covered.

##

At 1:00 pm Saturday, Iowa Department of Transportation reports travel is not advised on Interstate 680 and on a section of I-29 south of Council Bluffs.  Travel is currently not advised on Interstate 80 from Iowa 148 near Adair to Iowa 83 near Walnut.

 The Iowa DOT is advising travelers to carefully monitor weather and road conditions.

The winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight tonight.  The heaviest snow is expected to move out of the metro area this afternoon.  

Snow could total around 8 inches in the metro area, with heavier amounts expected to the west.  North winds at 20-30 mph will be with us through the day. 

Snow plows and sand trucks have been out all day and City officials say 18 private contractors are helping plow residential streets. 

 KFAB news has learned from OPPD officials that as of 1:40 Saturday afternoon, 10,500 customers were without power due to tree limbs breaking and landing on power lines.   

The problem areas are Ashland, Louisville, Papillion, Elkhorn and Valley.  There are scattered areas in the metro area. Due to the nature of the storm, OPPD expects more customers to be affected.

The utility has called in all available crews to help. Crews are having some trouble getting around due to the road conditions. 

All Omaha Metro buses will run on main routes only.  The City of Council Bluffs has declared a mandatory even/odd parking ban beginning at midnight and continuing through 5:00 p.m. Monday

(A-P) 

Moore challenged the state's intention to use lethal injections. District Judge Thomas Otepka ruled Thursday that the process of execution is not the same as the death sentence itself, so any errors in the steps toward the execution don't void the sentence.

Moore was convicted of killing two Omaha cab drivers in 1979. He was to be executed in June 2011. The Nebraska Supreme Court stepped in, saying Moore couldn't be executed until his Douglas County appeal is resolved.

Moore's attorney, Jerry Soucie, questions the legality of Nebraska's purchase of a key drug from an Indian company. Soucie said Friday no decision on Moore's next court step will be made for several weeks.

This morning Mayor Jim Suttle joined City Councilman Pete Festersen in announcing plans for the Streetscape project.  Beginning in June, $575-thousand will be spent on new sidewalks, increased parking and more lighting along a two block stretch of north 30th Street

Festersen hopes the improvements will attract new business and jobs and spur economic development in one of the city's most historic neighborhoods.

Festersen says they also have plans to help slow down traffic on 30th Street.  This will also be the first project to incopratate "bioswales", which allow storm water to run off the sidewalks.  The work will take about two months.

(A-P)

The high court says the taxing authority used by a board that oversees nearly a dozen Omaha-area school districts is constitutional.

The Supreme Court says it's clear that the taxes serve a mostly local purpose. Plus the court says all members of the learning community receive some benefit from the taxes levied, and the tax rate is uniform throughout the community.

The Learning Community was created by the Legislature in 2006. It oversees common property tax levies among 11 school districts in Douglas and Sarpy counties. The community's intent is to de-emphasize district borders and sharpen the focus on achievement and diversity.

The employee was injured just after 2:00 this afternoon when the large container he was working on exploded.  The man suffered facial injuries and burns and was taken by helicopter to an Omaha hospital in serious condition.

OSHA represenatives were on the scene this afternoon to ty and determine what caused the explosion.  The comapny repairs and sells semi trucks.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says Pantoja has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate conduct. He faces charges of sexual exploitation by a school employee and lascivious conduct with a minor.

A female student and parent told the district that the 30 year old Pantoja engaged in inappropriate communications with the student, according to Superintendent Mark Schweer.

Schweer said that when confronted with the allegations, Pantoja resigned.  According to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, the girl told investigators that Pantoja got her number during class in December. Pantoja reportedly told the girl that he wanted to get his picture taken with Santa while she was working as an elf at the Mall of the Bluffs.

Danker says the girl said she began to get text messages from Pantoja that typically consisted of statements indicating if he were her age, he'd ask her out. 

She told investigators that Pantoja took her phone during a class and found a picture of her wearing only a sports bra and shorts. After that incident, the girl told investigators, Pantoja requested that she send him the photo.

Danker says the girl said she eventually agreed to send the picture in exchange for a better grade in the class. 

In addition, the girl said she received a picture of an adult male with the genitalia covered with the left hand. Danker says this photo, along with all other text messages, was sent from Pantoja's cellphone number.

Authorities said that Pantoja asked that the girl send two more photos of herself to him, one with more clothing and another with less.

Danker says warrants have been obtained and Pantoja is making arrangements to turn himself in later today.

Sexual exploitation by a school employee is a Class D felony and lascivious conduct with a minor is a serious misdemeanor. Bond has been set at $5,000, according to the sheriff's office.

Ienn, who would have turned 41 on Saturday, was found hanging from a bridge near 69th and Pine earlier this week.  Services for the Ralston native will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Ralston High School.

Viewing will take place from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Ienn will be buried at Calvary Cemetery at 77th and West Center Road. 

Fire Department officials say overflow parking will be east of the high school and within walking distance of the school.  There will also be remote parking with shuttle transportation available on Park Drive in the City parks east of 84th Street.

Here is the route that will be taken to the cemetery:

East on Park Drive to 84th Street, 84th Street north to West Center Road,then east on West Center to the cemetery.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Ienn Children Education Fund at Centris Federal Credit Union.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the 19 fatalities in Janaury  compares with eight for the same time in 2011. Of the 19 people killed, 15 were not wearing a seat belt. Nine of the fatal crashes involved rollovers in which the person killed was ejected or partially ejected from the vehicle.

"It’s hard to explain the increase in fatalities, although our mild weather may be a contributing factor," said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. "But the one thing these deadly crashes have in common is the failure to buckle-up."

According to statistics from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of five and 34. One in every 26 licensed drivers in Nebraska will be involved in a motor vehicle collision each year. The use of seat belts cuts the risk of death or serious injury in a crash by up to 50%.

In 2011 Nebraska recorded 180 fatalities the second lowest fatality rate since 1945 when 166 people were killed on Nebraska roads.

Colonel Sankey said, "Wearing your seat belt is not only the smart thing to do, it is the law. Help us keep you safe and save lives in the process, buckle-up, every trip, every time."

Coach Pelini was headed to a dinner in LaVista when a car turned into his vehicle near the intersection of 34th and  Cheney Road in Lincoln  Wednesday night.  Pelini tried to swerve to avoid the impact.  Neither he nor the woman driving the other car were injured. She was ticketed for failing to yield the right of way.

Pelini had to get another vechicle to continue his trip to Omaha.

(A-P)

University officials said Wednesday they've spent $20,000 so far on services and equipment to get rid of the bedbugs, and could end up paying $100,000.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan Franco says 25 student rooms have tested positive in three residence halls.

The university is using a rat terrier named Spots to detect the bugs, and may bring in other dogs from out of state. Spots is the only dog in Nebraska capable of sniffing them out.

Officials say they are using special heated pouches to kill bugs on backpacks and other items. They're also freezing the bugs with carbon dioxide.

One day after the shocking death of Ralston Fire Chief Kyle Ienn, the city celebrated a milestone in the construction of its $32 million arena.  This morning the last steel beam was lifted into place.

Work will now begin on the roof of the facility, which will be the new home for the Omaha Beef, Omaha Lancers and University of Nebraska men's basketball team.

City and team officials signed the 40 foot beam before it was hoisted to the top of the building.

The arena near 72nd and Q Street will have 35-hundred seats and will host public ice skating and many other non sports events. 

Omaha Police say no students were injured when a driver passed out around 8:45 this morning just south of 55th and Leavenworth.  The bus struck a tree and narrowly missed hitting a house.

The 54-year-old driver was taken to a hospital after the incident, which occurred as the bus neared Washington Elementary School.

The school nurse checked the 24 children on board and found them to be uninjured. The students walked the rest of the way to school.

Photo courtesy of Channel 6

(AP)

A western Iowa school board has fired a principal accused of pulling down the pants of a 15-year-old female student. The West Harrison Community School District Board in Mondamin voted unanimously to terminate the contract of mike loftin at the end of the school year and immediately ban him from school grounds.

Board members would not say specifically why Loftin was fired. The board directed its attorney to file a complaint about Loftin with state education authorities. The Harrison County Sheriff's office is investigating, but Loftin has not been charged with a crime.

The girl says Loftin, who coached the girls' basketball team, pulled down her pants before a game on January 20th. Several other students were nearby.

Witnesses told police a southbound red pickup was weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed.  When the driver attempted to pass a car in the far left lane by driving on the shoulder,  he clipped the car,  then veered across four lanes of traffice before hitting an embankment.  The pickup then when airborne and rolled over at the exit ramp to Pacific Street.

20-year old Charles M. Brown of Bellevue was pronounced dead at the scene.  Tyler Robar of Omaha was at the wheel of the pickup. After the crash, he was treated for what were described as  non-life threathening injuries.

Investigators say speed and alcohol are likely factors in the crash.  Police found beer cans in the truck.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

(A-P)

Lawmakers on Tuesday gave second-round approval to a constitutional amendment proposal for voters in the 2012 election.

Omaha Senator Pete Pirsch argued in floor debate Tuesday that the measure would protect the state from future political attacks on hunting, fishing and trapping rights. But critics said it was unnecessary and could infringe on the state's ability to license and regulate hunters.

Opponents said placing the issue on the ballot could actually mobilize anti-hunting groups and lead to television ads promoting their agenda.

Omaha Police officer Jacob Bettin says they were called to a bridge near the First Data Building near 69th and Pine Street this morning.  Bettin says officers found the body of 37 year old Kyle Ienn hanging from a bridge around 7:30. 

His fire department truck was parked on the bridge.  He says they are investigating his death as a suicide.  Ienn had been the Ralston fire chief for 12 years and was a 22 year veteran of the department.

Ienn was the chief of the Nebraska Fire Chiefs Association. He was also the manager of the Ace Hardware store at 55th and Center. Ienn is survived by his wife and three children.

Chief Deputy Marty Bilek tells 11-10 KFAB the deputy was responding to a home invasion call at 3:30 Monday afternoon.  He was driving northbound on 168th Street and collided with another vehicle at Maple.  

Chief Deputy Bilek says the deputy was taken to a hospital and was listed in fair condition.  No information on the other driver is available. 

This accident closed down the intersection at 168th and Maple for several hours.

(A-P)

The university's housing director, says a bedbug-sniffing dog and its handler swept Abel Hall on Sunday. Sue Gildersleeve says bedbugs were detected in four rooms on the ninth floor, three rooms on the eighth and one room on the seventh floor.

She says four small areas in Abel/Sandoz hall first-floor commons area also tested positive for bedbugs. Bedbugs had already been detected in two other dorm rooms.

All of the areas were treated, and students were able to return to their rooms Sunday afternoon.  Last week, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity on campus reported experts had been called in to check a bedbug report from a member.

(A-P)

Governor Terry Branstad says he will sign the first measure to land on his desk this session. The program is designed to pay 90 percent of the tuition for Guard troops who return and want to attend a community college or public university.

Demand for the program has been so heavy that officials warned they can pay only about 50 percent. Lawmakers quickly passed the measure to return assistance to 90 percent, increasing funding from $3.1 million to $4.4 million.

Branstad says the state can afford the extra spending because of efforts last year to fix the state's finances.

(A-P)

Jackie Burkle is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. She is being held on $1 million bond. Her attorney entered a written plea of not guilty on her behalf this morning in Story County District Court in Nevada.

Police found the infants' bodies in the trunk of Burkle's car on January 7th after receiving a call to check on her. Court records show Burkle appeared pregnant at work at a Huxley convenience store January 5th.  She no longer looked pregnant two days later, prompting a co-worker to call police.

Police have not released a cause of death or why Burkle gave birth at home.

(A-P)

A 44 year old North Platte woman charged with felony child neglect for failing to seek medical help for her baby pleaded no contest to a reduced charge and has been released from jail.

Christine Sytek was sentenced Thursday to 26 days in jail after pleading no contest to misdemeanor child abuse. She was credited for time served and released.

Sytek was arrested New Year's Day after flagging down a passer-by and asking help in calling 911, because the baby was not breathing. The boy was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Authorities say the baby boy had been born at Sytek's home and was premature. She was charged for failing to seek medical attention for her infant when he was born.

9-1-1 received a call early Sunday morning of a loud party in an apartment near 141st and V Plaza.  When police arrived,  they found an underage drinking party in full progress.  Two of the teens tried to flee by jumping off the balcony of the third floor apartment. They were caught and cited for obstructing justice.  All 11 were also ticketed for being minors in possession. 19-year old Michael Dodson was also cited for procuring alcohol for a minor.

One suspect is in custody and another suspect remains at large following a late night pursuit in which shots were fired at a Nebraska State Patrol trooper.

At 10:30 p.m. Friday, a trooper spotted a speeding vehicle on I-80 east of the Odessa exit.  The vehicle did exit at Kearney and headed south on Highway 44.  That is when the suspects fired shots at the patrol car, hitting it at least one time.   The suspects drove through Minden before losing control of the vehicle on Highway 10 and ended up in a ditch.  The suspects took off on foot.

The State Patrol, SWAT teams, Police Service dog units and the Aviation Support Division were called in to search for the two.  A State Patrol helicopter used infrared technology and located activity near the Ft. Kearney Feedlot.  Troopers and K-9 units located one suspect, 22 year old Aleksandr Voznyuk.  He was taken to a hospital for treatment of a dog bite before taken to the Buffalo County detention Center.    The other suspect, Pert Strizheus is still at large. 

Authorities say Strizheus is considered dangerous.  Both men are from South Dakota and are wanted for attempted murder following a carjacking in Brighton, Colorado where shots were fired at the owner of the vehicle. 

No one was hurt in the pursuit that lasted about 20 minutes with speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. 

Firefighters responded to the call at 3:00 Saturday morning saw heavy smoke and flames from the main floor.  A male victim was found unconscious and rushed to UNMC where he was pronounced dead.  

The victim’s son stated his father had just returned from the hospital Friday evening and was recovering from an unknown condition.  Two other occupants were not home at the time of the fire.  Investigators determined there were no working smoke detectors inside the home but the cause remains under investigation. 

The home and most of the contents were destroyed.