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COMMISSIONERS IMPLEMENT HIRING FREEZE
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by SANDY CONNERS AND BRANDI KRUSE. )

Lancaster County Commissioners voted 3 to 2 today to implement a hiring freeze as they begin work on a new budget. Commissioners Bob Workman told KFOR news the mill levy may have to increase about 2 cents to cover the gap. But he says that's according to very preliminary numbers. The board did leave itself the power to still fill critical jobs. Commissioners Ray Stevens and Bob Workman voted against the hiring freeze, saying the board should study the possible impacts first.

SOLDIERS COMING HOME FROM IRAQ
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

About 180 men and women of the National Guard are heading home to Nebraska after more than nine months in Iraq. The Guard says the Omaha-based 600th Transportation Company is scheduled to arrive Friday afternoon at the Guard air base in Lincoln. The unit had been hauling goods south of Baghdad. It arrived there in August last year after leaving Nebraska in May for training. Lt. Col. Bob Vrana says the unit is based in Omaha but includes troops from all over the state. He says the return of the 600th Transportation Company will leave just 47 Nebraska National Guard troops in Iraq, 33 in Afghanistan and eight in Kosovo.

VOTER TURNOUT
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Are you planning to vote on Tuesday? Secretary of State John Gale doesn't look for a record breaking turnout. In fact he is predicting a voter turnout of just 27 percent of registered voters. Gale says the fact that the Nebraska presidential primaries won't affect delegate selection to the Republican and Democratic national conventions is one reason. Other factors include few high-profile races throughout the state and a limited slate of county offices on the ballot. Gale's office says there are 1,117,491 registered voters in the state. There is also a shift in the state's voter registration. Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Neal Erickson says the number of Nebraska voters registered as Democrats has increased by nearly 14,000 in recent months. Meanwhile, the number of registered Republicans decreased by nearly 5,000 in the same period. Erickson says overall registration increased nearly by nearly 7,300, to nearly 1.1 million registered voters. Republicans account for about 49 percent, Democrats 33 percent, and independents 17 percent.

STIMULUS CHECK ANSWERS
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Have you received your stimulus check yet? As millions of Americans begin receiving their economic stimulus payments, the Internal Revenue Service released a list of the most-frequently-asked questions –– and answers –– that the agency is now receiving. Since last week millions of Americans have visited IRS.gov and called the IRS toll-free lines. The IRS reminds taxpayers the fastest way to get answers is to visit the agency's website at IRS.gov. Stimulus payments started going out last week, and the initial round of payments will continue on a weekly basis through mid-July. In all, nearly 130 million payments will go out this year. Last week, 7.7 million payments were direct deposited, and the first mass production of paper checks begins Thursday with mailing starting on Friday, May 9. The IRS emphasizes that the stimulus payments are automatic for eligible taxpayers who filed a 2007 tax return. People don't have to do anything else but wait to receive the payment. The payments will be issued according to the last two digits of the taxpayer’s Social Security number. (For joint filers, use the number of the person listed first on the return.) Payments will be made by either direct deposit or paper check, based generally on the option people chose when they filed their 2007 tax returns. Direct deposit payments for returns processed by April 15 will be transmitted no later than:
-May 2 for filers with Social Security numbers (SSNs) ending 00-20;
-May 9 for those ending 21-75; and
-May 16 for ones ending 76-99.

Paper checks for returns processed by April 15 will be mailed no later than:
-May 16 for filers with SSNs ending 00-09;
-May 23 for those ending 10-18;
-May 30 for ones ending 19-25;
-June 6 for SSNs ending 26-38;
-June 13 for those ending 39-51;
-June 20 for ones ending 52-63;
-June 27 for SSNs ending 64-75;
-July 4 for those ending 76-87; and
-July 11 for SSNs ending 88-99.
Note that paper returns filed but not processed by April 15 could result in payments later than the scheduled date.

CHANGES FOR STARTRAN
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Mayor Beutler's Staff. )

Mayor Chris Beutler today encouraged the public to attend one of the open houses planned over the next few weeks to find out more about StarTran’s route changes which take effect June 5. He also said more changes are on the horizon for the City’s transit system.
“I want to make StarTran work for the entire community,” said Beutler. “I will do whatever it takes to make our public transportation system a model of service and efficiency. Change is imminent.” The Mayor said the schedule changes are the result of a comprehensive study and were developed with valuable input from StarTran patrons. “We believe the new route system will be more efficient, provide better connections, reduce transfers and improve overall service.” Beutler said more ideas and improvements are on the way. “I intend to explore the cost effectiveness of smaller buses,” he said. “I will seriously examine the impact of fairly dramatic changes in the fare schedules to encourage greater ridership.” Beutler said residents indicated that public transportation was important during the recent “PRIORITY LINCOLN” process to gather public input on the City budget. “They indicated to us that they value public transportation and the important role it plays in the community,” said Beutler. “But they were equally adamant that they wanted greater efficiency. I heard a real concern about the cost effectiveness of operating buses that too often run nearly empty for significant portions of the day. I share those concerns.”

StarTran has planned ten open houses to provide new route brochures and answer questions. Two radio broadcasts are planned for the first day of
the new routes. While supplies last,
StarTran will offer one free pre-validated pass to each person attending an open house or radio event.

“We hope to see many current and future StarTran patrons at these events,” said Larry Worth, StarTran Transit Manager. “With gas prices continuing to climb, more and more people are considering StarTran. We hope they will use the free passes to give StarTran a try.”
Worth said improvements include more frequent service on key routes, improved schedules, service to locations near Highway 2 on the City’s east side, new downtown routing, new neighborhood routes and a free downtown
shuttle. Two main downtown route transfer stations will be added: In addition to the existing 11th and “N” Street transfer station, a new station will be added on the north side of “N” Street between 10th and 11th streets.
In addition to the existing transfer station on 14th Street west of the State Office Building, a new transfer station will be added on the north side of that building.

StarTran Open Houses:
-Wednesday, May 14 - 11 a.m to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Energy Square, 11th and “O” streets
-Thursday, May 15 - 4 to 6 p.m., Union College Ortner Center, 48th and Prescott
-Monday, May 19 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Energy Square, 11th and “O” streets
-Wednesday, May 21 - 11 a.m. to1 p.m and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Energy Square, 11th and “O” streets
-Thursday, May 29 - 4 to 6 p.m., Nebraska Wesleyan McDonald Theatre, 51st
and Huntington.
-Monday, June 2 - 4 to 6 p.m., Eiseley Branch Library, 1530 Superior Street
-Wednesday, June 4 - 4 to 6 p.m., Beattie Elementary, 19th and Calvert.
Live Radio Remote Broadcasts Thursday, June 5:
-96 KX (96.9 FM) - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gold’s Building, 11th and “N”
-KFOR (1240 AM) - 4 to 6 p.m., State Office Building, 14th and “M”.

FUNDS AVAILABLE
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

The Nebraska Department of Roads has announced funds are now available to state or local governmental bodies and private non-profit organizations for the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program and the New Freedom Transportation Program. The JARC Program is to improve access to transportation services to employment and employment-related activities for eligible low income individuals and to transport residents of non-urbanized areas to suburban employment opportunities. The New Freedom Program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the workforce and full participation in society. The New Freedom Program is for transportation projects that are both new and provide service beyond that required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. For further information and to request application forms, contact Jerry Wray at 479-4694, Rail and Public Transportation Division, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4759. Requests for application forms must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2008.

Man robbed near UNL campus
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Dale Johnson. )

Early Thursday morning, a man with a gun held up a 19 year old around 17th and Vine. A wallet and watch were taken. The man with the gun is described as black, 6-2 in his 20's. A second suspect is described white, shorter and bald.

Police catch two people looking into cars
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Dale Johnson. )

If YOU live in the Southwest 10th and "C", check YOUR car. Police arrested 2 guys Thursday morning with flashlights looking in vehicles. YOUR car may have been vandalized.

Prices at the pump rise
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

YOUR Mother's Day trip or family vacation just got more expensive. Gas prices took a 17-cent a gallon jump Wednesday to $3.59 a gallon at most north Lincoln stations. Triple A's Rose White tells KFOR News $122 a barrel oil is the reason.

Parking lot expansion for First Plymouth recommended
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Planning Commissioners Wednesday recommended a zoning change so that First Plymouth Church can expand a parking lot near 21st and “E” Streets. Spaces are needed to alleviate parking problems. It needs City Council approval first.

Changes planned for Star Tran
(Posted 05/08/2008. Written by Dale Johnson/Jeff Motz. )

More changes are coming to StarTran. Mayor Chris Beutler will give out the details Thursday morning. City officials have been trying to find ways to make the system more efficient, while offering service to all areas of this growing city.