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MCCAIN IS NEBRASKAS CHOICE
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain has won the Nebraska primary. With 1 percent of the state's precincts reporting, McCain has won 90 percent of votes. Ron Paul is the only other candidate on the GOP ballot. In the Democratic race, Hillary Clinton was ahead of Barack Obama in early returns. She Clinton had 55 percent of the vote to Obama's 42 percent. Her victory would be a symbolic win. Obama won the state in February's caucuses, claiming 16 of 24 delegates in the caucuses.

ELECTION RESULTS
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Election Commissioner's Office. )

Lancaster County, Nebraska
PRIMARY ELECTION
MAY 13, 2008
Unofficial Results
8:00 p.m.

These results include early/absentee ballots only.

List of Precincts Counted


VOTES PERCENT

PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 223). . . . . 0
REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL . . . . . 171,906
BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL. . . . . . . 10,682 6.21 %
BALLOTS CAST - REPUBLICAN . . . . . 4,115
BALLOTS CAST - DEMOCRAT. . . . . . 5,933
BALLOTS CAST - NEBRASKA. . . . . . 2
BALLOTS CAST - GREEN. . . . . . . 8
BALLOTS CAST - NONPARTISAN. . . . . 624

********** (REPUBLICAN) **********

President of the United States
Vote for 1
John McCain. . . . . . . . . . 3,436 87.45
Ron Paul. . . . . . . . . . . 365 9.29
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 128 3.26
Total . . . . . . . . . 3,929

United States Senator
Vote for 1
Mike Johanns . . . . . . . . . 3,403 81.98
Pat Flynn . . . . . . . . . . 731 17.61
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 17 .41
Total . . . . . . . . . 4,151

Rep in Congress Dist 1
Vote for 1
Jeff Fortenberry . . . . . . . . 3,716 98.54
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 55 1.46
Total . . . . . . . . . 3,771

County Commissioner Dist 2
Vote for 1
Larry Hudkins . . . . . . . . . 304 97.75
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.25
Total . . . . . . . . . 311

County Commissioner Dist 4
Vote for 1
Bernie Heier . . . . . . . . . 840 97.79
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 19 2.21
Total . . . . . . . . . 859

********** (DEMOCRAT) **********

President of the United States
Vote for 1
Hillary Clinton . . . . . . . . 3,160 54.37
Mike Gravel. . . . . . . . . . 108 1.86
Barack Obama . . . . . . . . . 2,480 42.67
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 64 1.10
Total . . . . . . . . . 5,812

United States Senator
Vote for 1
Larry Marvin . . . . . . . . . 185 3.15
Scott Kleeb. . . . . . . . . . 4,218 71.71
James Bryan Wilson . . . . . . . 205 3.49
Tony Raimondo . . . . . . . . . 1,252 21.29
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 22 .37
Total . . . . . . . . . 5,882

Rep in Congress Dist 1
Vote for 1
Max Yashirin . . . . . . . . . 4,184 98.38
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 69 1.62
Total . . . . . . . . . 4,253

County Commissioner Dist 2
Vote for 1
Barbara Baier . . . . . . . . . 536 99.81
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 .19
Total . . . . . . . . . 537

County Commissioner Dist 4
Vote for 1
Nancy L. Intermill . . . . . . . 969 99.18
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 8 .82
Total . . . . . . . . . 977

********** (NEBRASKA) **********

President of the United States
Vote for 1
Don J. Grundmann . . . . . . . . 1 50.00
Bryan Malatesta . . . . . . . . 0
Diane Beall Templin . . . . . . . 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 50.00
Total . . . . . . . . . 2

United States Senator
Vote for 1
Kelly Renee Rosberg . . . . . . . 10 100.00
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0
Total . . . . . . . . . 10

Rep in Congress Dist 1
Vote for 1
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 100.00
Total . . . . . . . . . 2

County Commissioner Dist 2
Vote for 1
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

County Commissioner Dist 4
Vote for 1
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

********** (GREEN) **********

President of the United States
Vote for 1
Jesse Johnson . . . . . . . . . 0
Cynthia McKinney . . . . . . . . 2 28.57
Kent Mesplay . . . . . . . . . 1 14.29
Kat Swift . . . . . . . . . . 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4 57.14
Total . . . . . . . . . 7

United States Senator
Vote for 1
Steven R. Larrick. . . . . . . . 9 81.82
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 18.18
Total . . . . . . . . . 11

Rep in Congress Dist 1
Vote for 1
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 5 100.00
Total . . . . . . . . . 5

County Commissioner Dist 2
Vote for 1
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

County Commissioner Dist 4
Vote for 1
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 100.00
Total . . . . . . . . . 1

********** (NONPARTISAN) **********

Legislature Member Dist 21
Vote for 1
Vern Barrett . . . . . . . . . 78 8.33
James Arthur Jeffers. . . . . . . 225 24.04
Tami Soper . . . . . . . . . . 158 16.88
Ken Haar. . . . . . . . . . . 396 42.31
Justin Larsen . . . . . . . . . 46 4.91
Curtis D. Schell . . . . . . . . 31 3.31
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 .21
Total . . . . . . . . . 936

Legislature Member Dist 25
Vote for 1
Travis A. Wagner . . . . . . . . 589 24.06
Kathy Campbell. . . . . . . . . 1,588 64.87
Brent Smoyer . . . . . . . . . 260 10.62
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 11 .45
Total . . . . . . . . . 2,448

Legislature Member Dist 27
Vote for 1
Colby Coash. . . . . . . . . . 355 29.00
Chuck Stepanek. . . . . . . . . 124 10.13
Dan Marvin . . . . . . . . . . 737 60.21
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 8 .65
Total . . . . . . . . . 1,224

Legislature Member Dist 29
Vote for 1
Tony Fulton. . . . . . . . . . 597 43.45
Susan Scott. . . . . . . . . . 776 56.48
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 .07
Total . . . . . . . . . 1,374

State BOE Member Dist 1
Vote for 1
Bob Evnen . . . . . . . . . . 6,348 98.66
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 86 1.34
Total . . . . . . . . . 6,434

UNL Board of Regents Member Dist 1
Vote for 1
Tim Clare . . . . . . . . . . 4,514 57.00
Don Costello . . . . . . . . . 1,196 15.10
Earl Scudder . . . . . . . . . 2,161 27.29
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 48 .61
Total . . . . . . . . . 7,919

NE PPD Board of Dir Member SubDiv 2
Vote for 1
Glen R. Schmieding . . . . . . . 1,350 17.83
Mary A. Harding . . . . . . . . 4,091 54.02
Richard L. Newcomer . . . . . . . 1,205 15.91
Sam Peterson . . . . . . . . . 927 12.24
Total . . . . . . . . . 7,573

Palmyra School Board Member
Vote for 3
Craig Bolz . . . . . . . . . . 8 10.39
Douglas G. Church. . . . . . . . 17 22.08
Mark Clem . . . . . . . . . . 12 15.58
Kevin L. Schroder. . . . . . . . 7 9.09
Kevin S. Heidtbrink . . . . . . . 5 6.49
Jaimi L. Calfee . . . . . . . . 15 19.48
Matthew L. Broening . . . . . . . 13 16.88
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0
Total . . . . . . . . . 77

Freeman School Board Member
Vote for 3
Steven C. Finkner. . . . . . . . 0
Douglas Page . . . . . . . . . 0
April Behrens . . . . . . . . . 0
Leon D. Dorn . . . . . . . . . 0
Gwyn Bud Wingate . . . . . . . . 0
Charlotte Evans . . . . . . . . 0
Anthony Meints. . . . . . . . . 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

Hickman City Council Member
Vote for 3
Douglas K. Hanson. . . . . . . . 14 17.72
Steve N. Noren. . . . . . . . . 16 20.25
Phil Goering . . . . . . . . . 10 12.66
Randy L. Flodman . . . . . . . . 4 5.06
Andrew Sherwood . . . . . . . . 5 6.33
Brent A. Swails . . . . . . . . 8 10.13
Leon J. TenHulzen. . . . . . . . 16 20.25
Joshua Hicks . . . . . . . . . 4 5.06
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.53
Total . . . . . . . . . 79

Waverly City Mayor
Vote for 1
Gregory A. Dudley. . . . . . . . 9 10.71
John F. Hestermann . . . . . . . 41 48.81
Michael Werner. . . . . . . . . 34 40.48
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0
Total . . . . . . . . . 84

Waverly City Council Member
Vote for 2
Chad Neuhalfen. . . . . . . . . 36 23.08
Tina M. Sondgeroth . . . . . . . 25 16.03
Brent J. Cooper . . . . . . . . 14 8.97
Kyle Bassinger. . . . . . . . . 14 8.97
Curtis A. Harris . . . . . . . . 20 12.82
Jay Eastep . . . . . . . . . . 8 5.13
Joe Dalton . . . . . . . . . . 39 25.00
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0
Total . . . . . . . . . 156

Hallam Village Lottery Issue
Vote for 1
FOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 100.00
AGAINST . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Total . . . . . . . . . 4

Lincoln City Charter Amendment
Vote for 1
FOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,136 70.08
AGAINST . . . . . . . . . . . 2,620 29.92
Total . . . . . . . . . 8,756

Lancaster County Jail Bond Election
Vote for 1
FOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,701 37.53
AGAINST . . . . . . . . . . . 6,160 62.47
Total . . . . . . . . . 9,861

Nebraska State Amendment
Vote for 1
For . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,820 58.97
Against . . . . . . . . . . . 4,049 41.03
Total . . . . . . . . . 9,869

CHECKS AND BALANCES IN ACTION
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Tim Barrett and Sandy Conners. )

It may be a little nerve racking around the Colfax County courthouse in Schuyler today. The U.S. Department of Justice is monitoring their primary elections to ensure compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act. The feds say the county is obligated under federal law to provide all election information, ballots and voting assistance information in English and Spanish. When asked if there was a complaint, the department declined to comment.

BULLET ORIGIN STILL NOT KNOWN
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

Omaha police say the stray bullet that hit an eighth-grade soccer player did not come from another shooting reported nearby.
Police previously said the bullet that injured 14-year-old Taylor Borgeson was fired about 3,200 feet away. Borgeson was hit in the face and underwent surgery after the April 24 shooting.
About 100 children were in and around King Science Center at the time. The school was briefly locked down after Borgeson was wounded.
Officers were called to a nearby elementary school about the same time for reports of shots fired, and police had been investigating whether a bullet from that incident had hit Borgeson.

WELCOME HOME WARRIORS!
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Tim Barrett. )

A proud Governor Dave Heineman welcomed home the Afghan National Army emebedded Training Team, known as "Team Spartan" to the Spirit of 76 Armory in Lincoln today. The 21 members trained Afghan National Army and police for one year in that war torn nation.

HONORING FALLEN OFFICERS
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Tim Barrett. )

Lincoln Police honored the fallen officers from their department and across the nation today in a ceremony held in front of the Halls of Justice. Five of Lincolns finest have died in service, the last nearly forty years ago.

BEAR SHOT AND KILLED
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

Nebraska game officials have killed a young black bear that had wandered around Harrison and finally was trapped in a barn north of the Panhandle town.
Jeff Hoffman of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the bear went through Harrison on Monday and then four miles north to a ranch. The bear entered a barn, and the ranch owner shut the barn door behind the young male, trapping him. Hoffman says the bear was killed because he was not acting normally and seemed accustomed to humans - a problem when it comes to large predators that can prey on livestock, pets or attack people. He says tranquilizing and relocating the bear was not an option because Nebraska doesn't have large tracts of public land to accommodate bears.

STATE TREASURER TO FACE THE CHAMBER
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by State Office Staff. )

Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn will unveil the second phase of NebraskaSpending.com at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s “Face the Chamber Luncheon” at the Lincoln Country Club tomorrow. “NebraskaSpending.com has just set the example for the rest of the nation in bringing transparency to the tax-payers,” Osborn said. “While America experiences strong mobilization for Google-governments, Nebraska is being used as the example by national taxpayer groups, state treasurer associations, and various state legislators committed to this cause.”

“We infused some serious muscle into a website that will empower our citizens like never before,” Osborn said. “Nebraskans can now search for state contracts over $20,000; state expenditures over $500,000; utilize an interactive 93 county map showing a breakdown of local property taxes and state aid information; review Nebraska’s Operating Investment Pool as well as details of the different taxes levied by the State of Nebraska.” “Additionally, we were able to provide our tax-payers with a website of superior quality at a fraction of the cost when compared to what is offered by other states.”
Said Osborn: “By allowing the public to go online and examine how the government is spending their hard-earned tax dollars we are equipping them with the necessary information to demand that we, as elected officials, do a better job managing our finances.”

STATE LOSES APPEAL
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

A judge has approved nearly $82,000 in damages, legal fees and court costs for a Lincoln woman who had been sexually harassed on the job at a state prisons warehouse in Lincoln. Andrea Lacy had sued the state after she was fired in 2005. She said co-workers at the Department of Correctional Services warehouse had used offensive language around her, touched her and made threats. Lancaster County District Judge Karen Flowers approved the jury award of $60,000 in compensation and $20,000 for lawyers and nearly $2,000 in court costs. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Jon Bruning, which had defended the corrections department, says she cannot comment.

TEEN GETS PROBATION
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

It was no act, and now a Lincoln Northeast High student gets his punishment for assaulting a fellow student while the two were on stage a few months ago. The 17-year-old boy put a hand steamer to the stomach of a 15-year-old, causing significant burns, while the two were on stage at Lincoln Northeast High School in February. The 17 year old was sentenced in juvenile court to a year of probation for third-degree assault and was ordered to complete 30 hours of community service.

JOGGER HARASSED
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Police need your help finding a man who exposed himself to a woman out jogging along a bike trail in north Lincoln early this morning. Officer Mike Siefkes telling KFOR News the suspect tried to start a conversation with the woman along the trail north of 48th and Vine. She ignored him and kept running. That's when he rode up to her and exposed himself. The woman then ran off to 51st and Orchard, where she called police. The suspect was last seen riding his bike eastbound. Siefkes says they're looking for a black male with glasses about 20-years-old, 6-feet tall with a thin build, wearing a blue and white long sleeved striped shirt and blue jeans. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers at 475-3600.

GRETNA WOMAN KILLED
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

A 50-year-old Gretna woman is dead following a crash in southwest Omaha. Sarpy County Sheriff's deputies say the crash happened around 4:30 yesterday afternoon, killing Marsha Erwin. Investigators say Erwin ran a red light while trying to turn left onto a southbound lane at a busy intersection. Her car was then hit by a northbound van. Erwin, who was not wearing a seat belt, was flown to an Omaha hospital, where she died several hours later. Investigators say the 44-year-old driver of the van suffered minor injuries.

BUSTED ON A STOLEN BIKE
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

Lincoln police have arrested a 34-year-old man suspected of riding three bikes away from the same bicycle shop over the past three weeks without paying for them. Police say the man rode out of the Cycle Works store this weekend with a $380 bike. He was caught an hour later with a $300 bike that had been stolen from the store a week earlier.
Sergeant Don Scheinost says the suspect was recognized by a Cycle Works employee as the man who had taken a bike from store without paying on April 24th. The Lincoln man was cited on suspicion of shoplifting and jailed on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant from Douglas County. Only one of the three bikes has been recovered.

NEW OVERPASS
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by City Staff. )

The public is invited to an open house Tuesday, May 20 to discuss the future of the overpass at 17th and Holdrege streets. Citizens can attend the meeting any time from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Police substation on the northwest corner of 27th and Holdrege streets. Parking is available in the lot at the station. The existing bridge at 17th and Holdrege streets is deteriorating, and the replacement or removal of the bridge is recommended. The City has initiated a study to determine the best option for the future of the overpass. Options include removal, replacement or closure, and the City’s study team is seeking public input on the decision. At the open house, the public can learn more about the options and give their opinions.

Andrew Vanek

SEX OFFENDER GOING THROUGH CARS
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

A registered sex offender from Wisconsin is arrested for stealing items from unlocked cars in the Bicentennial Estates Area in north Lincoln. Police Media Relations Officer Katie Flood told KFOR News 28 year old Andrew Vanek, who is listed as a transient, was busted just after 4:30 Monday morning. Flood says Vanek and another man are responsible for at least 9 vehicle larcenies. The search continues for the second suspect. Police Chief Tom Casady told KFOR News Vanek was convicted of 2nd degree assault of a child in Wisconsin.

HOME BURGLARY CASES SOLVED
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner says the price of gold and other precious metals means you should hide your gems! Wagner tells KFOR News they've solved a number of high-dollar burglaries from several homes on West Pioneer Boulevard in early March with the arrests of 22 year old Jose Granado and 20 year old Kiev Hill. They are still looking for 46 year Robert Rice, who Wagner calls a person of interest.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Wagner says even well-respected jewelry stores are offering cash for gold jewelry, plus companies offering to do the same are popping up everywhere. And that means crooks will do what they can do get their hands on items to sale.

FATAL INTERSTATE ACCIDENTS
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

A 47 year old Wisconsin woman was killed and three members of her family were injured in multi-vehicle accidents east of Lincoln near the Greenwood interchange late yesterday afternoon. Dawn Reiter of Wrightstown, Wisconsin was a front seat passenger in a westbound pickup, when the pickup hit the rear of a semi-trailer truck. The driver of the pickup her husband, Steven Reiter of Wrightstown, Wisconsin, was treated and released from a Lincoln hospital. Sixteen year-old April Reiter and 20-year-old Tayler Snyder passengers in the pickup were admitted to Bryan-LGH West in Lincoln with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the semi 48-year-old Thomas Shutt, of Logan, Iowa was not injured in the crash. The accident happened when the semi slowed down for a separate two vehicle accident. Both collisions forced the closure of westbound lanes of Interstate-80 at the Greenwood exit for two hours.

TEEN FOUND DEAD
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

A 15 year old boy is dead, found this morning in a rural Greenwood home. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner told KFOR News the boy's body was discovered in his bed, and a bag was over the teen's head. The home is just south of 176th and Little Salt Road, but Wagner says he has no confirmation that the boy lived there. Nothing at this time indicates foul play.

Nebraskans head to the polls
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Tuesday is primary day in Nebraska, giving you the chance to vote for your favorite candidate in advancing them to the general election in November. Several local races of interest include numerous legislative seats and advancing candidates from both sides on to the general election in November. Voter turn out is expected to be around 27%. Polls will be open until 8 o'clock Tuesday night.

Chambers files complaint over treatment of Sarpy County man
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers has filed a complaint against Sarpy County District Judge Robert Wester, saying the judge is responsible for a cruel and unethical incident at the Lincoln Regional Center. Last Thursday, Wester ruled a man was mentally incompetent to stand trial, so Sarpy County deputies took him to the Center. But hospital officials told the deputies there was no room for the man. A sheriff's lieutenant says the judge told him that the deputies had to leave the man there even if the hospital refused to admit him. Reportedly they left him handcuffed to a chair at the center.

Fire at south Lincoln apartment building
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

A fire did some damage to a south Lincoln apartment building early Tuesday morning. It happened just before 1 o'clock at 3920 South 46th Street. No one was hurt. Damage amounts and the cause are still under investigation.

Police looking into possible burglary at TSC
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Burglar alarms went off at the Tractor Supply near 27th and I-80 early Tuesday and police found some cables cut to where some off road Baja motorcycles were stored. Captain Joe Wright says at least one of those bikes could be missing. They're worth $500 a piece.

Crash on I-80 kills one person
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Two separate crashes in the westbound lanes of I-80 near Greenwood shutdown traffic for a couple hours late Monday afternoon. One person was killed in the 2nd crash and four others were hurt. In the first accident, an Omaha woman lost control of her car and crashed into another woman's car. Both of them are okay.

Bruning goes national with his side of housing cases
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning appeared Monday night on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" to defend his refusal to prosecute housing discrimination cases. Bruning again couched his stance in the nationwide debate over illegal immigration, saying Nebraska taxpayers don't want to see him representing illegal immigrants.

More soldiers coming home from Afghanistan
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

After a year of training police and the national army in Afghanistan, 16 members of the Nebraska Army National Guard are coming home Tuesday. They'll be welcomed home in a private ceremony held at the Lincoln Armory around 12:30 this afternoon.

LPS will see increase in school funding
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

You'll see Lincoln Public Schools get about a $13-million increase in state aid this year, bringing in $64.5-million to the system. That's the second largest increase behind Omaha Public Schools, which saw a funding increase of nearly $21-million.

Man could face lengthy jail time
(Posted 05/13/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

It could be 20 years in jail for an 18-year-old Lincoln man's role in the Scheels gun theft in October. Dominique Barton pled no contest to theft in Lancaster County District Court Monday. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 2nd.

POVERTY IN LINCOLN
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

On a scale of 1 to 10, Center for People in Need Executive Director Beatty Brasch says she would rank poverty in Lincoln as an 8. The Center is out with it's annual update on poverty, and it shows 76% of those surveyed has trouble buying enough food and 26% coped with the lack of food by skipping meals. A little over half were using food stamps, but 31% of those families still couldn't afford to buy food with the assistance. Brasch told KFOR News she is also concerned that 24% of adults surveyed were not covered by health insurance. She says the majority of those surveyed had at least one person in the family working, but they still couldn't afford basic needs. Contact the center at 476-4357 if you would like a copy of the survey results.

FEDERAL BUDGET UPDATE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

The federal government ran a budget surplus of $159.3 billion in April, smaller than a year ago. The Treasury Department reported Monday that the budget surplus for April was 10.4 percent lower than in April 2007. The government traditionally runs a surplus in April, the month that tax returns are due. However, the weak economy has been dampening growth in revenues this year.

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST JUDGE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

A state senator has filed a formal complaint against the Sarpy County judge who decided to leave a man with mental problems handcuffed in the lobby of a state psychiatric hospital. Omaha Senator Ernie Chambers called the incident cruel and unethical and filed his complaint today against Sarpy County District Judge Robert Wester with the state's Judicial Qualifications Commission. Last Thursday, Wester deemed the man mentally incompetent to stand trial, so Sarpy County deputies took him to the Lincoln Regional Center. But hospital officials told the deputies there was no room for the man. A sheriff's lieutenant says the judge told him that the deputies had to leave the man there even if the hospital refused to admit him.

STAMP PRICES UP
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Mailing a letter costs a little more, with the price of a first-class stamp rising to 42 cents today. People who planned ahead and bought Forever stamps for 41 cents each can still use them without extra postage. Forever stamps also are going up to 42 cents. The cost to mail a post card also goes up a penny, to 27 cents. Certified mail costs a nickel more, at $2.70. Priority and express mail also are getting more expensive.

HONORING THOSE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

This is National Police Memorial Week, a time set aside to pay tribute to the men and women of law enforcement and to remember those who've been killed in the line of duty. Thursday is Law Enforcement Memorial Day, and a ceremony honoring fallen officers will be held at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. Here in Lincoln, a ceremony is planned for tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon infront of the City-county law enforcement center. Since 1866, 128 federal, state, county and municipal Nebraska officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Eleven of them were State Troopers.

MAYOR'S EFFORTS TO HELP YOU TRUST CITY GOVERNMENT CONTINUE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Mayor Beutler says his Directors and Aides hold positions of authority and influence in his administration, and they are here because he trust's their judgment. But it's not a black and white situation. So, Beutler has signed an Executive Order that prohibits City Department Directors and Mayoral Aides from contracting with the City. He said the action is part of his effort to make City government more accountable and transparent. The Mayor said, “They are valued members of my team, and they are here because I trust their judgment. Nevertheless, I want to avoid even the appearance of impropriety that naturally arises when a high-ranking City officer contracts with the City.” Beutler thanked members of the Charter Revision Commission for bringing the potential conflict of interest issue to the attention of the community. The Commission asked the City Council to put on the May ballot an amendment that would have prohibited elected officials and Directors from having contracts with the City. Council Member John Spatz proposed an ethics ordinance that did pass. Beutler has signed the legislation, and he thanked Spatz for his efforts. The Mayor said he also continues to support an effort to put the original charter amendment on the November ballot. “I continue to believe that such a ban is, quite simply, good government,” he said. No Department Directors of Mayoral Aides have contracts with the City at this time.

LIED CENTER EXEC STEPPING DOWN
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

The executive and artistic director of the Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Charles Bethea, announced he is retiring from the post he has held since 1997 to pursue other opportunities. "I am pleased that I have had the opportunity to help the Lied Center evolve into a nationally-recognized performing arts center," Bethea said.
"I applaud the way in which Charles has broadened the reach of the Lied Center. His work to bring the arts to so many Nebraskans is a tremendous contribution to the state and its citizens," said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman.
Although Bethea's retirement is effective immediately, he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until mid-September in order to assure a smooth transition of leadership for the center. Day-to-day management will be handled by Associate Executive Director Laura Sweet until an interim director is appointed by the chancellor.

Fire damages south Lincoln duplex
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Two people are okay, after a man rescued his wife from their burning duplex at 2821 "E" Street late Sunday morning. Deputy Fire Chief Pat Borer told KFOR News at the scene the fire started in the kitchen. Food left cooking on the stove is to blame. Damage is at $70,000.

Man arrested for early morning stabbing
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

A 55-year-old man is recovering after being stabbed 10 times at his apartment in the 1700 block of Washington early Sunday morning. Police did catch the suspect, 31-year-old Francis Mesteth, and arrested him for 2nd degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Raising height requirement for weeds
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

City Council members Monday night will hear what you have to say about changing an ordinance dealing with how high weeds get before the city issues you a citation and mows your property. The change would make the requirement go from 6 inches up to a foot.

Chemical threat at Lincoln High
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Part of Lincoln High was evacuated Friday morning after someone threw a glass of formaldehyde in a stairwell. Lincoln Police officer Katie Flood says three or four staff members who came in contact with the chemical were taken to a health facility for a checkup. Police are interviewing students to find out who threw it in the stairwell.

Officers on leave after fatal shooting in Omaha
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Two off-duty Omaha Police officers are on administrative leave, after they shot two men during a fight at a north Omaha convenience store early Sunday morning. Omaha Police say that Officers Randy Szemplenski and Jarvis Duncan were working security at the store, when the fight started. When one of the other men pulled out a gun, the two officers fired. 21-year-old Thomas Goodwin died from his wounds at a hospital, while 29-year-old Michael Moss is still in the hospital. A grand jury will investigate the shooting.

Lawsuit against Union College dropped
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by The Associated Press. )

A judge has thrown out a $3 million lawsuit against Union College. The lawsuit filed by the family of a teen who was photographed nude by an employee says the college was negligent in supervising Travis Lane. Lane worked as a swim instructor and janitor from 2001 to 2005. He was fired after photos he had taken of the teen streaking surfaced.

Drawings on display at UNL
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by The Associated Press. )

A collection of editorial cartoons and other drawings by Nebraskan Paul Fell goes on display this month at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The donation to University Archives and Special Collections joins collections of graphic novels, cartoons, comics and papers created by UNL or Nebraska artists.

One more chance to sign up to vote
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

You have ONLY Monday to get registered to vote in Tuesday's primary election. The Lancaster County Election Commissioner's Office will be open from 7-5 at 601 North 46th Street, just north of 46th and "R" Street.