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XGR–EXONERATED INMATES
OMAHA—Relatives of a murder victim aren’t convinced that the six people convicted but cleared of the 1985 crime are innocent, and they say it would be a great injustice for the state to pay the former inmates. Helen Wilson, 68, was raped and murdered in her Beatrice home. Although five of the suspects pleaded guilty in her death, investigators now say DNA evidence proves none of the six was at the scene. By Anna Jo Bratton.
With:
XGR–BOOSTER SHOTS—Nebraska kids might have to get another round of booster shots before entering the 7th grade.
XGR–CLOSING TIME—Closing time at Nebraska bars could be pushed back an hour to 2 a.m.
BEATRICE PROBLEMS
LINCOLN—A death last month at the Beatrice center for the developmentally disabled may have involved medical negligence and has led Nebraska’s chief medical officer to order all “medically fragile” residents removed from the troubled center. By Nate Jenkins. Eds: Contains news and updated information from version that moved for Monday PMs.
BUSINESS:
RECALL DISPUTE
OMAHA—Nebraska Beef Ltd. is suing a Colorado company to settle a dispute over the liability for beef that was recalled last summer and the cost of the cattle involved. The Omaha-based processor recalled nearly 7 million pounds of beef in two separate recalls after its products were linked to at least 76 cases of E. coli illnesses. By Business Writer Josh Funk. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
CHURCH CONTAMINATION
OMAHA—A Nebraska meat processor’s claim that a Minnesota church should be held responsible for tainted meatballs served at a smorgasbord has been settled, and two famad ;ilies will receive payment. Carolyn Hawkinson died and Ellie Wheeler became seriously ill after eating beef meatballs contaminated with E. coli bacteria at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville, Minn., in July 2006. At least 15 other people also became ill. By Josh Funk. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-TRIAL
DES MOINES, Iowa—The former manager of a kosher slaughterhouse wants a federal judge to dismiss nearly 100 counts against him, and if not, to allow him to be tried separately on some of the charges. In motions filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Sholom Rubashkin asked the court to dismiss the 97 charges against him, arguing that the grand jury that returned an indictment was biased. By Amy Lorentzen. Eds: Note Nebraska interest. Moving on state and national news and financial lines.
ALSO:
— CHIEF INDUSTRIES-LAYOFFS—Chief Industries has laid off 34 workers at its Kearney plant.
— BERKSHIRE-RAILROADS—Billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s company has bought an additional 2.3 million shares of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. stock, increasing its stake to more than 76 million shares.
— GI AIR SERVICE—The first flight out of Grand Island carried only one passenger, but airport officials expect the public will soon catch on that the flights have resumed. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
BKC–BIG 12 COACHES
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Given up for dead two weeks ago when they were 0-3 in Big 12 play, Kansas State has come alive with a vengeance. One reason for their supposed demise was the absence of last season’s player of the year, Michael Beasley. But in a jaw-dropping upset of No. 11 Texas on Saturday, Denis Clemente scored 44 points and tied Beasley’s Big 12 scoring record. By Sports Writer Doug Tucker. Eds: Note Nebraska interest.
ALSO:
— BRACKETBUSTER-MATCHUPS—No. 11 Butler will visit national scoring leader Stephen Curry and Davidson later this month in ESPN’s Bracketbuster series of games between prominent teams from mid-major conferences.
— PAT KNIGHT-REPRIMAND—The Big 12 publicly reprimanded Texas Tech coach Pat Knight, two days after he was ejected for twice running onto the court to argue about a foul called on one of his players.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— DENTIST ARRESTED—A York dentist has been sentenced to three years’ probation in a prescription drug case.
— CHADRON CRASH—One person was killed and three others were hurt in a two-vehicle crash in Dawes County.
— ONLINE ASSAULT—Four more teens have told authorities they were victimized by a Bellevue man accused of sexually assaulting women and girls he met online.
— BOIL ORDER—The Environmental Protection Agency has recommended lifting the boil order for the rest of the homes in and around the Omaha Indian reservation town of Macy in northeast Nebraska.
— SUSPICIOUS POWDER—Four workers were evacuated from the State Office Building after an envelope containing a white, powdery substance was found.
— GROUNDHOG DAY—Omaha’s Groundhog Day prognosticator says there will be six more weeks of winter—and one could argue his prediction has more teeth that Punxsutawney Phil’s.
— HIRING FREEZE—City officials in North Platte have implemented a hiring freeze, saying the struggling economy means the city must control spending of tax dollars.
— MARIJUANA BUST—The Nebraska State Patrol says three separate stops this weekend in Hamilton County netted some 75 pounds of marijuana.
— BOY KILLED—A 12-year-old boy is dead following a crash in which his 14-year-old brother was driving.
The AP, Omaha.
