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NELSON-ANNOUNCING GOODIES
OMAHA—U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson has been taking full advantage of his opportunity to announce Nebraska projects derived from the federal economic stimulus package—which could be a boon or a bane to the Democrat’s political future, observers say. Nelson voted for the $787 billion stimulus package, and in recent days his press office has been churning out news releases at rapid pace to get word out about stimulus money being funneled Nebraska’s way. By Eric Olson.
AP Photo AH101.
WATER STUDY
YANKTON, S.D.—The Army Corps of Engineers is studying whether its dredging operations are affecting water quality for water users on the Missouri River. Since the late 2006, the corps has been building sandbars in the Missouri National Recreational River between Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown and Ponca State Park in Nebraska. The sandbars serve as habitat for the least tern and piping plover, two endangered bird species.
ENVIRONMENTAL ART
CEDAR BLUFFS—You’ve heard of the Birdman of Alcatraz. But have you heard of the Recycling Lady of Saunders County? Her name is Nancy Meyer and she lives in Cedar Bluffs. Originally from Indiana, she came to Nebraska in 2000. By Tammy Real-McKeighan of the Fremont Tribune. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature.
MISTAKEN FOR ILLEGAL I
UNDATED—Pedro Guzman has been an American citizen all his life. Yet in 2007, the 31-year-old Los Angeles native—in jail for a misdemeanor, mentally ill and never able to read or write—signed a waiver agreeing to leave the country without a hearing and was deported to Mexico as an illegal immigrant. For almost three months, Guzman slept in the streets, bathed in filthy rivers and ate out of trash cans while his mother scoured the city of Tijuana, its hospitals and morgues, clutching his photo in her hand. He was finally found trying to cross the border at Calexico, 100 miles away. By Suzanne Gamboa. Eds: NOTE Nebraska mention. With APTN. AP Video. Also moved in advance. Also moving on national lines. Second part in the series will move on national lines.
AP Photos NY557, NY558, NY559, NY560, NY561, NY562, NY563, NY564.
SPORTS:
FBC–WYOMING-STOVER
LARAMIE, Wyo.—There had to be a better way to impress a new coaching staff. Although he wasn’t at fault, University of Wyoming sophomore defensive lineman Alex Stover had to deal with a pulled hamstring during the Cowboys’ offseason “winning edge” program, and then caught the flu early in the current spring practice sessions. By Bob Hammond of the Laramie Boomerang. Eds: An AP Member Exchange. Note Nebraska mentions.
ALSO:
— SWM–HOELZER’S SECRET—Olympic swimmer Margaret Hoelzer will talk about her childhood abuse during an event next week in Lincoln. Eds: Also moving on general news lines.
— BBO–YANKEES-ROYALS—John Buck homered and drove in three runs, helping the Kansas City Royals rally past the New York Yankees 6-4 on a rainy Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. AP Photos MOOW102, MOOW106, MOOW101. Eds: Note Nebraska mention, interest. Version also moving on national lines.
— HUNTING SAFETY—Nebraska Game and Parks officials are reminding turkey hunters to be careful and safe when shotgun season opens on Saturday. Eds: Also moving on general news lines.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— DOWNTOWN DOLLARS—The state Department of Economic Development has awarded a total of $1.25 million to Cozad, Gothenburg, Nebraska City, Sidney and Wayne to help revitalize their downtowns.
— PEOPLE-PHIL KEOGHAN—”The Amazing Race” host Phil Keoghan plans to make five stops in Nebraska during his bicycling adventure across the United States.
— GRAND JURY-DEATH—A Kimball County grand jury will investigate the death of a Kansas man who died following a traffic stop near Kimball.
— DISEASED ELK—The Nebraska state veterinarian says a herd of captive elk and fallow deer in Knox County has tested positive for tuberculosis.
— UNO-FINANCIAL AID—An alumnus has donated $1 million to the University of Nebraska Foundation to create scholarships for students with financial need.
— NORTH PLATTE FIRE—Four people were taken to the hospital after a fire at a North Platte apartment building.
— STUDENT PROTEST—New School University president Bob Kerrey has told the New York Post that the occupation of a campus building by a band of activists was “illegal” and “not a legitimate protest.”
— SPACE THREATS—A member of the Apollo 9 flight is scheduled to lead a discussion at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about protecting the Earth from asteroids.
— TEACHER AWARD—A fifth-grade teacher from Omaha has been named Nebraska’s Milken national educator for 2008.
The AP, Omaha.
