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ADDS: WALLOWA-UNION RAILROAD
TAX DAY PROTESTS-NEBRASKA
NORTH PLATTE—”Give Me Liberty, Not Debt” was only one of the cries from tax protesters who marched around the Lincoln County courthouse in North Platte. A reporter-estimated crowd of about 50 made its opinions clear Wednesday: Taxes are too high.
STIMULUS-HAZARDOUS
NEW BEDFORD, Mass.—For decades, the New Bedford Harbor was a dumping ground for industrial metals and other contaminants. But now that harbor and 49 other polluted and hazardous waste sites are a step closer to a major cleanup. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson on Wednesday singled out 50 sites, in 28 states, that will share $582 million in newly approved federal stimulus money to continue cleanup operations. By Hilary Russ. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
AP Photos AP Photos.WX102, WX101, WX103.
With:
— BC-HAZARDOUS WASTE-GLANCE
XGR–DEATH PENALTY
LINCOLN—A proposal to change Nebraska’s method of execution to lethal injection that has stalled for a month is expected to emerge from a legislative committee soon, ending speculation it may not be voted on at all this year. A state senator considered the main swing vote in the committee where the lethal-injection bill has been stuck told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he will likely vote to advance the bill to the full Legislature for debate. That could happen this week. By Nate Jenkins.
MISSING NEBRASKA FAMILY
OMAHA—South Dakota authorities are expected to issue arrest warrants soon for a northeast Nebraska couple who fled with their children out of fear they’d lose custody. Lt. Marty Graves of the Pennington County, S.D., sheriff’s department said Wednesday that paperwork has been submitted to charge Matthew and Rowena Schade in the theft of a truck from the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department. They’re in Nebraska custody. By Timberly Ross.
HYPERION HEARING
ELK POINT, S.D.—An executive proposing a $10 billion oil refinery for southeastern South Dakota says the project continues to move forward despite an economic downturn that has zapped crude oil prices and tightened credit markets. The refinery would process 400,000 barrels of Canadian tar sands crude oil into low-sulphur gasoline and diesel. It would be the first new refinery built in the U.S. since 1976. By Energy Writer Dirk Lammers. Eds: Note Nebraska interest.
AP Photo SDDL101.
BUSINESS:
WALLOWA-UNION RAILROAD
LA GRANDE, Ore.—The Wallowa-Union Railroad has gotten a little new business as a result of the recession. The Oregon railroad has signed a deal with Union Pacific Railroad to store surplus rail cars idled by the economic downturn. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
CLAYTON HOMES-PROTECTION PLAN
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Clayton Homes has announced it will aid its buyers with three months’ payment if homeowners lose their jobs. The Payment Protection Program will include homeowners’ mortgage, insurance and property taxes. The company is a subsidiary of Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway. By Juanita Cousins.
ALSO:
— DAIRY PLANT CLOSING—A Texas-based company closing its Meadow Gold dairy plant in Lincoln now says about 100 people will lose their jobs.
— CALL CENTER CLOSING—Qwest Communications announced Wednesday it will close its customer service call center in Omaha, which employs 176 people.
SPORTS:
NCAA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
LINCOLN—Georgia is going for its fifth straight NCAA women’s gymnastics championship and record 10th overall, and longtime Gym Dogs coach Suzanne Yoculan will retire after the meet. Talk about pressure. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
AP Photos NENH103-107
ALSO:
— NEBRASKA TRAINER—Nebraska coach Bo Pelini says fans at Saturday’s spring game will get a look at three quarterbacks who’ve all had solid performances on the practice field in recent weeks.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— HOLOCAUST COMMEMORATION—Holocaust victims and liberators will be honored and survivors celebrated during a ceremony set for Sunday at the state Capitol in Lincoln.
— AGENCY ACCUSED—The state has lifted probation for an Omaha business contracted to care for autistic people.
The AP, Omaha.
