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DEVELOPING: BERKSHIRE INVESTMENTS,
ADDS: SUPCO–ANONYMOUS CEMETERY, CRASH ARREST, AIR FORCE CYBERCOMMAND, KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-INDICTMENT, SUPCO–VIATICALS LAWSUIT, FARM CREDIT
SUPCO–ANONYMOUS CEMETERY
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court has ordered the state to release the names of 957 people buried in a former psychiatric hospital cemetery in Hastings. The bodies were buried in unmarked graves in the Hastings Regional Center’s cemetery between 1889 and 1957. By Anna Jo Bratton.
CRASH ARREST
OMAHA—A 27-year-old Omaha man has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a collision that fatally injured a 4-year-old Omaha girl this week. Eleazar Rangel-Ochoa appeared in Douglas County Court on Friday to enter his plea on charges of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide and felony driving under suspension. His bail has been set at $1 million.
AIR FORCE CYBERCOMMAND
OMAHA—A Texas base has landed the headquarters of the Air Force’s new cyberspace unit—another blow to local hopes for Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha. The Pentagon announced Friday that the headquarters of the new 24th Air Force would go to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, pending a final environmental review. By Nelson Lampe.
KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-INDICTMENT
DES MOINES, Iowa—Former Iowa kosher slaughterhouse vice president Sholom Rubashkin has been named in a new 142-count indictment that adds 70 new charges. The superseding indictment filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids replaces a previously filed 79-count indictment. The new filing adds 70 counts of harboring and aiding and abetting the harboring of undocumented aliens for profit. It dismisses seven counts of aiding and abetting identity theft and consolidates many previously filed charges against Agriprocessors Inc., Rubashkin and three other former managers at the plant, Brent Beebe, Hosam Amara and Zeev Levi. By Michael J. Crumb. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Moved on state news and financial lines.
BUSINESS:
BERKSHIRE INVESTMENTS
OMAHA—Berkshire Hathaway is expected to file a quarterly update on its U.S. stock holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday afternoon. The documents may reveal what Warren Buffett’s company has been buying and selling during the first three months of 2009. By Business Writer Josh Funk. Eds: Developing from documents expected to be filed around 4 p.m. CDT.
SUPCO–VIATICALS LAWSUIT
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled against a group of Nebraskans seeking to force a state association to cover nearly $1 million in losses it suffered in a life insurance deal. Members of the group had argued they were entitled to recoup their losses from the Nebraska Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. The association is designed to protect residents who own life or health insurance policies or annuity contracts with companies that become insolvent. By Margery A. Gibbs.
FARM CREDIT
WICHITA, Kan.—Agricultural credit conditions tightened in the Midwest during the first quarter of this year, The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said Friday. The Federal Reserve reported that its quarterly survey found that the percentage of lenders raising collateral requirements reached another record high in the 10th Federal Reserve District. The rate of loan repayments also fell for the second straight quarter. By Roxana Hegeman. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Moved on state news and financial lines.
ALSO:
— FARMLAND VALUES—The Federal Reserve says farmland values appeared to stabilize in the first quarter as demand for good land remained solid. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— BILLINGS-CABELA’S – Montana’s first Cabela’s store is open in Billings. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— SWINE FLU-NEBRASKA—The state’s health lab has confirmed six new cases of swine flu in Nebraska.
— COACH SENTENCED—A former Lincoln soccer coach accused of blindfolding and tying up boys for his sexual gratification has been sentenced to 8-to-24 years in prison.
— WORKERS INJURED—One of two men injured in a fall at the Nebraska Air National Guard headquarters in Lincoln continues to suffer from critical injuries.
— SYRACUSE STANDOFF—A 29-year-old Syracuse man whose nearly five-hour standoff with police last year ended peacefully has been sent to prison.
— CAPITOL FALCONS—More than laws are being produced at the Nebraska State Capitol.
— OFFICERS’ TRIBUTE—Gov. Dave Heineman is asking Nebraskans to fly their U.S. and Nebraska flags at half-staff in observance of Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.
— MINATARE WATER SYSTEM—USDA Rural Development has awarded more than $3.8 million to Minatare to bring upgrades to the western Nebraska town’s municipal water system.
— SHOPPER SCAM—State banking officials are warning people about a “mystery shopping” scam.
The AP, Omaha.
