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DEVELOPING: CSI-BLOOD EVIDENCE, SAFE-HAVEN RESPONSE
ADDS: HOSPICE LAWSUIT, T25-ARKANSAS ST-NEBRASKA
CSI-BLOOD EVIDENCE
OMAHA—Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning says his chief crime-scene investigator has endured an “absolute nightmare” as he continues to fend off evidence-tampering accusations stemming for a 2006 double-murder investigation. But Dunning is counting his losses, too, including blows dealt to his office’s reputation, staff morale and budget. By Jean Ortiz.
AP Photos
HOSPICE LAWSUIT
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld a $12,500 award for the family of a woman believed to have suffered excruciating pain for days as she lay dying in an Omaha hospice. Frances Tolliver’s daughters had been awarded the money in 2008 as compensation for her pain and suffering. They appealed the Douglas County district judge’s decision, saying the jury was allowed to decide only whether the hospice-care providers were negligent and not whether they had misrepresented their services. By Timberly Ross.
SAFE-HAVEN RESPONSE
LINCOLN—A committee of Nebraska lawmakers has been told that reforms to Nebraska’s child-welfare system will take several years to complete. Several people testified Friday that progress has been made over the past decade. By Josh Funk.
BUSINESS:
— NETJETS-LAYOFFS—Private air charter service NetJets Inc. says it will lay off 5 percent of its employees in an effort to save expenses. Eds: Note Nebraska mention. Moved on state and national news and financial lines.
— CROP REPORT-NEBRASKA—A new federal forecast says the Nebraska corn crop will be even bigger than the already expected record. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— CLOSING CHEAPLY—The cost of getting a mortgage in Nebraska is cheaper than the national average. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
T25-ARKANSAS ST-NEBRASKA
LINCOLN—Judging by Arkansas State’s recent history against the Big 12, it would be foolish for 22nd-ranked Nebraska to look at Saturday’s game against the Red Wolves as a tuneup for next week’s visit to Virginia Tech. Remember last year, when 20-point-underdog ASU shocked Texas A&M 18-14? By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— COUNTERFEITING CASE—A Nebraska man has pleaded guilty to federal counterfeiting charges accusing him of trying to post bond using fake $100 bills after an arrest in Spink County.
— CONFERENCE MONEY—The former treasurer of a leadership group has been given two years of probation for stealing from it.
— OMAHA BUDGET—Omaha residents will likely see property taxes increase next year, following Mayor Jim Suttle’s veto of two budget items.
— CORNFIELD PURSUIT—A Delaware man who abandoned his car in a cornfield while trying to elude troopers has been given eight months in a Nebraska jail.
— LEGISLATIVE VACANCY—Gov. Dave Heineman has named a pilot and former Air Force lieutenant colonel to fill the Nebraska’s Legislature’s vacant District 10 seat representing northwest Omaha.
— ACLU-HOUSING INSPECTION—A Nebraska civil liberties group is warning the city of La Vista not to overstep its authority in ensuring the safety of rental properties.
— TRACTOR INCENTIVES—The Nebraska Farmers Union has launched a petition drive asking the federal government to use stimulus dollars to encourage companies to build low-power combines no longer sold in the U.S.
— FLUORIDE VOTES-NORFOLK—In May, Norfolk voters will decide whether to add fluoride to the city’s water system.
— YOUTH FISHING DAY—The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says a special fishing day has been arranged for young people. Eds: Moved on news and sports lines.
— HOMESTEAD QUARTER—A depiction of Homestead National Monument near Beatrice will grace a commemorative quarter that will be issued in 2015.
The AP, Omaha.
