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DEVELOPING: NEB LAYOFF LAWSUIT, FORD CARRIER, FIREFIGHTER FAMILY
NEB LAYOFF LAWSUIT
LINCOLN—A Nebraska meatpacking company that has furloughed hundreds of its employees for months has been sued and accused of violating federal law aimed at protecting workers during mass layoffs. Three former employees sued Premium Protein Products this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
FORD CARRIER
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.—A keel-laying ceremony has been held for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at the Virginia shipyard where the $7 billion nuclear-powered ship is being assembled. The ship’s sponsor is the 38th president’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales. She delivered remarks Saturday at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s Newport News shipyard. Her initials were chalked onto a metal plate and welded into the massive keel. Eds: Note Nebraska interest.
FIREFIGHTER FAMILY
MEAD—You might say Don Coyle launched a tradition when he joined the Mead Volunteer Fire Department in 1948. Now, four generations of his family have served the fire department, including a grandson who is its fire chief. Family members say they enjoy helping others—even if it means braving harsh winter weather to assist stranded travelers. A Nebraskaland Feature by Tammy Real-McKeighan of the Fremont Tribune.
EAGLE FAMILY
COLUMBUS—Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boys Scouts of America requires perseverance and commitment that only about 4 percent of all Scouts accomplish nationwide. For any family to have more than one son attain the rank is rare indeed. Eric Chochon, son of Rick and Tracie Chochon, a senior at Lakeview High School, is the couple’s fifth son to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. In addition to his four brothers, Eric’s father, Rick also earned his Eagle Scout in the class of 1981. A Nebraskaland Feature by Eric Freeman of the Columbus Telegram.
STILL MISSING
LINCOLN—It’s open mike night at Meadowlark Coffee. There’s a signup sheet by the cash register, where the baristas are busy with double espressos and hot tea. Two women walk in. Sisters, slim with narrow faces and long hair. One sister—Jannel Rap—carries a shopping bag stuffed with sheet music. The other—Tammy Smith—carries a guitar. Jannel spreads fliers on an empty table, like stacks of circulars for garage sales or housecleaning services. MISSING PERSON: Regina Marie Bos. Regina Bos, their middle sister. Their missing sister. A Nebraskaland Feature by Cindy Lange-Kubick of the Lincoln Journal Star.
GOOD NEIGHBORS
HOOPER—Nolan VonSeggern found a bountiful supply of good will from neighbors who harvested his soybeans recently. About 30 farmers brought combines and trucks to harvest 180 acres of soybeans at three farms. Area residents decided more than month ago they wanted to help VonSeggern, a Hooper farmer who has cancer. Rainy weather kept them from the fields for weeks, but clear skies and higher temperatures recently finally gave them the window of time they needed. A Nebraskaland Feature by Tammy Real-McKeighan of the Fremont Tribune.
SPORTS:
FBC–NEBRASKA-KANSAS
LAWRENCE, Kan.—Nebraska tries to keep pace with Kansas State in the Big 12 North against Kansas, which is reeling after its first four-game losing streak in three years. By John Marshall. Eds: Developing from 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
AP Photos.
ALSO:
BKC–S.C.-UPSTATE-NEBRASKA—Lede developing from 7 p.m. tipoff.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— DIGITAL YEARBOOK—Madison High School doesn’t have enough money in the budget to produce a yearbook, so students are going to make DVD memory books.
— SAUNDERS COUNTY FATAL—A head-on collision in eastern Nebraska has left one woman dead and another injured.
— CROP RESOURCE—The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension says its expanded Web site for CropWatch makes it easier for farmers to find crop information.
— STAR GAZING—Star gazers will have only one more chance this year to watch the heavens at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Behlen Observatory near Mead.
— MUZZLELOADER WORKSHOP—A muzzleloader deer-hunting workshop will be held near Gretna leading up to the December muzzleloading season.
— DEER EXCHANGE—Nebraska deer hunters who would like to share some of the venison they collect this season are encouraged to register with the Deer Exchange.
— SPACE PICTURES—Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum will take visitors on a journey to the center of the galaxy when it unveils two new mural-sized images of the Milky Way’s core.
The AP, Omaha.
