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DEVELOPING: ALCOHOLISM-MENTAL ILLNESS, BKC–MD.-EASTERN SHORE-NEBRASKA
MISSING CARS
OMAHA—Federal prosecutors in Nebraska will not file charges against two car dealership executives accused of stealing more than 80 vehicles off their own lot in the town of Scottsbluff, an official said Saturday. Jan Sharp of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Omaha said his office has notified Scotts Bluff County authorities about the decision. He said federal prosecutors have offered to help the state in prosecuting its case against the two executives. By Timberly Ross. Eds: Moving on general news and financial services.
ALCOHOLISM-MENTAL ILLNESS
OMAHA—The Nebraska Supreme Court has been asked to decide if alcoholism can be considered a mental illness in determining whether to commit sex offenders. The case involves a man found last year by the state’s mental health board in Omaha to be a dangerous sex offender in need of inpatient treatment. The board’s decision to commit the man was based largely on a psychiatrist’s finding that the offender suffered from alcohol dependence. By Margery A. Beck.
OVERCOMING ADDICTION
HASTINGS—To receive her associate’s degree in human services earlier this month from Central Community College-Hastings, Sarah Fluhart of Hastings overcame a drug addiction, a disability and the stress of returning to school as a nontraditional student. Fluhart, 32, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when she was 25, has been working for two years as a member of the technical support staff at the Bridge, a long-term residential care site for women. By Tony Herrman of the Hastings Tribune. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature.
IMMIGRATION EXPERT
LINCOLN—Jerry Heinauer is a tall, trim man with long legs. You can picture him, as part of the Border Patrol for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the 1970s, stretching out those legs and catching up with illegal immigrants threading their way through the sagebrush that separates Mexico and Yuma, Ariz. By Art Hovey of the Lincoln Journal Star. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature. Previously moved in advance for weekend use.
FRED: THE MOVIE
COLUMBUS—After beginning his career on YouTube and making guest appearances on television, local teen Lucas Cruikshank is starring in his own feature film: “Fred: The Movie.” The 16-year-old Cruikshank returned to his Columbus home recently after filming wrapped up in Los Angeles Dec. 20 following a two-month shoot. By Adrian Sanchez of the Columbus Telegram. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature. Previously moved in advance for weekend use.
SNOWSTORM MINISTRY
MORSE BLUFF—Jerrine and Nadine Racek were startled when they saw a tall man in black on their front porch. After all, it was Christmas Day and they were snowed in. By Tammy Real-McKeighan of the Fremont Tribune. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature. Previously moved in advance for weekend use.
SPORTS:
BKC–MD.-EASTERN SHORE-NEBRASKA
LINCOLN—The Nebraska men’s basketball team hosts Maryland-Eastern Shore. Eds: Game time is 4 p.m.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— RIOS TRIAL—The trial of Thelma Rios on charges tied to a 1975 killing has been delayed until July 6 in state court in Rapid City.
— COLD WEATHER—Nebraskans are urged to take precautions against hypothermia as the temperatures drop and winds pick up.
— WOMEN OF WISDOM—An initiative based at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is looking for a few good women worthy of honors.
— UNL LECTURE SERIES—A free lecture series at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will offer opportunities to hear top speakers address regional and global water and environmental concerns.
— FLOOD INSURANCE RATING—City officials say an upgrade in Lincoln’s rating will save property owners more money on their flood insurance.
— WILDLIFE FILMS—Wildlife films are the weekend entertainment at the visitors center at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.
The AP, Omaha.
