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DEVELOPING: SMALL-TOWN TURMOIL, NEBRASKA-BANK STANDOFF
ADDS: OVERTIME LAWSUIT, BKW–BIG BAD BIG 12, BKC–FOREIGN-BORN BIGS,
SMALL-TOWN TURMOIL
OMAHA—Years of bickering in the tiny north-central Nebraska town of Long Pine has erupted into a free-for-all that dismantled the town’s fire department and has seen the doors of City Hall locked to the public. The strife in the town of about 300 came to a head when the City Council voted Monday to dismiss 15 members of the volunteer fire department. The council presented a list of grievances against the volunteers. Among them were accusations that they held illegal meetings, had alcohol on city property and were not in compliance with workers’ compensation and liability insurance requirements. By Margery A. Beck.
NEBRASKA-BANK STANDOFF
KEARNEY—Prosecutors filed seven felony counts against a Minden man suspected of holding hostages at gunpoint in a Kearney bank. Jonathon Buckley was set to appear Friday afternoon in Buffalo County Court.
OVERTIME LAWSUIT
OMAHA—A trial over whether the Nebraska treasurer’s office improperly retaliated against an employee who refused to create a computer program to prohibit employees from filing for overtime will be delayed at least six months. The delay is required because state officials are appealing an order that cleared the way for trial in Robert Harrison’s lawsuit against his former bosses, including Treasurer Shane Osborn. By Josh Funk.
BUSINESS:
— WEST CORP LAYOFFS—West Corp. says it will lay off more than 190 workers by March 31.
— NPPD WIND—The Nebraska Public Power District has agreed to a 20-year contract to buy power from a new wind farm in northeast Nebraska. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— ONLINE UNEMPLOYMENT—Nebraskans who are receiving unemployment benefits can now apply for extended benefits online. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
BKW–BIG BAD BIG 12
LINCOLN—When it comes to strength in numbers, no league can match the Big 12 in women’s basketball this season. Seven Big 12 teams are ranked in the Top 25 for the third straight week, with six in the top 15 in the latest poll. By Sports Writer Eric Olson.
AP Photos KSOW106, KSOW105, TXLUB105.
BKC–FOREIGN-BORN BIGS
LINCOLN—The realities of recruiting for a men’s basketball program like Nebraska roll off coach Doc Sadler’s tongue. “You have to have good big guys in this league. There aren’t that many over here. To get a good one is difficult,” he said. “That’s the reason I went over there.” By Sports Writer Eric Olson. Eds: Moved in advance for weekend use. Retransmitted for all needing.
AP Photos NY157, NY158.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— FUNERAL PROTEST-LAWSUIT—Attorneys for the state are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Kansas woman facing criminal charges in state court for allegedly desecrating an American flag.
— FUGITIVE SEIZED—Chadron police have arrested an Illinois man on an arrest warrant from that state and nabbed two Nebraska women in the process.
— INFANT ABUSE-OMAHA—A young Omaha woman remains in custody, accused of beating her 15-month-old son.
— 911 SURCHARGE-TRACFONE—The Nebraska Supreme Court is backing the state’s Public Service Commission in a legal fight waged by a prepaid-wireless carrier over 911 fees.
— DAWSON MAN CONVICTED—A 22-year-old Dawson man has been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault involving a 13-year-old girl.
— WEST NILE-NEBRASKA—Officials say York County had six reported cases of West Nile virus last year, the most of any county in the state.
— BOND ISSUE-MCCOOL JUNCTION—McCool Junction school district voters will decide in May whether to raise taxes to double the size of the school cafeteria and add two locker rooms.
— NORTH PLATTE FALL—Autopsy results aren’t expected for at least another week on the body of a 49-year-old North Platte woman who died after a reported fall.
— ILL SENATOR—A Nebraska state senator from Omaha is no longer in intensive care but remains hospitalized.
— CRAWFORD CHIEF—The city of Crawford has lost another police chief.
— XGR–NEB LATINO COMMISSION—A bill that changes the name of Nebraska’s Commission on Mexican-Americans for the first time in its nearly 40-year history has been signed into law.
— AERIAL RESEARCH—University of Nebraska-Lincoln scientists are taking to the sky to conduct research and say the effort has exceeded expectations.
The AP, Omaha.
