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DEVELOPING: BC-BKC–AP BIG 12 COACH
NEWSMAKER-LAKERS
OMAHA—Mark Lakers says he wants to be Nebraska’s governor. Problem is, few people have heard of the guy. Not a real point of advantage when it comes to politics. By Margery A. Beck.
AP photos planned.
SCOUT LEADER
COLUMBUS—Cliff Lambrecht regularly laces up his boots and gathers his camping gear for treks into nature. The people he camps with are usually young enough to be his grandchildren, but that doesn’t stop the 72-year-old Columbus man. By Julie Blum of the Columbus Telegram. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature.
LESSONS IN AMERICA
SIDNEY—Americans have a tendency to talk too fast. We also have accents. Further complicating our language is our use of contractions to shorten words, which allows us to talk even faster. Any linguist will tell you that English is one of the hardest languages to learn, but 22-year-old Brazilian college student Rafael Zanini is a fast learner. By Klark Byrd of the Sidney Sun-Telegraph. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature. Moved in advance for weekend use.
EXCITING CALLING
COLUMBUS—The excitement Father Joe Miksch has encountered in his travels doesn’t compare to his day-to-day duties as a priest. He has faced the perils of nature, including facing a bear and a moose. He has scaled the Swiss Alps. As a licensed pilot, he has flown the blue and not-so-blue skies. By Julie Blum of the Columbus Telegram. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature. Moved in advance for weekend use.
MIRACLE BLAST
BEATRICE—When Rowena Vandegrift thinks about the West Side Baptist Church explosion that took place 60 years ago today, she doesn’t think about the horror of that evening. Instead, she remembers the wonderful feeling she had upon learning that no one was injured. By Luke Nichols of the Beatrice Daily Sun. Eds: A Nebraskaland Feature. Moved in advance for weekend use.
SPORTS:
BC-BKC–AP BIG 12 COACH
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Associated Press announces its Big 12 coach of the year. By Doug Tucker.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— CHEAP POWER—A new government report shows electricity remains relatively cheap in the Great Plains. Eds: Also moving on business lines.
— HEALTH ALLIANCE—Two Nebraska health systems have joined forces to reduce patient costs and improve health care.
— OMAHA KILLINGS—Three people have been killed and another injured in back-to-back shootings in Omaha.
— SPRUCING NEIGHBORHOODS—Seven Nebraska towns have received a total of more than $1.3 million in federal grants to help clean up neighborhoods and improve homes that can be sold to low and middle-income residents.
— FIRE RESCUE-AWARD—An officer with the Douglas County Department of Corrections has been named the organization’s officer of the year for his efforts to save several children from a burning house.
— PRODUCE PLANNING TOOL—A Nebraska expert in agricultural economics has developed a tool for calculating the costs of marketing individual crops at farmer’s markets and roadside stands.
The AP, Omaha.
