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Radio, TV Personality ‘Kidd’ Kraddick Dead at 53

kidd-kraddick(AP) — A publicist who worked with nationally syndicated radio and TV personality David “Kidd” Kraddick says Kraddick has died at a charity golf event in greater New Orleans. He was 53.

Ladd Biro of the public relations firm Champion Management told The Associated Press that Kraddick died Saturday at a tournament organized to raise money for his Kidd’s Kids charity.

“He died doing what he loved,” Biro says.

No cause of death was immediately given.

Biro says the “Kidd Kraddick in the Morning” show is syndicated by YEA Networks and heard on more than 75 radio stations. The show’s cast is seen weeknights on nationally syndicated TV show “Dish Nation.”

YeaNetworks said in a statement that the show’s crew is “heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader.”

Lawmakers to Revive Gay Marriage Debate in Nebraska

ne-legislature-13(AP) — Nebraska lawmakers will take up gay marriage this fall, with a hearing that could lead to a ballot measure.

The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will convene Oct. 4 to review Nebraska’s constitutional amendment, which defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman and forbids civil unions.

The committee chairman, Sen. Brad Ashford, wants a public debate on the issue after last month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The ruling allowed married same-sex couples to qualify for federal benefits but had no impact on Nebraska’s amendment.

Ashford doubts voters would approve same-sex marriage but thinks they might accept civil unions.

Omaha resident Erin Anderson, who married her longtime partner in Iowa, isn’t sure but says, “We need to start somewhere.”

Family Camp Scheduled at Fort Kearny

Nebraska_game_and_parks(AP) — Fishing, kayaking, shooting and cooking will be among the skills taught during a weekend of family camping fun.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says the Becoming an Outdoors-Family camp will be held Aug. 9-11 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area near Kearney.

For more information or to register, contact Christy Christiansen at 402-471-5547 or christy.christiansen@nebraska.gov.

Research Suggests All Soda Erodes Tooth Enamel

coca-cola(AP) — A University of Nebraska dental professor is encouraging Nebraskans to limit how much soda they drink because it erodes the enamel on teeth.

Kim McFarland says it doesn’t matter whether the soda is diet or regular because all of it damages tooth enamel.

When the enamel is damaged, teeth can become sensitive and cavities might develop.

McFarland says enamel erosion is a common problem now because people drink so much soda.

McFarland says it’s best for teeth not to drink soda at all. But for people who do drink soda, it’s better to drink it only at meals and to brush afterward.

Youth Pastor, Pregnant Wife Killed in Indiana Bus Crash

fatal-accident(AP) — An Indianapolis church leader says the youth pastor and his pregnant wife are among the three people who died in Saturday’s bus crash.

Deacon Jeff Leffew said at a news conference outside of Colonial Hills Baptist Church on Sunday morning that youth pastor Chad Phelps and his wife, Courtney Phelps, died in the accident.

He said Chad Phelps is the son of the church’s main pastor, Charles Phelps. Courtney Phelps was pregnant and due next month.

The third person who died was Tonya Weindorf, a mother of five who was a chaperone on the trip to the northern Michigan youth camp.

Dozens were injured in the accident, in which a bus struck a retaining wall and flipped on its side. The Phelps’ 2-year-old son has been released from the hospital.

University of Nebraska Expanding Online Programs

UNL(AP) — The University of Nebraska continues to significantly expand its online education options.

Mary Niemiec, who leads NU’s distance education program, says the number of credit hours generated by students only in the distance program grew 12 percent to 57,000 last school year.

About two-thirds of those credit hours are generated by Nebraskans.

Niemiec says many students attending one of the university’s campuses also take an online course at some point to take advantage of the flexibility.

NU’s online high school program is also expanding to include more students and offer more courses.

NU President J.B. Milliken says distance education is part of the university’s mission to serve a wide range of students.

Gomez Swipes 3 Bases as Brewers Beat Rockies 7-5

colorado-rockiesDENVER (AP) — Carlos Gomez had two hits and three of Milwaukee’s five stolen bases, Juan Francisco and Jonathan Lucroy homered and the Brewers held on to beat the Colorado Rockies 7-5 on a rainy Saturday night.

Milwaukee’s Jean Segura had two hits and two RBIs before leaving with tightness in his right forearm.

Troy Tulowitzki homered among his three hits and Wilin Rosario also went deep for the Rockies.

The Brewers were three outs from winning when the rain picked up and caused a 1-hour, 45-minute delay in the middle of the ninth inning. Jim Henderson then got the last three outs for his 12th save.

It made a winner out of Tom Gorzelanny (2-4), allowed four runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Collin McHugh (0-2), vying to make a case to be the Rockies’ No. 5 starter, gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings.

Schuyler Woman Dies from Injuries Sustained in Crash

Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo

(AP) — A Schuyler woman hurt in a crash Monday in Columbus has died from her injuries.

25-year-old Naimo Buluf died Friday at a Lincoln hospital.

Columbus police say Buluf was driving a sedan southbound Monday afternoon when she crossed in front of an eastbound semitrailer. The semi struck the passenger side of Buluf’s car, and both vehicles left the roadway, coming to rest at the bottom of the south embankment.

Buluf and a passenger in her vehicle, 32-year-old Berika Tahiro of Schuyler, were injured and flown to a Lincoln hospital.

Tahiro remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The 64-year-old driver of the semi was treated and released from Columbus Community Hospital.

Cornhusker State Games Competition Notes from July 27

CSG-2013Lincoln—The weather was cool and the fishing was hot Saturday in the Cornhusker State Games bass fishing tournament held at Lake Wanahoo near Wahoo.  Forty boats, each carrying a two-person team, took to the new venue eagerly.

“We got our eight, but I’m pretty sure many other teams did, too,” said Dave Thomsen of Lincoln, who teamed up with partner Rob Greer to win last year’s tournament at Branched Oak Lake.  The two raved about the new venue’s fish habitat.

“There is so much structure and variance in depth in this lake, and it’s big enough the boats weren’t bumping into each other.  Last year we only caught three fish and that won the tournament,” he said.  “This year it’ll come down to who has the biggest limit,” Thomsen added, referring to the four-fish per person limit on bass.

Thomsen and Greer took the bronze this year with a total of 18.25 lbs.  Mark Madison and Joyce Clark won the event with 20.29 lbs. and Gordon Hardle and Barry Schmoker got second with 19.5 lbs.  Twenty-four teams caught the eight-fish limit.

Rather than the traditional weigh-in, this year, the teams were required to photograph each fish on a measuring board and immediately release them back to the water.  Bass are not allowed to leave the lake at Wanahoo.  Officials then calculated each team’s total inches and converted inches to pounds using a standard formula.  The new technique for contest fishing is gaining popularity across the country as anglers strive to keep fish healthy.  Keeping fish in a “live” well in the boat, even for an hour, can stress the fish considerably.

Omaha was busy with more than 700 athletes participating in five events, including ice hockey, lacrosse, pickleball, taekwondo and the non-competitive WalkOmaha.  Sixteen sports took place in Lincoln and the surrounding area.

Pickleball drew a record 52 players, including retired rancher Brian Thompson, 59 of Omaha.  After moving to Omaha from Arthur, Thompson took up the sport three years ago upon an invitation from Pickleball Director Bill Holt.

“I was in a bible study group with Bill and he asked me to give (pickleball) a try.  I’ve always been into sports, so I said ‘why not?’  I was hooked from then on,” said Thompson.

Holt was already speculating about adding competition days and venues for the State Games of America in 2015.  He said the six courts at Meadow Lane Park were “maxed out” with this year’s numbers.  Singles events were held Friday evening and doubles took place Saturday.

Quarry Oaks Golf Course near South Bend hosted the Games’ inaugural two-person scramble, with Will Hagel and Brad Huyck of Omaha carding a 60 and earning the 2-person Scramble State Championship trophy to go with their CSG Gold Medals.  Assistant Pro Brian Steventon was happy with the turnout and even happier with the weather.

“You can almost hear the golf course saying, ahhhhhh,” said Steventon after the shotgun start.  “The hot days are really stressful on the grass … and the players, of course.  The golfers will have a fun day out there.”

Mountain bikers at Branched Oak Lake also reveled in the mild weather.  Janna Vavra, 33 of Lincoln was the top overall female, finishing in just over an hour and 26 minutes.  Brad Auen, 26 of Omaha, won the men’s expert class in 1:17.

Lacrosse director Art Newsome attributed record entry numbers to the overall growth of the sport in Nebraska.  Total numbers increased by 81 to a total of 153 players this year.  Lacrosse was held on two fields at Creighton Prep, including the field turf at Leahy Stadium.

“We have a strong youth program here in Omaha.  Lincoln’s had (lacrosse) for a while, and there are leagues in Fremont and Kearney so those teams will start coming as they get more organized,” said Newsome.

With late entries still trickling in, entry numbers grew to 12,123, an increase of more than 500 over 2012.  Sunday is the final day of the Games with competition in 10 sports, including archery, electronic darts, flag football, ice hockey, lacrosse, pocket billiards, triathlon, ultimate frisbee and volleyball.

Broncos Enjoy Continuity at D-Coordinator

Jack-Del-Rio-Denver-BroncosENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Every offseason since 2007, Champ Bailey returned to Dove Valley headquarters and had to learn a new scheme under a new defensive coordinator.

Not this summer.

Jack Del Rio is back for a second straight season with the Broncos.

That’s no small thing in Denver, where even the hottest of coaching seats in the league were downright cool compared to the Mile High musical chairs at defensive coordinator.

Starting with Jim Bates replacing Larry Coyer in 2007, and followed by Bob Slowik (2008), Mike Nolan (2009), Don Martindale (2010), Dennis Allen (2011) and Del Rio, the Broncos were always under the hood with a new mechanic.

Now, Bailey said, they can finally see how fast that baby can go.

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