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Iowa Fires Agent Who Pursued Governors Speeding SUV

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad

(AP) — An Iowa investigator who complained about the governor’s speeding vehicle has been fired following a disciplinary review.

Attorney Tom Duff tells The Associated Press in an e-mail that Special Agent in Charge Larry Hedlund of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation learned of his termination Wednesday.

The 25-year veteran initiated an April 26 pursuit of an SUV that zipped past him at 90 mph in northern Iowa. A trooper let the vehicle go after learning it was another trooper who was driving Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Hedlund complained to superiors April 29 that the incident endangered public safety.

He was placed on leave May 1 pending an investigation of alleged rule violations, including operating his vehicle on a vacation day and being disrespectful during a conference call.

Watchdog Group Criticizes Fundraising Events for NE Lawmakers

common-cause-nebraska(AP) — A political watchdog group is criticizing private fundraising events held for Nebraska lawmakers while the Legislature is in session.

Common Cause Nebraska released a report Wednesday that identified 19 state lawmakers who participated in breakfast, lunch and dinner events sponsored by lobbyists this year.

State law allows lobbyists to deliver checks from their clients during the meals. As long as the amount is below $250, the contribution can be reported as cash, and the donor can become impossible to identify. The group estimates that one event can generate up to $7,000 for an incumbent lawmaker.

Common Cause spokesman Jack Gould says Nebraska should join 29 other states that have banned in-session fundraisers, or at least lower the disclosure requirement to $100.

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Bones of New Type of Dinosaur Found in Utah

new-dinosaur(AP) — Researchers in Salt Lake City say fossil-hunters unearthed the bones of a new type of big-nosed, horned-faced dinosaur in southern Utah.

The discovery of the creature named “Nasutoceratops titusi” (nah-soo-toh-SEHR’-ah-tops TY’-tuhs-ee) was described Wednesday in the British scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B and by officials at the National History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah.

The dinosaur was a wide-bodied plant-eater that grew to 15 feet long and weighed 2 1/2 tons.

It’s unique for its oversized nose and exceptionally long, forward-pointing curved horns over the eyes.

It’s part of the same family as the well-known Triceratops (try-SEHR’-ah-tops).

The second part of the name recognizes paleontologist Alan Titus for his years of research work in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument discovery area.

Omaha Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Minivan

car-pedestrian-accident(AP) — Authorities say an Omaha pedestrian who was severely injured after being hit by a minivan has died.

Omaha police say 19-year-old Jerome Collier died Tuesday from injuries sustained during the July 11 crash. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday.

Police say Collier was crossing an intersection when he was struck by a Chrysler minivan driven by 30-year-old Jaclyn Hascall. A witness told police that Collier was on his cell phone at the time of the collision.

Police say they’re investigating whether speed was a factor in the crash. Additional information has not been released.

Feds Approve Emergency Grazing, Haying in Nebraska

farm-service-agency(AP) — The Nebraska state director of the U.S. Farm Service Agency says drought conditions have substantially reduced the amount of forage available for livestock.

Dan Steinkruger said Wednesday that conditions appeared to improve at the beginning of the year, but many parts of central, western and southwest Nebraska are still much drier than normal.

Steinkruger says 54 Nebraska counties are now approved for emergency haying and grazing on land that’s enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

Nebraska Cattlemen spokesman Pete McClymont says producers managed to endure last year’s drought because they began the season with good soil moisture. This year, McClymont says producers are in “crisis management” mode because the soil is drier, and many have had to reduce the size of their herds.

Nebraska Woman Pleads Not Guilty After Posing Nude at Catholic School

Valerie-Dodds
Valerie Dodds

(AP) — A woman accused of posing naked on a Lincoln Catholic high school campus has pleaded not guilty to indecent exposure and trespassing charges.

19-year-old Valerie Dodds entered the plea Wednesday in a Lancaster County courtroom.

Dodds is accused of making various poses on the football field at Lincoln Pius X in May then posting the photos on her adult website.

Dodds said on her site that the photo shoot was revenge against students and teachers who gave Dodds grief when she shared her plans for a career in porn.

She is scheduled to appear in court in August.

Victims of Colorado Theater Shooting May Not Get to Attend Trial

Holmes(AP) — Prosecutors in the Colorado theater shooting case say they have received “a voluminous number” of calls from victims who are worried they won’t be able to attend the suspect’s trial or hearings.

A judge has yet to rule on prosecutors’ request to exempt victims from an order barring people who might testify at James Holmes’ trial from being in the courtroom. The judge previously exempted Holmes’ parents.

Prosecutors say in court documents filed Wednesday that a gag order has kept them from fully discussing the case with victims, and their first opportunity to hear certain details may be at future hearings.

Holmes’ attorneys have said keeping potential witnesses out of courtroom will prevent them from tailoring their testimony to that of other witnesses.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges stemming from the theater attack July 20.

Larry J. Kirsch


Kirsch

It is with heavy hearts and warm memories that we remember our loving, congenial, gentle husband, father and grandfather, Larry Kirsch, who passed away in North Platte on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at the age of 71.

Larry was born on June 16, 1942, to John Adam and Dorothy Maxine Foran Kirsch at Arnold, NE. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1960. He worked for Hipp Wholesale and Cash Wa Distributing and was a member of the Eagles Aeries #2839 and the Moose Lodge #551.

Larry had a golden heart as he was always willing to walk that extra mile to be of service to whomever needed or wanted help. He was a friend to everyone and working with people was his driving force.

Larry is survived by his wife, Diane, whom he married on May 17, 2003, and his mother, Maxine, both of North Platte; his children, Randy Kirsch, of North Platte, Sara (Carl) deSoto, of Austin, TX, Brian Rief, of Lincoln, NE, Jodi (Bill) Simants, of North Platte and Dennis Kailey, of Denver, CO; three grandchildren, Aiden deSoto, Grady and Koby Simants; three sisters-in-law, Karen Sandberg, of Sutherland, NE, Loretta Sandberg, of Stratton, NE and Dianne Sandberg, of Cheyenne, WY; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Kirsch; and brothers-in-law, Bob, Roland and Bruce Sandberg.

Rosary Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Golka. Cremation will follow the mass and inurnment will be in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. The family has established a memorial for Aiden deSoto for autism. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Disabled Ohio Boy Dies After Becoming Wedged Between Furniture

ambulance(AP) — Authorities say a 5-year-old Ohio boy with cerebral palsy became wedged between furniture and suffocated to death while playing with his twin brother.

Investigators say Christian Shelton died Monday after he got stuck between a couch and a chair that had been pushed into a reclining position while the twins played at their Hamilton Township home.

A Warren County coroner’s investigator says Christian’s twin also has cerebral palsy and couldn’t get the recliner, whose frame covered part of his brother’s neck and chest, to go forward.

Their father tried to resuscitate his son, who was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Family members considered the boys miracle babies because they survived being born at 23 weeks with cerebral palsy.

Doc Accused in Omaha Killings Waives Extradition

Dr. Anthony Garcia
Dr. Anthony Garcia

(AP) — A doctor suspected in four slayings in Nebraska is waiving extradition in southern Illinois and will return to Omaha to face murder charges.

Anthony Garcia appeared briefly Wednesday in a Union County court after he was arrested during a traffic stop.

The 40-year-old doctor is being held without bond on suspicion of involvement in the killings of three adults and an 11-year-old boy in Nebraska. All four victims had ties to an Omaha university medical school from which Garcia was fired in 2001.

Garcia, who lives in Terre Haute, Ind., was arrested Monday. Police say he appeared to be intoxicated and had a .45-caliber handgun.

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