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NEBRASKAland Magazine Seeks Photo Contest Entries

nebraskaland-magazineLINCOLN – Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to share their visions of Nebraska in the 2014 NEBRASKAland Magazine Photo Contest.

The contest is open to all subscribers of the magazine and anyone in a subscriber’s household. Winners will be published in the magazine and receive prizes from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Rockbrook Camera.

All entries must be photos taken in Nebraska. There will be judging in youth and adult categories. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on June 15, 2014. Winners will be contacted July 1.

To enter or view more information, visit https://neblandvm.outdoornebraska.gov/photocontest/.

Heineman Hasn’t Applied Yet for NU Presidency

dave-heinemanLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman says he hasn’t yet applied for the University of Nebraska presidency, but he expects to make a decision in the next few weeks.

The Republican governor acknowledged on his radio call-in show this week that he was looking seriously at the job, which came open with the departure of President J.B. Milliken. Heineman said Thursday that he wants to continue in public service, and the presidency would allow him to keep pursuing two of his top priorities as governor: Promoting education for young people and creating jobs.

Heineman has previously deflected questions about his interest in the job, at point saying he wasn’t interested. He said Thursday that he made those comments before Milliken decided to leave to become chancellor at the City University of New York.

Toyota Recalling 430,500 Vehicles in 3 Recalls

toyotaDETROIT (AP) — Toyota is recalling 430,500 vehicles for three separate safety problems.

The company said Thursday it’s recalling 370,000 Sienna minivans in cold weather states because road salt can corrode the spare tire carrier under the vehicle and the tire can fall off. The recall includes Siennas from the 2004 through 2011 model years.

Toyota is also recalling 50,000 Highlander and Highlander hybrid SUVs from the 2014 model year because the car may not properly calculate the size of the front passenger when determining whether to fire the air bag. And it’s recalling 10,500 Lexus GS 350 sedans from the 2013 model year because the brakes could activate without warning.

Toyota says there have been no accidents or injuries connected to the defects. Dealers will repair the vehicles for free.

Nebraska Woman Makes No-Contest Plea to Extortion

sidney-policeSIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Panhandle woman accused of trying to extort money from a man who groped her 7-year-old daughter has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge.

The 30-year-old woman originally pleaded not guilty to trying to extort money from Jason Frei, of Potter. On Wednesday she entered a new plea after Cheyenne County prosecutors reduced the theft-by-extortion charge. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 2.

The Associated Press isn’t identifying the woman in order to protect her daughter’s privacy. The woman’s trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Frei pleaded no contest to negligent child abuse and attempted witness tampering in December.

Authorities say Frei groped the girl while giving her mother a massage at his home in August.

Fort McPherson to Hold Memorial Day Services

Fort McPherson National CemeteryFort McPherson, the U.S. National Cemetery in Maxwell, will hold its annual Memorial Services on Monday, May 26 at 2:00 pm.

The Memorial Address will be given by Lee Hoatson, a longtime member of the American Legion, V.F.W. and 40&8. Hoatson also served in the Navy from 1962-1968. Grand Marshal Kevin S. Johnson will give the welcome address. Johnson is the Director of Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The program will also include Miss Nebraska, JaCee Pilkington, singing the National Anthem, God Bless America and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

The program is made possible by the Fort McPherson Memorial Association and organizations of all Veterans groups and the Auxiliaries in Nebraska. The 2014 officers are Tom Leet from the American Legion, Harry Spohn from 40 & 8, Russell Berggren a Vietnam Veteran, Dennis Lombardi from the VFW, Jim Miller from D.A.V. Chapter 3, and Norval Holtmeier a Chaplain. The officers are from the Veterans organizations of North Platte.

Nebraska Man Convicted of Vehicular Homicide

fatal-accidentPENDER, Neb. (AP) — A jury in northeast Nebraska has found a 20-year-old man guilty of vehicular homicide and drunken driving.

On Wednesday Miguel Tapia, of Walthill, was convicted in Thurston County District Court in Pender. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13.

The charges stemmed from a Nov. 23 crash that killed 20-year-old Princess Morris, of Macy. She was a passenger in a pickup driven by Tapia, who lost control of it. The truck rolled after it left a county roadway near Walthill, landing on Morris.

NPPS to Provide Free Meals to Students during Summer

North_platte_public_schoolsNorth Platte Public Schools will be offering free lunches to kids during the summer.

The North Platte Public Schools Summer Cafes will be open and serving free healthy, nourishing lunches in cafeterias at Madison Middle School, Jefferson, Lincoln, and new this year Cody Elementary Schools from May 27 to July 18. The meals will be served from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Friday.

You have more going on than worrying about your child’s next meal, so if your kids are 18 or younger get what you need with North Platte Public Schools Summer Cafes.

For information on hunger call 211 or go to hungerfreeheartland.org.

Lincoln Teen Ruled Fit to Stand Trial for Stabbing

lincoln-policeLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A girl has been judged competent to stand trial in the stabbing attack of another student at Lincoln Pius X High School.

Judge Steven Burns made the ruling on Wednesday in Lancaster County District Court in Lincoln after reviewing a letter from a psychiatrist. Burns didn’t release the letter for public view. Prosecutors had sought the evaluation.

Lincoln police say the girl attacked 17-year-old Ellen Kopetzky at the school on Oct. 7, using a knife and hammer. The girl was arrested the next day in Yates Center, Kansas.

The judge has already rejected a defense request to have the case moved to juvenile court. The girl is 17 now and has pleaded not guilty to felony assault and weapons charges.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t identify juveniles accused of crimes.

Police: Man Stole Bread Truck, Made Deliveries

odd-newsNEW YORK (AP) — Authorities say a man stole a New York City bakery truck and began delivering loaves of bread to random businesses.

Police say David Bastar hopped into Grimaldi’s Home of Bread truck on Manhattan’s Upper East Side early Monday while the real driver was making a delivery at a pizzeria.

Wearing only his underwear, Bastar then allegedly began dropping off baguettes, whole-wheat rolls and sourdough bread. He eventually distributed the entire $8,000 worth of baked goods — but not to the bakery’s customers.

Joe Grimaldi owns the Queens bakery. He tells the Journal News (https://lohud.us/1ntRPGi ) that businesses found bread in front of their doors.

Bastar, of Nanuet, has been taken to a hospital for evaluation. He faces charges of criminal possession of stolen goods. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he had a lawyer.

York Prison Worker Accused of Sex with Inmate

Nebraska Correctional Center for Women
Nebraska Correctional Center for Women

YORK, Neb. (AP) — A 46-year-old man has been accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate at the Nebraska women’s prison in York.

Authorities say Michael Weichman, of Bradshaw, was a staff maintenance employee who resigned Monday. Investigators say another inmate tipped prison officials that Weichman and the other inmate were having sex.

A court document says Weichman denied the allegation. He described his relationship with the 38-year-old inmate as playful but not sexual.

She’d been assigned to do maintenance work while serving time for child abuse resulting in death.

Under Nebraska law, any prison or jail worker who has sex with an inmate has committed sexual assault.

Weichman was arrested earlier this week. Online court records don’t list the name of his attorney.

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