LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Workers have been using toilet paper to speed repairs of cracks in Lincoln streets.

The city uses tar to seal cracks before they worsen into potholes. The workers sometimes have to wait up to 40 minutes — hampering traffic flow — for the tar to cool down and firm up. Otherwise the tar could splatter onto vehicles.

But a streets supervisor, Clay Engelman, says that as soon as workers lay down the tar, they can apply the toilet paper. He says the paper takes away the stickiness and covers the tar so vehicles immediately can drive on it.

The toilet paper technique isn’t new, but Engelman says Lincoln had resisted it largely for fear of getting complaints about its appearance.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man accused of throwing multiple Molotov cocktails earlier this year has pleaded no contest to charges.

28-year-old Daniel Wylie Walter entered the plea Monday on five misdemeanor counts of attempted possession of a destructive device. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6.

A Molotov cocktail is a crude incendiary device, like gasoline in a jar or bottle, that’s typically lit with a rag. Authorities say four of them were thrown in the Cripple Creek area in March 2013. A fifth was thrown in a different area. The bottles caused minor damage but did not turn into large fires.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln orthopedic surgeon and former Huskers football player has agreed to have his medical license suspended after he was accused of practicing medicine while impaired.

Dr. Scott Strasburger agreed to a suspension of at least six months. Documents posted online by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services say Strasburger must also complete a chemical dependency treatment program, and follow any aftercare recommendations such as counseling or support groups.

The Nebraska attorney general’s office sought disciplinary action last week against the 51-year-old Strasburger, who allegedly arrived at work impaired on Nov. 26. The suspension is retroactive to that day.

Authorities say Strasburger refused to submit to a drug test, and cited a history of substance abuse. The exact drug wasn’t specified.

Strasburger played for the Huskers from 1981-1984.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska is defending a parent who says the Omaha Public Schools superintendent threatened him with legal action over statements he made at a recent school board meeting.

Parent Alex Gates asked board members in October to create a documented process that lets people formally request an investigation and removal of an ineffective principal.

He told members that parents have sought for years to replace a school principal. He said he emailed Superintendent Mark Evans about the matter but was frustrated with Evans’ reply.

Gates reached out to the ACLU, saying Evans threatened him the day after the board meeting with a lawsuit for defamation or slander. The ACLU wrote a letter warning Evans against taking such action.

A district spokesman said district officials are aware of the ACLU’s letter but are declining to comment.