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Month: February 2016

Suspect in Fatal Nebraska Crash Fails to Show for Court

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Eswin Mejia
Eswin Mejia
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man suspected of being drunk and drag racing when he caused a fatal crash has skipped court.

A judge revoked 19-year-old Ewsin Mejia’s $50,000 bail on Friday when Mejia failed to show for his preliminary hearing. Officials weren’t surprised, as Mejia earlier this month skipped urine tests required for him remain free on $5,000 bond. Police have not been able to find Mejia — a Honduras national believed to have been in the country illegally.

Police say Mejia’s blood-alcohol content more than three times the legal limit when he crashed on Jan. 29 into an SUV, killing its driver, 21-year-old Sarah Root.

Criticism has been levied at legal officials for allowing Mejia’s $5,000 bond to go unchallenged, as well as federal immigration officials for not seeking to hold Mejia.

State Shortage Leaves Gaps in Nebraska Prison Nursing Staff

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nurseLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s prison system is facing a staffing crisis that it may not be able to overcome amid a statewide nursing shortage and the state’s relatively low wages.

A spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says 14 of about 65 nursing positions are vacant, including seven registered nurses, two nurse practitioners, two nurse supervisors and three licensed practical nurses.

Nursing leaders say recruiting nurses to the corrections department is difficult because of competition for nurses and better pay at hospitals and clinics.

ACLU Nebraska says unless the department acts quickly to increase staffing, it could face a federal lawsuit.

Hazel “Lisa” Wing

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Hazel”Lisa”Wing,65,loving sister,mother,friend,spouse and grandmother passed away peacefully with family by her side,Feb.25th, 2016 at Methodist Hospital Omaha Hazel was born Sept.28th,1950 in North Platte,Ne. to Clayton and Lucille(Johnson)Britton. At a young age
she had rheumatic fever, yet overcame the disease. She was educated in North Platte graduating in 1968. Hazel was a very accomplished piano and violin musician. She worked at the North Platte Café where she met her future husband Charles Wing. Together they moved to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska. Hazel was married to Charles Jan.7th,1972 and to their union was born their daughter Tawn. They moved to Omaha to make their home there. Hazel was a caring, kind individual that would share her last quarter with you if needed and gave to many charities. She enjoyed gardening, lover of the Arts and a free spirit. She worked with the American Cancer Society, the Omaha Symphony Christmastime Orchestra and most recently retiring from First Data Omaha. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Charles. Survived by her daughter Tawn(John)McCollum & son Dylan of
Villisca, IA, grandson John Cudaback of Red Oak,IA. Six brothers: Charles(Joann) of Rapid City, S.D., Robert(Clydene),Edward, Larry Lee David(Konnie) and Michael Britton all of North Platte,Sister-in-law Kay Hurlbut & son Brian Wing of Omaha, many brother-in-laws & sister-in-laws and special friend Gordon Brown of Omaha. Gathering of Family and Friends: Tuesday March 1st,2016 from 3-6 PM with public sharing time at 6PM all at Braman Mortuary, 702 N. 72nd Street Omaha.

Man Gets Probation for Setting Fires at Minden Drugstore

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Aaron Stones
Aaron Stones

MINDEN, Neb. (AP) — A 35-year-old Kearney man has been given probation and possible jail time for setting fires at a Minden drugstore last year.

Online court records say Aaron Stones was sentenced last week in Kearney County District Court. He was given four years of probation and 180 days in jail that can be suspended if follows the terms of his probation. He also was ordered to pay more than $2,200 in restitution. He’d pleaded guilty.

The records say Stones set fires at the front windows and rear door of Pedley Drug on March 27.

In January Stones was sentenced to four years of probation for setting fire to a pharmacy in Ravenna on March 25. He’d pleaded no contest to felony arson.

No injuries were reported in either blaze.

Nebraska Mom Convicted in ‘Mommy Dearest’ Duct Tape Case

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gavel-moreNEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska City mother has been convicted of child abuse for having her boyfriend force her two sons to watch the movie “Mommie Dearest.”

Court records say 28-year-old Mary Lucas pleaded no contest to negligent child abuse. Her sentencing is set for April 12.

Authorities say Mary Lucas’ boyfriend at the time duct-taped the unruly 4- and 5-year-old boys to chairs while the movie played as he baby-sat them in August. Authorities say 30-year-old Glenn Oliver says Lucas told him to make them watch the movie, which depicted actress Joan Crawford as a mean mother. Court records say Oliver thought Lucas wanted to show the boys that she was not the meanest mother.

Oliver awaits sentencing Tuesday on two counts of child abuse.

Nebraska Gov. Ricketts to Headline Religious Liberty Event

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Pete Ricketts
Pete Ricketts

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is set to headline a religious liberty event at the Capitol.

The event will take place Monday at noon in the Warner Chamber. Ricketts will sign a proclamation on religious liberty in the public square and will deliver the event’s keynote address.

Faith leaders are expected to gather for the public event. Archbishop George Lucas of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha will speak, as will Lincoln attorney Jeff Downing.

Ricketts spoke at a similar event last year to tout his support for public expressions of faith without fear of legal repercussions.

Grand Jury Clears Officers in Fatal Deuel County Shooting

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deuel-county-sheriffCHAPPELL, Neb. (AP) — A Deuel County grand jury has found no criminal actions were committed by officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man who started shooting when they arrived to arrest him.

A jury document released Wednesday says the use of deadly force against 66-year-old Neil Stretesky was “reasonable under the circumstances” and justified under state law.

Authorities say Stretesky came out of his Big Springs front door shooting on Dec. 3 as Deputy Mike Hutchinson and four other officers arrived to serve arrest warrants. Hutchinson was hit four times, and Sheriff Scott DeCoste returned fire at Stretesky, killing him.

Hutchinson was released from a Greeley, Colorado, hospital and returned home Wednesday to Chappell (CHA’-puhl).

Nebraska High Court Revives Woman’s Lawsuit Against Deputy

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lancaster-county-sheriffOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court says a jury should decide whether a plainclothes deputy who had no visible badge or warrant was wrong to push his way into an elderly woman’s home and later throw her to the ground and handcuff her.

The court’s decision Friday revives the lawsuit of 81-year-old Marilyn Waldron against Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy James Roark.

Court records show Roark and another deputy were trying to serve a warrant when Roark pushed through the door as Waldron opened it. He said he was a deputy, but did not show a badge or warrant. He later tackled and handcuffed Waldron as she yelled at him to leave.

The high court says a jury might be swayed that Waldron thought Roark was simply claiming to be law enforcement.

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