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Ex-TierOne CEO Appeals Verdict, 11-Year Prison Sentence

tierone-bankLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska bank executive convicted of fraud and sentenced to federal prison is planning to appeal.

Attorneys for 74-year-old Gilbert Lundstrom filed paperwork Wednesday notifying the court he would appeal the jury verdict and sentence.

The former TierOne Bank CEO was sentenced in March to 11 years in prison and fined $1.2 million after he was found guilty of 12 counts related to the 2010 failure of the Lincoln-based bank.

Prosecutors have said Lundstrom and other bank officers hid losses from regulators and shareholders.

Lundstrom testified he never knowingly provided false information to investors or federal regulators.

Omaha Police Officer Shoots, Kills Suspect

officer-involved-shootingOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A person has died after being shot by an Omaha police officer.

Authorities say an Omaha police gang unit officer shot a “known suspect” Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of Sol’s Jewelry & Loan in Omaha. The shooting happened around 4:20 p.m.

The suspect was taken in critical condition to the Nebraska Medical Center where he later died.

No officer injuries have been reported.

Authorities have not released the names of those involved.

Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Tow Truck in Omaha

omaha-policeOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man has died after being struck by a tow truck in Omaha.

Officials with the Omaha Police Department say 24-year-old Jerred Zoll, of Omaha, was attempting to cross the street after stepping off a city bus Thursday when he was struck by an oncoming tow truck.

The collision happened a little before 3 p.m. near 72nd and Cass streets.

He was transported in critical condition to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he later died.

The tow truck driver was not injured.

Police say the collision remains under investigation, although speed and alcohol don’t appear to be factors in the case.

New Nebraska Law Will Provide Down Syndrome Info to Families

Pete Ricketts
Pete Ricketts

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed a law to ensure that families will receive accurate, up-to-date information when their unborn or newborn child is diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

The law approved Thursday requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop an information sheet about Down Syndrome and provide it to health care facilities and practitioners.

The bill is the culmination of effort between its sponsor, Sen. Lydia Brash of Bancroft, and Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln.

Brasch says she introduced the bill after hearing some families have had to use online search engines to learn about what to expect when a child with Down Syndrome is born.

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with growth delays and mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Lincoln Firefighter Hospitalized After Residential Blaze

lincoln-fire-departmentLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A firefighter has been hospitalized after battling a residential blaze in Lincoln.

Authorities say two residents also were treated after Thursday morning’s fire. All three are expected to survive their injuries.

The flames were contained to the second floor of the house, which had been divided into apartments.

The fire cause is being investigated.

Appeals Courts Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit Against Nebraska

ne-court-of-appealsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against Nebraska and various state officials that faulted them for releasing a prisoner who killed an Omaha woman and three others shortly after he got out.

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a district court’s dismissal last year of the lawsuit brought by the husband of 33-year-old Andrea Kruger. The appeals panel agreed that the state is immune because the release of Nikko Jenkins was discretionary and protected by law.

The 33-year-old Kruger was pulled from her car on Aug. 21, 2013, in northwest Omaha and shot four times by Jenkins. Jenkins later pleaded no contest and was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder. His sentencing is pending.

Probation Given to Attacker in Lincoln School Stabbing

Sara Piccolo
Sarah Piccolo

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A teenager convicted of stabbing a classmate in a Lincoln high school bathroom has been given five years of probation.

Online court records say Sarah Piccolo was sentenced Thursday in Lancaster County District Court. She’d pleaded no contest in August 2014 to felony assault after prosecutors lowered the charge.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Piccolo has been receiving treatment at an Omaha center as part of a separate, sealed juvenile court case.

Police say Piccolo used a hunting knife and a claw hammer to attack a 17-year-old girl at Lincoln Pius X High School in October 2013. The girl was hospitalized.

Piccolo was 16 at the time but was being prosecuted as an adult. Court records show that she’ll turn 19 Sunday.

Bill to Allow Professional Licenses for DACA Youth Advances in Nebraska

Sen. Heath Mello
Sen. Heath Mello

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would allow young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally to receive professional licenses has advanced to a final vote in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators gave the measure second-round approval on Thursday, despite the looming threat of a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The bill by Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha would apply to youths who were allowed to stay in the United States through the federal deferred-action program. Supporters say it would allow them to serve as teachers, nurses, counselors, accountants and other professions that require a license.

Conservative opponents argue that the bill would reward lawbreaking by immigrant parents who brought their children into the country illegally.

Property Tax Measure for Agriculture Advances in Nebraska Legislature

ne-legislature-13LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A property tax measure designed to benefit Nebraska’s farm and ranch landowners has advanced to a final vote in the Legislature.

Lawmakers gave the bill second-round approval on Thursday after less than an hour of debate. The vote followed two days of filibusters led mostly by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha.

Chambers ended his prolonged comments and allowed the measure to advance. He says he met with Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley on Thursday morning after a contentious exchange the night before, but would not disclose what they discussed.

The bill by Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island would provide an additional $20 million for tax credits to offset local property taxes on agricultural land. It’s one of Gov. Pete Ricketts’ top priorities.

Boy Who Drowned in Nebraska Farm Pond Had Wandered Off, Grandma Says

auburn-neAUBURN, Neb. (AP) — A woman who pulled her 3-year-old grandson from a pond in southeast Nebraska says he wandered off while she was doing farm chores.

Authorities say Wayne Brown died Tuesday in an Auburn hospital after attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Wendy Presley said Wayne and his mother were moving in Tuesday to stay with her at her rural home southwest of Auburn. Presley says she told Wayne to go back to the house for lunch while she ground some corn and saw him head that way.

When she went to the house he wasn’t there, so she began searching and found him in the pond.

Presley told the station she tried to revive the boy and said his death “is a tragic, horrible accident.”

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