LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says he’s confident the state can reduce income and property taxes and balance the budget despite an $895 million projected revenue shortfall.
Ricketts is offering few specifics before his annual address to lawmakers, but in an interview with The Associated Press, he says the plan will focus on slowing state spending growth. He also hints that he might call on lawmakers to tap the state’s rainy-day fund.
Lawmakers begin their 2017 session on Wednesday. Legislative leaders say the budget will make it nearly impossible to pass any major spending bills.
Ricketts says he’s willing to discuss changes to his proposals as long as they don’t raise taxes. He says he won’t call for cuts to the Department of Correctional Services, an agency plagued by staffing shortages.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a specialized water tank and the 8.1 million gallons of water it will hold will help keep some University of Nebraska-Lincoln buildings cooler during peak demand.
The $11.9 million tank is being built north of the landscape services building on the university’s City Campus. It’s expected to go online in spring 2018.
Officials say it will supply chilled water for six to eight hours during the hottest parts of each day and replenish itself overnight and on weekends, when energy demands are lower. Engineers say the goal is to cut down energy bills by an expected $850,000 to $900,000 annually.
The tank will function like a battery, holding the water for use in offsetting electricity costs during peak usage times.
BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — The trial of a Nebraska man accused of killing a Colorado man and stuffing his body in a barrel is scheduled to begin this week.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in the trial of 25-year-old Zachary Mueller in Bridgeport, Nebraska. The first-degree murder trial has already been rescheduled twice.
Mueller has pleaded not guilty to killing 33-year-old Pedro Dominguez of Greeley, Colorado.
A farmer found the barrel with Dominguez’ body inside near Bayard, Nebraska, on December 4, 2014. Authorities say Dominguez had been shot in the back of the head.
A pool of 120 potential jurors has been called for the trial that is expected to last roughly a week.
Meagan Schroeder (Facebook)-The Post has confirmed through family members that one of the women involved in this incident was former North Platte resident, Meagan Schroeder.
Update: 1/1/17 2:24
The Lincoln Police Department has released more information on the suspected murder-suicide in Lincoln, which left two women dead.
According to police, officers responded to the area of Superior Place Apartments, in Lincoln, at around 3:00 p.m. Saturday, on the report of someone making threats.
As officers were searching the area, they observed a black SUV and approached it. As they did so, they heard a single gunshot.
Inside, they found 31-year-old Meagan Schroeder dead in the driver’s seat, and her ex-wife, 40-year-old Brenda Schroeder, with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Brenda was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Police say that the initial investigation shows that Brenda Schroeder took Meagan Schroeder’s life before taking her own.
Family members say Meagan Schroeder had sought a protection order against Brenda. The couple was divorced in August.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln Police are investigating a shooting outside an apartment complex that left two women dead.
Lincoln Police Assistant Chief Brian Jackson says officers were called to the apartments near 15th and Superior streets shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday because someone reported being threatened.
Officers searching for the person who called them found a vehicle parked nearby with two women inside. As the officer tried to contact them, a single gunshot was heard.
Officers found one woman dead in the driver’s seat, and a second woman in the passenger’s seat with a gunshot wound to the head. The second woman later died at a Lincoln hospital.
Jackson says police are still trying to determine if the incident was a murder-suicide.
The identities of the women who died were not immediately released.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Post has confirmed through family members that one of the women involved in this incident was former North Platte resident, Meagan Schroeder. We have received reports that the other person involved was also a former North Platte resident, but we have not confirmed their identity with the Lincoln Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers are with Meagan’s family. We will have more details as they are available.
