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Prosecutor says Keith County man shot son in self-defense

crime-scene-police-shootLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A western Nebraska prosecutor says a man who fatally shot his 44-year-old son did so in self-defense.

Keith County Attorney Randy Fair has declined to prosecute Wesley Holland. Fair says Wesley Holland shot Steven Holland to protect himself and Steven’s mother, Marie Holland. The shooting occurred Jan. 19 at the Holland home near Lemoyne.

Fair says Steven Holland had assaulted his mother and threatened to kill her, his father and others.

Fair says Wesley Holland grabbed a rifle and shot his son as the younger man was standing in their basement, brandishing a large knife.

Driver killed in rollover crash, Grand Island police say

Grand-Island-PoliceGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a driver has died in a rollover crash on the north side of Grand Island.

The accident was reported a little after 3 p.m. Wednesday. Police say the northbound vehicle went out of control and rolled on U.S. Highway 281.

The name of the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, has not been released.

The crash is being investigated.

2 Lincoln men suspected of arson in Saline County

arsonWILBER, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have arrested two Lincoln man suspected of setting fire to a trailer in Saline County.

22-year-old Dennis Tomka and 19-year-old Cody Cushman were picked up Tuesday on arrest warrants alleging felony arson. Online jail records say both remained in custody Thursday. Court records don’t list the names of attorneys who could comment for them.

Authorities say the fire was set Friday. It’s unclear how much damage was caused. No injuries have been reported.

Lincoln man charged with sexual assault of boy, 14

Esteban Bueno
Esteban Bueno

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man has been accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy he met through a networking app.

Court records say 43-year-old Esteban Bueno is charged with sexual assault of a child. Jail records say he remained in custody Thursday. The court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him.

A court document says the boy told police he and Bueno had chatted on the app and then met in person outside a Lincoln cafe on Jan. 28 when Bueno picked him up and drove him to his apartment. The boy said Bueno assaulted him there and then drove him back to the cafe.

Bueno’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 1.

Nebraska shelter helps pets in abusive homes

good-newsNORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — An animal shelter is teaming up with a domestic violence service to help victims remove their pets from domestic abuse situations.

The partnership between the Animal Shelter of Northeast Nebraska and Bright Horizons of Norfolk is part of the “House of Hope” program. The animal shelter is able to provide kennel space to protect pets caught in the middle of domestic violence situations, thanks to a Norfolk Area Community Foundation grant.

According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, nearly half of the domestic abuse victims who remain in violent households do so out of fear for their animals.

Bright Horizons Executive Director Linda Olson says partnering with the animal shelter makes one less barrier victims need to overcome when deciding to leave their situation, because the transitional shelter is unable to house pets.

U of Nebraska at Kearney sells student apartment complex

UNKKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A development group has bought the University Heights apartment complex from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The university said in a news release that Henning Brothers LLC is paying just over $800,000 for the 57-year-old, 108-unit complex and will take ownership June 1. Hennings Brothers plans to renovate the nine buildings for rental housing.

The decision to sell University Heights, which sits northwest of the university’s main campus, came after an analysis of the structure and the cost to renovate. It had been the option for married students and others who wanted to live off-campus. In October the university told the 43 students living there that University Heights will close this spring.

North Platte Forecast-February 9

forecast-graphic-february-9-2017Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. East southeast wind 5 to 14 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then a chance of snow between 11pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 44.
Sunday Night
Clear, with a low around 20.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 50.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 49.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 52.

Ralston woman pleads guilty in income tax fraud scheme

us-attorneyOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Nebraska says a Ralston woman has pleaded guilty in an income tax scheme case.

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says in a news release that 36-year-old Kathy Hansen pleaded guilty Monday to misprision of a felony.

Officials say that in 2014, Hansen opened bank accounts with nearly $12,000 in illegally-obtained tax refunds. Investigators say the tax refunds were obtained as part of a tax refund fraud scheme being operated by individuals believed to be outside the U.S. The deposited funds were then sent by Hansen to people in Nigeria. Officials say Hansen knew a crime was being committed and failed to notify law enforcement.

Hansen faces up to three years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when she’s sentenced May 1.

Nebraska lawmakers consider mandatory minimum alternatives

prisonLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are weighing two options to decrease the use of mandatory minimum sentences.

A legislative committee heard arguments Wednesday from Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, who wants to do away with mandatory minimums altogether, and Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, who wants to let a panel of three judges decide whether to enforce the minimum for nonviolent drug offenders.

The state now requires minimum sentences for felonies including robbery, possession of 10 or more grams of certain drugs and assault on a police officer.

The Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association supports both measures. It says the bill would return discretion to judges and help with prison overcrowding.

The state Attorney General’s Office and Nebraska County Attorneys Association spoke against the bills. They contend mandatory minimums ensure equal treatment under the law.

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