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Nebraska lawmakers seek inexpensive ways to boost tourism

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are looking for ways to bolster tourism throughout the state in hopes of attracting more visitors, but a tight budget could make it harder to spend additional money.

Tourism leaders say they don’t yet know what proposals might emerge in next year’s legislative session, but argue that state officials should do more to expand the state’s third-largest industry.

Early ideas include partnerships between the state and local governments to pay for new facilities, such as visitors’ centers, or maintenance of local historic buildings. Industry officials are also interested in so-called tourism improvement districts that would generate money from local hotels and businesses.

A hearing is set for Friday at the request of Sen. Dan Quick, of Grand Island.

Sheriff’s deputies shoot 1 person to end Omaha confrontation

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded one person after the suspect fired at them.

The deputies were responding to a possible hostage situation on the southwest edge of Omaha before 5 a.m. Sunday when the shooting happened.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Capt. Steve Glandt says when deputies arrived, the suspect was outside a home with a shotgun.

Glandt says the suspect fired at deputies. One of their vehicles and a sheriff’s deputy were struck by shotgun pellets.

The deputies returned fire and wounded the suspect, who is in stable condition at an Omaha hospital. The injured sheriff’s deputy received only minor injuries.

The suspect wasn’t immediately identified Sunday.

Officials identify man killed in Nebraska farm accident

HOWELLS, Neb. (AP) — Officials in northeastern Nebraska have released the name of a 76-year-old Stanton County man killed in a farm accident.

The Stanton County Sheriff’s Office tells the Norfolk Daily News that John “Henry” Balzer, of rural Howells, died Thursday. Officials say Howells was working with a tractor and a piece of farm machinery when the machinery collapsed on him, causing fatal injuries.

The accident occurred in a farm field about six miles southeast of Pilger. Pilger Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene.

New trial ordered in suit that saw $1M award for ex-student

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has ordered a new trial in a former nursing student’s lawsuit against Clarkson College in which a jury awarded her $1 million.

The award was issued last year after Kelly Armstrong sued the Omaha college, saying the school wrongly kicked her out of its nurse anesthetist program.

Armstrong was initially placed on probation after an incident during a 2013 nursing conference in Washington, D.C., in which she made a crude joke on a bus about pubic hair. Others on the bus, including officials from the college, said her behavior was lewd and violated school rules.

She sued after she was kicked out without being given a hearing to defend herself.

On Friday, the state’s high court said the trial judge erred when he failed to instruct jurors, at the college’s request, that Armstrong had not used the college’s grievance procedure before filing her lawsuit.

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Survey suggests more economic growth ahead for Midwest

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of business leaders suggests more economic growth lies ahead for nine Midwest and Plains states.

A report released Friday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 57.5 in August from 56.1 in July. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says it “points to solid growth for both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing for the rest of 2017.”

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Authorities say man died after farm machinery fell on him

PILGER, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after a farm accident in northeast Nebraska’s Stanton County.

Medics and officers were dispatched around 9:25 p.m. Thursday to a farm about 6 miles (10 kilometers) southeast of Pilger (PIHL’-gur). Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger says the 76-year-old man was working with a tractor and a piece of farm machinery when the machinery collapsed on him.

The man’s name hasn’t been released, pending notification of family members.

Hastings couple imprisoned for injuries to baby girl

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A Hastings man and woman have been imprisoned for injuring a baby girl.

Court records say 32-year-old John Brown and 24-year-old Brittany Hatch were sentenced Thursday in Adams County District Court.

Police say officers found the baby unresponsive after a call in November. A doctor later found that the baby had methamphetamine in her system and bruises, cuts and burns on her body.

Court records say Hatch was given 19 to 20 years in prison. She’d pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of attempted intentional child abuse resulting in injury to her daughter.

The records say Brown was given 30 to 35 years. He’d pleaded no contest to intentional child abuse resulting in injury.

Authorities say Brown was Hatch’s fiance but not the baby’s biological father.

Authorities say 18-year-old died in Dodge County collision

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say an 18-year-old driver has died in the collision of two pickup trucks on a rural road in Dodge County.

Deputies were dispatched a little before 6:40 p.m. Wednesday to the scene about 3½ miles (6 kilometers) east of Fremont. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says dust raised from traffic contributed to the collision of the northbound and southbound pickups.

The Sheriff’s Office says Jason Bechtel died at the scene. He lived in Fremont. The other driver was taken to a Fremont hospital. She’s been identified as a Fremont resident, 59-year-old Becky Crone.

Suburban fire district seeks to end contract with Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A suburban fire district in Omaha is moving forward with plans to start its own fire department to serve residents and businesses outside the city’s western boundaries.

City officials announced Wednesday that the Elkhorn Suburban Fire District wants to create its own department and end its contract with the city for fire, rescue and medical services.

Mayor Jean Stothert disputes that the new Elkhorn Fire and Rescue Department won’t be able to serve the area at the same level as the Omaha Fire Department, which has more than 650 members.

Stothert says the city remains open to negotiate the contract, which expires at the end of 2018.

Fire District Chief Travis Harlow says staffing levels will stay the same and public safety won’t be at risk.

Man takes plea deal in fatal Nebraska Panhandle crash

GERING, Neb. (AP) — A 24-year-old Nebraska Panhandle man has taken a plea deal in the crash death of a passenger in his pickup truck.

Court records say Joshua Bolzer pleaded no contest to felony vehicular homicide after prosecutors dropped two related counts. His sentencing is set for Oct. 20.

Authorities say Bolzer, of Mitchell, was speeding in his pickup truck on Aug. 20 last year when it went out of control on U.S. Highway 26 on the west edge of Mitchell and hit a utility pole, a tractor and a liquor store.

A passenger in the truck, 19-year-old Dereon Betancur, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other 19-year-old passengers were hospitalized.

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