LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has vetoed two more bills as lawmakers prepare to end the 2019 session.
Ricketts on Thursday rejected one proposal that would require marriage applications, licenses and certificates to refer to a married couple as “Applicant 1” and “Applicant 2.”
Nebraska’s current application form uses the terms “Groom/Party A” and “Bride/Party B” in response to the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed same-sex marriage nationwide. The marriage license and certificate forms use “Groom” and “Bride.”
Ricketts says Nebraska must accommodate same-sex couples but “also support the vast majority of Nebraskans who believe in traditional marriage.”
The second bill vetoed would allow the Omaha Transit Authority to expand and levy property taxes outside its current limits. Ricketts says the bill would result in a property tax increase.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Trump administration is following through on a plan to allow year-round sales of gasoline mixed with 15% ethanol.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced the change Friday, ending a summertime ban imposed out of concerns for increased smog from the higher ethanol blend. The agency had proposed the change in March.
The change also fulfills a pledge that President Donald Trump made to U.S. corn farmers, who see ethanol as an important driver of demand for their crops. Oil refineries have been seeking exemptions from government requirements to include ethanol in their fuel mixes.
Environmental groups contend the U.S. Clean Air Act prohibits year-round sales of E15, and court challenges are expected.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Juwan Howard was overcome with tears of joys as he was introduced as Michigan’s new men’s basketball coach. The former member of the Fab Five has a five-year contract that will pay him $2 million in his first year. Howard replaces John Beilein, who left to coach at Cleveland. Howard is a former Miami Heat assistant coach who helped Michigan reach the national championship game twice, playing alongside Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.
UNDATED (AP) — Michigan’s hiring of Juwan Howard continues a recent trend of college programs hiring former NBA players. Howard had no previous college coaching experience before being named John Beilein’s replacement.
UNDATED (AP) — The Oklahoma-Texas and Michigan-Ohio State rivalry games return to Fox for the second consecutive yea. The network also plans to have a new pregame show with Urban Meyer and Reggie Bush this season. Fox has announced times and dates for dozens of games that will air on the network, FS1 or the Big Ten network.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The NCAA baseball tournament opens Friday with play at 16 regional sites. The regional winners advance to super regionals next week and the final eight go to the College World Series beginning June 15. Central Michigan has won 18 straight games and is the hottest team entering the tournament. No. 1 national seed UCLA has won 10 in a row. The last top seed to win the championship was Miami in 1999.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Aaliyah Jordan hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to help UCLA beat Minnesota 7-2 at the Women’s College World Series. Jordan’s blast gave Rachel Garcia the support she needed. Garcia, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, pitched a complete game for the second-seeded Bruins. UCLA will play Pac-12 rival Arizona on Friday for a spot in the semifinals.
UNDATED (AP) — Ohio State and Louisville are among the teams to benefit most from players opting to withdraw from the NBA draft. Tennessee and Auburn took some of the biggest hits.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – Police are looking for a central Nebraska auto sales employee who was sent to make a more than $14,000 cash deposit, but never showed up at the bank.
The Grand Island Independent reports that an employee with Jubba Auto Sales in Grand Island was sent Wednesday to make a deposit $14,443 at the business’ bank. When he failed to return, and the bank said no deposit was made, police were called.
Manuel GomezHOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) – A judge has ordered a second mental competency evaluation for a Holdrege man accused of a shooting that killed two men and seriously injured a third.
The Kearney Hub reports the order came this week at the request of prosecutors, who cited “ambiguities and inconsistencies” in Manuel Gomez’s first evaluation. Prosecutors did not elaborate on what those issues were.
The 46-year-old Gomez is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of assault and several other counts.
Officials say Gomez shot and killed 65-year-old Raymond Burton and 54-year-old David Rogers in February. Their bodies were found in separate units at the Sunrise View Apartments in Holdrege. He’s also suspected of shooting and wounding his attorney at the time, 64-year-old Doyle Morse.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents has named a longtime administrator and faculty member as the school’s interim president-elect.
The board announced Thursday that it will name Susan M. Fritz the university’s interim president following the departure of current President Hank Bounds, who will leave Aug. 15. Fritz will hold the position while the board conducts a national search for the next president.
Fritz will be the first woman to lead the university since the system was created 51 years ago.
Fritz grew up on a farm outside Lincoln and continues to farm near Crete. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She joined the university as an instructor in 1989 and has held various positions, including executive vice president and provost.
She and the board agreed she wouldn’t be a candidate for the permanent position of president.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska attorney has been confirmed to a state commission that resolves public sector labor disputes, despite objections from some lawmakers that he isn’t qualified.
Gregory Neuhaus of Grand Island secured a seat Thursday on the Nebraska Commission on Industrial Relations. Lawmakers voted 27-19 to confirm him for the position. Neuhaus was appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, a fellow Republican.
Some progressive and moderate lawmakers say Neuhaus doesn’t have the experience required by law for the commission. He also was opposed by the AFL-CIO.
Neuhaus acknowledged in a hearing that he hadn’t done any work in employment law or negotiated labor contracts. But supporters say he’s an experienced, well-rounded attorney and would be unbiased.
Neuhaus ran for the Legislature in 2016 but narrowly lost to state Sen. Dan Quick.
One fatality is confirmed following an early morning structure fire at 501 University Street, in Hastings.
At approximately 4:15 a.m., the Hastings Fire Department was dispatched to the scene, along with Hastings Rural Fire Department and Hastings Police Department. No other injuries have been reported.
The fatality was an occupant of the structure and an autopsy has been ordered by the Adams County Attorney. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending positive identification.
The Hastings Fire Department requested the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Hastings Police Department and the Adams County Attorney.
The public is invited to tour the 2019 North Platte Community College Foundation Auction House on June 6. The house was constructed by students in the college’s Building Construction, Electrical and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Technology programs. It will be sold via silent auction and proceeds will go back to building trade students in the form of scholarships.
The public will get its first look at the 2019 North Platte Community College Foundation Auction House next week.
An open house is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. June 6. Additional open houses are planned for 5-7 p.m. June 18, June 20, June 25 and June 26.
The public can also schedule tours by calling Bonnie Kruse at (308) 535-3682 or Jo Ann Lundgreen at 535-3796.
Students in the college’s Building Construction, Electrical and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Technology programs constructed the house from the ground up as part of their training.
The project gave them hands-on, real-world experience and an appreciation for quality craftsmanship they can take with them into the workforce.
The house will be sold via silent auction and proceeds will go back to building trade students in the form of scholarships.
About the house
The 2019 auction house is a 1,886-square-foot, three bedroom, two and a half bath home. The foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen boast an open concept layout.
Other features include:
Hardwood ¾-inch flooring throughout the kitchen, living and dining rooms and hallway
Carpeted bedrooms
Arched panel mocha stained interior doors
Stained oak base and trim
Cathedral ceilings in the living and dining rooms
Pella entrance and side light with Artesian pattern decorative glass
Arch windows above a front triple casement window and rear French door
Raised-panel midnight stained maple cabinets
Pella Designer Series windows with exceptional energy efficiency
LP SmartSide siding resistant to rot, termites and mold with a 30-year finish warranty
Versetta stone accent on the front of the home
Rolex aluminum soffit and fascia
The entire house was built with convenience in mind. There are two pantries, granite countertops and a large island with a snack area in the kitchen. The home also comes with an outside-vented hood and dishwasher.
The master bedroom features a large walk-in closet, and the master bath has a spacious shower with a full ceramic tile enclosure. There is a mudroom with laundry space and a powder room next to an optional garage.
Energy saving LED lighting is installed throughout the home, which is also wired for cable and telephone. The ceiling insulation is R46 throughout the house with the exception of the vaulted area, which is R38. R21 insulation lines the 6-inch sidewalls. The shingles come with a 30-year warranty.
Those interested in more information about the construction of the house can contact Roger Fattig, building construction instructor, at 535-3646, orfattigr@mpcc.edu.
The bid process
Bidding will begin at 5 p.m. June 6 and continue until 2 p.m. June 27. Forms can be picked up at the South Campus Welcome Center, 601 W. State Farm Rd. They are also available online at: mpcc.edu/community/house-auction.
The minimum bid for the house is $145,000. The highest bid will be posted online throughout the duration of the auction.
More information about the bidding process is available through Oksana Empfield, (308) 535-3672 or empfieldo@mpcc.edu.
The buyer must move the house by Sept. 16. Further details regarding the house, the auction and other processes can be found on the college’s website at:mpcc.edu/community/house-auction.
Ralph W. Anderson, 89, of North Platte, passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2019. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2019 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Cremation will follow visitation. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Dave Logsdon officiating. Inurnment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
