LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials say people whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are up for recertification this month need to act quickly.
The state’s Division of Children and Family Services says federal officials have asked states to issue February food benefits early, citing the partial federal government shutdown. Officials say the nearly 74,000 Nebraska households enrolled in the nutrition aid program will see their next monthly allocation by Jan. 20.
The division director, Matthew Wallen, said in a news release Friday that his workers need to process January recertification paperwork by Tuesday. He says the division is working over the weekend to process recertifications and new applications to make sure recipients get their February benefits.
Officials also say some recipients will be getting phone calls from state workers this weekend as part of the recertification process.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The police chief says overall and violent crime rates dropped last year in Lincoln.
Lincoln police data say that although Lincoln’s population rose by 4,000 to more than 284,000 residents, the number of serious crimes fell by 6 percent.
Chief Jeff Bliemeister (BLEYE’-meye-stur) said Thursday that the decline in the overall rate is largely due to a 7 percent drop in thefts. Officers suspect that drop came from a combination of efforts to arrest potential repeat offenders and education campaigns to remind people to lock up their possessions.
Rapes increased by 9 percent in 2018, which police attributed partly to more delayed reports prompted by the #MeToo movement. Robberies and aggravated assaults dropped.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Latest on the Nebraska Legislature’s second day (all times local):
12 p.m.
Nebraska state Sen. Ernie Chambers is renewing his push to abolish the death penalty after his last successful attempt was overturned by voters in 2016.
The longtime Omaha senator introduced a repeal bill Thursday on the Nebraska legislative session’s second day.
Nebraska received national attention in 2015 when the Legislature overrode Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto and ended capital punishment. Death penalty supporters responded with a ballot campaign that placed the issue before voters, who reinstated the punishment. Ricketts donated $300,000 of his own money to the campaign.
Nebraska executed its first inmate since 1997 last year, using a never-before-tried combination of drugs. Prison officials refused to identify their supplier, prompting lawsuits that accused them of violating Nebraska’s public-records laws.
Chambers has fought for decades to abolish capital punishment.
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10:51 a.m.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is set to take the oath of office for his second and final term.
The Republican governor will take the oath at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Capitol. He will deliver his annual State of the State address to lawmakers on Tuesday.
Other top state officials are slated to take the oath of office Thursday. They are Lt. Gov. Mike Foley, Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Stacy, Secretary of State-elect Bob Evnen, State Treasurer-elect John Murante, State Auditor Charlie Janssen and Attorney General Doug Peterson.
Also taking the oath are Public Service Commissioner Tim Schram, State Board of Education members Maureen Nickels and Robin Stevens, and University of Nebraska Board of Regents Elizabeth O’Connor, Rob Schafer and Barbara Weitz.
KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Buffalo County Court records say a 23-year-old man will be sentenced next month for lying to police about being robbed in Kearney.
The records say Quinton Phillips, of Riverdale, pleaded no contest Wednesday to misdemeanor theft and false reporting. Prosecutors had lowered the theft charge in exchange for Phillips’ pleas. His sentencing is set for Feb. 28.
Police say Phillips worked for a security company and had been assigned to make a night deposit of money from the Viaero Center after a hockey game in September. He told police he was robbed before he could make the deposit, but officers say he lied and had taken the money for himself.
Kearney police are investigating after a local middle school received a bomb threat.
At approximately 8:00 a.m. on January 10, 2019 Officers of the Kearney Police Department were notified about a threat of a bomb at Horizon Middle School. Officers worked with Kearney Public School officials to search the school and nothing suspicious was located.
Officers also interviewed witnesses and potential suspects.
This is an ongoing investigation and includes a search warrant of the juvenile suspect’s residence.
This situation was handled quickly and professionally by Kearney Public Schools and the Kearney Police Department, following proper protocols, to ensure the safety of all students and faculty.
North Platte police continue to search for a man who is accused of stealing vehicles in North Platte and Cozad. The Department issued the following news release on January 10:
On 1-7-19 at 1111 am, an officer spoke with a victim who advised that their wallet was stolen from their vehicle in the 2100 block of West 2nd St the night before. The victim said that their credit cards have been used almost a dozen times in various locations across North Platte throughout the night before. Surveillance footage from those businesses was retrieved and 30-year-old Kim Potter was identified as the suspect.
On 1-8-19 at 743 AM, an officer responded to the 800 block of East E St in regards to a stolen vehicle. The victim reported that their silver Mitsubishi Diamante with the license plate 15BT89 was stolen sometime during the night before. Approximately two hours later, that officer observed the stolen vehicle driving around in the area of 9th and Oak St. The officer observed the vehicle abruptly pull over before a traffic stop could be initiated and the driver, later identified as Kim Potter, fled on foot. The officer lost the driver during the foot pursuit, and the driver made it back to the car and left the area. Meanwhile, the officer located another male subject, 23-year-old Dennis Teall Jr, and soon found that he had been in the car as well, hiding. Teall apparently got out of the car and tried to leave the area on foot when the officer stopped him. During a search of his person and belongings, drug paraphernalia that field tested positive for methamphetamine was located. Teall was cited for possession of stolen property and released. Charges are pending after the NSP laboratory tests the paraphernalia for drug confirmation. The stolen vehicle was later located parked behind a residence in the 600 block of East 12th St and was released back to the owner.
On 1-9-19 at 822 AM, an officer responded to the report of a vehicle stolen the night before from the area of 10th and Willow. The vehicle was a green Chevrolet S10 with the license plate 15944D. It was suspected that Potter had stolen this vehicle as well.
On 1-10-19 at 1215AM, officers with the Cozad Police Department located the pickup in Cozad and arrested the driver, 22-year-old Russell Brown. It was found that the vehicle had been delivered to Cozad by Potter. Shortly after the pickup was recovered, a tan Buick LeSabre with the license plate 18G565 was reported as stolen from Cozad.
Currently, the Buick LeSabre is the only vehicle outstanding. Kim Potter goes by several aliases including Mike Potter, Kim Hatch, Mike Hatch, and most recently Mike Wazowski. It is unknown if he came back to North Platte, stayed in Cozad or where he went. The Nebraska State Patrol and other area agencies have been notified. The NPPD wants to arrest Potter for several theft charges stemming from the vehicle thefts, the credit card usage and thefts, and charges in regards to the foot pursuit and evading our officers.
HARTINGTON, Neb. (AP) – A 28-year-old caregiver has pleaded not guilty to stealing more than $14,000 from the northeast Nebraska man she’s been helping.
Cedar County District Court records say Kayla Hansen, of Coleridge, is charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult and two related crimes. She entered written pleas Wednesday.
The records say Hansen cleaned the man’s house and drove him to medical appointments. The documents say she had access to his bank account and debit card and used them to pay her own bills and those of relatives.
The electric multi-cooker (Instant Pot) is the craze! Nebraska Extension is hosting workshops to help guide new users to making nutritious meals in 10 minutes or less. Workshop participants will be guided how to successfully operate a multi-cooker while creating quick and safe meals for your family.
Participants MUST register at least 1 week ahead of workshop by calling 308-532-2683.
Cost is $10.00 per participant and includes several food samples that will be shared throughout the workshop.
North Platte—At the Nebraska Extension Office located at 348 W State Farm Road.
Saturday, February 2 — 10:30 a.m. to NOON
Tuesday, January 22 — 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Ogallala—At the Nebraska Extension Office located at the Keith County Fairgrounds.
Wednesday, January 23 — 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. MST
Come get prepared to make nutritious balanced meals for your family in minutes. For more information contact Nebraska Extension in North Platte at 308-532-2683 baufdenkamp1@unl.edu.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials say people whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are up for recertification this month need to act quickly.
