FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 19-year-old Fort Calhoun man has died in a crash that occurred after he fled a police stop.

Washington County sheriff’s deputies Friday night stopped Jackson Potadle for speeding near Fort Calhoun High School.

Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson says deputies were preparing to search the vehicle when Potadle sped off. Robinson says Potadle lost control on a curve and drove into a ditch, where the vehicle hit a tree.

Potadle was pronounced dead at the scene.

LAUREL, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in the northeastern corner of Nebraska say a man has died in a one-vehicle crash.

The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office says the Friday afternoon crash killed 66-year-old Dennis Brodersen, of Coleridge. Deputies say the crash happened shortly after 4 p.m. when the pickup truck Brodersen was driving crossed the center line, left the road and hit a farm field entrance, flipping the truck.

Brodersen, who was wearing his seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Lincoln police officer who left the force last month amid a sex assault investigation denies the charges against him.

An attorney for 54-year-old Gregory Cody said Thursday at a bond hearing for his client that Cody “strongly disputes” the allegations. Cody, who is charged with first-degree sexual assault, was released Thursday after posting $15,000 bond.

Investigators say Cody used his position of authority to coerce and force a 30-year-old mentally ill woman into sex dozens of times for more than a year.

The woman told investigators most of the assaults occurred while Cody was on duty and that they began last year after Cody released her rather than take her into emergency protective custody. She told investigators that Cody told her she would “owe him.”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha firefighters are trying to determine what caused an inferno that consumed a large home in southwestern Omaha.

Fire crews were called to the residence just before 1 a.m. Friday and found the 10,000 square-foot (929.02 sq. meter) home fully engulfed in flames. No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Omaha firefighters called for help from Waterloo, Gretna and Boys Town fire departments to battle the massive fire, which took more than two hours to contain.

Fire crews managed to keep the fire from spreading to an occupied horse barn on the property.

Fire officials say the more than $1 million home was a total loss.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Salvation Army in Omaha has kicked off its annual Tree of Light holiday charity campaign.

The public turned out Friday at midtown Omaha’s American National Bank for the lighting ceremony of the giant Christmas tree. A day earlier, the Salvation Army held another tree-lighting ceremony at American National Bank in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The ceremonies kicked off the Salvation Army’s red kettle driver, when bell ringers man the red collection kettles outside businesses in Omaha and Council Bluffs.

The campaign continues through Dec. 23.

The money collected during the six-week campaign supports Salvation Army programs and services throughout the year, including food pantries, housing, utility assistance, behavioral health services and education. All money raised through the Red Kettle Drive stays in the community where the funds are collected.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha Police Department is looking to hire new officers over the next two years.

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday through Dec. 28. The city says it could hire nearly 100 new officers over the next two years as the city expands and a fifth precinct is added.

Applicants must be at least 21 before the completion of training and must have a valid current driver’s license. Qualified applicants must have graduated from high school or obtained a GED certificate and must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position. Mental and physical fitness will be determined by examination.

The department says new hires must work as uniform patrol officers for three years before becoming eligible for other opportunities.