Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Troop C – Grand Island have arrested two men after discovering a large amount of illegal drugs and drug-related items during a traffic stop.

The incident occurred Friday, September 8, at 2 p.m. Troopers stopped a 2018 Chevy Yukon for running a stop sign after exiting I-80 at mile marker 324. During the traffic stop, the passenger of the vehicle supplied probable cause for troopers to conduct a search.

A search of the vehicle was conducted, revealing a large amount of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Troopers discovered approximately 4,100 illegal drug items, including thousands of packages of THC edibles, THC liquid, and a small amount of cocaine.

The driver, Jonathan E. Rodriguez, 29, of California, and passenger, David B. Batchelder, 28, of California, were arrested on multiple charges including Possession of Hashish Oil, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Marijuana Possession between one ounce and one pound, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,
and No Drug Tax Stamp. Rodriguez was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Both men were lodged in Hamilton County Jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An access site on the Elkhorn River west of Omaha has been closed after being trashed by vandals.

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District says it was forced to close Graske Crossing at the southeast corner of West Dodge Road and the river after vandals destroyed restrooms and signs and damaged trees Thursday night or early Friday morning.

The NRD says it doesn’t know when the access site will reopen.

Officials are asking anyone who has information on the vandalism to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department or the NRD office.

Update 9.11.17 8:00 a.m.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Official have released the name of a Lincoln woman who died after a fire.

Officials say the fire started in her Stadium Walk Apartments unit around 7 p.m. Thursday and she died later at a hospital. She’s been identified as 66-year-old Marsha Merrill.

The flames were contained to her apartment. The fire cause is being investigated.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a Lincoln woman has died following an apartment fire.

Firefighters were called to the Stadium Walk Apartments on Thursday night and pulled the 66-year-old woman from the burning unit. Fire officials say she died early Friday.

Officials have not yet released the woman’s name. Fire officials have not said what caused the fire.

Firefighters say the fire was contained to the woman’s apartment, and no one else was injured.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A teenager has been charged with five felonies — including attempted murder — after investigators say he fired on Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies with a 12-gauge shotgun, hitting one.

The 17-year-old was charged Friday with two counts of attempted murder, one count of second-degree assault and two weapons counts. The Associated Press generally does not name juveniles charged with crimes.

The teen remained hospitalized Saturday after being shot Sept. 3 by one of the deputies who returned fire after Deputy John McFarland was hit by shotgun pellets. McFarland was treated and released the same day.

Investigators say the deputies were called to the boy’s Waterloo home before dawn by his parents after the teen reportedly attacked them with a baseball bat when they confronted him about drinking alcohol.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The new director of the Latino Center of the Midlands is shaking things up.

Albert Varas, who became director in January, is launching new programs and shifting resources to build on the center’s history in Omaha and Douglas County and see its influence grow.

“We’re finding new ways we can add value for the people we serve,” Varas said.

The center is helping health care providers restructure health services, identify barriers to care and find remedies. It’s also focusing on new mental and behavioral health efforts, with the help of community partners.

In addition, the center is working with companies in neighboring Sarpy County and the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce to hire and transport workers.