LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have given initial approval to a measure that could let appointed state senators serve more than two and a half years before they face an election.

The Legislature voted 37-0 Tuesday to advance the bill, but several senators say it needs more work to ensure voters can choose their representative.

Vacancies that occur earlier than 60 days before an election now are filled during the election. The proposal by Sen. John Murante of Gretna would instead require that vacancies occur before Feb. 1 of an election year to be filled in the next election.

Murante says elections commissioners and candidates need more time to have a full primary and general election.

Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha says voters should not be represented by someone they didn’t elect.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Star Wars: Episode IX” is coming to theaters on May 24, 2019.

The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday announced the summer date for the Colin Trevorrow-directed “Star Wars,” as well as release dates for “Indiana Jones” and the live-action “Lion King.”

The fifth “Indiana Jones” film is set to arrive in theaters on July 10, 2020, with Steven Spielberg returning as director along with star Harrison Ford.

Director Jon Favreau’s live-action “Lion King” is expected debut on July 19, 2019

Acting United States Attorney Robert C. Stuart announced on Tuesday April  25, 2017 a joint operation involving members of the Cooperative Operation for Drug Enforcement (CODE) Drug Task Force and Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group (WING) which led to the arrest of eleven individuals on various charges including Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Money Laundering.  One year ago, these joint operations led to the largest federal drug takedown in the history of Nebraska.  Also seized during the operation were several weapons, ammunition,

One year ago, these joint operations led to the largest federal drug takedown in the history of Nebraska.  Also seized during the operation were several weapons, ammunition, cash and methamphetamine. These arrests today were a direct result of that effort and confirms the commitment the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue drug cases as a top priority in the District of Nebraska.  The names of the individuals and their charges will be released later today when their federal indictments are unsealed.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Randall Thysse recognized the unwavering teamwork of all the agencies involved, stating, “This long-term investigation presented unique challenges given the wide geographic territory of Western Nebraska and Eastern Colorado. I am extremely proud of all the dedicated men and women who worked to bring these perpetrators to justice. This case demonstrates how numerous agencies can act as a force multiplier and achieve significant results.”

During the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 25, 2017, CODE and WING members to include the assistance of other Nebraska and Colorado federal, state and local law enforcement agencies executed arrest warrants spanning from North Platte, NE to Wray, CO.

The CODE Drug Task Force is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22 county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska.  The WING Task Force covers the eleven panhandle counties (Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux).  The agencies involved in these Task Forces use their combined strength to work against drug dealers in their area of responsibility.

Tomas Bencomo – Age 52 – 415 N. Main Street, Yuma, CO

Ct 1- U.S.C. § 846 – 10-20 years I $1,000,000 – 3 years TSR – $100 SA

 

Robert Krehmeyer – Age 47 -1042 Franklin Street, Wray, Colorado

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine IO-life; $10,000,000; 5 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Juan Carlos Olea  – Age 25 – 921 Franklin Street, Wray, Colorado

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine IO-life; $10,000,000; 5 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Carlos Campos-Olea –  Age 49 – 1041 Franklin Street, Wray, Colorado

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine 10-life; $10,000,000; 5 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

Ct 2- 18:922(g)(l) & 924(a) (2) Felon in possession of firearm  10 yrs.; $250,000; 3 yrs. TSR; $100 SA

Ct 3 – 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) Conspiracy to commit money laundering;20 yrs.; $500,000 or twice the value of monetary instruments or funds involved.

 

Armando Ledesma – Age 39 – 308 Locust Street, Kanorado, Kansas

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine IO-life; $10,000,000; 5 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Ivan Murillo – Age 29 – Unknown Address

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine 5-40 yrs.; $5,000,000; 4 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Araceli Antonio Rasgado – Age 48 – 1041 Franklin Street, Wray, Colorado

Ct 1 – 21:846 & 18:2 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine 0-20 yrs.; $1,000,000; 3 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Carlos Ramos  – Age 40 – 1522 East D Street #31, North Platte, NE

 

Francisco Rodriguez-Morales – Age 36 – 320 ½ East 5^th Street, Wray, CO.

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine 0-20 yrs.; $1,000,000; 3 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Kristine Brueggeman – Age 48 – 570 Franklin Street, Wray, CO

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine 0-20 yrs.; $1,000,000; 3 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

 

Amalia Diaz – Age 60 – 313 7^th Street, Ovid, CO

Ct 1- 21:846 Conspiracy to distribute and PWID methamphetamine 0-20 yrs.; $1,000,000; 3 yrs. TSR, $100 SA

A 35-year-old North Platte man, who is a convicted sex offender, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

In the early morning hours of April 24, an officer with the North Platte Police Department took a report of a sexual assault alleged to have occurred at a residence in the 2400 block of East 2nd Street.

The woman stated that she had been staying at the residence of an acquaintance, John Runkle, on the evening of April 23.

She told the officer that she and Runkle had been watching a movie when she fell asleep.  She said she woke up in the early morning hours of April 24 to find Runkle having sexual intercourse with her.  She stated that she did not consent to the sex.

After the alleged assault occurred, the victim reportedly left the residence and contacted police.

According to Investigator John Deal, officers responded to Runkle’s residence and made contact with him.  Following further investigation, it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Runkle for first-degree sexual assault.

Additionally, Deal says Runkle is a convicted sex offender who is required to register with the Sex Offender Registry.  He said the residence where Runkle was living was not the residence that was listed on the Registry.  As a result, he was also charged with a violation of the Sex Offender Registry Act.

Deal says officers located a small amount of marijuana inside the residence.  Runkle was also charged with possession of marijuana.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

RELATED LINKS:

https://sor.nebraska.gov/Registry/Offender/200801RVC

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The start of construction for the first phase of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s $35 million “venture parks” project is contingent on the signing of contracts in coming weeks.

Commission parks director Jim Swenson said Friday the goal is to welcome a new generation of park attendees and get families outside together by combining nature-based learning activities with exciting adventures.

The projects will occur at Mahoney and Platte River State Parks and Louisville and Schramm Park State Recreation Areas. Some of the features include treehouse classrooms, obstacle courses and “glamor camping” cabins.

About 80 percent of the project’s cost is being raised privately. The rest will come from park fees.

Most of the features are expected to be completed by spring 2018.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Developers who build or rehabilitate homes in rural Nebraska will have more funding options under a bill passed by the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators voted unanimously Monday to create the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund by transferring about $7 million in unused money from the state’s affordable housing trust fund. The measure now goes to Gov. Pete Ricketts for approval.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, says grants provided by the new fund will help address a dearth of workforce housing in small towns.

Developers say building affordable housing is more difficult in rural areas than in cities such as Omaha and Lincoln. They have to work on a smaller scale and are farther away from labor and construction materials.