LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would impose statewide rules for police body cameras in Nebraska is stoking a debate over how and when the recordings should be made public.

A legislative committee heard testimony Thursday on a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies for body cameras. The measure by Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha would allow police to withhold the footage from the public if it’s part of an investigation.

Opponents say body-worn cameras are meant for accountability, so the recordings should be publicly available. The Police Chiefs Association of Nebraska says written policies should be mandated by the Nebraska Crime Commission, not the Legislature.

Mello says he will try to reach a compromise on the bill.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A staffer for Gov. Pete Ricketts has been chosen to serve as a liaison for the governor’s office in central Nebraska.

Brittany Hardin will represent the governor’s office in the central part of the state while serving as a field representative for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The governor’s office announced the change Thursday.

Hardin previously served as the governor’s communications director and as a district director for Ricketts’ gubernatorial campaign. Prior to her campaign work, she was a producer, anchor and reporter for KNOP-TV in North Platte.

Hardin holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A 71-year-old Gothenburg man is dead after a motorcycle crash in Lincoln County.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a one-vehicle motorcycle accident approximately four miles west of Banner Road on Ft. McPherson Road, southwest of Brady, at around 3:50 p.m., on Thursday.

It was reported that the lone male occupant of the motorcycle, later identified as Russell Huff, was unconscious and wasn’t breathing.

Deputies arrived on the scene and found Huff to be deceased.

An accident reconstructionist was called to the scene and determined that Huff had been eastbound on Ft. McPherson Road, approaching a corner.  Investigators say Huff lost control on the corner and went into a ditch.  A passing motorist found Huff and contacted law enforcement.

Authorities say Huff was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

MINDEN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old driver has died in a south-central Nebraska car crash.

The accident occurred a little before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, about 4½ miles northeast of Minden. The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office says Austin Beitler, of Minden, was driving west on R Road when the car crashed. Beitler was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident is being investigated.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have approved a statewide ban on small, flame-powered paper air balloons which are viewed as a fire hazard.

Senators passed the measure Thursday with a 44-0 vote. It now goes to Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The bill’s advocates say the so-called flying lanterns pose a fire danger if they land in neighborhoods or dry fields. Violators would face a $100 fine.

The lanterns are made of flame-retardant paper and lifted by hot air from open flames at their bases. They’re often released into the sky at memorials or celebrations. Hot air balloons large enough to carry people would not be included in the ban.

The bill by Sen. Jerry Johnson of Wahoo would go into effect right away if Ricketts signs it.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill to create special mountain lion license plates that would raise money for youth wildlife education.

The measure won final approval Thursday with a 47-0 vote.

The legislation would require the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles to offer “mountain lion conservation plates” for a $5 fee. Personalized plates would cost $40.

Revenue from the plates would go to a state program that educates youth about conservation.

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, well-known animal lover, says he introduced the proposal because of the public’s interest in preserving the mountain lion population.

The legislation now goes to Gov. Pete Ricketts.

A Kearney woman is in custody following a brutal series of events on Thursday.

According to Kearney Police, Desiree Deherrera went to the home Robert Lester in an attempt to take her 5-year-old son away.

Police say Lester’s daughter, Kristen, and grandson were also in the home.

Lester told police that Deherrera, who was under the influence of methamphetamine, argued with his daughter and eventually began strangling her.

Police say the Kristen was able to escape and lock herself in a bathroom with the child.

At this point, things became especially brutal when Deherrera grabbed a kitchen knife and began stabbing Lester’s german shepherd.  Police say Deherrera thought the dog “was the devil.”

The dog was able to run away but was soon hit by a car, and police say the dog had to be euthanized.

Deherrera was placed under arrest and jailed on charges of felony strangulation, use of a weapon to commit a felony, two counts of 3rd-degree assault and animal cruelty.

Deherrera is being held at the Buffalo County Detention Center.

No other serious injuries were reported.

 

 

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — Cabela’s Inc. (CAB) reported relatively flat fourth-quarter profit of $78.8 million Thursday, and it said no decision has been made on whether to sell all or part of the company.

The outdoor gear seller said in December it is evaluating strategic options because of pressure from an activist investor. Cabela’s said Thursday it is still in the middle of that review.

The Sidney, Nebraska-based company said its quarterly profit per share increased to $1.14 from last year’s $1.10, or $78.6 million. But without one-time restructuring charges, earnings per share were $1.26.

The results beat Wall Street expectations of $1.22 per share.

Cabela’s announced its own plan to cut costs in September because of weak sales. CEO Tommy Millner said the cost cutting is helping.

Cabela’s predicts its profit per share will grow at a high-single-digit or low-double-digit rate in 2016.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A 29-year-old Chadron woman has been accused of abusing two children.

She was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felony child abuse, but court records don’t show that she’s been formally charged yet.

The investigation began after the children’s injuries were noticed at school. A search of the home they shared with the woman turned up two belts.

The children have been placed in state custody.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — With Nebraska’s ban on gay foster parents no longer in place, Christian placement agencies say they might be forced to choose between their religious beliefs and state funding.

A legislative committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill that would shield those agencies from state retaliation if they refuse to license gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender foster parents on religious principle.

Christian placement agencies say the measure would protect their right to continue offering support services to a specific religious demographic without fear of losing state contracts.

But opponents say the sweeping religious exemption opens the system to broad discrimination and hinders the state’s ability to find homes for more than 3,000 foster children.