GERING, Neb. (AP) – A 28-year-old man accused of heaving a container of water at a judge has been arraigned on the new charges.
Authorities say Philip Enriquez tossed the container at Judge James Worden on Jan. 30. Worden had just sentenced Enriquez to six months in jail for shoplifting.
The container missed the judge, and Enriquez was wrestled to the floor and taken away after threatening the judge.
Enriquez was in jail when he was arraigned Wednesday via a video system. He’s being held on $500,000 bail. Online court records don’t list the name of his attorney.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Gun owners who legally transport weapons in their vehicles would have more property rights defined in Nebraska law, under a measure moving through the state Legislature.
Legislative Bill 785 would provide clear guidelines for the transportation and storage of firearms in vehicles in publicly accessible parking lots throughout the state.
Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial says many gun owners face erratic rules and actions by employers regarding the transportation and storage of firearms in private vehicles in parking lots open to the public.
He says his bill brings a balance between private property rights and the right to bear arms for law abiding citizens.
The senator says people should be able to keep a gun safely stored in their vehicles in a public place regardless of an employer’s rules.

 

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) – A woman has been given more time to file an amended complaint in a federal lawsuit accusing the Scottsbluff police chief of harassment.
Tamara Villanueva is suing Chief Alex Moreno and the city. She claims she had a relationship with Moreno after she sought police help with a domestic situation, and then he harassed her after the relationship ended.
The city’s lawyers want the lawsuit dismissed, arguing Villanueva failed to make a valid argument and didn’t follow proper procedure when she filed the lawsuit.
A federal judge on Tuesday says Villanueva’s lawsuit doesn’t include a federal claim upon which relief may be granted. The judge gave her until March 7 to file an amended complaint or the lawsuit will be dismissed.

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – NEBRASKAland Days has announced the opening acts for Daughtry at this year’s US Cellular Summer Jam rock show.
The Dirty Guv’Nahs, an independent Tennessee Band, will take the stage prior to the headline act. They’ve been named Best Band in Knoxville, TN three times and are releasing their third album this summer.
Also playing with The Dirty Guv’Nahs is the award-winning Omaha band, Rock Paper, Dynamite. They feature a straight rock, mildly retro sound that promises to “mesmerize you.”
Tickets for Daughtry with the Dirty Guv’Nahs go on sale Thursday morning at 9 am at the NEBRASKAland DAYS Box Office, 509 E. 4th Street. Tickets will also be available online at www.nebraskalanddays.com.
Patrons can select seats, buy, and print their tickets right at home from their virtual box office.

 

 

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – A jail official in central Nebraska has been investigated for misconduct after refusing to take custody of a prisoner, but it’s not clear if he will face any charges.
32-year-old Jimmy Vann could face a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct for the Feb. 1 incident. Vann is Hall County’s assistant corrections director.
A brief police report says this matter is related to the arrest of Jeremie Mitchell on a bench warrant for missing his trial for criminal mischief.
It’s not clear exactly what happened because officials are not saying much about the case. Vann and police referred questions to County Attorney Mark Young who declined to comment. Young says he’ll likely refer the matter to the attorney general’s office.

 

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a child is in good condition after suffering injuries in a duplex fire in Kearney.
The fire broke out in a bedroom on the second floor Monday night. 3-year-old Payton Houston was at home with her mother, Melissa Lawsen, and another adult when the fire started.
Lawsen told police the fire may have started from a candle burning in her bedroom.
Firefighters estimate damage to the duplex at $75,000.

 

 

 

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post) – An early morning assault has three North Platte residents facing felony charges.
Police were called to the 2800 block of Rodeo Road around 1:30 a.m. Monday on a report of several assaults. The resident’s estranged husband allegedly led a pipe-wielding attack with two others on several people inside the home. The man, 22 year old James Horn was soon arrested and charged with two counts of second degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony, both felonies. Assisting Horn in the alleged attack were 19 year old Johnathon Loving and 23 year old Cortney Lopez. Loving was arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second degree assault; a felony, third degree assault and second degree trespassing. Lopez is still being sought on charges of aiding and abetting second degree assault, third degree assault and second degree trespassing.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The number of Nebraska farms dropped again last year.
A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says the total hit 46,800 in 2011, compared with 47,200 in 2010.
The service says the 2010 figure was unchanged from 2009. But those figures were down 200 from 2008’s count.
In Nebraska, the average farm size was 972 acres last year, compared with 966 the year before.
The number of Nebraska farms with annual sales above $500,000 grew by 1,500 in 2011. Much of that was offset by a combined drop of 1,100 for the sales categories of $100,000 to $250,000 and $250,000 to $500,000. The USDA says higher commodity prices were a major factor in those figures.

 

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) – The Ogallala City Council has eliminated the paid full-time job of fire chief.
The council voted 4-0 to change the job to a volunteer position. The new city code says the chief will be a volunteer who is elected to the position by the general membership of the department, subject to approval of the city manager.
Councilman Mark Knudsen says the possibility of eliminating the paid position has been discussed during the budget process for the seven years he’s been on the council.
Councilman Pete Peterson says money was budgeted for the position during last year’s budget process, but revenue has fallen short of projections.
The council action eliminated the job of Chief Greg Stofer.