A Nebraska State Patrol initiative designed to help reduce serious injury and fatality crashes involving teen drivers resulted in 26 seat belt safety presentations at high school football games across the state.

During the 2013 “Friday Night Lights” initiative, troopers utilized the agency’s Seat Belt Convincer and Rollover Simulator to provide high school football fans the opportunity to experience firsthand how seat belts save lives.  Safety messages and t-shirts were also provided during the first half of each football game.

“Our troopers reached almost 14,000 people with a seat belt safety message during this special initiative,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.  “We want to thank all the schools who allowed us to be a part of their sporting events and we look forward to continuing this initiative in the years to come.”

The “Friday Night Lights” initiative was made possible thanks in part to an $8,250 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) and a partnership with AAA Nebraska/Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Gretna couple says they don’t want to forget who they were before they won the second-largest Powerball jackpot in Nebraska history.

David and Erica Harrig of Gretna spoke to reporters Tuesday, less than a week after picking the correct numbers in last week’s $122 million drawing. Gov. Dave Heineman presented them with a ceremonial check.

The Harrigs say they’ve hired a team of accountants and advisers to help manage the money. They haven’t yet decided whether to take a $34.2 million lump-sum payment or a $61.5 million annuity paid incrementally over 29 years.

The Harrigs say they want the money to last for their children and grandchildren, without spoiling them. But David Harrig says he will indulge in a red Corvette. Erica Harrig hopes to build her dream house.

Reports of an erratic driver on Interstate 80 over the weekend led to a short pursuit and the seizure of 137.5 lbs. of marijuana.

Just after 11:00 a.m., Sunday, December 15, Communications Specialists in Troop A-Omaha, received several reports of a green SUV pulling a trailer speeding and driving erratically eastbound on Interstate 80.  An NSP aircraft in the area for a traffic selective located the vehicle and followed it from the air.  Near the L street exit on I-80, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle, which failed to stop, exited at 72^nd street and headed south, before turning east on Harrison. The driver then turned onto a residential street which led to an open field where the vehicle became disabled.

The driver of the SUV, Hector C. Toscano, 34, Visalia, Calif., was taken into custody without incident. An inventory of the vehicle led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia.  An NSP canine indicated to the odor of drugs coming from the trailer.  A search of the trailer led to the discovery of 137.5 lbs. of marijuana. The marijuana packaged in 124 bundles was located in a hidden compartment in the front of the trailer.

Toscano was lodged in the Sarpy County Jail on charges to include, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Flight to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, and Speeding.

ELMHURST, Ill. (AP) — World leaders set a goal for a cure or treatment for dementia by 2025 at the recent G8 summit in London.

But for now, caregiving is among the most pressing issue for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The Chicago-based Alzheimer’s Association says there are an estimated 15 million caregivers in the United States. And as baby boomers age and live longer, those numbers are expected to grow.

Katie Halloran, a 29-year-old teacher from suburban Chicago, is one of those caregivers.

She races home each day to her 62-year-old father Mike, who has Alzheimer’s, to take over for his paid caregiver. As his condition worsens, she and her siblings are considering full-time care — a move Katie dreads.

YORK, Neb. (AP) — A February trial date has been scheduled for a 37-year-old York man accused of drunken driving and causing a crash that killed an Aurora teacher.

Otis Newcomb pleaded not guilty on Monday to a charge of vehicular homicide with a prior conviction for driving under the influence. His trial is set to begin Feb. 4.

Authorities say the van Newcomb was driving on Nov. 2 crossed the center line on U.S. Highway 34 about two miles west of York, striking another vehicle. Thirty-one-year-old Lauren Akerson was a passenger in the other vehicle. The second-grade teacher was fatally injured.

York County Attorney Candace Dick has said Newcomb’s blood alcohol level that day was above the legal limit.

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A Gage County grand jury has found no wrongdoing on the part of officers involved the crash death of a 44-year-old Peru man.

Beatrice radio station KWBE (http://bit.ly/1deiXaE) says the grand jury convened Tuesday morning. State law says a grand jury must look into every case in which a person dies while being chased or arrested or dies in custody.

Beatrice police say they first received a call about a car weaving in and out of traffic around 1 p.m. on Aug. 24. The car took off when officers tried to pull it over.

The chase ended about five miles south of the city when the car plunged off a bridge and flipped onto its top, killing Jerry Wissler.

Wissler was alone in the car.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a Virgin America flight traveling from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to an Omaha airport due to engine issues.

A Virgin America spokesman says the plane landed safely at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield Tuesday morning. Additional information about the engine issues was not released.

The plane had 111 passengers and five crew members. No one was injured.

The airline says it is finding new flights for the affected passengers.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have identified a man whose body was found covered by snow in eastern Nebraska.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says 52-year-old Delbert J. Freemont Jr., of Omaha, was found Dec. 9 in a wooded ravine near the Douglas County and Washington County line.

Sheriff Mike Robinson said Freemont’s death has been classified as a homicide. Authorities say Freemont may have been killed elsewhere then dumped in the ravine.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in eastern Nebraska have subdued a man who refused to put down a chain saw following an alleged assault on his girlfriend.

Bellevue police used a stun gun early Tuesday on 24-year-old Michael Nordmeyer.

Officers received a report from a woman who claimed Nordmeyer physically assaulted her. Police arrived at the home and eventually went to the basement, where they saw Nordmeyer holding a chain saw. He was allegedly turning the machine on and off, and he had several self-inflicted injuries.

Bellevue police used a stun gun and subdued Nordmeyer. He was taken to Creighton University Medical Center.

The newspaper reports Nordmeyer faces several criminal charges, including assault and interference with public service. Court records do not show if he has an attorney.

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