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Boy gets University of Nebraska football team wish granted

make-a-wish-foundationNORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska football team has signed an 8-year-old boy with a genetic disorder to grant his A Make-A-Wish foundation request to be a Cornhusker for a day.

Jack Johnson, a second-grader, signed a letter of intent Tuesday and became an honorary member of the team during a school assembly at Norfolk Catholic High School.

Jack was born with Menkes disease, which affects distribution of copper in the body and the development of bones and muscles.

He’ll get to be an honorary member of the team Saturday and get to take the field with players before watching the home game against Maryland from a skybox.

He will also get to tour the stadium, eat lunch with members of the team and participate in warm-up drills.

Denver first city in US to allow pot in bars, restaurants

marijuana-budDENVER (AP) — Denver has approved a first-in-the-nation law allowing people to use marijuana in bars and restaurants.

Denver voters weighed in on Proposition 300 as eight other states legalized marijuana for medical or recreational purposes last week.

The city measure allows bars and restaurants to apply to allow marijuana use. Patrons could use pot inside as long as it isn’t smoked, with the possibility of outside smoking areas.

Colorado law does not currently allow nor ban public marijuana use. The result is a hodgepodge of local ordinances related to marijuana clubs. Denver is the first city to allow bars and restaurants to permit marijuana use, though patrons must bring their own weed.

Supporters claimed victory Tuesday and opponents conceded, even as an election official said some ballots were uncounted.

Omaha man sentenced to prison for fatal motorcycle crash

jailOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for causing a crash that killed a motorcyclist and seriously injured another.

Joseph Madej was sentenced Tuesday to 19 to 20 years for motor vehicle homicide and three years for driving under the influence and causing injury. The sentences are to be at the same time.

Police say Madej ran a stop sign in April, killing 48-year-old Daniel McDonald and seriously injured his wife, Patricia, who was a passenger on the motorcycle McDonald was driving.

Prosecutors say Madej was under the influence of a number of drugs at the time.

Police say toddler found unconscious in Bellevue bathtub has died

child-abuse

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Police say a young girl found unconscious in a bathtub over the weekend has died, so additional charges may be filed against the 24-year-old Bellevue man who was caring for the toddler.

Bellevue Police say Armond Floyd was watching the girl, who would have turned 2 on Friday, and an infant while their mother worked.

Investigators believe the child’s injuries were not accidental. Police have not detailed the injuries.

At the time of his arrest, Floyd already faced charges of child abuse and other counts for an Oct. 12 incident involving the child’s mother.

He was being held at the Sarpy County Jail on Wednesday. Public Defender Thomas Strigenz, who represents Floyd in the October charges, said Floyd is now scheduled to appear in court on the new charges Thursday.

South Sioux City to test for neighborhood odor

Google Maps
Google Maps

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — City officials continue working with a company to eliminate a horrible odor that forced some residents of a South Sioux City neighborhood to leave their homes.

On Monday, the City Council approved an agreement with a company to begin testing for hydrogen sulfide in the homes affected by the odor.

The odor originates from the nearby Big Ox Energy plant and has spread through sewer lines beneath area homes.

A company official says about 60 homes have signed up for the testing, which will begin Thursday.

A long-term solution for the odor includes installing a separate industrial waste line, which would isolate the residential areas from industrial wastewater.

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Omaha teachers to get training for unruly students

omaha-psOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Teachers a middle school in Omaha will soon get two days for special disciplinary training to respond to persistent bad behavior at the school.

The Omaha school district is adding more administrators and hired a consultant to help reform procedures at Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School. Teachers at the school have complained this year of widespread discipline problems, including assaults on staff and other students.

Principal Darin Williams says the problems are due to a small group of students.

Parents and staff at a meeting Monday called for higher expectations, more parental involvement and greater diversity among teachers.

The school’s enrollment has nearly doubled this year with the addition of sixth-graders.

Elkhorn administrator promoted to lead the growing district

schoolOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Elkhorn school board decided to promote Assistant Superintendent Bary Habrock to lead the growing district when current superintendent Steve Baker retires next year.

The district’s board decided Monday to promote Habrock, who has worked in the Elkhorn district for roughly two decades.

The 44-year-old has been assistant superintendent since 2009.

Board president John Marasco says Habrock’s vision for the future fit well with the board’s strategic plan.

Mahoney State Park restaurant to offer Thanksgiving meal

Mahoney State Park
Mahoney State Park

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A restaurant at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is offering a Thanksgiving Day meal with traditional and nontraditional food items.

The restaurant will have a ham and turkey carving station, along with traditional holiday fixings. Hours for the meal are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost for adults is $25.95; meals for children ages 5 to 12 are $12.95. Kids age 5 and under eat free.

Reservations can be made by calling 402-944-2523.

Diners can extend their visit by making a reservation for a cabin or lodge room. Several activities are available, including hiking, an indoor activity fun center for kids and ice skating as weather permits.

More information about Mahoney State Park, including restaurant hours, is available at www.OutdoorNebraska.gov/mahoney.

Western Iowa boy dies several days after being hit by van

ambulance-lightsCOUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — An 11-year-old boy who was struck by a van while trying to cross a Council Bluffs street has died.

Blake Smith’s family says he died at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday.

Police say Blake Smith ran in front of the van while trying to cross a street in Council Bluffs last Wednesday.

Authorities have not announced whether the driver will face any charges.

Lincoln neighborhood advocates fight liquor store proposal

liquor-salesLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of neighborhood advocates are opposing a proposal to reduce the required distance between businesses that sell packaged liquor and nearby churches, homes and schools.

Lincoln attorney Mark Hunzeker is asking the city to reduce the distance from 100 feet to 50 feet. He is representing Walgreens, which can’t get an off-sale liquor license because it has a store 60 feet from a residential property.

Shawn Ryba of NeighborWorks Lincoln wrote a letter to Lincoln City Council, saying that a coalition of more than 25 neighborhood associations endorsed the current spacing requirement and believes it helps protect the quality of life in neighborhoods.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission will take up the issue Nov. 30. It’ll eventually go to the City Council.

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