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Omaha Makes Deal with Residents on Police Shooting Range

shooting range targetOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An agreement between neighborhood residents and Omaha officials apparently has cleared the way for an outdoor shooting range at the city’s Public Safety Training Center.

The City Council voted Tuesday to change an ordinance that had barred outdoor shooting at the center. Officials say the range is needed so officers can train with rifles in an outdoor environment that simulates job conditions.

Several neighbors had objected to the proposal, citing among other things their concerns about noise and safety. A city delegation had several meetings with residents and their attorney and reached an agreement that includes several provisions to address neighborhood concerns.

The issue now goes to the Omaha Planning Board.

NSP Aircraft Nabs Driver Doing 140 MPH on Interstate in Omaha

state-patrol-logoA speeding, reckless driver is in jail after his vehicle is clocked traveling 140 mph on I-680 in Omaha.

On Tuesday morning, March 15, Nebraska State Patrol Troop A- Omaha was conducting traffic enforcement in the Omaha metro when an NSP aircraft clocked a blue Pontiac GTO traveling northbound at 140 mph on I-680. A trooper attempted a traffic stop near the Irvington Exit. The driver of the car stopped briefly before driving through the median and heading southbound on I-680.

The Nebraska State Patrol airplane continued to follow the car for approximately 15 minutes from the air before the driver stopped at a residence at 5808 S. 48th Avenue. Troopers then contacted the driver at the residence and took him into custody.

“This individual had complete disregard for the safety of others on the road around him,” said Captain Brenda Konfrst, Commander Troop A-Omaha. “We are fortunate his reckless actions didn’t cause an accident and take someone’s life.”

The driver of the vehicle, Jared B. Gooden, 21, Omaha, was lodged in the Douglas County Corrections on charges to include, speeding, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension, flight to avoid arrest, no registration and no insurance.

Omaha Woman Resentenced to Prison in 1993 Shooting Death

justeen-williams
Justeen Williams (Image Credit: NE Dept. of Corrections)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha woman has been resentenced to prison for a 1993 fatal shooting of a pregnant teenager.

A Douglas County district judge on Tuesday sentenced 39-year-old Justeen Williams to 62 to 85 years for shooting and killing 17-year-old Tamiko Jones and her unborn son.

The new sentence was prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says judges must have the ability to sentence juveniles to something other than an automatic life term.

Williams, who was 17 at the time of the killing, will be eligible for parole in about eight years.

Williams shot Jones, who was pregnant, over a boy both women were dating. The baby was delivered by cesarean section but later died.

Nebraska Man Accused of Punching 1 Child, Tossing Another Down Stairs

child-abuseBEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A Beatrice man has been accused of punching one child and tossing another down a flight of stairs.

Police say 36-year-old Christopher Canfield was arrested Monday and faces two counts of child abuse. Online court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could be contacted to comment on Canfield’s behalf.

Canfield’s bond was set at $5,000 during Tuesday’s hearing. His next court date is March 29.

Police were called in after a report was made by a school resource officer. The children are ages 5 and 8. Police say one child was being punished for not properly cleaning a kitchen table. Police say the other child was accused by Canfield of stealing change from him.

Pregnant Mom Killed, Son Hurt in ATV Crash, Iowa Patrol Says

iowa-state-patrolLOGAN, Iowa (AP) — Iowa authorities say a pregnant woman and her unborn twins died and her 3-year-old son was injured in the crash of an all-terrain vehicle.

The accident occurred around 1:25 p.m. Monday northwest of Logan in western Iowa’s Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol says 27-year-old Jordan Muxfeldt was driving with her son when she made an abrupt right turn. The four-wheel ATV rolled, throwing off Muxfeldt and her son, Wade.

The patrol says Muxfeldt was pronounced dead after being flown to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Her son was taken to a Missouri Valley hospital and then flown to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was listed in good condition Tuesday.

Lincoln Council Votes to Ban Smoking at Bus Stops, Shelters

no-smokingLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lincoln City Council has voted to ban smoking at city bus stops and bus shelters.

The council took the action Monday night as it also approved route changes and endorsed a consultant’s report on StarTran services.

The resolution bans smoking within 15 feet of any bus stop or shelter and will have to be enforced by bus drivers for now. Still to be determined are possible punishments that could include fines for offenders.

Bellevue Council Eases Financial Burden on World Baseball Village

baseballBELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — The Bellevue City Council has approved a new contract that will ease the financial burden on World Baseball Village.

World Baseball Village will manage the baseball and softball complex for five more years under the contract accepted by the council Monday night.

The complex was built through a public-private partnership and opened in 2010. In 2009 Bellevue issued $4.5 million in bonds to help acquire an 87-acre site and finance construction. The city owns the complex, and the management group World Baseball Village operates the facility.

The facility has struggled financially. It was downsized from the start and has rarely fulfilled tournament expectations.

Lancaster County Drops Drug Money Case Against Oregon Woman

gavel-and-scaleLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lancaster County Attorney’s office has dropped charges against an Oregon woman who authorities say had more than $100,000 of suspected drug money during a traffic stop along Interstate 80.

A sheriff’s deputy stopped 23-year-old Ariana Moran of Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 19, 2014, for following too closely and got permission to search her vehicle. Authorities say the deputy found $100,499, in seven packages taped inside a spare tire.

Moran was charged with possession of money during a drug violation and aiding the consummation of a felony. Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly said Monday that there was enough evidence to establish that the money was going to be used to buy illegal drugs in another state, but no evidence to establish that the drugs would be transported back through or sold in Nebraska.

Cousin of Omaha Man Convicted of 4 Slayings Gets Prison Time

Christine Bordeaux
Christine Bordeaux

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A cousin of an Omaha man convicted of killing four people has been sentenced to prison for her role in some of the deaths.

A Douglas County District judge on Monday sentenced 41-year-old Christine Bordeaux to 20 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery charges.

Bordeaux is the cousin of Nikko Jenkins, who was convicted in the deaths of four people.

Bordeaux was with Jenkins when he killed Andrea Kruger in August 2013. She also helped lure in Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge Cajiga-Ruiz in August 2013 before Jenkins killed them.

Bordeaux says she did not know that Jenkins would kill any of his victims.

Jenkins still awaits a death penalty hearing.

Amtrak Train Derails in Southwest Kansas; Injuries Reported

amtrak_logo_27774CIMARRON, Kan. (AP) — An Amtrak train has derailed in southwest Kansas, sending about 20 people to the hospital.

An Amtrak statement says the train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago early Monday when it derailed just after midnight about 20 miles west of Dodge City.

Kansas Highway Patrol communication specialist Patricia Munford says five train cars are on their side.

Amtrak says about 20 passengers have been taken to hospitals in Dodge City and Garden City. All others were taken to a recreation center and will be given alternate transportation to their final destination.

Amtrak says the train consisted of two locomotives and nine cars and had about 128 passengers and 14 crew members on board.

Dodge City is about 160 miles west of Wichita.

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