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Woman Died After Hit-and-Run Collision, Omaha Police Say

fatal-crashOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 63-year-old woman has been killed in a hit-and-run collision in north-central Omaha.

Omaha police say Kathleen Benes, of Valparaiso, died at the scene of the accident Sunday afternoon. She was driving east on Maple Street when her car was struck from behind by another sedan. The impact knocked her car into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by a westbound pickup. The pickup driver was hospitalized.

Police say the sedan driver drove away, followed by a witness in his car. The witness called 911 and shared information that led officers to the sedan. They arrested the sedan driver, who was identified as 35-year-old Justin Ayers, of Omaha. He remained in custody on Monday. It’s unclear whether he has a lawyer who could be contacted to comment about the accident.

Omaha Police Release Name of Stabbing Victim, Suspect

stabbingOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police have released the name of a man who was fatally stabbed in a boardinghouse.

Officers who were sent to the boardinghouse a little after 9:15 p.m. Sunday found a man suffering from wounds made by a knife or other cutting instrument. He was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died. A news release from Officer James Shade identified the dead man as 27-year-old Shane McKinley.

A suspect already has been booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and use of a weapon. He was identified as 49-year-old Edward Pokorny III. It’s unclear whether Pokorny has an attorney who could be contacted to comment on his behalf.

2 Iowa Farmers Hospitalized in Omaha Following HazMat Incident

ambulance-lightsHARLAN, Iowa (AP) — A hazardous materials incident at Farm Service Co-op in western Iowa has injured two workers, who were sent to an Omaha, Nebraska hospital for treatment.

The incident happened Friday in Harlan, Iowa.

Harlan Fire Lt. Jason Wickiver says the employees were working on a semi tanker believed to contain anhydrous ammonia Friday morning when they were injured. Details of how they were injured have not been released, but exposure to anhydrous ammonia — used by farmers as fertilizer — can burn the eyes, throat and damage lung tissue.

Ron Kinkel with Farm Service Co-op said the workers were taken to Shelby County Hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to the Nebraska Medical Center.

Their names and conditions have not been released.

Person Being Watched for Ebola Hospitalized with Heart Issue

nebraska-medical-centerOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — One of the five American aid workers being monitored in Nebraska for exposure to Ebola has been hospitalized after developing a heart problem while jogging.

The Nebraska Medical Center this individual was jogging near the Omaha hospital Saturday when the cardiac issue developed, and a health care worked delivered aid.

The individual was in stable condition at the hospital Sunday.

Dr. Phil Smith, who oversees the hospital’s biocontainment unit, said this individual tested negative for Ebola again Saturday.

Smith says this case doesn’t present any risk to the health of people treating the individual or the public.

The five were exposed to Ebola in Sierra Leone when one of their colleagues became ill with the deadly virus. They were all doing well and nearing the end of the monitoring period.

Driver Runs Over Woman in Omaha Grocery Store Parking Lot

omaha-policeOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 47-year-old woman who was lying down in an Omaha grocery store parking lot was critically hurt when another vehicle ran over her.

Omaha Police say the incident happened outside a Baker’s Supermarket in west Omaha around 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Officer James Shade says the woman had been lying in front of a vehicle beforehand. The driver unknowingly ran over the woman and dragged her about 40 feet before she realized it.

The woman was flown to Creighton University Medical Center in critical condition.

Couple Sues Nebraska Agency Over Adoption of Troubled Boy

DHHSLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A military couple is suing the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, accusing the agency of hiding the serious medical and mental health issues of a 6-year-old boy they adopted in 2009.

The couple adopted the boy while they were stationed at Offutt Air Force Base.

Their attorney, Sally Rasmussen of Lincoln, says Nebraska HHS told the couple that the boy “was a handful” and might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

But the couple’s lawsuit says they later learned the department was aware, but didn’t tell them, that the boy had been diagnosed with severe attachment disorder and bipolar disorder.

That would violate state law requiring it to provide the medical records of children it places for adoption to adoptive parents.

Former Lincoln Head Shop Owner Gets Prison for Running Synthetic Drug Ring

dept.-of-justiceOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The leader of a large synthetic drug-dealing business has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon sentenced 48-year-old

John Ways Jr. on Friday. Ways is the former operator of the head shop Exotica. He was found guilty last year of running a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme involving the sale of synthetic controlled substances. Prosecutors say the stores sold drug paraphernalia and controlled substances that included synthetic drugs such as K2 and bath salts.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the Exotica operation is the most extensive enterprise involving the sales of synthetic controlled substances to be prosecuted federally in Nebraska.

Lincoln Man Gets Prison for Stealing Car, Running Over Owner with It

Khalid Osman
Khalid Osman

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man has been sentenced to 15 to 23 years in prison for assaulting another man, stealing his car then running the man over as he drove away.

19-year-old Khalid Osman was sentenced Friday in Lancaster County District Court.

Osman was found guilty on March 10 of robbery, second-degree assault, failure to stop and render aid in an accident causing serious injury, and a weapons count.

He will be eligible for parole after serving about seven years.

Prosecutors say Osman left the 45-year-old victim with a compound leg fracture that required three surgeries.

Man Killed in Fiery Crash Near South Sioux City

fatal-accidentSOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — Officials are still trying to identify a man killed in a fiery head-on crash near South Sioux City in Dakota County.

The crash happened late Thursday night on U.S. Highway 20. Investigators say an eastbound semitrailer and westbound car collided head-on, causing both vehicles to burst into flames.

The semi driver escaped and was treated at a Sioux City, Iowa hospital for minor injuries.

The man in the car died at the scene. Officials have said only that they believe the man was from central Iowa.

An autopsy is being conducted and is expected to help identify the victim.

Lincoln Woman Gets Probation for Leaving Scene of Fatal Fall

Lindsey McCallister
Lindsey McCallister

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 35-year-old Lincoln woman has been sentenced to five years’ probation for leaving her fatally injured friend in the street after he fell from the sunroof of a vehicle she was driving.

Lancaster District Judge Paul Merritt Jr. sentenced Lindsey McCallister to probation on Friday, fined her $500 and revoked her driver’s license for 18 months. She must also serve 180 days in jail beginning Dec. 1, 2019, unless that jail term is waived.

McCallister earlier pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of a serious injury accident and misdemeanor DUI.

James “Jamie” Rubio died Aug. 24 after falling from the sunroof. McCallister said she couldn’t find her cellphone to call 911, but investigators say she made seven calls and sent three texts to other people after Rubio fell.

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