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Judge Officiates Wyoming Man’s Wedding, Then Sentences Him

gavel-moreCODY, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man’s “I do” wasn’t followed by a kiss, cake or honeymoon but a prison sentence for an August crime spree.

25-year-old Israel Silva wore an orange jail jumpsuit and shackles when District Judge Steven Cranfill wed him and his 19-year-old bride in a Cody courtroom last week. The bride stayed 15 feet away from Silva to comply with the jail’s “no contact” rules.

Right after, Cranfill sentenced Silva to six to 10 years in prison for a drunken crime spree in which he stole two pickup trucks, crashed one, fired shots at other vehicles and led police on a chase that reached speeds of up to 110 mph.

Silva is disputing the county attorney’s arguments that he owes nearly $46,000 in restitution.

Omaha Zoo Announces Names of 3 African Lion Cubs

henry-doorly-zooOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has announced the names of its three African lion cubs.

The Omaha zoo says the two males will be named Kayode and Shango. Kimani will be the name of the female cub.

Zookeepers selected the names, which are of Western and Central African origin, out of more than 1,800 entries submitted online.

The cubs were born on Nov. 21 and are on display with their mother, Ahadi, in the Cat Complex. Their father, Mr. Big, is in a separate display.

The cubs are the first born at the zoo since 2012. Each cub weighed 30 pounds as of last week.

Columbus ‘Big Give’ to Be Open to All Local Charity Nonprofits

CASH_MONEYCOLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — The organizers of Columbus Big Give have decided that all charitable nonprofits will be eligible to share the proceeds from the 24 hours of giving.

Last year only the 17 members of the Columbus Area Philanthropy Council were eligible for the first Big Give. But the council has decided there will be no such limits for this year’s event, in May.

Last year’s Big Give raised more than $23,000 through “giving stations” around Columbus and online and mail-in donations.

Participating nonprofits will be able to raise money for specific projects and receive training and joint marketing support in advance of the event.

Seward County Traffic Stops Leads to Seizure of 50 Pounds of Pot

POT-BUSTA traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 80 in Seward County led to the seizure of 50 lbs. of marijuana and one arrest.

Just after 2:30 p.m. on Monday, February 16, a trooper stopped a 2015 Hyundai Elantra for speeding eastbound on I-80 near the Utica exit (mm366) in Seward County. The trooper was given consent to search the vehicle. The search led to the seizure of 50 lbs., of marijuana. The marijuana was located in luggage in the backseat and trunk of the vehicle.

The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, Ian G. Gyori, 37, Glennallen, Alaska, was lodged in the Seward County Jail on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.

Police: Man Created Black Ice to Mask Drunken Driving Crash

odd-newsSPARTA, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey police say a man poured water on a freezing road to try to fool officers into thinking the cause of his drunken car crash was black ice.

Twenty-year-old Bryan Byers, of Sparta, was arrested Saturday and charged with drunken driving and other offenses.

Authorities say he hit a guardrail after running a stop sign early that morning. Police say Byers and a friend then decided to dump water onto the road, causing it to ice over.

The friend, 20-year-old Alexander Zambenedetti, was also charged with drunken driving. Police say he wasn’t wearing a shirt despite a wind chill of 15 below zero.

Byers could not be reached for comment. Zambenedetti didn’t immediately return a call Tuesday from The Associated Press.

Both men are due in court Thursday.

 

Nikko Jenkins Due in Court Tuesday

Nikko Jenkins
Nikko Jenkins

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha man convicted of first-degree murder in four 2013 shootings that occurred shortly after he was released from prison is expected back in court Tuesday.

Nikko Jenkins was convicted last year after he pleaded no contest to the charges, but his sentencing has been on hold because of questions about his mental competency.

Douglas County District Judge Peter Bataillon is expected to receive a report from the state’s psychiatrists on whether Jenkins is competent enough for sentencing.

A three-judge panel will determine whether the 28-year-old receives the death penalty.

Bataillon may also address some of the hand-written motions Jenkins has filed from prison. Jenkins has asked to have a new lawyer appointed, and he wants certain police officers subpoenaed for his sentencing hearing.

Prosecution Expected to Rest in ‘American Sniper’ Trial

Eddie Ray Routh
Eddie Ray Routh

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors are expected to rest their case Tuesday in the trial of the former Marine accused in the fatal shootings of “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle and his friend.

Eddie Ray Routh has confessed to the February 2013 slayings but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Defense attorneys say Routh was insane when Kyle and Chad Littlefield took him to a shooting range to provide support and camaraderie. Prosecutors say he knew his actions were wrong and should be convicted of capital murder. They aren’t seeking the death penalty.

In a video confession shown to jurors Monday, 27-year-old Routh told Texas Ranger Danny Briley that he shot Kyle first and added, “I’m just sorry for what I’ve done.”

Briley testified Monday that Routh said he knew his actions were wrong.

Police: Man Mad at Video Game Shakes 3-Month-Old Baby

child-abuseNEWPORT, N.H. (AP) — Police in Newport, New Hampshire, say a man has been accused of shaking his 3-month-old son twice, allegedly out of aggression toward a video game system.

Jerry Carrier faces two charges of first-degree assault and was to be arraigned Tuesday. It wasn’t immediately known if he had a lawyer.

Police said the baby was taken from Newport to a hospital in January. Two weeks later, police said they responded to a similar incident in Charlestown; this time, the child was found unresponsive. His injuries were found to be from non-accidental trauma.

The baby is in state custody.

Police said the 26-year-old Carrier told them he shook the baby twice out of aggression toward a video game system.

Nebraska Teen Injured in Crash on Snowy Kansas Highway

kansas-highway-patrolHOLTON, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old girl was hospitalized after her car crashed on a snow-packed highway in northeastern Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the 16-year-old girl from Bellevue, Nebraska, on Sunday night was traveling north on U.S. 75 near Holton when she lost control of her vehicle and it landed in a ditch.

The teen was wearing a seat belt and was taken to Holton Community Hospital for treatment of her injuries. Her condition wasn’t immediately known Monday morning.

Troopers say there were no passengers in her vehicle.

Police Release Name of Man Found Dead in Fremont

police-lights-redFREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Fremont police have released the name of a man whose body was found in a street.

The 52-year-old man identified as Dennis Charron, of Fremont. His body was found around 7:30 a.m. Sunday near 8th and Broad streets.

Police say the circumstances of Charron’s death are suspicious and an investigation is continuing. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Police also say there’s no indication that the public’s safety has been put at risk by the circumstances of Charron’s death.

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