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Grand Island Man Guilty of Trying to Kill Estranged Wife

Jesus Parra
Jesus Parra

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A 48-year-old Grand Island man is scheduled to be sentenced next month for trying to kill his estranged wife.

Online court records say Jesus Parra pleaded no contest to three charges and was convicted last week. The three are attempted murder, assault and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. Sentencing is set for July 17.

Prosecutors dropped six other charges in exchange for Parra’s pleas.

In February he’d been declared mentally incompetent and was sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. He was to remain there until “the disability is removed.” In April Parra was declared competent to stand trial as long as he continued to take his medication.

Police say he attacked and injured Rosa Olivas de Parra at her home in April 2013.

New Allergy Tablets Offer Alternative to Shots

merckTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — For decades, seasonal allergy sufferers had two therapy options to ease the misery of hay fever. They could swallow pills or squirt nasal sprays every day for brief reprieves from the sneezing and itchy eyes. Or they could get allergy shots for years.

Now patients can try another type of therapy to train their immune system, new once-a-day tablets that dissolve quickly under the tongue and steadily raise tolerance to grass or ragweed pollen.

The downside: The pills, from drugmakers Merck and Stallergenes, must be started a few months before the grass or ragweed pollen season. That means it’s too late for people with grass allergies, but the time is now for ragweed allergy sufferers.

Meanwhile, new treatments for other allergies, including to peanuts and eggs, are in testing.

Omaha Museum Free to Military Members this Summer

omahahistory.org
omahahistory.org

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Active members of the U.S. armed forces and their families are being offered free admission to Douglas County Historical Society’s General Crook House Museum in Omaha this summer.

The promotion runs through Sept. 1.

Both the General Crook House and the campus are of special significance to the American military. Fort Omaha was built as an Indian Wars United States Army supply installation, and later served the Signal Corps and as a training ground for the Army’s Balloon School. The school taught soldiers how to do reconnaissance from hydrogen balloons in preparation for World War I.

Complaint: Cook Licked Sandwiches, Served Officers

oh-thats-nastyALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A cook at a New Mexico facility that trains state corrections employees faces battery charges after authorities say she secretly licked sandwiches then served them to probation and parole officers.

Yolanda Arguello (ar-GWAY’-oh) was charged last week following witness interviews into the bizarre allegations at the South Valley New Mexico Women’s Recovery Academy in Albuquerque.

According to a criminal complaint, witnesses told investigators that the 59-year-old would take a piece of cheese, lick it and put it on sandwiches at the academy. Another witness told authorities Arguello was seen sucking on an ice cube and putting it back into a cup before handing it to a staff member.

She is charged with three counts of battery on a peace officer.

It was unknown if she had an attorney.

Police: Driver Flees Traffic Stop with Cop in the Car

odd-newsFLORENCE, N.J. (AP) — A man who allegedly fled from a traffic stop in southern New Jersey with a police officer inside his car in facing numerous charges.

Florence police say 19-year-old Randy Eno Mase of Wilmington, Delaware was stopped early Saturday for speeding.

When officers started speaking with Mase, they say he tried to drive off. An officer then entered the car through the driver’s side door and tried to stop him, but Mase drove off with the officer still in the vehicle.

A short time later, the officer was able to stop the vehicle.

Mase faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault, eluding and drug charges. He also faces several motor vehicle citations.

A telephone number for Masse could not be located Sunday.

Small Nebraska Town Tries to Boost Development

juniata-neJUNIATA, Neb. (AP) — One small Nebraska town is trying to encourage development by declaring the entire city of 700 people blighted.

The town of Juniata took that step last year, so tax incentives could be used anywhere in Juniata to spur development.

But officials are still working on a plan to take advantage of the blighted designation, so it’s not yet clear how well the idea will pay off.

Michael Mead with Juniata’s Community Redevelopment Authority says local officials just want to see more businesses come to town, so they’re trying to make Juniata attractive.

Gothenburg’s City Attorney Mike Bacon has been hired to help draft a plan to use tax incentives in Juniata. He has worked with over 50 Nebraska cities on similar plans.

Lincoln Police say Man Could Die After Assault

lincoln-policeLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 22-year-old man remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a fight in downtown Lincoln.

Lincoln Police Capt. Jason Stille says Ian Poulsen was found unconscious in the street around 2 a.m. Sunday after the fight.

Several witnesses told police they say Poulsen fighting with two other men before Poulsen fell to the ground and hit his head on the concrete.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old man a few blocks away. They are suspected of first-degree assault.

Poulsen remained in serious condition at a local hospital Sunday morning, but police aren’t sure if he will survive his injuries.

Teen’s Assault Death Cases Moved to Juvenile Court

judgeshipOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two teenagers who had faced adult charges in a fight that took another teen’s life have had their case moved to juvenile court.

The teens are accused of assaulting 16-year-old Aquilee Muse during a May 9 fight. Aquilee suffered a severe head injury after falling and hitting his head on concrete. He died May 13 after he was taken off of life support.

The two other 16 year olds charged in the fight have pleaded no contest to amended juvenile charges. One pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the other to accessory to assault.

The Associated Press generally does not name minors accused of crimes.

Prosecutors say video recordings of the fight show Muse throwing the first punch.

Grand Island Holds 3rd Zombie Shooting Competition

zombiesGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Look out, zombie apocalypse. The central Nebraska city of Grand Island is prepared for you.

The city is holding its third Zombies in the Heartland — a zombie-themed shooting competition — that began Friday and wraps up Sunday. About 500 shooters from 26 states are participating.

Ten competitive stages and a handful of side stages present different scenarios for targeting the undead.

One stage is set up like a construction site, while another looks like an abandoned amusement park. Still another mimics a city street with an abandoned bus and an overturned car.

Grand Island shooting park superintendent Bill Starkey says the zombie motif appeals to beginning and younger shooters.

Starkey says the competition’s prize assortment has grown and is now worth $250,000.

Nebraska Town Devastated by Tornado Looks to Rebuild

Beaver Crossing Tornado CleanupBEAVER CROSSING, Neb. (AP) — The southeast Nebraska town of Beaver Crossing is making plans to rebuild following a devastating Mother’s Day tornado.

A news release from a town official says over the next few months, several insurance agencies will assist the village with the process of removing debris and rebuilding. Village officials also are reaching out to charitable organizations to help those without insurance or who were under-insured.

Officials say the May 11, EF3 tornado severely damaged 120 trees on public property that will need to be cut down. The town is seeking out organizations that can help private homeowners remove their damaged trees at no cost.

Beaver Crossing Administrator Shannon Chesnut says the village office will operate out of the town’s fire hall until the Village Hall can be restored.

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