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Graco Recalling 3.8 Million Child Car Seats

graco-car-seat(AP) — A company that makes car safety seats is recalling nearly 3.8 million of them because children can get trapped by buckles that may not unlatch.

But the action by Graco doesn’t satisfy federal regulators, who say the recall should include another 1.8 million rear-facing car seats designed for infants.

The recall covers 11 models made from 2009 through 2013 by Graco Children’s Products of Atlanta. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it’s the fourth-largest child seat recall in U.S. history.

But the agency criticized Graco in a letter today, saying that the recall excludes seven infant car seat models with the same buckles. It says the company and the government have received complaints about stuck buckles on those seats — and that parents have sometimes had to cut harness straps to remove their child.

Graco says its tests found that food or beverages can make the harness buckles sticky and harder to use. A spokeswoman says the rear-facing infant seats aren’t being recalled because infants don’t get food or drinks on their seats. She says the company will send replacement buckles to owners of infant seats on request.

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Council to Examine Lincoln Alcohol Ordinance

city-of-lincoln(AP) — The City Council will be examining an old Lincoln ordinance that bars children 15 and under who are without adult companions from being in businesses that sell alcohol after 9 p.m.

The ordinance came up at a public hearing Monday as the council reviewed Marcus Theatres’ request for a liquor license so it can sell beer, wine and mixed drinks at its Grand Cinema downtown.

The sale of alcohol would violate the 65-year-old ordinance unless the theater company barred unaccompanied minors after 9 p.m. Several council members pointed out that other Lincoln businesses inadvertently violate that law every night.

The council delayed any decision on Marcus’ application until a March 3 meeting, giving the council time to study changes in the liquor law.

Nebraska National Guard Museum to Open in Seward

Nebraska National Guard(AP) — The Nebraska National Guard’s museum pieces will be moving from Lincoln to a new home in Seward.

The Nebraska Guard’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, and Seward Mayor Josh Eickmeier announced the project on Monday. Bohac says the museum “will provide an opportunity to tell the rich history of the Nebraska National Guard.”

The former National Guard armory in Seward will be turned into the museum by summer 2015. Officials say the project will be done in three phases.

The artifacts that will go on display are stored in the State Arsenal Museum at the old state fairgrounds in Lincoln.

 

House Takes Step Towards Ban on In-Flight Calls

congress(AP) — Members of Congress, some of the nation’s most frequent flyers, don’t want to allow airline passengers to make cellphone calls in-flight and they’re doing something about it.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved, without opposition, a bill to ban such calls.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers say they believe in-flight calls would be disturbing to other passengers and possibly disruptive.

The bill is a response to moves late last year by the Federal Communications Commission to remove the long-standing prohibition on in-flight calls.

Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., the committee’s chairman and sponsor of the bill, emphasized that he doesn’t fly between Washington and his district, but he is “looking out” for his congressional colleagues.

Civil Rights Group Criticizes Fremont Immigration Flier

southern-poverty-law-center(AP) — A national civil rights group is criticizing a flier used by supporters of Fremont’s illegal immigration ordinance.

Residents of the eastern Nebraska city of about 26,000 are voting Tuesday whether to repeal rules requiring everyone who rents property to swear whether they are a citizen and get a city permit.

The Southern Poverty Law Center says some supporters of Fremont’s ordinance distributed fliers declaring “illegal immigrants are invaders.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center says the language on the flier sends a strong anti-immigrant message.

Supporters of the ordinance say they want Fremont to take a stand against illegal immigration because the federal government isn’t. And most supporters say they don’t have a problem with legal immigrants.

Man Gets Jail Time for Crash That Killed Neb. Boy

leamond-pierce(AP) — A truck driver convicted of misdemeanor vehicular homicide for a 2011 crash that killed a 2-year-old Nebraska boy has been sentenced to less than a year in jail.

Leamond Pierce, of New Castle, Del., received a 300-day sentence Tuesday. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine.

The 54-year-old Pierce was driving a semitrailer on Interstate 80 near Waverly in December 2011 when it rear-ended a vehicle driven by the family of Robert “Aiden” Curry, of Bellevue. The boy was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Authorities say poor weather conditions contributed to the crash.

Pierce’s sentence is nearly complete, but he will face an extradition hearing because he’s wanted in Delaware for a parole violation in connection to a 1981 killing.

Lincoln Bar Owner Accused of Taping 2 Workers

handcuffs(AP) — The manager of a Lincoln sports bar has been accused of secretly recording video of two employees in a dressing room.

Lincoln police say 29-year-old Dustin Robert Lindgren was arrested Monday night on suspicion of committing two felony counts of unlawful intrusion. Court records do not list an attorney.

Two employees at the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery say they found Lindgren’s phone recording video while it was hidden inside a coat pocket in the women’s locker room.

One employee says her discovery happened a week ago. The second employee says she found the phone Monday evening and called police.

Police have seized Lindgren’s phone and laptop. Investigators say they’re trying to determine if the case involves other women.

Since his arrest, Lindgren has been fired from his position.

Officials ID Body Found After Omaha Apartment Fire

fire-graphic(AP) — Authorities have positively identified the body of a man found inside a burned Omaha apartment.

Omaha police say 82-year-old William Stewart Jr. was discovered Friday afternoon after firefighters put out flames inside a midtown apartment. Additional information about the cause of his death was not released.

The fire was contained to the apartment, and no one else was injured.

Authorities say the case remains under investigation.

Fremont Keeps Rules Aimed at Illegal Immigration

voting-booth(AP) — Voters in the eastern Nebraska city of Fremont have decided to keep an ordinance that requires all renters to swear they are legally living in the U.S.

A majority of local voters agreed Tuesday to support restrictions they first adopted in 2010.

Elected officials decided last fall to ask voters to rethink the ordinance. It was part of an effort to crack down on illegal immigration in Fremont, which is northwest of Omaha.

A federal appeals court signed off on the ordinance last year. But Tuesday’s vote was scheduled because of concerns about how much the regulations would cost the city in legal fees and lost federal grants, and the effect they have on the city’s reputation.

Supporters said it was important to take a stand against illegal immigration.

Ohio Mom Legally Changes Her Name to Sexy

odd-news(AP) — A central Ohio woman who loathed being named Sheila and wanted a moniker that reflects her personality has legally changed her first name to Sexy.

A Licking County judge on Tuesday approved the request from the 41-year-old Pataskala (puh-TAS’-kuh-luh) woman formerly named Sheila Ranea Crabtree.

In her application, Crabtree called her given name “the ugliest one out there.” She said if the court didn’t allow the switch to Sexy, she’d try to become known legally by her middle name, which she has used for years.

Crabtree told a judge her husband and teenage daughters approve of the change. When the judge asked why she chose Sexy, Crabtree said she’s fun and free-spirited and thought the change would make her complete.

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