LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a garbage truck worker who died in a Lincoln accident.
Police spokeswoman Angela Sands identified the man as 47-year-old James Baker. He was riding outside the Von Bush & Sons truck Thursday morning when it slid on ice and struck a tree, pinning him between the truck and the tree.
The accident is being investigated.
WEST POINT, Neb. (AP) — One of four people charged in the slaying of a northeast Nebraska man has taken a plea deal.
Court records say 42-year-old Becky Weitzenkamp, of Oakland, pleaded guilty to an accessory count after prosecutors dropped an arson charge. Her sentencing is set for June 5.
The records say 49-year-old Jody Olson and his 28-year-old son, Derek, have pleaded not guilty to murder, arson and other charges stemming from the death of 64-year-old Ernest Warnock. His body was found March 11 in the burned rubble of his Rosalie home. He’d been fatally stabbed. Jody Olson’s trial is set to begin July 16. His son’s is scheduled to begin Sept. 17.
The records also say 31-year-old Jenna Merrill has pleaded not guilty to being an accessory. Her trial is set to begin May 8.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, said after the confirmation vote Thursday that Joe Kelly “has the right experience and relevant skills for this role. …”
Kelly is in his second term as Lancaster attorney and previously worked as chief deputy attorney and deputy attorney in Lancaster County. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Kelly replaces Deborah Gilg (gihlg), who became Nebraska’s first female U.S. attorney after being nominated by President Barack Obama.
OSCEOLA, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of stealing from two southeast Nebraska churches has been sentenced to jail.
Court records say 21-year-old Wesley Trueax Jr., of Geneva, pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor theft charges. He was sentenced last week to 230 days for each crime, to be served at the same time. He must also make restitution of $500. The judge gave him credit for 95 days already served.
The records say Trueax took an envelope of church offerings and an iPad on Nov. 7, 2016, while at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Osceola, seeking a ride to Columbus. The envelope was recovered later.
Authorities also say he took a camera from United Methodist Church in Osceola.
BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say the bodies of two people have been found in a Bellevue trailer home, but that they died of natural causes.
Officers found the bodies of a 64-year-old woman and 65-year-old man around 7:15 p.m. Thursday after a neighbor called police to say she had not seen the couple for several days.
Bellevue police say the two died of natural causes and there is no foul play is suspected. Autopsies are scheduled.
Police have not released the names of the couple pending notification of their family members.
Bellevue is about 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) south of Omaha.
NSP and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force received information that a large shipment of drugs may be traveling through Nebraska. Investigators acted on the information, which led to the seizure. The methamphetamine carries an estimated street value of $829,000.
Javier Reynosa-Flores, 26, and Jorge Montellano, 27, both of Coachella, California, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Both were lodged in Hall County Jail.
A third male suspect was questioned and released, but is considered a person of interest. The investigation is ongoing.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man who had his attempted sexual assault conviction overturned by the Nebraska Supreme Court has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in the case.
31-year-old Curtis Lavalleur pleaded no contest last week to third-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to 360 days in jail. Because he was given credit for the 422 days he’d already served, he won’t serve more time, but he will have to register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors had accused Lavalleur of sexually assaulting a co-worker after a night of drinking in 2012. He was convicted of attempted first-degree sexual assault the next year and sentenced to two to three years in prison. But the state’s high court ordered a new trial in 2014, saying the trial judge wrongly applied the state’s rape shield law in refusing to allow a defense attorney to question the victim.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A woman has been charged in Nebraska with bilking thousands of dollars from people she met on dating websites, including more than $279,000 from one Omaha victim.
Douglas County Jail records say 38-year-old Julie Cahlaway was taken into custody Tuesday and is charged with two counts of theft by deception. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her.
Investigators say she preyed on the sympathy of the Omaha man, spinning a tale of medical and legal problems that led to her obtaining more than $279,000 from him.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — An August trial has been scheduled for a Grand Island resident accused of fatally shooting another man on New Year’s Day.
24-year-old Herbey Portillo Jr. pleaded not guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder and a weapons charge. His trial is set to begin Aug. 6.
Police arrested Portillo on Jan. 2 after finding him hiding in a Grand Island garage. He’s accused of killing 19-year-old Trevor Sok. Police found Sok injured around 3:45 a.m. Jan. 1 at a Grand Island home. He later died at a hospital.
YORK, Neb. (AP) — A trial on drug charges has been scheduled for a California couple who have said the marijuana they are accused of hauling through Nebraska was intended for Christmas gifts.
Court records say 70-year-old Barbara Jiron, of Clearlake Oaks, California, pleaded not guilty Monday to four felony charges, including two for pot possession. Her husband, 80-year-old Patrick Jiron, also has pleaded not guilty. Their trial is set to begin May 22 in York.
Authorities have said that when the Jirons were arrested Dec. 19 along Interstate 80, they said they didn’t know it was illegal to transport marijuana through Nebraska. They told authorities the 60 pounds (27 kilograms) of pot was intended as presents for relatives in Vermont and Massachusetts.
