The West O Street on-ramp to Interstate 80 remains closed this morning, Thursday, Dec. 19, as clean up continues following a fiery semi- trailer truck crash that claimed two lives.  Motorists are advised to check Nebraska 511 for opening information.

Around noon, Wednesday, December 18, the Nebraska State Patrol responded to reports of a semi on fire on the westbound West O Street on-ramp. The preliminary investigation indicates the semi was eastbound on I-80 when it struck a guardrail, went down an embankment, landed upright on the on-ramp and caught fire.

According to the trucking company, U.S. Express, of Chattanooga, Tenn., the semi hauling dry goods was being driven by a husband and wife team out of East Canton, Ohio.

The names of both the female driver and male passenger killed in the crash are being withheld pending notification of relatives.

The crash closed a portion of eastbound I-80 for approximately an hour and a half. Westbound lanes were closed for a short period due to heavy smoke from the fire.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Rural Fire and Rescue, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, the Malcolm Volunteer Fire Department and the Nebraska Air Guard.

NEW YORK (AP) — A new survey gives credence to those who say that the religious meaning of Christmas is being lost.

A poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center found only half of Americans consider the holiday religious, even though nearly three-quarters said they believed Jesus was born to a virgin. One-third consider Christmas a cultural celebration.

Church attendance will be higher than usual during the holiday. But the survey found fewer adults are holding to the tradition of attending worship services. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said they attended Christmas services as a child. Only 54 percent will do so this year.

Meanwhile, 86 percent say they will gather with extended family or friends and will buy gifts for them.

The survey of more than 2,000 people was conducted earlier this month.

SUMNER, Neb. (AP) — A 79-year-old Eddyville man has died after a rollover crash near Sumner in central Nebraska.

Dawson County Sheriff Gary Reiber (RYE’-bur) says the accident occurred a little before 2:15 p.m. Saturday on Nebraska Highway 40.

Reiber says a car driven by Duane Pflaster (FLAS’-tur) ran off the highway, struck an embankment and rolled. The sheriff says Pflaster was taken to a Kearney hospital, where he died later Saturday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — No arrests have been reported in the fatal shooting of a woman outside an Omaha nightclub.

The shooting occurred a little before 2 a.m. Sunday outside the Passion Lounge in south-central Omaha. Authorities say 24-year-old Janee Hadan died Sunday at Creighton University Medical Center. Two wounded men were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Hadan’s employer, Jane Happee of the Educare Center of Omaha, told the Omaha World-Herald that Hadan was a “gentle but very energetic person.”

Hadan’s sister, Makayla Walker, told Omaha television KETV that the killer will be found, that “somebody out there knows something. Witnesses are talking.”

Walker says Hadan is survived by her 3-year-old son.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Medical groups and several major insurance companies have reached an agreement that seeks to cut health care costs in Nebraska while improving patient outcomes.

The groups on Wednesday will sign the voluntary agreement, which was brokered by two state lawmakers.

The agreement focuses on the use of patient-centered medical homes, which have been shown to provide better-coordinated and more efficient care for patients with a lot of needs.

The state began a pilot program after passing bill in 2009 by state Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island. Last year, state Sen. John Wightman of Lexington introduced a measure to require insurance companies to pay physicians for patient-centered medical home services.

The senators say Wightman’s bill prompted a year-long effort to set up rules between physicians and insurers.

A Nebraska State Patrol initiative designed to help reduce serious injury and fatality crashes involving teen drivers resulted in 26 seat belt safety presentations at high school football games across the state.

During the 2013 “Friday Night Lights” initiative, troopers utilized the agency’s Seat Belt Convincer and Rollover Simulator to provide high school football fans the opportunity to experience firsthand how seat belts save lives.  Safety messages and t-shirts were also provided during the first half of each football game.

“Our troopers reached almost 14,000 people with a seat belt safety message during this special initiative,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.  “We want to thank all the schools who allowed us to be a part of their sporting events and we look forward to continuing this initiative in the years to come.”

The “Friday Night Lights” initiative was made possible thanks in part to an $8,250 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) and a partnership with AAA Nebraska/Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Gretna couple says they don’t want to forget who they were before they won the second-largest Powerball jackpot in Nebraska history.

David and Erica Harrig of Gretna spoke to reporters Tuesday, less than a week after picking the correct numbers in last week’s $122 million drawing. Gov. Dave Heineman presented them with a ceremonial check.

The Harrigs say they’ve hired a team of accountants and advisers to help manage the money. They haven’t yet decided whether to take a $34.2 million lump-sum payment or a $61.5 million annuity paid incrementally over 29 years.

The Harrigs say they want the money to last for their children and grandchildren, without spoiling them. But David Harrig says he will indulge in a red Corvette. Erica Harrig hopes to build her dream house.

 

Reports of an erratic driver on Interstate 80 over the weekend led to a short pursuit and the seizure of 137.5 lbs. of marijuana.

Just after 11:00 a.m., Sunday, December 15, Communications Specialists in Troop A-Omaha, received several reports of a green SUV pulling a trailer speeding and driving erratically eastbound on Interstate 80.  An NSP aircraft in the area for a traffic selective located the vehicle and followed it from the air.  Near the L street exit on I-80, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle, which failed to stop, exited at 72^nd street and headed south, before turning east on Harrison. The driver then turned onto a residential street which led to an open field where the vehicle became disabled.

The driver of the SUV, Hector C. Toscano, 34, Visalia, Calif., was taken into custody without incident. An inventory of the vehicle led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia.  An NSP canine indicated to the odor of drugs coming from the trailer.  A search of the trailer led to the discovery of 137.5 lbs. of marijuana. The marijuana packaged in 124 bundles was located in a hidden compartment in the front of the trailer.

Toscano was lodged in the Sarpy County Jail on charges to include, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Flight to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, and Speeding.

ELMHURST, Ill. (AP) — World leaders set a goal for a cure or treatment for dementia by 2025 at the recent G8 summit in London.

But for now, caregiving is among the most pressing issue for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The Chicago-based Alzheimer’s Association says there are an estimated 15 million caregivers in the United States. And as baby boomers age and live longer, those numbers are expected to grow.

Katie Halloran, a 29-year-old teacher from suburban Chicago, is one of those caregivers.

She races home each day to her 62-year-old father Mike, who has Alzheimer’s, to take over for his paid caregiver. As his condition worsens, she and her siblings are considering full-time care — a move Katie dreads.

YORK, Neb. (AP) — A February trial date has been scheduled for a 37-year-old York man accused of drunken driving and causing a crash that killed an Aurora teacher.

Otis Newcomb pleaded not guilty on Monday to a charge of vehicular homicide with a prior conviction for driving under the influence. His trial is set to begin Feb. 4.

Authorities say the van Newcomb was driving on Nov. 2 crossed the center line on U.S. Highway 34 about two miles west of York, striking another vehicle. Thirty-one-year-old Lauren Akerson was a passenger in the other vehicle. The second-grade teacher was fatally injured.

York County Attorney Candace Dick has said Newcomb’s blood alcohol level that day was above the legal limit.