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Jury Clears Officers in Gage County Chase Death

gage-county-sheriffBEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A Gage County grand jury has found no wrongdoing on the part of officers involved the crash death of a 44-year-old Peru man.

Beatrice radio station KWBE (https://bit.ly/1deiXaE) says the grand jury convened Tuesday morning. State law says a grand jury must look into every case in which a person dies while being chased or arrested or dies in custody.

Beatrice police say they first received a call about a car weaving in and out of traffic around 1 p.m. on Aug. 24. The car took off when officers tried to pull it over.

The chase ended about five miles south of the city when the car plunged off a bridge and flipped onto its top, killing Jerry Wissler.

Wissler was alone in the car.

Virgin America Flight Diverted to Eppley

virgin-americaOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a Virgin America flight traveling from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to an Omaha airport due to engine issues.

A Virgin America spokesman says the plane landed safely at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield Tuesday morning. Additional information about the engine issues was not released.

The plane had 111 passengers and five crew members. No one was injured.

The airline says it is finding new flights for the affected passengers.

Authorities Identify Neb. Man Found Dead in the Snow

washington-county-sheriffOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have identified a man whose body was found covered by snow in eastern Nebraska.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says 52-year-old Delbert J. Freemont Jr., of Omaha, was found Dec. 9 in a wooded ravine near the Douglas County and Washington County line.

Sheriff Mike Robinson said Freemont’s death has been classified as a homicide. Authorities say Freemont may have been killed elsewhere then dumped in the ravine.

Bellevue Police Use Stun Gun on Man with Chain Saw

bellevue-police-patchOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in eastern Nebraska have subdued a man who refused to put down a chain saw following an alleged assault on his girlfriend.

Bellevue police used a stun gun early Tuesday on 24-year-old Michael Nordmeyer.

Officers received a report from a woman who claimed Nordmeyer physically assaulted her. Police arrived at the home and eventually went to the basement, where they saw Nordmeyer holding a chain saw. He was allegedly turning the machine on and off, and he had several self-inflicted injuries.

Bellevue police used a stun gun and subdued Nordmeyer. He was taken to Creighton University Medical Center.

The newspaper reports Nordmeyer faces several criminal charges, including assault and interference with public service. Court records do not show if he has an attorney.

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As NORAD Tracks Santa, Critics Track NORAD

norad-santaDENVER (AP) — The U.S. and Canadian military’s beloved Santa Tracker is facing something new this year — public criticism.

A children’s advocacy group says an animated video on the NORAD Tracks Santa website injects militarism into Christmas by showing fighter jets escorting Santa’s sleigh.

It’s a rare swipe at the popular Christmas Eve program that gives second-by-second updates on Santa’s global whereabouts.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command defends the video as non-threatening and safe for kids.

The kerfuffle erupted two weeks ago when the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood said the video brings violence and militarism to a beloved tradition. Blogs and Twitter lit up with volleys from both sides.

Coalition officials say it’s a “media-manufactured controversy.” They say they hadn’t even known about the video until reporters called.

Workers Expected to Rid Lincoln Bridge of Pigeons

pigeonsLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Workers are expected to return soon to a 5-year-old overpass in Lincoln to install sheet metal that will keep pigeons out and protect people below.

City officials have accepted a $739,000 bid to install 22,000 square feet of sheet metal beneath the Harris Overpass. The 1,900-foot-long bridge carries O Street over railroad tracks.

The West Haymarket Joint Public Agency, which oversees Pinnacle Bank Arena developments, will vote Thursday whether to pay for half of the project.

Pigeons have flocked to the bridge since its completion, but their presence only became troublesome after the arena and related developments pushed the railroad to the west.

People going to the arena now pass beneath the overpass, putting themselves in danger of the bird droppings.

Judge Sentences Eastern Neb. Man in Baby’s Death

Ryan-KozisekLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has sentenced an eastern Nebraska man to up to 50 years in prison in the death of his infant daughter.

York County District Judge J.P. Mullen sentenced 32-year-old Ryan Kozisek (KOHS’-eh-sec) of Gresham to 35 to 50 years in prison.

A York County jury found Kozisek guilty of child abuse resulting in the death of his 4-month-old daughter, Kayley Kozisek. Kayley died at an Omaha hospital on Jan. 25, 2011, a day after Kozisek called 911 and said she wasn’t breathing.

Kozisek had claimed his 2-year-old daughter fell off a stepping stool and landed on the baby. A doctor says such an accident couldn’t have caused Kayley’s injuries.

Gov. Heineman to Present Powerball Award to Gretna Couple

Governor Dave Heineman
Governor Dave Heineman

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Gretna couple with a winning ticket for last week’s $122 million Powerball jackpot will receive their award from Gov. Dave Heineman.

Heineman will present the award to David and Erica Harrig at the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon.

Another winning ticket was sold in Massachusetts, meaning the Harrigs are expected to split the jackpot with the Massachusetts winner.

The Harrigs told the Omaha World-Herald that they plan to take a lump-sum payment of $34.18 million when they claim the jackpot. Taking the annuity option would yield a total of $61.45 million paid out annually over 29 years.

Man Faces Charges in Fatal Northeast Neb. Shooting

south-sioux-citySOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — A man faces charges in connection with the death of a South Sioux City woman in northeast Nebraska.

22-year-old Raymond Frank Gonzalez made his first court appearance Monday in Dakota County Court. He is charged with a felony of terroristic threats and a misdemeanor of disturbing the peace.

Gonzalez is accused of being involved in the shooting death of 28-year-old Bonnie Baker. She was found Sunday in a mobile home park.

The Sioux City Police Department arrested Gonzalez Monday morning. The newspaper reports a judge ordered Gonzales to be held on a $ 1 million bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14. Court records do not list an attorney.

Officials say Baker’s autopsy is pending.

Northeast Nebraskans Urged to Return Labor Surveys

ne-dept-of-laborLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Northeast Nebraskans are being urged to return surveys that will be used in the state’s Northeast Nebraska Laborshed Study.

The state Labor Department says survey results will be used to help regional and community groups better train employees, target new and expanding businesses and develop niche marketing campaigns.

The study will factor in workforces in southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa, locations employers may draw from to fill positions in Columbus, Fremont, Norfolk, South Sioux City, Wayne and West Point.

A final Nebraska report will be published in spring 2014.

Residents are encouraged to return their completed surveys in the postage-paid envelopes by Dec 31. Individual responses will be kept confidential.

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