(AP) — Nebraska state Sen. Annette Dubas, a candidate for governor, is planning to introduce a property tax relief measure when lawmakers convene next year.

The Democratic hopeful from Fullerton said Wednesday that her measure would reduce the property tax burden on homeowners and renters.

Property tax rates were one of the most common complaints raised by residents during a series of summer tax hearings. The Legislature’s Tax Modernization Committee is looking at possible reforms. Dubas says she has spoken informally with some committee members about her proposal, and will release more details before the session begins in January. She says state aid for education will be part of the plan.

Dubas is competing with former University of Nebraska Regent Chuck Hassebrook in the Democratic primary. Five Republicans are also running.

(AP) — A Columbus woman has been accused of hitting her two daughters over several months.

Laura Sosa Alonzo recently made her first appearance in Platte County Court. The 30-year-old faces two child abuse charges in connection with incidents that allegedly began in August and continued through October.

Alonzo’s daughters, ages 10 and 12, say the abuse began after their mother’s boyfriend moved in with them. He is not accused of hitting them, but the girls told investigators he threatened them.

Alonzo is accused of hitting the girls with various items, including a plastic clothes hanger and a cable television wire.

Alonzo has been released from custody on a personal recognizance bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

Court records do not list an attorney.

(AP) — A patient and two staff members aboard a Beatrice ambulance escaped injury when the vehicle struck a deer on the southern edge of Lincoln.

The accident occurred around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday when the deer ran across the road in front of the ambulance.

The patient being transferred to a Lincoln hospital was taken the rest of the way by a Lincoln ambulance.

The Beatrice ambulance was towed back to Beatrice.

(AP) — A 52-year-old Colorado man who said he was hauling medical marijuana when he was pulled over in Nebraska has been fined $4,000.

David LaRochelle pleaded guilty on Monday and was fined for possessing more than a pound of marijuana. Prosecutors had lowered the charge and dropped another in return for LaRochelle’s plea.

LaRochelle was arrested July 25 after a Nebraska state trooper pulled him over for speeding. Nearly 7 pounds of pot was found in his vehicle.

LaRochelle, of Crestone, Colo., said in court Monday that he and a friend had opened a legal medical marijuana business in Colorado. LaRochelle said he was taking the marijuana found in his vehicle to another friend, in Omaha, who wanted some to help treat his cancer.

(AP) — Pleas of not guilty have been entered for a woman and her son charged with killing a 68-year-old southern Nebraska woman.

41-year-old Shelley Casterline and 23-year-old Andrew Casterline, of Guide Rock, are both charged with first-degree murder, burglary and a weapons crime. Their not-guilty pleas were entered on Monday in Webster County District Court in Red Cloud.

They are charged in the stabbing death of Virginia Barone. Barone was found in her Guide Rock home on Oct. 5 with 22 stab wounds. Her body was partially covered by boards. Barone’s son was Shelley Casterline’s live-in boyfriend.

The Casterlines were arrested the next day in Newton, Iowa, accused of mugging a woman in a parking lot.

(AP) — Omaha police have detained a man who threatened to jump off a bridge onto Interstate 80.

Omaha police spokesman James Shade says all the westbound lanes of the interstate at the 36th Street bridge were closed for less than hour Tuesday due to a suicidal party. Traffic was temporarily diverted, but all lanes have been reopened.

Shade says officers were able to talk the man down and secure him from jumping. He is now in custody.

Additional information has not been released.

(AP) — A Nebraska county treasurer is stepping into one of his employees’ shoes as part of a charity deal.

Douglas County Treasurer John W. Ewing, Jr. will be a customer service technician for two hours Wednesday at the Maple Customer Service Center.

Ewing made a pledge to employees that anyone who contributed $50 or more to a recent United Way campaign would be eligible for a special drawing. The winner of the drawing would have some of their work done by Ewing.

Employee Jennifer Bevins was declared the winner. Ewing’s staff raised $2,700 for the campaign.