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SCOTTSBLUFF CITY MANAGER
Ex-city manager may temporarily lead Scottsbluff government
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Scottsbluff’s former city manager likely will temporarily return to oversee city operations while officials look to permanently fill the position. The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports the City Council voted Thursday to authorize current City Manager Nathan Johnson to make an offer to former City Manager Rick Kuckkahn and bring a proposed contract back to the council. Kuckkahn served as Scottsbluff city manager for 18 years before retiring in 2016. If Kuckkahn agrees to an expected three month contract and the council signs off, he would serve during a transition period after Johnson leaves the job in March. Johnson has taken a similar position in Dillon, Colorado. The council also approved initial plans to begin the search for a permanent replacement.
KEARNEY GRAVEL PIT
Kearney officials OK permit for gravel pit despite concerns
KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials have approved a permit that will allow a Hastings company to operate a gravel pit just east of Kearney despite objections from some neighbors. The Kearney City Council voted Tuesday night to grant a conditional use permit sought by Vontz Paving. The Kearney Hub newspaper reports neighbors of the site opposed the permit. They argued the ground was highly erodible and had a high water table, making it likely a pit would cause blowing sand and flooding. The company plans to build an earthen berm around the pit to limit any blowing sand.
ABDUCTION ATTEMPT-OMAHA
Omaha woman says man tried to abduct her as she was jogging
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are looking for a man they believe tried to abduct a woman as she jogged in near Hanscom Park in midtown Omaha. Police say the incident happened Sunday evening, when the 23-year-old woman reported that a man in his 30s driving a dark-colored car approached her as she was running. The woman said that during their interaction, the man grabbed her and tried to force her into his car. Police say the woman was able to fight the man off, escape and call for help. The man then sped off in the car. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Omaha Crime Stoppers.
MISSING COLLEGE STUDENT-CHARGE
County boosts security for trial in missing student’s death
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — Officials are boosting security at the Gage County Courthouse in Beatrice for the trial of a man accused of killing a college student in 2010. Josh Keadle has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the slaying of 19-year-old Tyler “Ty” Thomas, who disappeared Dec. 3, 2010. Her body has never been found. Trial is scheduled to begin trial Jan. 27. The chief sheriff’s deputy says tighter security is needed because there will be more people than usual in the courthouse. Keadle is already in prison. He was sentenced in 2012 to 15 to 20 years for the 2008 rape of a 15-year-old girl.
TRAFFIC STOPS-ARRESTS
Nebraska State Patrol: 3 traffic stops lead to 4 arrests
LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says three traffic stops along Interstate 80 in south-central Nebraska just hours apart netted thousands of dollars worth of drugs and fraudulent credit cards and led to the arrests of four people. The patrol says all the stops happened Tuesday. The first, near Kearney, turned up 15 pounds of marijuana and $1,500 in cash. In a second stop near Lexington, troopers found 53 pounds of marijuana, 3 pounds of THC wax and 300 THC vape cartridges. The third stop near Alda uncovered multiple fraudulent credit cards, a forgery device and marijuana. In all, four people were arrested on various charges.
BANKERS SURVEY
Survey of Plains, Western bankers says rural economy growing
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers suggests the economy is growing in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states. The survey released Thursday showed that the overall index for rural parts of the region improved to 55.9 in January from December’s 50.2. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says hiring remains strong across the region. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.
