KFOR 1240AM

All of these articles are from the past 2 days.
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POVERTY IN LINCOLN
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

On a scale of 1 to 10, Center for People in Need Executive Director Beatty Brasch says she would rank poverty in Lincoln as an 8. The Center is out with it's annual update on poverty, and it shows 76% of those surveyed has trouble buying enough food and 26% coped with the lack of food by skipping meals. A little over half were using food stamps, but 31% of those families still couldn't afford to buy food with the assistance. Brasch told KFOR News she is also concerned that 24% of adults surveyed were not covered by health insurance. She says the majority of those surveyed had at least one person in the family working, but they still couldn't afford basic needs. Contact the center at 476-4357 if you would like a copy of the survey results.

FEDERAL BUDGET UPDATE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

The federal government ran a budget surplus of $159.3 billion in April, smaller than a year ago. The Treasury Department reported Monday that the budget surplus for April was 10.4 percent lower than in April 2007. The government traditionally runs a surplus in April, the month that tax returns are due. However, the weak economy has been dampening growth in revenues this year.

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST JUDGE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Associated Press. )

A state senator has filed a formal complaint against the Sarpy County judge who decided to leave a man with mental problems handcuffed in the lobby of a state psychiatric hospital. Omaha Senator Ernie Chambers called the incident cruel and unethical and filed his complaint today against Sarpy County District Judge Robert Wester with the state's Judicial Qualifications Commission. Last Thursday, Wester deemed the man mentally incompetent to stand trial, so Sarpy County deputies took him to the Lincoln Regional Center. But hospital officials told the deputies there was no room for the man. A sheriff's lieutenant says the judge told him that the deputies had to leave the man there even if the hospital refused to admit him.

STAMP PRICES UP
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Mailing a letter costs a little more, with the price of a first-class stamp rising to 42 cents today. People who planned ahead and bought Forever stamps for 41 cents each can still use them without extra postage. Forever stamps also are going up to 42 cents. The cost to mail a post card also goes up a penny, to 27 cents. Certified mail costs a nickel more, at $2.70. Priority and express mail also are getting more expensive.

HONORING THOSE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

This is National Police Memorial Week, a time set aside to pay tribute to the men and women of law enforcement and to remember those who've been killed in the line of duty. Thursday is Law Enforcement Memorial Day, and a ceremony honoring fallen officers will be held at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. Here in Lincoln, a ceremony is planned for tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon infront of the City-county law enforcement center. Since 1866, 128 federal, state, county and municipal Nebraska officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Eleven of them were State Troopers.

MAYOR'S EFFORTS TO HELP YOU TRUST CITY GOVERNMENT CONTINUE
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

Mayor Beutler says his Directors and Aides hold positions of authority and influence in his administration, and they are here because he trust's their judgment. But it's not a black and white situation. So, Beutler has signed an Executive Order that prohibits City Department Directors and Mayoral Aides from contracting with the City. He said the action is part of his effort to make City government more accountable and transparent. The Mayor said, �They are valued members of my team, and they are here because I trust their judgment. Nevertheless, I want to avoid even the appearance of impropriety that naturally arises when a high-ranking City officer contracts with the City.� Beutler thanked members of the Charter Revision Commission for bringing the potential conflict of interest issue to the attention of the community. The Commission asked the City Council to put on the May ballot an amendment that would have prohibited elected officials and Directors from having contracts with the City. Council Member John Spatz proposed an ethics ordinance that did pass. Beutler has signed the legislation, and he thanked Spatz for his efforts. The Mayor said he also continues to support an effort to put the original charter amendment on the November ballot. �I continue to believe that such a ban is, quite simply, good government,� he said. No Department Directors of Mayoral Aides have contracts with the City at this time.

LIED CENTER EXEC STEPPING DOWN
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Sandy Conners. )

The executive and artistic director of the Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Charles Bethea, announced he is retiring from the post he has held since 1997 to pursue other opportunities. "I am pleased that I have had the opportunity to help the Lied Center evolve into a nationally-recognized performing arts center," Bethea said.
"I applaud the way in which Charles has broadened the reach of the Lied Center. His work to bring the arts to so many Nebraskans is a tremendous contribution to the state and its citizens," said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman.
Although Bethea's retirement is effective immediately, he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until mid-September in order to assure a smooth transition of leadership for the center. Day-to-day management will be handled by Associate Executive Director Laura Sweet until an interim director is appointed by the chancellor.

Fire damages south Lincoln duplex
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Two people are okay, after a man rescued his wife from their burning duplex at 2821 "E" Street late Sunday morning. Deputy Fire Chief Pat Borer told KFOR News at the scene the fire started in the kitchen. Food left cooking on the stove is to blame. Damage is at $70,000.

Man arrested for early morning stabbing
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

A 55-year-old man is recovering after being stabbed 10 times at his apartment in the 1700 block of Washington early Sunday morning. Police did catch the suspect, 31-year-old Francis Mesteth, and arrested him for 2nd degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Raising height requirement for weeds
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

City Council members Monday night will hear what you have to say about changing an ordinance dealing with how high weeds get before the city issues you a citation and mows your property. The change would make the requirement go from 6 inches up to a foot.

Chemical threat at Lincoln High
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Part of Lincoln High was evacuated Friday morning after someone threw a glass of formaldehyde in a stairwell. Lincoln Police officer Katie Flood says three or four staff members who came in contact with the chemical were taken to a health facility for a checkup. Police are interviewing students to find out who threw it in the stairwell.

Officers on leave after fatal shooting in Omaha
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

Two off-duty Omaha Police officers are on administrative leave, after they shot two men during a fight at a north Omaha convenience store early Sunday morning. Omaha Police say that Officers Randy Szemplenski and Jarvis Duncan were working security at the store, when the fight started. When one of the other men pulled out a gun, the two officers fired. 21-year-old Thomas Goodwin died from his wounds at a hospital, while 29-year-old Michael Moss is still in the hospital. A grand jury will investigate the shooting.

Lawsuit against Union College dropped
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by The Associated Press. )

A judge has thrown out a $3 million lawsuit against Union College. The lawsuit filed by the family of a teen who was photographed nude by an employee says the college was negligent in supervising Travis Lane. Lane worked as a swim instructor and janitor from 2001 to 2005. He was fired after photos he had taken of the teen streaking surfaced.

Drawings on display at UNL
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by The Associated Press. )

A collection of editorial cartoons and other drawings by Nebraskan Paul Fell goes on display this month at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The donation to University Archives and Special Collections joins collections of graphic novels, cartoons, comics and papers created by UNL or Nebraska artists.

One more chance to sign up to vote
(Posted 05/12/2008. Written by Jeff Motz. )

You have ONLY Monday to get registered to vote in Tuesday's primary election. The Lancaster County Election Commissioner's Office will be open from 7-5 at 601 North 46th Street, just north of 46th and "R" Street.