Fonner Park begins its 2022 Thoroughbred season on Saturday, February 19th with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. The 69th consecutive year of horseracing in Grand Island offers 37 days of racing rather than the customary 31-day, eleven-week meet. The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association requested that Fonner Park pick up additional days in order to compensate for the lack of horseracing being presented in Omaha and Lincoln in 2022. “Fonner Park is no stranger to supporting horsemen with a lengthy race meet and a stable area that is open from December through May,” said CEO Chris Kotulak. “We had intended to offer a purse increase this year but stretching purse money from 31 days to 37 creates too much uncertainty.” All five Thoroughbred racetracks in Nebraska are planning to construct casinos that will boost purses across the state, but all await final approval from the governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

Also new this year, Fonner Park will become the only racetrack in North America to offer the Omni bet.

Known as a swinger bet in racetracks abroad, the wager is essentially a show quinella. A bettor must correctly select at least two horses to finish in the top three placings. A two-horse Omni bet has three possible winning combinations: 1st &amp; 2nd or 1st &amp; 3rd or 2nd &amp; 3rd. “We know there will be some initial interest and if there is sufficient action we’ll keep it,” said CEO Chris Kotulak. “We all don’t have the same tastebuds, and any chef will tell you that items don’t make it to the menu unless you try them first as a daily special.” The wager startup cost was sponsored and presented by Pat O’Neill, a Fonner Park director and local business owner. 

David Anderson, a 15-time leading trainer at Fonner Park has been prepping is horses on track since December and appears to have his stock ready to race and win. Jockey Jake Olesiak won his 7th local riding title in 2021 and is a favorite to repeat in 2022. The track’s iconic race, the Bosselman / Gus Fonner Stakes will again have a $75,000 purse; the race is run annually the final Saturday of April and is slated for April 30th. Fonner’s closing day typically is the first Saturday in May, which is always the day of the Kentucky Derby. Fonner Park will conclude its 37 days on Preakness Saturday, May 21st.

Dinsdale Automotive is the presenting sponsor of the Dinsdale Dashers Camel &amp; Ostrich Racing for Charity on Sunday, March 27. T-Rex Racing is part of the annual Runza Family Day the Saturday before Easter. Selected race fans will race for charities while wearing T-Rex costumes. And Fonner BARK debuts on Sunday, April 24th when dogs (on leash) will be allowed on track. The day will include a costume contest and tricks competition. Sunday Family Day will continue with $1 hot dogs and $1 pop served from 1 – 3 p.m.

Saturday &amp; Sunday post times are 1:30 p.m. Friday first post is 2 p.m., beginning March 18th first post is 3 p.m. and the final two Fridays in May will start at 4 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645146630555.png" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Fonner ParkFonner Park begins its 2022 Thoroughbred season on Saturday, February 19th with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. The 69th consecutive year of horseracing in Grand Island offers 37 days of racing rather than the customary 31-day, eleven-week meet. The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association requested that Fonner Park pick up additional days in order to compensate for the lack of horseracing being presented in Omaha and Lincoln in 2022. “Fonner Park is no stranger to supporting horsemen with a lengthy race meet and a stable area that is open from December through May,” said CEO Chris Kotulak. “We had intended to offer a purse increase this year but stretching purse money from 31 days to 37 creates too much uncertainty.” All five Thoroughbred racetracks in Nebraska are planning to construct casinos that will boost purses across the state, but all await final approval from the governor, attorney general and secretary of state.Also new this year, Fonner Park will become the only racetrack in North America to offer the Omni bet.Known as a swinger bet in racetracks abroad, the wager is essentially a show quinella. A bettor must correctly select at least two horses to finish in the top three placings. A two-horse Omni bet has three possible winning combinations: 1st &amp; 2nd or 1st &amp; 3rd or 2nd &amp; 3rd. “We know there will be some initial interest and if there is sufficient action we’ll keep it,” said CEO Chris Kotulak. “We all don’t have the same tastebuds, and any chef will tell you that items don’t make it to the menu unless you try them first as a daily special.” The wager startup cost was sponsored and presented by Pat O’Neill, a Fonner Park director and local business owner. David Anderson, a 15-time leading trainer at Fonner Park has been prepping is horses on track since December and appears to have his stock ready to race and win. Jockey Jake Olesiak won his 7th local riding title in 2021 and is a favorite to repeat in 2022. The track’s iconic race, the Bosselman / Gus Fonner Stakes will again have a $75,000 purse; the race is run annually the final Saturday of April and is slated for April 30th. Fonner’s closing day typically is the first Saturday in May, which is always the day of the Kentucky Derby. Fonner Park will conclude its 37 days on Preakness Saturday, May 21st.Dinsdale Automotive is the presenting sponsor of the Dinsdale Dashers Camel &amp; Ostrich Racing for Charity on Sunday, March 27. T-Rex Racing is part of the annual Runza Family Day the Saturday before Easter. Selected race fans will race for charities while wearing T-Rex costumes. And Fonner BARK debuts on Sunday, April 24th when dogs (on leash) will be allowed on track. The day will include a costume contest and tricks competition. Sunday Family Day will continue with $1 hot dogs and $1 pop served from 1 – 3 p.m.Saturday &amp; Sunday post times are 1:30 p.m. Friday first post is 2 p.m., beginning March 18th first post is 3 p.m. and the final two Fridays in May will start at 4 p.m.

Fonner Park kicks off season Saturday

ALVO, Neb. (AP) — A recall effort that saw petition organizers sue the southeastern Nebraska village of Alvo to get the question before voters has ousted one village board member and retained another. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Robin LaPage was unseated on a more than 2-to-1 vote Tuesday.

 In a closer vote, board member Larry Langer kept his seat. 

Organizers who sought the recall collected enough signatures last year to force the vote, but the village board voted 5-0 in October not to move forward with the election. 

Organizers sued, and a judge ordered the election to proceed, ruling that state election law isn’t negotiable.

From the Associated PressALVO, Neb. (AP) — A recall effort that saw petition organizers sue the southeastern Nebraska village of Alvo to get the question before voters has ousted one village board member and retained another. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Robin LaPage was unseated on a more than 2-to-1 vote Tuesday. In a closer vote, board member Larry Langer kept his seat. Organizers who sought the recall collected enough signatures last year to force the vote, but the village board voted 5-0 in October not to move forward with the election. Organizers sued, and a judge ordered the election to proceed, ruling that state election law isn’t negotiable.

Alvo recall effort that sparked lawsuit ousts 1 board member

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/16/students-defrauded-by-for-profit-colleges-to-get-millions-in-loan-repayments/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of 
Education announced Wednesday that nearly 16,000 student borrowers would
 receive millions in loan repayments, after the department found that 
four private for-profit institutions made misleading claims about their 
job placement rates.

“The Department remains committed to 
giving borrowers discharges when the evidence shows their college 
violated the law and standards,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel 
Cardona said in a statement.

“Students count on their colleges to 
be truthful. Unfortunately, today’s findings show too many instances in 
which students were misled into loans at institutions or programs that 
could not deliver what they’d promised.”

Cardona said this was part of the 
Department of Education’s targeted borrower defense policy, which 
provides relief to students who are found to have been defrauded.

The four institutions include DeVry 
University, which is based in Illinois, but has 40 locations in 18 
states; Westwood College, based in Colorado, which closed in 2016; ITT 
Nursing, based in Indiana, which filed for bankruptcy in 2016; and the 
Minnesota School of Business/Globe University, which closed in 2017.

“Today marks the first findings 
against a school, DeVry University, that is open and still enrolling new
 students,” federal student aid chief operating officer Richard Cordray,
 representing the department, said during a call with reporters.

Cordray said that students who 
attended DeVry University from 2008 to 2015 can file claims to the 
department. DeVry asserted that 90% of its students who graduated found 
employment, when the job placement rate was really about 58%.

The department will approve $71.1 million in borrower defense charges for about 1,800 former DeVry students.

“In this case, we reviewed 
considerable evidence showing that DeVry substantially misstated its job
 placement rates, and the likelihood of students finding new jobs in 
their field of study after graduation,” he said.

Officials at DeVry could not be reached for comment.

Cordray said that from 2007 to 2016, 
officials from ITT Technical Institute lied to students seeking to 
enroll in its associate nursing degree program.

“The program was not accredited,” he 
said. “And students were unable to get the benefit they were promised 
from their courses (of) study.”

The department plans to approve about $3 million to 130 students. 
This is the fourth time the department has issued discharges to students
 who attended that institution, for a combined $660 million in 
discharges for about 23,000 students who attended ITT Tech during those 
years.

Student borrowers who attended the 
criminal justice programs at the Minnesota School of Business and/or 
Globe University will be entitled to full borrower defense discharges, 
department officials said. The department has already approved about $3 
million in discharges for 270 students.

The department is also approving 
$284.5 million in discharges to more than 11,900 student borrowers who 
attended beauty schools such as Corinthian Colleges, which closed in 
2015, and Marinello Schools of Beauty, which closed in 2015.

Cordray said the department also 
found that Westwood College misled student about graduate job placement 
rates of 80% or higher and falsely claimed that graduates would make 
salaries of $50,000 or more. The department found that the salary data 
was based on national federal data and that graduates of the institution
 made half or less of those salary claims.

The Department of Education will approve about $53.1 million for 1,600 student borrowers who submit those claims.

During the Biden administration, the Education Department has distributed more than $2 billion in borrower defense discharges.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/over-323000-federal-student-loan-borrowers-receive-58-billion-automatic-total-and-permanent-disability-discharges">Last year</a>,
 the department announced that more than 323,000 borrowers who have a 
permanent disability would receive $5.8 million in automatic student 
loan discharges.

The Biden administration has <a target="_blank" href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2021/12/17/biden-administration-resists-democrats-pleas-on-student-debt-relief-as-deadline-nears/">resisted</a> lawmakers’ call to cancel up to $50,000 worth of federal student loan debt per student. The Federal Reserve <a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SLOAS">estimates</a> that the total U.S. student loan debt is more than $1.75 trillion. The Department of Education <a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/data-center/student/portfolio">owns about 92% </a>of that student loan debt.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki
 said during a Tuesday briefing that Biden has “forgiven $15 billion in 
student loans, benefiting more than 675,000 student loan borrowers since
 he took office.”

As part of Biden’s campaign platform,
 he said he would forgive up to $10,000 per student in federal student 
loans, but he has not directed the Department of Education to make that 
change. Biden has said he wants Congress to put forth legislation to 
cancel up to $10,000 worth of debt per student for him to sign into law.

Psaki also pointed to the pause on student loan repayment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“No one has been required to pay a 
single dime in federal student loans, and he extended the hiatus of 
payment until May to give people some extra breathing room,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645113399735.jpeg" alt="Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/16/students-defrauded-by-for-profit-colleges-to-get-millions-in-loan-repayments/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of 
Education announced Wednesday that nearly 16,000 student borrowers would
 receive millions in loan repayments, after the department found that 
four private for-profit institutions made misleading claims about their 
job placement rates.“The Department remains committed to 
giving borrowers discharges when the evidence shows their college 
violated the law and standards,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel 
Cardona said in a statement.“Students count on their colleges to 
be truthful. Unfortunately, today’s findings show too many instances in 
which students were misled into loans at institutions or programs that 
could not deliver what they’d promised.”Cardona said this was part of the 
Department of Education’s targeted borrower defense policy, which 
provides relief to students who are found to have been defrauded.The four institutions include DeVry 
University, which is based in Illinois, but has 40 locations in 18 
states; Westwood College, based in Colorado, which closed in 2016; ITT 
Nursing, based in Indiana, which filed for bankruptcy in 2016; and the 
Minnesota School of Business/Globe University, which closed in 2017.“Today marks the first findings 
against a school, DeVry University, that is open and still enrolling new
 students,” federal student aid chief operating officer Richard Cordray,
 representing the department, said during a call with reporters.Cordray said that students who 
attended DeVry University from 2008 to 2015 can file claims to the 
department. DeVry asserted that 90% of its students who graduated found 
employment, when the job placement rate was really about 58%.The department will approve $71.1 million in borrower defense charges for about 1,800 former DeVry students.“In this case, we reviewed 
considerable evidence showing that DeVry substantially misstated its job
 placement rates, and the likelihood of students finding new jobs in 
their field of study after graduation,” he said.Officials at DeVry could not be reached for comment.Cordray said that from 2007 to 2016, 
officials from ITT Technical Institute lied to students seeking to 
enroll in its associate nursing degree program.“The program was not accredited,” he 
said. “And students were unable to get the benefit they were promised 
from their courses (of) study.”The department plans to approve about $3 million to 130 students. 
This is the fourth time the department has issued discharges to students
 who attended that institution, for a combined $660 million in 
discharges for about 23,000 students who attended ITT Tech during those 
years.Student borrowers who attended the 
criminal justice programs at the Minnesota School of Business and/or 
Globe University will be entitled to full borrower defense discharges, 
department officials said. The department has already approved about $3 
million in discharges for 270 students.The department is also approving 
$284.5 million in discharges to more than 11,900 student borrowers who 
attended beauty schools such as Corinthian Colleges, which closed in 
2015, and Marinello Schools of Beauty, which closed in 2015.Cordray said the department also 
found that Westwood College misled student about graduate job placement 
rates of 80% or higher and falsely claimed that graduates would make 
salaries of $50,000 or more. The department found that the salary data 
was based on national federal data and that graduates of the institution
 made half or less of those salary claims.The Department of Education will approve about $53.1 million for 1,600 student borrowers who submit those claims.During the Biden administration, the Education Department has distributed more than $2 billion in borrower defense discharges.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/over-323000-federal-student-loan-borrowers-receive-58-billion-automatic-total-and-permanent-disability-discharges">Last year</a>,
 the department announced that more than 323,000 borrowers who have a 
permanent disability would receive $5.8 million in automatic student 
loan discharges.The Biden administration has <a target="_blank" href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2021/12/17/biden-administration-resists-democrats-pleas-on-student-debt-relief-as-deadline-nears/">resisted</a> lawmakers’ call to cancel up to $50,000 worth of federal student loan debt per student. The Federal Reserve <a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SLOAS">estimates</a> that the total U.S. student loan debt is more than $1.75 trillion. The Department of Education <a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/data-center/student/portfolio">owns about 92% </a>of that student loan debt.White House press secretary Jen Psaki
 said during a Tuesday briefing that Biden has “forgiven $15 billion in 
student loans, benefiting more than 675,000 student loan borrowers since
 he took office.”As part of Biden’s campaign platform,
 he said he would forgive up to $10,000 per student in federal student 
loans, but he has not directed the Department of Education to make that 
change. Biden has said he wants Congress to put forth legislation to 
cancel up to $10,000 worth of debt per student for him to sign into law.Psaki also pointed to the pause on student loan repayment due to the coronavirus pandemic.“No one has been required to pay a 
single dime in federal student loans, and he extended the hiatus of 
payment until May to give people some extra breathing room,” she said.

Students defrauded by for-profit colleges to get millions in loan repayments

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — For the victim, a 78-year-old man from Annandale, it started with an effort to find some companionship. He created an account on a social network called iFlirt, then made contact with someone identifying herself as a widowed woman in her 30s who seemed interested.

As the online relationship grew, though, the scam started to emerge. The woman, who claimed to be from New York, said she was arrested while traveling to Germany to retrieve an inheritance of gold bars, and needed money to make bail. The man paid it, only to get another message that she was arrested a second time and needed even more money.

In the end, the Annandale man, who is not identified in court papers, got taken for well over $500,000, the latest victim in a growing trend known as romance fraud.

Romance scams reached a record high in 2021, increasing by nearly 80% from 2020, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission. In the past five years, victims have lost more than $1.3 billion to such scams, the FTC said, more than any other category of fraud the agency tracks.

On Friday, two of the people who scammed the Annandale man will be sentenced in federal court in Alexandria. Ghanian nationals Linda Mbimadong and Richard Broni played relatively minor roles in the scam: Prosecutors describe them as “money mules” who never made contact with the victim themselves but helped receive and launder the money in return for a 5% to 10% cut of the proceeds.

Prosecutors estimate that the scheme targeted multiple victims and raked in more than $42 million, much of it going go Ghana, where the scam was headquartered.

In sentencing memos ahead of Friday’s hearing, Mbimadong and Broni, who were living in New York City at the time of their arrest, apologized for their actions.

“I have to express my ugly truth. I was selfish, ambitious and greedy for success,” Mbimadong wrote.

Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is prosecuting the Annandale man’s case. She said large numbers of romance scams go unreported because victims are embarrassed that they fell for tales like the one the defendants in this case spun, around widowed royalty and inheritances of gold bullion. But she said the scammers are sophisticated and patient in their approach, building rapport with targets over a matter of months before making their move.

“These fraudsters know exactly how to play on people’s emotions,” Aber said in an interview. “They use third parties to try to validate the stories that are being spun.”

Authorities take it seriously when complaints are made, Aber said; her office has prosecuted multiple cases of romance fraud in recent years.

Scammers are based both domestically and internationally, she said. Sometimes fraudsters spin exotic tales of international intrigue; other times, the approach is more mundane.

Richard Dorpe, a Ghanaian national, portrayed himself as a balding 57-year-old white man from Virginia Beach named “Jerry Linus” on the “OurTime” senior dating website. He conned a 68-year-old widow from Chesapeake out of more than $300,000, as well as items including clothes, a computer and jewelry. When she ran out of cash, she took out a home equity loan.

Dorpe was sentenced to more than three years in prison last year by the federal court in Norfolk.

Aber encourages potential victims to contact law enforcement. She noted that the FBI has a website to report internet crimes, and does a good job of connecting the dots of disparate reports when they’re made.

“The best thing you can do is to report it so you can potentially stop some other person from falling victim to this kind of scheme,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645122085356.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressFALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — For the victim, a 78-year-old man from Annandale, it started with an effort to find some companionship. He created an account on a social network called iFlirt, then made contact with someone identifying herself as a widowed woman in her 30s who seemed interested.As the online relationship grew, though, the scam started to emerge. The woman, who claimed to be from New York, said she was arrested while traveling to Germany to retrieve an inheritance of gold bars, and needed money to make bail. The man paid it, only to get another message that she was arrested a second time and needed even more money.In the end, the Annandale man, who is not identified in court papers, got taken for well over $500,000, the latest victim in a growing trend known as romance fraud.Romance scams reached a record high in 2021, increasing by nearly 80% from 2020, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission. In the past five years, victims have lost more than $1.3 billion to such scams, the FTC said, more than any other category of fraud the agency tracks.On Friday, two of the people who scammed the Annandale man will be sentenced in federal court in Alexandria. Ghanian nationals Linda Mbimadong and Richard Broni played relatively minor roles in the scam: Prosecutors describe them as “money mules” who never made contact with the victim themselves but helped receive and launder the money in return for a 5% to 10% cut of the proceeds.Prosecutors estimate that the scheme targeted multiple victims and raked in more than $42 million, much of it going go Ghana, where the scam was headquartered.In sentencing memos ahead of Friday’s hearing, Mbimadong and Broni, who were living in New York City at the time of their arrest, apologized for their actions.“I have to express my ugly truth. I was selfish, ambitious and greedy for success,” Mbimadong wrote.Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is prosecuting the Annandale man’s case. She said large numbers of romance scams go unreported because victims are embarrassed that they fell for tales like the one the defendants in this case spun, around widowed royalty and inheritances of gold bullion. But she said the scammers are sophisticated and patient in their approach, building rapport with targets over a matter of months before making their move.“These fraudsters know exactly how to play on people’s emotions,” Aber said in an interview. “They use third parties to try to validate the stories that are being spun.”Authorities take it seriously when complaints are made, Aber said; her office has prosecuted multiple cases of romance fraud in recent years.Scammers are based both domestically and internationally, she said. Sometimes fraudsters spin exotic tales of international intrigue; other times, the approach is more mundane.Richard Dorpe, a Ghanaian national, portrayed himself as a balding 57-year-old white man from Virginia Beach named “Jerry Linus” on the “OurTime” senior dating website. He conned a 68-year-old widow from Chesapeake out of more than $300,000, as well as items including clothes, a computer and jewelry. When she ran out of cash, she took out a home equity loan.Dorpe was sentenced to more than three years in prison last year by the federal court in Norfolk.Aber encourages potential victims to contact law enforcement. She noted that the FBI has a website to report internet crimes, and does a good job of connecting the dots of disparate reports when they’re made.“The best thing you can do is to report it so you can potentially stop some other person from falling victim to this kind of scheme,” she said.

Romance fraud: Looking for love in wrong place proves costly

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reported sexual assaults at the U.S. military academies increased sharply during the 2020-21 school year, as students returned to in-person classes during&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic, according to several U.S. officials familiar with the reports.

The increase continues what officials believe is an upward trend at the academies, despite an influx of new sexual assault prevention and treatment programs.

Comparing the totals over the past three years, however, is tricky. The number of reports dropped at all the academies during&nbsp;the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 school year&nbsp;when in-person classes were canceled and students were sent home in the spring to finish the semester online.

Although there were fewer reports that year than the previous year, one senior defense official said that based on trends the total likely would have shown an increase if students had not left early. In addition, the number of reported assaults in 2020-21 was also higher than the pre-pandemic school year of 2018-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645121938748.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Reported sexual assaults at the U.S. military academies increased sharply during the 2020-21 school year, as students returned to in-person classes during&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic, according to several U.S. officials familiar with the reports.The increase continues what officials believe is an upward trend at the academies, despite an influx of new sexual assault prevention and treatment programs.Comparing the totals over the past three years, however, is tricky. The number of reports dropped at all the academies during&nbsp;the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 school year&nbsp;when in-person classes were canceled and students were sent home in the spring to finish the semester online.Although there were fewer reports that year than the previous year, one senior defense official said that based on trends the total likely would have shown an increase if students had not left early. In addition, the number of reported assaults in 2020-21 was also higher than the pre-pandemic school year of 2018-19.

Sexual assault reports increase at US military academies

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/16/lincoln-seeks-200-million-and-possible-help-from-mud-to-solve-water-problem/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 — The state’s second-largest city has a water problem, and it’s asking 
for federal funds and possibly help from Omaha’s Metropolitan Utilities 
District to solve it.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=306vBy37F98">Flooding in 2019</a>
 inundated Lincoln’s main water field along the Platte River near 
Ashland, prompting concerns that the city’s primary source of drinking 
water could be shut down.

That
 “near crisis,” Lincoln officials said, prompted a search for a&nbsp; second 
source of water, in addition to the Platte River, to provide for 
anticipated growth in the Capital City.

“It
 jarred our community from a water reliability standpoint,” said 
Elizabeth Elliott, the city’s director of transportation and utilities.

She
 was among officials who testified in favor of a bill, introduced by 
State Sen. Eliott Bostar of Lincoln, to earmark $200 million in federal 
American Rescue Plan Act funds for communities of Lincoln’s size to find
 new water sources.

Those
 funds, according to Legislative Bill 1081, could be used for 
construction of new well fields, acquisition of land for water pipelines
 and construction of pipelines 25 miles in length or longer.

“We
 are unlikely to see such an infusion of federal funds again,” Bostar 
said. “It’s important that we use this money where it can do the most 
good.”

He
 said that Lincoln’s population is expected to grow from the current 
291,677 to 470,000 by 2060 but that work should begin now on such a 
long-term project.

Elliott
 said the city is exploring two options: either hooking up to MUD’s 
Missouri River water plant or having Lincoln build its own pipeline (of 
perhaps 50 miles in length) to the Missouri River. She estimated it 
would cost $350 million to $800 million, depending on which option was 
chosen.

The
 Lincoln water official said obtaining a second source of water other 
than the Platte could also help farmers. With their current setup, if 
there was an extreme drought, Elliott said, Lincoln could make a “call” 
on the Platte River’s water, which would shut down some irrigators 
upstream. With a backup source of water, that “call” wouldn’t be needed.

No opposition testimony to the bill was presented during a public hearing before the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee.

Bostar said Lincoln could face water restrictions in a decade unless a second source of water is found.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645121093327.png" alt="During flooding in 2019, a well operated by the City of Lincoln quickly was inundated by floodwaters (Courtesy of City of Lincoln)" />
 <figcaption>During flooding in 2019, a well operated by the City of Lincoln quickly was inundated by floodwaters (Courtesy of City of Lincoln)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/16/lincoln-seeks-200-million-and-possible-help-from-mud-to-solve-water-problem/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 — The state’s second-largest city has a water problem, and it’s asking 
for federal funds and possibly help from Omaha’s Metropolitan Utilities 
District to solve it.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=306vBy37F98">Flooding in 2019</a>
 inundated Lincoln’s main water field along the Platte River near 
Ashland, prompting concerns that the city’s primary source of drinking 
water could be shut down.That
 “near crisis,” Lincoln officials said, prompted a search for a&nbsp; second 
source of water, in addition to the Platte River, to provide for 
anticipated growth in the Capital City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645121159037.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Ellot Bostar of Lincoln (Craig Chandler/University Communication)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Ellot Bostar of Lincoln (Craig Chandler/University Communication)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It
 jarred our community from a water reliability standpoint,” said 
Elizabeth Elliott, the city’s director of transportation and utilities.She
 was among officials who testified in favor of a bill, introduced by 
State Sen. Eliott Bostar of Lincoln, to earmark $200 million in federal 
American Rescue Plan Act funds for communities of Lincoln’s size to find
 new water sources.<h2>Two options being explored</h2>Those
 funds, according to Legislative Bill 1081, could be used for 
construction of new well fields, acquisition of land for water pipelines
 and construction of pipelines 25 miles in length or longer.“We
 are unlikely to see such an infusion of federal funds again,” Bostar 
said. “It’s important that we use this money where it can do the most 
good.”He
 said that Lincoln’s population is expected to grow from the current 
291,677 to 470,000 by 2060 but that work should begin now on such a 
long-term project.Elliott
 said the city is exploring two options: either hooking up to MUD’s 
Missouri River water plant or having Lincoln build its own pipeline (of 
perhaps 50 miles in length) to the Missouri River. She estimated it 
would cost $350 million to $800 million, depending on which option was 
chosen.<h2>Could help irrigators</h2>The
 Lincoln water official said obtaining a second source of water other 
than the Platte could also help farmers. With their current setup, if 
there was an extreme drought, Elliott said, Lincoln could make a “call” 
on the Platte River’s water, which would shut down some irrigators 
upstream. With a backup source of water, that “call” wouldn’t be needed.No opposition testimony to the bill was presented during a public hearing before the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee.Bostar said Lincoln could face water restrictions in a decade unless a second source of water is found.

Lincoln seeks $200M, and possible help from MUD, to solve water problem

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who shot and killed a man she accused of beating her adult son with a baseball bat is going to prison for sixteen years.

On Thursday, 43-year-old Amber Ahrens was sentenced for the 2020 shooting death of 53-year-old David Leddy outside a Wichita home, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November, Ahrens pled guilty to second-degree murder in Leddy's death. 

In of 2020, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the 1200 block of North Pinecrest in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

 Upon arrival, officers located David Leddy in the front of the residence with a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed a disturbance ensued earlier in the day at the home between Leddy and a 19-year-old who did not live there.&nbsp; 

During the disturbance, Leddy’s vehicle was damaged, and the 19-year-old was battered. The 19-year-old’s 41-year-old mother identified as Ahrens and three friends, a 44-year-old female, a 54-year-old male, and a 31-year-old female, later arrived at the home.&nbsp; A disturbance then ensued in front of the house, and shots were fired that struck Leddy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594216899431.png" alt="Ahrens-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ahrens-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who shot and killed a man she accused of beating her adult son with a baseball bat is going to prison for sixteen years.On Thursday, 43-year-old Amber Ahrens was sentenced for the 2020 shooting death of 53-year-old David Leddy outside a Wichita home, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592415145581.png" alt="Police on the scene&nbsp; of the investigation in June of 2016 -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene&nbsp; of the investigation in June of 2016 -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>In November, Ahrens pled guilty to second-degree murder in Leddy's death. In of 2020, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the 1200 block of North Pinecrest in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located David Leddy in the front of the residence with a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed a disturbance ensued earlier in the day at the home between Leddy and a 19-year-old who did not live there.&nbsp; During the disturbance, Leddy’s vehicle was damaged, and the 19-year-old was battered. The 19-year-old’s 41-year-old mother identified as Ahrens and three friends, a 44-year-old female, a 54-year-old male, and a 31-year-old female, later arrived at the home.&nbsp; A disturbance then ensued in front of the house, and shots were fired that struck Leddy.-------

Kan. woman sentenced to prison for killing after son was battered

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in Grand Island have identified a man who was found dead earlier this week with a stab wound at an area apartment complex. 

Police said in a news release Thursday that the victim is 30-year-old Abdullahi Farah, of Grand Island. 

Police said an autopsy has been completed, but officials are still awaiting the results. Police earlier said that officers were sent to the complex around 6 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an injured person. Arriving officers found Farah dead from an apparent puncture wound. Investigators are still working to identify any suspects, but police said they don't believe anyone is “randomly targeting victims at this time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560127290802.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in Grand Island have identified a man who was found dead earlier this week with a stab wound at an area apartment complex. Police said in a news release Thursday that the victim is 30-year-old Abdullahi Farah, of Grand Island. Police said an autopsy has been completed, but officials are still awaiting the results. Police earlier said that officers were sent to the complex around 6 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an injured person. Arriving officers found Farah dead from an apparent puncture wound. Investigators are still working to identify any suspects, but police said they don't believe anyone is “randomly targeting victims at this time.”

Grand Island police ID man found dead at apartment complex

CLOUD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after a chase and exchange of gunfire.

Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, police conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram pickup pulling a trailer at 14th and Archer, according to a media release.

The vehicle fled the scene and officers pursued eastbound on Kansas 9 highway out of the city of Concordia. The pickup turned off the highway southbound approximately two miles of town when Cloud County Sheriff's deputies joined the chase.

The suspect pointed a gun out the window and shot at pursuing officers. Concordia police officers returned fire. The chase returned to K-9 Highway and then westbound back through the city of Concordia.

The suspect lost control of the vehicle at 9th and Lincoln and it came to a stop after it was surrounded by pursuing law enforcement patrol units.

Two suspects identified as 34-year-old Jacob Lyman and 25-year-old Valarie N. Sanchez, Temple Bell, Texas, surrendered without incident.&nbsp; Lyman is being held on requested charges that including possession of stolen property and numerous drug and weapons violations. Sanchez on requested drug charges.

The police officer who returned fire is being placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. There were no injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645108520157.png" alt="Lyman-photo Cloud Co." />
 <figcaption>Lyman-photo Cloud Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after a chase and exchange of gunfire.Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, police conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram pickup pulling a trailer at 14th and Archer, according to a media release.The vehicle fled the scene and officers pursued eastbound on Kansas 9 highway out of the city of Concordia. The pickup turned off the highway southbound approximately two miles of town when Cloud County Sheriff's deputies joined the chase.The suspect pointed a gun out the window and shot at pursuing officers. Concordia police officers returned fire. The chase returned to K-9 Highway and then westbound back through the city of Concordia.The suspect lost control of the vehicle at 9th and Lincoln and it came to a stop after it was surrounded by pursuing law enforcement patrol units.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645108614206.png" alt="Sanchez-photo Cloud Co." />
 <figcaption>Sanchez-photo Cloud Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Two suspects identified as 34-year-old Jacob Lyman and 25-year-old Valarie N. Sanchez, Temple Bell, Texas, surrendered without incident.&nbsp; Lyman is being held on requested charges that including possession of stolen property and numerous drug and weapons violations. Sanchez on requested drug charges.The police officer who returned fire is being placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. There were no injuries.

Nebraska man captured after chase, exchange of gunfire in Kansas

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden warned Thursday that Russia could still invade Ukraine within days, and the No. 2 diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was expelled as tensions flared anew in the worst East-West standoff in decades.

NATO allies accused Russia of misleading the world with “disinformation” by saying it was returning some troops to their bases – one of the gestures Russia made this week that briefly cooled temperatures and raised hopes for peace. Russia is believed to have some 150,000 forces around Ukraine’s borders.

Speaking at the White House, Biden said Washington saw no signs of a Russian withdrawal of forces, and said the U.S. has “reason to believe” that Russia is “engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in.”

He told reporters: “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.”

The State Department said Russia ordered the deputy chief of mission to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Bart Gorman, to leave the country, calling the move “unprovoked” and “an escalatory step.” Russia provided no details of why he was expelled.

Tensions also spiked along the line that separates Ukrainian forces from Russia-backed separatists in the country’s east, with the parties accusing each other of intensive shelling.

Russia held out an offer of diplomacy, handing the U.S. a response Thursday to offers to engage in talks on limiting missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.

The response, published by the Foreign Ministry, deplored the West’s refusal to meet the main Russian security and demands and reaffirmed that Moscow could take unspecified “military-technical measures” if the U.S. and its allies continue to stonewall its concerns.

At the same time, it said Russia was ready to discuss measures to enhance security in Europe by discussing limits on missile deployments, restrictions on patrol flights by strategic bombers and other confidence-building steps.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to New York for the U.N. Security Council meeting and then Germany for the Munich Security Conference.

Western powers estimate Russia has 150,000-plus troops massed outside Ukraine’s borders.

“We’ve seen some of those troops inch closer to that border. We see them fly in more combat and support aircraft,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “We see them sharpen their readiness in the Black Sea. We even see them stocking up their blood supplies. You don’t do these sort of things for no reason, and you certainly don’t do them if you’re getting ready to pack up and go home.”

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the West has seen “an increase of troops over the last 48 hours, up to 7,000.” That squared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-united-states-vladimir-putin-534fb1c355ff5f135ba0261cb1448c3c">with what a U.S. administration official said a day earlier.&nbsp;</a>The top EU official said similar.

British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey even called Russia’s claim to be withdrawing troops “disinformation.” Russia accuses the West of the same.

Russia has “enough troops, enough capabilities, to launch a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine with very little or no warning time,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. “The fact that you’re putting a battle tank on a train and moving it in some direction doesn’t prove a withdrawal of troops.”

Moscow said several times this week that some forces are pulling back to their bases, but it gave few details that would allow for an independent assessment of the scope and direction of the troop movement.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov offered a bit more detail Thursday, saying that Russian tank and infantry units that took part in drills in the Kursk and Bryansk regions neighboring Ukraine were pulling back to their permanent bases in Nizhny Novgorod region. He said that some of those units already had arrived at their bases after a 700-kilometer journey east.

Troops deployed for exercises in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, have moved back to Chechnya and Dagestan in Russia’s North Caucasus, he noted. He also said Russian troops involved in drills Belarus will also move back to their garrisons after war games there wrap up on Sunday. Konashenkov didn’t mention the numbers of troops that were deployed and didn’t say how many of them returned.

NATO, meanwhile, has moved troops and military equipment into Eastern Europe in a display of resolve of meant to deter any Russian aggression and underline its intent to defend NATO’s eastern members, in the unlikely event that they too become a target.

The U.S. has started deploying 5,000 troops to Poland and Romania. Another 8,500 are on standby, and some U.S. troops are expected to move toward Bulgaria. Britain is sending hundreds of soldiers to Poland, offering more warships and planes, and doubling its personnel in Estonia. Germany, the Netherlands and Norway are sending additional troops to Lithuania. Denmark and Spain are providing jets for air policing in the Baltic Sea region.

Even if an attack doesn’t materialize, the sustained Russian pressure on Ukraine has further hobbled its shaky economy and left an entire nation under constant strain — a situation that could last indefinitely.

Ukraine already has been the stage of fighting for eight years, and tensions soared again Thursday in the conflict in the country’s east, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian troops since 2014.

Separatist authorities in the Luhansk region reported an increase in Ukrainian shelling along the tense line of contact, describing it as a “large-scale provocation.” Separatist official Rodion Miroshnik said rebel forces returned fire.

Ukraine disputed the claim, saying that separatists had shelled its forces, but they didn’t fire back. The Ukrainian military command charged that shells hit a kindergarten building in Stanytsia Luhanska, wounding two civilians, and cut power supply to half of the town.

An observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is expected to offer its assessment of the situation later Thursday.

Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that “the shelling of a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska by pro-Russian forces is a big provocation,” adding that the OSCE monitoring activities are “an additional deterrent.”

Asked about the flare-up of hostilities in the east, Stoltenberg said the alliance was concerned “that Russia is trying to stage a pretext for an armed attack against Ukraine.”

Russia, in turn, aired worries that hawkish forces in Ukraine, encouraged by the West, could launch an attack to reclaim control of the rebel areas — plans Ukrainian authorities deny.

A 2015 deal brokered by France and Germany helped end the worst of the fighting in eastern Ukraine, but regular skirmishes have continued and a political settlement has stalled.

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to hold its annual meeting on the agreement on Thursday.

Russia denies it is plotting an invasion but says it’s free to deploy troops wherever necessary to counter NATO threats. It wants the West to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet nations out of NATO, halt weapons deployments near Russian borders and roll back forces from Eastern Europe, the demands the allies have flatly rejected.

While the U.S. and its allies have rejected Moscow’s demands to bar membership to Ukraine, they offered to engage in talks with Russia on limiting missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin charged that Moscow had offered to discuss those issues years ago, but the West only agreed to talk about them now. He said that Russia was ready to talk about them now, but only in conjunction with its main security demands.

Even as Russia seemed to try to ease tensions this week, Maxar Technologies, a commercial satellite imagery company that has been monitoring the Russian buildup, reported continued heightened military activity near Ukraine. It noted a new pontoon bridge and a new field hospital in Belarus. It also said that some forces had left an airfield in the country, a Russian ally, but it was unclear where they went.

Blinken and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris were among political, military and diplomatic leaders heading to the annual security conference in Munich that will see urgent consultations on the crisis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645113082140.png" alt="President Biden told reporters: “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.”-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden told reporters: “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.”-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden warned Thursday that Russia could still invade Ukraine within days, and the No. 2 diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was expelled as tensions flared anew in the worst East-West standoff in decades.NATO allies accused Russia of misleading the world with “disinformation” by saying it was returning some troops to their bases – one of the gestures Russia made this week that briefly cooled temperatures and raised hopes for peace. Russia is believed to have some 150,000 forces around Ukraine’s borders.Speaking at the White House, Biden said Washington saw no signs of a Russian withdrawal of forces, and said the U.S. has “reason to believe” that Russia is “engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in.”He told reporters: “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.”The State Department said Russia ordered the deputy chief of mission to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Bart Gorman, to leave the country, calling the move “unprovoked” and “an escalatory step.” Russia provided no details of why he was expelled.Tensions also spiked along the line that separates Ukrainian forces from Russia-backed separatists in the country’s east, with the parties accusing each other of intensive shelling.Russia held out an offer of diplomacy, handing the U.S. a response Thursday to offers to engage in talks on limiting missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.The response, published by the Foreign Ministry, deplored the West’s refusal to meet the main Russian security and demands and reaffirmed that Moscow could take unspecified “military-technical measures” if the U.S. and its allies continue to stonewall its concerns.At the same time, it said Russia was ready to discuss measures to enhance security in Europe by discussing limits on missile deployments, restrictions on patrol flights by strategic bombers and other confidence-building steps.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to New York for the U.N. Security Council meeting and then Germany for the Munich Security Conference.Western powers estimate Russia has 150,000-plus troops massed outside Ukraine’s borders.“We’ve seen some of those troops inch closer to that border. We see them fly in more combat and support aircraft,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “We see them sharpen their readiness in the Black Sea. We even see them stocking up their blood supplies. You don’t do these sort of things for no reason, and you certainly don’t do them if you’re getting ready to pack up and go home.”British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the West has seen “an increase of troops over the last 48 hours, up to 7,000.” That squared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-united-states-vladimir-putin-534fb1c355ff5f135ba0261cb1448c3c">with what a U.S. administration official said a day earlier.&nbsp;</a>The top EU official said similar.British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey even called Russia’s claim to be withdrawing troops “disinformation.” Russia accuses the West of the same.Russia has “enough troops, enough capabilities, to launch a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine with very little or no warning time,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. “The fact that you’re putting a battle tank on a train and moving it in some direction doesn’t prove a withdrawal of troops.”Moscow said several times this week that some forces are pulling back to their bases, but it gave few details that would allow for an independent assessment of the scope and direction of the troop movement.Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov offered a bit more detail Thursday, saying that Russian tank and infantry units that took part in drills in the Kursk and Bryansk regions neighboring Ukraine were pulling back to their permanent bases in Nizhny Novgorod region. He said that some of those units already had arrived at their bases after a 700-kilometer journey east.Troops deployed for exercises in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, have moved back to Chechnya and Dagestan in Russia’s North Caucasus, he noted. He also said Russian troops involved in drills Belarus will also move back to their garrisons after war games there wrap up on Sunday. Konashenkov didn’t mention the numbers of troops that were deployed and didn’t say how many of them returned.NATO, meanwhile, has moved troops and military equipment into Eastern Europe in a display of resolve of meant to deter any Russian aggression and underline its intent to defend NATO’s eastern members, in the unlikely event that they too become a target.The U.S. has started deploying 5,000 troops to Poland and Romania. Another 8,500 are on standby, and some U.S. troops are expected to move toward Bulgaria. Britain is sending hundreds of soldiers to Poland, offering more warships and planes, and doubling its personnel in Estonia. Germany, the Netherlands and Norway are sending additional troops to Lithuania. Denmark and Spain are providing jets for air policing in the Baltic Sea region.Even if an attack doesn’t materialize, the sustained Russian pressure on Ukraine has further hobbled its shaky economy and left an entire nation under constant strain — a situation that could last indefinitely.Ukraine already has been the stage of fighting for eight years, and tensions soared again Thursday in the conflict in the country’s east, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian troops since 2014.Separatist authorities in the Luhansk region reported an increase in Ukrainian shelling along the tense line of contact, describing it as a “large-scale provocation.” Separatist official Rodion Miroshnik said rebel forces returned fire.Ukraine disputed the claim, saying that separatists had shelled its forces, but they didn’t fire back. The Ukrainian military command charged that shells hit a kindergarten building in Stanytsia Luhanska, wounding two civilians, and cut power supply to half of the town.An observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is expected to offer its assessment of the situation later Thursday.Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that “the shelling of a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska by pro-Russian forces is a big provocation,” adding that the OSCE monitoring activities are “an additional deterrent.”Asked about the flare-up of hostilities in the east, Stoltenberg said the alliance was concerned “that Russia is trying to stage a pretext for an armed attack against Ukraine.”Russia, in turn, aired worries that hawkish forces in Ukraine, encouraged by the West, could launch an attack to reclaim control of the rebel areas — plans Ukrainian authorities deny.A 2015 deal brokered by France and Germany helped end the worst of the fighting in eastern Ukraine, but regular skirmishes have continued and a political settlement has stalled.The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to hold its annual meeting on the agreement on Thursday.Russia denies it is plotting an invasion but says it’s free to deploy troops wherever necessary to counter NATO threats. It wants the West to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet nations out of NATO, halt weapons deployments near Russian borders and roll back forces from Eastern Europe, the demands the allies have flatly rejected.While the U.S. and its allies have rejected Moscow’s demands to bar membership to Ukraine, they offered to engage in talks with Russia on limiting missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.Russian President Vladimir Putin charged that Moscow had offered to discuss those issues years ago, but the West only agreed to talk about them now. He said that Russia was ready to talk about them now, but only in conjunction with its main security demands.Even as Russia seemed to try to ease tensions this week, Maxar Technologies, a commercial satellite imagery company that has been monitoring the Russian buildup, reported continued heightened military activity near Ukraine. It noted a new pontoon bridge and a new field hospital in Belarus. It also said that some forces had left an airfield in the country, a Russian ally, but it was unclear where they went.Blinken and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris were among political, military and diplomatic leaders heading to the annual security conference in Munich that will see urgent consultations on the crisis.___

Russia expels senior U.S. diplomat from Moscow as tensions rise

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha police officer is facing a child pornography charge in federal court. 

Officer Christopher Groth made his initial appearance in court Wednesday where he was charged with transportation of child pornography. He waived his preliminary hearing and will remain in federal custody. 

Court documents that explain why Groth was arrested remain sealed, and a federal prosecutor didn’t offer any details about the case at Wednesday’s hearing. 

If he is convicted, Groth faces a sentence of five to 20 years in prison. Groth's newly appointed attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message Wednesday. 

The 15-year-veteran was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday while criminal and internal investigations continue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645102248598.png" alt="Groth" />
 <figcaption>Groth</figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha police officer is facing a child pornography charge in federal court. Officer Christopher Groth made his initial appearance in court Wednesday where he was charged with transportation of child pornography. He waived his preliminary hearing and will remain in federal custody. Court documents that explain why Groth was arrested remain sealed, and a federal prosecutor didn’t offer any details about the case at Wednesday’s hearing. If he is convicted, Groth faces a sentence of five to 20 years in prison. Groth's newly appointed attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message Wednesday. The 15-year-veteran was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday while criminal and internal investigations continue.

Omaha police officer faces federal child pornography charge

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded those with 
income from a farming or fishing business they should file and pay their
 entire tax due on or before Tuesday, March 1, if they did not make 
estimated tax payments.

Taxpayers can pay from their bank account using their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> or they can schedule payments in advance using IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>.

Farmers and fishers who decided to forgo making estimated tax 
payments have the option to pay the entire tax due on or before March 1.
 Normally, this special rule applies when income from farming or fishing
 made up at least 2/3 of the total gross income in either the current or
 the preceding tax year. Those opting to file by the regular April 18 
deadline should have made an estimated tax payment by January 15 to 
avoid an estimated tax penalty. For more information on estimated tax, 
see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505">Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax</a>.

Those in the farming business report income and expenses on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-f-form-1040">Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming</a>. Additionally, they use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-se-form-1040">Schedule SE (Form 1040), Self-Employment Tax</a> to figure self-employment tax if their net earnings from farming are $400 or more. For more information refer to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc554">Topic No. 554</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p225">Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/agriculture-tax-center">Agriculture Tax Center</a>.

Those in the fishing business report income and expenses on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-c-form-1040">Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship)</a>. They also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-se-form-1040">Schedule SE (Form 1040)</a>
 to figure self-employment tax if their net earnings from fishing are 
$400 or more. For general information about the rules applying to 
individuals, including commercial fishermen who file Schedule C, refer 
to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p334">Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business</a>.

Those whose trade or business is a partnership or corporation see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p541">Publication 541, Partnerships</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p542">Publication 542, Corporations</a>.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online account</a>
 allows individuals to make same-day payments from a checking or savings
 account. Taxpayers can view up to 5 years of their payment history, any
 pending or scheduled payments, balance and payment plan information, 
and digital copies of certain notices from the IRS. They can also view 
their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return, their 
Economic Impact Payment amounts, and their advance Child Tax Credit 
payment information.

Taxpayers can use IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>
 to schedule a payment from their bank account for their tax deadline 
with no registration or login required. Those who want to pay business 
taxes should enroll in and use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
 (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">EFTPS</a>).

For more information about these and other payment options visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded those with 
income from a farming or fishing business they should file and pay their
 entire tax due on or before Tuesday, March 1, if they did not make 
estimated tax payments.Taxpayers can pay from their bank account using their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> or they can schedule payments in advance using IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>.Farmers and fishers who decided to forgo making estimated tax 
payments have the option to pay the entire tax due on or before March 1.
 Normally, this special rule applies when income from farming or fishing
 made up at least 2/3 of the total gross income in either the current or
 the preceding tax year. Those opting to file by the regular April 18 
deadline should have made an estimated tax payment by January 15 to 
avoid an estimated tax penalty. For more information on estimated tax, 
see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505">Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax</a>.Those in the farming business report income and expenses on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-f-form-1040">Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming</a>. Additionally, they use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-se-form-1040">Schedule SE (Form 1040), Self-Employment Tax</a> to figure self-employment tax if their net earnings from farming are $400 or more. For more information refer to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc554">Topic No. 554</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p225">Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/agriculture-tax-center">Agriculture Tax Center</a>.Those in the fishing business report income and expenses on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-c-form-1040">Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship)</a>. They also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-se-form-1040">Schedule SE (Form 1040)</a>
 to figure self-employment tax if their net earnings from fishing are 
$400 or more. For general information about the rules applying to 
individuals, including commercial fishermen who file Schedule C, refer 
to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p334">Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business</a>.Those whose trade or business is a partnership or corporation see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p541">Publication 541, Partnerships</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p542">Publication 542, Corporations</a>.<h2>Paying online is safe, fast and easy</h2><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online account</a>
 allows individuals to make same-day payments from a checking or savings
 account. Taxpayers can view up to 5 years of their payment history, any
 pending or scheduled payments, balance and payment plan information, 
and digital copies of certain notices from the IRS. They can also view 
their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return, their 
Economic Impact Payment amounts, and their advance Child Tax Credit 
payment information.Taxpayers can use IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>
 to schedule a payment from their bank account for their tax deadline 
with no registration or login required. Those who want to pay business 
taxes should enroll in and use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
 (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">EFTPS</a>).For more information about these and other payment options visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.

IRS reminds those with farming, fishing businesses of tax deadline

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission this week announced it has now sent cease-and-desist letters to more than a dozen voice service providers suspected of facilitating illegal robocall traffic.  These admonishments are getting results, with all the providers quickly responding and committing to take actions to stop the flow of robocalls on their networks.  Meanwhile, the FCC and its partners remain vigilant in monitoring these – and all – providers’ efforts and laying the groundwork to take serious action should mitigation not be implemented and maintained.

“Our message to anyone helping illegal robocalls remains simple and consistent: stop it now or face serious consequences,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “Providers must meet their consumer protection obligations.  If they do not, we are ready to take swift and meaningful action against bad actors.”

To date, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has sent 15 cease-and-desist letters.  When appropriate, voice service providers that not only carry robocall traffic but appear to play a role in originating that traffic also face potential removal from the Robocall Mitigation Database.  If removed, a provider risks having all of their traffic blocked by downstream voice service providers.  The latest letters were sent recently to Great Choice Telecom and to TCA Voip.

Recipients of cease-and-desist letters were ordered to take steps to effectively mitigate illegal traffic within 48 hours.  They were also asked to inform the Commission and the Traceback Consortium within 14 days of the steps taken to implement effective measures to prevent robocallers from using the providers’ networks to make illegal calls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569445831519.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission this week announced it has now sent cease-and-desist letters to more than a dozen voice service providers suspected of facilitating illegal robocall traffic. These admonishments are getting results, with all the providers quickly responding and committing to take actions to stop the flow of robocalls on their networks. Meanwhile, the FCC and its partners remain vigilant in monitoring these – and all – providers’ efforts and laying the groundwork to take serious action should mitigation not be implemented and maintained.“Our message to anyone helping illegal robocalls remains simple and consistent: stop it now or face serious consequences,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Providers must meet their consumer protection obligations. If they do not, we are ready to take swift and meaningful action against bad actors.”To date, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has sent 15 cease-and-desist letters. When appropriate, voice service providers that not only carry robocall traffic but appear to play a role in originating that traffic also face potential removal from the Robocall Mitigation Database. If removed, a provider risks having all of their traffic blocked by downstream voice service providers. The latest letters were sent recently to Great Choice Telecom and to TCA Voip.Recipients of cease-and-desist letters were ordered to take steps to effectively mitigate illegal traffic within 48 hours. They were also asked to inform the Commission and the Traceback Consortium within 14 days of the steps taken to implement effective measures to prevent robocallers from using the providers’ networks to make illegal calls.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

FCC: Phone companies sent cease-and-desist letters to stop illegal robocalls

PHOENIX (AP) — The Catholic Church says baptisms performed by a priest who served in Arizona for 16 years are now presumed to be invalid because he used incorrect wording on a subtle but key component of the sacrament. 

The Diocese of Phoenix estimates that thousands of baptisms were affected by the incorrect phrasing used by the Rev. Andres Arango, who served in three parishes from September 2005 until his resignation Feb. 1. 

The diocese says that if a baptism is invalid, other Catholic sacraments received by a person may have to be repeated after he or she receives a new and valid baptism.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645061990108.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressPHOENIX (AP) — The Catholic Church says baptisms performed by a priest who served in Arizona for 16 years are now presumed to be invalid because he used incorrect wording on a subtle but key component of the sacrament. The Diocese of Phoenix estimates that thousands of baptisms were affected by the incorrect phrasing used by the Rev. Andres Arango, who served in three parishes from September 2005 until his resignation Feb. 1. The diocese says that if a baptism is invalid, other Catholic sacraments received by a person may have to be repeated after he or she receives a new and valid baptism.

Baptisms by Arizona priest presumed invalid due to error

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/biden-meets-with-county-leaders-in-d-c-promotes-build-back-better-plan/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON
 — President Joe Biden during a Tuesday meeting with county leaders 
called on Congress to pass his stalled social spending package as a way 
to fight inflation, saying it would help with expenses families face.

“Families
 are getting clobbered by the cost of everyday things,” Biden told 
members of the National Association of Counties at a conference here.

He
 stressed that his plan, Build Back Better, would help Americans who are
 seeing higher prices in grocery stories and high gas prices due to 
inflation.

“That’s what my Build Back Better plan was all about,” he said.&nbsp;

The
 massive social spending and climate plan foundered in the Senate after 
opposition emerged among key Democrats like West Virginia Sen. Joe 
Manchin III and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

Biden
 added that he was pleased that states and local governments were 
implementing funding from the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure 
law and the American Rescue Plan, a relief package passed last year by 
Congress.&nbsp;

“This is only the beginning,” Biden said.&nbsp;

NACo is a bipartisan group that represents all 50 states — including nearly 40,000 county elected officials — and advocates for county priorities in federal policies.&nbsp;

The
 organization is hosting a week-long conference where policy issues are 
discussed such as broadband, agriculture, health, environment and public
 lands. The session on Tuesday focused on counties’ implementation of 
the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill.&nbsp;

Biden
 stressed that counties should also responsibly use the funds provided 
by the American Rescue Plan and take advantage of the flexible 
spending.&nbsp;

He
 added that as a former county official — he served two years on the New
 Castle County Council in Delaware — he knows that a flexible way to 
distribute funds is important, as every local government is unique.&nbsp;

“We
 have an incredible opportunity in front of us,” he said. “We know the 
challenges still remain, we’re still fighting a deadly virus, we still 
need people to get vaccinated.”

He
 thanked the counties for their work in helping enforce mask policies 
and fighting disinformation, and for pushing for their communities to 
get vaccinated against the coronavirus. More than 900,000 Americans have
 died from the virus since 2020.&nbsp;

“You’ve saved lives,” Biden said.&nbsp;

According to the White House, Biden participated in a photo line with local officials including:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645051173199.png" alt="President Joe Biden speaks to county officials at an event in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Feb. 15. (Screenshot from White House YouTube stream)" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden speaks to county officials at an event in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Feb. 15. (Screenshot from White House YouTube stream)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/biden-meets-with-county-leaders-in-d-c-promotes-build-back-better-plan/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON
 — President Joe Biden during a Tuesday meeting with county leaders 
called on Congress to pass his stalled social spending package as a way 
to fight inflation, saying it would help with expenses families face.“Families
 are getting clobbered by the cost of everyday things,” Biden told 
members of the National Association of Counties at a conference here.He
 stressed that his plan, Build Back Better, would help Americans who are
 seeing higher prices in grocery stories and high gas prices due to 
inflation.“That’s what my Build Back Better plan was all about,” he said.&nbsp;The
 massive social spending and climate plan foundered in the Senate after 
opposition emerged among key Democrats like West Virginia Sen. Joe 
Manchin III and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.Biden
 added that he was pleased that states and local governments were 
implementing funding from the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure 
law and the American Rescue Plan, a relief package passed last year by 
Congress.&nbsp;“This is only the beginning,” Biden said.&nbsp;NACo is a bipartisan group that represents all 50 states — including nearly 40,000 county elected officials — and advocates for county priorities in federal policies.&nbsp;The
 organization is hosting a week-long conference where policy issues are 
discussed such as broadband, agriculture, health, environment and public
 lands. The session on Tuesday focused on counties’ implementation of 
the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill.&nbsp;Biden
 stressed that counties should also responsibly use the funds provided 
by the American Rescue Plan and take advantage of the flexible 
spending.&nbsp;He
 added that as a former county official — he served two years on the New
 Castle County Council in Delaware — he knows that a flexible way to 
distribute funds is important, as every local government is unique.&nbsp;“We
 have an incredible opportunity in front of us,” he said. “We know the 
challenges still remain, we’re still fighting a deadly virus, we still 
need people to get vaccinated.”He
 thanked the counties for their work in helping enforce mask policies 
and fighting disinformation, and for pushing for their communities to 
get vaccinated against the coronavirus. More than 900,000 Americans have
 died from the virus since 2020.&nbsp;“You’ve saved lives,” Biden said.&nbsp;According to the White House, Biden participated in a photo line with local officials including:<ul>
 <li>Larry Johnson, Commissioner, DeKalb County, Georgia, National Association of Counties President</li><li>Mary Jo McGuire, Commissioner, Ramsey County, Minnesota, National Association of Counties Second Vice President</li><li>Joe Briggs, Commissioner, Cascade County, Montana</li><li>Ron Berry, Commissioner, Roane County, Tennessee</li><li>John O’Grady, Commissioner, Franklin County, Ohio</li><li>Phyllis Randall, Supervisor and Chair-at-Large, Loudoun County, Virginia</li><li>Mary Ann Borgeson, County Commissioner, Douglas County, Nebraska</li>
 </ul>

Biden meets with county leaders in D.C., promotes Build Back Better plan

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator is asking his colleagues to help develop a museum to honor former Sen. Ernie Chambers, the state’s longest-serving and best-known lawmaker. 

Sen. Terrell McKinney, who succeeded Chambers in office, pitched the proposal to members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. His measure would require History Nebraska, formerly known as the Nebraska State Historical Society, to develop detailed plans for the Ernie Chambers History-Arts-Humanities Museum in Omaha. 

The idea originated with Chambers’ daughter, Gayla Lee-Chambers of Omaha. Chambers served in the Legislature for 46 years, from 1971 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2021. 

He left office both times because of legislative term limits approved by voters in 2000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645049891769.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator is asking his colleagues to help develop a museum to honor former Sen. Ernie Chambers, the state’s longest-serving and best-known lawmaker. Sen. Terrell McKinney, who succeeded Chambers in office, pitched the proposal to members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. His measure would require History Nebraska, formerly known as the Nebraska State Historical Society, to develop detailed plans for the Ernie Chambers History-Arts-Humanities Museum in Omaha. The idea originated with Chambers’ daughter, Gayla Lee-Chambers of Omaha. Chambers served in the Legislature for 46 years, from 1971 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2021. He left office both times because of legislative term limits approved by voters in 2000.

State help sought to develop museum honoring Ernie Chambers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Humane Society says two people were arrested after an investigation that began when nearly 90 neglected animals and 40 dead animals were found in an Omaha home last month. 

The Humane Society said Wednesday that 30-year-old Sierra Lang and 35-year-old Tremaine Thomas were arrested on Monday on felony cruelty to animal warrants. 

Nebraska Humane Society workers went to the home in January after receiving a tip from Omaha police. They found dogs, reptiles and birds and other animals severely neglected or dead.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608503576813.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Humane Society says two people were arrested after an investigation that began when nearly 90 neglected animals and 40 dead animals were found in an Omaha home last month. The Humane Society said Wednesday that 30-year-old Sierra Lang and 35-year-old Tremaine Thomas were arrested on Monday on felony cruelty to animal warrants. Nebraska Humane Society workers went to the home in January after receiving a tip from Omaha police. They found dogs, reptiles and birds and other animals severely neglected or dead.

2 arrested after neglected, dead animals found in Omaha home

INDEPENDENCE — A Coffeyville man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder in a 2019 shooting death in southeast Kansas, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

Benjamin Job Mason II, 20, of Coffeyville, was sentenced Tuesday in Montgomery County District Court by Judge F. William Cullins on one count of first-degree murder.

Office of the Attorney GeneralINDEPENDENCE — A Coffeyville man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder in a 2019 shooting death in southeast Kansas, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.Benjamin Job Mason II, 20, of Coffeyville, was sentenced Tuesday in Montgomery County District Court by Judge F. William Cullins on one count of first-degree murder.Mason pleaded no contest to the charges on December 20, 2021, for his role in the 2019 shooting death of Kimberly Meeks in Independence. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Independence Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff and U.S. Postal Inspectors.The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Gayoso and Stephanie Plaschka of Schmidt’s office.