03.13.08 Thursday

It may not be a smoldering gun but it was definitely fired recently.

A spokesperson from the NCAA stated yesterday that “Omaha doesn’t need to build a new stadium in order to keep the College World Series.”  A letter dated 2.12.08 sent to Jack Diesing offered a long and short term deal on the CWS and made no mention of a new facility.

Wonder why Muppet Mike never showed us this one till after he had unveiled his stadium plan to the NCAA. What was Fahey’s reaction to the letter. “The 2011 College World Series will be played in a new stadium, Omaha or elsewhere”.

A defense of the Mayors administration was released in answer to the recall petitions. They claim

Fahey has not raised the property tax rate.

Prioritized public safety ( Tell the folks that live in the No-K Coral district that)

Strengthened our Neighborhoods (That must be the Mayors message written in graffiti)

Improved our local economy.

Petitions go out today, organizers have 30 days to collect 22,000 signatures to force a recall election. Wonder if they plan to set up a booth in downtown Elkhorn?

Husker lineman Andy Christensen is out on bail. Nobody knows who put up the $50k (10% of the $500,000 bail set). Let’s hope Lancaster County Judge Jeffre Cheuvront doesn’t draw this case.

Former Hamberg Ia. Mayor Clarence Judy was cited for allowing an underage girl to dance nude in his Juice Club last summer. The girl,17, is also the niece of the Fremont County Sheriff. Terry Rutledge the former owner of Shotgun Geniez and currant manager said employee’s of the club did not know she was under age and she was under the influence of alcohol when she arrived. The club sells no booze. The Sheriff says his sister in law and her husband are not impressed at all with Judy or Rutledge. I’d think they would be less impressed with their 17 year old daughter. Hamberg, thats Iowegian for RULO.

Councilman Jim Suttle wants to clarify a grey area by allowing minors into music venues that sell alcohol an hour before and an hour after a concert is performed there. The measure is meeting opposition from Project Extra Mile. Right now city law says minors may not be in bars unless accompanied by a parent. Exclusions for employee’s and types of establishments are written into the currant law. Suttle wants places like the Slowdown and the Waiting Room to be able to allow the 18-21 crowd and provide something for that group as entertainment.

More later, work calls………………..

Bugs Manderson

03.12.08 Wednesday Late Edition

Sorry, work came first this morning.

Former Plattsmouth resident Tina Murry was sent to the big house for 7 1/2 to 10 years for sexually assaulting a 13 year old daughter of a friend. Murry 28, assaulted the girl while they were watching tv together . 

Zoo officials had their hands full when a 10 lb monkey escaped off an island in the Lied Jungle. Nobody was ever in any danger and the monkey returned back to the island after taking some guys lunch and giving Lee Simmons the finger. Who says nobody learns anything on school field trips.

The City Council passed a stiffer graffiti law that raises the penalty to 120 hours of community service and a possible 72 hours in jail. I liked the one guys idea of making them do some clean up in pink jumpsuits.

It also raised the fine for businesses who don’t properly secure their spray paint to prevent shoplifters, from 75 to $150 bucks.

7 Candidates have applied for the Chief of Police position. The Interim Chief, 3 Deputy Chiefs and 3 Captains have submitted their applications. Mayor Landow,Tom Mafisi (Human Resource Director) and William Moulder (Retired Des Moines Chief and Consultant) will review the applications then have Muppet Mike make the announcement in May pending recall.

Muppet Mike also said yesterday that many people were intimidated and did not speak because of the emotion displayed by the Save Rosenblatt contingency. Gee Muppet Mike I didn’t know that if you were against your plan that automatically put you in with the Save Rosenblatt group.

It is being said that if the City Council were to vote now the plan would not pass. The Council has been left out in the dark on the plan just like the rest of us.

An argument between several people leads to  a person being shot near 42nd and Bedford around 5 p.m. yesterday. The man was a bystander who was hit in the leg after shots rang out. Nice weather heats up the No-K coral. It’s going to be a long summer .

That all for now, sorry for such a crappy report… More later

Bugs Manderson

03.11.08 Tuesday

Talk about a town hall meeting full of surprises. The third and final instalment of the Muppet Mike Stadium Extravaganza took place at Westside High School last night to a less than receptive crowd. Several people stood up and asked pointed questions that were sometimes greeted with arrogant answers from a man who is supposed to serve the public.

“You’re always going to have those individuals who don’t look forward into the future.”

Maybe they are looking into the future and they don’t like what they see Muppet Mike. What they see is you and Mayor Landow ramming another project down their throats without giving them a chance to vote on it.

This was the ultimate in passing the buck, after stealing it first I might add,

When asked about property tax increases:

“That’s up to the County Commissioners”

So lets get this right, you take away the County’s Portion of the Keno money then blame them when they have to raise taxes to cover the shortage of funds? Now I understand why they fought you so hard on turning over the purse strings of the Convention and Tourism Grant Money.

It was obvious last night that this administration could care less what the people think or want nor if they have the right to a straight answer.

The NCAA refused to get into the mix after Councilman Jim Vokal asked for some feedback. Their response was they were awaiting the city’s proposal. In other words they never made the demand of a new stadium or if they did it was done in a way of “Build it but don’t blame us or else” however it looks more like “We will help you get it built but we’re not taking the blame for your wanting a new park”.

By the way, your ball-field faces the wrong direction. For $140 million you could at least build it right.

The family of the man shot by Council Bluffs police now claim the man is also bi-polar (waiting to hear if he ate lead paint chis as well) and he was, let’s all say it together, TURNING HIS LIFE AROUND. He was out on parole and according to his daughter had 90 days left. Funny thing is he hadn’t seen his parole officer since Feb 15th and feared going back in the slammer.

Bond was set at $500k for the Nebraska football player accused of sexually assaulting a woman outside a Lincoln bar.

Not to be out done former Husker Mo Purify and former player Carl Nicks got themselves arrested along with current players Ben Martin and Mike Smith after police were called to a party. 75 people were in attendance. The men were ticketed for something called “Maintaining a disorderly house and being an inmate in a disorderly house.”

Over the weekend a 16 year old girl attempted to flee a raid on a party in Ralston and discovered she can’t fly after she jumped from the balcony and ended up in the hospital. Some party too. Police found alcohol, a “white powdery substance”, prescription medications not belonging to the resident nor anyone at the party, oh and a mushroom. 6 other people were ticketed as well.

Papillion police and Human Society officials raided a home to discover over 200 animals living there. 27 birds and 12 wild animals were removed however the rest were allowed to stay. Apparently their visa’s were in order. The animals ranged from Birds,fish,frogs,turtles,chipmunks,mice,rabbits,exotic possums (wonder if they dance) and chickens. Police were acting on an anonymous tip and said the house wasn’t nearly as messy as they would have expected.

And also in Papillion, well he once lived there but now it looks like a bus ride to Leavenworth is in his future, former Papillion resident Steven Sudyka was sentenced to 2-5 years behind federal bars on child porn charges after police found 3000 images on his computer. Steve faced up to 10 years before he pled guilty. Warm up the cot for Govig, Stevie. He should be behind you shortly.

A after an intense 4 hour search last night, the missing 3 year old girl was discovered sleeping in the home of a family friend. Police used the helicopter, horseback patrol, hundreds of volunteers to search for the little girl who had wandered away from her siblings while playing outside her apartment near 96th and Q.

More later……………….

Bugs Manderson

03.10.08 Monday with Bugs and Mongo

Forgive us for being sluggish, combine Daylight Savings with 3 Overtimes for UNO to move on in the Playoffs and we are a little scrambled this morning.

In the longest game in UNO Hockey’s 11 years the Mav’s moved on, winning 2-1 over Alaska after J.P.Platisha netted the winner with 4:22 gone in the 3rd OT. The Mav’s now go to Ann Arbor to face Michigan.

The saddest thing about this game was the crowd. The Qwest looked abandon. It was pick your seat night. I’ve seem more fans at a drop in game at Benson. Ok maybe not that bad but it did look almost as bad as a Royals game. Has the bandwagon finally left and a bunch of so called hockey fans decided to catch the next one?

Hey the football player to screw up in Lincoln under Pelini has shown his face. Police arrested Offensive Lineman Andy Christensen on first degree sexual assault charges after a 23 year old woman said he approached her from behind, reached under her clothes and sexually assaulted her. He was also charges with resisting arrest, and failure to comply.

Pelini suspended him indefinitely pending the investigation. Let’s see how fast the new sheriff gets things under control down there.

The second town hall meeting on the new stadium was held at North High. Jack Diesing Jr hinted that if we don’t build it the NCAA would go elsewhere even though they have never publicly said that. City Councilman Jim Vokal would like to actually hear the NCAA’s voice on the matter saying they should publicly state that we need to build a new stadium to secure the College World Series.

Also it was said there would be no facilities for RV’s at the new stadium. Diesing stated the 80% of the RV’s belonged to local residents anyway and it was the NCAA’s desire to eliminate the tailgating around the park.

Here is a question that people should start asking, who really owns all that stuff going up around the new ballpark location. Like the hush hush group that invested in the Boatyard, people should ask who’s backing a few bars around the Qwest.  The next public forum is tonight at Westside High School.

A Council Bluffs Police Officer answering a call of a suspicious person wandering around the Super Saver on Broadway ended up shooting the man after a short chase in which the man pointed a shotgun at the officer. The officer has been put on paid leave pending an investigation. No details on the mans condition.

And if you didn’t catch it, watch the news for this guys family members to be interviewed. It was like a casting call for Springer.

A group of Omaha Vets rallied around the defaced monument at Heartland of America Park yesterday. The American Legion members called for better lighting and increased security in the area. They also said they put their lives on the line for freedom and now that freedom is being abused. We’re in favor of posting guards at the memorials armed with paintball guns and a secured position.

That’s it for now, more later………………

Bugs Manderson

Mongo Torrey

03.07.08 Friday Working for the Weekend

Muppet Mike had a little get together with his former friends in South Omaha. The puppet road show appeared at the Larietzen Gardens in an effort to justify the new Downtown Ballpark. The show has added a couple of new performers in Ken Stinson who plays the nervous friend and Jack Diesing who appeared nervous and ashamed at times.

The people who attended the show were treated to the same act as before. You know “We haven’t raised taxes in 7 years” (Just the valuations so we get more money.) “Trust us”

The show was greeted to a chorus of Boo’s and catcalls throughout. Not much new information was released with the exception of a hint that a former food processing plant at 10th and Capitol would be raised to build some temporary parking.

The show has two more programs scheduled, one at North High and the other at Westside. Wonder why they didn’t travel out to Elkhorn?

James Martin Davis is asking for a plea deal for Kelsy Peterson. JMD says the one thing she is guilty of is statutory rape and she has not been charged with that. The Judge has Ok’s a pre-trial conference and said if an agreement is not reached by April 18th a trial date will be set.

Dawson County Attorney Liz Waterman plans to prosecute Peterson no matter what the fed’s decide. She says because most of the crimes took place in Dawson County that the locals should handle most of this. Does Dawson county ban public flogging? Liz sounds like she would be in favor of water-boarding Peterson.

Davis wants to depose the young man Peterson fled with and his mother saying he has information that mom knew they were going and gave them the addresses of relatives in Mexico. He said the boy also drove part of the way and never made any attempt to escape.

The Mayor and the Firefighters are hung up on a couple of details in the contract dispute and now it is in the hands of a labor relations board.

The Firefighters are asking for a cost of living raise of 3.85% and the Mayor is asking for 3.5. The big issue is heath care benefits. The Firefighters have conceded that they will have to share the cost but want similar co-pay and out of pocket cost as they have now.

Also at issue is the way pensions are arrived at. The Mayor wants a formula that limits overtime calculated into the salary at 250 hours, the Firefighter want 300.

And there is the issue of 6 million owed the Firefighters from back in 2004 from a pay freeze and back holiday and vacation pay the firefighters held off on to help the Mayor pay some city bills. The Mayor wants the payment to not have to be all in one year. Were guessing he doesn’t have it but has the money to start the new stadium.

The Mav’s beat Alaska 4-3 to take a 1-0 lead in the Best of Three playoff series. Tonight they face Kieth Urban, wait, Saturday they square off again.

Mongo sent in a note to remind you all that tonight is the rematch between Omaha and Cedar Rapids. This time it’s the Lancers and the Rough Riders though.

The Lincoln Stars are in town Saturday.

Creighton kicks off Mo-Valley Tournament play this afternoon against Bradley at 2:30.

That’s all I got for now….More later……Hey has anyone seen Andrew ? No? He must be in Elbonia scouting players.

Bugs Manderson

02.28.08 Thursday in Doughnutland

Finally the Ballpark plan is unveiled to the public and now we know why the NCAA told Muppet Mike he needs to get more community support.

First, this thing will never go to a public vote. If you want to voice yourself, contact your City Councilman because they will have to sign off on it.

To build it they must come, or agree to come for at least 20 years. That’s the length of NCAA contract for the CWS needed to make this even begin to work.

Creighton and the Royals must sign on as well.

The cost including paying off the Rosenblatt bonds 140 million.

42.95 million in private donations

37.6 million from Stadium revenues that include

Premium Seats (say good bye to your good CWS seats folks, Corporate Omaha just got the go ahead to buy you out of them)

Naming rights ( So long Johnny Rosenblatt make way for Peter Kewitt Park)

Parking (Watch it go from $6 to $10)

Per Seat tax for baseball tickets (So long last 300 Royals season ticket holders)

1% increase in the Hotel Tax (The Muppet claims nobody will notice. Till they read their bill.)

$2 car rental tax increase (Watch em set up shop in Carter Lake with Shuttle Service)

2.13 million in Keno Revenue (till the smoking ban takes place and all the gamblers that smoke head across the river) This includes cutting the County out of the Keno money so watch your County taxes increase.

What you will get is 24,000 non removable seats.

28 Private Boxes ( The Muppet and his cronies need to be seen)

And the bill for the parking garage that isn’t included in the bid.

Anyone notice the smile on Ken Stinsons face. That’s because he is looking at a $140 million dollar project right in the Kewitt back yard.

Legendary Musician Buddy Miles has passed away at age 60. Miles, an Omaha native, played with the late Jimi Hendrix and wrote the classic “Them Changes”. If you ever had the chance to catch Buddy sitting in with the local talent it was a special experience. Buddy you will be greatly missed in the music world.

Ralston High has started a new lock out tardy policy. This policy has the teachers lock their doors when the bell rings. If a student is not in the room at that time they are required to go to a study hall in the cafeteria and the teacher must call the parents.

Sounds good on the surface but lets ask these questions.

Sure it is important to be on time but it is also important to be in class not study hall.

Isn’t locking an exit door during school hours a little against the fire code?

There has to be a better solution than this however Ralston plans on adding it to the Student Handbook next year.

The Iraq War vet and his family have settled with the landlord that tried to evict them upon his return from duty. The two parties reached and agreement where the landlord will let them out of their lease 6 months early without penalty and they can move by March 31st.

The Vet said in his suit that the managers of the apartment complex were rude and unreceptive to offer a resolution and the last thing they wanted to do was live in a Robert Hancock managed property now. Don’t blame them after watching this story unfold. Best of luck to you.

And the mom who exposed her 4 year old daughter to pot smoking has temporary lost her parental rights and the girl and her 2 year old brother have been placed with the biological father who is angry at the entire situation.

The kids don’t know why mom was tossed in the slammer and she is not allowed to tell them in her monitored phone conversations. She is also unable to post 10% of her $25,000 bail. Must have smoked it.

Her lawyer said she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her kids back and is attending parenting classed in the Douglas County Corrections Center. Great, lets make sure we do our best to reunite them all as soon as possible so the children won’t miss crack class in their home schooling. That came right after “How to handle a shotgun on the couch, and Bath day is Saturday” class.

Good thing the dad was a stand up guy and came to the rescue.

And how do the Huskers beat Oklahoma 63-45 the same night Creighton falls to Illinois State 68-54.

Looks like the boys in Red woke up about the right time in the season.

That’s it for me…play nice today

Mongo Torrey

02.27.08 Wednesday with Mongo

Bugs you better get well soon, I am getting to like this being in charge thing……

OK so Muppet Mike promised we would know all about the new stadium after he talked with the NCAA. He held a little press conference yesterday in Hoosierville where once again his lips moved but Mayor Landow must have lost his voice because nothing came out.

Now another press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. totally screwing up Judge Judy. Word is Muppet Mike is going after the KENO money thus screwing the county out of their cut and costing us more in county property taxes. I thought 3 card Monty was illegal? Fahey is starting to remind me of the Governor in the movie “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”…..ooooooooo I love to dance a little side step……

And while were talking about the Governor, he signed into law the Statewide Smoking ban which goes into effect a year from June. No doubt this makes a bunch of folks happy however don’t bitch when say a year and a month from now people start crying about lost revenue to Iowa.

Mayor I wouldn’t get to comfortable with the KENO funds at this point as the State just gave 26% of the population another reason to gamble across the state line.

And the Old Market will be so much more attractive with the smokers standing outside every bar on the sidewalk like what happens in Lincoln. Oh and I am a non-smoker before you start on that.

Mark Walsh and the GASP Gestapo are said to be happy with the law and are now going after regulations for Apartment and Condo residents. One at a time people, next it will be your own home.

The 49 year old mom accused of photo-shopping her teenage daughters pics on nude bodies then posting them on the Internet has plead not-guilty. The girl found the pice when she goggled her name back in 2006 and discovered them as well as pics of her mom in sex acts with her step dad and other men. They showed mom on the news last night…..who the hell was looking at these pics in the first place yeeeeeuuuuuuccckkkkkk. Post a pic of Sara Evans naked I might look, but to old for prime time Twila, that would be nasty.

Investigators say the mom contacted the web site administrator back in 2006 and claimed the girl was 20. The first pics posted were back in 2003.

And while we are on the sicko subject, Thomas Gellatly pleaded not guilty as well to child porn charges. Police acting on a tip from Germany traced emails connected to child porn to Gellatly’s home address. His trial will be April 14th.

Add this guy to candidates for Father Fuck-up of the year. A Grand Island man was arrested 4 times in 5 weeks for DUI. One time while his baby was in the car with him and another when he left the baby at home, alone…To bad we don’t have co-ed prison or him and Alyssia Harrger could hook up.

A 48 year old woman was dragged 20 feet after her car was jacked in a parking lot near 132nd and West Dodge. The car was equipped with On-Star and was located at 120th and Blondo a short time later. The woman was reported to be ok. I wonder if the On-Star person came on the speaker and started talking shit to the carjacker. “We got you,  your going North on 132nd asshole….were gonna get you…” Hopefully the guy was hearing voices in his head already and freaked.

That’s it for this morning, Ill stop in the Q & A and see if the kiddies are still debating then it’s of to silent slumber.

Play nice today

Mongo Torrey

02.26.08 1 fer Tuesday with Mongo

Bugs is still out sick.  The hockey brawl on here yesterday must have been the cause of his uncontrolled regurgitation.

The human remains discovered under the South Omaha bridge have been confirmed to be that of Michael O’Connor. He was last seen 2/12/2007 leaving a downtown parking garage across the street from his job. He never reported to work that day.

Former Sarpy County Sheriff Pat Thomas has resigned from the State Liquor Control Board in an effort to avoid being run over by Senator Ernie Chambers farewell tour.

Ernest has accused Thomas of being a racist after Thomas allegedly told a Hispanic bar owner to learn English. The bar owners license had been suspended for 15 day after selling to a drunken patron.

The Mayor Landow and Muppet Mike show hit Indianapolis today as part of the “Sell Out Omaha Show”. The Muppet will make his pitch to the NCAA on the new downtown stadium in lieu of a 25 year or more contract to hold the CWS. The NCAA isn’t expected to provide and answer today and neither is the Muppet.

Many questions are being asked of his proposal and why the people are not getting a say in the matter. The Mayors response, “Let em eat funnel cake”. Can’t wait to hear all his details when he returns from Hoosierville.

Charges we dismissed against Cordell Stewart after a detective was unable to testify due to a family emergency. Stewart is the man accused of shooting Chiwanda Ammons 2 times. Once he was convicted and the second time while he was released on appeal. He was convicted of the first shooting and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors are expected to refile the charges.

Sorry for the slow news day. Hopefully everyone can play nice today.

Mongo Torrey

02.19.08 Tuesday

Just like Bob Kerry’s gold watch across the Missouri river ,Muppet Mike’s handpicked committee has come back with it’s recommendation that the new ballpark be built Downtown with no word on how we will pay for it. (Does your wallet feel lighter? It will). It came as no surprise that Mayor Landow and Muppet Mike’s chums came back with a plan that affirms what the Muppet wants. Even though they tried to dispel the notion that the end result was preconceived, the release of the non detailed plan was a non event. The plan is so super top secret it’s details wont be released to the people expected to pay for it until it has been taken to the NCAA.

Already a web-site has popped up to start a recall effort of the Mayor. www.Recall-Fahey.com  was launched shortly after the announcement.

An off -duty Omaha fire fighter was arrested Saturday morning and almost tasered by LaVista police after he became abusive and resisted arrest.

The 32 year old fire fighter was a passenger in his SUV that was being driven by a 24 year old woman who was arrested for her 3 DUI.

No comment from OFD at this time pending and internal investigation.

A man was the victim of a drive by shooting while standing on his porch near 41st and Corby Monday afternoon. Police say a red car passed by and opened fire on the man. No suspects so far.

Two complete idiots robbed the Burlington Coat Factory at gunpoint around 2 p.m. Monday. What could they possibly have gotten in this heist, change for a twenty and some credit card receipts. Oh and that genuine imitation leather jacket on display by the front door. There would be more money in pay phone outside Qwik Trip. Never said we had the smartest criminals here. Thank god they are lousy shots as well.

Got a kinda sorta update on the melee in Sioux City. So far it appears that no parents were involved and that it was over before it really began. Thank god, the last thing I wanted to watch on YouTube was someone I know being filmed acting like a complete out of control buffoon forcing me to openly make fun of them on here. More details when we get some factual information (The Police report will take a couple of days to get to the office, today was a holiday I’m told).

They say persistence will get you everywhere well in this case it got a 50 year old man charged with Felony Theft of Services. The man was unable to obtain Cox cable services due to a previous unpaid bill. That man allegedly climbed into his apartment complex attic and spliced into his neighbors cable line back in October. Cox technicians discovered the splice and disconnected it. Another outage was reported on February 6th and technicians discovered the splice was back. The man reportedly had received 70 channels of nothing plus HBO.

A nice heads up to Omaha Police who nabbed a couple of copper thieves at the former VIP car-wash on 90th around 3 p.m. yesterday. Forced entry leads to burglary charges, here’s hoping they hang a couple more thefts on them for good measure.

More later………………..

Bugs Manderson

02.15.08 Friday Edition with an Editorial from Mongo

Just when I thought Manderson Street had something to brag about the story takes a turn. It appears the two victims that fought back the would be robber had a very large stash of marijuana in their home and have since been arrested. You just can’t find role models anymore.

Murder charges against a gang member arrested for the 2006 shooting of 24 year old Kenny Miller outside a convenience store near 24th and Redick have been dropped. It seems the 18 year old gang member scares the witnesses and now they wont testify out of fear of retaliation. Well you know this wanna be bad ass will mess up again soon enough and be back in custody, lets just hope there isn’t another victim on a slab because of it.

The Millard South teen accused of rape has been charged as an adult. Tyler Jacobson is being held on a $50,000 bond after a classmate reported that he assaulted her while giving her a ride home from school. He has since been expelled from school as well.

The NCAA doesn’t want a court battle over location of a new stadium and has said so after MECA voted 4-1 against using the parking lots at the Qwest as a location. MECA said it is willing to take legal action to protect the lots.

Muppet Mike said he and Mayor Landow are not concerned over the NCAA comments because the legal fight would be “quickly resolved in our favor”. Who’s favor Mr Muppet? You and Paul’s or the people of Omaha? This guy wont be happy till we have the highest Hotel tax in the country or our property taxes on our home’s rivals the house payment itself.

And now Mongo Torrey is here with editorial comment on LB1159,

State Senator Brad Ashford’s bill, LB 1159, proposes to help in the reduction of truant school children. The bill will require Juvenile Court Mediation after 20 absences from school,excused by the parent or not and will also take out wording in state law that no longer allows the school to take a parents word at face value for an absence.

Now Brad I know you have good intentions. You claim one out of five kids in Nebraska drops out of school which if that fact is correct puts us next to Arkansas as the leaders in retard production. However Mr Ashford, you can’t wipe our ass for us forever.

Here is the problem with this bill which is said to have no opponents down in Lincoln.

This requirement of Juvenile Court mediation would put an undue hardship on a family that has a child who has missed x amount of days due to an illness. Take a good case of mono for example, or a child injured in a car accident. Not only do the parents have the medical costs to deal with, now they have to hire one of your lawyer friends to take care of this court issue. I am guessing you did think of that didn’t you?

Ok then there is the issue of holding the parents responsible with fines and jail. You do know what’s going to happen here don’t you? The parents that really don’t give a shit if their kid is in school or not are going to claim they can’t control them and have them made wards of the state. Better hire some more drivers Brad.

Back when I was in school I didn’t know 5 kids that dropped out, let alone one in five. Did you ever think of looking at the school itself and asking why so many kids stop wanting to attend if your numbers are correct? Christ I just quoted Ernie Chambers. Well he has a point. Somewhere in the last 20+ years we did something in the schools that caused this problem. Figure out what that is Brad and you might be on to something.

Now does your bill require Homeschooler’s to report when their students miss 20+ days? If not then that’s a bit unfair don’t you think? Oh wait, I hear you and a couple other meddlers want to get involved in that department as well even though there really isn’t a problem.

I’m starting to think you would be better off relegated to checking the men’s room to make sure the toilet paper holders are full than attempting to parent for the entire state of Nebraska. We don’t need to clog our Juvenile Courts up with kids missing school for being sick, attending college workshops, family crisis. If you insist on running this up the pole then maybe you need to put in a provision that says “Court Intervention after 20 days unless the child has C+ average or better”. That way the Honor Role student who misses a few days to explore future options visiting college campuses and attending outside learning opportunities and then happens to get sick doesn’t have to force themselves to attend class and infect the entire student body with the plague just to keep their parents from having to mortgage the house to pay for an attorney to represent them and prove they are not unfit parents.

Now toss this one in the trash and go back to hiding boogers under your desk.

Mongo Torrey

MongoTorrey@hotmail.com

The views expressed in that Editorial are that of the writer and not necessarily that of the entire staff of the Eye On Omaha, however I am guessing not one of us has the balls to differ with him at this point in time, YIKES….

Don’t forget the UNO-Bowling Green series is at the Civic this weekend. We don’t want any fans going to the Qwest expecting to see the Mav’s and instead getting exposed to two guys on a mat in tights. (Here comes the email).

Have a good weekend everyone.

More later………………….

Bugs Manderson

02.14.08 Happy Valentines Day

Here’s one for the folks on Manderson,

Last night around 8:15 a man opened his door to a man saying he had a Valentines gift. The man did ,because when the door opened he pulled a gun and attempted to rob the couple who was having none of it and pulled a knife and preceded to kick his ass. Go Team. The would be robbers get away driver sped off and all three went to the hospital with the would be robber facing the worst injuries.

We would comment on Jim Suttles earth shattering proposal for a stadium but frankly can’t stop laughing long enough to type it. Jim, you did that as a joke didn’t you? If not, save your money and don’t run for Mayor because somebody will use that video clip against you.

Word is the ACLU is watching the Plattsmouth Schools policy of having parents submit to background checks if the want to attend in class activities. Some parents are concerned because the form sent out has something on it about a credit check and asks for your Social Security Number. What your credit has to do with serving cookies to second graders I will never know.

State Senator Brad Ashford has a bill, LB1159, that takes out the sentence that allows School Districts to accept on it’s face value a parents excuse for and absent child.  WHAT?????

Deputy Douglas County Attorney Kim Hawekotte said by taking that sentence out  schools have to react when a youth isn’t in school no matter what the reason. So Kim does that mean every-time little Billy doesn’t feel well you have to run him to the doctor to get a note because mom and dad are not capable of determining the illness thus driving up a family’s medical cost yearly for unnecessary trips to the doctor? “The School should have the responsibility to look into the reasons no matter what the parents say” she was quoted.

So in other word’s the State will decide if your kid can miss school or not. Hope this raises an eyebrow with some of the Hockey parents who sometimes pull their little Gretzky out early on Friday to get to a weekend tournament. Even though your kid may be on the honor role it won’t matter.

As introduced the law would get law enforcement involved sooner including the County Attorney (giving Kim some extra job security) and fining parents of truant children.

This law looks like a logistics nightmare and an added level of bureaucracy already not needed in the school system. I think there is something in the no child left behind that covers this as it is but I need to research it today. Brad sometimes you scare us.

Senator Pirsch’s bill to increase the penalties for super speeders was signed into law. Now when police catch the fast and the furious on West Dodge it will be a little more painful to the pocket book.

Three Bellevue East students are accused of snorting cocaine in shop class. Bellevue police have arrested one 19 year old for possession. An anonymous caller tipped off the authorities to the students snorting cocaine while the class was going on.

Lincoln Potato Chip maker, Weavers , is closing it’s doors leaving 70 plant workers out of a job. The chips have been produce there since 1932 and falls the way of Kitty Clover and Guy’s. Company officials say a supplier was to provide Nebraska grown potatoes but delivered Texas grown ones instead and they were unacceptable thus making it impossible for the company to fill it’s orders.

And Omaha Police report a large number of complaints of people getting unwanted porn images sent to their cell phones. Imagine walking through the store, your phone rings and when you open it you get Debbie doing Dallas…..these freaks will stop at nothing to market their crap. Police say if you receive one of these unsolicited calls to report it to police. In some cases they can get the phone service sending them shut down.

Everyone have a Happy Cupid day….

More later     Bugs Manderson

Bill Would Give Up To 20 Million To Rosenblatt

A bill has been introduced that will give up to 20 million dollars to repair or rebuild Rosenblatt Stadium. The city would have to match the funds at a 3-1 rate, thus the city would have to put up 60 million to get the 20 million.

State Senators Synowiecki, Ashford, Preister and Howard all said the State has a dog in this hunt as well and will get the money from the cash reserve. They also want to see the proper choice made in the matter. One that will lock in the College World Series and also not be an over burden to the taxpayer.

Muppet Mike said the bill was pre-mature as he has not made his choice on which site the new downtown stadium will be built.

Bugs Manderson

Friday 10.12.07

An off duty police officer is said to have shot a and killed a dog outside his home yesterday. The officer claims the dog charged him however the dogs owners claim the husky would never harm anyone. The owner had just given the dog a bath in his back yard and the dog slipped off the leash. The officers wife had just pulled in her driveway and saw the dog running, panicked and called her husband in the house from his cell phone. He came out and shot the dog. Human Society Officials said the dog was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

Top news story everywhere but here…More Hannah Montana tickets have become available. Parents across town are said to be rushing to the bank for the second mortgage on the house in an attempt to acquire them for their spoiled little dumplings.

The World Herald claims they have seen letters and memo’s supporting Mayor Landow and Muppet Mikes claim that the NCAA pushed for the new downtown stadium and not them. They said they made a presentation on renovating Rosenblatt complete with “Flip Charts” (woooooo hooooo so impressive).

The Huskers take on Oklahoma State this Saturday. UNO travels to Grand Forks North Dakota to take on the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

And for you hockey nuts. UNO is holding an inter-squad game Sunday 1 p.m. at the Moylan Ice Complex. Tickets are free with every can of SPAM donated to the Moylan Ice Complex Concession Stand (just trying to liven up the menu a bit) however tickets for the Mite game taking place on the opposite sheet of ice will run $25 each.

The Lancers are home against Sioux City, Saturday at 7:05. Free soda to every fan and if your a season ticket holder you also get a free hotdog.

Also for you O.M.A.H.A. folks, there is a Board Meeting Monday the 15th at 6 p.m. also at Moylan. According to the web site a couple of positions on the board are still available. If your good with numbers and love to have people bitch at you daily the Treasurers spot is open and if you like to have parents call you at 5 am bitching about early ice time the Associate House Directors spot shows still vacant. 

And also on the web site…The Coaching Directors job is still vacant. Here is a perfect opportunity for all you people who feel you know how to coach a team better than the guy that coaches your kid. Bring your resume complete with all your PS2 stat’s from NHL2007 and a list of the times you could have done it better than the guy out there playing, to the Board Meeting Monday night.

Happy Friday everyone……………..

Bugs Manderson

Geno Pinkney

Patches Castelar

New Tax to Pay For Stadium a Bad Idea

So the Mayor wants to add a new tax to pay for the new stadium. 2% on all prepared food and recreation. Let’s see that takes the sales tax on food to almost 10%.

How well is this stadium plan been thought out in the first place. It looks like someone drew it out on a napkin in a bar. Did anyone notice the field faces the wrong direction per the NCAA rule book. Home plate is to face North East, but then we can’t be forced to look at the Bridge to Nowhere and some guys condo.

The city is taxed to death. Sure the College World Series means alot of money for the city however we are taxing our residents into poverty. Of course the NCAA wants the new stadium, they don’t have to pay for it. And how long after it’s built before we have to pay for more improvements or they figure out that portable seating is a shitty idea so we need to build real seats.  Hell I’d love to spend someone else’s money and reap all the benefits.

Here’s an idea. Sell this idea to Warren Buffet and see if he wants to toss some cash in the kitty. I’m betting not. How about all the corporate people who like to brag they have CWS tickets, get out the check book and toss some into this.

The average schmuck has been pushed out to the bleachers anyway and some of us who just like to hang out at the beer tents during the week are about to get pushed out too. Let’s have the people who will get the goods help pay the train ticket.

This plan will be rammed down our throats like everything else. The Mayor has been quoted as saying he doesn’t want this to go to a vote of the people, now we know why.

This deal better come with 20 years or better and the tax must be written into law so that once the bill is payed the tax goes away, no changes. Lets not stick us with another wheel tax that started as a temporary $3 tax and is now between $35-$60 depending on what you drive.

So saddle up folks and let the thieving begin.

Rebel Shurburne

No Dollar Figure Put on New Stadium by Mayors Office.

In the ongoing push and shove match between Rosenblatt supporters and the Mayors office, Save Rosenblatt supporter have hired and architect to make a presentation that can be taken to the NCAA.

City Councilman Gary Gernandt is leading the way in an effort to save the historic ballpark. Mayor Landow and Muppet Mike would prefer a new downtown stadium that they now say will seat 25,000 to 30,000 but have put no figure on the cost that will be footed by the taxpayer. Some figures flying around are in the 135 million range but boys we can tell you right now, double that.

The mayors Deputy Chief of Staff, Don Thorson (he is the guy that gets to carry the box that contains Muppet Mike from show to show) said they didn’t want to release a cost until the final designs were in. Make sure the design contains the Memorial Mike Fahey padded his pocket on this project lounge ,much like the Handshake Hal silent investor stools at Rick’s Boatyard. This idea stinks and no amount of fabreez is going to cover it.

Leave the CWS out on the interstate where it advertises OMAHA. We know the Zoo wants the land. They have wanted it for years. If the city can buy up the houses around Rosenblatt then the zoo can as well. This is no more than an effort to take everything downtown and make the bridge to nowhere seemed justified in the mean time allowing city officials to help out their people buy sending all the businesses that way.

Be honest when your talking Muppet Mike. We can tell when you lie because your lips move.

Are we still thinking about a new stadium ?

It still sounds as if our Mayor and Muppet Mike have a new stadium in their plans. Also they are still trying to sell us on the idea we can build a facility worthy of the CWS for 50 million.

Were not buying it. First, there’s a ,acording to the EPA, ground contamination problem still in the area. Things like lead,arsenic and trichlorocthylene. That’s got to be a selling point to the NCAA folks. Now add clean up costs to the construction and we’re seeing a ballpark comparable to Toll Park.

If as a city we want to do something really special to keep the CWS for a long long time then lets build them something that will be a showpiece, something better than the bridge to nowhere.

Get the idea, puppet master ?

NFL opened tonight on NBC. Only 6 more weeks till NHL Season as long as Gary Betman doesn’t see his shadow.

How hard is it not to laugh every time you see the Huber commercial where Veronica Todd says  “How do you spell Humer?”  We might do a whole piece on jokes around that.

The new format seemed to have tapered things off here for awhile. Let’s see how things pan out. We posted an open letter from the President of O.M.A.H.A. today that spelled out everything we had been asking for the most part. No word on what happened to the Treasurer or his players. If someone ran them off they should be ashamed. Maybe it’s not to late for a return.

Some nut job in camo face and brandishing a fake gun tried to gain access to Warren Buffets house last evening. Security guards ran him off and no suspect is in custody. No truth to the rumor Warren is looking to move into the No-K to feel safer.

Everyone is talking about the Husker game with USC, did we forget Wake Forest this weekend ? Let us not look to far ahead.

Thats it for tonight. We’re beat from today.

Hope everyone likes the changes and we will work hard at getting back to what we came here for in the first place.

Around Omaha

Its looks as if we got through the long holiday weekend un blemished. So far it doesn’t appear as if there were any shootings down in the NO-K Coral and aside from a few minor setbacks it seems like a pretty quiet weekend.

The Huskers won big Saturday, and hated Michigan lost to two old ladies on Hoverounds and we think a blind guy. We remeber when the Huskers fell from grace a few years back but at least someone remembered to pull the cord on the chute. Thank you Mr. Petersen for not letting our program get to the point that Michigan’s just did. Keep your AP trophy from 97 Blue fans, its the last one your going to see in a long long time. Two weeks USC. Time for the Back to the Big Time upset game we hope.

Will someone find an overhead picture of Rosenblatt and put it next to that cardboard cut-out the World Herald had in Sundays Edition of the new downtown ball stadium. And we are trying to lure the CWS to stay for 10 years with that ? I think there might be a few high school fields that looked bigger and better. We can see a new Costner movie in the future, Field of Stupid Ideas. Tag line, “If you build it smaller, they will leave.” Lets make sure this stadium idea has to go to a vote of the people. We would rather see the 50 million go into Rosenblatt. For 50 million we can maybe get a deal on some cardboard people cut-outs for the Royals to put in the seats so they can feel like somebodys watching. Better yet, shoot the 2 million off the 50 and see if they can hire some better marketing people to get some people down there. Its not a bad product people, they just don’t know how to sell it.

Thats all we have for now, back later if something breaks….

Afternoon Post Another Record Set Here

Even on a slow news day who would have thought. The Eye has raced past its previous number of views again and continues to be one of the fastest growing blogs in Omaha.

The big hitter Today, THE “Boots” Sheldon update posts on Jr. Mav’s Roster selections. Looks as if the debate has started in one division, can’t wait for the evening rush to see how that works out.

Had we know Boots was going to have this kind of inpact we would have gotten him on board a long time ago. Look for more items from Boots as our man on the street in the NO-K.

Another shooting in the No-k Coral this morning. An employee of the Show 24 store was shot during an attempted robery the World Hearld is reporting. We asked Boots if he wanted to wander down and check it out but he said that wasn’t his turf and he wasn’t going there. Looks as if Senator Chambers Crime Tape ball will continue to grow.

Also in the news, Mayor Landow used Muppet Mike to make a pitch to the NCAA about a new under sized un needed stadium near the Qwest center.

Witnesses report NCAA officals were amazed they couldn’t see the string and were mildly amused but are waiting for the Costner Commercials before giving a response.

When asked where the money would come from to pay for the project, Muppet Mike responded, well if we get rid of the Fire Department, the Police Department, Trash pick up and electricity in the city county building we think this projects do able.

City Council president Dan Welch also said “And if we can collect enough copper from the new houses being built out west that we wont have on our tax rolls for years…this will be easy money.”

Thats it for the afternoon report.

Watch for breaking posts and cat fighting in the comments section later.