04.02.08 Wednesday with Mongo

Witnesses in the Daunte Goynes trial painted somewhat different pictures yesterday.

The mother of shooting victim Aaron Lofton told of walking out of the store with her son nad passing Goynes and another youth. Goynes she claimed said “what up blood” and her son didn’t respond and kept walking, she then heard footsteps running up behind them and Goynes began an altercation. She headed back into the store for help when she heard the gunshots.

A cab driver testified he saw the fight break out but didn’t see Loftons mother. As he was getting out of his cab to attempt to break it up he say Goynes pull a gun and aim it at Lofton “Gansta Style palm down” and fire the weapon as Lofton ran away. The Cab Driver followed Goynes and his accomplice while reporting there whereabouts to 911. Police discovered the murder weapon in the basement of the house he was arrested in.

Goynes’ attorney claims it was self defense and that the Judge will determine that. Only if Aaron Lofton was a behind the back knife throwing expert and could hit a target while running in the opposite direction. Maybe the defense should have tried the lead poisoning theory.

Claire Duda (a name I would have changed when I turned 21 but that is just me) responded to a presentation by Pat Loontjer, the Executive Director of Gambling with the Good Life, over the proposed Ponca Indian Casino in Carter Lake IOWA (Note I screamed Iowa), by saying he is disturbed that there may be a casino built so close to Creighton and the Qwest and the Homeless Shelters.

Claire, there are 3 of them a John Daily driver shot across the river as it is. Get over it.

And god help me but I am about to agree with Mike Boyle. Boyle said the Douglas County Board has no business trying to interfere with something taking place in Iowa. No shit. In fact I don’t see anyone on this side of the drainage ditch turning down any money thrown this way from the foundation that hands out grant money from the Casino’s.

Carter Lake Mayor Russell Kramer, who I am betting was extending a Middle Finger Salute out the South facing window of City Hall while doing the phone interview, said the if the Fed’s Ok’d the Ponca tribe the rights to build a Casino in Carter Lake (IOWA) then he couldn’t understand what a board in Nebraska had to say about it.

Neither do we Russ. In fact Pat, they aren’t gambling with the good life anyway. Have you ever spent any time in Carter Lake?

And Muppet Mike and MECA have struck a deal that will move forward the new downtown baseball stadium. An NCAA spokesman called it a “Hugely positive sign”. The deal still needs to be voted on by the MECA Board at it’s public meeting unlike anything the Mayor has put together behind closed doors. I still can’t figure out how Landow throws his voice so well.

Ok that’s it for me. Bugs will be back tomorrow. He said something about a going to a meeting today at City Hall and he really wanted me to go with but knowing how well I respond to idiots in office we decided it wouldn’t be such a good idea after-all.

Mongo Torrey

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

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

Wed. 12.12.07

Fire Chief Robert Dahlquist announced he is retiring from his post on Dec 14th. Knowing Bob for many years we can tell you he is a good man who dedicated his life to helping others. Thanks for many good years Bob.

Mr Public Safety,Dan Welch was quoted as drooling over the idea that he could be able to run around a Fire Station wearing his Jr Fire Chief badge if someone would consider him to fill the position.

County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson said that the State dropped the ball when they disallowed a $10,000 landscaping project attempted by Brew Burgers at 108th and L. State Employee and complete moron Tim Weander said by letting the business construct logos of 3 of the State’s University’s it would open the door for others to do something else in the Right of way. We guess the weeds and trash are more appealing Tim. Our bad.

Two complete idiots fell through the ice on Lake Candlewood yesterday. A neighbor saw them on the ice right before they fell through and ran to help but his rope wasn’t long enough. The two teens managed to pull themselves out of the water and roll across the ice to shore. 

The City Council is considering a ban on two Mexican Style Rodeo events, Steer Tailing, where the steers tail is wrapped around the cowboys leg and the animal is pulled to the ground and Horse Tripping where the horses legs are roped and the horse falls to the ground.   Jim Suttle questioned if we shouldn’t include a few American Rodeo events. Is Teacher-Illegal Alien Bed Wrestling still a banned event. Just Checking.

I see the comment line is lighting up.

Were making a decision on if we should pull the Q & A page here in a few.

More Later

Bugs Manderson

Monday 11.19.07

The owner of Brew Burgers at 108th and L has been ordered by the State to remove a $10,000 landscaping project because it lies on State property.

The project, which was designed to beautify a slope from the parking lot contains the logos of UNO, UNL and Creighton.

District Engineer Tim Weander tagged the project despite a letter from a County Commissioner asking that the project be allowed to stay. At no cost to the State is made the once weed covered corner look more appealing however the unreasonable Weander said if they allowed it one time they would have to allow it for everyone. Right Tim.

We will put a bunch of sewer pipe in Memorial Park and call it art but construct something that looks nice and an overzealous State worker has to make sure everyone knows he has a job with no appeal process.

It isn’t like the guy was building a sign with his business name on it, rather promoting 3 of the states fine educational schools. Sometime we just sit here and shake our heads trying to understand our state employees.

Be sure to buckle up as several law enforcement agency’s will start the CLICK IT or TICKET campaign for the holidays.

And we are still looking for people to take the lead and give updates on their Hockey teams. Were starting to see why the O.M.A.H.A. web site only has one team reporting results, it seems that everyone wants to complain but nobody but one person wants to take the time to type it out. Funny how we prove some points around here.

If you wish to take the time (about 1 minute if you type fast) to send us information and updates about your teams progress, email us at HockeyHighlights@hotmail.com and we will create a page for your team. No negative comments will be posted.

And speaking of hockey, don’t forget the Board of Directors meeting tonight at the Moylan Ice Complex. Here is your chance to stay informed and ask questions directly.

Over the weekend I had the chance to spend some time with some “hockey people” and quietly listened to some discussion about the youth hockey scene and some peoples perception about us. I am working on an Editorial on the subject for later posting.

Have a great morning everyone, enjoy the short work week.

Bugs Manderson

Tuesday Afternoon Update

Now that Mongo is off resting we can get in here.

Rev. Rip Off has been reassigned to a different parish by Archdiocese Officials in Omaha. He was placed on 5 years probation for stealing $125,000 from his former parish blaming being a compulsive shopper.

The new Parish assure parishioners that he will have no contact with the checkbook…..

A breaking story says that a Award winning Powerlifting Coach from Lincoln has been nabbed for child porn charges after allegedly filming teenage girls changing in his basement gym. More on this later we’re sure.

State Fair Officials got the dollar amount on the perfect location for the fair study. $175 million to build the right facility. They have made giant leaps in improving the fair the past 2 years and this might be something to consider. One only need’s to drive 2 hours East to see what a great fair can bring to the area. Just don’t let anyone from Douglas County get involved or it will end up like a grade school ice cream social like the Douglas County Fair did.

Back with more in a bit

9.25.07

A sixteen year old boy is dead after gunfire rang out again in the NO-K Coral area Monday. People heard at least nine shots near 33rd and Fowler. Several people rushed to the aid of the youth who had been shot 5 times in the back. The youth later died at Creighton Medical Center.

3 hours later shots rang out a few blocks away hitting a passing car. Also another man was shot near 27th and Fort while sitting in a car.

In a related story the FBI reports that violent crime is up in Omaha by 7.6 percent.

The Omaha Royals have jumped on the downtown stadium bandwagon. The save Rosenblatt group vows to continue to fight to save the stadium. With few real details being released by the Mayors office about the new plan we find it interesting that all these people are coming forward claiming the downtown park is a good plan.

Muppet Mike and Company are in DC looking at their ballpark and how it can impact the North Downtown area. Wonder if he will go back to South O and see how removing the ballpark will impact that area after this is over.

Wonder if Muppet Mike will name the new stadium after himself ?

The man who was tazered by Douglas County Sheriffs Deputies was arrested again for disturbing the peace. No word on if he received another dose of shock treatment. This guy must be a giant pain in the ass, no wonder his neighbors didn’t come out and tell police he lived in the house the night they buzzed him around the yard.

Saturday 9/8/07

Word from the Republican camp is Senator Chuck Hagel is calling it quits. ( A pause while we sniffle) This should lead to a storm of candidates running for his post. Handshake Hal has got an exploratory trip in the works and I’m sure a few other familiar faces will pop up in the race.

No truth that Hagel has accepted a position as Democratic Party spokesman for Nebraska.

Some jackass stole the pickup belonging to the Assistant Fire Chief of the Irvington Volunteer Fire Dept. Friday from the parking lot at Belevdere Elementary School where he is a teacher.

So if anyone spots some fool driving a Blue Dodge Ram Quad-cab, wearing a fireman’s getup and yelling “I need more hose”, beat him with one.

This was one long week here at the Eye on Omaha and it was even a holiday week.

Without rehashing the old turmoil we made a few changes, requested by some of our readers, and so far only a slight dip in views. It hasn’t helped us that it has been a slow news week in general and there wasn’t a City Council meeting nor a County Board meeting so we could comment on something stupid being done by our elected officials.

The hockey scene has settled down a bit so we shall hold our breath and see how that goes. Maybe now that some people are getting together with their teams and getting ready to start practice shortly they will calm down a bit. Thanks again to President Pat Meschede for clearing the air and the forum is always here if he needs to reach those of us who don’t or can’t attend the monthly Board Meeting. (again Pat the Hooters girls on Monday Night Football nigh are far better looking and you don’t serve wings and Bud Light, but that might get attendance up at the meeting if you did).

Now for me , the weekend Editor while the others are off running around the country(what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas unless someone tells a story and it will end up here), its a day of yard work,watching Husker football, and keeping an Eye on any breaking news around town.

Enjoy the beautiful weather…back later

Friday 9/7/09

Here’s a stupid criminal story. An Elkhorn man was arrested for trespassing at Lincoln NorthEast after trying to lure a girl into his VAN by offering her a modeling contract.

Hey dumb ass, nobody drives vans anymore except a few soccer mom’s and repair people.

A girls friend pulled her away (after they noticed the shag carpet and battery operated lava lamps) and they reported it to school officials. Oh and this isn’t the first time this perv has attempted this approach. He was busted at UNL back in 2005 for a similar offense. In other words dude, your pickup plan isnt working, heres some lotion and a tube sock now get back in your closet (And will someone please nail the door shut this time)

Boots reported a large accident late last night at 52nd and Ames. “Some fool rushed the red and scattered everyones shit all the hell over” said Boots. More detail when they become available

A vietnam vet wants bus service to Elkhorn and the man has a point. Joe Wherry who served his country proudly in Vietnam but is now confined to a wheelchair says that since the annexation part of his tax money goes to MAT and the residents of Elkhorn were promised the same city services as the rest of Omaha. It’s like the old lawyer joke Joe, How can you tell when the Mayor is lying ? His lips are moving. Don’t hold your breath waiting for this. I’m sure we will have to waste a bunch of money doing a study on if we need the service, then another study of how to provide it. (Study results, Drive a bus out there, pick people up, drive them back ) Hey Joe, call our councilman for the district and ask him about it. He likes studies and I bet he’d love to help out. Ok you can stop laughing now.

Good luck Joe, and while we’re here, Thank You for your service to us. We understand you do some fine volunteer work around the city even after your sacrifice as a soldier. Kids, you can learn something from this man.

Saw on the news a report Osama Bin Laden is preparing a video about 9/11. How do we know this and why didn’t we hit the filming location if we did.

Boots had an idea on how to get the bearded cave dweller. “Hook up some bangers from down here in the No-k with a Hummer (how do you spell Hummer V-E-R-O-N……) riding on some 27’s with some thumping and convince them that towel head, robe wearing  Osa owes them some green and aint gonna pay.” He has a point.

Back later with some weekend ideas, if you have anything good going on, pass it on….

Here’s Where We Go From Here.

Who’s idea was Buffalo Wild Wings because they have a hot spot ? Blech…one of us will be easy to find, check the bathroom for the next few hours.

Here’s what we came up with. Due to an outpouring of support, we are sticking around…with these conditions. We are going to clear the card a bit and start over. We will leave an open letter we got up for now just so people can see it and maybe understand, however shortly all hockey related material will be eliminated and we can get a fresh start.

Some city posts will be eliminated as well.

Hockey items will be limited to legit questions and insults only lobbed at people with a sense of humor or not enough money to hire an atty.(At 12,5k Dave, your not off the hook)(that was a joke by the way). Comments will still be reviewed and we will go back to making complete and satirical fun of any dumb ones. Don’t write if you can’t take it.

The city side of this will carry the most edge.

We are working on a disclaimer for the site so you know what your getting in to.

If you disagree, feel free to comment but do so at your own risk. We are not FOX and we are not fair and balanced. Never claimed to be.

With that we will finish up at lunch and start working on the future of the Eye On Omaha.

Thank you for your continued support, thank you to all the non hockey people that wrote in.

Thank you all the hockey people that wrote in and called us every name in the book, and to the ones that said they liked us, they really really liked us.

We won’t win any awards here, but we will have alot of fun.

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….

Quick Notes as We are out and about

Second highest day ever!!!!! And with not much to report.

300 Cops keep Nazis at bay. Should have dumped them in the river and let them swim home but thats just our opinion.

Boots wants to thank everyone who stopped by the car wash for the Creighton Greene family and said Hi. Good Cause Keep giving the family needs the help.

Huskers win so that should keep gunfire down tonight.

Homo Senator to resign, no truth to the rumor he was a face on the bathroom wall at Mandan Park, nor Elmwood Park or one of the Damm Sites.

Hockey folks still not talking but it is a holiday weekend. We will be patient.

Were out to scout the happenings. Have a safe weekend, we will report when we have something good.

Quiet Night Again in the NO-K Coral

Things seemed quiet again in the No-K. Maybe its a sign of things to come.

Kuduo’s to Omaha police on two arrests in the Creighton Greene murder. A woman from Crete Nebraska and a man from Florida with a very violent past were taken into custody.

A car was is being held today at the McDonalds at 30th and Ames to help the Greene family. Were sure Boots will be around so say hi and go get your car washed and help these people a little.

Jim Suttle released another feel good plan to reduce the violence and gang activity in North O, while there are some good ideas, overall its the same political crap being tossed around.

Here’s a plan. Take some of that new money we seem  to have for Bridges to vacant lots, trails all over town, stadiums that are to small and put it into a youth athletic activity program that will keep the kids busy and adults involved in their everyday lives. City wide football, baseball, basketball leagues. And have it set up so everyone gets to play. Keep them busy and active. Just an idea. We know the city would mess it up somehow anyway but theres an avenue to start down. We’d rather our tax money went for paying for something like that than paying to jail some kid till he is 18 because we turned our back or our BMW around because it was to close to the wrong part of town.

And with that we are off to the Diversity Rally. Hope to see you there.

Teacher Busted With Drugs at School

Krista Crosby, a teacher at Florence Elementary School was busted with heroin and marijuana today. Nice.

OPS officals dismissed her from duty saying, “She was supposed to be setting the example.”

After looking at her picture from the World Herald all we can say is “You couldn’t guess this before now?” Hey kids hows you new teacher ? Stoned.

We applaud OPS’s quick reaction to dimiss her after her arrest  instead of waiting and dragging it out for months. Get this wack job away from our kids.

Dan Welch was quoted as saying “Well think of the tax money we will save not having to pay her salary. Just cram the kids in her class into the other classrooms and move on.”

Other than that it’s been a slooooooowwwwww news day.  Boots called us earlier to report all was quiet in the NO-K Coral area and to thank everyone who took the time to wave today.

Our bitch of the day is Septemberfest. Can anyone tell me why every year the Douglas County Board hands this event fifty thousand  dollars out of the tourism grant money? Do you know anyone outside of carnival workers who comes in from out of town and stays in a motel for this fiasco. We know most of the Board members owr Terry Moore some favors but after so many years people the bills been paid. Can’t we come up with some more deserving things that can use the grant money to actually bring peopl here from out of town ? Were having a small family reunion next year, wanna drop 50k in our account. Im betting we bring in more out of towners than Septemberfest. After all its a carnival and beer garden. That’s it. If you wanna pay of some friendly politicians friends of yours then just have and open bar for Mike Boyle with an all you can eat buffet for Ann and call it good. Bill Paid in full.

AAA reports gas prices to be 20 cents higher than this time last year. How about 20 cents higher than monday. Notice they went up just in time for the holiday weekend. No gouging our ass.

That might be it for tonight unless something late breaking happens….till tomorrow….night Boots