05.15.08 Thursday

Well another High School Coach has fallen into the grasp of the pervert patrol. 57 year old Sanford Kaplan was arrested and charged with false imprisonment, sexual abuse and a variety of other charges after two people came forward with a twisted story of Kaplans demented sexual exploits.

Seems the now former Lincoln Northeast soccer coach and former UNL Professor would bound,gag and then suspended these young men ages 13 and 15 from the rafters in his garage. He asked them to dress in denim pants and jacket and hip waders. WTF Hip Waders? Christ,twist one off to a Babe Winkelman video but leave the kids out of it you sick bastard. Kaplan said he got some kind of sexual gratification out of it.

Police are looking for other possible victims as the freak was allowed to house foreign exchange students as well.

 

A 2 year old boy escaped serous injury after he climbed in his moms car outside a laundromat at 49th and Grover and knocked the car out of gear. (Why wasn’t the emergency break on?) The car rolled across Grover Street and struck a parked car, narrowly missing the owner. The boys mother was not ticketed as she did not leave the child in the car but the boy and his brother were outside playing. She was told through an interpreter that she might keep a closer eye on him.

 

The Nebraska Supreme Court has refused to hear former Priest turned pervert Daniel Herek’s appeal on a probation violation for exposing himself in the Crossroads parking lot over 3 years ago. This means he will likely return to jail. He was convicted of molesting a few altar boys while he was serving as Priest. Looks like he will have plenty of company when he is back in the slammer.

Why does it seem the news runs in stages, one day is shootouts next day it pervert arrests. Sick world people.

 

And Handshake Hal has formed an exploratory committee looking in to if he should run for Mayor of Omaha again. Daub feels the currant administration is misleading the public (at least Hal let us vote on the Qwest Center) and that there are some pressing issues in the future that the Muppet seems to be having trouble coping with. How about we fix the sewers instead of just talking about it for 20 more years?

More later if the crappy news doesn’t have us drinking early……………

 

Bugs Manderson

Mongo Torrey

 

Monday May 12th 2008

The No-K Coral sounded like a GrucciFireworks show over the weekend with all the arrant gunfire.

An internal investigation is underway after an off duty officer working as a security guard at the 30th and Ames BP station shot and killed a man after that man had shot someone in a fight. Boots Sheldon reported to us from the pay phone at Big Jims across the street that a fight had broken out at the BP around 2:30 and the officers attempted to break it up however a few didn’t get the message and began to fight. 21 year old Leroy Goodwin pulled a gun and shot 29 year old Michael Moss. Officer Jarvis Duncan, last years Officer of the Year, then drew his service revolver and shot Goodwin who later died from his wounds. Officer Duncan and Officer Randy Szemplenski have been placed on Administrative leave pending the investigation.

All together now..”They didn’t have to shoot him….He was turning his life around”.

 

At 5:30 Sunday Morning 18 year old Maurice Dixon was walking near 24th and Evans when he was shot in the back. No motive or suspects have been released. Dixon is expected to make a full recovery and be back wandering the streets at all hours of the night shortly.

At 9:30 last night a teen heard a knock at the door at his home near 28th and Ames. He looked out and didn’t see anyone but was shot in the back as he turned to walk away. Again no suspects or motive is being released.

And then Police found an unresponsive man in a home near 17th and Victor. Then man identified as Clenix Martin was pronounced dead at Nebraska Medical Center. Martin had testified against Roy Ellis in his murder trial. Roy as you know is the man who killed Amber Harris.

 

Then we have the teen who was arrested near 27th and S and was handcuffed and placed in the police cruiser. The teen pulled a Houdini and got his hands in front of him and slid behind the wheel of the cruiser and took off. His driving skills being what the were in the first place had him loose control and hit a tree, hopefully hitting his head as well. The teen also has a felony warrant in Iowa for him. Let me guess Felony Dumbass Violation?

 

And with the great weather upon us another problem arises. That problem is motorcycle rider’s who can’t obey the laws of the road because they think they are invincible.

Last night around 7:30 p.m. a man was killed near 177th and Blondo after he attempted to pass a car on the left that was in the LEFT HAND TURN LANE on Blondo. The car struck his bike and he lost control and hit a wooden telephone pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Like the guy getting clocked a the speed of light on the Dodge expressway because he was late for work, to many of the rice rocket ridding clowns are putting other lives in danger because of their need to be idiots on the road. From fools riding wheeliesin traffic to idiots who ride between lanes passing cars they are putting more than themselves in danger. I am sorry this fool got scattered across the countryside but I feel more for the poor woman who has to live with the fact she was involved in a fatality accident because of someones foolish and selfish behavior.

 

Lets lighten things up around here.

 

HOW ABOUT THEM LANCERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lancers take boththe Anderson and Clark cups with a 4-3 overtime win in front of the home crowd Saturday night. It’s the 7th Championship for the club. The win was capped by a Barry Almeida goal with 13:52 left in over time. Lancer Goalie Drew Palmisano was named postseason MVP. Looks like the Lancers will continue to be a pipeline of outstanding netminders.

Great job guys…..Cant wait for next season.

 

More later after more details are released in the NO-K events………….

 

Bugs and Mongo

04.24.08 Two for Thursday with Bugs and Mongo

Roy Ellis’ lawyers showed just how much of a case they have. Where Prosecutors took 5 days to present the evidence, they took 35 minutes to defend Ellis who by no surprise did not take the stand.

Closing arguments are expected today and the defense lawyers have asked the Jury be sequestered. Anyone want to guess how long the Jury is out. Mongo says “Not long enough to have to go out and plug the parking meter for an extra cycle.” Move over in your cot Chris Edwards, you’re about to get a new cell mate.

 

The State Liquor Commission has approved a liquor license for Creighton University. Creighton plans to open n Alumni Sports Cafe on campus much to the dismay of the fun haters over at Project Extra Mile. Diane Riibe, Executive Director and top prohibitionist in the state said she is even considering going to District Court to block the license.

The Cafe will have no pitchers, no shots and no drink specials. An armband policy will be in place as well as an ID scanner and the underage drinking law will be strictly enforced according to Creighton Officials. Not good enough for Riibe who ran out of Kwiky Mart parking lots to run sting operations in.

 

Police reported a woman was shot in the back yesterday afternoon near 24th and Martha. Few other details were released.

And another Stabbing in South O. This time near 40th and G. The rash of slashing is making Brad Ashford considering an attemptto call a special session of the Unicameral in order to pass a 3 day waiting period on knife sales with a strict law on registering your flatware.

 

And Omaha’s Child Saving Institute has been temporarily barred from accepting children at it’s emergency shelter after allegations that one or more staffers took some children out for a late night car ride and held a homemade tattoo party. State investigators allege inappropriate supervision and are looking into the matter. Hope this doesn’t cancel the Martin Short benefit show.

Were out the door to go hear closing arguments.

 

More later ………………………….

Bugs Manderson

04.23.08 Wednesday

The effort to recall Muppet Mike went down in flames. Recall organizers only gathered 8000 + signatures instead of the 22,000 needed. The organizers blamed poor planing and said they filed to soon before they had enough people in place to gather signatures.

Election Officials said the signed petitions would be kept on file for several months so that anyone who wants to may come look at them. For you 8000 signors, don’t be surprised to get an extra little kick from city hall after the assigned cronies makes a copy of the “list”.

 

A day after some threatening messages were found scribbled on the walls of some restrooms at Westside, 14 windows were shot out of vehicles around the school yesterday. Additional security will be on hand through the end of the week but some are speculating it was just a prank. Some prank. Fizzies in the pool=Prank, shooting out windows= disturbing incident.

 

It appears bug fogging devices caused the blast that injured 2 women in Red Oak last week. Apparently the women were taking care of the owners dog and decided to clean the house as a surprise, not knowing that 8 of the devices had been activated inside. The women began to feel ill and layed down but the dog began barking outside and they decided to leave the house. When they opened the door the oxygen fumes mix was ignited by something inside the house and the home exploded.(Myth Busters showed this in one episode, read the warning labels people.) The women are reported still in critical condition at St Elizabeths burn center.

 

We’re #5  We’re #5 We’re #5

Yep in the latest survey Nebraska is reported #5 in the number of people who drive while intoxicated,trailing Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Still trying to figure out when that survey was taken and by whom. After seeing this report the Omaha City Council reacted by banning walkup window Liquor Sales. It is illegal to sell liquor in Nebraska at a drive thru window but one North Omaha Tobacco store has concealed a window in a concrete vestibule so you can walk up and get your goods. The Council Ok’d that because it was technically inside.

Area businesses worry that people will walk up to buy the booze then go in the alley and drink it. Boots reports that some of the people near this store, including him, don’t drive anyway and the alley is their home so these people need to shut the hell up. Boots is getting testy with summer approaching.

 

After a long meeting in Chambers the Harris family was allowed back in the Court Room yesterday. The Prosecutors presented the DNA evidence linking Roy Ellis to the crime showing the odds of 2.36 billion African Americans that it was not him.

Also the Jury was told of hardened criminals who never snitch that came forward and told of Ellis’ obsession with the missing girl and his need to take care of some unfinished business. The Defense Attorney’s must feel like the crew on the Titanic. 1 in 2.36 billion, you’d have better chance playing the lottery.

And the Lancers dropped Lincoln on their heads last night in the opening game of the USHL Semi Finals. Matt Thurber lead the charge with a pair of goals in the 5-0 butt kicking. Game 2 is Saturday at the Ice Box.

 

More later…………………………….

Bugs Manderson

04.18.08 Friday Coffee with Bugs and Mongo

It’s been a few since Mongo and I have had the chance to sit over coffee and danish to kick around a few items. Something gets lost in the email’s.

The Roy Ellis trial highlighted the book bag discovered on Valentines day behind a flop house near 21st and Lake. Michael Harris testified that the bad was Amber’s as well as the contents. Inside the bag were the jeans she had on that day, her bra and a blood soaked starter jacket.

On top of everything else the family has been through, now the defense attorneys have managed to get Amber’s parents  excluded from the courtroom. Defense Attorneys Patrick Dunn and Jerry Hug objected to their presence. Normally the sequestration order is lifted by Judges when it involves family members because their testimony is most often immaterialto the actual crime. In this case both parents testified as to the last time they saw Amber. Defense Attorneys claim Amber’s father may be called in the defense case. Maybe the thought of these parents eyes on the person that killed their daughter is to big of a burden to bare for them.

 

Here is the CFM of the month hands down.

Police were called to the Kwik Shop at 156th and Blondo about a suspicious person. When police tapped on he window of said persons car the driver proceeded to take off. Police broke of pursuit when the car entered the Diamond Head sub division however the driver continued to race through apparently thinking he was being chased by every law enforcement person in 3 states. He crashed through fences, drove through yards until he hit an object that set off the air bags. He then attempted to flee on foot when he was picked up by Omaha Police when they spotted him. Seeing that this Complete Fucking Moron was hurt, officers took him to the hospital for some medical assistance and discovered he had a warrant in Iowa for biting a State Trooper after a high speed chase so after he was patched up they cuffed him. Not so fast, while attempting to put him in the cruiser, Mr Hand Restrained Behind the Back attempted to run again however the laws of gravity along with a some good old fashioned “What a Dumbass” luck caused him to fall on his face. So back inside the hospital for some more patching up and then off to jail. Some people are too stupid for their own good.

 

Ernest didn’t hang around yesterday for the farewell tour and Legislators heaped praise on his 38 years of service. Senators surprised him with a $2500 contribution to the Britany Williams scholarship fund which will be matched by the University of Nebraska. Also they voted to name the Judiciary Committee hearing room in his honor.

The Lancers rallied from 2 goals down to score 3 in the third and take the Sioux City Series 3games to 1. They now face Lincoln in the semi-finals.

 

The spring game won’t be the same without P.O. Pears. That and 80,000 fresh on the Bo Bandwagon.

That’s it from us this morning. The danish are gone (good batch today Mongo) and work calls.

More later

Bugs Manderson

Mongo Torrey

04.16.08 Thursday

When the gavel falls today, barring a Special Session called by the Governor, term limits will pull the plug on some long standing State Legislators. Ernest will have to find a new platform from which to read his poetry after 38 years, DiAnna Schimek will have to find something else to do and so will Ron Raikes among others. Don’t fret over them. We are sure a more than a few with develp a career as lobbyist.

A Douglas County District Court Judge has ordered the City of Omaha to hire a Public Safety Auditor or explain why it has not done so. Thanks to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of the Rev. Ed Rollerson and Charles Parks Jr. the suit contends that the City is violating it’s municipal code. Tristin Bond formerly held the position but the City Council eliminated funding for the position. Muppet Mike then made bond a member of his staff but then fired her for releasing a report without permission. Bond was paid a salary of $87,000 plus benefits (like a membership to the Old Country Buffet Gold Key Club).  Lets see how fast city officials dig up the funding and locate a suitable candidate for this position.

Pot Mom Lisa Schuchard was back in a court room yesterday and left with the same result. Bawling her eyes out after a Judge refused to lower her bail. She now awaits trial for felony child abuse.

 

And tonight’s game 4 between the Lancers and Sioux City should be a real dandy. Granted neither team really cares for the other but thanks to the Circus being in town (Isn’t is always in town in Sioux City?) the game will be played at the IBP Ice Plex that seats 1000 people at best. Not truth there will be a cage match between periods between the Bantam A”1″ parents and Sioux City with the winner facing Cedar Rapids in the next round (that was for you Cappy)

More later…………………

Bugs Manderson

04.09.08 Wednesday

The Omaha City Council reversed field and voted to allow 4 former Kum and Go’s in East Omaha to sell Beer, Wine and liquor.

The Stores new owner, Mohammed Ali, had come back with some stipulations in an effort to gain the license approval, which he thought was automatic when he purchased the stores last year.

Ali agreed to ban all recognized gang members, drug dealers and prostitutes. Prohibit single beer can sales at 3 of the stores. Increased security and surveillance and daily morning clean up of the property. Also his managers would be required to join neighborhood organizations.

Wonder if anyone told Ali that his ban could eliminate half his potential clientele at the 24^th and Leavenworth location?

Some Gifford Park residents complained that the dumpster at that location has been covered with graffiti for months. So is every garage off an ally in the area, stop the hate. Wait till some gang adopts the YW as its symbol, instant City Wide exposure, at least on trash day.

 

 

Quenton Pfitzer has been arrested again in Omaha for violation of the Child Labor Laws.

Quenton’s group known, as Teens for Tomorrow are the kids that show up late in the evening selling candy door to door. It is illegal for anyone under 16 to do door to door sales in Omaha and the City has received complaints over the years about this group because the kids are often dropped off in strange neighborhoods and are working well after dark.

 

Andre Robinson was sentenced to Life in Prison for the brutal beating death of 22-month-old Branesha Thomas. Thomas was the daughter of Robinson’s girlfriend and if you remember, Robinson described kicking Branesha like a soccer ball across the room.

Even at the sentencing Robinson claimed he was covering for the mother contrary to the evidence that showed he was caring for the girl at the time of the injuries. Doctors even said the little girl could have recovered but the Robinson never sought medical help, he just zipped her in a hoodie and strapped her in a car seat. Here’s to hoping Andre becomes the newest soccer ball on the athletic fields at the State Pen.

 

Looks like the Police Union contract is going to end up going to State Labor Court like the Fire Fighters contract. Pension benefits are the key sticking point. The Police Union is asking for 82.5% of the base salary for 25 years of service with an increase for every year after up to 99% of their base salary. (Doesn’t include overtime, which will eliminate spiking). Currently they get 75% of their highest pay period.

The Police Union has offered to pay a portion of their medical premium, which at this time they do not do and will contribute more to the pension fund themselves.

To bad they can’t build themselves a stadium at taxpayer expense next to a bar they are part owners of to help offset their retirement.

 

Former Husker Willie Miller is back making headlines, not on the field but he is still trying to ram through blockers. This time he used his Suburban to intentionally ram a Blazer near 132^nd and Pacific. The Blazer then hit a mini van. Miller jumped out and took at swing at the driver of the Blazer who happened to be an off duty police officer not in uniform. Willie faces 2 counts of felony assault and 2 counts of destruction of property. Nice work Big Will. Maybe Heath and Human Services can contract you to transport some people for them as well.

 

More students are coming forward in the case of a Millard West teacher texting students asking for pictures of their Chest and Biceps. Some students claim the teacher offered money, alcohol and marijuana in exchange for the pictures. An investigation is ongoing by the Douglas County Pervert Patrol and the teacher is no longer employed at the school.  Lets hope they find something to arrest this freak on so he can’t get a job at another school and put other children at risk. What rock pile are all these freaks crawling out from under anyway?

 

And for some of our regular readers we had an interesting discovery in the case of asdf that frankly shocked us. Geno was doing a follow up on this person’s last comment and discovered it came from an IP address we were not expecting. Hopefully it is a case of someone using the wireless at the rink last Friday and not a case of someone using someone else’s computer to make disparaging comments to us. We will continue to explore the sophomoric behavior as time allows.

 

That’s it from here. More later………………………….

 

Bugs Manderson

04.08.08 Tuesday

Sorry about missing yesterdays post. I will shoulder the blame for forgetting to inform Mr. Torrey that we wouldn’t be in town and his writing services were needed, not that we missed much.

Looks like our State Senators don’t listen very well to the outrage of most Nebraskans as they override the Governors Veto of a 1.2-cent a gallon gas tax increase by a 34-14 vote. (Ok 14 listened) The tax increase takes effect July 1st. You know your state taxes are out of sight when visitors from Sweden tell you the government is raping your pocketbook.

 

Look like the pervert patrol has flushed another wee wee wanker out of the school system. A Millard West teacher has resigned and gone into hiding after an investigation discovered that he was texting male students requesting pictures of their biceps, chest and abdomens. He would leave money in a public place for them afterward. Some say this practice has been going on for several months. One student said they thought it was some girls at school doing it. (Dude….no chicks are going to pay for your pics…they would just ask if they wanted them.)

The text messages were traced back to the teacher’s school computer where the images were found. No pornography was discovered so far so officials didn’t have cause for a warrant to search the teacher’s home computer, which by now has been run over several times and shipped to various landfills around the region.

 

A Jury wasted little time sending back a guilty verdict of Daunte Goynes in the murder of Aaron Lofton last year. Goynes will be sentenced for second-degree murder and could get 21 years to life.

Testimony from a cab driver, who followed the suspects after the shooting and communicated their whereabouts to 911, is credited for helping convict the murderer. And he thought he was scared when Loften had him in a headlock.

 

Philanthropist and the man who built HDR into on of the largest Engineering and Architectural Company’s in America, Charles Durham has passed away at age 90.

Durham’s name graces many a building in the Omaha area, from the museum at the former Union Station to the many research facilities at the Med Center, he said that if more people knew how good it felt to give money away there would be more philanthropists and end to a lot of the worlds problems.

 

Also Actor and former President of the NRA Charlton Heston passed away at age 84. Heston won the Academy Award for best actor in Ben Hur. Many of us old timers remember fondly his string of disaster flicks in the 70’s. Nothing like Moses trying to land a 747. Thanks Chuck, you will be missed.

 

The Omaha Jr. Lancers had a great showing in Buffalo for the U-16 National Championship Tournament.  The Jr. Lancers fell to Belle Tire 5-3 in the Championship game. Ryan Killeen was the tournaments top scorer with 7 goals and 6 assists. Hats off to Dave Wilkie and the boys on being National Runner-Up’s. A great showing for hockey in Omaha.

 

And the Omaha Lancers open up playoff action tonight against Sioux City in best of 5 play. Game time at the Mid-America Center is 7:05. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at the Mac as well. Now that the final 4 is over, get off your asses and go support the Lancers in their quest for both the Clarke and Anderson Cups in the same season.

 

 

That’s it for now, more later……………………………….

Bugs Manderson

04.04.08 Friday

This morning on my way to work I stopped in to grab a doughnut and coffee, buy a paper and visit with Mongo. Then I saw the headline that caused me to spit my mocha Java halfway across the counter. Brad Ashford is interested in running for Mayor. Looking at the growing list of potentials, Suttle, Handshake Hal, some say P.J. , Mr. Public Safety Dan Welch and now Ashford, this election could end up looking like an episode of the Real World. At least the jokes will be plenty.

Speaking of Elections, is anyone running for the Board Positions open at O.M.A.H.A. ? Not a peep  about anyone, well except whispers from the bible belt. Guess it will be like every other time, show up, a bunch of people will get up and announce then say the same thing. “I’m doing this for my kid and to get involved (even though I have no idea what I am getting involved in). Elect me because I am a good person and a decent human (as long as you don’t review tape of that incident in Cedar City). Oh well we tried to give some interested people a forum to run.

Daunte Goynes took  the stand yesterday and testified that he was terrified after Aaron Lofton put him in a headlock and was punching him so he went for his gun. Other witnesses have stated that Lofton was running away when Goynes shot him. The jury should get the case today after closing arguments.  Hey Daunte start saying these words…21 to life  21 to life.

The State Legislature gave 44-3 first round approval to relocate the State Fair to Grand Island. Lets hope this isn’t the beginning to the end of the Fair. Some suggest just that with the location moving away from a population base of close to a million less than 50 miles away to a city with a population of 46,000.

Anyone watch Lisa Schuchard’s jailhouse interview on TV? She claims she didn’t teach her kids to smoke pot but she didn’t hide it from them like her mother did. This is the part I like, she said she had an excuse ready when the kids did catch her smoking pot. “Mommy is taking her medication, this is what I use to relax”. Must have worked great because you were so relaxed your kids lived in filth. Oh and like Mongo said yesterday, don’t forget about the loaded shotgun on the couch within reach of your babies. Even Springer wouldn’t believe this one.

A Bellevue baby sitter faced neglectful child abuse charges after she left a 3 year old asleep in an apartment with the lights and TV on, candles burning and the door unlocked. She claims she left to go help a suicidal friend. It was the first time the mother had hired this sitter. OK here is a life’s lesson for the sitter. STOP BEING A DRAMA QUEEN. If your friend was in trouble you should have called the police. Your not a trained crisis counselor. You don’t leave a 3 year old alone because Brittnays boyfriend dumped her right before prom.

As the song says “The generation that would change the world is still looking for it’s car keys.”  Sometimes you just gotta say “DUHHHHH”.

OK that’s it for me before I have to start drinking again just to get past the fact that there are that many stupid people consuming oxygen.

More later……………..

Bugs Manderson

04.01.08 Tuesday

More gunfire in the No-K Coral yesterday as a 13 year old was hit while walking near 43rd and Emmet around 10:30 a.m. DaQuan Love, who lives nearby said a car drove by and shots were fired from the passenger window. Question for De Quan and his parents: Why were you not at school at 10:30 a.m.?

Community activist Willie Hamilton said his Copwatch group is ready to hit the streets and keep an eye on law enforcement this summer. Each team consist of a lawyer, an observer and a videographer. Hamilton hopes to have groups in all parts of the city monitoring police activity.

Is it just us or can anyone else see this going bad shortly?

The Ag Committee advanced a bill to the full Legislature on a vote of 7-1 that will move the State Fair to Grand Island and give 42 million to update Fonner Park.

And the City Council will take up the issue of allowing Minors in establishments that serve alcohol when there is a concert. The bill’s sponsor Jim Suttle says the idea can be worked out to allow younger citizens the chance to attend concerts at places like the slowdown. The regular group of fun haters in town is against the proposal.

More later………………………..

Bugs Manderson

03.27.08 Thursday

Where do we start….

Old news from yesterday, The State Legislators rejected a bill to abolish the Death Penalty by a 28-20 vote. Now they just have to find a form of execution that will pass State Supreme Court muster. Maybe we could just give them all a steady diet of fast food and cigarettes.

Scott Kleeb will have to campaign from the passenger seat after loosing his drivers license on points. Kleeb received his 6th ticket in 22 months and will not be eligible to reapply for his license until September 5th.

Roy Ellis is reported to be under segregated lock-down at the Douglas County Correction Center after threatening a female guard. He is reported to be restrained and only get out of his cell one hour a day.

Ellis is awaiting trial in the Amber Harris murder case.

A woman is indicted on 6 counts of making and possessing forged securities of an organization and 10 counts of money laundering after she allegedly stole $759,000 from Central Sign Company from 2002-2007. The money was used to purchase such things and an RV and to pay off restitution for a previous criminal offense. How the hell do you not miss 150k a year leaving your company unaccounted for. Please tell us who the accounting firm over at Central is so we can all be sure not to use them if it took 5 years to catch this.

A pitbull attacked a 75 year old man out walking and then later charges an animal control officer when police shot it. The 19 year old owner of the dog and 2 other pitbulls “Don’t know how they got out” of the house at 38th and Corby. The man suffered a beep bite to his arm and was able to get help from neighbors. The woman was sited for harboring a dangerous animal. Oh but they are so cute and great dogs…………yeah Ok.

MECA officials sent back Muppet Mikes stadium plan saying that it wasn’t the same plan they had agreed on Monday. Some MECA members say the plan changes total direction and no longer addresses parking and traffic issues. The Muppet was unavailable for comment until sometime today. Get the feeling he never would have been a guest on “Who do you trust”.

A Michigan couple living in a motel while the woman awaits a transplant awoke to find their truck and only form of transportation had been stolen. The truck, a 1997 Chevy Silverado extended cab with a topper and bronze running boards bearing Michigan license plates was parked outside their motel room. Police are asking for any information on the truck. I know you all don’t snitch but in this case, rat out the dumb-ass that took the truck, who knows they could end up being an organ donor as well.

And the leading candidate for Dumb Fuck of the day (This was to good to just be an ass) is the employee of the River City Star Riverboat who was too lazy to drag a 55 gallon drum ,filled with an oil water mix, up the hill and take it to the reclamation center so he dumped it in the Missouri River creating gasoline smelling oil slick that ran from Ricks Boatyard to Ameristar. The EPA and state officials are looking into charges. A couple walking their dog spotted the mess and alerted the fire department. The owner of the River City Star was unaware the employee was dumping the mix. Funny you would think they would be referred to as “former employee” wouldn’t you. HR must not have the paperwork yet.

And in sports, Huskers  Huskers Huskers Pelini  Huskers Huskers Huskers…..yep spring football started……..

More later……………….

Bugs Manderson

03.24.08 Monday

The recall effort group will have 3 locations to sign the petitions to recall Muppet Mike. Organizers will be at Rosenblatt Stadium, Memorial Park and The Eagles Nest in Elkhorn plus going door to door in an effort to collect the 21,000 signatures needed to force the recall effort.

Police are investigating a pair of reported shootings in the No-K Coral.

A black SUV was found with multiple bullet holes in it near 40th and Binney. A victim of the shooting was later located at Creighton Medical Center with gunshot wounds.

Later a call came in about shots fired and a shooting victim in the neighborhood of 42nd an Wirt but police were unable to locate the victim.

The 6 NCAA Tournament games played Thursday and Saturday at the Qwest Center were hailed as a huge success for the city and local businesses.  Downtown bars and restaurants reported a steady flow of patrons from both in and out of town.

Omaha hopes the great showing will bring the tournament back again. The next open dates are in 2011.

An Omaha man was arressted  and could be charged with felony pet neglect after neighbors reported his dog lying dead in his back yard. The Pit bull was left outside in February with no food ,water or shelter while the man left town. The dog starved to death and suffered from hypothermia. Any way to tie this guy to a pole in the back yard for a few weeks without food?

Tuesday debate will begin in Lincoln on LB1063, the bill to abolish the Death Penalty in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Supreme Court,legislating from the bench, ruled that the form of execution in Nebraska was cruel and inhuman (so is listening to some of the Senators down there), so currently Nebraska has no form of carrying out the sentence.

Ernest vows to block any efforts to change it to lethal injection while he is in office.

Governor Dave Heineman said he will veto any bill abolishing the Death Penalty should it reach his desk and it is doubtful supporters of 1063 will be able to get the 30 votes to override the veto.

Nebraskans strongly favor the Death Penalty.

Sorry I stink at the daily updates. Bugs and Mongo will be in later.

Geno Pinkney (off Bugs’ notes)

03.20.08 March Madness in the Metro

Another chance for Omaha to put it’s best foot forward, March Madness strikes at 11:30. With fans pouring in from around the country it is another chance for us to shed our country bumpkin image and put on a show. The NCAA makes the inside of the arena generic but we can make everyone feel welcome and give that extra effort to show them what a great little city we live in.

So much for our PSA message. The Huskers dumped Charlotte 67-48 last night in first round NIT action at the Devaney Center. Next up they get Ole Miss. Creighton will pair up against Florida on Friday.

A woman shopping at the 72nd and Giles Wal-Mart around 11 p.m. was inappropriately touched by some pervert wandering the aisles. The woman said she was looking at some items when the man pressed p against her from behind and asked her if she was “looking for a good time tonight”. The woman ran to a clerk for help who then put out a store alert but the man managed to sneak past the 150 year old door greeter and exited the building.

Warren Buffett has lowered himself to a low point once again. He is scheduled to appear on ABC’s All My Children in May. According to the press release Buffet plays himself and the story line has him being enlisted to come to Pine Valley to help get Erika Kane out of jail and out of some fraud charges. Erika, after the charges are dismissed, moves to Omaha and runs for Mayor. Ok we made that part up but with the soap opera down at city hall it was plausible.

The recent shooting of a known gang member who drew a gun and pointed it at a police officer has brought something to light once agian. We have mad comment on the how fast the friends and family of the thug who was shot claim he was an innocent victim. One disturbing thing is how certain media outlets stir up the controversy and maybe place the officers life in danger in the future by just the tone of their headlines.

KMTV Channel 3 used the headline “Deadly Officer Involved in Shooting”. Was the term deadly really necessary or did they just to to incite the residents of the Officers District. The Officer works in the most dangerous area of the Metro and is up against gang members daily. Lets keep in mind that the first person he shot had shot and killed a fellow officer. This gang banger was pointing a gun at another one.

Maybe KMTV can run the headline “Family of Gang Member Failed to Raise Child in an Environment with Discipline to Keep Him Out of Harms Way”.

That’s all for now, slow news day which is a good thing with all the company we have in town.

More later…………………….

Bugs Manderson

03.17.08 Kiss Me Blarney Stone Edition

Happy Drunken beer fest for no real reason because most are not Irish day.

Investigators are on the scene of an officer involved shooting at 31st and Larimore. Last night around ten an Omaha Police Officer was making a routine traffic stop and became involved in a fatal shooting.

Police say 17 year old Javon Reid stepped from the car and drew a weapon and pointed it at officers who shot him. It was clear if Reid got a shot off yet. There were two other known gang members in the rental car with Reid and a bag of crack cocaine was found in the vehicle.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Alcohol and speed seem to be factors in the accident that sent an 18 year old woman to the hospital over the weekend. She was ticketed for reckless driving and DUI after she was driving Northbound in the Southbound lanes of 132nd Street near California and hit a wooden power pole. She was not wearing a seat-belt and firefighters had to use the jaws of life to extract her from the car.

Authorities have released the name of the man found shot to death on the Parker Street overpass. He is 24 year old Nathan J. “Speedy” Blanks. Speedy had a criminal history though not a violent one and it seems 30th Street in this area is a bad location for any of his family members. He had an Uncle shot and killed just blocks away back in “04″ and 20 years ago he had another Uncle killed just blocks away as well.

Police are still looking for a suspect and motive.

Hot ticket this weekend is NCAA Regional action at the Qwest.

8 team headed to Omaha are:

Kansas, Portland State, UNLV, Kent State,USC,Kansas State,Wisconsin and Cal State Fullerton. Now lets see how many stupid College World Series questions and lead in’s our local media can come up with when covering this event.

Congratulations to the Jr. Lancers U-16 team. They earned a spot to Nationals over the weekend with an outstanding performance in the Central States Tournament at the Moylan Ice Plex.

A quick note to the other Youth Travel Teams as your seasons wind down. Please get any updates you want posted to your team pages to us A.S.A.P.  We are planning to start deleting any inactive pages  in the next few weeks. Thanks to all the people who kept us updated during the season.

Now not to sound like your mom but everyone take it easy out there today and don’t over indulge on the corned beef and cabbage at lunch. If your planning on going out and have one too many green beers, please call for a cab. We want you back here tomorrow reading not being written about.

More later…………………………

Bugs Manderson

03.14.08 Mongo’s Friday Edition

Omaha police were called to the home of two prominent Creighton Doctors after the bodies of a woman and child were discovered inside.

The home of Doctors Claire and William Hunter III sits near 54th and Dodge. Claire is said to be out of town and William is not a suspect. Police are sketchy on details but say neighbors have nothing to worry about.

More on this later as details develop.

Stu Dornan actually broke out the “lead poisoning” defense in an effort to get his client, Mary Likely’s case moved to Juvenile Court where she can get “help and treatment for her ailment”.

Likely and two other girls are accused of dragging a woman from her car near 25th and Corby, tossing her 9 month old to the curb and stealing the car.

One of the other suspects, Uniquea Davis, has had her case moved to Juvenile Court already.

Randolph City Iowa, population 208 and 200 ferile cats, has taken away it’s cat bounty after the phone has rang off the hook from kitty lover who can’t believe everyone doesn’t want enjoy the strays hanging out begging for food.

The bounty was to be paid for any cat trapped and brought to the Mayor. Any unclaimed cats were to be euthanized.

Now thanks to several cat rescue groups, the cats will be trapped, spayed or neutered then released back to the wild where sweet little Tabby can live the peaceful life of running from a coyote or other really wild animal to avoid being ripped to shreds or run over by a semi trailer. Bet you feral cat lovers never think of that stuff do you?

Well the saying goes “Never bring a knife to a gun fight” but someone brought a knife to a bat fight in Neola Iowa and now one man is dead and the other is in custody. Police are not releasing the names of the two men involve at this time.

Sharman Dortch was sentenced to 3-5 years for felony child abuse in the scalding of his 4 month old son. The child received 2nd degree burns over 22% of his body. With time served this guy could be out in less than a year.

Husker football player Andy Christensen was formally charged with 1st degree sexual assault of a woman outside a Lincoln bar. Andy’s bail was reduced from $500,000 to $300,000 and 10% of that was put up by his family who will be reimbursed to $20,000 reduction.

This case should be fun to watch just on accusations alone. Looking at average docket time in Lancaster County with discovery..wow just in time for football season…Nice work getting your name out there Andy. Bet his new team nickname is “Stink finger”. Dumbass….

And with that I’m outa here…Have a good weekend everyone.

Mongo Torrey

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