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

04.21.08 Tuesday

The City of Omaha is planning on buying 12 more surveillance cameras to place in hot spots of crime. Mayor Landow declined to say how many cameras the city has in place already nor their location but from the amount of shooting and the lack of apprehension were guessing they picked a bad spot. The cameras will be paid for from a grant from Homeland Security and will be hooked up to a computer server, hopefully not the same one used at the City County Building, to help police.

The Best Dressed City Councilman in Omaha, Frank Brown, questioned the use the quality of the cameras and stated that the Council needed to be informed of the positions for accountability reasons. Lets hope these things have a better picture quality than some of the ones in convenience stores. For 8 grand we should be able to see the back side of a gnat at 50 yards.

 

The Muppet Mike Meeting with the NCAA came away with more negotiations most based on future revenue for the NCAA around the College World Series. The two groups hope to have a memorandum of understanding by April 30thand a deal by June 1st. From the sound of things, the NCAA is looking to stick it’s hand in the cookie jar that the city was planning on paying for the stadium with. A few people might have been on to something. Some of the folks at the NCAA may have only objected to the party surrounding Rosenblatt because they were not getting a cut of the proceeds.

 

Former Powerlifting Coach turned pervert vidographer and child porn watcher James Hart was given 10 years in prison followed by several years of probation. Hart has obtained a nude picture of a 16 year old girl he knew and threatened to spread it around if she did not send him more. Police discovered he had also taken video of young girls as they changed clothes in the locker room of his basement gym. Have fun the next 10 years Jimmy. Maybe you can give weightlifting pointers out in the yard.

 

As much as  we disagreed with the ruling baring Amber Harris’ parents from the Courtroom, we were glad they were not there yesterday as the grisly pictures and video of her remains were shown to the Court. Defense lawyers objected at every turn only to be denied. Thankfully the Harris’ did not have to see how tragically the remains of their daughter were dumped in the brush of Humel Park. Roy Ellis was the only one in the Courtroom who did not watch the presentation but then he had seen it before.

 

Lancers vs Lincoln best of 5 series starts at 7:05 tonight at the MAC.

 

More later

 

Bugs Manderson

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

04.04.08 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

04.02.08 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

03.19.08 Wednesday

Say what you want about the NIT, say it was an off year for the Blue Jay’s but last nights game was one fantastic event to watch. Shame on you people who left when the Jay’s were down by 17. Never count Dana Altman out. Creighton came roaring back and beat Rhode Island 74-73 on a Cavel Witter 3 pointer with 3 seconds left.

An accidental shooting at a home near 42nd and Burdette has left on youth in the hospital and the other at the Juvenile Detention Facility. Apparently on of the youths was playing with a loaded gun and shot the other one. He was booked for felony assault and possession of a stolen firearm.

A window was shot out of a room in the Kiewit  Residence Hall at Creighton. It appears to be a random act of stupidity as a call came in about shot fired near 31st and Dodge around the same time. With the poor aim of our cities gang members its a wonder more innocent people don’t get shot a half a mile away.

HUD has given the Omaha Housing Authority permission to demolish the Pleasantview Apartments at 30th and Parker. If you read the news you know this is pretty close to ground zero in the NO-K Coral with it being the location of several shootings.

Residents will re relocated to a HUD house near you in an effort to spread the shootings around town and throw off the crime stats.

Family members of the man shot by police after he pointed a gun at them claim he wasn’t a gang member. Apparently he and his 2 other friends were out delivering milk and cookies to the elderly when their car was pulled over.

The City Council is on board for the demolition of the former Pinnacle Foods Plant at 10th and Capitol. The plant has been shuttered for some time and the City purchased the property for 2.5 million after a private party put in a bid and the City feared they would tear down the plant and build a parking lot. The city now plans to build a parking lot to make up for the lost stalls at the location of the new baseball stadium.

Several Council Members said that this in no way means they will vote in favor of the new stadium but that the plant needs to be torn down as it is a safety hazard and an eyesore.

Also the Council voted unanimously to deny a permit for a social club at 28th and Sprague to a Motorcycle Club that calls itself the 402 Boyz. A club representative said they wanted to use the building for meetings, social functions, and charity work however police have said that the 402’s have been the source of the problem at the location and at a previous location. Must be the pick up spot for the milk and cookies for the elderly.

And a study shows that worker productivity dips during March Madness as workers pour over bracket sheets and attempt to watch games secretly on the Internet.

In keeping with the study and the fact that there are games here in town, let it be known that our productivity here will be limited the next few days as some of us, not to brag, will be attending the games. Mongo has offered to keep an eye on things for us when he isn’t out keying our cars in the parking garage. We tried to explain we didn’t know him when we purchased the tickets or we would have included him.

More later ……………………………

Bugs Manderson

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

03.05.08 Wednesday

Let us all pause for a moment of silence as it was announced yesterday that Brett Favre is hanging up the cleats after 17 years in the NFL. We got to watch him in Minnesota (Thanks Patch) and Kansas City this past season. In an interview Brett said he wanted to play one more season but felt unwanted by the Packers who by the way ended up loosing in the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl Champs after a great season. Thanks Brett, you always made it interesting.

An Omaha cab driver was robbed of $40 and his cell phone last night after picking up a fare outside the W. Dale Clark Library around 2:30 a.m. . The men apparently hit him with a blunt object and when he stopped the car and got out they took his keys. He asked for the keys back and was K.O.’d by one of the assailants. When he woke up he was missing his cell phone and the money.

A man in central Omaha was busted for illegally towing cars. A woman woke up around 11 the other night to find her car had been towed from private property. She called 911 and the man was picked up. The same man apparently told someone earlier  that it would cost $280 to retrieve their car but for $180 cash he would put it right back where it was. He was towing on the premise that the plates on the cars were expired except city ordinance does not allow for the city to enforce that on private property. Police told him next time he would be charged with car theft.

Carter Lake police were wrapping up a disturbance call in of all places a trailer park when a woman approached them and said her boyfriend had attacked her. Police arrested the man after it was discovered he had been beating the woman with a rubber mallet. He has been charges with attempted murder. Ever wonder where carnival workers spend the winter?

A State Trooper who lost his job due to his membership in the KKK has presented his case to the Nebraska Supreme Court in an effort to get his job back. A New York arbitrator had rules the state should put him back on the force but the State took the case to court. The officer had joined the group and posted to their web site after his wife left him for a Hispanic man. Your friends told you that pool with the Cabana boy was a bad idea.

The City Council is working on a stiffer graffiti ordinance. The new outline would increase jail time to 72 hours and community service to 120 hours for each offense. It would also double the fine to $150. Some South Omaha Businessmen want it to be classified as a felony. We think there should be a paint ball firing squad for anyone caught painting stupid gang symbols on World War II statues and that some wirey old vets get the honor of pulling the trigger.

Back later with more……………

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

02.25.08 Monday

Jim Suttle wants to see the letter the NCAA sent to Omaha regarding the future of the College World Series. He thinks the NCAA gave Omaha more time to come up with a solution.

Mayor Landow and Muppet Mike might have a copy but it wasn’t addressed to the Mayor and is not a public document.

So just who was it addressed to? Eddie the mail-room clerk, Bill the parking lot attendant, Jesse the groundskeeper? Or is this just another Hide and Go Seek by this administration?

The Mayor says he will make the public aware of all details after his dog and pony show with the NCAA folks in Indianapolis on Tuesday including on how he plans to extract the money from you to pay for his shrine or blame you for the CWS leaving because you wouldn’t cave in to his demands. At least Daub had the courage to let you vote on it.

A new twist in the story of the apartment complex that wants to evict the Iraq war vet on his return because of a blemish on his credit.

Several people had come forward to help with offers. Dr. Phil wanted to come do a show about it. NP Dodge, The Citadel Apartments and the American Legion all offered to help but the Vet and his family said they were fine and didn’t need the charity.

Vietnam Veterans of America Post 279 offered to put up $3000 to back the lease. The vet refused the offer telling them to use the money on someone who needed it more.

Here comes the scary part, the Post leader called reporters asking why the offer had been rejected and questioning if the Vets lawyer was just trying to get publicity. He even threatened to start an email campaign if they continued to drag it out. Low and behold who was this guy, the Lawyer for the Landlords Husband.

Now if you ask us, it looks as if the move by the Landlord backfired and the offer to back the lease was actually a bribe to get this bad publicity to all go away. The Robert Hancock Company should be ashamed even more. If they and their lawyer wanted to make the black eye they gave themselves go away they should have just dropped the eviction, not tried to buy it off through a decent organization. Shame Shame Shame on you.

Omaha Police arrested a man at Epply Airfield yesterday and booked him on 3 counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault on a child. It is said that the assaults involved raping of family members.

Police are also investigating shots fired at a gas station at 30th and Ames. No word from our street reporter Boots Sheldon on any details. This is Boots’ turf so we may get something later today.

And if your a fan of Larry the Cable Guy or not you have to love this story. Larry, or Dan Whitney, has paid for the plane tickets for 100 WWII vets to travel to Washington DC to visit the WWII memorial there. He wants to make sure they get a chance to see it.

Larry, we cut off our shirt sleeves and tip our Round-up herbicide hats to you.

Short report today, sorry, still trying to recover but work calls and we are attempting to keep things running.

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

Weekend Edition with Mongo

3 story’s I couldn’t let go over the weekend.

First up

A woman arrested for prostitution and running a whore house out of her home in Stoney Brooke has denied the charges and claims she was just a call girl and sold companionship and time.

Women in her neighborhood want her gone while the men interviewed just smiled alot and offered to do alot of free yard work.

The woman claimed on her web site that she could deliver sexual fantasy’s of every mans desire. Sorry I missed that bus, hey baby could you change the oil in the car, paint the house, rub my feet and not bitch in my ear during the game? I’d pay for that.

The lawyer for the Fremont principals  wife who is accused of stalking a teacher over the last 4 years says she had nothing to do with any of the items she has been accused of. Clarence Mock, Oakland Nebraska’s version of JMD, says she never spray painted the teachers windows or started a fire at his home. And she hired a big gun in lawyers to defend her. Can’t wait to hear more details in this.

This one takes the cake.

An Omaha man plans to ask the City Council to rename a street to honor Madalyn Murray O’Hair. Who the hell is she? Shes the Atheists who got the Supreme Court to take prayer out of schools.

Even though she had no ties to Omaha, Ray Zbylut wants to rename part of 108th street in her honor. Ray needs to stop mushroom hunting, he keeps getting into a bad batch.

Many doubt the Council will go for it.

Have a Happy Super Bowl Sunday.

Mongo Torrey

MongoTorrey@hotmail.com

01.30.08 Wednesday

Despite protests from neighboring residents the Omaha City Council voted to grant Liquor Licenses to the new owners of two infamous establishments.

Cheaters, formerly Straight Shooters II , at 40th and Farnam and the Citrus Lounge at 144th and Center had to enter written agreements with the City that they would gear their operations to a less rowdy crowd.

A Douglas County District Judge sentenced 31 year old Chantal Randall to 25-35 years in prison for killing a 17 month old child in her care.

Randall plead no contest to the charges. She had punched the child so hard that it lacerated her liver then left the child to die while she fed the 4 other children in her care, including the little girls older brother. In an effort to conceal her actions she strapped the child in a car seat and attempted to lodge a quarter in her throat to make it appear she chocked.

Her prison term will be shortened to 12 and 1/2 to 17 and 1/2 years under state guidelines.

After seeing this I can only ask how you punch a 17 month old for pulling your hair. I don’t care how much “pressure” you were under. Sorry Judge, not long enough.

A 21 year old woman reported that a man approached her outside her Regency apartment and asked for a light. He then pulled a gun and pointed it at her at which time she ran. She did hear a shot but was not injured. Police discovered a shell casing but no suspect. What Street Gang calls Regency home. The Biff and Chad’s?

And in one of the dumbest things I have ever heard, sources say that the gunman that took the life of a bright young woman as she sat in her car at the KFC drive through, might have been motivated by the Packers loosing in the playoffs. Give me a break. If this is this guys defense somebody get the jumper cable’s.

More later………………….

Bugs Manderson

Muppet Mike Makes State of the City Speech

In front of a bored to tears room full of 8th graders, the Muppet Mike tour stopped at Morton Middle School and gave it’s State of the City program.

A well polished act now, Mayor Landows lips only seemed to twitch slightly as the Muppet performed.

His speech included plans to reinstate the Independent Police Auditor. (Define independent)

Close the city jail within weeks.

Add more police officers to the force.

And no hints on the stadium issue.

He pleaded with City Council members to fund the auditors position once again. Some were quoted as saying they needed more information before making a decision.

Overall the performance lacked pizazz and content. Maybe a better speech writer is needed or maybe the Muppet act has had its run however he hinted in the speech that he intended to gain another term.

The real scary part about that is, both Vokal and Suttle have indicated they are interested in the office as well.

Anyone seen P.J. Morgan around?

Please tell me we aren’t going to have to pay to feed Tristin Bond again…….My wallet just screamed out loud.

Bugs Manderson