Father Stephen Gutgsell, a Catholic priest in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, died on Sunday after being attacked in the rectory of his church. The Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call and found Gutgsell injured and a suspected attacker inside. The suspect was taken into custody and the investigation is ongoing. The Archdiocese of Omaha expressed sadness and prayers for Gutgsell's family and the parish community.
Posts tagged as “Nebraska”
The Council Bluffs Police Department in Iowa has arrested 25-year-old Dominic M. Henton in connection with the alleged sexual assault of former Senator Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). McSally reported the incident on Wednesday, saying that she had been grabbed from behind while jogging near Omaha, Nebraska. Surveillance footage released by police showed the suspect following the former senator on a paved pedestrian walkway, and McSally chased the suspect into the brush before calling 911. The police department is continuing to investigate the incident and is asking anyone with information to contact them.
The race for the next Speaker of the House of Representatives has become increasingly competitive, with 25 entrenched GOP lawmakers blocking Rep. Jim Jordan from winning the gavel. Jordan received 194 votes in the third ballot, 21 votes short of the number he needed to be elected. Another round of voting is required, and the outcome is uncertain as the 25 entrenched GOP lawmakers have yet to declare their support for any of the candidates.
A Texas man has been charged after firing a blank round at a wedding, resulting in an injury to his 12-year-old grandson. Michael Gardner, the officiant of the wedding, was attempting to rally the guests when the round slipped and shot his grandson in the shoulder. Gardner was arrested and charged with felony child abuse and use of a firearm to commit a felony, serving as a reminder of the importance of gun safety and the potential consequences of recklessness.
Jessica Burgess, a Nebraska mother, was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday for providing her teenage daughter with pills for an abortion and helping to burn and bury the fetus. Burgess pleaded guilty in July to tampering with human remains, false reporting and providing an abortion after at least 20 weeks of gestation, which is illegal in Nebraska. Her attorney said she was deeply remorseful and had been trying to protect her daughter. The case has sparked a debate over abortion laws in Nebraska.
A viral incident occurred in Norfolk, Nebraska this week when police responded to a call about a vehicle with a cow inside, only to find a full-sized bull named Howdy Doody riding shotgun. Lee Meyer, the driver of the modified Ford Crown Victoria sedan, was cited by police for the incident, and the Norfolk police department released a warning about the dangers of transporting animals in a vehicle in a way that endangers their safety or the safety of others. The incident has been a source of amusement, but serves as a reminder to be mindful of the safety of animals and other drivers on the road.
On Wednesday night, the University of Nebraska set the world record for the largest attendance at a women's sporting event, with 92,003 people filling Memorial Stadium in Lincoln to watch the Cornhuskers' volleyball match against Omaha. The event was part of a daylong celebration of the sport, which is immensely popular in the state, and included an exhibition between in-state Division II powers Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State, followed by the Huskers' regular-season match. This historic moment for the university and milestone for women's sports around the world is a testament to the immense popularity of women's sports in the state.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Don Bacon have both urged House Republicans to oppose a resolution introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert that would force a quick vote to impeach President Joe Biden, arguing that it should go through the committee process first. The resolution has sparked debate among Republicans, with the outcome of the resolution and potential vote still uncertain.