Tagged: General News

On July 1st, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a new law into effect.  Under the new “Move Over” Law, motorists who are ticketed and convicted for not moving over for emergency vehicles will face increased penalties. 

Kim Snook is with the Iowa Department of Transportation. She says the purpose of the law is to keep emergency vehicles and highway personnel safe while they do their work.  Snook says there are two simple rules everyone should follow.

The 4th of July is over and the Omaha Police Department is offering individuals the opportunity to turn in leftover fireworks this weekend.

The Metro Area Fireworks and Gun Amnesty day will take place this Saturday from 9:00 to 3:00 at two locations: Ambassador Worship Center, 103rd and Fort Streets and Seymour Smith Park, at 72nd and Harrison Streets.  OPD Sgt. Matt Manhart says guns, ammunition and fireworks will be accepted at both locations with no questions asked. 

The 1879 trial of Omaha Chief Standing Bear was the subject of last month’s press club.

Award winning author, college professor, and former newsman Joe Starita was the guest speaker.  Starita wrote I AM A MAN, which detailed the landmark case of Chief Standing Bear.  He said the case stemmed from the U.S. government forcing the Ponca Indians from their ancestral land, and Chief Standing Bear’s efforts to lead some of them back.

150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, establishing the Union Pacific Railway.  In honor of Union Pacific’s sesquicentennial, six local organizations are collaborating to offer Railroad Days.  The two-day celebration takes place July 14th and 15th. 

Each venue will offer special activities to explore the region’s railroad heritage.  The Durham Museum is one of the participating venues.  Shawna Forsberg is Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Durham.

This morning is the public’s final opportunity to weigh in on the draft of MAPA’s 2013-18 Transportation Improvement Program.

Greg Youell, Transportation and Data Manager for the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, says the TIP represents all federally funded transportation projects in the metro area.  He says transportation projects slated for Douglas and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska, and the Council Bluffs area in Iowa, are included in the TIP. 

Youell says it’s important for citizens to understand they do have an opportunity to give input on the selected projects.

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle says he was in awe of the honor bestowed on the city earlier this week.

On Monday, the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, presided over a ship naming ceremony.  The USS Omaha will be the 4th vessel to be named after the City. 

The craft will be one in a series of littoral combat ships to be commissioned by the U-S Navy.  Mayor Suttle says he’s proud that the city has received such an honor.