OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Friday started.
One person dies in South Omaha crash, OPD says
One person died in a car crash in South Omaha on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
Officers were dispatched to 25th and F streets at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday for a personal injury collision involving two vehicles.
An initial investigation found a sedan traveling northbound on 25th Street had stopped at the stop sign before continuing. The sedan was then t-boned by a pickup truck traveling eastbound on F Street.
The driver of the sedan was pronounced deceased at the scene, a release states. An investigation by OPD is ongoing.
Suspect in North Omaha homicide to be sentenced Friday
The man accused of shooting and killing an Omaha man in 2023 will be sentenced in court Friday.
Mark Keesler, 33, pled “no contest” in June to a charge of manslaughter in the shooting death of 30-year-old Deving Willis-Smith. He is facing up to 20 years in prison.
Mark Keesler(Omaha Police Department)
He also faced charges of terroristic threats, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, but those were dismissed.
The shooting happened in the area of 28th Avenue and Whitmore Street around 9 p.m. on July 20, 2023, for a reported injured party.
Willis-Smith was found with a gunshot wound and taken to the hospital, where he was declared deceased.
Man to be sentenced Friday in killing of 6-year-old boy in Nebraska City
A man will be sentenced in connection to the death of a 6-year-old boy in Nebraska City in court Friday.
Vernon Christiansen, 59, of Percival, Iowa pled “no contest” to charges of motor vehicle homicide, possessing an open alcohol container, bald or improper use of tires, and first offense obstructed view of driver on July 22.
Vernon Christiansen(Otoe County Jail)
Christiansen was released from jail after posting 10% of his $50,000 bond. On Sept. 3, bond conditions were eased and he was no longer required to wear an alcohol monitoring device.
As the charges include one misdemeanor and three infractions, Christiansen faces up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,300.
The charges stem from a July 17 crash near 8th Street and First Corso. Police said Christiansen’s pickup struck a 6-year-old boy shortly after the weekly farmers market had opened. The child was killed at the scene.
Experts: Real number of Nebraskans dying from drug overdoses unknown
In a First Alert 6 Investigation, experts say Nebraska is losing out on millions of dollars because overdose deaths go unreported.
A reporter from the Flatwater Free Press, Destiny Herbers, has been digging deeper into why getting the real numbers affects us all.
She found that unless its a suspicious death that could lead to charges, several county attorneys don’t order an autopsy in possible overdose cases. Underreporting overdoses costs the state of Nebraska in funding for treatment programs.
“Which, over time, would amount to around $50 million in funding for substance abuse treatment, which could have changed things for a family in my story if there had been more resources available,” Herbers said.
To learn how we got here, and the personal story of one family who believes better data could have made a difference in their lives, visit the Flatwater Free Press website.
Creighton University announces major investment from donation
On Thursday, Creighton University in Omaha revealed it has received a single donation of $100 million made by the Heider Family Foundation.
The gift is a part of a $300 million investment in the university. We are told it will go towards recreational sports facilities for students, a new residence hall, and a close to 7-acre quad.
“We have national recognition through our academic programs. We don’t have one medical school; we have two. We have other programs in health sciences, we have a business school that’s doubled its enrollment…” Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton University President, said.
Bluejay officials believe all of this will help continue to attract students to Creighton. Last month, the university welcomed the largest freshman class in school history, with approximately 1,250 students.
Creighton officials also tell us they’ve raised close to $250 million for scholarships.
Nebraska football to host Michigan in Big Ten opener this weekend
On Saturday afternoon, Nebraska football will have its first major test of the season in its Big Ten opener.
The team will take on No. 21 Michigan for its third home game this season at Memorial Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
You can watch live on CBS, and the N REPORT Pregame Show will be available at 1 p.m. on 10/11. The show will also stream on 1011 NOW on Roku.
The Huskers are coming off their third win, narrowly defeating Cincinnati at their season-opener at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Head Coach Matt Rhule says he’s been very careful to make sure he treats every game the same way. He says Saturday’s game will be a marker for how far his defense has come in his third year.
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