Newshound 8/13/2009

- Senator resigns to take post he created
- Suttle names acting police chief
- Omaha postmaster dies

More after the jump ...

Senator resigns to take post he created
State Sen. Mike Friend of Omaha announced he will leave the legislature Aug. 17 to head a new office that was created under his bill. Friend will direct the State Office of Violence Prevention, an agency that was included in his anti-crime bill passed this year. Friend has never worked in law enforcement. His previous jobs have included writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and private businesses. Last month the Nebraska Crime Commission announced $350,000 in grants were available for community crime prevention programs.

Suttle names acting police chief
Mayor Jim Suttle announced Aug. 12 that Deputy Chief Alex Hayes will take over as interim chief of the Omaha Police Department as the search for a new chief begins. Chief Eric Buske announced last month that he will leave the department after 25 years to head the police department in Bryan, Texas.

Buffett blesses new stadium
The Oracle of Omaha joined elected officials, baseball players and fans in a Sarpy County cornfield to celebrate the new home of the Omaha Royals. The event marked the culmination of 18-months of negotiations between the Royals and Sarpy County. Buffett assured he crowd two baseball stadiums in Omaha would succeed, reported the Omaha World-Herald. Buffett is part-owner of the Royals.

Omaha postmaster dies
Omaha's Postmaster, EvaJon Sperling, died Aug. 13. Sperling became postmaster in July 1995.

Mountain lion sighted in Elkhorn
The Nebraska Humane Society is warning residents to be on the look-out for a mountain lion in the Elkhorn area. The siting has not been confirmed.

Gang-worker busted in crack deal
A former Omaha gang-member, turned gang-interventionist, will go to prison for selling crack near his Boy's and Girl's Club office. Sunn Perkins, 29, was sentenced to 3-6 years in prison for selling drugs to an informant on three occasions.