6 things you need to know on Thursday, April 23

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Thursday started.

Strong storms possible Thursday afternoon, Rusty says

A First Alert 6 Weather Day has been called for Thursday as a cold front will move through the area and try to produce strong to severe storms.

Senior Chief Meteorologist Rusty Lord says it will be a mild and windy morning with a few showers and areas of drizzle possible. He believes a cold front will move in by the afternoon and try to spark storms as early as 2 p.m.

By 3 p.m. or so it should be in or near and metro with the line of storms filling in more and more, according to Rusty. Storms really fill in as the front moves into Iowa.

“By 7 p.m. it should be east and out of the area and the rest of the night will be quiet,” Rusty says.

Suspect in attempted sexual assault in Omaha in court Thursday

A man accused of chasing two girls through a metro neighborhood is due in court Thursday for a bond hearing.

After his arrest, 34-year-old Zachary Vinton allegedly told investigators he intended to engage in sexual activities with the girls.

The incident happened last Thursday near 196th and V streets. Vinton got out of jail Sunday after posting $2,000 bail and is under pretrial supervision.

Deputies say Vinton has faced similar allegations in the past. The sheriff’s office says anyone who encounters him while he is out on bond and feels unsafe should call 911 — if it’s an emergency.

Millard teacher arrested in NSP child exploitation investigation

A Millard Public Schools middle school teacher was arrested Wednesday morning by Nebraska State Patrol troopers investigating an ongoing child exploitation case.

Andersen Middle School teacher Matthew Lund, 47, was arrested after NSP served a warrant at his Omaha home at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Lund was booked into Douglas County Corrections to face charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.

“At this point, there is no indication that any students are victims in this case,” the NSP release states.

As the investigation continues, the Nebraska State Patrol is asking anyone with information about the case, or any other child exploitation case, to call NSP at 402-479-4049.

Bonds set for brothers arrested after shooting near Levi Carter Park

The two brothers arrested after a shooting near Levi Carter Park that sent three people to the hospital were in court Wednesday.

Maurice Jones and Michael Jones, both 19, are facing charges including discharging a firearm, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and three counts of attempted first degree assault.

In court Wednesday morning, Maurice Jones’ bond was set at $5 million and his preliminary hearing was set for May 22. Michael Jones’ bond was set at $2 million and his preliminary hearing was set for May 11.

The court appearances are in connection to a shooting just after 1 a.m. Sunday near Carter Lake Shore Drive and Ames Avenue.

An arrest report confirmed to First Alert 6 that the two suspects are brothers. OPD says the investigation is ongoing.

Nebraska Supreme Court files formal charges against Omaha lawyer

An Omaha lawyer is facing legal trouble after he allegedly disclosed results of an investigation he conducted as special deputy in Knox County.

A Nebraska Supreme Court counsel filed disciplinary charges against David Begley on Tuesday. According to court documents, Begley was appointed to look into a possible courthouse security breach in Knox County.

After an associate found deputies weren’t hired in accordance with statute, Begley allegedly shared the information with the Knox County public defender, telling them they should begin filing motions to dismiss cases.

A month later, he allegedly posted on Facebook that the sheriff’s office was in violation of statute, and criminals had a get-out-of-jail-free card. Begley has defended his actions and denies all wrongdoing.

Grand opening set for Mad Bear Recreation Area on Thursday

A new recreation area in the metro is scheduled to open to the public on Thursday.

The Papio NRD, city of Gretna, and Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sergeant Mad Bear Recreation Area. It features a 17-acre lake and 84 acres of park space.

The NRD says Sergeant Mad Bear was the first Native American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the second Nebraska National Guard member to receive one.

The grand opening begins at 10 a.m. near 180th and Giles.

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