Nebraska
Neighbors hope problem homes in Valley could become new source of affordable housing
- Video shows three problem homes near the area of East and Alexander street in Valley.
- Neighbors say that decrepit properties near their homes have sat empty for years after being damaged by floods. They are hoping the problem homes could be turned into affordable housing.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Its definitely not the sight you want to see first thing in the morning.
“I have my cup of coffee in the morning and I have to look out my front window at this every day and thats not good,” said Valley resident Donald Suster.
Across the street from Donald’s property are three decrepit homes.
After being damaged in the floods of 2019 they have sat empty, one is already condemned.
He told me he has asked the city and the mayor to do something to fix it but in the 6 years since the flood, little has been done.
Donald’s neighbor Steve Peoples said the eyesore doesn’t match up with his spiking property valuations.
“My house evaluation last year was $140,700. This year its 180,700. Just imagine what the valuation would be if these two or three houses weren’t here,” said Peoples.
Steve said he knows that offers have been made to purchase the properties but the owner isn’t interested in selling.
“They wont do it. They would rather pay the taxes and let them sit,” said Peoples.
Both Steve and Donald think the lots have the potential to be transformed into affordable housing, a big need in Valley.
Ryan Basye with On Deck housing, a non-profit who builds affordable homes in the metro area, has a separate development in Valley trying to meet that demand.
“We have three lots in Valley at this time under On Deck. That’s all we have going on right now but we are lined up to build three affordable homes out there,” said Basye.
I had a chance to speak with the mayor of Valley Cindy Grove who told me she couldn’t give specifics on these properties. But she did say these homes, along with every other nuisance property, have received notice from the city things need to be taken care of.
Donald hopes, those notices turn into something that could help Valley long term.
“I think it would be great. It would be great for the city and if they could do affordable housing that would be great,” said Suster.
Nebraska Game and Parks is offering residents a chance to win prizes simply for getting outside and moving, as part of a challenge honoring America’s 250th birthday.
The Outdoor Nebraska 250-Mile Challenge invites participants to log miles through activities like walking, running, kayaking, horseback riding and more using any fitness app. The goal is to reach 250 miles before the end of the year. Once completed, participants fill out a form on the Nebraska Game and Parks website to become eligible for prizes.
Mike Selman, a regular walker at Zorinsky Lake, said the challenge caught his attention.
“I think it’s great, as long as you put in the time and effort,” Selman said.
Selman said getting outdoors is already a big part of his routine.
“I absolutely love it, I love being outdoors, just the beauty, the nature, the trees, the water,” Selman said.
He said one of his favorite aspects of the challenge is the opportunity to explore Nebraska’s many outdoor spaces.
“Especially here, around Zorinsky, Standing Bear, Flanagan, you got great opportunities and great places to go,” Selman said.
When asked if he planned to submit his miles, Selman did not hesitate.
“I’ll definitely think about it, most definitely,” Selman said.
Between Memorial Day and the end of the year, logging just over 1 mile a day would be enough to reach the 250-mile goal and qualify for prizes.
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We’ll have to wait a bit longer to get into the Cowgirls’ Super Regional.
A rainy night in Lincoln meant the teams only managed to get four outs into the Super between Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The game is tied at 0. The weather delay lasted about two hours before they called it.
The game will resume at 4 p.m. Friday and be televised on ESPN2. They will not play another game Friday, as Game 2 will now take place at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Nebraska football team added its third 2027 offensive line commitment and addition from the state of Georgia on Wednesday.
Loganville (Ga.) Grayson offensive lineman KD Jones officially announced his commitment to NU this week. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Jones picked the Huskers over Georgia Tech, Auburn, Kentucky and Virginia Tech. He visited Lincoln on May 6 and is scheduled to take his official visit to Nebraska on June 6.
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The Huskers first offered Jones in April, after offensive line coach Geep Wade had previously been recruiting him at Georgia Tech.
“Coach Wade called me and offered me today,” Jones told HuskerOnline on Apr. 25. “He has been on me for a long time, ever since he was at Tech. So his interest wasn’t anything new to me. He came to watch me train at school and was amazed. He offered the next day.”
Jones joins safety Corey Hadley from the state of Georgia in NU’s 2027 recruiting class.
“I knew nothing about Nebraska before the offer,” Jones said in April. But now that Coach Wade and Coach (Lonnie) Teasley are there, I know I can trust them.”
Jones had planned to take official visits to all the schools recruiting him, but his early commitment to NU appears to have shut down those visits.
He jones Omaha (Neb.) Millard North’s Matt Erickson and fellow Grayson product Jordan Agbanoma are the other offensive linemen in the Huskers’ 2027 recruiting class. He’s now the 10th commitment in Nebraska’s class of 2027.
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