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Neighbors hope problem homes in Valley could become new source of affordable housing

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.





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Nebraska baseball falls to 16th-ranked Kansas

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Nebraska baseball falls to 16th-ranked Kansas


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska baseball team lost to Kansas 9-7 on Tuesday in front of a record crowd at Hoglund Park. The Huskers took an early lead on an RBI single by National Freshman of the Week Drew Grego. After giving up three unanswered runs, Nebraska rallied to go back in front on a 3rd-inning single by Will Jesske. Both Grego and Jesske finished with two hits in the game.

Kansas, however, took control in the middle innings. The Jayhawks got home runs from Tyson Owens and Josh Dykoff in the sixth frame. Both round-trippers came off NU relief pitcher Ty Horn. Kansas added insurance in the 7th inning before a late rally by the Huskers.

Nebraska trimmed a five-run deficit to two, but couldn’t complete the comeback on the road.

The Huskers’ loss is their second to the Jayhawks this season. Nebraska’s record drops to 31-10 overall.

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Will Bolt’s team returns to action on Friday at Illinois. Game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Champaign.

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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.



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Nebraska jumps up to No. 2 in college softball Power 10 rankings

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Nebraska jumps up to No. 2 in college softball Power 10 rankings


Softball

April 21, 2026

Nebraska jumps up to No. 2 in college softball Power 10 rankings

April 21, 2026

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Check out Michella Chester’s updated college softball Power 10 rankings for the week of April 21, which sees Nebraska rise to No. 2 behind an 11-game win streak.



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Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska

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Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A deeper look tonight as First Alert 6 continues to dig deeper into the state of mental health care in Nebraska and possible solutions, ever since last week’s two instances involving law enforcement.

A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy was shot responding to a domestic call. Investigators said the suspect, Brian Huggins, had a history of behavioral health issues. Huggins died by suicide.

And then Noemi Guzman, who police say kidnapped a 3-year-old from inside an Omaha Walmart and cut him in the arm and face with a stolen kitchen knife. Omaha police officers shot and killed her before she could strike again.

Guzman had been on a court-ordered mental health treatment plan since last summer for her schizophrenia. According to court records, psychiatrists determined she could live in the community. Remember, this was after she was arrested for setting her father’s house on fire and threatening a priest with a knife.

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Monitoring system

We wanted to know who is part of the system monitoring those who may not be following their mental health treatment plan and are a risk to others or themselves. When that happens, the Board of Mental Health will often notify the local sheriff so a warrant can be issued and deputies can track the individual down.

Here are the numbers since 2023:

In 2023, 842 warrants were issued for those not following their treatment plans according to the Board of Mental Health. In 2024, 756. In 2025, 690. So far in 2026, 190.

But out of these 2,500 warrants, 85% of them didn’t have a second warrant, meaning deputies picked them up, got them back into treatment and the individuals continued to thrive after the one hiccup.

But in 15% of these cases, the individuals messed up again and had another warrant issued by the Board of Mental Health. Twenty-five individuals had five or more issued in Douglas County.

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Sheriff Hanson said there has to be a better way, a more team approach for this.

One model to explore is the way Nebraska’s problem-solving courts work like drug court and veterans’ treatment court where experts from a variety of stakeholders help individuals who are on the fringes to do everything to make them productive citizens.

Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.



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