Three people arrested in Hastings with 14 pounds of marijuana

Three people, including one from Grand Island, were arrested in Hastings Wednesday with over 14 pounds of marijuana.

Lorenzo Ruiz, 45, of 522 N. Elm, and Tysen Burtis, 21, of Hastings, were both arrested for drug possession, drug distribution and flight to avoid arrest. Burtis was also arrested for resisting arrest, according to a press release from the Hastings Police Department.

The release also gave the following information:

Mary Ann Silva, 20, of Hastings, was arrested for conspiracy to commit a felony and aiding and abetting the delivery of a controlled substance.

They're being held at the Adams County Jail.

When police attempted to arrest the trio around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Ruiz and Burtis fled in a vehicle. They were taken into custody near D Street and Wabash Avenue after a short police pursuit.

Officers seized over 14 pounds of marijuana and cash during the arrests.

An investigation is continuing.

African-American homesteaders focus of NET Radio feature

NET Radio will air a conversation about David and Hannah Patrick, the first African Americans to homestead in Hamilton County, Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Helen Patrick Seward and Ruth Patrick Thomas, granddaughters of David and Hannah Patrick, will speak with NET Radio's Humanities Desk Producer Jerry Johnston about their grandparents and the importance of their homesteading heritage.

Born a slave in Missouri, David Patrick used the Homestead Act to make a new life for himself and his family. Patrick helped found a church, was a member of a cemetery board and took a deep interest in education.

The Nebraska Humanities Council provides partial funding for humanities features on NET Radio.

An audio link to the story will be on NET Radio's Web site (www.netNebraska.org/radio and click on Nebraska News) the day of the broadcast. All that is needed to listen to the report is access to the Internet and a free RealPlayer program.