LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A man who was ticketed for trespassing while handing out religious leaflets outside Lincolns Pinnacle Bank Arena has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/1BcP7K4 ) that Larry Ball says in a lawsuit filed Thursday that arena policies violate his free speech rights. The lawsuit names the mayor, the police chief and the arena operator, SMG.

Ball, who is seeking punitive damages and attorney fees, was arrested and cited last week for trespassing during the girls state basketball tournament. A year ago he was arrested and cited outside the state boys basketball tournament.

City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatricks office dismissed charges against Ball last year, and then released a policy that governs exterior access to the arena.

The policy restricts the areas in which solicitors, pamphleteers, pickets, members of the media and others can work and demonstrate.

The restricted area encompasses the public sidewalk, walkways, steps, terraces, verandas, access ramps, loading ramps, Festival Space parking and the parking garage.

The city says that the arena sits on land that is owns, and that the area in front of the arena is quasi-public.

Balls attorneys, Thomas White of Omaha and Amy Miller of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, say the arenas sidewalks are public thoroughfares.

Kirkpatrick told the newspaper that the city worked with SMG to craft a policy that would allow for First Amendment demonstrations.

Larry Ball had (the) opportunity to use that forum just like anybody else within the parameters that we felt necessary to allow us to operate the arena in a businesslike manner, he said Thursday evening.

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Man sues over Lincoln arena policy that hampers leafleting

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The ordinance:

Sec. 17-31.Snow, ice, grass and weeds; removal; penalty.

(a) The owner or occupant or any person having the care of any building or lot abutting in any sidewalk shall remove all snow therefrom within four (4) hours after daylight and after the falling of snow has ceased, and the provisions of this section shall apply to the falling of snow or ice from any building or structure. Whenever the sidewalk, or any portion thereof, adjoining any building or lot on any street shall be encumbered with ice it shall be the duty of the owner or occupant or any person having the care of any such building or lot to cause such sidewalk to be made safe and convenient by removing the ice therefrom or by covering the same with sand or some other suitable substance.

(b) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00). Each day's continuance of a violation shall be a separate offense.

SOURCE: LFUCG

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - The U.S. Postal Service issued a statement Tuesday, reminding people to clear driveways and walkways so their mail can be delivered.

That reminder came a day after Kentucky was hit with a record-setting storm. Most people in the region saw 8 inches to 12 inches of snow, but Pike County reportedly saw 18 inches. Lexington set an all-time recorded at 10.2 inches for the fourth snowiest day ever.

RELATED: Walking along streets a treacherous choice many forced to make

The Post Office noted that winter storms and along with them the cold, snow and icy conditions can make delivery of your mail very challenging for letter carriers and your Post Office.

Support your letter carrier and Post Office in providing safe and timely delivery of your mail, the statement said. We will do our best to make delivery to all addresses. At the same time, we must insure the safety of our carriers along their routes. Were asking that customers take caution themselves as they clear a path for their letter carrier.

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Post Office: Clear walkways or mail won't be delivered

LITTLE ROCK, AR (News release) - The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament, being played this week at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, will be played as scheduled on Thursday, beginning with a game at 12 Noon CT and followed by three games at approximately 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

SEC officials have continually monitored weather conditions and have worked with city officials and participating schools to ensure safe transportation of teams to the arena.

The SEC advises fans who choose to attend the games to use caution while driving. City crews and Verizon arena staff are working diligently to treat roads and clear sidewalks. However, fans should be mindful of road conditions, icy walkways and steps surrounding the arena.

All games will air on the SEC Network.

Arkansas and Ole Miss will tip off at 12 Noon in Game 3 of the tournament, followed by Auburn vs. Texas A&M in Game 4, Georgia vs. Missouri in Game 5 and Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky in Game 6.

In Session One on Wednesday night, Auburn defeated Florida, 71-49, and Vanderbilt defeated Alabama, 66-56.

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SEC Women's Basketball Tourney on Schedule for Thursday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) -The following is a release from the Postal Service regarding mail delivery following Wednesday's storm: Winter storms and along with them the cold, snow and icy conditions can make delivery of your mail very challenging for letter carriers and your Post Office.

Support your letter carrier and Post Office in providing safe and timely delivery of your mail.

We will do our best to make delivery to all addresses. At the same time, we must insure the safety of our carriers along their routes. Were asking that customers take caution themselves as they clear a path for their letter carrier.

Postal residential and business customers are asked to clear your mailbox area of snow, sleet, slush, ice and debris, including clearing nearby sidewalks, steps and porches.

If mailboxes are blocked off and conditions are difficult, letter carriers must always consider safety and accessibility first. Letter carriers are instructed to not deliver to mailboxes and locations which are too hazardous or unsafe to access.

Whether you have a street-side, centralized neighborhood/cluster unit, house, or door mailbox, postal letter carriers need to have clear and safe access to deliver your mail.

Your local Post Office and letter carriers greatly appreciate the publics support.

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Postal Service asks customers to clear areas around mailbox

LITTLE ROCK, AR (News release) - The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament, being played this week at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, will be played as scheduled on Thursday, beginning with a game at 12 Noon CT and followed by three games at approximately 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

SEC officials have continually monitored weather conditions and have worked with city officials and participating schools to ensure safe transportation of teams to the arena.

The SEC advises fans who choose to attend the games to use caution while driving. City crews and Verizon arena staff are working diligently to treat roads and clear sidewalks. However, fans should be mindful of road conditions, icy walkways and steps surrounding the arena.

All games will air on the SEC Network.

Arkansas and Ole Miss will tip off at 12 Noon in Game 3 of the tournament, followed by Auburn vs. Texas A&M in Game 4, Georgia vs. Missouri in Game 5 and Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky in Game 6.

In Session One on Wednesday night, Auburn defeated Florida, 71-49, and Vanderbilt defeated Alabama, 66-56.

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SEC Women's Basketball Tourney on as Planned for Thursday

By Antonio Coleman

CADILLAC Five days a week, Sherry Davies walks nearly 13 miles delivering mail to homes in Cadillac.

No matter the weather, Davies starts her day at 7 a.m., prepared to carry about 70 pounds of mail to area homes and businesses.

During her weekend route, Davies passed an uncleared driveway and snow-covered mailbox.

I fell right here Friday, Davies said, pointing to the homes uncleared walkway.

Davies said uncleared sidewalks and snow-covered mailboxes are two of the most difficult challenges mail carriers face and one of the most hazardous parts of her job.

Last year, I and another mail carrier fell and broke our arms. We both had to have surgery, Davies said.

Although Davies returned to work, she said the threat of a fall is always a looming concern when carrying mail door-to-door. Unfortunately, slips and falls are quite common, she said.

But its not just the snow and ice that can be a concern for mail carriers.

February has brought some of the coldest temperatures to Northern Michigan this winter and Davies said the below-zero temperatures can often slow her down.

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Snow and ice are hazards for mail carriers

CLEVELAND, Ohio -

Officials of the Postal Service are asking residents and owners of businesses to clear snow and ice from walkways and sidewalks for letter carriers.

The post office sent out an email on Monday saying that Postal Service carriers in Northern Ohio will attempt to make deliveries wherever possible.

Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgment, if a potential hazard exists, and to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared.

In past winter storm events, postal carriers have suffered serious injuries related to slips, trips and falls due to icy and snow covered walkways and porch steps.

The Postal Service is asking customers to help keep their letter carrier safe this winter through the following actions: Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail and to drive away from the box without danger of the need for backing. Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice and allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls. Steps should also be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair so as not to cause injury to the letter carriers or others who visit the customer's home. Overhangs should be clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.

Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgment, if a potential hazard exists, and to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared.

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Postal Service asks Valley residents to clear walks for carriers

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By Nicole Pitt Feb. 25, 2015

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - You may have noticed real estate signs buried in the snowbanks lately. It's just one of several obstacles this winter weather is creating for the local real estate market.

"Mainly what I've been running into is that things just aren't plowed out," said Jodie DeCosty of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. "Because of the snowbanks and if you have buyers behind that are following in the car, I've had to remind a few people that, you know, I may just slam on my brakes if the Garmin says you're arriving at your destination and the sign is covered up with snow. So, that's what i do, tell people just to keep back a little bit."

The snow isn't the only obstacle buyers, sellers, and realtors are facing. The cold is also taking it's toll. "I had an agent call me from one of my listings and he said Jodie it's 40 degrees in here and I hear water running." A pipe had burst in the basement and now the house is off the market because the furnace needs to be replaced.

Walkways and steps that are not shovele pose a hazard for realtors and potential buyers alike. Experts stress the importance of keeping those walkways clear. "It is their property and they are liable if somebody slips and falls," said DeCosty. "Definitely don't turn the heat on too low especially if they are snowbirds and they take off for the winter the lowest that we tell people to keep their heat down to is like 57 because the thermostat is on the inside wall and the pipes are on the outside wall. The main thing that agents have to remember is that we do not have worker's compensation so if we do get hurt if we do slip and fall we're going to be in trouble, out of work, so they should remind themselves of that."

Despite the weather, DeCosty says there's been an increase in listings and sales are steady."Explain to a buyer, look, this is a great time to see if there is heat loss. You'll see icicles you know you'll see mounds of ice on top of the house."

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Local real estate market going strong despite winter weather