February 2016 – Page 32 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Fund Would Clarify Financial Onus of Rape Kit Exams

Posted on February 7, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Advocates for survivors of sexual assaults in Nebraska say some victims mistakenly receive statements for medical costs of sexual assault exams, despite state and federal law prohibiting such notices.

A measure proposed to the Nebraska Legislature would create a state fund for the charges that pile up when a victim reports a sexual assault, ensuring survivors will not be charged with paying for going to the hospital.

Suzanne Gage, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, which is backing the bill, said Nebraska’s current system has been leading to questions about who pays and when. The proposal would shift the onus off of law enforcement and instead would use a pool of private, state and federal money to pay for up to $200 for the examiner’s fee and up to $300 for the examination facility.

Ex-Nebraska Teacher Pleads Not Guilty in Hidden Camera Case

Posted on February 6, 2016February 7, 2016

LOUP CITY, Neb. (AP) — A former Loup City teacher accused of hiding cameras in the Loup City Public Schools girls locker room has pleaded not guilty.

Anthony Rahe entered the plea Thursday to 15 counts in Sherman County District Court.

Rahe’s trial is set to begin April 11. The charges against him include unlawful intrusion, possession of child pornography and manufacturing a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

The 24-year-old Rahe was arrested on Oct. 9. He remains free on bond.

District officials say a student reported finding the camera in the girls locker room on Oct. 8. Investigators say school security camera footage implicates Rahe. Rahe was suspended and has been barred from the school campus.

Omaha Daycare Worker Charged with 8 Counts of Child Sex Abuse

Posted on February 6, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police say a 24-year-old day care worker has told investigators that he sexually assaulted as many as eight girls under the age of 3.

Mark Mays, of Omaha, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of eight counts of child sexual assault. He was charged Friday with one count of first-degree sexual assault of a child.

Police say detectives with the Omaha Police special victims unit were called to investigate after other day care workers reported finding Mays with a 2-year-old girl, who was naked.

Police say Mays told investigators he had sexual contact with eight girls ranging in age from younger than 2 to 3 years old. Mays is being held in the Douglas County jail on $2 million bail and could not be reached for comment.

Woman Wants Statements to Police in Omaha Murder Case Thrown Out

Posted on February 6, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A woman charged with helping her boyfriend, charged with killing his mother and 4-year-old half brother, is arguing that statements she made to police should not be allowed into evidence at her trial.

Police think 25-year-old Gabriela Guevara helped 25-year-old Roberto Martinez-Marinero load his gravely-injured mother in a car and dump her body. Police say Guevara also was with Martinez-Marinero when he dumped his then-11-month-old half brother in a La Vista dumpster and threw his 4-year-old half brother from an Elkhorn River bridge to his death.

Guevara now says her statements to police should be thrown out because she feared police and Martinez-Marinero, whom she said had abused her.

The judge is expected to rule in a few weeks on her request.

Central Community College Raises $8.5M for Kearney Campus

Posted on February 6, 2016

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Central Community College officials say they may break ground earlier than expected on a new Kearney campus, thanks to a campaign that has so far raised $8.5 million.

Foundation Executive Director Dean Moors said construction on the $23.3 million campus will hopefully begin “yet this spring.”

Moors says that date could be moved up if the college can hit its $10 million goal in outside contributions. Moors says a $1.5 million donation was confirmed Friday from the William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation in Omaha.

The college plans to use $13.3 million from reserves and bonds, in addition to the $10 million in private funds in hopes to raise, to pay for the new addition.

Lincoln Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stabbing Husband

Posted on February 6, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 51-year-old Lincoln woman who stabbed her husband with a fillet knife as he napped has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Teresa Gillispie was sentenced Friday.

Gillispie tearfully asked for probation for the attack on her now ex-husband, who was her high school sweetheart and husband for 32 years.

Gillispie’s attorney said she had begun to experience serious mental health issues when she attacked her husband.

Prosecutors say Gillispie suspected her husband of cheating when she stabbed him as he slept on Jan. 25, 2015. He suffered six stab wounds to his chest, side, back and left forearm and thumb before he was able to escape and call 911.

Ronald D. “Ron” Empfield

Posted on February 6, 2016

Ronald D. “Ron” Empfield, age 70, of North Platte, passed away February 4, 2016 at Great Plains Health. He was born May 17, 1945 at Albany, CA to Donald M. and Betty J. (Brown) Empfield. Ron graduated from North Platte High School in 1963 and later was united in marriage to Deb Rogge on June 7, 1964 at North Platte. He began working in construction with his father and later owned and operated Empfield Construction for many years, retiring in 2013. He loved to golf, camp, and traveling to Arizona. Survivors include his son, Dave (Oksana) Empfield of North Platte, daughters, Rona Empfield of Elkhorn and Melissa (Seth) Denny of Minden, sister, A. Colleen (Bill) Milleson of North Platte, his significant other and friend, Peggy Hodges, nieces and nephews that include Josh, Kylie, and Kellie. Ron was preceded in death by his parents. Celebration of Ron’s life will be 10:30 am Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Bethel Church with Pastor Andy Pull officiating. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 pm Sunday and 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 pm Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the National Parkinson’s Foundation. Online condolences maybe shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Steve Paul “Roller” Nolda

Posted on February 6, 2016

Steve Paul “Roller” Nolda, 65, of North Platte, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 5, 2016 with his family by his side. Steve fought a long and courageous battle with Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. Steve was born March 14, 1951 on North Platte Ne to Lawrence and Ruth (Hiatt) Nolda. The Nolda family lived in several Nebraska communities, including North Platte, Gothenburg and Moorefield. Steve attended North Platte High School with the class of 1969.
Steve married Patty Little and to this marriage three children were born, Dodi, Kelli and Derek. In April of 1995, Steve married his best friend, fishing buddy and love, Vicki Halls.
Steve worked many jobs in his lifetime. He loved to tell the story that he would wash dishes at the original Cedar Bowl and then rode his bike to the KFC to cut up chicken for the next day. He also worked for the City of North Platte, UPRR, Western Eng. Hiatt Construction, Midwest Masonry and North Platte Public Schools.
Steve acquired the nickname “Roller” when he worked for Western. Steve had the pleasure of working beside his brother, Keith building the new high school and then being a custodian for the NPPS for 10 years. He went to whichever school he was needed at. His favorites were Cody, Lincoln and the High School, where he was often called Uncle Steve by all.
Steve loved to hunt ducks, geese but his biggest passion was fishing. There was not a time that he did not catch a fish when others were not. Steve also bowled for several years and on several leagues. He bowled in the Telegraph Tournament in 19 and was runner up. Steve also achieved the goal of bowling a 708 series before his bowling career ended. Another passion and hobby was watching Nascar with family and he was a Jeff Gordon fan. Steve was able to fill a lifetime dream of attending a Nascar Race in 2015 at Kansas Speedway. Steve was an avid golfer and loved his Tuesday golf outings. Thursday night pool league shooting for Brother’s 3 and being MVP more than 1 time and 1st place in the captain’s tourney.
Steve is survived by his wife, Vicki; daughters, Dodi, Kelli, Anna (Jon) Shultz; a son, Derek; sisters, Barbara (Robert) Burk, Deanna (Gary) McCarty and Kamren (Joe) Rosno; brothers, Don (Ana), Jim (Rhonda), Keith (Denise); granddaughter, Keilah True; grandson, Urijah; several nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sandra; brother, Larry; and in laws, James (Duke) and Ferne Halls.
Please wear your Camo or Fishing for a Cure shirt or casual attire.
Quote from Roller “I have shot my share of ducks and geese and I loved it.”
Online condolences may be share at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016 at First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Gary Goodwin officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Climate Change Study, Talk Push Nebraska to Make Action Plan

Posted on February 6, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — More than 300 leaders who gathered to discuss a 2014 climate survey of Nebraska have concluded that the state must be more proactive in developing an action plan to respond to changes in climate.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln climatologist Don Wilhite and climate change resource specialist Kim Morrow published a 55-page summary report of eight round table talks last fall to discuss the university’s study titled “Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska.”

The 350 leaders who gathered to discuss the study focused on what steps the university and state should take adapt to climate change in Nebraska.

Most notably, the group said Nebraska should begin drafting a plan to integrate outreach activities, research and teaching related to climate change across organizations.

DHHS: Progress Made with Nebraska Public Benefits Program

Posted on February 6, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state agency says it has improved how quickly it processes applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after it failed to meet federal standards last year.

The federal government reviewed a sample of applications and found that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services processed nearly 92 percent in a timely manner between April and September. That’s up from nearly 63 percent in early 2014.

The federal government informed the department in January 2015 that its processing rate needed to be at least 85 percent, accounting for margins of error. The most recent average processing rate nationally was nearly 90 percent.

The program is now ranked 27th nationally.

Courtney Phillips, the department’s CEO, says the department will continue to make improvements.