BROKEN BOW, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have captured a prisoner who stole a court transport van when it stopped in Broken Bow.

Police Chief Steve Scott said the man was found in a field around 10:30 a.m. Monday, about seven miles south of the Custer County community. Scott identified the man as 28-year-old Richard Coons.

Scott says Coons was being driven from the state prisons department’s Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln to Valentine for a hearing when the van driver stopped at a fast-food restaurant and went inside. Scott says the driver apparently left the van running, which let Coons get into the driver’s seat and drive away. The van was found empty south of town.

Court records say Coons was scheduled for a preliminary hearing later Monday in Cherry County Court.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry has been awarded a $4 million, 10 year contract to help increase the number of dental graduates practicing in rural Nebraska.

The money comes from the state of Nebraska Oral Health Training and Services fund. Janet Guthmiller, dean of UNMC’s dentistry college, says the funding will focus on scholarships for rural graduates, an increase in patient services and use of technology to deliver virtual dental health services.

Through the contract, UNMC graduating dentists committing to practice in a designated shortage area in Nebraska for at least five years will be eligible to receive a scholarship. The scholarship will considerably lower, and in some cases eliminate, their dental college education debt.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing is planning several activities to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

What was called the University of Nebraska School for Nurses opened with 13 students on Oct. 16, 1917. Since then, the college has graduated more than 14,500 students.

The college said in a news release that it has 1,135 students enrolled in its five campuses. They are in Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha and Scottsbluff.

The theme for the yearlong celebration is “A Century of Academic Nursing Excellence: Transforming the Future.”

The North Platte Fire Department was called into action early on Saturday morning after a structure fire broke on the city’s north side.

According to Captain Jeff Hankla, fire crews responded to the fire at 821 North Curtis at around 7:30 a.m.  While Hankla was not on the scene, crews reported an active fire upon their arrival.

Witnesses report that there were two adults and two children in the home, but they were all able to escape safely.  Hankla said no injuries were sustained by firefighters either.  The structure appears to be a total loss.

Hankla says the fire was under control and all crews were back in the station by 9:00 a.m.

City Fire Marshal George Lewis is investigating the fire and has not yet determined a cause. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the family.

This is a developing story and will be updated when we have more information.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker says the state should fill a legal gap that allows convicted rapists custody or visitation rights to children conceived through sexual assault.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Sara Howard of Omaha, told a legislative committee on Friday the state’s law now protects children of minors whose rapists were adults. It does not apply to cases in which an adult was the victim.

Howard says a Norfolk woman who contacted her is forced to co-parent her child with the man convicted of sexually assaulting her.

Howard’s bill would allow victims to request to terminate their assailant’s parental rights. Supporters say the measure will help sexual assault survivors heal by allowing them to avoid their attackers.

The bill had no opposition.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of two inmates who escaped from a Lincoln prison has been given 50 to 80 more years behind bars.

Thirty-seven-year-old Armon Dixon pleaded no contest to escape and assault charges Thursday.

Dixon was already serving 80 to 140 years and 70 to 120 years sentences for crimes he committed in 2009, including two-first degree sexual assaults.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Eric Miller, agreed not to file any additional charges in connection to Dixon’s escape in exchange for the plea.

Miller says Dixon and 52-year-old inmate Timothy Clausen hid in the back of a laundry cart to escape last year.

Dixon was caught after assaulting two women in their apartment.

Clausen was caught in Omaha several days after his escape. He’s awaiting trial.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Trucking Association have started a safety project that will put state troopers into commercial trucks.

The association said in a Facebook posting Friday that the statewide Trooper in a Truck project is aimed at addressing unsafe driving in and around large commercial vehicles.

Patrol Lt. Kurt Von Minden says troopers will ride in the cabs and keep watch. When they spot violations such as following too closely or speeding, they will alert nearby troopers in marked patrol cars who will stop the violators for citations or warnings.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a convicted killer imprisoned for more than 40 years and two other ailing inmates have died in custody.

The Nebraska Correctional Services Department says 88-year-old Harold Nokes died Wednesday. He’s been serving two life sentences since 1974 for killing Edwin and Wilma Hoyt, of Culbertson, in 1973. He admitted killing them, cutting up their bodies and dumping the parts in Harry Strunk Lake near Cambridge.

Another convicted killer, 68-year-old Gary Pope, also died Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison for the 1979 slaying of Richard Rogers in Saunders County.

The department says 57-year-old Wayne Stark died early Monday morning. He’d been serving three to six years for fourth-offense driving under the influence.

The department says all three men were being treated for long-term ailments.

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