Due to extreme cold temperatures forecasted for this evening, Saturday, Dec. 17, Nebraska Game and Parks officials have cancelled the Christmas at the Cody’s event for this evening only.

The event will take place as scheduled tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 18 and Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Every year many organizations in North Platte graciously decorate the SHP for Christmas and local artists and musicians provide entertainment in the piano room as guests tour the mansion. Take the chill away with hot cider, Christmas cookies and roasted chestnuts available in the old storehouse outside the mansion.

Horse-drawn rides are given every evening, taking folks around the grounds of the SHP to see all the lights as carolers sing favorite yule tides. Santa will be taking Christmas wishes in the Scout’s Rest Ranch Barn along with crafts, games and other activities for the entire family and friends to enjoy. A Military Appreciation Tree can be adorned with a special service-member’s name written on an ornament.

Admission is $5 per person, kids 3 and under are free.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Humane Society is urging pet owners to bring their animals inside during the current bitter cold weather.

With single-digit temperatures and wind chills below zero expected over the next several days in eastern Nebraska, the Humane Society says the best option will likely be bringing pets inside.

If pets must be outside, they should have a warm, insulated kennel with bedding — such as straw — that won’t stay wet.

An Omaha woman was ticketed for animal cruelty on Tuesday after leaving two Chihuahuas outside on tethers in the backyard. One of the dogs died from hypothermia.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Chicago-based group is once again planning to set up a Nativity scene inside the Nebraska Capitol, a move that has drawn criticism in the past from those who say it’s a state endorsement of a religion.

The Thomas More Society will gather in front of the display at noon Monday for the third time in as many years. The group has applied for and received permission to set up the display in the center of the Capitol, on the ground floor.

Nebraska Capitol administrators have said the building is public and open to citizens of all faiths. Last year, administrators allowed a display by atheist groups.

Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society’s president and chief counsel, says the display represents constitutionally protected free speech by a private group.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A community service officer with the Kearney Police Department is planning to sit on Walmart rooftop this weekend until he raises at least $6,000 for the Nebraska Special Olympics.

35-year-old Seth VanHorn will live on the store’s roof starting at 3 p.m. Friday. VanHorn is raising money through the Cop on Top program. He has already raised $2,250 toward his goal.

Forecasters say there’s a 40 percent chance of snow before 1 p.m. on Saturday, with a north win of 20-25 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph.

Last year, VanHorn raised $7,821 in 26 hours. In the last seven years, he has raised more than $47,000 for the Nebraska Special Olympics.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska’s unemployment rate rose to 3.4 percent in November, up a tenth of a point from the previous month.

The Nebraska Department of Labor said Friday that the preliminary rate was well below the preliminary national rate of 4.6 percent. The national rate dropped three-tenths of a point from October’s 4.9 percent.

The U.S. Labor Department says New Hampshire and South Dakota had the nation’s lowest unemployment rates, with each at 2.7 percent. Nebraska’s November rate came in ninth, behind Massachusetts, North Dakota, Hawaii, Utah, Colorado and Vermont.

Nebraska Labor Commissioner John Albin says that while the state’s rate rose in November, strong growth was seen in the state’s nonfarm employment sector.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s corrections director has renewed his department’s license to obtain foreign-made drugs, including those used in lethal injections.

Records show the Director Scott Frakes was issued a new license by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Nov. 21. Voters reinstated the death penalty earlier in the month after lawmakers abolished the punishment in May 2015.

The Department of Correctional Services has proposed to change the state’s current protocol with a new process that would allow drug suppliers to remain confidential. A public hearing on the proposal is set for Dec. 30 in Lincoln.

A spokeswoman says the department hasn’t attempted to import lethal injection drugs since executions were put on hold last year, and has no immediate plans to do so.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A resident of a home on the property where a body was found earlier this week is being questioned by investigators about the death.

The person, who has not been named, was arrested Monday on drug charges. That came after officials say drugs were found in the home during the investigation into 37-year-old Jose Hernandez’s death.

Hernandez’s body was found Monday under palettes and fencing on the property about 2½ miles north of Lexington. Preliminary autopsy results show he died of blunt-force trauma and asphyxiation.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A judge has again ordered a man who killed six members of a western Nebraska family more than 40 years ago to remain in state care.

Judge Donald Rowlands ruled Thursday at the annual competency hearing of Erwin Charles Simants that Simants is still mentally ill and a danger to the public. He will stay in the Lincoln Regional Center, where he’s been since being found not guilty of the killings by reason of insanity in 1979.

Prosecutors say Simants shot and killed Henry and Audrey Kellie, their son David and three of their grandchildren in 1975 at the Kellies’ Sutherland home.

Doctors have previously testified that Simants is no longer mentally ill.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office investigated a single vehicle fatal traffic crash which occurred just south of the intersection of Coal Chute Rd on Hwy 10. The crash was reported at approximately 2:36 AM on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.  This location is approximately 6 miles east of Kearney, NE.

According to a preliminary investigation, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup was traveling northbound on Hwy 10 from the Minden I-80 Interchange.

Prior to approaching the intersection of Coal Chute Rd, the pickup traveled off the roadway, into the west ditch, and rolled.  The driver, 23-year-old Tristin A. Sack, of Kearney, was ejected from the vehicle.

Law enforcement and an area resident performed CPR on the driver at the scene.  The driver was transported from the scene to CHI GSH where she later died.

A portion of Hwy 10 south of the intersection of Coal Chute Rd was closed during the accident investigation which was conducted by the Kearney / Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation Team.

There were no other occupants in the vehicle.  The Buffalo County Attorney’s Office has ordered an autopsy.

Assisting deputies were members of the Kearney Police Department, Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Paramedic from CHI GSH, Nebraska State Patrol, Buffalo County Attorney’s Office, and Buffalo County Chaplain Corp.

The investigation is continuing.

The winners have been named in the 2016 Yuletide Yards contest hosted by KELN Radio/North Platte Post and Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful.  A total of 42 nominations were received.  Community judges ranked the holiday displays based on curb appeal, balance, theme and maintenance.  The winners will receive $50 that will be donated to a charity of their choice.  A Winners Reception will be held Tuesday, December 20^th at the Quality Inn and Suites at 6:00 PM.

2016 Yuletide Yard Winners

Ward 1

1. 914 East 5^th Street – Amanda and Larry Marquette

Charity – Trap, Spay/Neuter, Release – North Platte

2. 909 East 4^th Street – Bill Kelsey
3. 1301 East H Street – Chawna and Orlan Treat

Ward 2

1. 1402 Lee Court – Donald Lieske

Charity – Bridge of Hope

2. 2920 Sunset Drive
3. 1918 Cedarberry Rd. – Gordon and Kathy Reifschneider
4. 2320 Birchwood

Ward 3

1. 420 South Maple – Alex and Charity Hansen

Charity – Deborah’s Legacy

2. 2904 West 6^th Street
3. 710 West 6^th

Ward 4

1. 521 West 10^th – Christopher and Rachel Ortiz

Charity – Autism Nebraska Society

2. 6692 W Hwy 30 – Teak Colson
3. 917 East 8^th Street – Jeff Dowhower

County

1. 2802 Pearson Road – Keith and Karen Faler

Charity – Pawsitive Partners Humane Society

2. 68 East North River Road –Ron Ostendorf
3. 801 Tomahawk Drive