NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln County District judge has ordered a man who killed six members of a western Nebraska family nearly 40 years ago to remain in a state psychiatric hospital.

Judge Donald Rowlands ruled Wednesday that Erwin Charles Simants 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 testified that Simants is no longer mentally ill and should be moved to a supervised home.

But the judge said Simants is still dangerous and would pose a threat to the public if released.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Chicago-based group will set up a Nativity scene inside the Nebraska Capitol this week, drawing criticism from those who say such displays amount to an unconstitutional endorsement by the state of a religion.

Capitol administrator Bob Ripley said the Thomas More Society applied and received permission to set up the display in the building’s rotunda.

The nonprofit’s president and chief attorney said in a news release the display in a state building represents constitutionally protected free speech and expression of religious faith by residents in a public forum.

State Sen. Ernie Chambers said he thinks the display pushes a particular religious view.

The Thomas More Society has provided legal counsel for placing Nativity scenes in public places in 21 states.

• Today A chance of freezing drizzle before 9am. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 33. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
• Tonight Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 14. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
• FridayMostly sunny, with a high near 37. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 15. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
• Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 5 to 7 mph.
• Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.
• Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

She’s spent her life caring for others, now Marge Kouba is getting the chance to enjoy some time to herself.

“I think I wrote down Dec. 23 as my retirement date,” said Kouba, nurse educator at Mid-Plains Community College. “But, because of Christmas break, my last day will actually beFriday.”

She has witnessed many advancements during her nearly 40 years in the nursing profession, but one thing remains unchanged.

“Basic nursing care is the same as when Florence Nightingale did it,” said Kouba. “We still hold patients hands, comfort them and do our best to make them better. It’s the use of computers, increased outpatient surgeries, shorter recovery times and the ability to make a diagnosis quickly that changed.”

The Kearney native knew when she was 12 years old that she wanted to be a nurse. Her inspiration was a cousin and mentor 10 years older than her who was in the nursing profession. Kouba thought her cousin had the best job in the world.

“I just liked the idea of working with people,” said Kouba. “When you can take care of someone and make a difference in his or her life both physically and emotionally – it doesn’t get better than that.”

Her cousin was an administrator at a rest home in Kearney. She got Kouba a job as a nurse’s aide at the facility when Kouba was just 14. Kouba became a nurse’s aide at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney her senior year of high school. She started taking college classes at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings in 1972 and graduated in 1975 as a registered nurse.

In the summer of 1975, her husband was transferred to North Platte for a railroading job. Major changes were happening within the medical community that year. Kouba started out at Memorial Hospital, but soon found herself in the middle of a move to a new building as Memorial and St. Mary’s Hospital were merged into Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

“It was an exciting time,” said Kouba. “Everything was new.”

She worked at GPRMC for four years then took a job at Adolescent and Child Care Specialists for another 21 years. The position at the pediatricians’ office was part-time, which allowed Kouba to be more available to her three children.

Her career took another turn in the summer of 1998. The nursing program at MPCC was in need of a part-time instructor who could oversee clinicals and help with lab work. The nursing program at that time could only accept 16 students, but demand for the course was high. Hiring a new instructor meant the college could take in 24 students. At the urging of a friend, Kouba contacted the college.

“I was given the job, but was told I would have to work on my master’s degree,” said Kouba. “I did that through Nebraska Wesleyan University. Initially, I thought I would try teaching just for a year to see if I liked it. I fell in love with it.”

Kouba said MPCC’s nursing program is different from those in big cities – primarily because there are more non-traditional students enrolled.

“I have had students my age ever since I’ve been part of the program,” said Kouba. “Many got married and started families before deciding to pursue a profession. Others are changing careers. They come from and are settled in surrounding rural towns. I think that’s great because those communities need good nurses, too, and that’s what we put out.”

Kouba helped move the nursing program from the north campus at North Platte Community College into a health and science center on the south campus. She was instrumental in the purchase of mannequin simulators for students to train on. Over the years, Kouba has also been involved in Sigma Theta Tau, the National League for Nursing and the Nebraska Nurses Association.

“The best part of my time at the college has been all the friendships made,” said Kouba. “I also love seeing the enthusiasm on new students’ faces. That excitement shows up again during the pinning ceremonies, keeping my excitement up for nursing as well.”

Now that she and her husband are both retirement age, they have decided to spend it doing things they never had a chance to before.

“We got a motor home, so we’re definitely going to travel,” said Kouba. “We also plan to spend more time with family, and I will probably do more crafting, sewing and quilting.”

A couple of new instructors will take over Kouba’s job responsibilities at MPCC. One started this semester, and the other will begin teaching after the first of the year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new legislative report says Nebraska’s public benefits hotline intended to help with benefits like food stamps and Medicaid needs to be overhauled.

The special committee charged with looking into to working of the ACCESSNebraska system found it to be lacking.

The system, implemented in 2008, has drawn complaints about long waits to talk to caseworkers and a high rate of busy signals.

The special investigative committee created this year confirmed what audits in recent years have found: That the system consistently fails to reach its service goals.

Jill Schreck, the Nebraska Health and Human Services deputy director for economic support, says the hotline is not a failure and that the report discounts “the really hard work” done to improve it.

A 52-year-old North Platte man is dead after he entered a home in Jefferson County, Colorado, and was shot by the homeowner.

According to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Garry Lieberth entered the home just west of Denver last Friday.

The man who lived at the house told authorities that he was sleeping that morning, when he was awoken by the sound of a dog barking in his yard.

He said as he came down the staircase, he observed a man, later identified as Lieberth, entering the home through the “doggie door.”

Authorities say the homeowner yelled at Lieberth, and told him to stop.

When Lieberth refused, the man ran to his bedroom and retrieved a firearm.

That is when Lieberth reportedly advanced up the staircase and confronted the owner.

A struggle then ensued, at which time the victim fired his weapon twice, striking Lieberth in the head and leg.

The victim then ran to a neighbor’s house and contacted law enforcement.

The Sheriff’s Office says Lieberth has family in the Denver area, but they are not sure why Lieberth picked that particular home, or entered the residence.

The homeowner told deputies he did not know Lieberth.  No charges will be filed.

“Based on the totality of the circumstances, and the victim’s right to defend himself in his home, the victim was not arrested and will not be charged with a crime,” the release said.

A drug screen will be completed to determine if Lieberth was under the influence of any substance.

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

12/15/2014 00:11:37 ALARM-BURGLARY CALL IN “400 E LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 00:19:21 DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE “E 12TH ST /N JEFFERS
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 00:34:39 SPEEDING “1100 W B ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 02:10:34 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “600 E B ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 03:03:23 GEN PARK & TRAFFIC “200 N MILLS AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 03:07:10 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1700 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 03:49:05 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 04:53:55 B.E.A.T. COMM POLICING “300 S Willow
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

12/15/2014 07:42:02 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “W 9TH ST /N MAPLE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 07:58:04 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LBF,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 08:18:30 MOTORIST ASSIST “2400 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 08:39:29 IMPROPER LN USAGE “W LEOTA ST /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 08:52:20 WELFARE CHECK “300 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 09:02:55 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1500 W 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 09:55:00 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “2500 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 10:06:12 THEFT OF SERVICES BY DECEPTION “800 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 10:10:17 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “2500 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 10:12:37 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION “1000 N WALNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 10:52:48 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “E FRANCIS ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 10:56:02 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “1300 E H ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 11:08:10 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “RODEO RD /N JESSIE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 11:22:35 THEFT OF SERVICES BY DECEPTION “700 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 11:31:52 OWN ACCIDENT REPORT “1800 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 12:21:43 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “W 4TH ST /N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 12:40:10 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “JEFFERS VIADUCT,
1 JEFFERS VIADUCT
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 12:59:10 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “200 EUGENE AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 13:39:16 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1500 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 13:55:48 LOST PROPERTY “500 N PACIFIC ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 13:58:41 PARKING OF BOATS AND TRAILERS “GILMAN AV / BIRCHWOOD RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:03:09 MOTORIST ASSIST “1600 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:10:08 H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED “900 E 11TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:12:15 DOMEST ASSAULT-MISD “2200 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:16:03 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION “1500 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:23:00 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “400 E FREMONT DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:25:00 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “200 W FREMONT DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 14:49:03 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 15:54:23 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “300 W 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 16:11:47 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1400 N JACKSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 16:41:47 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “W FRONT ST /N ASH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 16:53:04 CARE OF ANIMALS “1100 E 11TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 17:02:50 CITIZEN ASSIST “600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 18:00:41 CITIZEN ASSIST “400 N JEFFERSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 18:32:05 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1800 E 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 18:50:37 ABANDONED VEHICLE “600 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 19:57:19 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “I-80 /S Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 20:19:16 2ND DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASS “1000 W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 20:43:11 CHILD ABUSE-SIMPLE ASSAULT “300 N SHERIDAN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 21:50:25 NO PROOF OF OWNERSHIP “E PHILIP AV /S POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 22:27:33 OTHER DISTURBANCE “300 W 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 22:45:17 REGISTRATION REQUIRED “200 N BUFFALO BILL
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 23:01:35 DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION “N BUFFALO BILL AV /W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 23:07:54 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/15/2014 23:19:49 ALARM-GENERAL “1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 00:08:18 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “800 S Dewey
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 00:49:46 ILLEGAL TURN “6th ST / Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 02:37:45 SECURITY CHECK “1900 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 04:36:12 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 05:01:12 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “W PHILIP AV /S OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 06:09:19 ALARM-GENERAL “100 HALLIGAN DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 07:15:40 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 07:33:53 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “N ELM ST /W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 08:04:57 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “W 7TH ST /N ADAMS AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 08:27:31 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “W A ST /S BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 00:08:18 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “800 S Dewey
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 00:49:46 ILLEGAL TURN “6th ST / Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 02:37:45 SECURITY CHECK “1900 W A ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 04:36:12 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 05:01:12 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “W PHILIP AV /S OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 06:09:19 ALARM-GENERAL “100 HALLIGAN DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 06:45:43 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “600 N JEFFERSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 07:15:40 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 07:33:53 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “N ELM ST /W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 08:04:57 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “W 7TH ST /N ADAMS AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 08:05:14 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “W 7TH ST /N ADAMS AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 08:27:31 DEAD ANIMAL CALL “W A ST /S BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 09:04:08 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “1200 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 09:28:15 VIOL OF PROTECT ORD-DOM ABUSE “1400 E 12TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 09:34:48 WELFARE CHECK “800 S MEYER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NB 69101”

12/16/2014 09:45:51 LITTERING “500 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 10:29:20 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “3000 W 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 10:35:29 ALARM- CALLIN HOLDUP OR ROBBERY “100 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 09:15:00 FOUND PROPERTY “1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 11:14:01 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM BUILDING NO TRESPASS “1700 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 12:41:13 NO REGISTRATION “W 1ST ST /S OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 14:07:05 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER “700 W 2ND ST half
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 14:37:33 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 14:37:39 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 14:42:55 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “900 E 14TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 15:36:28 WELFARE CHECK “600 E FRANCIS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 15:39:51 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “1900 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 16:07:51 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “200 W FREMONT DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 16:48:27 REGISTRATION REQUIRED “300 W B ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 16:59:51 DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION “RODEO RD /N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 19:08:52 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL-GAS FROM SELF SERV STATION “2400 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 20:42:50 REGISTRATION REQUIRED “1700 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 21:17:18 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 21:59:22 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “W PHILIP AV /S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 22:16:28 LOST PROPERTY “NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 22:26:11 ALARM-GENERAL “800 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 22:40:35 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “1200 E 4th ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/16/2014 22:59:21 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/17/2014 00:10:00 OTHER DISTURBANCE “500 S CHESTNUT ST HALF
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/17/2014 01:19:15 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “W 5TH ST /N VINE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/17/2014 02:17:24 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “W 1ST ST /S CARR AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/17/2014 03:05:03 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/17/2014 06:47:00 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69103”

12/17/2014 07:51:07 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “W 2ND ST /N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

12/17/2014 07:58:43 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “1900 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is gearing up for reports of light snow in the forecast.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for areas south of Nebraska for Wednesday night through Thursday morning. The weather agency says accumulations across Nebraska are expected to be light, but snow and freezing drizzle could still make driving treacherous.

Heavier snow of up to 3 inches could be seen in parts of southern Nebraska around the Kansas border.

Some municipal crews are preparing for the snow. In Lincoln, city crews plan to apply anti-ice brine to all main streets starting at midnight.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Officials with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are looking for the person who shot and killed a female mountain lion south of Chadron in western Nebraska.

The agency says the wild cat was shot illegally and its carcass left in the Pine Ridge National Forest.

The agency says someone hunting in the area last week reported finding the mountain lion, which was estimated to be between a year and 2 years old. A news release from the agency says officials immediately opened an investigation and have collected evidence at the scene.

Investigators believe the animal was shot in either late November or early December.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to call Game and Parks or the Nebraska Wildlife Crime Stoppers at 1-800-742-7627.

GIBBON, Neb. (AP) — A judge has set a $3 million bond for a Grand Island man accused of fatally shooting a 34-year-old outside a meat-packing plant in south-central Nebraska.

Bond was set Tuesday afternoon for Angelo Bol, who is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm.

Law enforcement officials believe he targeted Karel Perez-Almaguer on Monday evening in the parking lot of Gibbon Packing. Bol previously worked at the plant, though it’s unknown how long he was employed there or what his duties were.

Judge Gerry Jorgensen appointed the Buffalo County Public Defender’s Office to represent Bol. A message seeking comment was left with the office Wednesday.

Bol’s next court appearance is scheduled in January.