Stories from Friday, March 15, 2002

"AIR SERVICE AT RISK!" For the second time this year, the citizens of the western Nebraska communities of McCook and Alliance have seen those words emblazoned in headlines on the front page of the Midlands section of Nebraska's largest newspaper, The Omaha World-Herald...

ASHLAND -- Francis Poppinga, 84, died Monday (March 11, 2002) at his home in Ashland. He was born Dec. 28, 1917 to Frank Heit and Renska Johanna (Raveling) Poppinga at Hildreth. He was a mortuary assistant. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; and one daughter, Donna...

STRATTON -- Lois Marie Carlson, 91, died Wed. (March 13, 2002) at Community Hospital in McCook. She was born March 2, 1911, to Harry and Mertie (Baker) Bowman on her family's farm in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, near Palisade.  At an early age, she moved with her family to Trenton where she spent her childhood and attended school.  She graduated from Trenton High School in 1929 and taught at different country schools near Trenton...

HOLBROOK -- Vera I. Stevens, 72, died Sunday (Feb. 24, 2002) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. She was born Jan. 2, 1930, to Elmer and Nellie (Kidney) Hermle in Armour. On Sept. 18, 1948, she married Robert E. Stevens at Beatrice. The couple traveled throughout Kansas and Nebraska working in the construction field and eventually made their home in Silver Creek. ...

BEAVER CITY -- David Lee Horton, 69, died Wednesday (March 13, 2002) at his home in Beaver City. He was born Sept. 17, 1932, to Charles and Blanch (Williams) Horton in Quinn, S.D. He grew up and graduated in South Dakota. He served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict...

RANCHO BERNARDO, Calif. -- Elaine (Loar) Isley, 83, died Thursday (March 7, 2002). She was born in Atwood to Maude and Grover "Pop" Loar. At age six, the family moved to McCook and she attended East Ward elementary school. She graduated from McCook High School in 1937. ...

BOWIE, Texas -- Ronald A. Brush, 65, died Tuesday (March 12, 2002) in Bowie, Texas. He was born Nov. 23, 1936, in Curtis. On Dec. 20, 1958, he married Aurelia Garcia in Beeville, Texas. He was a truck driver and has made his home in Bowie for the past 30 years...

The alarm goes off and your hand slowly reaches for the snooze button. As the incessant beeping stops and your hand flops back down to the bed, you realize -- you're sick. The flu bug or some other viral relative crept up on you in the middle of the night and is camping out in your immune system. Your head hurts, your nose is stuffed up and the bathroom has suddenly moved six blocks away...

Dear Editor, Again it is time to put in place a new motorcycle helmet law. Riders over 21 years of age should have the option, the freedom of choice, to decide what is best for them. How far do you want the government to intrude into your life? What limits do you want on your personal freedoms? And at what point do you feel the government will cease knowing what is best for you?...

Dear Editor, The state budget problems are certainly critical -- perhaps unparalleled. Our unicameralist must somehow generate more revenue without increasing taxes. Possibly the only solution is this: Expand the lottery system. A "Gambling Awareness Month" is promoted by the public schools (after all, they stand to be "short-changed" if nothing is done), which would train students in the positive effects of the lottery for society...

OBERLIN -- Ida Naomi Robertson, 102, died Thursday (March 14, 2002) at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born Jan. 19, 1900, to John Henry and Ida May (Burtch) Edmonds in Smith County, Kan. She attended Cedar Valley Grade School and graduated from Kenningston High School...