Stories from Monday, June 3, 2002

LINCOLN -- Governor Mike Johanns announced today that he signed a proclamation last Friday declaring a state of emergency in Nebraska with regard to the drought. The Governor also announced the next meeting of the drought management team and recapped federal assistance approved thus far for agriculture to help with drought conditions...

KEARNEY -- Leasa Marie McCallum and Dana Duwane Hlavinka were united in marriage on Dec. 29, 2001, at the Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney with Rev. Robert Neben officiating. Parents of the couple are Donald and Katherine McCallum of Lodgepole, David and Clara Mae Hlavinka of Orleans and Mary Ann Hlavinka of McCook...

Randy and Stacy Vontz of Indianola announce the birth of their daughter, Emily Lanay on Thursday (May 16, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces. She has two sisters, Lindsay, 15 and Danielle, 14 and a brother, Calvin, 11...

Darrell and Jennifer Chancellor of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Ann, on Friday (May 24, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and has a brother, Skyler. Grandparents are Gary and Carole Coates of Parks and Helen Chancellor of Nelson...

After soaring to new heights of success this past weekend, local golfers and storytellers area already asking themselves the eternal question faced by event planners: How can we top this? It will be tough to do. Both the John Mullen Pro-Am Health & Heritage Classic golf tournament and the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival were hits, bringing hundreds of people to town and generating nearly non-stop drama and excitement for participants...

Dear Editor: I am sickened by how much people bellyache about the races. Contrary to the popular notion, the races are not the only loud and dangerous activities that exist in McCook. For example: cars playing their radios full-blast with their bass so loud it vibrates the windows in my home, the electric scooters which sound exactly like the mini-sprints that race, semis using their jake brakes in town, vehicles flying down the side streets where many children live , and so on and so on. ...

Dear Friend, As a boy I read the story of the Dutch boy and his sister walking past a dike on their way to school. The boy noticed water coming through a hole in the dike so he told his sister to run for help while he plugged the hole with his finger. He recognized danger when he saw it...

People just don't get it. Leave your pets at home when its hot. Sunday, we observed a white poodle in a dark blue Suburban in the Wal Mart parking lot with two windows cracked a couple of inches while the owners were happily shopping. Someone cared enough to inform the police and that person shoul d be commended...

Talk about a red-hot weekend! This one is off the spectrum. Starting with the temperature -- which sky-rocketed to an all-time May high of 106 degrees on Friday -- this weekend is shaping up as scorcher in McCook and the Golden Plains. But it's not just the temperature that is heating up the plains. It's also a blazing weekend event-wise, with a full slate on the plate for this active-minded area...

Dear Editor, The directors of the South Platte United Chambers of Commerce at their monthly meeting, unanimously re-solved to support the Legislature's approach to the state's budget problems, and oppose any referendum to nullify the necessary tax increases of the recent legislative session. Citizens may be approached to sign petitions to "repeal the tax increase"; we believe it is important to consider a number of things before signing...

Dear Editor, We'd like to thank Nebraska Department of Roads District 7 for the new tubes and asphalt across the driveways at Garden Prairie Cemetery 16 miles north of McCook. The improved crossings are very much appreciated. The family of Mary Lashley...

Dear Editor, The week of June 3 through the 14 has been designated Nurse Assistants' Week. As administrator Hillcrest Nursing Home, I would like to invite you to assist me in commending the trained nursing assistants that serve McCook and Red Willow County...

LINCOLN -- Heather N. Michaelsen and Ryan Howard, both of Lincoln, were united in marriage on April 27, 2002, at the Southview Baptist Church in Lincoln with Rev. Matt Culbertson officiating. Parents of the couple are Rick and Betty Michaelsen of McCook and Joseph and Margaret Howard of Fremont...

Heather Jackson and Brent Berryman, both of Lincoln, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Ken and Cathie Hanes of McCook, Robert Jackson, Jr., of Waverly, Roger Berryman of Lincoln and Joan Rounds of Waverly. The bride-to-be is a certified nursing assistant and medical aide at Tabitha Health Care in Lincoln. ...

Marcy and Carol Shadley of Trenton, would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amber, to Bryan Rooney, the son of Brad and Kris Rooney of Trenton. Grandparents are Donna Guthrie of Indianola and the late Gus Guthrie, Shirley Rotter of Lincoln, Ben Rotter of Dallas, Texas, the late Glen Shadley, the late Jim and Joan Smith and Tam Rooney of Atwood and the late Lloyd Rooney. ...

Southwest Nebraska enjoyed a respite from triple-digit temperatures today, with highs predicted "only" for the mid-80s. Official highs of 106 on Friday, 107 on Saturday and 103 Sunday contributed to tinderbox conditions on top of the area's drought...

Tom Hearn displays his first-place prize for first place in John Mullen Pro-Am at Heritage Hills Golf Course this weekend. Hearn shot a 66 and a 68, for an eight-under 134 to win the tourney by three strokes. Complete coverage of the event is on page 10 today...

The McCook Police Department responded to 10 noise complaint calls Friday night in connection with the McCook Speedway races. The first call came at 7:53 p.m. and calls continued until 12:04 Saturday morning. Police Chief Ike Brown said the noise levels in close proximity to the fair grounds are in violation of city ordinance, but there are two noise ordinances which may be in conflict with one another...

Everything from featured storytellers to financing fell into place for a statewide radio broadcast Friday from McCook. The broadcast of Nebraska Public Radio's Live from the Mill Statewide from Sehnert's Bakery and Bieroc Cafe in McCook was done in part to increase awareness of the role Nebraska Educational Telecommuni-cations, according to Rod Bates, president of NET...

"That's all right, Mama, I can see it." Repeated variations of that statement punctuated Barbara McBride-Smith's story about her mother's button box and the memories it held. McBride-Smith offered those reassuring words to her mother after she apologized for not having a photograph of her and her uncle at her first birthday...

Water will once again be a major part of the agenda Monday night at the regular meeting of the McCook City Council. In response to a proposed moratorium on water well drilling by the Middle Republican Natural Re-sources District, the City Council is being asked to give direction to city staff on how to proceed...

Friday's high temperatures did not deter the competitors at the Horse Race Friday night at Heritage Hills Golf Course in McCook. Jason Thornburgh of Omaha took home first place honors with Troy Martin of Gardner, Kan., coming in second. The third place winner in the annual contest was Jeff McRay of Chickasha, Okla...

Reading to a standing-room-only crowd at the Bieroc Cafe on Friday morning, William Kloefkorn, Nebraska State Poet since 1982, began the live broadcast of "Live from the Mill Statewide" on Nebraska Public Radio with several poems from a collection due out later this month...

An inner tube attracted a crowd Wednesday at the McCook City Swimming pool, adjacent to Kelley Park. McCook broke the 100-degree record high Friday by at least 4 degrees, with moderating temperatures not expected at least until Monday.

Red Willow District Judge John Battershell has found guilty one of the five defendants accused of manufacturing the methamphetamine blamed for a flash fire that destroyed a rental house at 1307 East B in January. Jason C. Stone, 19, of McCook, pleaded no contest to charges reduced from Class III felony manufacture of or possession of with intent to deliver methamphetamine to Class IIIA felony attempted manufacture of meth. ...

The children of Ted and Gertie Kastens of Ludell, are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary June 8, 6:30-8 p.m.. at the Coulmbian Hall in Atwood. A dance for family and friends will follow at 8 p.m. Their children are Brenda Henry, Lynda Hurst,, Marsha Ehm and Krista Simminger. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Route 1 Box 28, Ludell, KS 67744...

Wilma Vaye Ginther, 85, of McCook, died Friday (May 31, 2002) at the Cambridge Hospital. She was born January 30, 1917, to Edward S. and Grace Esther (Shrock) Shaw at Cherryvale, Kan. She lived in Cherryvale where her father worked for the railroad until she was 11 years old and her family moved to Wilsonville...

OBERLIN -- Elton "Tony" R. Sebaugh, 83, died Saturday (June 1, 2002) at the Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. He was born April 30, 1919, to Edward and Pearl (Stapp) Sebaugh at Norcatur. He attended Blue Star School until the 8th Grade and graduated from Norcatur High School in 1937...

Homer C. Ruppert, 70, of rural McCook, Neb., died Thursday (May 30, 2002) on his farm in Frontier County doing his life's work. He was born July 20, 1931, to Jay and Doris (Meissner) Ruppert at Quick, Neb. He grew up working on the farm and attended school in Frontier County through the 8th grade. As a youth he accepted the Lord and continued serving him until his death...

It's once again time for a little hot fun in the summertime. The Doobie Brothers sing that "music is the doctor of my soul" and that is so often the case. Music brings people together like nothing else and there's going to be tons of great music and performances going on within driving distance of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas this summer. In today's column, you'll find all the great performers that will be in Lincoln, Omaha, Council Bluffs, Iowa and Bonner Springs, Kansas...

Twenty-three boys belonging to the Future Farmers of America went to Camp Hayes on Aug. 23, 1942, for a Sunday picnic. They went by way of Culbertson to visit another attraction ... Kugler's Wild Animal Zoo. For you newcomers or those too young to remember, there used to be a rather substantial zoo at the top of the hill on the highway through Culbertson. ...

Marjorie Vant, 100, died Thursday (May 30, 2002) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Sept. 3, 1901, to John and Barbara (Chairs) Lutin in Sterling, Colo. She attended public schools in Sterling and two years at business school in Sterling...