Stories from Friday, July 19, 2002

ARAPAHOE -- The 4-H Talent Contest was held at the Ella Missing Community Center in Arapahoe with 12 entries, according to Carol Anderson, Extension Assistant. Judges for the event July 11 were Joyce Wunibald, Alma and Linda Grabenstein, Eustis. Committee members assisting were Pat and Ashley Rice of Wilsonville...

Dear Editor, I have been reading, with much interest, the columns in this newspaper, for a long time now, and decided to take my turn to add my two cents worth. I was born and raised in McCook, along with my brothers, sister and many more relatives. I have read with great interest, many articles. Some I enjoyed very much and some others made me think. Some just made me very upset...

Travel has always been an important part of Nebraska's landscape, from Native American tribes following the buffalo herds, to Spanish explorers and trappers. From Mormon immigrants to '49er gold prospectors to the great migration memorialized in Kearney's Great Platte River Road Archway Monument...

Are you concerned about the economic future of the region? If you live or work in Furnas or Harlan County and answered yes to this question, plan to attend the Furnas -- Harlan Partnership Economic Development Forum on Tuesday, August 13th from 7-9:00 p.m. at the Southern Valley School...

With a ferris wheel as a beacon, Jason Friesen of Sutton roars around Turn 1 during Red Willow County fair races at McCook Speedway Thursday. Friesen won first place in the A feature of the late model competition. Evening activities at the fair continue today with a country music showdown at 6:30 p.m. ...

Members of the Red Willow County planning commission decided they will recommend to commissioners that the contract with the county's zoning consultant not be renewed. Other topics on the agenda July 11 included financial responsibility, bonding and soil sampling...

McCook balloonist John Kugler (left) shakes hands with Tim Cole of Greeley, Colo., designer and builder of the capsule (back) which carried aviator Steve Fossett into aviation history with his recent around-the-world solo balloon flight, the first in history. ...

STRATTON -- After three years of drought, Stratton is among a number of Nebraska communities which could run out of water within a month. Inadequate water supplies forced the community to institute water restrictions immediately this summer, but the move may not be enough...

INDIANOLA -- Owners of the Indianola restaurant that creates the icon Rocket Inn pizza have turned over responsibilities to new managers. Carol Blackman and Dave Fjelseth of Indianola turned over management of the Rocket to Ali Sevier and Scott Kacsh of Evergreen, Colo., in June. Ali and Scott, who are engaged, plan to keep "pizza nights" the same -- Wednesday, Friday and Saturday -- and will add new features...

Marine Corporal Jeff Tidyman (from left), member the Corps Infantry Reserve Unit in Des Moines, Iowa, presents his employers David Wilson and Greg Wolford owners of W Design, for their outstanding efforts in making sure their employees are available for training and for service to their country from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. National Guard Staff Sergeant Dave McConnell (right) was also a part of the presentation...

CHAMPION -- In keeping with the theme "Christmas in July" the Chase County Museum exhibit Sunday will feature more than 30 nativity scenes owned by collector Judy Evers of Wauneta. Evers has collected sets for more then 30 years, with the first coming from the J.C. Penney store. Included in the exhibit are Lenox and Gorham sets...

Jessica Hall checks Jeremiah Herron for a pulse during an inservice training session for certified lifeguards at the Ed Thomas YMCA Tuesday afternoon. Anna Sis, instructor and Amy Wheelbarger look on and offer words of encouragement. Certified lifeguard training is offered during Christmas break and in the spring months, providing lifeguards for area towns, the YMCA swimming program and the McCook City pool. ...

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Dorothy J. (Harder) O'Brien, 75, died July 7, 2002, at her home in Long Beach, Calif. She was born June 2, 1927, to George and Emma Harder in Lafayette, Colo. The family lived in Oxford and Benkelman, where she graduated from high school...

TRENTON -- Eugene Owens, 70, died Wednesday (July 17, 2002) at his home in Trenton. He was born Jan. 16, 1932, to Melvin and Dortha (Davis) Owens in Hitchcock County. He grew up in Trenton and attended Trenton High School. He worked construction on the Trenton Dam until the late 1950s. He then began working in the oil fields in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. He retired in 1980. Following his retirement he opened up taverns in Stratton and Trenton...

We hear it all the time. "Why don't you put some good news in the paper? There's never any good news in the paper. All you put in the paper is bad news." I realize there's a lot of negative things on the wire recently -- the Ted Williams mess, the Allen Iverson mess in Philly, another impending work stoppage in Major League Baseball, corporate scandals, etc. etc...

Most women do not choose to raise their children as single mothers, but it sometimes happens -- and, unfortunately, sometimes permanently. In my case, life as a single mother lasted for five weeks -- me and our four children, all by ourselves. Being without your husband for even a short time changes your perspective on everything from dinner preparation, to bedtime routines, and even to reptiles...

LONGMONT, Colo. -- Roland B. Conlin, 96, died Tuesday ( July 9, 2002) at Peaks Care Center in Longmont, Colo. He was born Nov. 26, 1905, to Bert and Ellen (Hanlon) Conlin in Auburn. On Aug. 27, 1930, he married Gretta Carmichael at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. The family farmed in the Indianola and Cambridge areas for many years before moving to Colorado. They returned to live in McCook and Western Nebraska. He moved back to Colorado following the death of his wife...