Stories from Tuesday, August 13, 2002

McCook Public Schools' board of education approved a $1.46 million budget for the district's classified staff during a regular meeting Monday, over protests from principals that the figure does not include overtime pay. Board members also approved a contract for food service management and a salary schedule for substitute teachers, and nominated a missing board member for the position of Region 14 director of the Nebraska Association of School Boards. ...

A week ago, the Nebraska Legislature and Gov. Mike Johanns were miles apart on how to slash state spending enough to avoid a financial crisis. But, in an abrupt turnaround, that all changed Monday when the lawmakers gave overwhelming approval to the first parts of a compromise reached with Gov. Johanns...

COLUMBUS -- Doug and Carrie Samuelson of Columbus, announce the birth of their daughter, Aurora Lynn, on Tuesday (Aug. 6, 2002). She weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Grandparents are Doug and Joyce Samuelson of McCook, Kathy Samuelson of Lincoln and Randy and Betty Peterson of Columbus. Marguerite Samuelson of McCook is her great-grandmother...

EXETER, Mo. -- Lupe and Amy (Davidson) Hernandez of Exeter, Mo., announce the birth of their son, Sebastian Mejia on Thursday (Aug. 8, 2002). He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and has a two-year-old sister, Gabrialla Beth Ann. Grandparents are David and Terri (Kramer) Desrochers of Exeter and Gene Davidson of Savoy, Texas...

Brides and graduates of Southwest Nebraska can now hire a professional videographer to capture their special moments. Families can transfer their 8mm films to VHS and VHS to DVD to share memories with their future children. Studio recording and commercials can be done closer to home. And all of these services are offered in one spot, Divine Productions...

Residents of McCook need not be concerned over rumors of possible funding loss for the Dashabout Shuttle Service. In a telephone conversation this morning, Sen. Tom Baker said that any cuts in the state's transportation budget would affect the metro areas of Lincoln and Omaha...

Skip Gohl of Culbertson takes a hit in the demolition derby during the Hitchcock County fair Sunday afternoon. Thirteen cars competed for top honors, won by Shane Rippen of Culbertson. Randy Brown of Trenton came in second. Fair Board President Jim Lewis said this year's fair was "one of the best we've ever had." He continued, "The stock car races were great, and Hannah McNeil put on a super show," Lewis said. ...

State Conservationist Steve Chick saw some of the effects of the drought first hand last week during a visit to Southwest Nebraska. Harold Potthoff and his wife, Pam, state president of Women Involved in Farm Economics, were hosts for Chick's tour on Thursday...

Darcie Hayes of Bartley pampers her brother, Tyler, pulling him in a llama cart in what was possibly the best Old Settlers' Day in the celebration's 100-year history. Hundreds and hundreds of people converged on Indianola Friday and Saturday for an all-class reunion, parade, kiddie games and carnival in the park, craft fair, swim meet, ice cream social, lip sync contest and dance. ...

As a kid, did you enjoy falling asleep in the back seat of the family car, wearing your Superman pajamas and clutching a bag of popcorn? Do you have fond high-school memories of pulling over on a sidestreet, so you could sandwich four or five of your closest friends into the trunk of a Chevy Impala?...