Stories from Wednesday, November 13, 2002

TRENTON -- Judge John Battershell sentenced the Palisade mother, convicted Oct. 2 of child abuse, to seven to 10 years in prison Tuesday morning, despite her tearful and outraged pleas to be reunited with her children. Battershell told Renae McDaniel that he and the jury believe she is responsible for the injuries to her then 1-year-old son, Johnathon, because she and Johnathon were, by her own admission, alone in the bedroom, behind a door she had locked from the inside. ...

According to the Nov. 11 Gazette, the state of Nebraska doesn't seem to care much about disabled people in rural areas who are willing to work. They can't travel to Omaha for jobs when they live in Southwest Nebraska. Curtailing services in the vocational rehabilitation offices in in O'Neill, McCook, Chadron ... is a huge step backwards. Please think about the welfare of these individuals...

Dear Editor, It's a shame that the only two undefeated teams in Class B are seeded in the same bracket in the playoffs for the State Championship. If McCook defeats Aurora and goes on to the finals, more power to them. It's obvious the eastern bias against teams from the west is still evident...

Dear Editor, With fall passing into winter, our souls feel the need to hunt, the primitive hunting and taking of meat to survive a cold winter. Today, the government has made hunting a rich man's sport at the expense of the farmers. Still, the poor can reach back with games to fill the need of the soul to hunt...

Dear Editor, Seventy-five years ago, forward thinking McCook leaders founded the McCook Junior College. Since that time, the college has weathered the Great Depression, World Wars, Droughts, and many world conflicts. The college still stands, a testament to the fortitude and hope of Southwest Nebraska...

Once again, the remote rural parts of the state are being sold down the drain in the name of "efficiency" and "economy." The latest case involves the Vocational Rehabilitation Services offices in McCook, Chadron and O'Neill. In effect, the state director of the program is telling us the offices are being shut down because the agency needs the staff members more in larger cities than it does in the outlying parts of the state...

The McCook Centralaires, a select choir of 5th and 6th graders were chosen, by audition, to perform for the State Music Educator's Convention and Clinic Friday, Nov. 22, in the Lincoln Holiday Inn Ballroom. Area residents are invited to a concert of the same program Monday, Nov. ...

The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery's 16th annual traveling exhibit will be displayed at the Museum of the High Plains in McCook Jan. 7 through Feb. 2. The subject of the exhibit is "Town and Country," focusing on the ways artists explore and interpret their surroundings...

The First Church of God, 1211 Norris Ave., McCook, will conduct a service of ordination for Pastor Darwin G. Scott, Friday at 7 p.m. A soup and sandwich fellowship will begin at 5:30 p.m., and continue following the service. The public is welcome to attend...

Charley Carter gets some help mowing the lawn -- and the leaves -- from his sons Jake (left) 4, and Josh, 2. The mowing men, who live on West First in McCook, were grooming their lawn Tuesday evening.

McCook Public Schools' board of education Tuesday afternoon approved a curriculum model that will develop curriculum and instructional planning based on student goals. Superintendent Don Marchant said during the board's regular board meeting that the ABC -- "Accountability-Based Curriculum" -- Model is based on the alignment of written, taught and tested curriculum. "We will see results," Dr. Marchant said...

"Choose to Care" is the theme for this year's United Way fund drive, which has a goal of $81,000 and continues through Dec. 15. The following agencies benefit from your United Way contribution: SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA ADULT BASIC EDUCATION The Southwest Nebraska Adult Basic Education Program is a program that provides assistance with a variety of basic education skills to students free of charge. ...

Santa's helpers, Bill Stewart, (from left) Bob McBride and Rex Morell are busy preparing for this year's Toy Box giveaway scheduled for Dec. 15. The non-profit organization will begin accepting new toys and used toys in good condition on Nov. 15. Clearly marked dumpsters will be set up at Wal-mart, First Central Bank, Charlie's, Buy and Save and Alco. Toys will also be collected at McCook National Bank, the Chamber of Commerce and the Toy Box collection facility at 113 East C Street...

I know there is no scriptural foundation for this, but I strongly suspect that Eve would not have been so easily tempted by the serpent if Adam hadn't been so vocal in his dinnertime criticisms. You can only hear "Not papaya and bananas again! Can't we ever have anything else?" without being driven to distraction and desperation when shopping in the garden...

Kenneth F. Hartman, 63, died Tuesday (Nov. 12, 2002) at his home in McCook. He was born July 29, 1939, to Loren Paul and Madeline May (Chesley) Hartman at Arnold. He grew up in Arnold and graduated from Arnold High School in 1957. He graduated from Kearney State Teachers College in 1965, with a masters degree in business and guidance counseling...