Stories from Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Red Willow County District Judge John Battershell ruled Thursday in favor of Red Willow County's zoning board of adjustment in a lawsuit filed by a Danbury-area farmer-rancher who objected to two large-scale hog confinement units built in the fall of 2001 near his home southeast of McCook...

Dear Friend, How could something so obvious be so misunderstood? The Christmas carol, Joy To The World, written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was written in anticipation and with a view of Christ's second advent (coming). "Let earth receive her King" means when Christ Jesus (the God-man) comes back to planet earth, He will be king over all the earth, He will rule the nations with a rod of iron (with power and great authority). ...

Teachers and students, take a bow! You're doing exceedingly well in the classroom, and we, as parents and community members, are extremely proud. The latest proof of your academic excellence comes from the 2001-2002 Nebraska math standards test. In that demanding test, more than 70 percent of the state's fourth, eighth and 11th graders met or exceeded the standards established by the Nebraska Department of Education...

The McCook Fine Art center is displaying new artwork by former Nebraskan, Angela Orman-Hansen. She was born in Nome, Alaska in 1976 and lived there until she was nine. She moved with her parents and sister to Nebraska. According to her biography, she has always enjoyed art...

This oil on canvas, called "Summer's Bounty (As Ye Sow)," by Dale Nichols, will be on display at the Museum of the High Plains in McCook Jan. 7 through Feb. 2. The painting is part of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery's annual traveling exhibit, this collection called "Town and Country." The exhibit in McCook is sponsored by the McCook Arts Council. ...

The Art Deco front is about all that remains of the pool that existed when I grew up in McCook. It had two small (non-Olympic size) pools and a smaller wading pool. I clearly remember the first time I jumped off the 500 foot tower, who I was with and what time of day it was...

'Tis the season of miracles and magic; of food and the table, presents under the tree, brightly colored lights in yards and windows; of snowy days and silent nights...and music in the air. How can one better celebrate the art of music than by attending a concert of the McCook Community Chorus? But when they include in their program the Centralaires and the Master Ringers Handbell Choir, it becomes an event not to be missed. ...

McCook Public Schools board of education members listened to a report on safety issues at the district's attendance centers during a regular meeting late Tuesday afternoon. Board members also heard an update on the reorganization plan that will take effect next fall...

CURTIS -- Assistant Attorney General Dave Cookson said in Curtis on Tuesday afternoon that parties involved in the Kansas vs. Nebraska Republican River lawsuit "continue to make progress." Kansas sued Nebraska in May 1998, claiming Nebraska uses more than its allocation of virgin water in the Republican River valley...

Red Willow County Commissioners voted unanimously to purchase a used dirt scraper to replace an older one in need of major repairs. Nebraska Machinery submitted the winning bid, $36,000 for a 1979 Caterpillar 613B, which will replace a 1974 International Harvester model which needs at least $10,000 in repairs -- if repairs are possible...

Mercedes Boyda, the 15-month-old daughter of McCook Community College student Denise Boyda, grabbed a basketball during halftime of the MCC-Dodge City girls' game Tuesday evening. The MCC women lost, 54-48, and will meet up with Colby Saturday, at 7 p.m., in the True Hall gym...

McCook Public Schools' eighth and 11th graders scored far above the state average in the 2001-2002 Nebraska math standards test administered earlier in the school year. The schools' "report card" shows, however, McCook's fourth graders' scores are slightly below state averages...

Shhh. I don't believe in Santa Claus. I can't remember a time when I did. Make no mistake about it, Santa visited us every Christmas Eve. I know this because new presents would be under the tree when we woke up on Christmas morning. However, Santa used exactly the same wrapping paper as Mom and Dad -- and his handwriting was suspiciously similar to Mom's...

HAYES CENTER -- Hershel R. Evans died Monday (Dec. 9, 2002) at Community Hospital in McCook. He was 79 years old, one day short of his 80th birthday. He was born Dec. 10, 1922, in rural Hayes County, to Hershel R. and Edith Vivian (Green) Evans. He graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1940...

ATWOOD -- Clark R. Macfee, 90, died Friday (Dec. 6, 2002) at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. He was born April 3, 1912, to Milburn Arnold and Viola Martha (Thomas) Macfee in Decatur County near Oberlin. He was a graduate of Atwood Community High School in 1932. He had been a resident of Atwood since 1916...

ARAPAHOE -- Harley H. Einspahr Sr., 94, died Tuesday (Dec. 10, 2002) at the Tri-County Area Hospital in Lexington. He was born June 20, 1908, at Kenesaw, to Bernhardt C. and Emma (Plambeck) Einspahr. He was raised in Kenesaw where he attended school. After school, he worked various jobs as a farm hand and mechanic in Nebraska and Colorado...