Stories from Thursday, March 13, 2003

While there was some good news out of Lincoln, this morning, most of the subjects discussed in today's legislative call centered around the state's failing economy. State Sen. Tom Baker told a group of seven McCook Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee members support is growing for placing the McCook Work Ethic Camp back in the state's budget, but, he said, that means additional cuts elsewhere, most likely in state aid for K-12 schools...

Dear Republican Valley and Twin Valley Patrons, The purpose of this letter is simple, to ask each and every voter of these two school districts how the present state of the nation, state, and area's economy will impact the livelihood of combining these two districts? The answer can be simply justified within reason when looking at a Microeconomic and Macroeconomic standpoint. ...

Dear Editor, In my opinion, the Twin Valley and Republican Valley bond vote will be making a choice of whether you want more than one junior-senior high school in Red Willow County. It is so sad to see people get so upset at the informational meetings. I can understand why the people on the west side of Republican Valley do not want to pay for a school in Bartley and possibly some of those in the Wilsonville area...

With pastures and cropland bleached by drought, it is difficult for Kansas and Nebraska farmers and rural townspeople to be positive about agricultural prospects for 2003. It's especially tough for those in the Golden Plains of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, where dry conditions pushed farm income down by 20 to 25 percent in 2002...

If you were to sum up the philosophy Charlotte Lee holds for community colleges, it is "thinking outside the box." Lee, who holds a doctorate of philosophy in higher and adult education with an emphasis in community college administration and adult-continuing education, told a group of about 10 area residents, one thing she would like to do if she is chosen as the new president of Mid Plains Community College area is to look at the unmet needs in the 18 counties served by Mid Plains...

A part of University of Nebraska's longstanding policy to seek a first hand look at issues facing citizens across the university's "500-mile-campus," UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman plans a visit to McCook next week. Perlman said he encourages community members to attend the public "Forum on the Future" session scheduled Wednesday in at the community building at the Red Willow County fairgrounds, 6:30 - 8 p.m...

Ivana Thomé of Brazil is painting a mural depicting the Republican River in the basement of First Central Bank in McCook. The artist came to this area to visit people she had met here over 20 years-ago when she was here for a painting workshop. Gloria Mefford of First Central Bank said that they wanted Thomé to help bring the outside in and represent the area that the bank serves. ...

Mildred Isobel Smith Frick, 88, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Community Hospital in McCook. She was born March 25, 1914, to Sam and Lucy Belle (Weekly) Adkins at Oxford. In childhood she moved to a farm near Trenton where she attended District No. 75 grade school. She graduated from Culbertson High School in 1931...

Stanley Gene Webster, 72, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Community Hospital in McCook. He was born Nov. 12, 1930, at Brush, Colo., to Frank and Lydia (Freehling) Webster. He graduated from McCook High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1954. He graduated from McCook Community College in 1956, and Kearney State Teachers College in 1959...

PLAINFIELD, Ill. -- Virgil A. Miller, 72, died Tuesday (Feb. 18, 2003) at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Ill. He was born June 24, 1930, in Omaha and was reared and educated in McCook, graduating with the McCook High School Class of 1948. He went on to attend the University of Nebraska, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Jane "Ernst" Smith, 88, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, Calif. She was born April 18, 1914, in Aurora, to Gale and Grace (Merrill) Ernst. She grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1932. ...

Mildred Arline Stitt, 79, formerly of Benkelman, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Community Hospital in McCook. She was born Nov. 27, 1923, to George and Lelia (West) Morrison at Parks. She graduated from McDonald High School in McDonald, and began her lifelong career of being a beautician and hairstylist when she started working in a beauty salon in Benkelman...

Some people call it "making excuses," others call it "stretching the truth," while still others call it like it is -- an outright lie. Whatever the case, the discussion began going around the newsroom the other day about the best way to convince someone you're going to do something that you have absolutely no intention of doing...

PALISADE -- Zella Izetta Kerchal, 91, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Community Hospital of McCook. She and her twin sister, Zora, were born July 18, 1911, to Martin and Bertha (Ruettimann) Price in their country home northeast of Palisade. After graduating from Palisade High School in 1929 and McCook Junior College in 1931, she began a teaching career that spanned over 30 years...