Stories from Thursday, May 29, 2003

OGALLALA -- A strong pitching performance by Quinton Pohl was undermined by base-running mistakes and untimely errors Wednesday night at Ogallala. The McCook National Bank Seniors lost an 8-6 decision to Ogallala. Pohl pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowed seven runs (five earned) on five hits including a triple, struck out four and walked six...

EDGAR -- Glen Alan Lytle, 40, of Edgar, formerly of McCook, died Sunday (May 25, 2003) at Lovewell Reservoir near Mankato, Kan. He was born June 10, 1962, at McCook, to Glen W. (Bud) and Julia M. (Harsch) Lytle. He graduated from Republican Valley High School in 1979. He was baptized and confirmed in St. John's Lutheran Church of Ash Creek, rural McCook...

Florence Howard, 86, died Sunday (May 25, 2003) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born May 23, 1917, in Red Willow County, to Raymond Daniel and Cora (Maisel) Quigley. She graduated from Indianola High School in 1935. On Dec. 21, 1938, she married Alvin M. Howard. They made their home on a farm near Indianola. She was a homemaker and helped raise their three children...

Dear Editor, As the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) has been a partnership effort between the Department of Correctional Services and the Nebraska Probation Administration, I have had the opportunity to not only supervise Probation's staff at WEC, but to work with the Superintendent, Raleigh Haas, and his staff...

This past week, the citizens of Southwest Nebraska had a chance to get reacquainted with Dave Heineman, a former resident of this area who is now serving as the state's lieutenant governor. Heineman was in McCook for the open house at the Work Ethic Camp. As it turned out, he was here on a triumphant occasion as work camp supporters had just learned that the camp had received legislative budget approval for the next two years...

The other day Brad and I spent a couple of hours discussing everything from fishing to politics, to male-female relationships with a good friend of ours. I saw Rod at a local gas station a few days ago and he told me he was running a few errands before going home for the day. I explained that I usually waited until Brad had the car to get gas...

The family of June Spickelmier is hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday June 2. Her husband is Harvey Spickelmier and her children are Russ Spickelmier of Culbertson, Carol and husband, Rudy Alloway of Phillips, Merle Spickelmier of Hemingford, Norma Rogers of McCook and Dennis Spickelmier and wife, Jules of Lincoln. She has 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Route 1 Box 39, Culbertson, NE 69024...

West Ward students learned their heads are like muskmelons -- they'll crack open and their brains may leak out if they're not protected. Maiden Insurance of McCook sponsored its annual "Bike Rodeos" at McCook school recently, teaching youngsters the importance of wearing helmets when they ride their bikes...

NORTH PLATTE -- Under a re-organizational plan for Mid- Plains Community College, Dr. Richard Tubbs, vice president of McCook Community College will have additional duties and titles and an increase in salary. The Mid Plains Board Community College Board of Governors approved a reorganization plan presented by newly appointed President Dr. Michael Chipps at its regular meeting Wednesday night in North Platte...

With dozens of RVs and campers in the background, 28 motocross riders take off from the starting gate Sunday at the Southwest Nebraska Motocross. More than 400 motocross riders, mostly from Colorado but from far away as South Dakota, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Kansas and across Nebraska, competed on Sunday at the track south of McCook, with another 200-plus on Saturday and Monday. Along with an abundance of RVs and trailer, brooms and umbrellas were a common site at the new 40-bike starting gate...

The Larry Samway 33rd Annual Memorial Fishing Derby will be this weekend at Hugh Butler Lake, north of McCook. Registration begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the north boat dock. Registration fees are $10 for adults (including one child) and fees for children 15 and under are $2...

Yard sale enthusiasts will find a "Trail of Treasures" stretching 46 miles -- from Wellfleet to Eustis -- Saturday, June 7. Participating residences in Wellfleet, Maywood, Curtis, Moorefield, Farnam and Eustis will be marked with balloons and identified on an official map...

Who would have thought a screw, a lever, a wheel and axle, a pulley, a wedge and an inclined plane could soak the coach? The same simple machines in a different combination can kick a football through the goal posts. They can also test acids and bases and cut green beans if they're used to create "Rube Goldberg Devices" for the annual Rube Goldberg contraption competition at McCook Junior High...

Local Cornhusker State Games officials have announced that Marv Metzger will be the 2003 Celebrity Torch runner when the Cornhusker State Games Torch Run comes to McCook on June 3. Metzger will join the McCook High School Cross Country team in bringing the torch to Norris Park for the Gold Medal Talent Search...

With only one day left of the legislative session, State Sen. Tom Baker is beginning to look at next year's issues. Legislative committee chairmen will be spending much of their recess looking at the possibility of restructuring the state's governmental agencies, Baker said. Committee chairs are meeting with Speaker Curt Bromm this afternoon to plan the study groups which will examine not only state, but also city and county governments and schools...