Stories from Thursday, April 14, 2005

HOLDREGE -- The McCook High School varsity girls tennis team lost a close dual at Holdrege Tuesday, five matches to four. The Bison competed at the Lexington Invite Thursday. Varsity singles 1 Kim Serbousek lost to Marcelle Strydom, 8-5 2 Tausha Escher def Olivia McInturf, 8-4...

Dec. 16, 1925-April 13, 2005 OBERLIN -- Florence Berneice Fisher, 79, died Wednesday (April 13, 2005) at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. She was born Dec. 16, 1925, in Trenton to Arthur and Lena (Hiatt) McDowell. She graduated from Trenton High School in 1944...

Dec. 26, 1932-March 15, 2005 OMAHA -- Patsy Sharlene (Baker) Matthews, 72, died March 15, 2005, in Omaha. She was born Dec. 26, 1932, to James and Evelyn (Palmer) Baker in Stratton. She grew up in Stratton and graduated from high school in 1950. In 1951, she move to Shenandoah, Iowa, where she worked at Sidles Auto Parts as a bookkeeper...

LINCOLN -- Brian and Jordan Cochran of Lincoln announce the birth of their son, Huston Wayne Cochran, on March 14, 2005, in Lincoln. He was 6 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long. He has an older brother, Hunter, 6. Grandparents are Steve and Mary Kay Cochran of McCook and Rex and Shari Peterson of Kearney. ...

Theron and Lindsay Jarecke announce the birth of their daughter, Rachel Ann, on Feb. 18, 2005. She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. She has an older sister, Ellie, 3. Grandparents are Cliff and Mary Jo Jarecke of Kearney and Rod and Deb Spencer of Culbertson. Great-grandparents are Ed and Evelyn Jarecke of Clarks, Delphine Spencer of Culbertson, Kenneth and Stannis Spencer of McCook and Leo and Betty Rousselle of Culbertson...

Devlin and Lori Reece of McCook announce the birth of their son, Keagan Joseph Reece, Feb. 21, 2005, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He weighed 3 pounds and 10 ounces and 16 inches long. His siblings include his sister, Allison and his twin brother, the late Joshua Kade Reece. Grandparents are Don and Linda Reece of Chadron, Cathy Garber of Alliance and Bob and Margaret Olson of Hemingford...

The family of Art and Willamae Hawkinson of Grove, Okla., is hosting a cards shower in honor of their 50th anniversary April 17. The couple married in Culbertson in 1955. The couple is formerly of Stratton. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1330 Pathways Rd., Grove, OK 74344...

Sen. Tom Baker covered a variety of issues ranging from the proposed repeal of Nebraska's motorcycle helmet law to the proposed bill that would regulate the sale of psuedoephedrine during his Thursday morning conference call. Baker told 10 members of the McCook Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee the state's regulations on the use of motorcycle helmets doesn't appear to be doing enough to protect motorcycle operators...

Kathlyn Hauxwell (left), Von Fritsche and Jayden Hueftle pedal and puff around the "track," during a trike- and bike-a-thon at the Peace Lutheran Creative Preschool in McCook. Head teacher Kerri Unger said her preschool classes raised money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., by collecting pledges from family and friends for time spent pushing the pedals...

Many readers -- especially younger ones -- may have been mystified Monday when they read in this column that Sen. Chuck Hagel compares the nation's urgent need for energy development to the Manhattan Project. What in the world was the senator talking about? The Manhattan Project? What's that?...

For years, I've had friends telling me I need to give Brad a little space by allowing him time to do his own hunting and fishing. After hearing it three times last week, I finally worked up enough courage to ask Brad if I was intruding on his alone-time...