Stories from Tuesday, September 13, 2005

KEARNEY -- The McCook Bison boys tennis team continued its dominance Tuesday at Kearney. The Bison netters blasted Kearney Catholic 8-1 and Grand Island Central Catholic 7-2. McCook improved its dual record to 5-1. Next action for the Bison tennis team is 4 p.m. Tuesday at Lexington...

BROKEN BOW -- The McCook boys and girls cross country teams competed at the Broken Bow Invitational Saturday. The Bison boys placed eighth with 135 points and the girls were 10th with 153. Cody Martin was the top Bison runner in the varsity boys 5K race. He posted a time of 18 minutes, 13 seconds and placed 12th...

Red Willow County's budget for 2005-2006 increased by $1.7 million and its tax levy increased by nearly 3 1/5 cents, according to final figures presented during public hearings Monday morning. "This was no doubt one of the toughest and most discouraging budgets I've been involved in," Commission Chairman Earl McNutt said during a regular commissioners' meeting...

By Connie Jo Discoe Regional Editor In an unusual move, a McCook Public Schools board of education member voted against passing the school district's proposed budget and the tax request that funds it. While most boards pass budgets unanimously, with little, if any, discussion, one of McCook's newest board members, Diane Lyons, voted "No," on a vote to approve the district's 2005-2006 expenditure budget of $19,950,616.25 and "No," on a vote to approve the district's tax request of $4,813,293.65. ...

On the northeast edge of the McCook Community College campus -- in a room placed in the center of the Wrightstone Fine Arts Building -- a new program is finally taking the first steps of its existence. Following years of discussion and hard-won approval from the Coordinating Commission for Higher Education, Graphic Design is now an official part of the college's course offerings...

**Dear Editor, Thank you, Mike Hendricks, for finally writing a thoughtful and clear article on why Hergert should step down from his stolen seat ["It's time to recall Hergert" (http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1116541.html)]. And, thank you McCook Gazette, for printing Hendricks' piece. ...

**Dear Editor, I enjoyed Walt Sehnert's story on the Hormel connections within Austin, Minn. I would like to clarify that the Hormel Food Co. has its own internal research and development department. The Hormel Institute is part of the University of Minnesota. The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is generously supported by the Hormel Foundation and Hormel Foods Co. but our research agenda is determined by our faculty and Executive Director, Dr. Zigang Dong...

I've been expecting to see Christopher Lloyd and a DeLorean come around the corner any time. With all the sudden concern about gas prices, it's Back to the Future for those of us who remember the last energy crisis. Solar panels, gas-saving devices, lines at the fuel pumps, wind generators -- it brings back loads of memories from the late 1970s and early 1980s...

A story in last weekend's Gazette about coal gasification plants in McCook and elsewhere around the state rang a bell with Roger Wilson, who remembered seeing it on a map he purchased at an auction a couple of years ago. The map, from 1909, confirms that the plant was near West Fourth and A in McCook, and provides other details. Environmental agencies are concerned about possible contamination from the old operations...

NEW YORK -- For artists with musical aspirations, a performance at New York's famed Carnegie Hall is a goal few ever realize, but for McCook Community College musicians, Carnegie Hall is only the beginning. Following a summer in which the MCC choir "Sound Investment" performed an Aaron Copland Concert at the famous New York venue, college officials have pledged to re-emphasize music on campus with plans to continue the momentum of the vocal music program, revive the instrumental program, and give music a permanent new home in Tipton Hall.. ...

Feb. 8, 1929--Sept. 11, 2005 STRATTON -- Jeannine R. Pierce, 76, died Sunday (Sept. 11, 2005) at her home in Stratton. She was born Feb. 8, 1929, to John and Edith (Ward) Randall in Stratton. She graduated from Stratton High School in 1947. She married Ted W. Pierce on Oct. 10, 1948...

Dec. 4, 1921--Sept. 11, 2005 Edna M. Smith, 83, died Sunday (Sept. 11, 2005) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Dec. 4, 1921, in Bartley to Sidney E. and Zetta (Clemments) Allen. She graduated from Bartley High School. She attended Kearney State College in 1976 to become an LPN...

Oct. 31, 1928--Sept. 12, 2005 Charlie Thomas "Chuck" Anderson, 76, died Monday (Sept. 12, 2005) at Community Hospital of McCook from complications of Cystic Fibrosis, making him one of the oldest patients. He was born Oct. 31, 1928, in Hitchcock County to Henry and Lena (Cole) Anderson. He grew up in Ovid, Colo., until moving with his family to Trenton when he was 14-years-old...

INDIANOLA -- Alma Sophia Mihm, 86, died Sunday (Sept. 11, 2005) at the Kimball Hospital in Kimball. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, 2 p.m., at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola, with the Rev. Paul Witt and the Rev. Robert Karnesh officiating. Interment will be in St. Catherine's Cemetery...