Stories from Wednesday, April 5, 2006

HOLDREGE -- The McCook High School varsity girls tennis team won 7-of-9 matches Tuesday in a dual at Holdrege. "I was extremely pleased with our singles play, as we do not spend much practice time playing singles due to our limited facilities," said McCook tennis coach Matt Wiemers. "The girls continue to show signs of improvement in doubles, by taking 2 of 3 matches...

BENKELMAN -- Cambridge High School senior Waid Vontz fired a 69 and captured first-place individual medalist honors Tuesday at the Dundy County Invitational. Vontz bested Dundy County's Derek Larimer by five strokes. Larimer fired a 74. Cambridge won the team title with a 341 score, followed by Medicine Valley-Maywood 356, Dundy County 361, Hitchcock County 386, Perkins County junior varsity 386, Wauneta-Palisade 421, Southwest 441, Chase County JV 453, Cheylin 530...

CAMBRIDGE -- Sean Riley, formerly of Gypsum, Colo., has assumed the Head Golf Professional position at Cross Creek Golf Links in Cambridge, Nebraska. Riley, a 13-year veteran of private and public resort management, has spent the last five years as a head golf professional...

BENKELMAN -- Several area track teams had double medal winners in the Dundy County invitational Tuesday. Cambridge's boys finished first in the team standings, with Dundy County and Wauneta-Palisade following. Medicine Valley's girls took the top spot for the girls side. St. Francis and Wauneta-Palisade came in second and third...

The family of Betty Harsh is requesting a card shower in honor of her 95th birthday April 6. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 1500 East 11th, McCook, NE 69001.

Ah, spring. A time of new birth and eternal optimism. A time to get outdoors, clean up the yard and plant those flower and vegetable gardens. Hold it there -- not so fast. Yes, the temperature was in the 80s today, but let's not jump the gun. The forecast even calls for possible snow later this week. There is still plenty of time to carefully plan this year's horticultural adventures...

I can't remember if we were in Vail or Grand Junction. I well remember the hotel elevator. It was time once again for the annual state convention of the Colorado School Food Service Association, and I was in great company. We were on our way to dinner in our Sunday best, and when we boarded the mirrored elevator I exclaimed, "We look great!"...

William J. Bahl was arraigned on felony charges in Red Willow County Court on Tuesday. He was charged with first-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon, Class III felonies which both carry 20 years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. Bahl, 36, was charged after he allegedly cut the throat of an employee of a local restaurant...

Nancy Osborne speaks to supporters at the Chief Motel poolisde Tuesday during a campaign swing on Tom Osborne's "Traveling Team." Osborne's experience in government will be especially important with more than half of the state senators being new next session, she said. ...

The McCook-Red Willow County jail study subcommittee took its first steps Tuesday evening, appointing co-chairs to represent the City Council and county commissioners and agreeing to continue researching a new co-operated public safety center. McCook Mayor Dennis Berry told county commissioner Earl McNutt that he appreciates the county's offer to coordinate the city's and county's efforts to build a new county jail and sheriff's office and a city police station and fire department...

LINCOLN -- McCook Senior High will represent Nebraska at the regional "Economics Challenge" competition April 22 and 23 in Minneapolis. The MHS economics team of seniors Minda Haas, Jared Olson, Daniel McConville and Forrest Kain won the right to compete in the regional competition after winning Nebraska's all-class "Economics Challenge" April 1 in Lincoln...