Stories from Saturday, April 8, 2006

Seven 44th Legislative district candidates catered to educators, students and school administrators during a forum at McCook Junior High Tuesday afternoon, addressing issues that will affect the future of public education in Nebraska. McCook School Superintendent Dr. Don Marchant said that 100 percent participation by the seven candidates vying for Sen. Tom Baker's seat "speaks volumes" about their commitment to education and Southwest Nebraska...

Possibly departing City Manager John Bingham will respond to public comments at a special City Council meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Council chambers. After this item, council members will go into closed session to discuss their strategy concerning potential litigation and personnel...

Interruptions can be a simple annoyance or a life-changing event, according to the Rev. Bruce Lester, pastor of the McCook Evangelical Free Church. For Simon of Cyrene, it was definitely the latter. Lester addressed a congregation of 131 Friday afternoon during the sixth 2006 Community Lenten service at Memorial United Methodist Church...

The McCook Community men's golf team placed fourth out of five teams at the weather-shortened MCC Invitational at Heritage Hills. Friday's second round was canceled because of rain and strong wind gusts and tournament scores were made final after Thursday's 18-hole round...

Southwest Nebraska has more than its share of problems, chief among them the drought and Republican River water conflict with Kansas. But there has been good news as well, and it seems to come in bunches. March 29, the front page of the Gazette detailed projects that could add $3 million in annual payroll to the economy...

Yesterday (Friday, April 7, 2006) the U.S. Senate sidetracked immigration legislation, giving only 38 votes on an important procedural test which was far short of the 60 votes needed to advance the bill. Both sides, of course, were pointing their fingers at each other and attempting to assess blame. The bill would have at least given the hope of citizenship to millions of people living in the United States illegally...

Eight long years are rapidly coming to an end, as members of the Nebraska Legislature have completed 56 legislative days with only four to go in the session. Due to the ongoing effects of term limits, these will be my final days representing District 44 on the legislative floor as a State Senator. There will be at least 20 members of the body leaving the Legislature at the end of this year. ...

My son, Steve, returned home Monday evening and informed me the city Manager's contract would not be effective; I was surprised. Then (I) spent a restless night trying to come up with a reason. I failed, because the previous Thursday or Friday Councilman Longnecker stated to me there were no problems and that the City Manager would be retained...

Mid America Agri Products/Horizon plan an April 24 groundbreaking ceremony for their Ethanol Project in Cambridge. The community of Cambridge and local investors enabled this project to develop and qualify for Nebraska ethanol/development incentives. The project will be built in two phases...

The 4-H Public Speaking Contest in Red Willow County will be held on Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Community Building, Fairgrounds, West 5th and O Streets. The public is invited to hear local 4-H'ers give their speeches and public service announcements...