Stories from Friday, May 5, 2006

Some issues never go away, former State Sen. Owen Elmer said after a legislative candidates' forum Thursday evening in McCook. Elmer told moderator Dave Stout of the McCook Radio Group that, during his 12 years in the Unicameral, he was involved in legislation that recognized the hydrological connection between groundwater and surface water...

Communication is good, Larry Eisenmenger said. Choices are good, said Ron Friehe. Involvement is good, according to Vicky Leibbrandt. Eisenmenger, Friehe and Leibbrandt were panelists for a "Meet the Candidates" forum sponsored by the McCook Radio Group and the McCook Daily Gazette, at the Bieroc Cafe in downtown McCook Thursday evening. Friehe said he has rarely seen no many candidates, so many choices and so many people involved in local races...

When Ronald Reagan came to what was Kearney State College in the 1976 presidential campaign, he probably could have comfortably filled the large coliseum. Instead, his campaign staff shoehorned him and his enthusiastic supporters into a smaller theater...

BEAVER CITY -- District 44 legislative candidate says a postcard received throughout the district on Friday is part of a smear campaign that proves she's on the right track. The cards, paid for by the "Nebraska Voter Education Project" of Lincoln, quoted from a March 9, 2006, letter from the Nebraska Department of Education...

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman had, admittedly, a "simple, straightforward message" for the newest graduates of McCook Community College. "You are our future," the governor told MCC's 111 graduates at commencement services Friday morning. "Nebraska's best days are ahead of us, thanks to your hopes for the future," the governor said...

KEARNEY -- McCook High School senior Jen Chmiel posted a 5-0 record and captured first place in No. 2 singles at the Kearney Catholic Invitational Thursday. Chmiel won her matches 8-6, 8-3, 8-4, 9-7 and 8-5 to claim the title. She helped lead the Bison girls tennis team to a fifth-place finish in the 10-team tournament. The Bison, Lexington and Beatrice each scored 64 points...