Stories from Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Oct. 20, 1916 - Aug. 14, 2006 IMPERIAL -- Irvin Johnson, 89, died Monday (Aug. 14, 2006) at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial. He was born Oct. 20, 1916, to Hanise and Lily Johnson in Champion, where he spent his childhood. On July 3, 1938, he married Verna Doris Cranwell. ...

Feb. 3, 1927 - Aug. 13, 2006 OBERLIN?-- Delores A. Zodrow, 79, died Sunday (Aug. 13, 2006) in McCook. She was born Feb. 3, 1927, to Frank and Marie (Spanier) Moeder in Selden. She was raised in Selden and attended Leoville Schools and graduated from Decatur Community High School...

The family of Dale and Wendy (Mues) Bonge are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 15, 1981. Cards of congratulations can reach the couple at 1500 South 6th street, Albion, NE 68620.

The family of Polly (Florence) Grim is hosting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday. She was born Aug. 18, 1916 in St. John's, Newfoundland. Her children are Theresa Dicke and Mary Ann Hlavinka of McCook, Gary Grim of Tuscon, Ariz., and the late Margaret Anderson. She has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations can reach her at 915 West L, McCook, NE 69001...

WAUNETA -- Plans are in the works to build an ethanol plant in Wauneta. On Tuesday, the Wauneta Economic Development Committee executed a "Memorandum of Under-standing" with a third party to develop, construct and operate the ethanol plant. The proposed plant would produce 100 million gallons of ethanol each year and create 35-40 full-time jobs...

The 2006 Art Car Tour across Nebraska will take place along historic Route 6 Nebraska from Aug. 19-27 to promote the history, natural beauty, and recreation of the communities along Route 6 Nebraska. "The second annual Route 6 Nebraska Art Car Tour has been expanded to nine days so we can visit even more communities," said organizer Don Robertson...

A herd of goats works on a pasture of short grass between Lebanon and Bartley. According to Ohio State University, goat is the most frequently consumed meat in the world. In the United States, meat goat production is growing because goats are efficient converters of low-quality forages into quality meat, milk, and hide products. ...

The new wellness program proposed for McCook Public Schools is a mixture of common sense and good intentions. It's also an opportunity for public schools to work with parents, and even help educate parents, in promoting healthy lifestyles. For one example, students will no longer be allowed to bring soda pop or other drinks or food into class. ...

It's hard to believe that school is almost ready to start. Admittedly, things have changed, a lot, since I went to school. And since I can still clearly recall my first day of school (it was raining) it can't have been that long ago. Perhaps it's old school thinking these days, but I couldn't help but cringe just a bit when I read some of the comments made by school board members during a summer discussion about raising the bar on academic requirements for participation in extra-curricular activities, including sports.. ...

Always looking for ways to save money and/or spend the tax payers' money wisely, Red Willow County commissioners are investigating the possibility of rebuilding their Caterpillar road graders rather than trading them in for new. Powertrain rebuild options from Nebraska Machinery in North Platte, discussed last week, include warranties and extending the useful life of the graders...

McCook Public School teachers will learn about the "Direct Instruction" teaching model during training sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 23 and 24, from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., at McCook Christian Church. McCook teacher Lynda Baumbach told board members that she and fellow teacher Mary Dueland came home from a national DI conference "really excited."...

Most McCook Public Schools board of education members voted to advertise for proposals for a new over-the-road activities bus during their meeting Monday evening. Board member Diane Lyons voted against seeking proposals for a coach bus, requesting instead that the board also look into buying a "school bus" route-type bus...