Stories from Wednesday, November 1, 2006

ST. FRANCIS -- St. Francis blasted WaKeeney-Trego in the first round of the Kansas Class 2-1A high school football playoffs Tuesday night at St. Francis. The Indians (9-1) moved into the second round and will play Meade Saturday. Meade earned a second-round trip after downing Stanton County 30-28...

Three area teams claimed sub-district titles on Tuesday. Cambridge, Perkins County and Hayes Center take the next step up into the district finals. Cambridge pushed past Eustis-Farnam 25-20, 25-15, 25-19 in the championship round of the D1-10 tournament at McCook...

Sept. 25, 1922 - Oct. 29, 2006 BENKELMAN -- Robert Francis Vontz, 84, died Sunday (Oct. 29, 2006) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. He was born Sept. 25, 1922, at Bartley, the son of Casper and Josephine (Meyers) Vontz. He was baptized on Oct. 14, 1922, and confirmed on Nov. 24, 1938, at the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Indianola. He grew up in the Indianola area and graduated from Indianola High School...

The children of Earl and Marian Roberts are requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. They were married Nov. 6, 1946, at St. Libory Catholic Church in St. Libory. Their children are Sandra and Bill George of Lincoln, Linda Fisher of Sterling Colo., Peggy and Ron Niebur, and Earl and Cindy Roberts, all of McCook, David and MaryAnn Roberts of Littleton Colo., Nancy and David Low of Lakewood Colo., Diane Cubbon of Golden Colo., Duane and Connie Roberts of Lakewood, and Debbie and Ed Douglas of McCook. ...

LINCOLN -- A Red Willow County 4-H'er was among 20 Nebraska State Fair exhibitors whose work was selected for display in a fiber arts and textiles show called "Celebration of Youth XIII: Innovations," Oct. 9-27, at the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln...

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ill. -- A silver Mylar balloon sent aloft in July in Furnas County, carrying requests for prayers for the safe return of a soldier named "Liz," landed in the hands of an Illinois farmer whose Bible study group is honoring Liz's mother's heartfelt petitions...

TRENTON -- The driver of the truck involved in a fatality accident at the Highways 6 and 25 junction Monday afternoon was charged with motor vehicle homicide this morning in Hitchcock County Court. County Judge Cloyd Clark granted James Watt II, 50, of Everton, Ark., a court-appointed attorney, and set a preliminary hearing for Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 9:30 a.m...

What makes something news? You might be surprised. The media are often criticized for sensationalizing people's trouble and pain -- and unfortunately, suffering, conflicts and shortcomings do get readers' and viewers' attention. But people are interested in achievement, harmony and success as well...

On the rare occasions when I travel out of town, I am usually a passenger. And, as such, typically pay little attention to streets and towns. After all, I'm just along for the ride. Years ago, I was taking Danny to work, as I needed to keep the car to run errands. ...

**Editor's note: Through special arrangements, the legislative candidates have been given the opportunity to publish 500-word statements last Wednesday and today. This is the final installment:

**Editor's note: Through special arrangements, the legislative candidates have been given the opportunity to publish 500-word statements last Wednesday and today. This is the final installment: