Stories from Saturday, January 20, 2007

Sen. Chuck Hagel is right about one thing he said about his decision to offer a resolution opposing President Bush's plan to "surge" an additional 21,500 troops into Iraq. "Any elected leader who is worthy of anyone's vote has a responsibility to something greater than yesterday's poll," he told the Associated Press...

Nebraska lawmakers have wasted no time in presenting bills addressing family issues. One, LB 554, would require parents considering divorce to complete mediation before going to court. "Sometimes in divorce situations, kids are treated like chattel, like the dishwasher or the retirement account," said Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, who also is an attorney who sometimes handles divorce cases...

After my column about Attorney General Jon Bruning's crime package was published last Saturday, I had a voice mail on Monday from his Chief of Staff, requesting that I return her phone call so we could "discuss" what I had written in that column. I returned the phone call immediately, but got her voice mail. I identified myself, told her I was returning her call and that I would be happy to discuss my column with her if she still had an interest in doing so. She never returned my call...

COLBY -- The McCook High School boys and girls basketball teams lost thjeir consolation round games Friday at the 22nd annual Paul Wintz Black and Orange Classic in Colby. The Bison boys lost 67-44 to Goodland and the McCook girls lost 59-41 to Denver-Montbello...

STERLING, Colo. -- The McCook Community College men's and women's basketball teams were swept by Northeastern Junior College Friday night at Sterling, Colo. The MCC Indian men's squad dropped a 75-55 decision. The MCC women, who scored 90 points Wednesday against North Platte, lost to NJC 64-38...

OBERLIN -- The 38th annual Oberlin Invitational basketball tournament heads into the final round, after finishing up the semifinals on Friday. Oakley and Rawlins County's girls face off for the championship title, while the St. Francis and Hoxie boys prepare for the final round today as well...

WAUNETA -- The Class D1 top-ranked Wauneta-Palisade Broncos continue to trample contenders with a 80-28 pounding over Paxton Friday night. The Broncos are now 11-0. Trevor Ridlen swished 20 points to lead the Broncos. Marc Klima and Andrew Isom each scored 17, Russell Ridlen added 10...

The McCook Junior High School seventh grade boys A, B and C basketball teams competed against Ogallala Thursday at the MJH gym. The Bison fell to Ogallala in the A and B games, but won the C game. McCook lost 49-11 in the A team game. Tyson Karr and Tatem Stang teamed up with 4 points each for the McCook...

BENKELMAN -- The Dundy County girls basketball team held on to beat Wallace Thursday night 53-47. Tasha Boon and Kayla Damrow both put up 18 points for Tigers. Whitney Hochstettler, a McCook Community College volleyball recruit, scored 9 points for Wallace...