Stories from Thursday, May 17, 2007

FISHERS, Ind. -- Nebraska Wesleyan University, featuring McCook junior Tyler Lawson, is in a tie for 10th place after two days at the NCAA Division III men's golf championships. The Prairie Wolves, who were 13th after the first round, have shot 312-314 for a two-day total of 626. NWU is the defending NCAA III champion...

LINCOLN -- The U.S. Open Local Qualifier took place Tuesday at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln. It was open to any PGA professionals or USGA amateurs with a confirmed handicap of 1.8 or lower. McCook's Brandon Crick, who just completed his freshman year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., where he is a member of the men's golf team, finished in the four-way tie for fourth place with a 76...

The state seems to be willing to pay for Omaha's problems but it's a different story in Southwest Nebraska, Sen. Mark Christensen was told this morning at the Chamber Legislative conference call. "This is state funding for a local problem," said Angus Garey, referring to a proposed amendment to the Omaha Public School System that will have the state fund an oversight committee. "Why is the state willing to pick up the tab for the Omaha Public school system but not help us out here?"...

McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham, above, cuts the windshield from a car that rolled into a county road ditch southeast of McCook at 7 a.m., today, trapping its driver, Ada Darlene Peckham, 38, of rural Indianola, inside. Peckham stepped out, uninjured, after rescuers removed the glass. ...

An Associated Press story indicated that a tax-cut package approved by the Legislature on Wednesday "will cost $400 million over the next two years." We'd prefer the phrasing "will save Nebraska taxpayers $400 million." In any event, there is a lot to like about the plan, including the fact that Gov. Dave Heineman planned to sign it in the next few days...

We are halfway through May with only 11 legislative days left after finishing the 79th day of a 90-day session last Thursday. Much was discussed last week including the budget, recreational liability (a response to the Nebraska Supreme Court's ruling in Bronsen vs. Dawes County), and the Metro schools issues just to name a few...

The countdown is on. As of today, my son Jeremy has exactly 11 days until he takes off for boot camp. Since he got out of school, he's been complaining of boredom. I keep telling him, he should probably enjoy it while he can, but he doesn't seem to get the whole gist of sitting back and relaxing...