Stories from Friday, February 15, 2008

Kyle Craw also qualifies for state meet; Ellicott 5th at league meet HASTINGS -- The McCook High School divers enjoyed some success in last week's Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference meet at Hastings, with Matt Hall taking the conference championship for the third year in a row...

SOUTHERN VALLEY -- Cheryl Braithwait poured in 32 points in three quarters to lead the Arapahoe girls to a 78-48 victory over Overton in the Class D1-9 finals Thursday at the Southern Valley gymnasium. Arapahoe will play Arnold in the Class C-6 championship at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Gothenburg. The winner advances to the Class C2 state tournament Feb. 28-March 1 at Lincoln...

OMAHA -- Four area wrestlers reached the semifinals at the Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament after winning their first round and quarterfinal matches Thursday at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Two McCook wrestlers are in the semifinals tonight in Class B -- Nate Morgan at 103 pounds and Sam Frazier at 215...

Oct. 7, 1929 - Feb. 13, 2008 GRAND ISLAND -- Ardis Nadine Callan, 78, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at Golden Living Center in Grand Island, Neb. She was the eldest of three children born Oct. 7, 1929, to Frank G. Hall and Treva (Greenlee) Hall in Frontier County, Neb...

Oct. 2, 1947-Feb. 12, 2008 BENKELMAN -- William E. "Bill" Pankonin, 60, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb. He was born Oct. 2, 1947, to Edward and Gladys (Pollard) Pankonin at Grant, Neb. Bill attended country school near Enders, Neb., until the sixth grade, then attended school in Enders for his seventh and eighth grade years. He finished the rest of his schooling in Imperial, Neb...

LINCOLN -- Democrats selected their candidates last Saturday and the Republican Party will make its official selection at next summer's state convention Nebraska's primary election is still set for May 13. Secretary of State John Gale set the slate of Republican candidates for president as Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Ron Paul; Democrats Hillary Clinton, Mike Gravel and Barack Obama...

When I was a kid, I used to have a puzzle of the United States. I learned so much from repeatedly solving that puzzle, that when I saw a similar product in a store, I bought it for my children. So many kids have no idea where on the planet they live. If you asked my 6-year old where he lives, he'd tell you, "In a house." Well … that narrows it down considerably...

June 17, 1917-Feb. 14, 2008 GOTHENBURG -- Francis "Fran" Joseph Wirth, 90, died Thursday (Feb. 14, 2008) at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg. He was born June 17, 1917, to William and Genevieve (Schneider) Wirth at Dunbar. He owned and operated a grade-A dairy farm in Dunbar. On June 18, 1947, he married Elizabeth Neuhalfen in Tampa, Fla...

Feb. 19, 1923-Feb. 13, 2008 ATWOOD -- Verneda "Vernie" F. Stehno, 84, died Wednesday (Feb. 13, 2008), in Denver, Colo. She was born Feb. 19, 1923, to Anton and Anna Stehno of Atwood. She was raised in Atwood and attended nursing school in Denver. She later earned a master's degree in special education and taught learning disabled children in the Denver Public School system for many years...

On the surface, a new law signed by Gov. Dave Heineman simply cuts some red tape when it comes time to go hunting, but it has the potential for positive results far beyond the field and pond. LB690 creates the Hunter Apprentice Exemption Certificate, which can be issued to any nonhunter ages 12-29 who wishes to try hunting in Nebraska and who has not yet completed the required hunter and/or bow hunter education course...

OMAHA -- McCook High School sophomore Nate Morgan has reached the Nebraska Class B state finals at 103 pounds. Morgan posted an 8-4 win in the semifinals Friday night at the Qwest Center in Omaha and will compete in the championship match tonight. The championship matches in Classes A, B, C and D will be shown live on Net Television...

HOLDREGE -- Once again unbeatable, Cambridge took the lead over Elm Creek 53-43 Thursday night at the Class C2-10 sub-district championship game at Holdrege. The Trojans jumped out to a 33-18 lead at halftime and stretching it to 19 in the third quarter. Elm Creek made a run to close to eight at the end of the third quarter...