Stories from Tuesday, August 5, 2008

"Smoke 'em if you got 'em," goes the old line from the war movies. Usually, the scene involved a group of soldiers taking a break from a long march. (If only we had to go as long ago as World War II to find material for new war movies ...) The cigarettes were a prop, indicating a break in the action and a forshadowing of violence to come. Smoking was -- and is -- seen as a way to calm one's nerves after experiencing stress or anxiety over conflict to come...

I was born and raised in McCook although I haven't lived here full time in many years. In most ways I am proud of my hometown, but I see now that what was true years ago, concerning the judicial system here, hasn't changed. For years, the law was dispensed according to "who" you were and who you knew. ...

History is on our side. If you don't believe this, then you could be a communist. Or even an evil doer, militant insurgent, suspected militant, terrorist or even worse, uncivilized and have body odor. The enemy does not believe in our values. The enemy is trying to kill us dead, and destroy our American Democracy...

I'm intrigued. The Gazette reported that the J Street rebuilding project in McCook is going to be delayed until next year. The delay is reportedly due to a tardy review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of all things. Why in the world would the U.S. Fish and Wildlife have any say at all on a street resurfacing project in the middle of our town? Who erects such ridiculous road blocks in the first place?...

OBERLIN -- The Decatur County Fair kicked off with races on the Decatur County Speedway Monday night at Oberlin. It was a special night for the IMCA Modifieds, as the Blood, Sweat and Tears Touring Series was in town, and it was special for all classes, as it was the final points races of the year...

Dec. 8, 1926 - Aug. 3, 2008 BENKELMAN -- Louise Clara Billington of Benkelman died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008, at Dundy County Hospital. She was 81 years old. Louise was born on Dec. 8, 1926, in rural Dundy County to Jasper Finis and Nellie Mariah (Penn) Richard. She attended Parks High School and graduated later with her GED...

The family of Dean and Fern (Monasmith) McCoy will host an open house in honor of the couples 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 17, 1958 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial. The open house will be Sunday, Aug. 10, from 2-4 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1005 9th Street in Arapahoe. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1007 8th Street, Arapahoe, NE 68922...

The attorney who handled an unsuccessful city tax increment financing lawsuit has offered to appeal the suit on his own dime. Michael Bacon, who practices primarily in tax increment financing, said at a conference call at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night that the ruling in the lawsuit which denied the city TIF proceeds from the YMCA Apartment redevelopment was incorrect. ...

The delay in the J Street renovation project may be blessing in disguise, a McCook city official told the council Monday night. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff updated the council about the J Street improvements. that were initially projected to begin late August. ...

Red Willow County commissioners asked county government department heads Monday morning to look again at the budgets they propose for 2008-09 and make every reduction that they can. Commissioners need to cut $216,000 from the total proposed budget. "It's a difficult situation," said commission chairman Earl McNutt. "We can't just raise taxes. That's difficult to explain to tax payers."...

--- Alanna O'Byrne, McCook: I think that it's blown out of proportion. --- Phil Perkinson, McCook: I have no idea. --- Mike Brown and Tina Morgan, McCook: Well, it is getting hotter. If it gets up too much higher I suppose we're in for some real trouble...