Stories from Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Members of the McCook Chapter of Compassionate Friends say they are privileged to have Alan Pedersen, an award winning singer-songwriter bring his "Celebrate the Children" concert to McCook Elementary School, West Third and O Streets, at 7:30 p.m. Monday...

As a former Governor, it was my job to balance the state budget which I did eight years in a row, not only because it's required by the Nebraska Constitution but because it just makes good economic sense. These are tough times, and the federal government needs to take a lesson from Nebraska on how to get through them. ...

Last week was undoubtedly the busiest I've had yet in the Senate: budget week. I am pleased to report that a proposal of mine was included in the final budget that will protect your tax dollars and indeed the legislative process as a whole. Every year, the Senate must pass a budget to fund the workings of the federal government. ...

ELWOOD -- Eustis-Farnam, Southwest and Arapahoe high school track teams competed in the Elwood Invitational Friday. Eustis-Farnam's girls finished third in the team scores, while the boys were eighth. Andrea Werth led the Knights in the girls division with three first place medals. Werth won the 400M dash in 1 minute 2.3 seconds, the 100M high hurdles with a time of 17.70 seconds and the 300M low hurdles in 50.80...

LINCOLN -- The Shrine Bowl of Nebraska and 2009 head coaches Mark Brahmer from Pierce and Jeff Gross from McCook have announced the players for the 51st annual all-star football game. The game will be played at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...

June 18, 1980 - April 2, 2009 ATWOOD -- Sarina Beth Ruda, 28, of Atwood, died Thursday (April 2, 2009) at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. She was born June 18, 1980, in Colby, Kan., to Tim and Vicki (Bearley) Ruda. She graduated from Atwood High School in 1999...

BARTLEY -- Piper Brooklyn Waddell, infant daughter of Michael Paul and Rebecca Sue (Gilliam) Waddell of Bartley, went to be with Jesus on Friday, April 3, 2009. She was born at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Survivors include her parents, Michael and Rebecca Waddell of Bartley; two sisters, TayLynn and Audra Waddell of Bartley; maternal grandparents, Brent and Lori Cobb of McCook and Earl "Butch" and Sherry Gilliam of Lincoln; paternal grandparents, Trudy and Jerry Burkholder of Bartley; great-grandparents, Kenneth and Janice Waddell of McCook, Joyce Gilliam of Milligan, Jo Burkholder of Corsicana, Texas, Doris Phillips of Sedona, Ariz., Kenneth and Jean Kohlmann of Lincoln and Francis Shiree of Lincoln; great-great-grandmother, Dorothy Eisenbarth of McCook; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.. ...

July 29, 1914 - April 6, 2009 BEAVER CITY -- Novella Ann Hewett, 94, of Beaver City, died Monday (April 6, 2009) at Harlan County Hospital at Alma. She was born July 29, 1914, at Deer Trail, Colo., to James and Grace (Booth) Nichol. The family moved to a farm near Logan, Kan., in 1916. She grew up in Bow Creek Community, graduating from Densmore, Kan., High School in 1933...

March 23, 1929 - April 5, 2009 ALMENA, Kan. -- Esther Viola Marble, 80, of Almena, Kan., died Sunday (April 5, 2009) at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. She was born March 23, 1929, at Almena to Jimmie and Agnes (Picraux) Shearer. She was a life long resident of Almena. She attended country schools near Almena...

After six months of treatment for a rare form of cancer, Mayor Dennis Berry was back in the saddle at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night. It was the first time a full council was present for about five months. "Welcome back, we're glad you're here," said Council member Colleen Grant during Council Comments at the close of the meeting...

Despite a councilman questioning the need for one, the McCook City Council unanimously approved the proposal to take bids for a project administrator to assist the city in managing stimulus funds intended for community revitalization. As approved by the council Monday night at its regular meeting, the city would accept bids for the position and choose a project administrator based on scoring system that ranks various strengths. ...

It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it -- clean out the left over sludge in the city's digesters at the sewer treatment plant. In fact, the job is so nasty that even the crew from the popular "Dirty Jobs" show on the Discovery Channel refuse to do it, said McCook Public Utility Director Jesse Dutcher...

The Legislature finished the 55th day of the 90-day session last Friday, and passed 12 bills on Final Reading. One of the bills passed was Legislative Bill 403, which prohibits public benefits for illegal aliens, and requires their verification for benefits, public employment, and state tax incentives. I voted for the bill and it passed with a strong 44-0-5 vote...

It wasn't quite walking in the footsteps of history but Ann and I were privileged to talk to four individuals who made those prints. The four were real live surviving WASPs and they were totally delightful! The occasion was "Women's History Month" and location the Fantasy of Flight Museum near Polk City, Fla. While "trapped" by weather in Florida last month we drove to Kermit Week's wonderful (especially for me) collection of airplanes and aviation in general. http://www.fantasy offlight.com...

Gov. Dave Heineman and Sens. Mike Johanns and Ben Nelson all think something's fishy about the selection of Barksdale Air Force Base over Offutt Air Force Base. The Air Force announced last week that the new command, along with 900 new military and civilian jobs, will be going to Barksdale, in northwest Louisiana...

The road from Bethlehem to Golgotha took some 33 years to traverse. However, it is the road following the triumphal entry to Jerusalem, to Gethsemane, then Calvary to the Resurrection that becomes the focal point of Christianity this week. Many area churches are conducting special services in observance of the events in Jerusalem that heralded salvation for mankind; the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as detailed in the four synoptic Gospels. ...