Stories from Friday, September 18, 2009

By NATE JENKINS, Associated Press Writer HOLDREGE (AP) -- Shutting down irrigation in parts of the Republican River basin during dry years in order to send Kansas more water is being considered, but only as a "last resort," Nebraska water officials told about 300 farmers on Thursday...

IDALIA, Colo. -- The Republican River Restoration Partnership, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts and Colorado Agriculture Preservation Association conducted a meeting Sept. 14, to address the need to increase outflow for Bonny Reservoir. Bonny is located near Idalia, Colo...

Democracy won't work if we don't all get involved. After years of complacency and apathy, that seems to be ending. From the TEA Parties protesting current economic policies, to townhall meetings on health care reform -- like one slated for McCook during Heritage Days -- to Thursday's turnout on the Republican River in Holdrege, all of us are finding reason to get involved...

The family of Don and Caron High are requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Sept. 26, 1959, in Indianola. Cards of congratulation will reach the couple at Box 297, Indianola NE 69034.

Ted and Donna (Grafel) Hoxie, formerly of Culbertson, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 26, 2009, at their home in Sidney, Iowa with family and friends.. They were married Oct. 3, 1959, in Herndon, Kan. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 2831 150th Street, Sidney, IA, 51652...

The family of Lynn and Roberta Johnson is hosting an open house and card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. The open house will be Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2-4 p.m., at Bohemian Hall, 258 S. Penn, in Oberlin. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 122 S. Penn, Oberlin KS 67749...

Kenneth Luther of McCook will celebrate his 98th birthday on Sept. 27, 2009. Cards will reach him at 309 West 7th Street, McCook NE 69001.

Hope Jorschumb and Cole Schilke of Stratton are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Justine Richardson of Stratton and Jan and Chuck Hudson of Trenton. Grandparents are Gary Hedke and Gary and Virginia Scarbrough, all of Trenton...

Crystal and Terry Scott of Kearney announce the birth of their daughter, McKinnley Marie Scott on Aug. 21, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. She weighed 6 pounds and measured 20 1/4 inches long. . She has an older sibling Collyn Michael. Her grandparents are Gaylord and Kathy Smallfoot of Eustis, the late Randy Banzhaf and Kaye Banzhaf and Tony and Jeanie Scott of Greeley. ...

WAUNETA -- Mandi Janicek and Beau Kramer of Wauneta were united in marriage May 2, 2009 in the United Methodist Church in Wauneta with the the Rev. Judith Dye officiating. Parents of the couple are Kevin and Denise Janicek and Bruce and Kathy Kramer, all of Wauneta...

Jeremiah and Rebecca Meixner of McCook announce the birth of a daughter, Mya Clare Meixner, on Aug. 11, 2009, at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 7.2 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. She has three siblings, Devon, 9, Kameron, 7, and Olivia, 4. Her grandparents are Kevin and Cheryl Harpham of Columbus, and Norman and Hannelore Meixner of McCook. Great-grandparents are Darrell and Rosella Heuertz of Roseland, and Delbert and Helen Harpham of Hastings...

In recognition of his work on behalf of Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson received a 2009 Golden Triangle Award this week from the National Farmers Union, the group's highest legislative honor. According to the group, the annual award is presented to members of Congress who demonstrate leadership on issues relevant to America's family farmers, ranchers and rural communities...

Washington Report NASA's Future Over the past 50 years, the research and technology developed by our country's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (more commonly known as NASA) has had a profound impact on nearly every American. Our lives have been improved or even saved by digital hearing aids, miniature heart pumps, cancer detection devices, fire-resistant aircraft seats, and numerous other medical and safety devices and improvements which trace their origins to space technology...

The level and tone of political discourse has become so ugly, accusatory, uninformed and intolerant that I'm making a conscious choice to remove myself from the political arena for awhile, both publicly and privately. I've never seen or heard anything quite like it in the years I've been following politics...

The McCook City Council will be asked to condemn four properties as unsafe and consider an appeal from the owner of one of the properties, at the regular meeting Monday, 7:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers at Memorial Auditorium. Dottie D. Park is appealing the Aug. 13 decision of the McCook Board of Health concerning abandoned structures at her property at 305 E. 12. Other structures the Board of Health found unsafe or hazardous are 307 E. First, 508 E. Second and 1301 East B Street...