Stories from Friday, January 8, 2010

Aug. 22, 1924 - Jan. 6, 2010 OBERLIN -- Elton R. O'Hare, 85, died Wednesday (Jan. 6, 2010), at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. He was born Aug. 22, 1924, in Norcatur to Ernest O'Hare and Mary Yingling. He grew up on a farm in Lyle, Kan., attended College Hill in Decatur County, Kan., and served in the U.S. Army during World War II...

Sept. 30, 1915 - Jan. 7, 2009 TRENTON -- LaVerne Stanley "Dick" Shaffer, 94, died Thursday (Jan. 7, 2009), at his home in Trenton. He was born Sept. 30, 1915, at Atwood, Kan., the son of Fred P. and Freda E. (Andorka) Shaffer. He grew up in Hitchcock County, where he graduated from rural school and attended Trenton High School...

CURTIS -- Board members of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District will discuss any progress made with the state on alternatives to shutting down wells closest to the river during water short years, at their regular meeting Tuesday, 1:30 p.m, at the Curtis Community Center...

Spring is still far away, but melting icicles are a sign of warmer times to come.

It seems so obvious we wonder why it requires a law to enforce it. But if it takes a law to prevent texting while driving -- teen drivers with provisional licenses already are banned from doing so -- so be it. Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff has introduced a bill that would make texting while driving a primary offense -- an officer who sees you doing so could pull you over without needing any other reason...

One of the legacies of political advertising AND newspaper commentary has been a requirement to identify yourself. If you wanted to produce a political handbill attacking a particular opponent, you were required to say who you were somewhere on that handbill. ...

Kudos to Sen. Ben Nelson for the stand he has taken on the healthcare restructuring. Readers ... please read the article on page 4 of the Gazette issue Jan. 7, 2010. The article explains exactly what Nelson has been trying to get accomplished. There has been too much misunderstanding and criticism. I think some apologies are due...

In a recent column, (Dick Trail) mentioned living in Merced in a pecan orchard. Well, the pecan orchards are fast disappearing here in Mexifornia. The growers are pulling out the trees and grinding them up because, last year, some black-robed pervert ruled to cut off all irrigation water to them so the tiny delta smelt could enjoy life...

The family and friends of Cliff and Elsie Grube are hosting a card shower in honor of their 65th anniversary Jan. 10, 2010. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at P.O. Box 273, Indianola, NE, 69034

Jessica Watkins and Adam Johnson announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the couple are Wayne and Lori Watkins of McCook, and Gary Johnson of Tryon. Grandparents are Frank and Betty Potthoff of Palisade, and Darlene Rosane of Kyle, S.D...

The family of Aaron and Sharon (Tennant) Johnson is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary, Jan. 17. Their children include Kris and Rick Cook of Culbertson; Kent and Michelle Johnson of Baldwin City, Kan.; Kyla and Doug Luckie of Clear Lake, Iowa, and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 904 Missouri Avenue, McCook, NE, 69001...

NORTH PLATTE -- Tory LeAnn Marie Kleist and Monte Ray Fletcher, both of McCook, were united in marriage on Dec. 5, 2009, inNorth Platte with Destry Brown officiating. Parents of the couple are Frank and Cory Kleist of Wellfleet, Penny Lyle of McCook and Ray Fletcher of Paxton. The maid of honor was Michelle Smith of Kearney, the best man was Patrick Nuith of Kearney and Shea Drullinger of North Platte was a bridegroomsmen...

Shelly Detwiler and Derek Rupp, both of Victoria, Kan., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Joanne Detwiler of Olathe, Kan., Michael and Deborah Detwiler of Luka, Kan., Jane and Shad Dewey of McCook, and Patrick Rupp of Garden City, Kan...

The family of Betty Budke is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday. She was born Jan. 17, 1930. Her family includes her husband, Ed of Salome, Ariz.; two daughters, Anna and Judy; three sons, Blaine and family of McCook, Mark and family of San Diego, Calif., Chad and family of Norfolk; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at P.O. Box 265, Salome, AZ, 85348...

The family of Paul Holthus is requesting a card shower in honor of his 75th birthday Jan. 10. Cards of congratulation will reach him at PO Box 61, Culbertson, NE 69024.

The children and grandchildren of Victor Kisela are requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday, Jan. 10. Cards of congratulations will reach him at P.O. Box 232, Stratton, NE, 69043.

Josh and Krystle Friesen of Wallace, announce the birth of a daughter, Lydia Elaine Friesen. She was born Dec. 29, 2009, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. She weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Wayne and Noreen Christner of Hamlet, and Vern and Carol Friesen of Wallace...

WASHINGTON -- Today, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology that the University of Nebraska -- Lincoln will receive a $6.9 million grant to help construct and update a research facility specializing in nanoscience metrology. The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act...

LINCOLN -- The Nebraska Public Service Commission elected Fifth District Commissioner Jerry Vap of McCook as Chair for 2010 at a meeting Jan. 5 in Lincoln. Third District Commissioner Tim Schram of Gretna was elected Vice-Chair. Vap was appointed to the Public Service Commission in August of 2001 by Gov. Mike Johanns and was subsequently elected to a full six-year term beginning in 2005...

OMAHA --The Nebraska Cultural Endowment (NCE) recently elected four new members to its board of directors and one new member to the NCE advisory council. Jan Korell of McCook owns and operates AmFirst Bank with her husband. The bank has locations in McCook, Hayes Center, and Benkelman in Nebraska, and Greenwood Village and Longmont in Colorado. ...

The challenges for the McCook High School girls basketball team don't seem to get any easier. The Bison varsity girls are winless in 12 starts this season, with two more tough tests this weekend. McCook travels to Hershey Friday, Jan. 8, and entertains Sidney Saturday, Jan. 9...

Head coach Tim Garcia would like to get the McCook High School basketball bus rolling downhill this weekend. Coach Garcia is looking for his Bison boys team to gain some momentum with games at Hershey Friday, Jan. 8, and Sidney at home Saturday, Jan. 9...