Stories from Friday, May 7, 2010

It's GNAC Week at McCook High School, and the Bison girls tennis team get their shot at conference meet competition Saturday, May 8. The Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference girls tennis meet is scheduled Saturday at Norfolk High School. Opening matches are set to begin at 10 a.m. Competition will be held in four divisions -- No. 1 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The man who helped make possible the new Education Center at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, remembers that he and his father dug dandelions on the baseball field where the new structure will be built...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Red Willow County Commissioners will consider whether to pursue cooperation with the City of McCook on a new law enforcement facility at their regular meeting Monday. While a joint law enforcement facility failed a test of the voters a few years ago, the city will soon ask voters to support a new fire hall, police station and administrative offices...

Every year at this time, hundreds of thousands of people, most of them young, graduate from high schools and colleges around the country. They will listen to the usually boring and mundane commencement addresses that challenge them to take charge of their own destiny and be the best they can be. In recent years that charge has become even more fervent because of rapid social change...

If you're feeling down, a little apprehensive or have a more serious mental condition, it's good to remember that our minds are connected to our bodies. Scot Adams, director of the Division of Behavioral Health in the Department of Health and Human Services, makes that connection in a release while reminding us that May is Mental Health Month...

Feb. 25, 1930 - May 4, 2010 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Jackie "Jack" Lyle Pursley died Tuesday (May 4, 2010) at North Colorado Medical Center, Greeley, Colorado. He was 80 years old. Jack was born to Clarence Elva and Pearl Frieda (Osborne) Pursley Feb. 25, 1930, in Benkelman. His family then moved to a farm in northwest Kansas where they lived eight years before moving back to Benkelman...

Jan. 24, 1939 - May 5, 2010 LEXINGTON, Nebraska -- Merle Johnson, 71, of Lexington, Nebraska, departed this world Wednesday, May 5, 2010, south of Lexington as the result of a truck accident. He was born Jan. 24, 1939, at Farnam, Nebraska to Irvin and Velma (Hand) Johnson. Merle grew up in Farnam and graduated from Farnam High School in 1957, where he was involved in football and basketball...

BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- Arlyn Marble, 73, formerly of Oxford, Nebraska, died Thursday (May 6, 2010) at Harlan County Hospital at Alma, Nebraska. Memorial services will be Monday, 10:30 a.m., at Hollinger United Methodist Church at Hollinger, Nebraska...

FAMILY FEATURES -- Mother's Day is a lovely way to pay tribute to moms and other women who have nurtured us, taught us and influenced our lives. If you're looking for a special way to say thank you and give her a wonderful memory, try some of these ideas...

Its the tail end of an exhausting day and I have spent the last 10 minutes making the most delicious looking (and still healthy - which has become quite the chore) turkey sandwich I have seen in a long long time. I tip-toe into the living room, a "No Food Zone," and turn on Sportscenter. I get one bite into my masterpiece, which does not disappoint and I hear a yell from down the hall. "Dad! Dad come wipe my butt!"...

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado -- Jennifer Lea Myers Searcey of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Lynn Michael Searcey of McCook were united in marriage on Jan. 16, 2010, at the Embassy Suites Denver Tech Center with Mike Searcey officiating. Parents of the couple are Thomas and Julie Wrobel of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David Myers of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mike and Linda Searcey of McCook...

BEAVERTON, Oregon -- Kathleen Marie Colling of Palacios, Texas, and Alphonsus Beverly Jones of Honolulu, Hawaii, were united in marriage on June 27, 2009, at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church in Beaverton with the Revs. Jeffrey Hubbard, friend of the bride and Pat McNamee, pastor of St. Cecilia Church, officiating...

Danelle Ruppert and Robert Schimming, both of St. Joseph, Missouri, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Andrew and Peggy Ruppert of Culbertson and Larry and Debbie Schimming of Maryville, Missouri. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Naomi Ruppert of McCook and the late Homer Ruppert, Helen McNutt of McCook and the late Murel McNutt. ...

Emily Berry and Brandon Park announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Roger and Nancy Berry of Lincoln and Rusty and Jackie Park of McCook. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Irvin and Ruth Ann Hess, Farnum and the late Lyle and Joyce Berry. Grandparents of the prospective bridegroom are Leon and Sarah Wright of Indianola and the late Wayne and Evelyn Park...

Kelly Taylor of Wewoka, Oklahoma and Matthew R. Beck of Lawrence, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. The prospective bridegroom's parents are Robert and Jean Beck of Benkelman and his grandparents are John and Wilma Ferguson of Parks...

The family of Willard Hoyt of Culbertson is requesting a card shower in honor of his 94th birthday. He was born May 9, 1916, on a farm in Hitchcock County. His family includes four daughters, Virginia and husband, Jack Clark of McCook, Sharon and husband, Wallace Denison of Tuthill, South Dakota, Pat and husband, Jamie Forch of Trenton, and Barb and husband, Patrick McGill of Bennet, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. ...

The family of Helen Wolzen of Arapahoe, is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday, April 2. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 506 Walnut St., Arapahoe, NE 68922.

I was joined this week by University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken in a recruitment visit that was part of the 2010 BIO International Convention held in Chicago. A growing segment of our economy consists of specialized companies in the biosciences field. These are the high tech, research-driven fields producing biofuels, pharmaceuticals and vaccines for humans and animals, robotics, and testing equipment used in research labs around the world...

At its most fundamental level, the duty of Congress is to steward the government's revenue. Lately, all it's been doing is spending it. To shoulder this responsibility appropriately, annually Congress drafts a budget, establishing a fiscal blueprint for government to follow on spending decisions...