Stories from Tuesday, June 8, 2010

It was wonderful to meet with many Nebraskans last week for insightful discussions about federal policies and their impact on our daily lives. I wish all of my five hundred-some colleagues in Congress could have been with me to hear the discussions. I met with Nebraskans from Omaha to North Platte whose comments so clearly illustrated how directly federal policy impacts lives, from burdensome regulations to unsustainable spending...

June 5, 2010 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Nicholas Ethan and Nathan Michael Hall, infant twin sons, of Zachary Michael and Josefina Garcia (Martinez) Hall of McCook were born and went to be with their Lord and Savior on Saturday (June 5, 2010). Preceding them in death were their maternal great-grandparents, Nieves and Grace Contreras; and paternal great-grandmother, Wanda G. McDanield...

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- An Arapahoe man was killed late Monday when his pickup truck was in a head-on collision with another pickup truck which had swerved to avoid a third vehicle stopped for a deer on the highway. Dennis Monter, 45, Arapahoe, was transported to Cambridge Memorial Hospital by Arapahoe and Holbrook Fire and Rescue, but later died of his injuries...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council directed architects to provide proposals for the new City Municipal Facilities at both the $5 million and $5.25 million levels. City Manager Kurt Fritsch expressed concerns, at Tuesday night's bi-monthly city council meeting at the McCook Heritage Senior Center that dropping below the $5 million level would begin to reduce the life expectancy of the building as it would require quality reduction in the quality of key components such as the roof...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Janella M. Hager of Kearney was sentenced in Red Willow County District Court to 30 days in jail and 24 months probation Tuesday for the theft of $74,774.26 from Mo Dough LLC of McCook when she was acting as the company's accountant...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Invest Nebraska Corp. has unveiled the four finalists of this year's Annual Hormel Business Plan Competition in McCook, Nebraska. The finalists are Daniel Russo of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, with "L.E. Green Bags, LLC"; Daniel McCarville of Omaha with "The Cornerstone"; Charlie McPherson of McCook with "New Beginnings"; and Tyler Ray and Tyler Sue Loop of McCook with "Loop Brewing Company."...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County commissioners received absolutely no inquiries about nor a single bid to buy or demolish the two-story white-frame apartment house at 524 Norris, north of the county courthouse in McCook, Nebraska. Commission chairman Earl McNutt said Monday, during the commissioners' weekly meeting, there is obviously no interest in saving the house. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Youth in the 6, 7, or 8th grades (ages 12-14) are invited to discover what it takes to start and run their own business at the ESI Discoverer Camp June 23-26, 2010 at the Community Building, Fairgrounds, McCook. Youth will learn about potential business opportunities to enhance and promote the economic well-being of southwest Nebraska. ...

The summer goes fast -- just ask any school kid about the first of August. One way to get the most out of it, however, is to take in as many of the community activities as we can. That should be no problem this week, thanks to the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival...

Several years ago, when I was running for a third term as Red Willow County Commissioner, a movement was afoot to adopt county wide zoning. "Horrors of all horrors Red Willow was one of only a few in the whole state that did not have a codified zoning ordinance" so spoke the advocates. The unstated, but whispered, goal at the moment was to prevent any confinement hog operation from locating in the county...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Dr. Kenneth Ellis was a talented orthopedic surgeon who shared his gift of medicine by improving the quality of life for his many patients. He was a devoted family man, sharing his sense of humor through daily jokes sent via e-mail. He was a dedicated friend to many, a life-long learner, a musician, and a faithful Christian...