Stories from Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I had the opportunity last month to visit with many of you throughout the state, and it should come as no surprise that the primary concern among most Nebraskans continues to be jobs and our economy. I've returned to Washington with this fresh in my mind, just as the debate has begun on the tax increase set to go into effect on January 1...

It's an unlikely marriage that has lasted 50 years and counting, and we all benefit. Time is money when it comes to road construction. Contractors have narrow parameters of time and weather to complete projects, and face monetary penalties if they fail...

I read with great amusement Rick Poore's letter ("Rants out of place," Sept. 14) regarding Dick Trail's "partisan political diatribes," and why the Gazette would publish such things. I happen to know the answer. It's for the same reason it publishes Mike Hendricks' column, or Mr. Poore's letter, or this one: because the price is right, namely, free. I mean, we're not talking about a paid full-page advertisement in support of Ben Nelson here. (Just how black IS that kettle, Mr. Poore?)...

The Farmers Market has been very successful again this year. Some of the vendors would like to have the market open later this year. We will be open Heritage Days and into October or until the vendors are through. In the 13 years I have managed Farmers Market, we have had the largest variety of vendors, many with baked goods, local blackberries, plums, peaches, apples, frozen goat meat, fresh apple juice, honey will be in soon, all kinds of vegetables, including pumpkins and squash, and a wide assortment of crafts.. ...

When I was a seventh-grader at North Arvada Junior High, I watched the custodian help the gym teacher assemble several pieces of some rather odd-looking equipment one day. It was gymnastic equipment, I was told -- the pommel horse, the balance beam and my personal favorite, the uneven bars. Apparently, the school district transported the equipment from school to school throughout the year and it was finally our turn...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Rural electrification partners will host the 75th anniversary celebration of the Rural Electrification Administration at the Keystone Business Center on Sunday, Sept. 26. The Center is at 402 Norris Ave., in McCook, and the event is from 2 to 4 p.m. CDT...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Public Schools plans a major emergency drill next week and wants parents and the public to know. According to a letter sent home to parents, the multi-services evacuation drill for each school building is set for Wednesday, Sept. 22...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Husker football fans who want to be at Nebraska's game against Texas this year will want to attend St. Pat's Fall Festival this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets to the game are the grand prize for the raffle at the annual fundraising event for the parish...

Hitchcock County sophomore Kristen Garner (5) tries to knock the volleyball past an Elwood defender in volleyball action Tuesday at the Hitchcock County triangular meet in Trenton. The Falcons defeated Elwood 25-22, 25-13. Hitchcock County also beat Maywood in straight sets, and Maywood also lost to Elwood in straight sets...

Perhaps one of the most challenging cross-country courses in the state will draw a host of runners from southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas schools to McCook Thursday, Sept. 16. The annual McCook Invitational cross-country meet is scheduled Thursday evening at the Heritage Hills Golf Course on the west edge of the city...

Gray hair or no offense? Jason Cochran will take a few changes to his scalp any day. The McCook High School girls softball coach watched his Bison team explode in the late innings Tuesday, Sept. 14, for a 9-0, 5-inning win over Hastings. The contest was played in front of a strong crowd at the Jaycees Sports Complex...

September 15, 2010 -- Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement today by the U.S. Department of Energy that it released a new report detailing the $146 million in clean energy funding Nebraska has received due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The report details total investment to date as well as the 38 energy-related Recovery Act projects across the state...