Stories from Monday, September 27, 2010

I want to share an update on an initiative that has been an outstanding asset to our business development efforts in the last few years. I worked with the Legislature to develop the Nebraska Advantage in 2005. It was the first comprehensive update to Nebraska's business incentives program since the 1980s...

April, 23, 1922--Sept. 26, 2010 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Alta Mae Corder, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away Sunday (Sept. 26, 2010), at Cambridge Hospital. Alta Mae was born April 23, 1922, in Cambridge to Ralph and Marjorie (Hiatt) Wiedeman. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1939...

COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana -- Bob "Robert" H. Porter, 80, died Wednesday (Sept. 22, 2010), at Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born to Hervey and Doris Porter in Parks, Nebraska. At an early age, Bob and his family moved to McCook, where he attended kindergarten and graduated from McCook High School in 1948. He graduated from McCook Junior College in 1950...

June 1, 1953--Sept. 25, 2010 DANBURY, Nebraska -- Randall August Barber, 57, passed away following a short battle with liver cancer on Saturday (Sept. 25, 2010) at his home in Danbury. Randy was born June 1, 1953, to parents Joseph Henry and Joyce Elaine (Giinther) Barber in Hays, Kansas. While growing up, he attended school at Republican Valley in Indianola, Nebraska...

May 16, 1945--Sept. 22, 2010 INDIANOLA,Nebraska -- Lawrence 'Larry' E. Vontz, 65, died Wednesday (Sept. 22, 2010), at his home in Denver. He was born May 16, 1945, in McCook, Nebraska, to Lawrence "Slim" P. and Cornelia "Nellie" (Sughroue) Vontz. He graduated from Indianola High School in Indianola, Nebraska, and then attended and graduated from Omaha School of Business in Omaha, Nebraska...

Aug. 6, 1954-Sept. 23, 2010 LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Donna Jean Harned, 56, formerly of Indianola, died Thursday (Sept. 23, 2010). She was born Aug. 6, 1954, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Gaylord Harrison and Iona Mae (Schamel) Harned. She worked as a case aide for the State of Nebraska and at Tier One Bank...

July 20, 1936--Sept. 23, 2010 WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Viola Louise Bischoff, 74, died Thursday (Sept. 23, 2010), in Seward, Nebraska. She was born July 20, 1936, in Haxtun, Colorado, to Lawrence "Pate" and Irene (Roberts) Milner. She attended Prairie Gem Grade School, Chase County High School in Imperial, Nebraska, and Doane College in Crete, Nebraska...

It doesn't get much better than that, folks. We're trying to get as much as possible about the big weekend into today's edition of the Gazette, but don't be surprised if you see more photos about Heritage Days, the Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous, the Stratton Fall Festival, the 75th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Administration, the dedication of the Keystone Business Center and other events published over the next few days...

For many years, through most of the 20th Century, Ray Search was a well-known figure in McCook, as manager of the Fox and Temple Theaters. A native Nebraskan, he was a great ambassador for the state. He was one of the city's leading storytellers. But there was another side to this popular McCookite, one that he did not often talk about...

Southwest junior defensive back Tanner Teel (11) intercepts an Elm Creek pass last Friday afternoon at Bartley. The Roughriders claimed a 14-6 victory.

Our national economy has been through a rough time, and while we in Nebraska have been more fortunate than people in other states, Nebraskans often tell me they're watching their checkbooks very carefully these days, spending only what they need to. When I meet with business owners and civic leaders they often wonder aloud why the Nebraska way never comes across in Washington...

Not extending the Bush tax cuts for the income levels of $250,000 or more would hit small businesses where they live. If we continue to stress these businesses in uncertain times, they may have no other choice than to drop health insurance benefits, cut hours or lay off more people...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Rural electrification partners came together Sunday at the Keystone Business Center in McCook, Neb. to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Administration. Guest speakers included John Allen, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Utah State University; Jessica Zufolo, Deputy Administrator for USDA Rural Utilities Service, and Robert Harris, a McCook native who is with the Tennessee Valley Authority. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Keystone Hotel / Keystone Business Center probably holds more secrets about the community of McCook and its citizens than even the nosiest of next-door neighbors. Rex Nelson, Executive Director of the McCook Economic Development Corp. revealed a few of the stories that have been shared with him during the five-year process it took to get the 1922 structure renovated into state-of-the-art office space and business incubator...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook's 39th annual Heritage Days celebration became a "shining moment" in the community's history, as the sun shone warm and bright on three days of fun and interesting activities that highlighted "Life's Shining Moments." Pam Harsh, executive director of the McCook, Nebraska, Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event, said this morning, "Celebrations like Heritage Days bring people together in a way that is so important to building community pride and special memories.". ...

ALLIANCE, Nebraska -- McCook's girls high school golf team got a sneak preview of the layout for the upcoming Class B-4 District meet Friday, Sept. 24, at the Alliance Invitational. The Bison girls should be pretty optimistic about the district meet after Friday's competition...

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska -- It took about eight plays and head coach Jeff Gross doing his best Tony Robbins imitation Friday, Sept. 24, for the McCook High School defense to shift into high gear. After a bit of a slow start, the Bison defense kept host Grand Island Northwest out of the end zone as McCook earned a 29-0 win over the Vikings...