Stories from Monday, March 14, 2011

Dear Fellow Nebraskans: I want to highlight the work done by the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) on behalf of state government. This agency is responsible for deploying technology that helps state agencies take advantage of premier information technology (IT), communications and online services. Their work requires close collaboration with all agencies of state government, the University of Nebraska and other educational organizations, and technology providers across Nebraska...

Dec. 3, 1933--March 11, 2011 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Jack L. Kihlthau, 77, passed away Friday (March 11, 2011), at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte. He was born Dec. 3, 1933, to Martin and Martha (Peil) Kihlthau in Minatare, Nebraska. He attended country schools and graduated from Melbeta High School...

April 11, 1981--March 12, 2011 LUDELL, Kansas -- Alicia Marie Rippe, 29, died Saturday (March 12, 2011), at her residence. She was born April 11, 2011, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Kevin and Jeanette (Downing) Burkhalter. She was raised north of Bird City, Kansas. She attended Cheylin High School and Fort Hays State University...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County, Nebraska, commissioners at their weekly meeting this morning hired an Omaha firm to conduct a study of options for housing the county's prisoners. Commission Chairman Earl McNutt said, "The (construction and operation) numbers may scare us to death, but this is a place to start."...

The mounting death toll in Japan is a somber reminder of the power of nature's fury. Yes, the most long-term danger, that from damaged nuclear power plants, can be accredited to man, but the earthquake and resulting tsunami is the underlying cause. The news should bring this week, March 14-18 Severe Weather Awareness Week in Nebraska, into sharper focus...

The Legislature is half way through the 2011 Legislative Session, and public hearings for this session's legislation will wrap up this Thursday, March 17. Moreover, last Wednesday and Thursday were the deadlines on Speaker Priority Bill designations and Senator and Committee Priority Bill designations. I chose LB 648 for my priority bill this session...

In early March, 2011, the McCook Community Theater Association is busy with rehearsals for the Spring Musical, "The Music Man." At this same time we are saying goodbye to Floyd Hershberger, who has truly been McCook's Music Man for more than 50 years. ...

Temperatures hovering around 40 degrees, a chilly breeze, even a few snow flurries -- a perfect, and perhaps normal day for baseball in March in southwest Nebraska. The blustery conditions Sunday, March 13, didn't seem to bother McCook Community College pitcher J.J. Jaramillo. The MCC sophomore scattered five hits to help the Indians earn a 2-1 victory over Western Nebraska Community College of Scottsbluff in the finale of a four-game weekend series at the Jaycees Sports Complex...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- It's amazing what can happen in less than two ticks on a clock. The hopes and dreams of two entire communities and a lot of people in the surrounding areas can be shattered in less time that it takes to count one-thousand one, one thousand.....

We're seeing a repeat of 2008 when Americans were paying close to $4 a gallon for gasoline and the price of crude oil was around $100 per barrel. One of the few bright spots then, and now, is ethanol. Not only is ethanol less expensive at the pump, it helps reduce our reliance on foreign oil, reduces greenhouse emissions, creates jobs, and it helps hold down the cost of oil...

CALIMESA, California -- Gerald Bartels, 79, died Friday (March 11, 2011), at his home in Calimesa. He was raised in Culbertson, Nebraska. Survivors include wife, Mary and three children. He was the brother of Geneva Eckhardt of McCook, Nebraska, Howard and wife, Betty Bartels, Wilma Stocks and Carol and husband, Bill Masten...