Stories from Thursday, May 26, 2011

Sept. 8, 1922-May 24, 2011 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Hazel I. DeVaughn, 88, formerly of North Platte, died Tuesday (May 24, 2011) at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She was born Sept. 8, 1922, near Alexandria, Nebraska to George William and Clara Alice Joe Lovercheck, the second oldest of nine children. She graduated from Alexandria High School with a teaching certificate in music...

My mother is the epitome of feminine. She loves dresses with a matching hat, switches purses weekly, and appreciates a good diamond. She's always on the hunt for cute shoes, as well as the perfect haircut. She loves to sing and always wanted to be a dancer. She never played sports, and sprains her ankle at the thought of running, but she's a great cook, an even better baker and keeps a spotless house...

I guess this is the place for the good news and the bad news. The good news is shuttle mission STS-134 launched on Monday, May 16, on schedule and the orbiter docked with the ISS two days later. The bad news is there will be incredibly few opportunities for viewing the docked pair in the coming days...

In the pivotal race for Nebraska's seat in the U.S. Senate, the Tea Party Express bet the store on Jon Bruning, and he responded as if the TPE "endorsement" closed the deal for all TEA Party groups in Nebraska. Wrong. Tea Party Express operatives believe they represent our voice--they do not...

If you've donated blood more than once, you have probably noticed how there always seems to be some new requirement or restriction, new questions and variations on the routine. There may be one more question coming, according to a new report by food scientists, including two from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln...

McCook, Nebraska, firefighter Mike Schoenemann scoops a crispy-fried squirrel from the sidewalk at the corner of Norris Avenue and I Street this morning. "Sparky" the squirrel, formerly known as "Lucky," created quite a "buzz" this morning when he touched something grounded and a hot phase on the primary side of the power line at the Norris and I intersection. ...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The 6-year-old boy whose dead body was found on a country road in Maine lived in Curtis, Nebraska for a time two years ago. LuRae McCrery of Curtis is the grandmother of the little boy who has been identified as Camden Pierce Hughes of Irving, Texas. McCrery's daughter, Juli, is under arrest in New Hampshire in connection with Camden's death...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Workers are putting the final polish on Phase 1 and are going great guns on Phase 2, the two stages of renovation and construction that are expanding and enhancing Community Hospital of McCook, Nebraska. Community Hospital President Jim Ulrich told hospital board of directors at their monthly meeting May 18 that landscapers are installing sod around the new helicopter pad and the new patient wing built in Phase 1...

This is a good time to make plans to explore Nebraska, and the 2011 Nebraska Passport is a good way to get started. The passport program highlights Nebraska's unique attractions and offers travelers a range of activities and places to visit during peak summer travel season...

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- The Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado Railway is scheduled to begin work Tuesday on the replacement of the railroad grade crossings on U.S. Highways 6 and 34 west of Culbertson. The work will require the closure of Hwy 34 for approximately one week. ...

OMAHA, Nebraska -- McCook High School track and field coaches had an unknown quantity this spring in Matt Chitwood. The junior had never competed in the long jump before this season. But when Chitwood stepped on the approach, he came out victorious in the event, in every meet...

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Heavy rains that deluged central Nebraska Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, May 24-25, couldn't dampen the spirits of the McCook High School boys golf team. The Bison were prepared to play the final 18 holes in the Class B state meet Wednesday at the Kearney Country Club. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Following Governor Dave Heineman's successful veto of two bills Wednesday, State Sen. Mark Christensen said he believed there was only one bill the governor may veto today, which is expected to be the final session for Nebraska lawmakers...