Stories from Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Airline service has always been an expensive and rarely profitable business, so there were high hopes when industry was deregulated in 1978, given the freedom to decide which cities to serve and how much to charge. With sparse population, places like Alaska, Wyoming and even Southwest Nebraska were likely to be overlooked by airlines no longer forced to use more profitable routes to subsidize routes that were losing money...

The top executive of the company that wants to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline through the Ogallala Aquifer was quoted this week as saying that Nebraskans would support the project "if they get the facts, the right facts." As opposed to the wrong facts?...

When news that a new life is expected, everyone gets busy. There are diapers to stockpile, baby afghans to crochet, crib sheets, receiving blankets, a car seat, a crib, sleepers and bottles to acquire. For the more affluent, a room must be made ready. Blue or pink? Bunnies or cowboys?...

The first day of a special legislative session aimed at debating the state's authority over oil pipelines lasted all of 16 minutes Tuesday. It was long enough for Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas to introduce LB1--a 25-page bill that would give the state routing authority over oil pipelines...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Hormel Family Foundation and Invest Nebraska Corp. have announced the three finalists in this year's Hormel Business Plan Competition in McCook: Sarah Risenhoover of McCook with HomeSpun; Bill Longnecker of McCook with Longnecker Jewelers: Jewelry Artisans; and Hannah Corey of McCook with Rock n Cola Sweet Shoppe...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- With the continuation of federal airline subsidies for McCook in doubt, local officials say scheduled air service is an important part of the mix when it comes to recruiting business and medical professionals as well as attracting and maintaining important employers...

It's a fact of life that every life ends. In spite of healthy living, medical intervention and even prayer, every life ends. But until it does, every life matters. So, too, do the lives of those left behind. Hospice allows those with terminal illnesses to do just that -- live until the moment death comes. Hospice provides support services, pain management, and palliative care, so that those who are dying are allowed to live with dignity, with purpose, with peace...

Laramey Lewis of Hitchcock County slips a hand under the volleyball for a save against Overton in the Class D1-10 Sub-District Tournament championship game Tuesday at Southern Valley High School. The Falcons defeated Overton in straight sets to advance to the D1-5 District final Thursday...