Stories from Wednesday, October 24, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Middle Republican Natural Resources District board of directors voted 9-2 Tuesday morning to participate with three other NRD's in the purchase of a 19,500-acre southern Lincoln County farm so that the water used now to irrigate its crops can be piped to the Republican and South Platte rivers...

Raymond L. Brooks Oct. 16, 1932 - Aug. 4, 2012 ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico -- Raymond L. Brooks, 79, died in Alamogordo on Aug. 4, 2012. He was born in McCook, Nebraska, on Oct. 16, 1932, to Cletus and Ruth Brooks. He graduated from McCook High School in McCook, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln...

Helen Jean Walbridge Aug. 23, 191 - Oct. 22, 2012 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Helen Jean Walbridge, 93, of Arapahoe, died Monday (Oct. 22, 2012), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born on Aug. 23, 1919, south of Kearney in Kearney County, Nebraska, to Joseph Franklin and Emma Senora (Sheckels) Needham...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Red Willow County 4-H Achievement celebration was Sunday, Oct. 21 at the 4-H Building with a large crowd in attendance. 4-H Council President, Mike Daffer, gave the welcome. Julie Gillespie, 4-H Council member, presented Outstanding 4-H Member awards to Kyle Gaston and Mattie Uerling for their willingness to help younger 4-H members and their service to the 4-H program. ...

HAYES CENTER, Nebraska -- Hitchcock County, Nebraska, District Judge David Urbom told a Missouri woman charged with possession of methamphetamine, "Grandmas aren't methheads." Melissa L. Phillipis of Springfield, Missouri, told Judge Urbom through her attorney Ryan Wilcox that she is ashamed of herself, that the past month in jail has helped her think through her life, that she wants to return to Missouri and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. ...

If you haven't heard the popular recording of a radio call to a Fargo, North Dakota, radio station, it's worth a listen (visi http://youtu.be/CI8UPHMzZm8 for a YouTube version). A woman caller named Donna is perplexed as to why authorities won't move the "Deer Crossing" signs off the busy roads where cars, including hers, frequently strike and kill the animals...

J. L. Schmidt Statehouse Correspondent The Nebraska Press Association City fathers in Lincoln hope to use some state sales tax proceeds to help pay off the Pinnacle Bank Arena that is being built in the historic Haymarket area downtown. Under provisions of the Nebraska Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act, a state panel will be asked to allow the city to use 70 percent of the state sales tax from the arena and surrounding hotels for up to 25 years. ...

Indian Summer has fallen on the Golden Plains, providing brilliant blue as the backdrop for the vibrant colors of fall, warm daytime temperatures and a decided lack of winter's chill through the overnight hours. What a glorious time of year. According to the weather forecast, it's almost over. ...

An array of delectable goodies tempt passersby, customers and staff at McCook National Bank's bake sale Friday for Ann Trail's "Adopt-a-Chaplain" project. The sale raised $837.50. Lisa Felker, human resource manager at MNB, said, "That's a very impressive total, I have to say. We had so many nice baked goods and donations from the public were generous."...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- Not every one is pleased with the proposed purchase of a southern Lincoln County, Nebraska, farm to help Republican and Platte river Natural Resources Districts (NRD's) ensure compliance with interstate water agreements...