Stories from Friday, February 20, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- With ag land valuations skyrocketing, property owners are picking up more and more of the bill for funding schools, something Nebraska State Sen. Dan Hughes of District. 44 would like to see changed. State equalization aid payment figures were released in January, with aid cut to 12 out of 14 schools in Southwest Nebraska, including at McCook Public Schools...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Young Professionals Group of the McCook, Nebraska, Area Chamber of Commerce remind area high school seniors who plan to attend McCook Community College, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis or the McCook Beauty Academy in 2015 that they are eligible for three $500 scholarships...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook CASA office completed a renovation project this week which allows the nonprofit to significantly expand services they provide to the region. CASA volunteers toured a group of donors and area community leaders through the new facility Wednesday evening as part of an open house celebration...

Today's column topic are the beginning words to a classic soul song from Luther Ingram in 1972; "If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want to be Right". Adultery was a debatable topic 43 years ago as it is today and this song made waves on both sides of the aisle. It ended with the words, "I don't want to be right if it means living without you."...

Beyonce's advice to men, "if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it" could apply to women as well, and they should check out the length of the finger, if a McGill University study is to be believed. If his index finger is shorter and his ring finger longer, he may make a better husband, according to the study...

80th birthday The family of Fredora Harrison of Culbertson, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday Feb. 23. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 307 Christy Ave., Culbertson, NE 69024.

80th birthday The family of Rita (Schreiber) Sekavec, formerly of McCook, of Wellington, Colorado, is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday March 7. She was born in Ransom, Kansas, in 1935. Her family includes her late husband, Norm Sekavec; children, Diane and John Sink, Kim and Jim O'Dea, Jeff and Lisa Sekavec, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 3382...

Susan Doak Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society If you want to do a surname search that will result in several hints go to www.genealogytoday.com and enter your last name in their "Search by Surname" box. The initial search is free and when you enter into each hint listed, the site tells you if the information available can be accessed without cost by noting "Free" after the contact listing...