Stories from Thursday, May 7, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- The City of McCook administers permits to citizens which authorize the open burning of leaves, discharging of fireworks and even for those with a need to blast high explosives within city limits. Archery and pellet gun practice, however, won't be among the activities permissible via permit anytime soon...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A community forestry specialist with the Nebraska Forest Service strongly recommends planting trees -- fast-growing and slow-growing both -- with rough bark. Amy Seiler, who conducted a tree workshop in McCook in late April -- perfect timing for tree planting -- told those at the workshop, "Smooth-barked trees are easily damaged, by hail, deer, cats, the sun."...

Washington, D.C. author Stew Magnuson's book, "The Last American Highway: A Journey through Time down U.S. Route 83, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma" is now available at the Museum of the High Plains, at 413 Norris Avenue in downtown McCook, Nebraska. Magnuson explained his "Highway 83 Chronicles" project -- three books exploring the highway from North Dakota to the Texas border -- at the museum on Sunday, April 12. ...

Thanks to modern technology, we've never been safer when it comes to knowing about approaching bad weather. Professional meteorologists, storm chasers and amateur skywatchers have an unprecedented array of tools at their disposal when it comes to keeping track of storms...

Dear Third Child, Since you're only 8 years old and don't know what "childhood issues" are yet, I thought I'd apologize now so you have something in writing to take to your therapist later in life. That way you know that none of what happened to you growing up was intentional and that you were loved just as much, but just happened to be the third child...

INDIANOLA, Neb. -- The Indianola Historical Society is looking for stories from the Prisoner of War Camp. If you had someone who worked there or had prisoners who worked on your family's farm during the war, the Indianola Historical Society would love to hear your stories...

Arnold Robert Raye 'Arnie' Solberg Jan. 21, 1965 - May 6, 2015 BARTLEY, Neb. -- Arnold Robert Raye (Arnie) Solberg, 50, died Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Bartley. He was born Jan. 21, 1965, to Arnold and Janet (Berard) Solberg in Glendale, California. At 14 months, he was adopted and raised by his grandparents. Raye and Helen Solberg. He attended Altaloma High School. After leaving his home in California, he moved to Bartley in 2000, where he had various jobs and made friends everywhere he went...

Melba K. Farr Jan. 31, 1945 - May 6, 2015 HAYS, Kan. -- Melba K. Farr, 70, died Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas. She was born Jan. 31, 1945 in Oxford, Nebraska. Services are Monday, May 11, 2015, 1:30 p.m. at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin with the Rev. Gene Gee officiating. Interment is at the Oberlin Cemetery,...

Samela Jane Downey July 2, 1959 - May 7, 2015 TRENTON, Neb. -- Samela Downey, 55, of Trenton, died Thursday (May 7, 2015), at Dundy County Hospital in Benkleman, Nebraska. She was born in Stratton, Nebraska, on July 2, 1959, to James C. and Bertha L. (Anderson) Scott...