Stories from Thursday, June 30, 2016

Devona F. Downs WICHITA, Kan.. -- Devona F. Downs, 79, died Sunday, June 12, 2016. She was a retired school bus driver for USD 266 in Maize. A Celebration of Life Service was June 16, 2016, at Northwest Christian Church in Wichita, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fay and Mae McKillip; brother, Lamoine McKillip; and brother-in-law, Harold Richards...

Roberta Y. Martin Feb. 3, 1933 - June 28, 2016 BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- Roberta Y. Martin, 83, of Beaver City, died Tuesday (June 28, 2016), at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb. She was born to Fred M. and Nellie N. (Saltzman) Marble on Feb. ...

Ron R. Schoneberg Sept. 4, 1941 - June 27, 2016 ORLEANS, Neb. -- Ron R. Schoneberg, 74, of Orleans, died Monday (June 27, 2016), at his home. He was born Sept. 4, 1941, at Holdrege, Neb., to Glen and Mildred (Conant) Schoneberg. He graduated from Orleans High School in 1959 and Kearney State College in 1963. He taught at Paxton High School for two years. He married D'Maris Stewart in 1966...

It could be a great weekend if you plan to travel, but it could also be one of the worst, according to AAA Nebraska. Starting today and extending through Monday, July 4, nearly 43 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home. It will be the cheapest travel in years if gasoline prices are taken into account, with U.S. drivers saving about $20 billion on gasoline so far this year compared to the same period in 2015...

Life ain't fair. As I sit here this morning ... staring at my computer screen ... my heart is aching because I have lost another friend. I didn't know Steve Kodad very long -- in fact, I really didn't get to know him well until the past few months. Steve and my friendship started on Saturdays and Sundays when I stopped by the newspaper office to check for new voice mail and e-mail messages...

Oh how I wish we didn't have to face the idea of dying, but it seems it takes a death for everyone to step back and appreciate all they have in life. At least it sure does for me. I spent most of last week trying to be happy on the outside and just roll with the daily stress of my life, but behind my positive façade, I was complaining about every stupid, little thing and finding the negative in about all the situations. ...

OMAHA, Neb. -- Dogs don't ask for much. Just a bowl of food, a bowl of cool water. Somewhere comfortable to bed down. Someone to love, and love them back. To be part of a family. When that stream of love dries up in a country halfway around the world, it doesn't matter to a group of Americans the difference of 5,000 miles, or if the dogs speak only Turkish. They're welcome in families in the United States...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Following five weeks packed with more than 35 stimulating Study Group brainstorming sessions, the facilitators for the Marketing Hometown America program in McCook are ready to present their findings. Armed with idea-filled action sheets, the facilitators will take turns of five minutes each at the Action Forum...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Evangelical Church will host the Lincoln Berean Youth Choir in their presentation of "Esprit 2016: More of You, Less of Me," Wednesday, July 6, at 7 p.m., at the Evangelical Free Church, 602 East 14th.

McCOOK, Neb. -- Day #3 of the Majors Division Tournament took place at Felling Field on Thursday evening. Tournament Game #6 (elimination game) #5 O'Brien Electric Inc Royals....2 #3 Gatorade Mets.......................3 The O'Brien Electric Inc Royals scored a total of two runs in this Majors Tournament contest and both runs occurred in the top of the first inning when Jacob Wilson and Wyatt Meyers put together back to back singles to open up the ballgame. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- First Central Red Juniors defeated Cozad 15-0 Wednesday and host Gothenburg at 7 p.m. today at the Jaycees Complex in McCook. If the Reds win they will represent the west at the Mid-Nebraska BAseball League at 7 p.m. Friday in Kearney for the league championship game...

McCOOK, Neb. -- First Central Red Juniors defeated Cozad 15-0 Wednesday and host Gothenburg at 7 p.m. today at the Jaycees Complex in McCook. If the Reds win they will represent the west at the Mid-Nebraska BAseball League at 7 p.m. Friday in Kearney for the league championship game...