Stories from Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Independent retailers say they are at a disadvantage when it comes to collecting state sales tax, and government and other officials decry the loss of tax revenue from online sales. Gov. Pete Ricketts opposes the advancement of LB44, State Sen. Dan Watermeier’s priority bill, which would enforce the collection of online sales tax, saying it would put Nebraska’s budget on “shaky grounds.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nebraska Game and Parks officials indicated recently the days of stocking the Barnett Park ponds may be coming to an end, after fish kills in recent years wiped out the majority of the bass and blue gill populations. A trout stocking scheduled for this Saturday is expected to proceed and could be a last-of-its-kind occurrence for the popular beginner’s fishing hole...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Despite a tough 0-3 showing at last week’s state tournament, southwest Nebraska still put two teams in the final boys basketball rankings. Wauneta-Palisade (19-7 record) actually climbed a spot to No. 9 after leading D-2 finalist Mead into the fourth quarter Thursday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — Before budget time, Red Willow County commissioners will investigate health insurance options for county employees, considering the wisdom of continuing to self-insure the county’s health benefits. The county has self-insured its employees’ health benefits since the mid-1990s. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The medical and food services at the Red Willow County jail in McCook will remain the same following the awarding of bids during the county commissioners’ weekly meeting Monday morning. Commissioners opened and discussed three proposals for food services for inmates: from CBM Managed Services of Sioux Falls, S.Dak., from Consolidated Correctional Food Services of Des Moines, Iowa; and from Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — High winds in the area last week damaged the roof at the McCook Junior High. The rubber membrane at the school was rippling and parachuting with the strong wind gusts last week, McCook Schools business manager Rick Haney told the McCook Board of Education Monday and needs to be repaired. Time is of the essence, Haney said, so the gym floor does not get damaged with possible rain...

McCOOK, Neb. — When Red Willow County commissioners discussed a request for a cemetery clean-up reimbursement at their meeting Monday morning, they also got a helpful lesson in a genealogical tool called “Find A Grave.” Steve Butler, a retiree who has returned to McCook, told commissioners that he and his wife, Kim, had visited Red Willow County’s Fairview Cemetery while they searched for grave markers for “Find A Grave,” a website that allows the public to search and add to an online database of 159 million grave records. ...

During the past month, I have been given the opportunity to travel to different area towns. Traveling, I have gotten the chance to watch some great basketball games, with great players. Every game you watch is always different. The plays, reactions, baskets, even the support section is never the same...

McCCOK, Neb. — Earlier this year, the state rejected Red Willow County’s proposal for funding help to replace a bridge near Lebanon with a concrete box culvert. So at their meeting Monday morning, commissioners decided they still need to seek bids for the culvert project, and that they want to propose working with Frontier County on the next offer of state bridge funding...

First a little housekeeping. Last week I wrote of Harold Confer but had him married to the wrong lady. Dorothy’s maiden name was Reed, not Steele. It must have been the right lady as Dottie and Hal were married 72 years when he passed. Catch a performance of “The Beauty and the Beast” at the Fox Theatre. Delightful. Worth every penny of the $15 admission. It will make you proud of this community. Very well done...

MCCOOK, Neb. — The best in Nebraska high school wrestling realized two McCook Bison deserved to be among them for this summer’s big event. Senior two-time Class B state medalist Eric Langan and McCook head coach Nick Umhscheid have both selected for the Nebraska Wrestling Coaches’ Association All-Star Dual...

Cassie Bratton NCTA News CURTIS, Neb. — The rodeo team at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will be hosting a second barrel race in its Jackpot Series on Thursday. Prizes are given to top places, with proceeds directed to the Aggie spring rodeo season...

Robert “Bob” L. Horn May 28, 1931 - March 11, 2017 PALISADE, Neb. — Robert “Bob” L. Horn, age 85, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Great Plains Health in North Platte after a brief battle with cancer. Bob was born on May 28, 1931, to Elmer and Ethel (Davis) Horn in Mullen, Neb.  He attended elementary school in Mullen until the age of 12, at which time the family moved to a farm in southern Hayes County.  After completing high school, he attended McCook College for two years.  It was at this time Bob served in the U.S. ...

Charles S. Lincoln June 22, 1929 - March 13, 2017 OBERLIN, Kan. — Charles S. Lincoln, 87, of Oberlin, died Monday (March 13, 2017) in Oberlin. He was born June 22, 1929, in Oberlin to George E. and Sarah E. (Bolin) Lincoln. He attended school in Oberlin and was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War...

Shirley Ann Christman Jan. 18, 1935 - March 10, 2017 WICHITA,Kan. — Shirley Ann Christman, 82, passed away on March 10, 2017, at her home. She was born on Jan. 18, 1935, to Ethel Mae and Loren Brixner in Lebanon, Neb. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to Tremont, Utah, where her dad worked on the Conner Springs Ranch for 3 or 4 years and her mom cooked for the crew. ...

Lincoln, Neb. — With marijuana now legal in some form in 28 states and Washington, D.C., it is evident that Americans are rethinking the drug's place in society. Public opinion polls have shown significant growth in support for marijuana legalization, from about 20 percent in 1990, according to public opinion surveys, to 57 percent in the latest Pew Research survey released in October 2016...

Pinnacle Bancorp Chairman Sid Dinsdale announced this week the signing of an agreement for Pinnacle Bancorp to acquire AmFirst Bank located in Nebraska and Colorado, a wholly owned subsidiary of AmFirst Financial Services Inc. “We are excited to welcome AmFirst Bank to the Pinnacle Bancorp family,” Dinsdale said. “We look forward to continuing to grow our relationships in Nebraska and Colorado.”...

CURTIS, Neb. — The rodeo team at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will be hosting a second barrel race in its Jackpot Series on Thursday. Prizes are given to top places, with proceeds directed to the Aggie spring rodeo season. The series includes categories for Peewees (younger athletes) and Open (for all ages)...