Stories from Tuesday, April 11, 2017

We haven’t seen one yet, but it’s probably only a matter of time before you can buy locally one of the fastest-growing categories of desserts — a divorce cake. We do mark milestones like birthdays, weddings are retirements with cakes, so it was probably inevitable that bakeries around the world have begin offering “divorce cakes” to help ease the pain of a breakup by taking in some calories with our remaining friends...

Several years back your columnist was getting a bit upset that the developers of a set of “55 plus” new housing were being granted tax increment financing. In my opinion, the relief from certain real estate taxes was not quite fair for those building new homes for the market. Then again one aspect of 55 and over housing is that population with no young children does not have need for schools which consume a majority of our real estate taxes. Hmmm...

The appropriations committee is wrapping up their preliminary budget for the 2017-19 fiscal years, they will give the legislature the final budget on Day 69 which is April 21st. They have a very difficult task. Nebraska’s economy is still growing but only at a 1 percent increase. ...

Bald eagles, gray wolves and American alligators are some of the animals who were brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to the Endangered Species Act. Now, these species, as well as over 1,600 other protected creatures are in danger. These are some of the Federal bills that are attacks on our wild animals:...

We Nebraskans aren't inclined to fussiness. We make money, pay taxes, enjoy family. We pray that there will be enough left over so our kids are a little better off. Or so I thought. From healthcare to the EPA, to education and more, the federal government is increasingly complicating my daily life. The only thing I can expect to leave my kids is a huge national debt. That's not the good life I was given...

Janell Marie (Cappel) Carson Oct. 24, 1960 – April 6, 2017 WHITE CITY, Kan. — Janell Marie (Cappel) Carson, 56, of White City, passed away April 6, 2017, at her home. She was born on Oct. 24, 1960, in McCook, Neb., Red Willow County, to Eugene and Judith (Bahl) Cappel. She graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1979. After high school, she attended Kearney State College and Mid-Plains Community College. She worked as a medical technologist for many years until she retired in 2012...

S. Matt Magrath June 3, 1957 - April 3, 2017 LYNDEN. Wash. — S. Matt Magrath, Ph.D., peacefully passed away on April 3, 2017, after a one-year battle with esophageal cancer.  Matt was born June 3, 1957 in McCook, Neb., where he spent all his formative years, to Kathleen (Koeller) and Dr. Joseph Magrath. He was born the third son of six children...

Girls Teams: 1. Cambridge 152, 2. Dundy County-Stratton 111, 3. Southern Valley 63, 4. Southwest 50, 4. Arapahoe 50, 6. Wauneta-Palisade 41, 7. McCook JV 34, 8. Lexington JV 13, 9. Dundy County-Stratton JV 3. Long jump: 1. Alea Shaner, CAM, 18’; 2. Korynn Clason, CAM, 17’ 3/4”; 3. ...

Team scores and all top six area placers at Monday’s Don Stine Invitational: Boys Teams: 1. Southwest 122, 2. Dundy County-Stratton 110, 3. Cambridge 82, 4. Wauneta-Palisade 59, 5. McCook JV 43, 6. Southern Valley 38, 6. Arapahoe 38,8. Lexington JV 27, 9. Cambridge JV 3, 10. Lexington JV-B 1, 11. Southwest JV 1...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Final results showed the McCook JV boys could challenge several varsity area teams at Monday’s Don Stine Invitational. The Bison scored 43 points to finish fifth among 11 teams competing on a breezy Monday. They delivered plenty of high places, including Drew Harvie nearly winning the 100-meter dash. He finished in 11.83 with only Dundy County-Stratton champion Wyatt Lemon finishing faster (11.64)...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — A late 86-84 battle with Dundy County-Stratton brought out the best from Southwest’s track and field boys on Monday. The Roughriders picked up their pace while winds died down during this annual Don Stine Invitational. They dominated several of the final races:...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — At this pace, Cambridge’s girls will soaring far past 1,000 points much like senior Alea Shaner did during her Trojan basketball career. The Trojans tallied 152 during Monday’s Don Stine Invitational with none being more productive than all-around super athlete Alea Shaner...

McCOOK, Neb. — Jesus’ Last Supper was actually a Jewish Passover, and Vladimir Mitnitsky of Jews for Jesus will re-create the traditional Passover service and explain how it foreshadowed Jesus’ death and resurrection in a presentation called “Christ in the Passover” at two sites in McCook this week...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College is seeking public input for long-range building plans for the campus. A public meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the MCC Student Union will be a chance to help the college develop its facilities master plan. “We have a great opportunity to shape the next decade of what this campus looks like,” said Andy Long, McCook Community College Vice President. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The search for the new principal at McCook Elementary went deeper than just skill sets but into character, according to McCook Public Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard. In addition to experience, “We were looking for traits,” said Superintendent Norgaard at the regular board meeting Monday night, “what drives him internally ... his purpose and mission of life.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook is moving toward regulation of backyard fire pits. The measure isn’t anticipated to receive much opposition and primarily stems from a lack of standardized guidelines and an uptick in residents looking to install a fire pit of their own. City leaders granted first-reading approval last week to an ordinance related to the setup and use of backyard fire pits and will likely provide final approval in the coming weeks...