Stories from Monday, November 19, 2001

In your opinion, what's the number one problem in Nebraska and Kansas? Is it water? Taxes? Education? Jobs? Prices for cattle and grains? All of those are concerns ... very serious concerns. But in the opinion of Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns and an increasing number of other Nebraskans, the most troubling problem facing mid-America is the declining economic condition of rural areas...

McCook lost a friend this week when Ray Search died at the age of 99. For almost all of the 20th century, Ray Search and McCook were synonymous. He came to McCook in the first decade of the century, when his father took a job here with the railroad. For many years he was one of the most visible figures in McCook, as a projectionist, spokesman and finally as manager of theaters, beginning with the Electric Theater, at age 13, and later at the Temple and Fox Theaters. He retired in 1971...

Leone R. Smith CURTIS -- Leone R. Smith, 98, died Friday (Nov. 16, 2001) at Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Curtis. She was born Oct. 3, 1903, in Frontier County to Leo and Sophia (Siegel) Dold. She graduated from Curtis High School. She married Don "Rock" Smith. ...

Thaine Maurice Crown Sr. IMPERIAL -- Thaine Maurice Crown Sr., 81, died Saturday (Nov. 17, 2001) at his home in Imperial. He was born May 28, 1920, at Gretna, Kan., to Noah and Hazel (King) Crown. He grew up and attended school near Agra, Kan. He served in World War II, being inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force on March 16, 1942. He served in the North African and European Theaters and was honorably discharged on Sept. 15, 1945...

Freda Cecelia Nokes OBERLIN -- Freda Cecelia Nokes, 87, died Saturday (Nov. 17, 2001) at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born Oct. 30, 1914, at Herndon to Stephen and Mary Marla (Pringetzer) Goltl. She was raised north of Herndon, and attended North Rural country school...

Orba L. Campbell Orba L. Campbell, 87, died Friday (Nov. 16, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born April 29, 1914, to Dexter Warren and Elizabeth (Weekly) Dodge at Bartley. In 1930, she married John "Jack" H. Sheldon at Laird, Colo. On Nov. 18, 1967, she married Harold Campbell at Colby, Kan. She was a member of the Christian Church in Wray, Colo. She had lived in McCook since 1956...