Stories from Wednesday, June 19, 2002

The city of McCook need not concern itself with the Nebraska-Kansas Republican River lawsuit when it comes to determining the best solution to the city water problems, representatives from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Nebraska Attorney General's office told the McCook Water Committee Tuesday night...

In today's fast-paced society it becomes more and more difficult to find anyone who will volunteer for anything. Four months ago, 24 individuals decided to give their time and energy to answer a call by the city of McCook to volunteer to work on solving McCook's water problem...

OMAHA -- Rob and Lisa Waddell of Omaha announce the birth of their son, Samuel James, Thursday (May 27, 2002) in Omaha. He weighed 9 pounds. He has a four year-old sister, Dakota. Grandparents are John and Karen Davis of Woodriver and James and Francis Waddell of McCook...

YORK -- Troy and Stacie Van Pelt of York announce the birth of a son, Matthew Allen, born Friday (June 7, 2002) at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Grandparents are Charles and Jannelle Van Pelt of Indianola and Doug and Kay Linner of Hendley. Great-grandparents are Wendell and Goldie Wentling of Hendley, Annabell Linner of Grand Island and Viola Powell of Green Bay, Wis...

CULBERTSON -- Brian and Amanda Warren of Culbertson announce the birth of a son, Evan Parker, born Wednesday (June 12, 2002). He weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces. Grandparents are Jim and Cheryl Stevens and Ron and Gloria Warren, all of McCook. Great-grandparents are Pat Stevens of Holbrook and Thelma Lueders of Beatrice...

KEARNEY -- Brett and Rebecca (Lafferty) Little of Kearney announce the birth of a daughter, Macie Rae, born Sunday (June 2, 2002). Grandparents are Jerry and Georgia Little of North Platte and Al and Jody Lafferty of Weatherford, Texas. Great-grandparents are Irene French of North Platte and Virgil and Nadene Lafferty of McCook...

Local blues band, Bogusville, will open the South Loop River Blues Festival in Arnold, Saturday, July 13. The band was chosen to play at the ninth annual festival after they submitted a CD of songs. "We're pumped," Angie Reiners said about the band being picked for the festival...

HAYES CENTER -- A McCook man was arraigned Tuesday in county court in Hayes Center, charged with felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hayes County Attorney Joel Phillips said Jeff Whitaker of McCook is free on bond. Whitaker's preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m., before Judge Cloyd Clark, in Hayes Center...

The competitive world of economic development is a long-term commitment. Supported by both public and private contributions, the McCook Economic Development Corp. has had some spectacular victories in bringing new jobs to town -- Valmont Industries chief among them -- but often works behind the scenes...

Red Willow County commissioners agreed Tuesday to contribute $10,000 to the McCook Economic Development Corp. for 2002-2003. This figure is twice what commissioners contributed to MEDC last year. Commission Chairman Earl McNutt said he would like to give more, but couldn't justify asking tax payers for a larger figure. Fellow commissioner Steve Downer said the $10,000 is close to $1 for each of the county's 11,800 residents...

The days of walking barefoot through the cool, summer grass may be coming to an end. Drought and increasing water prices have caused some residents to find less expensive, more efficient landscaping. Landscapes that support environmental quality and conserve resources such as water are known as sustainable landscaping, xeriscape, native landscape or environmentally friendly landscape...

Several weeks ago, I put the finishing touches on what I had come to call the Ground Zero story. It was an exercise of love and admiration -- to see how Americans from all corners of the continent had come together to offer a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. In fact, one of our own had offered his cup in this healing effort...

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Helen I. Carlson, 75, died June 5, 2002, in Portland, Ore. She was born Sept. 19, 1926, in Lindsay, Calif., to Louis and Vera Quinlan. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1944. The same year, she moved to Portland to attend Pacific Bible College which later became Warner Pacific College...

CASPER, Wyo. -- Geraldine "Geri" Mae Rouse, 71, died Saturday (June 15, 2002) at Bryan LGH East in Lincoln. She was born April 3, 1931, to Matthew and Sybil (Dayton) Mericle at Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Norfolk Junior College in 1949. She began her teaching career in Oakdale, Neligh, Ewing and Elgin...

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Janet M. Felker, 61, died Wednesday (May 22, 2002) at Lutheran Hospital in Lakewood, Colo. She was born Nov. 5, 1940, to F. Forest and Virginia (McKillip) Felker. She grew up on a farm east of Hayes Center and graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1958. She also attended McCook College and Kearney State College...