Stories from Friday, August 2, 2002

The world's only flying B-29 Superfortress, "Fifi," and the oldest flying B-24 Liberator, "Diamond Lil," will be making a one week stop in McCook as part of McCook's annual Heritage Days Celebration, Sept. 23-30 at the McCook airport. The planes are owned and maintained by the Commemorative Air Force, an organization dedicated to the preservation of World War II era aircraft...

Dear Editor, What a beautiful letter Lesley Nelson wrote. Although she's only 14 years old she has a wonderful understanding of the Gospel. Keep it up Lesley! So many of you have encouraged me to keep on writing and I thank you for your encouragement...

Dear Editor, Well said, Lesley Nelson! (on "What kind of God?" July 29). Bill and Marlene Tidyman McCook

Southwest Nebraska is moving into one of the worst droughts in decades, if not centuries. The state is in a budget crisis which threatens needed services. Agriculture is in a crisis, stockholders have lost a large portion of their holdings' value, terrorism remains a threat and there is talk of a war with Iraq...

Editor's note -- Plans are proceeding for an ethanol plant in Hitchcock County. The plant would cover approximately 45 acres, be fueled by natural gas and create 35 to 69 jobs. Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton spoke in favor of the plant. "It potentially increases the value of homes in communities, and should have no affect on taxes," Baker said...

LINCOLN -- The drought is deepening and intensifying across Nebraska's Panhandle and southeastern and south central parts of the state, University of Nebraska climatologists say. Only isolated thunderstorms offer any possible relief and unless a significant storm front develops, many eastern Nebraska farmers may not get a dryland crop for the first time in years, said Al Dutcher, NU's state climatologist...

The McCook Water Department will be introducing chlorine into the water distribution system beginning Saturday, as a precautionary and preventive measure. The chlorine treatment is being conducted in order to clear up a non-acute total coliform bacteria problem in the distribution system, according to city officials...

The election for three seats on the Twin Valley school board has heated up with nine candidates filing for open seats. Carl Rae, Julie Ellis, Steve McConville, Eddie Park, Greg Macy, Larry Durner, Kenneth Kelley, Larry Fritz and Kim Brooks have thrown their hats into the ring to lead the school district which is in talks with Republican Valley School District concerning the possibility of a merger between the two districts...

Stanley J. Snyder, 83, died Wednesday (July 31, 2002) at Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Curtis. He was born May 1, 1919, to LeRoy and Carrie (Schmitz) Snyder in Frontier County. He graduated from the Curtis School of Agriculture. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II. Upon his return from the service, he attended the University of Nebraska...

OBERLIN -- Maryellen Stephens, 95, died Wednesday (July 31, 2002) at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born Dec. 1, 1906, to William Walter and Eliza Jane (Pocock) Weaver in Waverly, Kan. She grew up in Ottawa, Kan. Graduated from Ottawa High School and Ottawa Business College in 1925...

HAYES CENTER -- Brown LeRoy Sevier, 82, died Thursday (August 1, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born June 14, 1920, to James Brown and Lydia Ann (Fugett) Sevier at Sargent. He was a Purple Heart veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army from May 19, 1942, to Dec. 7, 1945. He served in France where he was wounded in action. He rank was sergeant...

GOTHENBURG -- Irene Dorothy Woodburn, 83, died Wednesday (July 31, 2002) at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg. She was born Aug. 22, 1918, to Phillip and Eunice Irene (Snyder) Helzer in Mayfield Township on the family farm near Cairo. She graduated from Cairo high school in 1934. She received her cosmetology license in April of 1937. In later years, she ran a beauty shop on wheels for shut-ins...

It's always football season in Nebraska So who needs baseball? There's an impending potential trike date looming for Major League Baseball. The wire services, ESPN and anybody who has an opinion (and there's more of them every day) have been lobbing Aug. 16 around as a potential strike date, or at least a date to announce that the strike is either on or off...

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. My husband, who was away from home for five weeks, feels he can make it up through another cliche: The way to a man's (or in this case a child's) heart is through his stomach. He believes a hot, multi-course breakfast is necessary every morning...

Irene J. Vap, 87, died Wednesday (July 31, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born March 25, 1915, to John L. and Jane Marie (Corcoran) Traphagan in Frontier County. She attended St. Patrick's School in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1932...