Stories from Friday, October 11, 2002

The missing components of the evaluation report expected by the city of McCook from Olsson Associates was delivered to the city as promised on Thursday. The engineering firm had submitted a preliminary report on Monday, but needed information was missing...

What is the meaning of probation? I know a lot of people on probation, who go into a bar and drink, is that permissible?

I think the kids, owners and police should get together, decide which parking lots kids can park in and which they can't. Yes, the kids should pick up their trash, and they should respect property.

Historically, the United States has shied away from making a first strike. It took a Pearl Harbor, an invasion across the 38th parallel, a Gulf of Tonkin incident to force the U.S. military reluctantly into action. On the surface of it, a first strike is just what Congress has just voted to allow the president to do...

STRATTON - State fire investigators are still looking into the cause of a fire that destroyed the Sharolyn Troutman home in Stratton Wednesday, but are tentatively blaming bug bombs. Stratton Fire Chief Brian Hardy said this morning investigators believe something ignited the fumes from the insecticide bombs. "It's one of those really freak accidents," Hardy said...

McCook Public Schools board of education will accept a $1,000 gift for the preschool from Wells Fargo and discuss student travel policies and the West Ward school site during its regular board meeting Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m., in the junior high conference room...

The new promoter at McCook Speedway plans changes at the race track that will excite not only the racers, but also the fans in the stands. McCook businessman Dennis McFarland plans a 15-race schedule that starts in April and will increase the pay-out in feature races...

NORTH PLATTE -- The Mid-Plains Community College Area Board of Governors has begun the search process for a president of the College. In a letter to those interested in the presidential search, Kent Miller, search committee chair detailed the process. ...

Dirt work on the south side of McMillen Hall proved that before construction can go up, it has to go down. The interior of the existing building is being gutted as part of the multi-million dollar project to build a new student welcome center and state-of-the-art technology center...

WAVELAND, Miss. -- Alice Marie Farrell of Waveland, Miss., formerly of San Diego, Calif., passed away at her home Friday (Oct. 4, 2002). Memorial services will be Nov. 2, 10 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Herndon with burial services following at St. Mary's Cemetery...

Linda Marie Leising ARAPAHOE -- Linda Marie Leising, 54, of Stillwater, Okla., died Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2002) at the Stillwater Medical Center in Stillwater. She was born July 27, 1948, at Smith Center, Kan., to William A. and Bessie E. (John) Garretson. She attended Jackson and Reamsville country schools and Smith Center High School. In 1970, she received her degree in Music Education from Kearney State College...

Mildred L. Fritsch, 83, died Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2002) at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyo. She was born Dec. 19, 1918, in Decatur County to George L. and Lena V. (Bryan) Harris. She grew up in McCook where she graduated from McCook High School in 1937. She was employed by A & M Rexall Drug Store and the Olympia Candy Company in McCook...

I'm on a roll. And it's not a good roll. The teams I picked to advance to the World Series -- the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves -- were both knocked out in the American and National League Divisional Series by the Anaheim Angels and the San Francisco Giants...

Some things in our lives are out of our control, but most things can be changed, altered or at least gotten rid of. Think your feet are too big? Learn to love the name Big Foot. Don't like your hair color? Grab a bottle of peroxide. Don't like your neighbor's dog barking in the middle of the night? Buy some earplugs...

GOTHENBURG -- Sherri Lynn (Garratt) Blase, 39, died Thursday (Oct. 10, 2002) at her home in Gothenburg following a two-year battle with lung cancer. She was born Dec. 16, 1962, in Gothenburg to Arlond Francis and Creta Edna (Andrews) Garratt. She attended Gothenburg Public Schools and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1981. She attended Mid Plains Community College in North Platte and graduated from Kearney State College in 1987 with a degree in social work...