Stories from Tuesday, December 17, 2002

INDIANOLA -- The Twin Valley and Republican Valley school districts will merge and create a new district -- IF patrons of both districts approve a bond issue to build a new attendance center in Bartley. Attorney Kelley Baker told about 50 patrons of the two districts Monday evening an election could be conducted in March or April. ...

Dear Editor: This is in response to what I viewed as an ill-informed and ignorant sports editorial column written by your sports editor, Mr. Mesh in the Friday the 13th of December. Could it be that there was a computer virus attacking his keyboard since it was a Friday the 13th? If so, what follows is the column that should have been written, if you will allow me to be so bold. ...

Several years ago, North Platte was in slump. Even for occasional visitors, it was easy to see. Mall spaces were half empty, and there were a number of failed business ventures around the town. But, over the course of the past five years, North Platte has changed dramatically. Led by the huge Wal-Mart distribution center -- which will eventually employ 600 people -- North Platte is in the midst of a growth surge...

With things the way they stand now, it's back to the drawing board for McCook's water treatment facility and a step forward for the McCook Heritage Senior Center. Jack Daniel, director of Health and Human Services, told the McCook City Council at its regular Monday night meeting his office had examined the preliminary treatment facility proposal from the city and found it acceptable -- until two weeks ago, when city administrators advised the state of the diesel spill in the area where the city's four-million gallon water tank sits.. ...

TRENTON -- Hitchcock County Judge Bert Leffler set bond at $20,000 for a rural Trenton man charged Monday with possession of methamphetamine and manufacture of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Clerk Magistrate Hilda Hampton presided over the arraignment of Rodney E. Geihsler, 25. Hampton also conducted an extradition hearing for a Stratton couple...

TRENTON -- In 1930, Nebraska had more than 11,000 school districts. Today there are 245. The boards of education from Hayes Center, Wauneta-Palisade, and Hitchcock County Unified School Districts met Monday evening in Trenton to discuss recommendations in an effort to keep those school districts alive...

A Bartley woman's memories of kerosene lamps, fires caused by sparks from matches and "wildest dreams" of electricity are included in a new book called, "Circle of Brightness," in which rural Americans remember life before electrification and after "the lights came on."...

McCook Junior and Senior High choirs plan their Christmas program Thursday at 7:30 p.m., in the City Auditorium. Singing songs of the season will be the seventh and eighth grades and varsity choirs, the Sound System, Feminine Gender and the Entertainment Committee. The program is free of charge. Director Sandy Weigel invites Christmas shoppers to wrap up their evening of gifts and gift wrap with Christmas carols and holiday greetings from the choirs...

Leonard W. "Link" Sines, 82, died Sunday (Dec. 15) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born Nov. 15, 1920, at Marion, to Guy Brentz and May A. (Lafferty) Sines. He attended McCook High School and graduated in 1939. On Sept. 1, 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. ...

ARAPAHOE -- Maude Edith Breinig, 93, died Sunday (Dec. 15, 2002) at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood. She was born Aug. 12, 1909, to Albert S. and Ida M. (Oatney) King at Arapahoe. She attended country school south of Arapahoe and then went to Arapahoe High School through the tenth grade...

TRENTON -- Helen Yvonne Campbell was born May l, 1925 and died Dec. 14, 2002, at the age of 77 after an extended battle with cancer. Helen was born to George and Margaret Sander and grew up on the farm north of Trenton. She met her future husband, Fred Robert Campbell, while selling poppies on Main Street to support the veterans. Helen and Fred were married in July 8, 1945 and celebrated their 57thwedding anniversary last summer...