Stories from Friday, February 14, 2003

After studying statistics and meeting face-to-face with offenders, Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns said Thursday he is "very, very encouraged" with the Work Ethic Camp program in McCook. "So far, 80 percent of those who have gone through the program have not been back into the prison system," the governor declared during a news conference at the camp...

Keep Argus Hamilton. His jokes are funny and unbiased, more than can be said of recent outspoken critics.

"Love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage ..." Do those lyrics ring true in the 21st century? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are some 4.9 million opposite-sex, unmarried partner households in the United States, and some 13.6 million people, age 15-34, who have never been married, some 34 percent of all people in this age group. In the 35-44 age bracket, some 16 percent, or 7.2 million people have never tied the knot...

McCook American Legion baseball player Matt Serbousek signed a letter of intent with Garden City (Kan.) Community College. He is one of 12 pitchers on the Broncbuster squad. Serbousek has played six years of American Legion baseball as a pitcher and shortstop. ...

Community Hospital of McCook experienced a net loss from July through December 2002, but the loss is balanced somewhat by other positive factors, according to hospital officials James Ulrich Jr., vice president of finance and support at the hospital, said Thursday morning the hospital had a net loss of $223,000 the first six months of this fiscal year...

Brian Radel (left) and Mark Kool brave the rain this morning to collect donations for the family of the late Carl Smock at the corner of East First and B Street. Howard Kool of Howard Kool Motors, Ken Jones and Bud Keenportz organized the fundraiser to assist the family of the long-time McCook school teacher. The fishbowl will also be available for donations at tonights McCook Senior High boys basketball game in the McCook High School gymnasium. The game begins at 7:30 p.m...

OMAHA -- A former McCook man was charged Thursday in U.S. District Court in Omaha with conspiracy to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine. Rick J. Clapp, 25, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen A. Jaudzemis. Clapp was arrested Jan. 27, in Page, Arizona. The crime is alleged to have occurred in McCook, Grand Island and Lincoln between September 1999 and March 30, 2002...

BENKELMAN -- A Stratton man facing prison time on weapons, threats and assault charges pleaded guilty Wednesday, but really didn't admit he was guilty. Dundy County District Court Judge John Battershell accepted Robert Todd's guilty plea, but wasn't entirely convinced he was guilty...

Braces prop up the wraparound porch on the big yellow house at 610 E. Third in McCook. The house, owned by Ava and Maurice Miller, will be moved onto a new lot at 402 East 14th the first part of March. Ava Miller said she and her husband have worked with house movers, surveyors, the building inspector, utility providers and city and county officials preparing for the move. ...

Members of the McCook Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the McCook Cordials and the McCook business community and city of McCook welcomed the new Valmont Distribution Center to McCook this morning. Taking part are (front, from left) Steve Carlton, employee, holding the ribbon, Bill Loughman, vice president of retail services at Valmont in Valley, Russ DeLong, distribution center manager, Shane Messersmith and Frank Hamilton, employees...

Proud of what has been accomplished at the Work Ethic Camp in the first two years, members of the community will join with the camp's staff to present an informational forum and open house. The event is scheduled Friday, May 23, at the Work Ethic Camp, located alongside U.S. Highway 83 on the northwestern edge of McCook...

Kenneth Leroy Ebert, 67, died Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2003) at his home in McCook. He was born Aug. 8, 1935, to Eric A. and Pearl M. (Alley) Ebert in McCook. He attended McCook Public Schools. On Jan. 21, 1977, he married Annabelle E. Bailey in Oberlin. He lived in McCook most of his life. He worked for the City of McCook Water Department for 20 years. He owned A&E Taxi Service...

FORT DODGE, Iowa -- Mildred Ellen (Metheny) Waterman, 95, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, passed away on Feb. 8, 2003, at her home. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., today, Feb. 14, 2003, at Bruce's Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Evelyn Lewiston officiating. Burial will be at North Lawn Cemetery. Visitation was today prior to services. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Fort Dodge and/or the American Cancer Society...

Paying college athletes a stipend is not a new revolutionary idea. Neither is the NCAA's unrealistic, idealistic, stubbornly rigid belief in the "true amateurism" of sports. Amateurism still exists at the grades K-12 level for the most part. The exception of that is the LeBron James situation at St. ...

Valentine's Day is here, which means many things. Millions of cards will be sent through the mail; chocolate will be purchased by the ton and husbands and boyfriends will be shopping frantically for the perfect card and the biggest box of chocolate all day today...

Emma Atkins died Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2003) at McCook Community Hospital. She was 84 years old. Emma was born on Jan. 16, 1919, at Filley, Neb., to William W. and Hinderika (Menninga) Johnson. She attended Hanover Lutheran School. On March 26, 1940, she married Albert Parde at Filley. To this union four children were born. He preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 1959. She later married Bruce Atkins on June 19, 1967, at Juarez, Mexico...