Stories from Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Six agencies are coming together to educate chemical and fertilizer dealers, farmers, landlords, store owners and anyone else interested on signs of possible methamphetamine labs, a growing problem in Southwest Nebraska. The McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department, McCook Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Red Willow County Attorney's office, Red Willow County Sheriff's Department and Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department will sponsor the seminar on Wednesday, March 5, 7 p.m., at the 4-H Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.. ...

I returned last week from the AFL-CIO Legislative Conference held in Lincoln. As an officer (Legislative Representative) from my local union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and as a member of the State Legislative Representative Board, I attend these meetings to become familiar with proposed legislation within the state of Nebraska that will directly affect labor...

It's easy to talk about state budget deficits in the abstract. Somehow, in the era of $6 trillion federal debt, Nebraska's projected $673 million, two-year revenue gap seems insignificant. But ask us to kick in an additional $400 a year -- now that's something the average person can understand...

Dear Editor, On a trip through McCook a traveler notices there appears to be no external means of egress (e.g., a fire escape ) from the second floor to the main entrance in the East Ward Elementary school building. A teacher myself, I am interested in this situation, having spent 30 years as an instructor in often hazardous school buildings both in Nebraska and in Germany, The Azores and Japan...

Robb and Mary Jo Overton of McCook announce the birth of a daughter, Lanie Noel, born Tuesday (Feb. 18, 2003). She weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Charlene Springer of Lebanon, thelate Lyle Springer and Ed and Marcia Overton of McCook. Great-grandparents are Norma Elwood-Frandsen of Cambridge and Ruth Madron of McCook...

The McCook Police Department will monitor 10 areas during March as part of speed enforcement operations. The areas will be monitored during random times throughout the day for to reduce traffic violations, accidents and to enhance public safety. The McCook Police Department will continue to conduct routine traffic enforcement in other locations within the city, as well...

Nebraska's state birds may be wondering why they didn't pick some other state, like Florida, during this week's frigid weather. A flock of meadowlarks soak up some welcome sunshine Monday near Max, perched atop some large round bales of hay which keep them high above the snow...

Cedars, a child-caring organization named for the tall trees that embraced the home of its founder, is expanding its services to Southwest Nebraska. "Cedars has been helping kids since 1947," said Jim Blue, president and chief executive officer of the private, non-profit human service organization based in Lincoln. "This is a great opportunity to work with Southwest Nebraska Youth Services and for Southwest Nebraska Youth Services to become part of Cedars."...

Wanitta R. Williams, 79, died Thursday (Feb. 20, 2003) at her home in McCook. She was born May 12, 1923, to Charles William and Hazell (Rosefield) Cheever at North Platte. She attended school at North Platte. On March 14, 1942, she married William B. Williams in Lexington. She has lived in McCook since 1990...

ARAPAHOE -- Donald Howard Andrews, 72, died Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003) at Bryan LGH East in Lincoln. He was born Nov. 16, 1930, at Cambridge, to Donald C. and Nina E. (Baker) Andrews. He attended rural country school southwest of Holbrook and graduated from Holbrook High School with the Class of 1948. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln...

MAYWOOD -- Mary Jane (Gandy) Littell, 58, died Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. She was born March 10, 1944, at Jackson, Miss., to Jesse Albert and Martha Jewel Batton Gandy. She graduated from high school in Atwood in 1962...

Margaret L. Lepper, 87, died Saturday (Feb. 22, 2003) at her home in McCook. She was born Oct. 23, 1915, at Nelson, to Wilbur L. and Bertha A. (Enearl) Portwood. She grew up at Nelson where she graduated from Nelson High School in 1933. She attended Hastings College. In 1934, she began working for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration while taking her Civil Service Exam and working for the Farm Security Administration...