Stories from Tuesday, April 15, 2003

LINCOLN -- Members of the Appropriations Committee of the Nebraska Legislature voted Monday evening to restore $6.4 million in funding for the Work Ethic Camp in McCook. The turnaround came when two members of the committee -- Sen. Don Pederson of North Platte and Sen. ...

I agree with John Mesh sports editor, in his column of Friday's Gazette. Dale Petroskey is a brown-nosing jerk. I also agree with John about the over-zealous patriotic vibe that is the in thing right now, like wrapping the flag around your shoulders or making a cap of the flag. Real patriotic, and smart...

I was impressed with the smug comments in the editorial in Thursday's Gazette concerning critics of the administration's war on Iraq. It seems I saw the same show of joy from the German people when they realized their Fuehrer was done for, the one they had adored up to that time. Maybe the Iraqis were also happy that because they knew that they could now loot without any control. One thing is for sure, we will now see who is right...

Dear Editor, My name is Barbara and I am writing to tell you about a McCook "Hometown Hero." My aunt and I were on a road trip from Texas to Nebraska, with my 15-year-old best friend and companion, Kalee (a cocker spaniel). My Kalee took ill, and we called Dr. Wayne Watkins, who immediately offered to meet us at his Red Willow Animal Clinic and take a look at my girl...

Dear Editor, Good luck and keep it up. In Speak Out (4-4-03) before the car races even started, they -- or some chicken who was afraid to sign their name -- were yelling about the races. You said 90 percent of the out-of-towners have a bunch of get-out-of-jail cards -- we pay to see the races and we are not out of jail...

Dear Editor, "Love Them. Protect Them. Immunize Them." This is the theme for National Immunization Week, April 13-19, 2003. Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases. Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease, most people have not seen a case of diphtheria, pertussis or polio in two generations. ...

It's way too early to start celebrating, but that's not to say we can't pause for a moment to say thanks to all the diligent and determined citizens who have worked so hard on behalf of the Work Ethic Camp. Because of the supporters' relentless efforts, members of the Nebraska Legislature's Appropriations Committee have voted to restore funding for the camp for the next two-year biennium...

Representatives from Hanna: Keelan Associates P.C. will conduct focus group meetings for the state of Nebraska mental health housing planning study, in McCook on Tuesday, April 22, and in North Platte on Wednesday, April 23. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development have commissioned the study, which focuses on the housing interests and needs of people who are extremely low income, with a serious mental illness in Nebraska...

Amid the road construction taking place in Downtown McCook, a less noticeable but far-reaching construction project is also under way. Pinpoint Communications, with the support of the city of McCook and the Nebraska Public Power District, is constructing a new, copper aerial cable connection. ...

The Ray Moffitt Memorial Car Show will return to Barnett Park for 2003, according to organizer Terry Sitzman of McCook. The show will be open, too, for the first time, to motorcycles. Sitzman said the show will be Saturday, May 10, with show-and-shine from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., under the trees and along the ponds in the park on Highway 83 south of McCook...

Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning approved an application for a conditional use zoning permit that will allow the construction of an ethanol plant on 71 acres of farmland zoned transitional agriculture west of McCook. Commissioners Earl McNutt and Steve Downer voted for the application; their fellow commissioner, Leigh Hoyt, abstained from voting because he is employed by the Kugler Co., which owns some of the land on which the plant would be built...

ATWOOD -- Bernita A. (Prideaux) Porter Most, 78, died Sunday (April 13, 2003) at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood. She was born Sept. 17, 1924, south of Atwood in Rawlins County, to John Henry and Bertha (Threlkel) Prideaux. On April 23, 1944, she married Russell R. Porter at Oberlin. He preceded her in death on March 31, 1973...

CULBERTSON -- Henry Schlager, 96, died Sunday (April 13, 2003) at the El Dorado Manor Home in Trenton. He was born Oct. 4, 1906, in Neu Denhoff, Russia, to Henry and Elizabeth (Rutz) Schlager Sr. The Schlager family came to the United States in 1913. ...