Stories from Wednesday, July 23, 2003

LEXINGTON -- The McCook Devil Ray Swim Team attended the Plains Tsunami Swim League Championship Meet last Saturday in Lexington. Competition was tough, with more than 500 swimmers representing 27 teams from around Nebraska and Kansas. Overall, times were fast and some records were broken. To be eligible for the meet, swimmers had to qualify in regional meets...

I just heard that the Nebraska lottery is doing marvelous, that it's got a lot of money in there. I'm confused. Why are they making so much money and our schools are suffering so badly. Wasn't that money earmarked for education? Would somebody please explain?...

I heard on the news tonight that Odai and Qusai, Saddam's sons had been killed by our troops in Iraq. Do you suppose that the administration will later claim that they were fed some bum scoop on the identity?

Dear Editor, There has been so much controversy over the Republican Twin Valley Schools merger and lawsuit that many of the patrons do not have a clue what is going on. I called several people today, and not one person could tell me. I'll try to explain...

Get out of that easy chair, put on some comfortable duds, and head to the 2003 Red Willow County Fair. You won't be disappointed, because -- once again this year -- the Red Willow County Fair Board and Fair Manager Deb Lafferty have put together a rip-roaring, action-packed schedule of shows and special events...

My three-year-old granddaughter visited earlier this summer and though she was accompanied by her daddy and her baby sister, she and I quickly became inseparable. If I was cooking, she was helping. If I was reading, it was to her, and if the television was on, we were watching cartoons. We had a great time...

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Noel Mues, Extension Educator in Furnas County at Beaver City was recognized July 17 by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents at its 88th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin by receiving the Association's Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to the top two percent of the County Agents from each state with more than 10 years service in the nation's Cooperative Extension Service...

Jim Foster of Bartley drives his custom-built "Husker Mobile" in the Holbrook Days parade, winning first place in the antique vehicle competition. Baylee Barnett of Funk takes a peek at the pinata she's aiming to break. Other winners in the parade were: Commercial - Tri Valley Health Systems, first, ATC, second; Antique vehicles - Kasson's John Deere, second; Churches, Clubs and Organizations - Cambridge Museum, first, Holbrook Baptist Church, second; Horses - Clarence and Lois Helms family, first, Silver Spurs Riding Club, second; Children - Janessa Kenne and Breanna Kruger.. ...

McCook swimmers went to a park on the Republican River, or to the river or sandpits, or to the Y before the city of McCook built its first public pool in 1937. The city's new pool was always packed and the bathhouses were excruciatingly small, remembers the pool's first lifeguard, Mary Schaaf Forgue, who will be 84 next month. "Kids lined up all day to go off the diving board."...

Seamstresses and models compete Tuesday at the Dundy County fair in Benkelman. Brandi Confer (right) and Bailie Turpin (above) of Benkelman practiced their modeling skills, and Nicole Evans (below, right) of Haigler put the finishing touches on her crazy quilt of blue, yellow and green. ...

On a sun dappled, tree-lined boulevard of some of Nebraska's most historically significant homes, sits the newly completed America Recycles Day Green Dream House in McCook, Nebraska. This project represents a massive local, regional, and national collaboration designed to show that "Green is good!"...

Moore's Greater Shows carnival rides are quiet early this morning, as the crew gets some rest in preparation to tonight's opening of the Red Willow County Fair. Comedian Torry Martin performs as part of family church night activities beginning at 5 p.m. in the Kiplinger Arena. The Colgate Country Showdown starts at 8 p.m...

Tyler Bieck: When did you begin to play baseball? Matt Beckenhauer: Back in my T-ball days. TB: What positions do you play? MB: Pitcher and infield. I pitch because Coach thinks I'm Tom Glavine. TB: What is the best thing about playing for the MNB Seniors?...

Dennis James Marchant, 27, died Monday (July 21, 2003) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born Sept. 9, 1975, to Donald and Laura (Miller) Marchant in McCook. He graduated from Oakley High School in Oakley, Kan., in 1994. He attended Dodge City Community College, Fort Hays State in Hays, Kan., and Black Hills State at Spearfish, S.D. He played football on a scholarship at Dodge City...