Stories from Tuesday, November 2, 2004

New water rates given initial approval Monday night will raise an extra half-million dollars a year for the next two years. After that, McCook will know exactly what its new water project will cost -- and $1 million in sales tax funding will be available. The project is estimated at $13.2 million...

McCook High School football coach Jeff Gross and his assistant coaches were gathered in Gross' classroom Monday morning dissecting and analyzing game film of the Crete Cardinals. After close scrutiny, Gross concluded that the 9-0 Bison can't take anything for granted when the 5-4 Cardinals come to town Wednesday afternoon for a Nebraska Class B playoff game...

Jan. 28, 1917-Oct. 28, 2004 BENKELMAN -- Harry Harold Steier, 87, died Thursday (Oct. 28, 2004) at the Hester Memorial Nursing Home in Benkelman. He was born Jan. 28, 1917, to Paul and Lizzie (Zwiekl) Steier in Herndon. After completing his education, he assisted his parents on the farm and hired out to other farmers in Kansas and Nebraska. In the fall, he would travel to pick corn by hand...

Sept. 18, 1956-Nov. 1, 2004 Jeffery James Sughroue, 48, died Monday (Nov. 1, 2004) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born Sept. 18, 1956, in McCook to James F. and Leah C. (Allen) Sughroue. He graduated from Chase County High School in Imperial in 1976...

The family of Thelma Ruby of Kearney is hosting an open house in honor of her 90th birthday Nov. 6, 1-3 p.m., in the Sun Room at Northridge Retirement Community in Kearney. For 60 years she lived in McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Northridge Retirement Community, Room 159, 5410 17th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845...

For the towns of Southwest Nebraska -- just like communities throughout the state and much of the nation -- high school football is a rallying point ... a place where townspeople and rural residents can come together in pursuit of a goal requiring teamwork, focus and preparation...

The new water rate given tentative approval Monday night charges $12 a month plus $1.35 for the first 100 cubic feet for the first 5,000 cubic feet of water, plus $1 per 100 cubic feet thereafter. It is expected to raise $1.5 million a year. The current four-stage rate charges $8.90 a month for the first 800 c.f., 87 cents per 100 c.f. for the next 4,200 c.f., 73 cents per 100 c.f. for the next 166,000 c.f. and .39 per 100 c.f. thereafter...

Red Willow County commissioners will interview two firms interested in completing a study that could help commissioners decide if the county should build a jail. The Jail Standards Board of the Nebraska Department of Corrections requires the detailed study before it approves the construction of a jail facility...

The McCook City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Red Willow County and the McCook Public Schools for joint purchase of fuel for vehicles. Leigh Hoyt of the Red Willow County Commissioners said that McCook Community College also has expressed interest in the arrangement, but that proposal awaits approval by the Mid Plains board of governors...

Nita Malleck (center) is given voting instructions by election judge Kathy Doylem (right), early this morning as Shirley Sawyer checks her paperwork. Polls will close at 8 p.m.