Stories from Thursday, March 24, 2005

Three players from three states have signed letters of intent to play baseball next year at McCook Community College. MCC baseball coach Jeremy Jorgensen said he has received commitments from Kyle Austin of North Platte, James Farrell of Albuquerque, N.M., and Tommy Jensen of Smoky Hills, High School in Colorado...

Don and Genola Claussen of Oberlin are celebrating their 64th anniversary today (March 24, 2005). The couple married in Oberlin in 1941. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at PO Box 94, Oberlin, KS 67749.

Apparently, there's a problem with communication between the Red Willow County Jail Task Force and McCook city officials concerning the jail study. At Tuesday night's meeting of the task force, members expressed concern that the city is not cooperating fully with the consultants doing the jail study, thereby seriously limiting the value of the needs assessment...

**Dear Editor, Did you pick up the $50 on your property Monday? No? Well, that is the amount of water that fell; did you save it? My small roof collected it in buckets, barrels, tanks and small pond (and) now (I) have 1,250 gallons ready for spring planting. That water will allow gardening for 59 days without another rain. Without it, high-priced city water would not allow a garden to feed my family...

CURTIS -- Electricity is like a microwave, a presenter at a farm safety day at the college in Curtis told a group of elementary students. "It cooks from the inside out. It boils your blood and looks for a way out." City of Curtis utilities supervisor Sid Lewis and lineman Ryan Hammond were not trying to "gross out" the kids, just impress upon them the very real dangers associated with electricity...

Despite all the rumors floating around regarding the solvency of federally funded retirement, the Soc-ial Security trust fund will never be bankrupt, U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson told a group of McCook residents at the Bieroc Cafe this morning. "Social Security isn't broke," he said. "It won't ever be broke."...

A Bartley woman was injured in a single car accident Wednesday on U.S. Highway 6 and 34 east of Indianola. According to a representative of the Nebraska State Patrol, the 2000 Chevy Blazer, driven by Julie Ellis, 27, left the roadway, hit a culvert and became airborne. ...

The family of Al Unger is hosting a card shower in honor of his 89th birthday March 29. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 1206 West Second Street, McCook, NE 69001.