Stories from Tuesday, June 14, 2005

(Oct. 20, 1921 - June 13, 2005) SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK. -- Orley William Berry, 83 year-old resident of Siloam Springs, Ark., died June 13, 2005 at his residence. Born Oct. 20, 1921 in Hayes Center, he was the son of Isaac K. Berry and Susan Isabelle Troxel Berry...

The McCook Public Schools board of education Monday evening appointed a former board member to fill a vacancy created when Dawn Andersen resigned to move with her family to Iowa. The vote was four-to-one to appoint Ron Soden, who served one term and was defeated in a bid for re-election in November 2004...

Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning awarded the bid for summer road projects to the Red Cloud firm that has worked for the county for at least 20 years. Figgens Construction of Red Cloud bid $57,096 to apply the asphalt and haul and apply the gravel needed for eight road projects around McCook and near Danbury and Marion. ...

St. Francis -- More than two inches of rain on Friday and Sunday canceled some of the planned events, but Saturday dawned clear and large crowds attended the 23rd annual Stearman Fly-In at the Cheyenne County Airport in St. Francis. The rain only put residents in a better mood as they enjoyed breakfast while watching three hot air balloons rise at sunrise. Nearly 90 aircraft attended the event, including nine of the featured Stearman biplanes...

There's a reason we place our hands over our hearts when we pay respect to the American flag. By doing so, we can feel our heartbeat. The symbolic act floods us with a feeling that is beyond description. It's just there. Real deep. It's love, for sure. Love of country. But it's more. It's pride in what the flag represents. It's also thankfulness for the sacrifices so many have made to preserve our nation's freedom...