Stories from Saturday, February 11, 2006

If you have experienced sticker shock at the gas pump or new car dealership lately, try opening your medical bill. But a couple of news stories this week shed new light on the cost of health care. One, about a program to help pay for those who repeatedly and routinely use emergency rooms, shows one place where the money goes...

In the past or even recently the subject of "brain drain" has been mentioned by politicians and dignitaries, I guess you can use those two kinds of people in the same sentence. It's nor an oxymoron is it? Anyway the brain drain got me to thinking. That's a brain drain right there, me thinking...

One of my criminal justice majors came in the office the other day to interview me for a speech he was giving about racism. His first question was, "What can we do to stop racism in Southwest Nebraska?" and I immediately longed for the day when I was 18 again. ...

ARLINGTON -- Laurie Hilgenkamp of Arlington and Andrew Hock of McCook were united in marriage Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Arlington with the Rev. Rick Kanoy officiating. Parents of the couple are Dale and Nancy Hilgenkamp of Arlington and George and Kathy Hock of McCook...

NORTH PLATTE -- Brandi Hilton of Hershey and Josh Hagemann of Culbertson were united in marriage Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, in North Platte with the Amy Jo Hawley officiating. Parents of the couple are Dennis and Ann Hilton of Hershey and Bill and Sue Hagemann of Culbertson...

The children and grandchildren of Dolyn and Barbara Brown are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. Their family includes Janelle and Yancey Hartzer, Dolyn and Penny Brown, Brett and Kristin Brown, Mindy and Bryce Felker and eight grandchildren. The open house will be Sunday, Feb. 19, 4-8 p.m., at the Hitchcock County Fair Building in Culbertson...

Tonya Kay Reeves and Tyler Matthew Carlson announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Kyle Reeves of Crawford, the late Kathryn Reeves, Verjean and Angus Garey of McCook and Roger and Melinda Carlson of Atwood. The bride-to-be is a 2002 graduate of Crawford High School. ...

The family of Ellis Sutton is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday. He was born Feb. 21, 1921. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 201 Seminole, McCook, NE 69001.

The family of Alberta Burton Wolf is hosting an open house in honor of her 97th birthday. She was born Feb. 25, 1909, in Bartley. Her family includes her children, Marlyn and Yvonne Wolf of Gothenburg, Dale and Evelyn Wolf of Blacksburg, Va., Wayne and Helen Wolf of Bryan, Texas, Rita King of Lakewood, Colo., and Letha and Marlin Perks of Stockville; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. ...

Dan and Kasey Jo Warner of Arapahoe announce the birth of a daughter, Berkley Jo, on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, in Kearney. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. She has a sister, Gentry Clare. Grandparents are Monte and Kriste Warner of Beaver City and Jim and Deb Walker of New Raymer, Colo. Great-grandparents are Robert and Marjorie Warner and Ralph and Joanne Lammers, all of Arapahoe, Vera Walker of Sterling, Colo., and K.C. and Jo Holzworth of Stoneham, Colo...

The family of Marge Richardson is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday. She was born Feb. 14, 1921. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Hillcrest Nursing Home, 309 W. Seventh, McCook, NE 69001.

Destiny Waterman and husband, Josh Walter of Fort Collins, Colo., announce the birth of a son, Benjamin Thomas, on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006. He weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Mike and Darlene Nothnagel and Jeanette Walter, all of McCook, and Jim Waterman of Trenton. Great-grandparents are Clara Waterman of Trenton, Stan and Nadine Vrbas of Stratton, Gilbert and Doris Berglund of Lewellen and the late Thomas and Frances Walter...

The family of DeWinta McDowell is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday. She was born Feb. 21, 1926. Her family includes her children, Gary Roth and wife, Christine of McCook, Celia Rose and husband, Charlie of Palisade and John Hammond of North Platte...