Stories from Thursday, February 16, 2006

A northeast to southwest "Snowbird Trail" across the state of Nebraska is continuing to make progress, Nebraska Sen.Tom Baker said this morning in his weekly call to the McCook Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. Baker said the four-lane highway proposed to go from South Sioux City to Grand Island, known as the northeast section is making "serious progress. ...

Current McCook City Council members whose terms were up have all refiled, and one incumbent McCook School Board member has decided not to run. The three incumbents on the McCook City Council have refiled, with Phil Lyons and Jim Kenny signing up by Wednesday's deadline They join Mayor Dennis Berry for the three vacancies open on the city council, with Lonnie Anderson the only non incumbent to file so far...

The McCook Economic Development Corp. has re-ceived funds from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to activate its $200,000 grant for a purchase, rehab and resale housing program. The program targets first-time homebuyers in the City of McCook that meet certain income levels...

Groundbreaking on Community Hospital's new rehabilitation center is on track for spring. As part of Wednesday's meeting of the Community Hospital board of directors, hospital president Gary Bieganski reported on an analysis of the costs and timeline for construction of the new facility for patients who need physical, occupational and cardiac rehabilitation...

Skip Marsh spreads ice-melt crystals on the sidewalk at McCook Elementary, as a soft snow swirls around the new grade school early this morning. The crystals aren't salt, Marsh said, and won't pit the new sidewalks. Schools in Southwest Nebraska didn't all off classes today, as the forecast predicted only a couple of inches of snow...

The first time we ever met, this guy made me cry. The three of us, Brad, myself and Kirt have been pretty good friends since then. Sure we have our differences -- he's a Republican, I come closer to being a Democrat. We've become close enough friends that he's finally quit calling me a liberal, and defends me when others do...

Oct. 23, 1921--Feb. 13, 2006 BENKELMAN -- Paul Edgar Ham, 84, died Monday (Feb. 13, 2006) at his home in Benkelman. He was born Oct. 23, 1921, on the family farm in Dundy County to Roy A. and Jennie M. (Roberts) Ham. He graduated from Dundy County High School in 1939...

The family of the Rev. John Rempel is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday. He was born Feb. 18, 1926. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 37896 U.S. Highway 6, Culbertson, NE 69024.