Stories from Saturday, September 9, 2006

Take a billion dollars in state aid to schools and governments. Now cut it by two-thirds. It doesn't take much to imagine the impact that would have on schools and essential local governmental services. Then again, it might be unimaginable, as would the local property tax bill that would result as entities struggle to provide assistance and resources required by law...

I've been asked many times by many different people how I decide what I'm going to write about, how I develop a title, and how I actually write the column, so I'm going to talk about those things in today's column. But today's column isn't going to be about journalism, even though that was my initial major in college, nor is it going to be about technical writing. Like most of my columns, this column is going to be about life...

By LORRI?SUGHROUE City Editor Curiosity about fire is normal -- setting fires is not. That was the message Rick Metcalf and Gary Linnemeyer want to stress after attending Juvenile Firesetter Intervention training in Emmitsburg, MD. Aug. 18-26. Not all kids who are caught playing with fire are pyromaniacs, said Metcalf, a 13-year veteran with the McCook Fire Department and Linnemeyer, a nine-year veteran of the McCook Police Department. ...

Lindsey McNutt and Craig Fritz (center, back) wear the tiara and crown of McCook Senior High's 2006 homecoming royalty, crowned following a 13-0 Bison shutout of Ogallala Friday evening. Lindsey is the daughter of Earl and Debbie McNutt; Craig is the son of Renee and Steve Fritz. ...

No. 1 McCook improves to 2-0 The No. 1-ranked McCook Bison football team overcame a 30-minute lightning delay, rain in the first half, a fumble and untimely procedure penalties to shut out Ogallala 13-0 Friday night at Weiland Field. It was Homecoming Night for McCook...

IMPERIAL -- Chase County rolled past Hershey Friday 49-0. The Longhorns are ranked No. 2 in Nebraska Class C-1. Matt May led the Longhorns out in the first quarter with a 75 yard run, with Will Falla making the kick. Lance Milner started the second quarter for the Longhorns with a 4 yard run...

The McCook Community College golf team placed fifth out of 10 teams at the MCC Fall Invite at Heritage Hills Golf Course Thursday and Friday. The Indians posted a two-day score of 652. MCC's No. 2 team placed ninth and NCTA 10th. McCook's Brett Chmiel placed fifth with a two-day score of 153 (76-77). He lost a coin flip for fourth place...

LEXINGTON -- McCook's golfers finished in 11th place in the Lexington Invite Friday. The Bison girls faced tough competition in the event, playing teams from Gothenburg, Minden and Hastings. Katie Keiser won the invite for Gothenburg, shooting a 77, and helping Gothenberg's team win the invite...

CAMBRIDGE -- Cambridge's volleyball team thumped Overton in 3-of-4 sets Thursday. Shelby Schultz and Katie McCurdy led the Trojans to the win in scoring, both with 14 points. Schultz had 10 digs, 10 kills, 29 attacks, and 2 ace blocks. Karinne Deaver also had 10 digs...