Stories from Wednesday, May 21, 2008

It wasn't surprising to the layperson that Lancaster County District Judge Paul Merritt ruled that a tax on property along the Republican River was unconstitutional. Most of us saw the logic of the Friends of the River lawsuit, which contended that laws enacted in LB701 unfairly and illegally targeted a small group of people to pay for solutions to Kansas' demand for what it thinks is its fair share of water...

During a morning coffee session a few weeks ago I was advised that the Broken Tee Golf Course was closed. No one knew the reason for the closure or how long the course would be closed. A number of the members of the golf course have not been notified of the closure of the course or if there is a plan for the course to be reopened...

The McCook Bison football team is hosting the annual Championship Football Camp this summer. The camp will feature many of the players that helped McCook to four straight state football championship games. This camp is designed to be for grades 2-8 (Fall of 2008). Boys and girls are welcome. Cost is $40 and we will accept registrations up until camp starts...

The Lady Bison Youth Basketball Camp for grades 3-6, on June 2-5 will run only one session due to lack of numbers for two session. The schedule now will be girls in grades 3-6 will have camp from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Senior High Gym. Registrations will still be accepted up to the first day of camp June 2...

The McCook Swim Team starts practice at 11 a.m. May 28 at the City Pool. The cost is a pool pass plus $22 league fees. Financial assistance is available. Age groups range from 8 and under to 30 and over. All are welcome. Contact Tracy Flaska at 345-1959 for more info...

SUPERIOR -- A local qualifying round for the 40th Annual Trusted Choice Big "I" Junior Classic is slated for June 19 at Superior Country Club in Superior. The tournament, sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska, is open to local junior golfers 18 and under who have not started college...

The McCook First Central Bank Junior B's split a baseball doubleheader with Indianola Tuesday night at Jaycee Sports Complex. Indianola won the first game 6-3 and McCook won the nightcap 13-12. In the first game, McCook led 2-1 after one inning, but Indianola scored three runs in the top of the third inning and single tallies in the fourth and fifth to take a 6-2 lead. McCook scored once in the bottom of the fifth...

By LORRI SUGHROUE City Editor Getting offenders/inmates to realize the consequences of their crimes is an effort that the Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp in McCook would like to expand. Deanna Johnson, WEC case worker, said at a meeting Tuesday that staff is looking at broadening the victim impact classes now offered to include a panel of individuals or family members from the community, who would describe how a crime affected their life...

Sept. 23, 1989-May 17, 2008 HOWE, Ind. -- Michael "Mike" Eugene Howard died unexpectantly Saturday, May 17, 2008, at his home in Howe, Indiana while working on a car. He was 18 years old. Mike was born on Sept. 23, 1989, to James D. and Virginia (King) Howard in Deming, New Mexico. He was a member of the junior class at Lakeland High School in Howe...

Nov. 8, 1917 - May 4, 2008 Carl E. Keller died Sunday May 4, 2008, at Community Hospital in McCook. He was 90 years old. On Nov. 8, 1917, he was born in Trenton to Howard G. and Bertha G. (Riley) Keller. He lived in the Trenton Community most of his life and graduated from Trenton High School in 1934...

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Such was the announcement from the angels to the shepherds, recorded in Luke 2:14. The words give me shivers. No other babe ever born, no matter how cherished, coveted or prayed for, ever received the welcome this child did...