Stories from Tuesday, July 15, 2008

COZAD -- The McCook First Central Bank Juniors pounded out 15 hits in an 18-5 win in an elimination game in the B-6 District American Legion Juniors Baseball tournament Monday in Cozad. Justin Terry led McCook with four hits and five RBIs, including a double and home run. Drew Peterson also went 3-for-4 with three RBIs...

Oct. 26, 1941 - July 12, 2008 ATWOOD -- Norman Charles Pfortmiller, 66, died Saturday (July 12, 2008) at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood. He was born Oct. 26, 1941, in Great Bend, Kan., to Charles and Bernadean Pfortmiller. The family moved to Bushton, Kan., where he attended middle school before moving to Hays, Kan., where he graduated from Hays High School in 1959...

March 15, 1928 - July 14, 2008 ATWOOD -- Lila Jean (Schlesener) Steele, 80, died Monday (July 14, 2008) at Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. She was born March 15, 1928, to August and Martha (Gentz) Schlesener in Dickinson County near Hope, Kan. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended Maple Grove and Grandview Elementary schools and graduated from Dickinson County Community High School in 1946...

Sen. Ben Nelson of the "Gang of 14" bipartisan effort that allowed judicial nominees a fair hearing, says he's now part of a "Team of Ten" working to increase oil production. The issue is a bitter partisan point, Democrats generally opposing expanded drilling in ecologically sensitive areas like offshore and Alaska, and Republicans favoring it...

In the July 2, 2008, issue of the paper, an article quoted state Sen. Mark Christensen as indicating that his office was working on legislation that would be introduced next year to allow certain taxes to be refunded "if the need arises." It is important to recognize that "if the need arises" would be based upon a determination that the occupation as well as the property taxes authorized by LB701 will have to be determined to be unconstitutional by a court of law. ...

Dear Lance, Well it is official! My current Air Force Times shows a picture of a Basic Cadet Tate Montgomery receiving his in-processing haircut and announces the new class "begins life at Academy"! It was interesting to me that there are 1,369 of you, that 294 are women and 287 minority students are included...

By LORRI SUGHROUE City Editor Public feedback was favorable in using 100 percent salt on the streets in winter, instead of a salt and sand mixture, so the city will do that again this year. But it comes with a small price, as the cost of salt has increased and that will be reflected in the 2008-09 budget for the Street Department...

The city will set aside money next year for a well-known McCook structure that city staff said is in disrepair. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told the council at the budget meeting Monday night that $6,000 is included in the 2008-09 budget for a renovation study on the Norris Park bandshell, to see what the costs will be to renovate the structure...

Relatives from Sweden surround Torsten Anderson of Benkelman, as Torsten celebrates his 100th birthday with a barbecue and picnic on his ranch northwest of Max Sunday. "He has so many, many friends," said Torsten's great-niece, Annette Westling, impressed by the hundreds who joined Torsten for the celebration under a red-and-white-striped big-top tent. ...

The city will spend about $15,000 next year repairing the parking lot at Felling Field. Parking at Felling field is tight and is almost becoming hazardous for parents and spectators of the little league baseball games, Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told the council at the budget workshop Monday night. The funds will come from the $30,000 from ballpark reserves...