Stories from Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Area Southwest Nebraska High School volleyball teams finished the first and some semifinal play in sub-district action Monday night. Cambridge, Dundy County-Stratton, Southwest, Wauneta-Palisade, Hitchcock County, Eustis-Farnam, Perkins County and Wallace will continue in their respective classes in the semifinals and finals tonight.

Aug. 11, 1918 - Nov. 2, 2008 KEARNEY -- Robert L. Ridgway, 90, died Sunday (Nov. 2, 2008) at the Mother Hull Home in Kearney. He was born Aug. 11, 1918, in Decatur County to Wesley and Flora (Bolin) Ridgway. He grew up in Oberlin and graduated from Decatur County High School in 1936...

BIRD CITY -- "Energy of the Future ... Utilizing Renewable Energy to Benefit Northwest Kansas" is the theme of the High Plains Renewable Energy Conference, set Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the VFW Hall in Bird City. Today's society is facing an energy crisis with the disappearance of precious resources however, changes can be made by turning to renewable energy sources. ...

George Blankenship, a sophomore in McCook Senior High's LIFT program, struggles with tangled hangers during preparation this morning for McCook's annual "Coat Closet" giveaway Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Bundles of hangers will be given away as well as coats, hats, mittens, blankets and warm winter clothing Wednesday, from 9 a.m. ...

The McCook City Council approved an employment contract with City Manager Kurt Fritsch at its regular meeting Monday night, increasing his salary 7 percent from $82,836 to $88,634.52 The increase reflects the 4.5 percent cost of living increase and a 2.5 percent merit raise, the same for most city employees...

The need for the voluntary annexation of 25 feet of county property into city limits was due to an honest mistake, City Manager Kurt Fritsch told the McCook City Council Monday night. At the public hearing conducted at its regular meeting, Fritsch said the annexation of the property was needed to meet setback requirements required for a farm store's new addition...

The McCook City Council agreed with a recommendation by a city official to renew the current contract in hauling trash to a landfill in Ogallala. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff recommended renewing the contract with Colby Claflin of C and J Trucking until Dec. 31, and sending out bids for the work in the spring...

A fourth of an inch of rain can cancel softball tournaments in McCook, translating into lost dollars for the local economy, said members of local group called "Friends of the Jaycees Complex." The group presented information how tournaments generate revenue to the city at the McCook City Council's regular meeting Monday night and asked if the city would be willing to donate funds for field additives at the complex...

Second- and third-graders at McCook Elementary practice their voting skills at a mock election this morning. After studying the election process, students were asked to cast their vote for the next president. Third graders overwhelming elected Republican candidate Sen. ...

Even political junkies will be breathing a sigh of relief after today. For those who win, there will be a short period of jubilation, followed by years of hard work as they try to implement the policies and plans that gained the voters' trust. For those who lose, there will be a period of regrouping, licking of wounds and analysis, followed by years of hard work as they try to implement their own ideas using a system controlled by their opponents...

The true measure of a man can be seen in how he treats his woman. In modern understanding, we prefer to frame the relationship more in terms of mutual trust and understanding. Our parent's generation though had no hang-ups about whether a man "owned" his wife; she was his and he was hers. This weekend we flew to Denver to attend memorial service for Ann's favorite Aunt. She died a widow counting 83 years. We gathered to celebrate a happy life well-lived...

I recently read with sadness that a great Nebraskan, Dr. Robert Manley, had passed away. We became acquainted when I was a student in McCook and he was a teacher. A friendship began between us that would last a lifetime. He was an inspiration to me as we shared a fondness for small towns and Nebraska history. I always admired his ability to work with people and help bring economic development to his state and the communities he so loved...