Stories from Monday, March 30, 2009

March 28, 2009 -- Today, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson applauded the League of Nebraska Municipalities after the League released their list of more than $25 million in local road projects which will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009...

Moving Upward and Forward By U.S. Senator Mike Johanns March 30, 2009 Dear Nebraskans, After spending the first two and a half months working out of a temporary, portable office, my staff and I moved into a more spacious location on the fourth floor of the Russell Senate Office Building. It has been an exciting reminder of what a privilege it is to walk these halls as a public servant like so many before me...

Girls Scores 100 Meter Dash 200 Meter Dash 400 Meter Dash 100 Meter Hurdles 300 Meter Hurdles 800 Meter Run 1600 Meter Run 3200 Meter Run Long Jump Triple Jump High Jump Pole Vault Shot Put Discus 4 x 100 Relay 4 x 400 Relay 4 x 800 Relay Boys Scores...

Nov. 11, 1917 - March 28, 2009 TRENTON -- Leveta B. Sailors, 91, died Saturday (March 28, 2009) at El Dorado Manor in Trenton. She was born Nov. 11, 1917, in Hayes County to Leo and Elsie B. (Witt) Cross. A private inurnment will be at the Palisade Cemetery at a later date...

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Sierra Ariella Schermerhorn, infant daughter of Anthony "Tony" and Danielle (Barth) Schermerhorn entered into her heavenly home on March 16, 2009, at Las Vegas, Nev. Survivors include her parents, Anthony and Danielle Schermerhorn of Pahrump, Nev.; two sisters, Kirsten Ivy Schermerhorn and Sonya Isabelle Schermerhorn of Pahrump, Nev.; grandparents, Gary and Donna Barth of Culbertson; Wayne and Linda Schermerhorn of Natural Bridge, N.Y.; great-grandmothers, Margie Welsh of McCook, Patricia Schermerhorn of Brooksville, Fla., and Margaret Pettit of Carthage, N.Y.; uncles, Marshall Barth of Kearney and Jonathan Barth of Culbertson; and one aunt, Angela Schermerhorn of Natural Bridge, N.Y.. ...

The family of John Weskamp is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday on April 3. Cards of congratulations will reach him at Hillcrest Nursing Home, 309 West 7th, McCook, NE 69001.

The family of Bonnie Monzon is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday on March 31. Her family includes her four sons, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Cards will reach her at 106 Wast H, McCook NE 69001.

The family of Betty (Norman) Carey of Palisade is hosting an open house and card shower in honor of her 85th birthday. She was born April 3,1924. Her family includes her daughters, Lisa and husband, Raymond Kisinger of Palisade, Julia Carey of Elwood and son, Brandon Carey of Pepin, Wis. ...

CAMBRIDGE -- Cambridge High School boys and girls track teams hosted the Don Stine Invitational Saturday. The boys won the boys division and the girls tied for first place with Alma in the team scores. The Trojan boys won took home eight first place medals. Hayden Ekberg earned two first place finishes, taking the 800 meter run in 2 minutes and 15 seconds and the 1600 in 4:58.2...

LINCOLN -- McCook's J Street paving project is among 23 projects in 16 cities across the state expected to receive funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Gov. Dave Heineman and the League of Nebraska Municipalities announced. Approved yesterday by the League Executive Board, the 23 projects are in 16 cities across the state...

McCook High School students have a lot on their minds, and they are not afraid to ask some tough questions to obtain a clear understanding of the issues they will be facing as adults. State Sen. Mark Christensen gave them the opportunity to ask those questions in Brent May's government and law classes Friday...

Not that long ago, but more years ago than we'd like to admit, the Gazette ran a small feature story about one of the first cellular phones in town. It was an analogue version, of course, and probably of the "bag" variety that rarely left the car of the owner...

I'm not quite sure how the "Tempest in a Teapot" over the location of the electric chair has escalated to a debate over the death penalty (Mike at Night -- The McCook Daily Gazette 3-27-09), but I sure don't want to debate anybody. In fact, I agree with Mike Hendricks' comments and even appreciate his thump on the head for my lapse of judgment in asking about the chair coming to McCook in the first place...

I'm sure that at one time or another each of us has pondered (if just for a moment) just what we would do if we won big money in the lottery. For most of us that is probably pure speculation, because one has to buy a lottery ticket in order to have a chance to win and most of us never even take that first step...

When the king came to settle accounts, he found a servant carrying an enormous load of indebtedness, especially when calculated using monetary values in the year 2009. The Rev. Doug Rohrer, addressing the fifth community congregation at the Community Lenten service Friday at St. ...

Last week, the Legislature adopted amendments on Select File and advanced to Final Reading Legislative Bill 260. LB 260 is the Nebraska Claims for Wrongful Conviction and Imprisonment Act. I would like to update you on the status of this bill. LB260, as originally introduced, would have allowed individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned to file a claim against the state for monetary restitution. ...

Not a day goes by that members of our military aren't in my thoughts and prayers for their selfless service and sacrifice. But it is not their sacrifice and service alone. Military families, especially children, are also sacrificing on behalf of their country...