Stories from Tuesday, July 7, 2009

LEXINGTON -- The McCook Rebels 14 and under girls fastpitch softball team captured third place at the Class B State Tournament last weekend at Lexington.

CRAWFORD -- Garrett Nokes of McCook was the all-around cowboy at the 63rd annual Old West Trail Rodeo in Crawford during the Fourth of July weekend. Nokes won the tie down roping with a time of 10.9 seconds to earn $1,102. He also competed in the steer wrestling, but did not score in it...

Larson contributes to Bison White team's 2-0 start at Indy tourney INDIANAPOLIS -- McCook High School junior-to-be Connor Larson scored 8 points in two games to help the Bison-Nebraska White basketball team to a pair of wins in the squad's opening games in pool play at the Indianapolis NBDA Tournament...

A seven-run first inning helped power the McCook First Central Bank Juniors American Legion baseball team to its 12th win of the season in a 18-10 victory over Cozad Monday night at the Jaycee Sports Complex. The Juniors came out and jumped on Cozad early with the first three batters reaching base. Clint Beguin stepped in and cleared the bases with one swing of the bat on a deep grand slam home run to left field...

If enough funds are raised by a McCook Boy Scout, a bronze statue will be placed in the center of Norris Park as a memorial for veterans. The memorial project is being spearheaded by 14-year old Trenton Klimper, who would like to install it as his Eagle Scout project. ...

Red Willow County commissioners signed an agreement Monday morning to purchase a dog from an Alabama kennel, a German shepherd or Belgian Malinois to be trained as a K-9 officer for the Red Willow County sheriff's department. Sheriff Gene Mahon told commissioners during their weekly meeting that a K-9 committee has raised about $9,200 in donations, $6,000 of which will be used to buy the dog. Training for the dog and sheriff's deputy Sgt. Joe Koetter will cost about $1,400...

McCook city residents may see higher bills for water, sewer and trash collection that would take effect in October. City staff is mulling over a 3 percent increase in water rates, a 5 percent increase in sewer and a $1.50 increase per month for solid waste collection, due to declining sales and as a way to beef up weak ending balances...

Mitchell Tuma of Colby, Kan., and Bob Chartier of Ozawkie, Kan., cut wheat last week using a 1958, 55 series John Deere Combine. The restored machine is owned by Joe Green of Herndon. A line of thunderstorms gave many harvesters in Northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska time off over Independence Day, but the harvest picked up again Monday. (Char Shields/Courtesy photo)...

Red Willow County commissioners, at their meeting Monday morning, closed a Marion-area bridge until two steel floor beams can be repaired. A Nebraska Department of Roads inspection revealed that the bridge, over the Beaver Creek on a county road east of Marion, has two cracked floor beams. The NDOR has instructed that the bridge be closed or traffic weight capacity reduced from 13 tons to three tons until it is repaired...

A trailer on property at 1312 West 12 was condemned as a public nuisance by the McCook City Council Monday night and will be towed or demolished on site. The trailer was inspected by the McCook Health Board in late 2008 and owners were given six months to improve conditions, City Manager Kurt Fritsch told the council...

Although some cities may be looking for ways to slash costs this year, McCook is sitting comfortable with its proposed budget of $25.7 million, a 14.68 percent increase from last year. The McCook City Council got its first look at the proposed 2009-10 city budget Monday night after its regular meeting and reviewed department expenses and projects funded by city sales tax dollars...

Some Michael Jackson fans were worried the circus animals, arriving for a performance Wednesday, will detract from his memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles today. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is leading an elephant through the legislative process while the rest of us are distracted by things like a celebrity funeral, the resignation of an Alaska governor or the apparent murder-suicide of a former NFL quarterback...

Not enough can be said crediting Ben Franklin (1706-1790) for his contributions to our country. He has been called a jack of all trades and the master of many. Interestingly enough, he never actively sought a public office, although he was interested in public affairs. He signed four key documents in American history: The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain and the Constitution of the United States...

After seeing the display in the Knowlen and Yates window I was reminded of time I was taught about the Boston Tea Party. Now, being a little older, not much wiser, I see all too much in common with today's situation and the situation that caused the valiant demonstration. ...

I'd like to share some interesting "fan mail" concerning my column this past week. First there was a nice letter from a gentleman in Hayes County saying he envies me my chance to fly to interesting places around the country. He was drafted into the Army in 1957 and thought his wish fulfilled when sent to aircraft mechanic's school. ...

What is your favorite thing to do during the summer? ------ Swimming. ------ Traveling ------ Sleeping ------ Sleeping and swimming. ------ Football ------ Swimming ------ Swimming...