Stories from Thursday, October 29, 2009

Halloween can be a fun time -- just check out the costumed kids at McCook Community College on Page 21 today. The weather promises to clear up by Saturday, meaning this year's holiday has the potential to be busier than ever. But mix excited kids, candy, dark streets and perhaps even intoxicated drivers, and you have a recipe for disaster...

In spite of what the cards and pictures indicate, there is rarely a full moon on Halloween. This year, Halloween 2009, the moon will be about two days before full. It will be about 25 degrees above the eastern horizon at 7 p.m. and should provide modest illumination for all the goblins, ghouls, and ghosties that happen to be out wandering the streets...

IMPERIAL -- The 2009-10 budgeted tax revenue for Mid Plains Community College will increase by $26,302, due to an incorrect property valuation submitted by one of the counties in the MPCC area. At the extended MPCC campus at Imperial on Wednesday, the MPCC Board of Governors unanimously approved at its regular meeting the revised budget...

HOLBROOK -- Members of Lions Clubs all across America approve their motions with a loud and resounding "Roar!" There has been a lot of roaring -- LOTS of roaring -- in Holbrook since the Lions Club there received its charter in 1971. Zoos and circuses would have trouble keeping up with the amount of roaring that has sounded in Holbrook over the past 38 years as club members approve projects and donations to help their community...

Dec. 27, 1915-Oct. 24, 2009 WAUNETA -- Edith Marie Lorance, 93, died Saturday (Oct. 24, 2009), in Denver, Colo. She was born Dec. 27, 1915, on the family farm near Wauneta, to Chester C. and Bessie (Ough) Stock. She graduated from Wauneta High School in 1933...

Jan. 6, 1945-Oct. 16, 2009 FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- James David Rasmussen, pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, passed away of a heart attack suddenly and unexpectedly on Oct. 16, 2009. He was born Jan. 6, 1945, and was adopted and raised by David and Myrtle Rasmussen in Oconomowoc, Wis...

The family of Lois Hamilton is requesting a card shower in honor of her 75th birthday Nov. 1. Her children are Deb and husband, Jay Hudgens of Iowa, Jim and wife, Deb Hamilton of McCook, Rick and wife, Sue Hamilton of Colorado, and Brenda and husband, Darrell Svoboda of McCook. She has 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulation will reach her at 310 Pawnee Dr., McCook, NE 69001...

I've heard a few devoted Husker football fans in recent weeks complaining about the state of the Cornhusker State's beloved Big Red. Those fans, along with all the former national championship coaches now employed as sports writers for the state's big daily newspapers (my small attempt at sarcasm) have offered opinions on the struggles of Coach Bo Pelini's offense this season. ...

There probably won't be too many mysteries across the line of scrimmage Friday night when McCook and Ogallala meet in the first round of the Nebraska Class B State High School Football Playoffs. The Bison travel to Ogallala Friday for a first-round playoff contest, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m CDT...