Stories from Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Last week I hosted town hall meetings in Grand Island, Lexington, Kearney and Lincoln, where I outlined my principles for health care reform and heard feedback from Nebraskans on the latest proposals in Congress. In Lexington, I heard from a small businessman who provides health care to his employees but is concerned that the House bill will raise his taxes and compromise his ability to stay in business. ...

Even in this economic downturn, McCook is blessed to have a thriving economy, driven by manufacturing like Valmont and Parker-Hannifin, industry like the BNSF railroad and oilfield service businesses, plus institutions like the school, college, hospital and clinics, not to mention our role as a retail trade center, entertainment and dining...

One would have lingering wars with little cost; Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings; A third thinks, without expense at all, By guileful fair words peace may be obtained. The Fort Hood massacre has been weighing heavily on my mind. It is difficult to comprehend how an officer could willfully murder 14 of his fellow soldiers and injure scores more. ...

Plans for a non-alcoholic New Year's Eve celebration downtown got the thumbs-up from the McCook City Council Monday night. At the request from McCook's Young Leaders, formerly the McCook Youth League, the council Monday night approved closing the city parking lot at East First and D for a street dance, along with an area on Norris Avenue in front of the Keystone Hotel for a ball-drop...

Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood will appear in district court Monday, Nov. 30, asking Judge David Urbom to allow the county to liquidate collateral it holds in Pawnee Aviation, the helicopter kit company that has defaulted on a $300,000 loan from the county...

The McCook engineering consulting firm of Miller and Associates resigned effective Monday morning as Red Willow County's roads superintendent. At the county commissioners' weekly meeting Monday, engineer and roads supervisor Gary Dicenta told commissioners that the resignation will prevent a conflict of interest when the county is approved for federal aid or federal stimulus money for transportation projects...

The city will save at least $15,000 in a recent purchase scheduled for the transfer station. The McCook City Council approved the $51,895 bid from Fairbanks Scales of Omaha, for a new scale at the transfer station. This is well under the $70,000 that was included in the budget for the purchase...

Audition times have been set for the 2010 upcoming Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre musical, "Annie". Directors are Christy Stevens; Kathy Latta, music; and Robin Marks, choreographer. There will be two periods for auditions -- girls ages 7-13 on Nov. 23 and adults on Nov. 29 and 30...

Last week I hosted town hall meetings in Grand Island, Lexington, Kearney and Lincoln, where I outlined my principles for health care reform and heard feedback from Nebraskans on the latest proposals in Congress. In Lexington, I heard from a small businessman who provides health care to his employees but is concerned that the House bill will raise his taxes and compromise his ability to stay in business. ...

Grant Mollring has coaching in his blood. The University of Nebraska-Kearney assistant has descended from a long line of coaches in the Cambridge family. Grandpa Junior Mollring was a coach at Cambridge for many years. Grant's father, Jeff Mollring, is a veteran coach with stops in Cambridge and McCook (Coach Mo decided to retire as an assistant football coach for the Bison at the conclusion of the 2009 season). ...

Cardinals hand Pleasanton first loss of year in D-2 playoff semifinals