Stories from Monday, November 23, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Saturday, Sen. Ben Nelson voted in favor of a Senate cloture motion to proceed to debate health care reform on the floor of the United States Senate, and issued this statement: "For months this year, millions of Americans and thousands of Nebraskans have spoken out about health care reform. Tonight, I voted to bring those Town Hall and kitchen table views into the U.S. Senate, so we can begin debating how to fix a health care system that costs too much and delivers too little...

WASHINGTON -- Senator Johanns tonight voted against the motion to proceed to floor debate on the Senate health care reform bill. The motion passed, 60-39 on a party-line vote; 60 votes were needed. "I voted against the motion to proceed tonight because I do not believe nearly enough has been done to make this bill worthy of consideration on the Senate floor," Johanns said. ...

Sept. 17, 1932-Nov. 21, 2009 Donna Marie Lambert, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She was 77 years old. Donna was born on Sept. 17, 1932, in Red Willow County to Leonard D. and Ida Winifred (Taylor) England. She graduated from Red Willow High School in 1950...

Sept. 11, 1926-Nov. 18, 2009 WHEATRIDGE, Colo. -- B. Joan Parrish, 83, formerly of Beaver City, died Wednesday (Nov. 18, 2009), at Collier Hospice Lutheran Medical Center in Wheatridge, Colo. She was born Sept. 11, 1926, in Furnas County, to John Russell and Vivan (Livingston) Wentling. ...

Only five months after winning the Hormel Business Plan Competition, clothing retailer "The Kloset" opened the doors of its much-anticipated boutique at 217 Norris Ave. in McCook this morning. "Our motto is trendy yet affordable," said co-owner and McCook native Stephanie Dusatko, who founded the Kloset together with her husband, Jeffrey Dusatko, and her sister, Ashley Hagan...

Community Hospital and the City of McCook are working together to make recycling more accessible to the public, according to Kyle Potthoff, Public Works Director. A recycling trailer, which was acquired by the city from federal surplus for approximately 25 percent of the cost of a new one, will continue to be parked on hospital grounds to allow the public the option of recycling 24 hours a day. The trailer was placed on hospital grounds earlier this year for a trial period...

Sen. Ben Nelson missed the chance to take the credit or blame for killing the Senate health care bill, which passed by the minimum 60 votes necessary to advance to floor debate. Still, he joins others like Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut in warning that he won't vote for the bill in its current form...

The days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday are busy ones at the bakery, but fun days as well, as this is the unofficial beginning of the holiday season, and we start to make the special treats that are reserved for just this season. Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for a lot of people. ...

Dear Editor, Certain fools have declared the new statue in the center of Norris Park a hideous example of 100 percent Grade A kitsch. Steve Stramel, McCook

With the holidays approaching and winter weather settling in, this is a good time to highlight several safety tips for those who will be traveling on Nebraska roadways. In 2008, there were fewer traffic fatalities in Nebraska than any time since 1944. During each of the past three years, Nebraska's road fatality rates have declined. By buckling up and taking basic precautions over the next few weeks we hope to close 2009 with a fourth consecutive year with fewer fatalities...

Every boy growing up in Nebraska probably dreams of playing football for the Huskers, of someday running onto the turf at Memorial Stadium to the roar of the home-state crowd. Josh Cherry realized that dream last Saturday, although from the sideline opposite the Big Red...

In an ideal world, every child would live in a permanent, stable and safe home environment surrounded by a loving family. Unfortunately, that is not the way it is for thousands of children who have neither a home nor parents. Nationally, there are more than a half million children in the foster care system, including some 6,000 in Nebraska. 20 percent of these children are waiting to be adopted...

The Legislature finished the First Special Session 2009 last Friday making the adjustments needed to shore up revenue declines and balance the budget. Many of you were watching closely to the changes being proposed and contacted my office with concerns and suggestions, I appreciated hearing from you. However, for those of you who were not able to follow what was going on I would like to give you some highlights...

The reds, oranges and golds of autumn gardens transformed the Republican River Valley Event Center Sunday night as the 11th Annual An Evening for Hospice drew a record crowd, raising $30,000 for the work of Community HealthCare and Hospice. The theme, "Garden of Hope and Healing," inspired several of the auction packages, including a garden package and an original watercolor "Trumpets in the Garden" by Anne Kennedy of McCook...

SouceGas executives "felt the heat" of irate citizens at a Nebraska Public Service Commission townhall meeting Thursday at McCook. The company has applied to the commission for an increase in its base rate and distribution charge, rates regulated by the commission...