Stories from Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Is it February already? Things always seem to go faster during a short 60-day session and this one is no exception. By the end of this week, we will be done with a third of the 2010 Session. Last Thursday, my LB 893 was heard in the Revenue committee. ...

It's a problem most of us can understand -- not enough income, too many expenses, no self control and the availability of easy credit. The difference is, the money's not going for a new car or a flat-screen television, it's going to stimulate the economy, conduct two foreign wars, support huge entitlement programs and, oh yes, make the minimum payments on all that outstanding debt...

Gosh it gives me a good feeling lately to file a flight plan for McCook's Airport, "KMCK" in pilot shorthand, and get back a printed flight plan that spells out "McCook Ben Nelson Regional." Kinda makes me just feel rosy all over. In case you were wondering, the "K" is worldwide shorthand, they call it the "country code," locating the facility in the U. ...

I do not understand the city's rush to demolish West Ward. I am sure those providing information massaged the facts in an attempt to justify their position. Try as hard as they could, they could not get away from the fact it will be less expensive to re-hab West Ward than build new...

Dear Editor, The recent natural disaster in Haiti has claimed thousands of lives. I urge all Christians to send Bibles to the survivors. That way, when they read the word of God, they will have food, water and shelter. Steve Stramel, McCook

By CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor The decision Monday evening to list the former District 8 schoolhouse for sale disappointed the rural McCook couple who submitted the high bid at the property auction last Friday. Following a 50-minute closed session called during the board's monthly meeting to discuss personnel and the sale of District 8 property, board members voted 4-2 to reject all bids for the property and list it for sale with a real estate agent. ...

As the McCook City Council continues to grapple with options for a new public safety center, the idea of remodeling either West Ward or the existing police station was removed from the table. The McCook City Council eliminated both at the regular council meeting Monday night and directed city staff to hire architects to look at costs for a new law enforcement/city administration building at the National Guard Armory on West Seventh, as well as square footage needs for a new building on the West Ward site.. ...

By CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor Red Willow County commissioners closed on the purchase of the big gray-and-white apartment house at 524 Norris Ave. during their weekly meeting Monday morning. Commissioners agreed in December to pay Stannis and Kenneth Spencer of McCook $50,000 for the property. Camy Bradley of McCook Abstract Co. Monday morning presented the purchaser's statement to commissioners for signatures...

Emergency personnel carry an accident victim up a steep slope between Old Highway 6 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks southwest of McCook late Monday afternoon. Three McCook teens, two girls and one boy, were injured when the car, eastbound, left the road and rolled into the wide ditch between the highway and tracks about 5 p.m. ...

By the city paying $10,000 now for property on East Second, major costs will be saved in the future, the McCook City Council was told Monday night. The Council approved Monday night at its regular meeting a $10,000 settlement payment to Terry Jessen, for his property at 301 E. Second...

McCook Public Schools may add five minutes to its schedule for the 2010-11 school year. Superintendent Grant Norgaard told board members at their monthly meeting Monday evening that two instructional days lost in next year's calendar due to teacher training can be recaptured by adding five minutes to the daily schedule. "There is a need to lengthen classroom time on day-to-day basics to get content and curriculum covered," he said...

Tickets are still available for the McCook Women's Winter Conference this Saturday. Women may preregister or purchase a ticket at the door the morning of the retreat. The conference, "Spaghetti for the Soul," features Kathy Troccoli and Ellie Lofaro and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McCook city auditorium at West Fifth and C Streets. It is sponsored by the McCook Evangelical Free Church. Cost for the retreat is $35...

KEARNEY, Neb. -- Jim Sedlak of Kearney is collecting old prostheses and components for donation to the relief effort in Haiti. Sedlak, a certified prosthetist with Prosthetic HealthCare Services in Kearney, said it is estimated there may be tens of thousands of amputees in need of help because of the earthquake...