Stories from Monday, February 8, 2010

Be Part of Governor's Ag Conference By Governor Dave Heineman February 5, 2010 Dear Fellow Nebraskans: I want to share a preview of what you can expect at the 2010 Governor's Ag Conference. The 22nd annual conference will be held March 3- 4 in Kearney. The theme of the event is "Nebraska Agriculture: Your Industry. Your Story. Your Future."...

Sept. 11, 1952-Feb. 5, 2010 McDONALD -- Duane Paul Wilkens, 57, died Friday (Feb. 5, 2010), at Valley View Senior Life Center in Junction City, Kan. He was born Sept. 11, 1952, at McCook. He was a feed store owner and a veteran of the U.S. armed services...

CURTIS -- Board members of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District will discuss how to revise its water plan to include Option 3, at their regular meeting Tuesday, 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Option 3 is one of three that the state has asked the NRDs in the Republican River Basin to implement in water-short years. ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Once again McCook natives Toby and Brett Warren are contributing their technical skills to broadcasting the Olympic Games. The brothers are working onsite in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and New York City to broadcast the 21st Winter Olympic Games from Feb. 12 to 28. The Vancouver games are the fifth-straight games for Toby, who has worked the winter games as a broadcasting engineer beginning with Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002...

GRAND ISLAND -- The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has announced that a public meeting Thursday, Feb. 18 in McCook will help inform the public about current issues related to the Red Willow Dam. It will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Community Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds...

With local schools depending on state and federal funding, it's inevitable that political considerations will follow. Few programs are more controversial than sex education, and with the shift from right to left in Washington, "abstinence only" programs like those favored by conservatives and religious groups have fallen out of favor. ...

In his letter to the editor on Feb. 4, Republican "Mucky Wuck" John Sieler shared information about the money his entourage spent in McCook on feed, lodging, etc., during their recent gathering. He failed to mention that the Republican Party also spent money to put up its billboard message on the east end of town...

With regard to the article, "Proud of Nelson," by Rick Poore on Monday, Feb. 1, where the author outlines a litany of facts which are patently false to justify his misguided pride in Sen. Ben Nelson. All of this to the complete absence of the real facts that Nelson in his own self-serving manner made a deal behind closed doors with Reid and Pelosi, trading his vote for a pay-off that would financially benefit Nebraska and his own re-election, But instead, made a mockery of us, the citizens of this state and a reason to be ashamed before our fellow states of the union. ...

A few years ago my wife, Jean and I had the good fortune to attend a Health Seminar in California. It was an informative week. We learned a great deal about what makes us tick, and how to care for our health. But the most interesting part of the trip turned out to be the people we met, ate with, and talked with at the seminar...

The McCook Community College women almost chopped down a tall opponent Saturday, Feb. 6. The Indians dropped a 66-58 decision to perennial power Western Nebraska Community College of Scottsbluff in a Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference game at the True Hall gym...

Most coaches of athletic teams, no matter what the sport, worth a grain of salt do not like to lose. McCook Community College head coach Brandon Lenhart was visibly disappointed Saturday, Feb. 9, after his MCC squad dropped a 63-59 decision to perennial Region IX power Western Nebraska Community College of Scottsbluff...

BARTLEY -- Many of the Gazette area's high school wrestling teams tuned up for next weekend's district competition with a tough Southwest Invitational. The Saturday, Feb. 5 meet was held at the Southwest High School gym in Bartley. Kansas high schools have regional competition a week later than their Nebraska counterparts. ...

This week marks an important milestone in America and it's one that deserves attention because it involves preparing young people to be good citizens. A century ago on February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to educate boys and young adults about character, participating in society and personal fitness...