Stories from Wednesday, March 17, 2010

With less than a month until tax day, you've probably got all your records together to prepare your return -- if you haven't already got your refund back and spent. It's a good time to pay special attention to the need to protect your identity. Most of us know enough not to give Social Security or credit card information out to someone who calls on the phone, to shred financial documents we no longer need and to be careful when making online transactions, but there is a new threat most of us haven't thought of.. ...

Dilapidated buildings in the city that have been eyesores for years will finally be put to rest. The McCook City Council approved, Monday night at the regular meeting, contracts to tear down seven structures. The largest contract was awarded to P and G Excavating of McCook, at $57,400, for a total of one commercial and five residential structures. ...

The city will request proposals for removing asbestos at a commercial building known informally as the Romanoff building. The building, at 204 Norris Ave. and has been vacant for years. In November, the city bought the half-block long structure from Terry Jessen for $9,372.08...

The year was 1978. A gallon of gas was 63 cents, the Sony Walkman was introduced and the Fleetwood Mac album, "Rumours," was flying off the shelves. It was also the year when Nancy Mousel, then a stay-at-home mom with two young kids, acted on a suggestion by a friend and worked for the first time at an election...

LINCOLN -- Attorney General Jon Bruning today shared the details of an aggressive phone scam targeting Nebraskans. He was joined by State Sen. Deb Fischer and John Munn, director of the state Department of Banking and Finance. On Monday, March 15, residents of Broken Bow began to receive automated telephone calls claiming to represent their bank. ...

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the Nebraska High School Rodeo Competition on April 24 & 25 is invited to a meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds 4-H Building. Volunteers are needed to help with gates, sorting cattle, and other duties for the rodeo...

Several years ago, I spent my winter evenings and weekends knitting fun fur scarves. I love them. I don't do turtlenecks well, but having that narrow, colorful, fuzzy yarn draped around my neck gives me that warm cozy feel and adds a little color to my sometimes drab wardrobe. I have several. Some I made for myself, others, of much higher quality, were handmade gifts from friends. I do my best each winter to color coordinate so I can wear one every day...