Stories from Thursday, May 6, 2010

It's one of the biggest weekends of the year, with McCook High School, McCook Community College and many other high school and college graduations taking place -- and don't let Mom be overlooked on Mothers Day this Sunday. But beyond the ceremonies, congratulations, gifts, cake and punch lies the looming question: What next?...

Regarding the Omaha World-Herald news release on stem cell research at the University of Nebraska, I opine as follows: Because of the tragic oil spill off the coast of Louisiana, we can now laugh and make fun of the recent political mantra "Drill, Baby, Drill!" Modern science, in the hands of ethical scientists, is used for the good of mankind; in the hands of unethical pseudo-scientists as a means to their end of self-aggrandizement, making of science a modern idol to be worshipped as our great hope for a cure-all for all human suffering Modern science has become the great modern, sophisticated idol that has replaced the superstitious idols of the ancients and often fails, due to the human imperfections of our species and our faith in its indefatigable power to improve man's human condition. ...

With the departure of the bright stars of winter, the relatively dim season of spring astronomy enters our viewing experience. The Sun is also setting and rising earlier which does not allow much time for any extended evening viewing -- especially with a telescope...

State Sen. Mark Christensen issued a call to repentance and righteousness in America this morning to a standing-room only audience of more than 130 people at the Chief Restaurant. Christensen was the featured speaker for the local observance of the National Day of Prayer and his challenge was clear...

BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- This is a man that a prosecuting attorney described as "a con artist" ... the man whose ex-wife called "a professional liar." A substance abuse counselor said this man displays "a macho sense of superiority." This is the man who drove drunk and struck and killed a young Arapahoe wife and mother 21⁄2 years ago. This is the same man who will spend at least the next 25 years of his life behind state penitentiary bars for killing Kasey Jo Warner on Oct. 3, 2007...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- May 6, 2010 -- Today, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan amendment to the Wall Street reform bill cosponsored by Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson that lowers assessments on Nebraska's community banks enabling them to loan more in communities across the state...

The high school boys golf season is a stepping stone for the McCook Bison squad. Head coach Rick Haney has his team building toward Class B-4 District meet at Gothenburg May 17 and a chance to qualify for the Class B state meet in Kearney the following week. The Bison boys will hopefully take a big step toward the district competition Friday, May 7, with a tough test at the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference meet...

Some of the state's top high school track and field athletes will converge on McCook Friday, May 7, for the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference meet. The conference meet rotates among the eight league schools every year, and 2010 is McCook's turn to host the event. The Bison boys and girls will host seven other schools in the annual GNAC competition at the McCook High School stadium located on West 10th St., just west of the Senior High and Junior High School buildings...