Stories from Monday, June 21, 2010

Sept. 19,1912-June 19, 2010 STRATTON, Nebraska -- E. Earl "Hooks" Bailey, 97, died Saturday (June 19, 2010) in McCook. He was the first child of Seymour and Nola (Pember) Bailey, born Sept. 19, 1912, in Enders, Nebraska. He attended school in Stratton and graduated in 1930...

June 20, 1930-June 18, 2010 TRENTON, Nebraska -- Gerald Otis Dewey, 79, died Friday (June 18, 2010) at the El Dorado Manor Home in Trenton. He was born June 20, 1930, in LeRoy, Nebraska, the son of the late Harry A. and Edith M. (Philleo) Dewey. He grew up in the Hastings area where he received his education...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Gov. Dave Heineman and Department of Natural Resources Director Brian Dunnigan today outlined the agenda for the first meeting of the Republican River Basin Water Sustainability Task Force scheduled for Wednesday in McCook. Gov. Heineman will give introductory remarks at the meeting, focusing on compact compliance and water sustainability for the Republican River Basin...

Wednesday's meeting of the Republican River Basin Water Sustainability Task Force should be interesting, and not just because it will be attended by Gov. Dave Heineman. We don't know if the subject of irrigators cheating on water meters will come up, but it should, if only as a sign of a larger issue...

One of the first white settlers in Red Willow County was William Sheodron Fitch. He was born in Missouri in 1838, but grew to manhood in Illinois, where he began his farming career. When the Civil War broke out he became a part of the 89th Division of Illinois Infantry, and took part in some 20 battles with this group. He was wounded in the Battle of Stone's River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee...

Where is our good old government watchdog when we need him? It appears to me the NRD was asleep at the wheel while some of our fine citizens were stealing water right under their meters. I was appalled that all the perpetrators got was a cease-and-desist order, (I hope there is more penalty coming)...

An 11-year-old Nebraska girl recently presented me with a touching essay she wrote about senior citizens, including one she met who was 101 years old. She called her essay "A Life Changed." She was referring to her own life because of the values she has learned during visits to the Green House...

West team quarterback Trevor Wells of Medicine Valley looks for a open receiver Saturday in the Sertoma Eight-Man All-Star Classic in Hastings. Wells completed 17 of 18 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 22 yards on three carries with a 3-yard touchdown. Wells was named the offensive MVP for the West team. Wells connected with Eustis-Farnam's Drew Wetovick five times for 57 yards and one touchdown...

Most of us go through our day without knowing where our food, drink, and other products come from, but it matters more than you might think. There's a decent chance that you're reading this with a cup of coffee or a soft drink; and there's a better chance that those coffee beans or that sugar came from Colombia. ...

Mackenzie Hite of Perkins County sets the ball for the West team in the Sertoma Volleyball Classic Saturday night at the McCook High School gym. Hite led the West with 27 assists and four ace serves.