Stories from Thursday, December 16, 2010

It's popular to use earmarks as anti-Washington rhetoric, what with the "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska and other abuses, but a look at those included in the omnibus spending bill awaiting action now raises new questions for Nebraska. Sen. Ben Nelson has drawn more than his share of criticism, but defends them as a way to make sure worthy projects are funded, and as a way for rural, less-populous areas to obtain government support that otherwise would go to big cities...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Marv Colson took up the cause for children in 1996 when he became a volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). He has served 19 children during that time and announced Wednesday that when the case involving the three children he is advocating for now is settled, he's going to have to retire...

Sept. 26,1924--Dec. 14, 2010 CENTERTON, Arkansas -- Fredric Dugan Wacker, 86, passed away Tuesday (Dec. 14, 2010), at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. Fred was born Sept. 26, 1924, in Wauneta, Nebraska. He was baptized in the Evangelical Church in Culbertson, Nebraska. At the age of 16, he was one of Nebraska's first polio victims...

Dec. 10, 1955--Dec. 14, 2010 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Lynn A. Rakes, 55, died on Tuesday (Dec. 14, 2010). He was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska on Dec. 10, 1955, to Harold and Dorothy (Greenwood) Rakes. Lynn grew up in the Nebraska City area and graduated from Pioneer High School in 1974...

This is being written well in advance of the Dec. 13/14 Geminid meteor shower so all I can say is, I hope we had clear skies. We can also hope for clear skies on Monday, Dec. 20, so we will be able to watch a total lunar eclipse. This is the first total lunar eclipse visible in North America since February 2008, and will be the last one until 2014 so let's all hope real hard...

CEDAR BLUFFS, Kansas -- The decision to euthanize 1,200 puppies and dogs from Beaver Creek Kennel at Cedar Bluffs, Kansas, was "the last choice" of the breeder and the State of Kansas Animal Health Department. However, according to a press release from Bill Brown, DVM, livestock commissioner from the KAHD, the action was "the only humane way" to prevent the spread of Canine Distemper Virus and to protect the dogs from prolonged suffering...

Fire damage is estimated at $100,000 McCOOK, Nebraska -- A Deputy State Fire Marshal blamed an electrical problem for starting a fire that caused $100,000 in damage to a building and contents at Fritz Trucking Wednesday morning. The McCook City Fire Department arrived on the scene on Airport Road three minutes after the 911 call was received at 10:26 a.m...

Jerrod Burke of Curtis, Nebraska, a commissioner for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, takes aim at a ringneck pheasant during a "Focus on Pheasants" hunting experience Wednesday afternoon on land owned or leased by Mike and Tom Baker of rural Trenton. ...

BARTLEY, Nebraska -- A 46-year-old Arapahoe woman died Wednesday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident a mile west of Bartley, Nebraska, on Highway 6&34. An accident report filed by the Nebraska State Patrol indicates that Lisa D. Ohrman of Arapahoe was killed when her westbound 2004 Pontiac Aztek SUV collided in the south lane with an eastbound International tractor-trailer rig driven by Calvin Peck, 52, of McCook...