Stories from Monday, January 31, 2011

I want to focus this week on several proposals aimed at strengthening education in Nebraska. These proposals are focused on creating new opportunities for students and accelerating Nebraska's potential to attract research and development projects. I have recommended directing $8.5 million to the development of a virtual high school for Nebraska students. ...

June 21, 1935-Jan. 26, 2011 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Melvin "Mel" K. Reiners, 75, passed away on Wednesday (Jan. 26, 2011), at his residence. He was born on June 21, 1935, in McCook to Emil "Slim" R. and Lillian A. (Orman) Reiners. Mel was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, the McCook Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion Post No. 203. He served in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed walking, boating and fishing, and visiting with his morning coffee group...

March 15, 1937--Jan. 28, 2011 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Phyllis Ann Gardner was born to C. Merle Ketler and Eva (Cooley) Ketler on March 15, 1937, in rural Dundy County, Nebraska. She passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday (Jan. 28, 2011), at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman...

June 23, 1926-Jan. 27, 2011 OXFORD, Nebraska -- Funeral services for Kent W. Lueking will be conducted from the St. John's Lutheran Church of Oxford, Nebraska, on Tuesday, 2 p.m., with the Rev. Dale Hedstrom officiating. Interment is in the Oxford Cemetery with military honors provided by the Oxford American Legion Post No. 219 in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corp Military Honors Team...

June 26, 1935--Jan. 27, 2011 OMAHA, Nebraska -- Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and favorite aunt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Josephine Lee; and three brothers. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Al, formerly of McCook, Nebraska; sons, James and wife, Belle Gonzales and Michael and wife, Trisha Gonzales, all of Omaha; daughters, Rachelle and husband, John of Lincoln, Nebraska, Christine and husband, Richard Shanahan of Lincoln, Debra and husband, Michael Lee of Dallas, Texas, and Linda and husband, Tim Schleisman of Omaha; grandchildren, Kaitlin, Cassondra, Lexi, Emily, Zachary, Chloe, Alissa, Nicholas, Vanessa, Amber, T.J., Ethan, Samantha, Ashlyn, Aden, and Alivia; three sisters; one brother; and many other relatives and friends.. ...

March 30, 1950--Jan. 27, 2011 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Thomas Michael O'Neil, 60, passed away Thursday (Jan. 27, 2011), at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born in McCook on March 30, 1950, to William P. and Catherine M. (Boehm) O'Neil. He attended St. Patrick's Grade School. While there, he served as an altar boy and played basketball on the Knight's team. He was a 1967 Golden Glove Boxer...

Aug. 10, 1933--Jan. 27, 2011 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Floyd Duane "Corky" Breinig, 77, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2011) at Holdrege Memorial Homes. He was born Aug. 10, 1933, to Floyd and Mamie (King) Breinig on a farm southwest of Arapahoe. He graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1950...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Tesslyn Pankonin's first move came just the day after she was born, when she and her mother rode a hospital bed from the old patient pods of Community Hospital of McCook to the hospital's new patient wing. Tesslyn, the new daughter of Kelsea and Philip Pankonin of Imperial, Nebraska, was born Friday morning and was among seven patients who traveled a temporary connector hallway Saturday from the 35-year-old pod-design hospital to the long hallway of brand-new patient rooms...

The crew of a 1946 Republic seaplane check over the engine Sunday afternoon after an emergency landing in a wheatfield near Max, Nebraska. A neighbor lent them a car to go for repairs.

With all the talk these days about strengthening the economy and creating jobs, Congress must not overlook the agriculture sector. My top priorities continue to be increasing opportunities for family farmers and ranchers to make a livable income off their lands and developing economic opportunities though rural development and renewable energy to help small towns and communities thrive...

Growing up in the 1930s, one of my first sports heroes was Cleveland Indians pitcher, Bob Feller -- AKA Rapid Robert, Bullet Bob, The Schoolboy Phenom, The Heater from Van Meter. The Omaha World Herald was making a strong effort to cover the news in Western Iowa, where Van Meter is located -- so we got constant updates on the progress of Van Meter's favorite son, who was making a big splash in baseball, with Cleveland in the American League. ...

Last Saturday (Jan. 29), a young woman stood before thousands of Nebraskans in the UNL student union, and held the attention of every man, woman and child crowded into the room. Melissa Ohden stood before us, healthy, vibrant, a wife and mother, and the survivor of a failed abortion...

Changing times and technology are catching up with the U.S. Postal Service, as e-mail, online bill pay and other electronic services take over for "snail mail." New Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, who was sworn into office earlier this month, wants to cut 7,500 administrative jobs through attrition, including those of postmasters...