Stories from Thursday, February 3, 2011

February 3, 2011 -- Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson and Senate colleagues have warned in a letter to Senator John McCain of Arizona that his proposal to eliminate the federal Essential Air Service program would hurt jobs, economic opportunity and travel in 106 rural communities nationwide, including seven in Nebraska, that rely on EAS funding to maintain commercial air service...

Twelve times a week, McCook residents hear the roar of a turboprop airliner operated by Great Lakes as it drops into McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport and picks up passengers for flights to destinations around the world. If Sen. John McCain and a group of conservative lawmakers in the House have their way, the Southwest Nebraska skies will be quieter...

I'm just wondering, has anyone done the math on the building costs for the renovation project to the East Ward School? The 27 units will be built at a cost of $153,038.14 each. That seems very high to me. Why not skip the federal funding for such a renovation project and spend much less, fixing up some of the existing houses in town and the surrounding towns. It seems to me that would be a more prudent way of creating affordable housing in our fair city...

July 4, 1918--Feb. 1, 2011 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- AnnaBelle Lewis, 92, died Tuesday (Feb. 1, 2011), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born July 4, 1918, near Beaver City, Nebraska, on the family farm to Erwin B. and Gertrude E. (Manley) Kentfield. She grew up and graduated from Beaver City High School with the Class of 1936. After high school she taught for a few years...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County Commissioner Earl McNutt asked Nebraska Senator Mark Christensen to "Please consider strongly opposing LB383," the bill introduced that will eliminate state aid for municipalities, counties and natural resources districts. McNutt said the impact was far reaching and his concerns were echoed by City Manager Kurt Fritsch, during the senator's weekly Chamber of Commerce conference call at the Keystone Business Center, Thursday morning...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A McCook, Nebraska, woman is encouraging more recognition and appreciation of the historic building that she remembers as "my childhood library." Linda McGooden Hedges of McCook is encouraging the community of McCook and the High Plains Historical Society to let more people know about the history and significance of the "Carnegie Library," which is part of the society's museum complex on McCook's main street...

A proposal to restrict marketing practices of high-calorie kids' meals was taken into consideration Tuesday by the Legislature's Agriculture Committee. But, on Wednesday morning, at least five of the eight committee members said they opposed it. The bill was introduced by Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln, and was dubbed the "Children's Health & Corporate Responsibility Act."...

Huge pillows of steam billow into a clear-blue sky as Red Willow Western firefighters extinguish a fire in a farm shed northeast of McCook, Nebraska, about a mile north of Strunk Memorial on County Road 388 late Wednesday afternoon. Fire Chief Bill Elliott said the fire started as owner Rick Ruggles was salvaging metal with a torch and a spark caught the floor of the shed on fire. ...

One of the most outstanding linemen in recent McCook High School football history is taking his talents to the Division I level next fall. Derek Chancellor signed a letter of intent to join the University of South Dakota football program. Chancellor inked his scholarship papers in ceremonies Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the McCook High School gym...

Nebraska News Service Nebraska has joined several other states in introducing a "birther" bill, a piece of legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship from candidates for the nation's highest political offices. The 14-page bill, sponsored by District 44 State Sen. ...

It's hard to fathom now, seeing the star he's become, but there was a time when Matthew Perry was often recognized as one of those dependable performers who deserved a shot at a leading role in a series, but on those occasions that he was given a chance to carry that mantle, the show didn't succeed...