Stories from Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Alice Babbitt July 22, 1930 - Dec. 18, 2011 OGALLALA, Nebraska -- Alice Babbitt, age 81, of Paxton, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at the Indian Hills Manor Nursing Home in Ogallala. Alice was born July 22, 1930, at Wilsonville, Nebraska, the daughter of Charles Renwick and Mary Alice (Sherrard) Anderson. ...

If you've paid attention to the news from Washington over the last year, you might think that everything is so partisan and political that nothing good ever happens in the nation's capital. As we gather across Nebraska in this holiday season with our families and friends, I'd like to point out that although the environment has been pretty toxic, we did come together for an important group of Americans: our active duty service men and women, and our veterans...

One councilman, convicted of harboring a "potentially" vicious dog, has stepped down and another, convicted of disturbing the peace, hasn't done so yet. An outside attorney brought in to advise the city said that a 1920s law was worded such that the two councilmen forfeited their seats at the time of their convictions. What does that mean?...

It seems long ago that I spent the summers of 1967, 1968 and 1969 in Southeast Asia supporting the Vietnam War. Winters of those years meant additional time away from the family on SAC alert or off on temporary in exotic places like Alaska. It was the typical life of an aircrew member and our families adjusted...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- During the McCook City Council's annual renewal of current retail liquor licenses, Monday evening, a pair of councilors voiced concerns pertaining to the activity at Sports Night Club. Councilman Mike Gonzales asked Chief of Police Isaac Brown, "Just going through these, it looks like there is one establishment that has more infractions than others. What's it take before there is a recommendation not to approve, how bad does it need to get?"...

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- The 2011 Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award was presented to Palisde native, Dr. Dennis Potthoff Friday during winter commencement ceremonies at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Potthoff is chair and professor of the UNK Department of Teacher Education...

29 PALMS, California -- The son of a McCook, Nebraska, couple has received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Master Gunnery Sgt. Victor J. Purvis of the United States Marine Corps received the Bronze Star for his service and actions as a battalion maintenance chief for the 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Afghanistan, between October 2010 and May 2011...

As Christmas shoppers hurry from store to store ... as they worry about what gift to buy and how big the credit card bill will be in January ... remember the real meaning of Christmas -- that a baby was born in a stable, a baby who was the son of God, Christ the Lord sent to save man from his sins. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Howard Olsen of Simmons Olsen Law Firm told the McCook City Council that two City Council seats were forfeit at the time of the presiding councilors' convictions in county court. The opinion, from the Scottsbluff, Nebraska, firm, came Monday evening during the council's semi-monthly meeting at Council Chambers...