Stories from Monday, January 23, 2012

Mary F. Jensen April 21, 1918 - Jan. 20, 2012 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Mary Frances Jensen passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska at the age of 93. She was born April 21, 1918, in Audubon Township in Peoria, Illinois. As a child she and her family moved to Haigler, Nebraska where she grew up and received her education. She married Robert N. Turpin at Haigler, Nebraska. He died in 1966...

James A. Thompson July 10, 1925 - Jan. 15, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- James Albert Thompson died Sunday (Jan. 15, 2012). He was born July 10, 1925, to Allen and Ethel Thompson in Perry, Nebraska. He married Phyllis Arlene Coleman on Nov. 27, 1948, in McCook...

Joe Schultz WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Joe Schultz, 93, died Friday, (Jan. 20, 2012), at the Heritage Wauneta Nursing Home. Survivors include his half-sister, Mava Jane Hurd and husband, Ralph, of Imperial, Nebraska; and cousin, ArriAnna Bentz of Imperial...

Miles B. Erdman Nick Erdman and Tina Oberg of Culbertson, Nebraska announce the birth of their son, Miles B. Erdman, who was born Jan. 10, 2012, at McCook Community Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Grandparents are Kevin and Kim Oberg of Trenton, Nebraska, Ronda Erdman of Culbertson and Troy and Rita Erdman of McCook. Great-grandparents are Bill and Sue Weber, John and Linda Cook and Charlotte Oberg...

We've seen some economic development efforts for attracting and retaining young people in our area, and initiatives for bringing retirees here as well. A new Census study by the Center for Rural Affairs advocacy group points out the need for increase the number between those two groups, however...

Between 1860 and 1878 there were some 15 million buffalo that roamed the Great Plains. The territory between the Platte and Republican rivers was said to be the best buffalo hunting country in the world. To the Plains Indians the buffalo was truly "the staff of life," and they prided themselves on the fact that they killed only as many buffalo as they needed to live. ...

I read the editorial on PIPA and SOPA. First, thanks for the explanation. If the Internet sites self-policed, we would not have this problem. All sorts of intellectual properties are being stolen at a rate approaching the national debt. There are currently ways to make "borrowing" artistic creations tougher. ...

What I said about Israel's Ministry of Tourism in my letter of Jan. 13-15 must have confused you. The Ministry of Tourism is not causing tension in Israel. Israel depends on it to provide safety for visitors to their country. Tourism gives a huge economic boost to Israel's economy...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Two separate petitions with roots in Southwest Nebraska seek to place legalization of marijuana on the Nebraska ballot. The first, a petition circulated by Frank Shoemaker of Holbrook, seeks to add Proposition XIX to the Nebraska Constitution which would legalize marijuana for private, noncommercial use and cause the state to set aside any previous marijunana convictions...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners during their meeting Friday approved the transfer of the state's ownership of the Champion Mill State Historical Park and State Recreation Area to Chase County, pending legislative action. The state legislature still has to have a hearing on LB 739, which would finalize the transfer...

McCOOK, NEBRASKA -- The investigation of a fire that destroyed a McCook, Nebraska, home Friday evening indicates that the fire started in the chimney of a wood-burning stove. McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham said this morning that the home and belongings of Justin and Danielle Zlomke, at 108 E. Fifth, are a total loss. The house is owned by John Zlomke. Harpham estimated losses at more than $40,000...

The RPAC basketball race is on. The annual Republican Plains Activities Conference basketball tournament got underway Saturday, Jan. 21, with 12 first-round games in boys and girls divisions at two sites. East Division action was held at the Medicine Valley High School gym in Curtis, while the West Division games were contested at the Hitchcock County High School gym in Trenton...

LEXINGTON, Neb. -- The McCook High School wrestling team faced a tough test at a very competitive John Higgins Lexington Invitational Saturday, Jan. 21. The Bison fared well, with half of the eight McCook entries in the varsity division earning top four finishes in their respective weight classes...

The ethanol producers of Nebraska and throughout the country got a big boost with the new year when a federal judge decided to block a tighter fuel standard in California from going into effect that would have cut back on the amount of ethanol going to California from producers here in the middle of the country...

This past week has been consumed with the first half of the day in session and the second half of the day involved in Committee Hearings. Amongst all the hustle and bustle of the Legislature, I have managed to introduce 12 new bills in addition to my carry over bills from the 2011 session. In the letter this week, I will focus on three bills that I have introduced on behalf of District 44 constituents...

Mabel E. Dunham June 12, 1920 - Jan. 21, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mabel E. Dunham of Garden City, Kansas, has gone to be with her Savior on this day, January 21, 2012. Mabel was born June 12, 1920, to parents Theodore and Jessie (Cordwell) Wickizer. The family lived north of Max, Kansas, where she attended school...

Joseph J. Laumann May 12, 1938 - Jan. 22, 2012 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Joseph J. Laumann, age 73, of Benkelman, passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Benkelman. Joe was born May 12, 1938, to Antoinette (Faimon) and Albert Laumann in Hitchcock County, Nebraska. ...

It is time to begin thinking about filing your tax returns for tax year 2011 and I want to encourage every Nebraskan to consider filing their individual income taxes electronically. E-filing is a convenient and secure way to file state and federal taxes. I also want to encourage taxpayers who are making state income tax payments, including estimated income tax, to use the state's electronic payment program located at www.revenue.ne.gov...