Stories from Friday, March 2, 2012

Family Features Warm breezes, blooming flowers, pretty pastels -- when spring is in the air, there's plenty of reason to celebrate. It's the perfect time to bring family and friends together for a welcoming brunch. When planning your menu, be sure to have plenty of savory dishes on hand to satisfy your guests. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Alisa Parde set her sights on becoming a certified lay minister, in spite of her misgivings about whether or not God was crazy to call her to such a task. "I thought, 'I think you're nuts,' when God whispered his desire in my ear," she said. "But I said, 'I'll do it.'"...

I'm pleased to announce my plans to lead a delegation to China July 28 through Aug. 3. This trade mission will include stops in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, China. It will mark the eleventh trade mission of my administration. China is a growing export market for Nebraska and it is important that we continue to explore new business opportunities. ...

Cook, Grant Alyssa Nicole Cook and Christian Jay Grant, both of Kearney, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride to be are Richard and Kristalee Cook of Culbertson, Nebraska. Grandparents are Sharon Johnson of McCook, Nebraska, the late Aaron Johnson and Ronald and Lila Cook of Culbertson. Great-grandmother is Cindy Ethier of McCook...

90th birthday The family of Wayne Richards is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday March 7. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 38069 Skylark Trail, McCook, NE 69001

85th birthday The family of Art Koetter is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday, He was born March 7, 1927 in McCook. His children include Pam Sellers and Barb Brown, Gloria and husband, Tom Barron, all of McCook, Carri and husband, Todd Case of York, nine grand children and seven great grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will erach him at 718 West Fifth, McCook, NE 69001...

Reid Mason Nutt Caleb and Jessica Nutt of Curtis, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Reid Mason Nutt, who was born Jan. 21, 2012, at McCook Community Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 21.5 inches long. Grandparents are Rick and Kelley Sexson of Farnam, Nebraska and Roland and Julia Nutt of Curtis. Great-grandparents are Lawrence and Thelma Sexson of Farnam, Virginia Meyer of Wellfleet, Nebraska, Lucille Nutt of Curtis and Margaret Taylor of Clarinda, Iowa...

Harris, Fritz Jessica Harris and Craig Fritz, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. The bride's parents are Brian and Nancy Harris of McCook, Nebraska. Grandparents are Mary Osterman of McCook and the late Harry Osterman, Ramona Meazell of Meade, Kansas and the late Norman Meazell and Harold Harris of Denver, Colorado...

Paisley Lucille Marvier James and Chelyn (Winslow-Kennedy) Marvier of McCook, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Paisley Lucille Marvier, who was born Jan.31, 2012, in McCook. She weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 18 inches long. Grandparents are Tracy Kennedy of McCook and the late Michael Kennedy, the late Rick Winslow, Kathryn Marvier of Martinez California, Mike and Lisa Marvier of Chico California, and Jim Porter of Westwood, California. ...

Adelynne Marie Mayo Heather and Edward Mayo announce the birth of their daughter, Adelynne Marie Mayo, who was born Dec. 9, 2011. She weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Grandparents are Dr. Mike and Candy Owens of McCook, Nebraska, Milagros Tamayo of Diamond Bar, California and the late Jose Tamayo...

65th anniversary The family of Lyle and Fern Hoffman is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 65th wedding anniversary. They were married March 8, 1947. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 127 Rainbow Fountain Park, Benkelman, NE 69021...

Juan Suarez Perez Feb. 11, 1932 - Feb. 29, 2012 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Juan Suarez Perez, 80, of Arapahoe, died Wednesday (Feb. 29, 2012), at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center, in Arapahoe. He was born Feb. 11, 1932, at Floresville, Texas to Edwardo and Trinidad (Suarez) Perez...

Wilma C. White March 24, 1927 - March 1, 2012 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Wilma Cora (Worley) White, 94, died Thursday (March 1, 2012), at Linden Court. She was born on a farm in Frontier County, Nebraska March 24, 1917, to Roy and Evie (Fisher) Worley. She attended country school in Frontier County and went to high school in Stockville, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 1935...

Trevor Allen and Spencer Ray Strauch Amy and Troy Strauch of McCook, Nebraska announce the birth of their twin sons, Trevor Allen and Spencer Ray, who were born Nov. 28, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Trevor weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 18 inches long and Spencer weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 18 inches long. ...

I spent a couple of hours teaching Declan how to play a chess-like boardgame called Stratego earlier this week. He enjoyed it so much that he protested adamantly when I had to stop to cook dinner. His pestering for "one more game" continued for some time until it was thankfully redirected towards his Uncle Casey, the minute Casey walked in from work...

Colorectal cancer isn't something we want to think about, but it can make a difference in things we do care about, such as enjoying retirement and our grandchildren. But let's think about it for a minute. More people die each year from colorectal cancer -- 50,000 -- than Americans died in all the years of the Vietnam war. Someone dies from it every 9.3 minutes...

Scones are a traditional Scottish treat. They resemble pancakes or soft cookies. Often, they are filled with berries, pieces of fruit or butterscotch pieces. They are tied in with the history of Scotland and England. A Celtic tribe, known as Scots, came from northern Ireland and established Scotland. Near Perth in Perthshire west of Dundee is the town of Scone. This is holy ground to the Scots...

Andrew Breitbart, a politically conservative writer and author, died the other day of natural causes, according to postings on his website. This hasn't prevented conspiracy theorists from claiming that the government murdered him to silence him or that Obama had him killed because he was about to expose the president by showing compromising videotape of Obama when he was an undergraduate in college...

This last week we debated many bills, and fortunately one of those bills was my bill, LB950 that was designated a priority bill by the Natural Resources Committee. I would like to discuss this bill in the letter this week. Legislative Bill 950 is a bill that would redirect the remaining repayments from the Republican River Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) from the Water Contingency Cash Fund to the Water Resources Cash Fund. ...

Our nation faces unprecedented economic challenges, and rural communities are certainly not immune. Agriculture plays a critical role in the economic outlook of Nebraska, our country and the entire world. In fact, the typical Nebraska farmer feeds 155 people per year, a great source of pride for our state. So, it goes without saying the next Farm Bill is critically important to Nebraska's agriculture economy, and we must get it right...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County Commissioners will be asked to approve a loan for a new welding business and help plan a brochure for bonds for the new county law enforcement center. Meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, the board also will go into executive session at 9:15 a.m. to discuss pending litigation regarding a lawsuit by Thomas K. Leach against the county in connection with a failed helicopter kit company...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock will ask the McCook City Council to grant approval to apply for grant funding to update the City Comprehensive Plan, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium. According to Hancock the last plan was done in 1999 and is severely outdated...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Red Willow County Clerk's Office has released a list of candidates who filed for office by the 5 p.m. March 1 deadline Thursday. The primary election will be May 15. They include: County Commissioner -- District Two Incumbent -- Steve Downer - Republican...

Man's first temptation came in the garden, where the serpent deceived Eve and Adam sinned, (Genesis 3) and temptation has been a part of every man's experience throughout the ages. Temptation also came to the man Jesus, when the Spirit of God drives him into the desert wilderness, described in Mark 1:9-15...