Stories from Thursday, January 10, 2013

"This Is 40," written and directed by Judd Apatow, is a window into the world of a married couple, played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, reprising roles they had in a previous Apatow film, "Knocked Up." The framing device of the film involves the ups-and-downs during the week leading up to his 40th birthday party, but it delves into pretty deep water, as the couple fights against each other and for each other through all sizes of personal and professional crises. ...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- On Jan. 8, more than 160 fifth grade students from North Platte, Hershey, McCook, Stapleton, Sidney, Ogallala, Sutherland, Kimball, Chase County, Bridgeport, and Gordon/Rushville gathered at MPCC in North Platte for the 17th Annual Region 5 Leadership Day...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. County Court Luke J. Mabile, 19, 1207 West 12th Street -- second degree criminal trespass (Sept. 2012 incident on Road 721), $200 fine; criminal mischief, not pursued; littering, not pursued; violation of burning ban, not pursued...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two dozen people from three states will gather in person and by phone Friday morning to discuss ways to more effectively tell the story of McCook's most famous resident, U.S. Sen. George W. Norris. Norris, who lived in McCook during the final 46 years of his life, is regarded as among the greatest legislators in American history. ...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The Middle Republican Natural Resources District board of directors approved changes to the MRNRD's Ground Water Management Rules and Regulations following a public hearing and during their monthly meeting Tuesday, reducing irrigation pumping allocations for 2013 and setting penalties for overuse...

INDIANOLA, Nebraska -- A two-vehicle accident on Christmas Day has claimed a second life. Leah Clair Sughroue, 77, of Indianola, Nebraska, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in the accident five miles east of Palisade, Nebraska. Her husband of 59 years, James Sughroue, 80, was killed on the scene...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook received 1.72 inches on New Years Day -- 4.28 short of the 6 inches that would have triggered a big refund for local shoppers. The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce's "Let It Snow" promotion generated $731,115.64 in sales for the businesses that participated in the one month campaign...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- In her 85th year, the elegant and endearing Fox Theatre of McCook is strutting her stuff, showing off the beautiful and functional effects of an eight-month long renovation project. Transformed by a series of improvements which cost in excess of a half million dollars, the theatre and its hard-working team of volunteer supporters are preparing to celebrate...

Man ... snow so deep the dump truck's buried up to its axles? Oh, well, the axles of a Tonka truck ...

Google and a number of other online businesses are pushing a "Paperless 2013" initiative to encourage less use of paper, and they do make some good points. Despite decades of efforts by computer and software companies to move fingers away from the "print" button, the average office worker still uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year, according to the EPA...

We have had winter now for almost a month and the physical traits of the season are well in view. The cold weather, the snow (if you have some), and the runny noses which seem to abound. The winter sky is also well in view. The giant constellation Orion, the Hunter, often referred to as the "King of Winter," is in full view in the early evening sky in the east by 7 p.m. local time...

As I was picking yet another lonely sock off the bathroom floor and chucking into the laundry basket, the usual thought crossed my mind -- why do my girls always leave clothes lying around? I hung up yet another wet towel that someone ran off and left molding in a heap on the bathroom floor, and retrieved seven pony tail holders off the counter and put them in their drawer. I thought to myself, I wonder when the day will come when I won't have to pick up after everyone?...

On January 3, I had the privilege of taking the oath of office and becoming Nebraska's 39th United States Senator. I am grateful that members of my family and so many friends traveled from Nebraska to share this special day, and I am honored by the trust placed in me by Nebraskans. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Kansas deserves $5 million in damages from Nebraska, not the $80 million it had sought, according to a draft report released by the Maine attorney appointed to review the dispute. Kansas had sought injunctive relief, shutting off Republican Valley irrigation wells, in order to comply with the 1943 Republican River Compact, but Special Master William J. Katta denied the request...