Stories from Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The waxing gibbous moon floats high above the trees in McCook Tuesday, where blue skies prevailed, with a high temperature of 36 degrees. The McCook Daily Gazette would love to showcase your weather photos on our daily weather page, subject to space availability, in color whenever possible. Email them to editor2@ocsmccook.com. Include the photographer's name and where and when the photo was taken. You can even include the camera settings used to get the shot if you like...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Trenton Agri-Products, the ethanol producing plant east of Trenton, Nebraska, wants milo this fall. "Milo in significant quantities," TAP President Charlie Wilson told grain producers gathered at the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers' "Sorghum Profitability" seminar in McCook Tuesday. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- There's a burrito, then there are monster burritos at Bueno's Taquitos. The newly opened carry-out or eat-in restaurant at 402 East B (formerly Frank's Market), owned and operated by Lorenzo Bueno and his family, offers the giant burritos along with tacos, Mexican sandwiches, quesadillas and more...

LINCOLN -- Nebraska senators introduced more than 80 bills Tuesday, Jan. 22, the ninth day of the 103rd legislative session. The 10-day session of introducing bills will end Wednesday, Jan. 23. Here are some of the day's highlights. LB 403: If passed, this bill introduced by Sen. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska The Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is currently accepting applications. Program applicants must be age 55 or older, unemployed, live in Red Willow County and have incomes of $13,964 per year or less for a family of one ($18,913 for family of two). There are currently several openings for qualified candidates...

Al Dutcher, climatologist with the School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tells those at the 2013 "Sorghum Profitability" seminar Tuesday morning in McCook, Nebraska, that yes, the drought that menaces the High Plains will persist into 2013. ...

In September 2007, then retired producer/elevator operator Wayne Allen of rural McCook said that drought resistance is the biggest reason producers on the Golden Plains grow milo, a native South African grass first introduced in the United States in the late nineteenth century. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Staff at Hillcrest Nursing Home are checking out several options before committing to a company for electronic charting. Electronic charting is mandated to be in place by Dec. 31 and will help record reimbursable activities. Ease of use by staff and the ability to generate accurate reports is crucial in selecting the right company to work with, said Hillcrest Administrator Colinda Nappa at the Board of Trustees regular meeting Tuesday morning...

State Treasurer Don Stenberg is sponsoring the 11th annual "Why I Want to Go to College" essay contest, with a chance to win a $3,500 contribution to a Nebraska college saving plan, a one-night stay in an Omaha hotel and tickets to an Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game...

We are absolutely loving our new (old) stereo phonograph. As long as we avoid mirrors, it's a lot like time travel, to hear the songs of our youth coming through the speakers. Singing along, I am reminded at how deeply music becomes ingrained in our minds. ...

J.L. SCHMIDT Statehouse Correspondent The Nebraska Press Association News of the opening day of the Nebraska Legislature made it to the pages of the New York Times which announced the return of "Lawmaking Maverick" Ernie Chambers who was re-elected in November after sitting out the mandatory one term required by the adoption of term limits...

Fred Kammerzell May 4, 1910 - Jan. 22, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Fred Kammerzell passed away Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska. He was 102 years old. Fred was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, to George and Anna Margaret (Gettman)) Kammerzell on May 4, 1910. ...

Virgil 'Pete' Portschy Jan. 21, 1933 - Jan. 18, 2013 HERNDON, Kansas -- Virgil 'Pete" Portschy, 79, died Jan. 18, 2013, at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas. He was born Jan. 21, 1933, in Herndon to John and Francis (Mosher) Portschy. He graduated from Herndon High School in 1951. He married Eileen Kleidosty on Feb. 1, 1954...

Henry George Helms Oct. 29, 1923 -- Jan. 11, 2013 MESA, Arizona -- Henry George Helms, 89 of Mesa, formerly of Loveland, Colorado and Arapahoe, Nebraska, passed away Jan. 11, 2013, at Crismon Peaks Assisted Living in Mesa. He was born on Oct. 29, 1923, to Henry C. ...

Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette Fire training at new facility McCook fireman Shane Smith instructs area fire fighters during a training session at the Municipal Facility, Saturday morning. The training room at the new facility serves not only as a significant upgrade from training sessions that were previously coordinated in the bay area of the old facility, but also offers the McCook Fire Department the opportunity to expand their role as a hub for fire training in the region...