Stories from Thursday, April 25, 2013

Ivan Joseph Sramek Oct. 20, 1941 - April 22, 2013 ATWOOD, Kansas --Ivan Joseph Sramek, 71, died Monday (April 22, 2013), at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. He was born Oct. 20, 1941, in Stratton, Nebraska, to Edward and Lucille (Prochazka) Sramek. ...

HASTINGS, Nebraska -- Students from the SkillsUSA chapter at Central Community College-Hastings placed in state competition April 11-13 at CCC-Hastings. SkillsUSA is a national organization that provides secondary and post-secondary students in trade, industrial, technical, technology and health occupations with leadership, citizenship and character development programs and activities...

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. Police activity Activity log...

This week, I am writing to share with you the story of the 2013 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award - the Beel family of Johnstown. The award is given to private landowners who practice responsible land stewardship and management. Earth Day is the perfect time to acknowledge the conservation efforts of the Beels and all Nebraska landowners. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources has released new draft rules and methods that it plans to utilize in its annual evaluation of availability of hydrologically connected water supplies. This annual evaluation is aimed at ensuring that streamflow water supplies for existing groundwater and surface water uses are protected into the future. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Mid Plains Community College area board of governors approved reissuance of bonds for housing projects at the McCook and North Platte campuses for significant savings. The board approved the reissuance of bonds, not to exceed $3.9 million, at about 2.23 percent interest, about half of the previous rate...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A month ago, with snow expected the next day, Lois Petty was thrilled that she had her beets in the ground "before the last snow storm of the year." Last week she laughed, "We've had two more snow storms since that one." Last week also, she looked closely in one of eight raised beds in her one-acre yard and garden south of McCook, Nebraska, and said, "Yep, see that? There they are. They're coming up. And the peas are peeking through, too."...

Too little, too late, or needed forward-looking action? Was the horse already out of the barn, or is Nebraska playing catch-up with the rest of the herd? It's probably a little bit of each. Despite having agreed to delay all major tax-cut bills for a study of the state's overall tax climate, the Legislature went ahead and advanced just such a bill, LB 104, which would extend tax cuts to wind and alternative energy companies...

Man, have my mother's wishes came true! Growing up, my mom always told me that, when I was little, I talked ALL the time. She has told me the same story, numerous times over the years, how I sat in the backseat and talked the entire trip from Nebraska to Texas one summer. She always said, "Someday, when you have kids, I hope they talk ALL the time, like you did."...

The sun retreats ahead of the storm clouds that formed April 8, bringing snow equaling .64 inches of precipitation. The forecast calls for a much clearer view of the sun over the next several days, with little chance of precipitation. Mary Pate of McCook used these settings to capture the shot: 1/500; 85mm; F14.0; ISO 100. ...

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Tri Valley Health Systems will partner with InSPIRE (Integrated Strategic Partners In Rehabilitation) beginning May 1 for physical therapy and occupational therapy. InSPIRe Rehabilitation was formed to allow for a more integrated approach with the hospitals they serve and more flexibility with future ownership for local rehab managers/directors. ...

"U.S. government spends $890,000 on nothing" -- it sounds like a bad joke, but it's no laughing matter. The Washington Post recently reported, "This year, the government will spend at least $890,000 on service fees for bank accounts that have nothing in them. At last count, Uncle Sam has 13,712 such accounts, each with a balance of zero."...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- An attorney for Fritz Trucking, the City of McCook's contracted trash hauler, warned the McCook City Council Wednesday evening that its intent to enter closed session to discuss potential litigation was in violation of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. ...