Stories from Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Troy Skelton WAUNETA, Nebraska --Troy Skelton, 46, resident of the Wauneta area, died Saturday (April 5, 2014), at Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, of Wauneta; mother, Trudy Skelton, of Surprise, Arizona; wife, Evelyn, of Wauneta; children, Colby and Emma, of Hays, Kansas; grandmother, Edith Gloy of Wauneta; and brothers, Luke Skelton and wife, Susan, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Todd Skelton and wife, Kim, of Buckeye, Arizona and Monty Skelton and wife, Wendy, of Glendale, Arizona.. ...

Clara J. Vrooman March 2, 1926 - April 7, 2014 ATKINSON, Nebraska -- Clara J. Vrooman, 88, passed away April 7, 2014. She was born on March 2, 1926, to Karl and Theresa (Kollman) Deermer, along with her twin brother Henry. Clara and Henry were the sixth and seventh children of the eight children in the family...

Charles Legates, Jr. July 18, 1930 -April 6, 2014 KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Charles Legates, Jr., 83, of Kearney, died Sunday, April 6, 2014, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at the Kearney First Baptist Church with Pastor Stan Murdoch officiating. Inurnment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family care of the funeral home...

87th birthday The family of John D. Corder is requesting a card shower in honor of his 87th birthday. He was born April, 12, 1927. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 112 S. Eighth Street, McCook, NE 69001.

MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Lucas Haag of Lebanon, Nebraska, was one of 90 graduates receiving their doctoral degrees at Kansas State University commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 13, on the Salina and Manhattan campuses, and Saturday, Dec. 14, on the Manhattan campus...

Death Row exoneree Curtis McCarty will speak in McCook and several other Nebraska towns during May, recounting his two decades on Oklahoma's death row for a crime he didn't commit. McCarty was convicted twice and sentenced to death three times based on prosecutorial misconduct and bad forensics. Narrowly escaping an execution, it was only a lucky break that allowed McCarty to prove his actual innocence...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Dashabout Shuttle and Roadrunner Express has announced the continuance of public transportation services between McCook, Grand Island and points to the east in Nebraska, including Lincoln and Omaha. Due to a shortage of drivers, Dashabout has had to temporarily suspend service from McCook west on Highway 34 to Denver, as well as all services on Sunday. The company hopes to reinstate those services soon...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Whether you have a green thumb or have only been successful at growing weeds; if you love to fill your plate with fresh vegetables and fruits or won't touch them with a 10-foot pole; if you can afford to feed your family or struggle to do so, the McCook Community Garden needs you!...

GOLDEN, Colo. -- SourceGas Distribution LLC today announced the start of the 2014 Nebraska Choice Gas selection period beginning Friday, April 11, and concluding Thursday, April 24. Residential and commercial natural gas customers will have their annual opportunity to select from one of five pre-qualified suppliers. ...

Native Americans called our region "flat water" when, after being pushed westward by European settlers in the 18th century, they encountered the Platte River. In 1714, French explorer Etienne de veniard, sieur de Bourgmont -- perhaps his friends called him "Spike," -- adapted the Otoe or Omaha word and called it the "Nebraskier River," a name later applied to the state...

Lots going on this week, let's get to it. First off, the total lunar eclipse on April 14/15. This gets a little confusing because totality -- the darkest part of the eclipse -- begins at about midnight MDT on April 14, when Earth's umbra -- the darkest part of Earth's shadow -- will touch the edge of the moon...

In the waning days of the Second Session of the 103rd Nebraska Legislature, one has to wonder if spending money on prison reform can survive a lame duck governor who has already vetoed millions of dollars to allegedly provide property tax relief. The Legislature's Judiciary Committee has advanced a measure (LB907), which appears to address numerous problems with the system, and is broadly aimed at reducing recidivism. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A local man injured in a dog attack last year is looking to the McCook City Council to help citizens avoid similar incidents in the future. Tony Spilinek appeared before City Council Monday evening and recounted a chaotic ordeal stemming from what he described as two pit bull terriers attacking a woman on East Sixth Street...

Dominic Hixon, top, and Steven Taylor model their crazy-hot-pink coiffures for "Crazy Hair Day Tuesday" during "Week of the Young Child" celebrations at the Head Start preschool in McCook, Nebraska. "Favorite Team Wednesday" saw preschoolers and staff in the uniforms and colors of their favorite teams; Thursday will be "Pajama Day" and Friday is "Tip your Hat" wear-your-funniest-hat day. ...

Judith May Carlson Nov. 29, 1938 - April 8, 2014 TRENTON, Nebraska -- Judith May Carlson, formerly of Trenton, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at the Cambridge Manor, Cambridge, Nebraska. She was 75 years old. Judith was born on Nov. 29, 1938, at Oak Park, Illinois, to parents, Harry Bourne and Grace Evelyn (Staab) Rogers. ...