Stories from Thursday, March 12, 2015

Donald L. Crews Dec. 8, 1935 - March 8, 2015 FORT COLLINS, Neb, -- Donald L. Crews, 79, of Fort Collins, died March 8, 2015, after a short illness. Don was born on Dec. 8, 1935, in Culbertson, Nebraska, to Paul and Vera (Spence) Crews. He attended public schools in Culbertson, graduating in a class of 23 students. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A Benkelman, Nebraska, man with a passion for economic development is merging his company with a McCook manufacturing facility to capitalize on opportunities to grow both companies. Ben Blecha of Benkelman, founder and owner of "Hero" dog braces, and his wife, Renee, purchased the Burns International Podiatric Laboratory in McCook in April 2014. Ben is excited about the future for both businesses as they share a headquarters and manufacturing plant in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. -- One of the citizen watchdogs for McCook's local-option sales tax, former Mayor Jerda Garey-Vickers, was lobbying for an increase to a different tax this morning. Vickers attended this morning's legislative conference call with District 44 State Sen. Dan Hughes and asked why some legislators were opposing an increase to the state's motor fuel tax...

Most Nebraska lawmakers and residents aren't in favor of raising taxes of any type, but there are times when we have to bite the bullet. Efforts should continue to find efficiencies, and no one, especially McCook residents, wants to pay more for gasoline, but that looks like the fairest way to pay for repair of bridges and roads...

On public television I viewed a segment about the struggle of the Italian immigrants when they first arrived on our shores. They came here to escape incredible economic hardship and the crushing political cruelty they faced in their country. When they came here, no one offered them anything for free. If they were able to find a job, it paid very little and often was dangerous...

Alright, suppose I have to do this again. I mean, at this point, the gazette should just get me to do a weekly letter replying article called "Dear Andy" where people try to justify their beliefs and I offer counter arguments. Could be interesting. Anyways, on to the issues...

Apparently, when you become a mom and chose to do the family's laundry, since no one else can seem to do it right, you have to keep a running inventory in your head of all items you launder and know their whereabouts at all times. I didn't realize this until recently and apparently I'm failing in that category of my job...

McCOOK, Neb. -- An Indianola, Nebraska, man entered guilty pleas to charges of third degree assault and obstructing a peace officer during his arraignment in Red Willow County court in McCook Tuesday afternoon. Judge Anne Paine found Jonathan Blaine Harris, 34, of 211 N. Sixth Street, Indianola, guilty of the two charges and ordered a presentence investigation. Harris will be sentenced Thursday, May 7, at 10 a.m...

Elsie Lucille 'Heinz' Probasco Jan. 9, 1924 - March 12, 2015 BARTLEY, Neb. -- Elsie Lucille "Heinz" Probasco was born on Jan. 9, 1924, to Andrew and Amelia (Kiel) Heinz at Culbertson, Nebraska, and passed away March 12, 2015, at the Cambridge Manor at the age of 91 years...