Stories from Monday, February 8, 2016

David Wagner HAMLET, Neb. -- David Wagner, longtime resident of Hamlet, died Friday (Feb. 5, 2016), at Chase County Hospital in Imperial, Nebraska. Survivors include his wife, Ardis of Culbertson, Nebraska; sister, Sherryl Wagner of Sterling, Colorado and brother, Patrick Wagner and wife, Cindy of Haxtun, Colorado...

Richard E. 'Dick' Hoffman Nov. 3, 1941 -Feb, 5, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Richard E. "Dick" Hoffman departed this life on Feb. 5, 2016, at the age of 74. Dick was born Nov. 3, 1941 to Howard and Lee Hoffman in Salina, Kansas. Dick was united in marriage to Cathy Gamblin, and to this union three children were born, Sean, Shannon, and Scott...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Fire officials say the fire that destroyed the attached garage and damaged the home at 505 E. First in McCook Friday evening started in the area of a space heater in the garage. Renters Nicki Brown and Adam Hajek and their children were not home at the time, and their dog and cat escaped unharmed...

David Bradley (Brad) Booth March 10, 1942 - Jan. 31, 2016 AUSTIN, Texas -- David Bradley (Brad) Booth of Austin, Texas, passed away Jan. 31, 2016, while snoozing in the sun on his patio with his dog, Cash, beside him. He leaves behind many friends and family mourning his passing, but happy in having known him...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Legislation attempting to slow down increases in ag land valuations, as well as the growth of Nebraska property taxes, is receiving kickback from city and school officials. The bills, LB958 and companion bill LB959, intend to limit statewide valuation increases on agricultural land to 3 percent annually, as well as remove exclusions to the levy limit and place limitations on the budget of restricted funds...

Wilma Sue Frick July 31, 1939 - Feb. 2, 2016 HERNDON, Kan. -- Wilma Sue Frick, 76, of Herndon, passed away at the El Dorado Manor in Trenton, Nebraska, on Feb. 2, 2016. She was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on July 31, 1939, to Eurshel T. and Nettie V. (Life) Powell. The family moved to Ohio, where Sue graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1957. She entered the U.S. Air Force, serving for two years...

Frans Robert (Bob) Cotton July 28, 1936 - Feb. 5, 2016 CARLISLE, Pa. -- Frans Robert (Bob) Cotton died peacefully in his sleep at Claremont Nursing home, inCarlisle on Feb. 5, 2016. He was born July 28, 1936 in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Marjorie A. and Harry P. Cotton...

Jerry Lee Stagemeyer Sept. 20, 1958 - Feb. 3, 2016 BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- Jerry Lee Stagemeyer, 57, of Beaver City, Nebraska, died Wednesday (Feb. 3, 2016), at Good Samaritan Society of Alma, Nebraska. He was born on Sept. 20, 1958, at Oxford, Nebraska, to Harold F. and Ethel M. (Hyke) Stagemeyer. He attended school in Hendley and Wilsonville, Nebraska, and graduated from Beaver City High in 1977. He worked for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad for 35 years...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Cambridge man who won a $1,000 check from H&R Block plans to use his winnings to buy materials to build backyard playground equipment for his daughter. Justin Cobb of Cambridge said Saturday during the check presentation that he will also buy four-year-old Anne a new bed and some play equipment for her bedroom. Anne said she wants "a sand castle." Her mom, Catherine, translated, "a sand box."...

There have been two cases of a new mosquito-borne illness reported in Nebraska, compared to more than 4,000 cases of an older disease, but there are important differences as well as similarities. The new Zika virus was confirmed in two females in their 20s in Nebraska who had recently traveled to countries with the virus...

In 1941, with the United States gearing up for war, there were a great many young men in uniform at bases, old and new, around the country. There was a general feeling that some means of entertainment for these troops be provided. With that thought as the driving force, on Feb. ...

Alta Helen Swayne Jan. 18, 1915 - Feb. 5, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Alta Helen Swayne, age 101, of McCook, passed away at Community Hospital in McCook on Feb. 5, 2016. She was born near Stockville in a sod house on Jan. 18, 1915, to George D. and Ida (Hinton) Halley...

Last week I introduced, to the Judiciary Committee, a central piece of legislation for 2016 and my work for District 44. LB 710, as you may remember from my column a few weeks ago, would expand the criminal repercussions for hazing to beyond post-secondary students...