Stories from Thursday, March 10, 2016

Driving my girls to school this morning with the bright sun rudely pointing out how dirty my truck windows are and traffic acting like a four-way stop is as puzzling as a Rubik's Cube, my 13 year old asks me, "Are you okay?" Am I okay? Hmm?? Let's see ... "Yep, I'm fine," is all I decide to muster. Of course she asks again, knowing full well I'm lying through my teeth...

Valera (Murphy) Brakhahn June 7, 1939 - March 8, 2016 HASTINGS, Neb. -- Valera (Murphy) Brakhahn left this earth to be with her heavenly father on March 8, 2016 at the age of 76. Funeral service will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016, at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 501 N Burlington Ave. in Hastings with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating...

Lois (Snyder) Chandler Magrath May 20, 1931 - Feb. 7, 2016 ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- Lois (Snyder) Chandler Magrath passed away Feb. 7, 2016, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lois was born May 20, 1931, to F.S. "Pete" Snyder and Eunice (Boland) Snyder in Prairie View, Kan. ...

Clive N. Curtis Jan. 30, 1951 - March 7, 2016 EATON, West Australia -- Clive N. Curtis, 65, died unexpectedly on Monday (March 7, 2016) at his home in Eaton, West Australia. He was born Jan. 30, 1951. He and Joy were married on April 19, 1968. They had two sons, Brendon and Dean. Brendon died Feb. 27, 2016...

As is often the case, we've got good news and bad news. First the bad news: the price of gasoline is going up. Now the good news: the price of gasoline is going up. Ethanol-blend is pushing $2 a gallon again, thanks to the rebounding price of crude oil, up $5 a barrel since January, combed with seasonal refinery maintenance and switchover to summer blend fuels...

Even though I currently don't live in the state, I am a landowner and watch closely the happenings at the Unicameral. There is currently a bill being debated in the Natural Resource Committee that would streamline and accelerate the renewable energy business in Nebraska. Our Senator Dan Hughes is on this committee. The bill is LB 824, below is a brief summary of its importance...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Legislation attempting to remove restrictions placed on the development of wind energy in Nebraska appears to be stalled in committee, although an effort is underway to circumvent the usual path and advance the bill to a floor debate...

CURTIS, Neb. -- To give back to the first responders who helped him when he rolled his car, a Curtis teenager hosted a benefit and raised $4,300 for the EMT's and the fire department. Sixteen-year-old Johnathon Hazen was injured in the single-vehicle accident Jan. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Beautification efforts in McCook were recognized at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Awards Reception earlier this month in Lincoln. The city received the Community Landscape Award for "landscape projects that significantly improved their community." The recognition stemmed from improvements made at the intersection of Norris Avenue and U.S. Highway 34...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Laboratory confirmed cases of influenza have seen an increase as reported by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. "Influenza is peaking later than usual," according to Melissa Propp, RN, Surveillance Nurse. "Make your health a priority and get your flu shot now," she said...

McCOOK, Neb. -- It is time for the bi-annual Health Fair sponsored by the Red Willow County Health Department, at 1400 West 5th Street (Ag Complex Building at the Fairgrounds). The Health Department is offering lab draws to the general public on the mornings of the following dates: March 22, 23, 30, 31 and April 5 and 6...

McCook Community College Indians sophomore basketball player A.J. Fresquez helps Connie and Pat Rooney of Stratton as they shop this morning at the fund-raising garage sale hosted by the MCC women's basketball and volleyball teams. Proceeds of the women's third-annual community-wide garage sale will help fund the two ball programs at the college. ...

Weathercraft Companies co-owner Joe Staroska of North Platte and McCook Area Chamber of Commerce director Tacie Fawver hold the ceremonial ribbon for Brett Schmidt, general manager of the Weathercraft office in McCook, Thursday morning. The Chamber, McCook Cordials and family and friends welcomed Weathercraft to its new Airport Road location, a property, Brett said, that hadn't been on the tax rolls for many years until Weathercraft purchased it. ...

Richard Lee Holman Aug. 29. 1946 - March 7, 1916 NEW YORK, NY -- Richard Lee Holman died from complications of lung cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on March 7, 2016, in New York City. Born in McCook, Neb., he was a beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, and a journalist all of his life. ...