Social Affairs

Oberlin family showing gratitude by gardening in Greensburg (05/05/08)
OBERLIN -- Members of an Oberlin family who know first-hand what it's like to lose their home and all their belongings want to pass on the spirit of generosity that their friends and neighbors exhibited after a fire destroyed everything they owned and left them homeless...

Grads reminded that each decision has consequences (05/05/08)
"Every decision has consequences." The Rev. Bruce Lester, pastor at McCook Evangelical Free Church, reiterated that point throughout his brief remarks Sunday evening during his Baccalaureate address at First Baptist Church. Lester illustrated the point using the example of the painting "The Last Supper" by Leonardo DaVinci...

Groups make pitch to board of education (04/30/08)
Three groups made their pleas for changes -- or enhancement -- before members of the McCook Public Schools board of education during a special board meeting Tuesday evening. Superintendent Dave Schley told members of the public that the board has "lots of things on their plate," but that they'll look at everything. The board is faced with, he said, requests that would require "way more money" than is available...

NRDs study pipeline to Kansas (04/30/08)
A pipeline to send water to Kansas is an idea being floated by the three Republican River Basin natural resources districts. The concept is still in the talking stages, but a preliminary engineering study done by the Miller & Associates engineering firm in Kearney initially identified nine possible well sites in the Upper and Lower Republican River districts...

Dropping in (04/29/08)
Students from Medicine Valley High School in Curtis gather around the Nebraska Army National Guard Chinook helicopter that landed on the football practice field April 23. Staff Sgt. Adren Uhlig, above left, of Curtis was greeted after the landing by his 8-year-old son, Coby, a Medicine Valley second grader. ...

Fond memories from the old downtown YMCA (04/28/08)
Since we did not come to McCook until 1957, the memories I have of the YMCA, on the corner of Norris Avenue & E Street are those of an adult. I have some good memories of the Y, but nothing like those of fellows who grew up in McCook. For instance, Dr. ...

Playing the hand we're dealt (04/26/08)
If someone would have told me twenty five years ago that, at this stage in my life, I would be single, living alone in an apartment, and teaching at a community college in McCook, Nebraska, I would have, at the worst, went looking for a gun, and at best, considered myself an abject failure...

Jesse L. Carbaugh (04/02/08)
Jan. 8, 1920 - March 31, 2008 COZAD -- Jesse L. Carbaugh, 88, formerly of Elwood, died Monday (March 31, 2008) at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington. He was born Jan. 8, 1920, in Gosper County to Johnnie and Daisy (Morgan) Carbaugh. He attended rural Gosper County schools before attending Elwood High school and graduated in 1939. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and later graduated from Lincoln School of Commerce...

College board approves tuition hike (03/27/08)
NORTH PLATTE -- Tuition and fees will be increased in July by 6.76 percent, along with costs of room and board, at the three McCook and North Platte campuses of Mid Plains Community College. MPCC Board of Governors approved the increases at its meeting Wednesday at the North Platte campus...

Online testing won't be part of statewide system (03/27/08)
An online testing system used by students in Southwest Nebraska would be the ideal way to achieve statewide student assessments, according to Dist. 44 Sen. Mark Christensen. Unfortunately, there are enough votes in the Legislature for LB1157 to go through without it, he said...

Harry Howard Eiler (03/25/08)
March 2, 1925 - March 24, 2008 Harry Howard Eiler died Monday, March 24, 2008, at his home in McCook. He was 83 years old. Harry was born to Harry Howard and Lena (Reasnor) Eiler on March 2, 1925, on the family farm near Oberlin. He graduated from Decatur County High School in 1943. On Sept. 8, 1944, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 15, 1946, and was awarded the Purple Heart...

Hoof it! McCook students encouraged to walk to school (03/21/08)
McCook school children, kindergarten through eighth grade, are encouraged to participate Wednesday in McCook's "Walk to School Day," to promote healthy lifestyles and kick off the school district's "Walk to School Month" activities in April. The "Walk to School" activities are supported by a "Safe Routes to School" grant awarded to the McCook school district by the Nebraska Department of Roads, according to McCook Elementary Principal Lynda Baumbach...

Official: LB1157 could change entire system (03/21/08)
Nebraska lawmakers' passage of LB 1157 would change everything about the way Nebraska schools assess how well their students are learning and progressing. Gayle Sharkey, McCook Public Schools' curriculum director, told school board members at their monthly meeting March 10 that LB 1157's passage in its final form and approval by Gov. Dave Heineman would require state tests of students' achievement...

Christensen: State testing bill may not be back this year (03/21/08)
By CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor District 44 State Sen. Mark Christensen said Thursday morning that LB 1157 -- legislation requiring state tests of Nebraska students' learning and progress -- may not come back onto the floor in the 14 days remaining in the second session tentatively scheduled to convene April 17...