Stories from Tuesday, February 18, 2003

As if drought isn't enough ... now we have to deal with earthquakes too! According to the U. S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center the earthquake that we experienced last week occurred at 6:45:59 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13. The magnitude 2.9 event occurred 44 km (27 miles) south southwest of Smithfield. ...

Well, Georgie didn't get his Valentine from Hans Blix, despite all the pressure. I bet Hans is on Georgie's list, and I don't mean Christmas.

Dear Editor, My fellow taxpayers and Nebraskans: The red ink is overflowing in Lincoln! The budget deficit is approaching nearly $1 billion. What is the solution? Clear thinking. Government must be run as a business. The most ordinary sophomore in any American college will tell you:...

Like flipping on a switch, turning on a faucet or hearing a dial tone when we pick up a telephone, medical care is something we tend to take for granted. Call 911, we expect a quick response and trip to the hospital, if needed. If we or our loved ones are injured, we expect there to be a safe, adequate supply of blood ready to meet their needs...

NORTH PLATTE -- Amber Sedlacek and Brad McConville were united in marriage Feb. 14, 2003, in North Platte. Parents of the couple are Lynn and Beth Sedlacek of North Platte, Mary McConville of McCook and the late James McConville. Grandmother of the bridegroom is Patricia McConville of McCook. ...

CURTIS -- "Buddies" is an appropriate name for the new shop in downtown Curtis. Two friends started it, and more friends have helped it grow. "We've had so much help," said Kessy Heinzle, major partner and dog-groomer. Carla Meyers and Jean Smith collect and sell the antiques and candles; Jean is a crafter and one of the shop's consignors...

While members of the McCook City Council agree they would like to see the sales tax issue go back to the voters, the devil appears to be in the details. The proposal brought by McCook city administrators to the council included reimplementing the 1-cent sales tax. One half of those proceeds would go toward property tax relief for McCook residents and the other half would go toward improvements on city owned facilities...

The McCook Senior Parents will be selling food at the girls' basketball sub-district play today and Thursday at McCook Senior High School. They will begin serving hot dogs, chili, nachos, brownies and cookies at 5:45 p.m. today and will sell hot dogs, nachos and homemade pie beginning at 6:45 p.m. Thursday...

BEAVER CITY -- Linda M. Wederski, 54, died Monday (Feb. 17, 2003) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. She was born May 8, 1948, to Raymond and Velma (Tracy) Wederski in Benkelman. The family moved from Edmonds, Kan., in the early 1950s to Beaver City. She graduated from Beaver City High School in 1968...

OBERLIN -- Fay M. Ginther, 90, died Monday (Feb. 17, 2003) at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. She was born May 29, 1912, to Charles and Estella (McNeal) Magers in Jamestown, Kan. She was raised in the Traer community and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1931...

Clifford Leroy Ruppert, 95, died Saturday (Feb. 15, 2003) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born May, 15, 1907, to Henry Charles and Katherine (Nussbaum) Ruppert in Quick. He attended rural District No. 101 school. On Dec. 15, 1928, he married Nellie Agnes Boson in Oberlin. The couple made their home on a farm north of McCook until their retirement...