Stories from Friday, March 6, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- After a month-long review, the McCook Board of Education will be asked to finalize a school calendar for next year, with either a longer or shorter Christmas break, at its regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the junior high conference room...

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Today, reflecting the continued spirit of cooperation, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, along with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, have reached an agreement that will ensure more certainty to the basin's water users in both Nebraska and Kansas. The agreement, signed through the Republican River Compact Administration (RRCA), was achieved through collaborative negotiations that began in January 2015 and will provide timely access to water for the 2015 irrigation season...

I am writing in response to Andy Hutchins letter in Tuesday's Opinion column. No one is trying to IMPOSE their beliefs on anyone. I thought Mr. Bruce de Sautels letter was brilliant and very well written. Our Bible gives us a very comprehensive view of our origin, starting with Adam & Eve (not Steve) in the book of Genesis. ...

I've always believed in science. Science is able to put to rest old myths, legends, and folklore and prove ideas, concepts, and narratives to be either true or false. If you're not sure how old the earth is, for example, you turn to science and carbon dating to tell you...

We've shared our opinion about Daylight Saving Time many times (reminder: we don't like it) but it's likely to be to be a semi-annual irritation for the foreseeable future. As we "spring forward" Sunday morning, we will not only lose an hour of sleep, we'll find that our circadian rhythm -- biological clock -- will be disrupted...

Al Dutcher, University of Nebraska's state climatologist, explains weather forecasters' difficulties in predicting the weather, saying Tuesday, "I'll be straight up and honest with you: The models are only good for up to three days," and they're normally good for five to seven days. ...

LYONS, Neb. -- The Center for Rural Affairs is hosting a community meet and greet and reception on Friday, March 13th at the Keystone Business Center in McCook, Nebraska. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m., and Center staff and board members will be on hand for conversation and questions about the work of the Center for Rural Affairs. ...

When the weather's warm, the neighbors in the 800 and 900 block of West Third in McCook, Nebraska, expect to be serenaded by Madelyn Bird on her trumpet. Madelyn enjoys practicing on her front steps, and in Thursday's 40+ temps, she was playing "Hakuna Matata," which means "no problem ... no worries." Madelyn's a sixth grader, and started playing the trumpet as a fifth grader. The neighbors enjoy Madelyn's music -- it's a harbinger of spring and warm weather...

McCOOK, Neb. -- At least three competing hotel developers are considering McCook for new projects, but the city's desire to get into the convention center business may keep one of them from breaking ground any time soon. Despite warning citizens that the city would have to cut services and personnel if the local-option sales tax is not renewed, city leaders are being enticed by a hotel developer who has offered to build a convention center for the city to later purchase and manage...

Susan Doak Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society We all take our "wheels" and the roads they travel on for granted these days but over 100 years ago, automobiles were just becoming a commodity that the average man could own. The following items were mentioned in the McCook Tribune concerning the autos and their owners of the early 1900s...

Alyvia Rayn Oltmer Adam and Heather (Hein) Oltmer announce the birth of their daughter, Alyvia Rayn Oltmer, born Feb. 3, 2015, at Butler County Health Care Center in David City, Nebraska. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces. She has three brothers, AJ, 10, Anthony, 5, Andrew, 2 and one sister, Avery, 8. Grandparents are Ralph and Cheryl Hein of David City, Dan and Barb Bock of Schuyler, Nebraska and Laurn and Kay Oltmer of Indianola, Nebraska. Great-grandparent is Dorothy Oltmer of David City...

Harrison Shane Helms Cory and Katie Helms of Arapahoe, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Harrison Shane Helms, born Jan. 23, 2015, in Cambridge, Nebraska. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 21 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Bob and Deb VanWesten of Alexandria, Nebraska and Bruce and Sue Helms of Holbrook, Nebraska. Great-grandparents are Marie Rohr and Lois Helms...

Jameson Patrick Seller Dr. Aaron and Brooke Seller of Pinehurst, North Carolina, announce the birth of their son, Jameson Patrick Seller, born Nov. 3, 2014, at FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Pinehurst. He weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 inches long. ...

Kaelan Neal Rousselle Travis and Lori Rousselle of Culbertson Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Kaelan Neal Rousselle, born Feb. 6, 2015, at Cambride, Nebraska. He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20 inches long. He has one brother, Tavin, 3. Grandparents are Kevin and Karma Rousselle of Culbertson and Neal and Margie Hauxwell of McCook, Nebraska. Great-grandparents are Leo and Betty Rousselle and Joylyn Ross of Culbertson and Roy and Mildred Mustion of McCook...

90th birthday The family of Vernice Sines of McCook, Nebraska, is hosting an open house and card shower in honor of her 90th birthday March 19. She was born in Indianola, Nebraska, in 1925. The open house is Saturday, March 14, from 2-4 p.m. at Fuller's Family Restaurant in McCook, 110 Norris Avenue. ...

Mary (Dinnel) Podhajsky Aug. 23, 1936 - Feb. 27, 2015 BRYANT, Ark. -- Mary (Dinnel) Podhajsky, 78, of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away Feb. 27, 2015. She was born Aug. 23, 1936, in Gothenburg, Nebraska, to Lester Dinnel and Irma (Milburn) Dinnel. She graduated from McCook High School in 1954. ...

Fred L. Weber Oct. 16, 1921 - Feb. 18, 2015 CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Fred L. Weber, 93, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 18, 2015, at Great Plains Region Medical Center in North Platte. He was born in Minsk, Russia, on Oct. 16, 1921. His parents were refugees from the Bolshevik regime. ...