Weather, signs of the season, and achievement

In the first full week of Spring, it's time to embrace new topics and get a fresh perspective on old ones.

So what's happening? Let's look at some of the highlights.

What Causes Drought?

According to an article written by the Baltimore Sun and reprinted by the Omaha World-Herald, a NASA study provides strong evidence that the Dust Bowl of the 1930s was caused by barely perceptible temperature changes in oceans thousands of miles away.

Using computerized climate simulations, NASA scientists say it appears warm water in the tropical Atlantic set up wind circulation changes. As a result, the flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico was reduced during the summer and fall.

Thankfully, that ocean warming pattern has not happened again, but as the Great Plains continue to suffer from lack of rain, we continue to wonder what's causing it as we hope for soaking showers to break the dry spell.

Cranes Have Arrived

If you get a chance, take a drive up to Interstate 80 to see the sandhill cranes.

It's quite a sight between Kearney and Grand Island, with observers estimating that more than 300,000 of the birds have arrived in central Nebraska.

Described by Nancy Gaarder of the Omaha World-Herald as "gawky, graceful birds," the sandhill cranes create what she calls "one of the world's great wildlife spectacles."

For years we took the crane's annual early spring landing in Nebraska as routine. Now, it's neat to see the multitude of cranes getting the attention their arrival deserves.

An All-State Performer

This region was honored with the selection of Waid Vontz of Cambridge to the Class C-2 boys all-state basketball team by the Omaha World-Herald.

In his sophomore season, Waid joined four seniors in the starting line-up for the Trojans' state championship basketball team.

A talented athlete who leads by example, Waid was the point guard on Cambridge's championship basketball team and the quarterback for the Trojans' title-winning football team.

Since Waid's just a sophomore, fans in this area will be privileged to see him in action in athletics for two more years.