Prayers going up for infants

The Hayes Center community is united in support and prayer for four infants who were born prematurely. In a front page story in this week's Hayes Center Times-Republican, Amy Frederick reports the early births of Gauge Issaic Tinnsmann, the son of Stephanie (Scott) and Dustin Tinnsmann of Hastings; and Connor James, Shyann Eileen and Caden Thomas, the triplet babies born to Todd and Tracy Anderjaska, also of Hastings.

The Tinnsmann baby was born 10 weeks prematurely and the Anderjaska triplets arrived 14 weeks early. Guage Tinnsmann is the grandson of Johnny and Cheryl Scott of Hayes Center. The triplets also have a Hayes Center's connection, as their father is the son of Tom and Mary Ann Anderjaska of Hayes Center.

During this critical time of care for the infants at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the parents are staying close by at the Ronald McDonald House. In love and support, grandparents and the families' friends and neighbors ask for the Southwest Nebraska region to join in a plea for prayer for the babies.

Regional Competition -- Hats off to the Benkelman Jaycees, who this Saturday will host the Nebraska Punt, Pass & Kick event for 2004. That's quite an honor for a community in the 1,000-plus population category.

Shane Sis, a member of the Benkelman Jaycees, said 75 young competitors from a wide area are expected for the event, which gives winners a chance to advance to regional and national Punt, Pass & Kick events. It's even possible that one of the winners in Benkelman could earn the right to compete at a PP&K event at an upcoming Kansas City Chiefs' game.

Benkelman has one of the most active Jaycee organizations in the area. Dr. Jason Mathews, the president of the Benkelman chapter, told the Benkelman Post: "What a privilege it will be to have an event like this held here in my hometown."

Street Improvement -- The Holbrook Village Board has given unanimous approval to move forward with a process which could lead to a street paving grant, according to the lead story in this week's Arapahoe Public Mirror.

In order to earn the grant, Holbrook must go through a four-step process. Those steps are a community attitude survey, two public hearings and the grant application, reported Jackie Haupt of Miller & Associates.

If all goes as planned, the street paving grant could be submitted by March.