Stories from Thursday, June 6, 2002

With budget cuts and increased taxes of more than $411 million, and the possibility of the Nebraska Legislature being called back into special session to address even more cuts, four Nebraska legislators were in McCook Wednesday to discuss ways the state can address long-term care Medicaid costs...

Dear Editor: Loud noise, dangerous activity ‚ the races should go on no more? I mean, come on, and get a grip!! Will there be any complaints from the residents living in the vicinity of the park when the Hot Summer Nights music begins? How many complaints will there be when the parades roam the streets. Granted the parades are during the day, how many people work the night shift and sleep during the day?...

Dear Editor: I would like to say to the people that are complaining about the car races -- yes we know not everyone likes the same entertainment. Somewhere the lines has to be drawn. Lets stop complaining and try and make McCook attractive to all visitors that stop through our town...

Dear Editor: I would like to comment on the races. The races bring in a lot of fans to this town that spend money here in town. They spend the night at motels, and buy food and gas also. There are things that go on in town that I don't care for either, but I don't whine and cry about it. Let the racers have their fun one night a week...

Dear Editor, For many years the McCook Elks Lodge No. 1434 has had a proud tradition of coordinating, licensing and underwriting the majority of the fireworks display for the residents of McCook and the surrounding area. Business owners in McCook and several service organizations continually help with the underwriting of this event and many other activities in McCook by their relentless financial and in-kind contributions...

Homesteaders, arise! It's time to pull up your city roots and head for the rural regions of America. Before you call us crazy, hear us out. One hundred and forty years after the original Homestead Act of 1862, two United States Senators are proposing that the federal government give incentives to individuals and businesses to locate in rural areas...

Katrina Cafferty of McCook announces the birth of her son, Klayton Tyler Cafferty on Tuesday, (June 4, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

The Nelson Institute, in conjunction with the Freedom 50 Club of McCook National Bank and the Live Y'ers of the YMCA, are planning a benefit garage sale on Saturday, June 15 in coordination with the third annual Join Hands Day. Connecting young people and adults in neighborhood volunteering is the unique focus on Join Hands Day, a day designed to create cross-generational friendships that help break down age barriers...

All homestead exemption applications must be filed with the Red Willow County Assessor's office on or before July 1, 2002, according to officials. A homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the valuation of the homestead from taxation. The state of Nebraska reimburses the counties for the taxes lost due to homestead exemptions...

Golden Plains residents may notice that on Monday evening, the sun will appear as if it has had a bite taken out of it. That "bite" results from the moon crossing in front of the sun -- an event astronomers call a solar eclipse. According to authorities at the Hastings Museum, the eclipse will begin around 7:24 p.m., plus or minus approximately five minutes, as the moon begins its promenade across the solar disk. ...

The regular meeting of the Water Advisory Committee has been rescheduled from tonight to Tuesday, June 18, at the Heritage Senior Center from 7-9 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be to narrow the selection of possible well field sites. Olsson Associates, the engineering firm hired by the city to do the study, will present the Water Advisory Committee with their findings to date and will recommend six sites within fifteen miles of the city. ...

More than 200 onlookers and participants enjoyed pleasant weather Wednesday evening at Norris Park as the Cornhusker State Games Torch Run came through Southwest Nebraska. Winners of the 2002 Cornhusker State Games Gold Medal Talent Search were Amanda McCarty in the 13-17 age vocal/instrumental solo category, Katie Lampe in 13-17 solo dance, Boot Scootin' Babies 13-17 dance group, Rony Eli in 12-and-under age vocal solo, Ashley Wood 12 and under solo dance, Sarah Hester in the open solo/vocal and Sarah Hester and Carmen Nelson in the 13-17 vocal group.. ...

My dad stopped by the other day to ask if Brad and I wanted to get deer licenses for the November rifle season. Brad gave an enthusiastic reply and asked my dad what he needed to get on the Internet and get the licenses. "Well," said my dad, digging his own license out of his pocket and looking at the information, "You need eyes, hair, height..."...

Dorothy Jean (Richey) Robinson SUN LAKES, Ariz. -- Dorothy Jean (Richey) Robinson, 71, died Wednesday (May 29, 2002) at her home. She was born Jan. 6, 1931, in Curtis to Jim D. and Martha Richey. She married Arthur Jensen, they lived in Remer, Minn. ...

Nina Searles Jackson Smith, formerly "Schmitz" and "Breedlove" both from McCook. Nina was born in Greeley, Colo., April 12, 1912, and passed away June 5, 2002, at the age of 90. Nina is survived by her husband, Merlin Smith of McCook. In addition to a half-brother, Amsi J. ...