Local News

AREA NEWS DIGEST

Taken from the news columns of area newspapers

January 26, 2008

Free tax service offered by VITA for over 20 years

LEXINGTON—A free tax service offered to Lexington and area residents for more than 20 years relies on volunteers. The Lexington Tax Credit Coalition offers free assistance for filing federal and state tax returns at the public library. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps low-income families and other individuals of Dawson County to increase their income and build their assets. Last year, VITA helped with 304 cases, bringing more than $300,000 back into the county.—taken from the Clipper-Herald.

Early morning fire destroys family home

COZAD—The Jeff Kohl family home, located eight miles southwest of Cozad, was totally destroyed by an early morning fire recently. Cozad Fire Chief Bob Zook said 16 members of the department responded to the scene as well as Gothenburg and Eustis Fire Departments who provided tanker trucks. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl and their son were home at the time of the fire, but escaped injuries. The fire was probably caused by a heat lamp operating in a dog house adjoining the residence, according to Zook. The home, owned by Trudy Geiger, was estimated at $50,000, and about $40,000 in contents were also lost.—taken from the Tri-City Trib.

Bow store featured in magazine for ‘tweens’

BROKEN BOW—Shirley McGinn, owner of Kids Kloset and Etc. on the Broken Bow square, was featured in a magazine, Earnshaw’s, a monthly industry publication for clothing retailers. McGinn and her employee, Tara Russell, cater to a special group of customers, so-called tweens. Tweens are sandwiched between children and teens, comprised of 11-13 year olds. The January issue highlighted retailers who carved out a part of their sales space for tweens who want to look grown up but needing to find the appropriate age-group clothing.—taken from the Custer County Chief.

82 violations cited on North, South Platte rivers

OGALLALA—A recent special operation by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Law Enforcement Division resulted in the issuance of 82 citations and warnings for a number of wildlife violations. The crackdown on game law violators took place along the North and South Platte rivers between Paxton and Maxwell as a result of complaints received. Among the violations were: taking protected species; hunting, fishing or trapping without permit or permission; being over bag limit; using lead shot in steel shot zone; illegal use of traps; no species identification; trespassing. Anyone with knowledge of a game law violation is encouraged to call the Nebraska Wildlife Crime Stoppers at 800-742-7627.—taken from the Keith County News.

Problems with 911 dispatch brought to light

CURTIS—After a cluster of errors following a three-vehicle wreck on Jan. 5, officials plan to make certain the rescue units don’t arrive late to an accident again. The wreck was 14 miles south of North Platte. The 911-distress phone call was switched from one dispatcher to another. The second dispatcher did not get the exact location and mistook the name of the resident and the first dispatcher did not monitor the situation. The ambulances went the wrong way and victims waited 45 minutes for medical attention. Frontier County dispatch will now be having a fully automated 911 system with updated information in the next couple of weeks.—taken from the Frontier County Enterprise.

Arnold students reach out with new technology

ARNOLD—With part of a statewide grant where every school was given up to $20,000 to update their technology systems, Arnold invested in a new interactive computer touch screen in the Distance Learning Center at the school. From the monitor’s fingertips, other schools can be dialed and spoken with, and the televisions, cameras speakers and accessories can be ran as well. “The possibilities are now endless with the new system,” stated Nicole Badgley, technology coordinator. Arnold now has the capabilities to connect with any other system in the state which opens the door to numerous opportunities for students.—taken from the Arnold Sentinel.

New program offers breakfast for students

CALLAWAY—District 180 Board of Education recently voted 6-0 to go ahead with a proposed school breakfast program. Superintendent Pat Osmond came up with the plan when it was noticed that some children were coming to school without breakfast or eating the wrong things such as pop and candy. The purpose is that children learn better if they start the day with breakfast. The new program will be offered to both Callaway and Oconto at 7:30-7:55 a.m. each day in the cafeteria areas and is expected to begin around Jan. 28.—taken from the Callaway Courier.