Kenesaw woman killed by train

A Kenesaw woman was killed by a train Thursday morning after she intentionally stepped in front of the engine.

Hall County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Rea said the 53-year-old woman parked her vehicle near the intersection of Monitor Road and Highway 30, got out and stepped onto the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

The incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. Thursday.

Library announces names contest winners

The Grand Island Public Library has announced the names of three local schools that won $10 gift certificates at a local book store for participating in a contest honoring beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss, on his birthday, March 2.

Winners are Gates Elementary, Grand Island Christian and Cedar Hollow, who were chosen in a drawing as part of "Read Across America."

The annual event is celebrated nationwide in many different ways. Local school children were asked to fill out ballots at their schools stating their favorite books and telling why they chose each book. Hundreds of ballots were collected at the library and a display was set up of the books most mentioned.

The names of participating schools were placed in a drawing, with Gates, Grand Island Christian and Cedar Hollow the names drawn.

Library receives newspaper microfilm

The Grand Island Public Library has added 20 years of the Wood River and Cairo newspapers on microfilm, thanks to a donation from Carlyle and Margaret Smith.

Twelve reels of the Wood River Sunbeam cover issues from April 1975 through June 1995. Ten reels of the Cairo Record cover the period from December 1980 through December 2000.

The Grand Island library also has HeritageQuest Online, a genealogy database that offers a unique and growing collection of research materials for tracing family histories and American culture.

HeritageQuest can be accessed from the library's FACTStations or from outside the library at its Web site at www.gi.lib.ne.us.

For assistance using the Grand Island Public Library's genealogy databases, microfilm or other materials, call the reference desk at (308) 385-5333.

Central Plains Chapter Bloodmobile announces results for early March

Eighty-four persons were present to donate blood at the Red Cross Bloodmobile the week of March 10.

Linda Bruha and Chris Stangler were first time donors.

Mike Staroscik, Lyman Sigler and Darbie Mazour reached the one-gallon level. Darlo Beazley, Patricia Schwartz and Sharlene Moser reached the two-gallon level. Lois Niemoth, Nancy Buettner and Keith Kelley reached the three-gallon level. Linda Clayman and Carol Ingold reached the five-gallon level. Allan Stutzman and Larry Kosmicki reached the seven-gallon level. Larry Kosmicki reached the nine-gallon level. Merlin Goering reached the 19-gallon level.

The Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a bloodmobile Mondays through Fridays at 404 E. Third St. Call 382-3790 to schedule an appointment.

Library wants to know how women use library to improve health

This spring, the Grand Island Public Library, the American Library Association and Woman's Day magazine want to know how women have used the library to research or improve their own health or that of a family member.

From now until May 11, women over the age of 18 can submit their story in 700 words or less to womansday@ala.org, or by visiting the library's web site at www.gi.lib.ne.us and clicking on the "Women's Day, Have you Heard? Health and Wellness" icon. Four stories will be featured in the March 2009 issue of Woman's Day, which has more than four million readers. Official rules are available on the Woman's Day web site.

* hastings

Hazardous materials symposium scheduled for this weekend

The Nebraska Hazardous Materials Association will hold a symposium on Saturday and Sunday at the Quality Hotel and Convention Center in Hastings.

Fire department and emergency responders from all over the state are expected to attend.

The two-day symposium will include classes on haz-mat systems, emergency medical victim care and terrorism. Participants can earn continuing education units for some of the classes.

This is the fifth year the Hastings Fire and Rescue Department has hosted the symposium.

The Nebraska Hazardous Materials Association was formed to assist with training opportunities for first responders and others involved in hazardous materials response throughout the area. The organization was formed five years ago when the Hastings Fire and Rescue Department organized the first symposium.

"This has been a great way for fire departments and other first responders to get together and learn new methods in dealing with hazardous materials," said symposium chairman Darin Clark of Hastings.

* ord

Loup Valleys PPD gets economic development award

The Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District has received an award from the Nebraska Public Power District for economic development.

NPPD Account Manager Stan Clouse of Kearney presented the award for successful business and industry attraction.

NPPD's annual economic development awards are judged by an independent group of Nebraska economic development professionals which does not include NPPD employees.

The Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District was nominated by Bethanne Kunz, executive director of Valley County Economic Development.

* lincoln

State HHS offers minority health and health equity grants

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health and Health Equity has made available up to 33 mini-grants in the amount of $500 each.

The mini-grants will support projects that target racial ethnic minority populations, refugees, newly-arrived immigrants and Native Americans. Projects need to address the health of these populations and ways to improve it.

Applicants must be Nebraska community-based or faith-based organizations and in operation for at least one year. Local health departments are not eligible to apply. Applications are due on the first of the month for projects beginning at least 30 days later. All projects must be completed by Dec. 31. the mini-grants are subject to the availability of federal funds.

Application forms area available from the Nebraska Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, (402) 471-0152. Forms are also available online at www.dhhs.ne.gov/minorityhealth/funding.htm/.