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Home , 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

75¢ Co l b y Friday October 9, 2009 Volume 120, Number 158 Serving Thomas County since 1888 12 pages FFrr e e e e PPrr e e s s s s City Council gets a look at new pool plan By Andy Heintz the kiddie pool, a “lazy river” float Colby Free Press area, a speed slide, a slide you go [email protected] down in an inner tube, an obstacle course, an 82-by-45 foot pool with City officials unveiled a sketch six swimming lanes, high and low of what Colby’s new pool and wa- diving boards and concrete build- ter park would like if a sales tax ings for storing equipment and to increase is approved in a special house a bathhouse and concession election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at a stands. City Council meeting Tuesday. City Manager Carolyn Arm- On election day, citizens will be strong said the park would have asked whether they are willing to the capacity to hold 615 people. support an additional .75 of 1 per- Armstrong said Aquatic Design cent retail sales tax in the city for Consultants had told her the cost 10 years beginning April 1 to pay of this new pool was within the $5 off loans for the city’s new fire million budget, even with the costs station and a new pool. of infrastructure, land and parking The pool area would have a zero- depth entry (no steps or edge) for See “COUNCIL,” Page 3

KEVIN BOTTRELL/Colby Free Press Federal offices Party helps kick off closed for holiday 125th anniversary Monday is Columbus Day, and training day. The district also although the holiday is not one had today off for parent-teacher General George H. Thomas (above, from left), played by that sees a lot of business or local- conferences. Colby Community Colby Community College teacher Cal Mahn, was on hand government offices closing, there College, as well as the Brewster Wednesday at the Prairie Museum to help committee presi- are a few things to note. and Golden Plains school, will dent Mike Baughn kick off the Thomas County 125th Anniver- Banks will be closed. Federal have class as usual. There will sary celebration. Wednesday’s event included a ribbon-cutting offices, including all area post be no classes at either Heartland ceremony for the new granite pavers on the museum’s front offices, will be closed and there Christian School or Sacred Heart walkway and refreshments. It also saw the unveiling of the cel- will be no mail delivery. The state School in Colby; both scheduled ebration’s logo, created by Colby resident Pat Turrell (right), driver’s license office is always teacher work days. who said the design incorporates an old windmill and new closed on Mondays. Other state Colby city offices will be open wind turbines, signifying a return to the use of the land and its offices, including the Workforce regular hours and trash pickup natural resources. Center and Social and Rehabili- will be at its usual time. Thomas tation Services on Country Club County offices and the landfill Drive, will be open. will also be open. Colby Public Schools will have the day off for a teacher in-service See “CLOSINGS,” Page 3 President Obama surprised A shot in the arm by early OSLO (AP) — President won the joern Jagland said. “Some people say, and I under- 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning deci- stand it, isn’t it premature? Too early? Well, I’d say sion designed to encourage his initiatives to reduce then that it could be too late to respond three years nuclear arms, ease tensions with the from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than respond — all of us.” unilateralism. The selection to some extent reflects a trans-Atlan- Many observers were shocked by the unexpected tic divergence on Obama. In Europe and much of the choice so early in the Obama presidency, which be- world he is lionized for bringing the gan less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomina- closer to mainstream global thinking on issues like tion deadline and has yet to yield concrete achieve- and multilateralism. At home, the ments in peacemaking. picture is more complicated. As president, Obama is Some around the world objected to the choice of often criticized as he attempts to carry out his agenda Obama, who still oversees wars in and Afghani- — drawing fire over a host of issues from govern- stan and has launched deadly counter-terror strikes ment spending to health care to the conduct of the in and . war in . The Norwegian countered that U.S. Republican Party Chairman it was trying “to promote what he stands for and the contended that Obama won the prize as a result of positive processes that have started now.” It lauded his “star power” rather than meaningful accomplish- the change in global mood wrought by Obama’s calls ments. for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to “The real question Americans are asking is, ‘What reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease Ameri- has President Obama actually accomplished?’” can conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen the Steele said. U.S. role in combating climate change. Obama’s election and foreign policy moves The peace prize was created partly to encourage caused a dramatic improvement in the image of the ongoing peace efforts but Obama’s efforts are at far U.S. around the world, however. A 25-nation poll of DEBBIE SCHWANKE/Colby Community College earlier stages than those of past winners. The No- 27,000 people released in July by the Pew Global Colby Community College nursing student Lillie Haverfield of Monument gave Athletic Direc- bel committee acknowledged that they may not bear Attitudes Project found double-digit boosts to the tor Ryan Sturdy a seasonal flu shot on Wednesday at the Student Union. The nursing students fruit at all. percentage of people viewing the U.S. favorably in also gave flu vaccine in Goodland last week and will be giving it at the Gove County Hospital “He got the prize because he has been able to in Quinter in November. change the international climate,” chairman Thorb- See “NOBEL,” Page 3 Briefly City to drop clipping collection Soup, auction to help family person for all you can eat. Tickets are available from tinue planning events for the county’s 125th anniver- Today was the last day Colby city sanitation crews A benefit soup dinner and auction Saturday at any Kiwanian. For information, call Kenton Kreh- sary next year. For information, call Mike Baughn will pick up grass clipping as a separate route this TNT Auction will raise money for the family of Rus- biel at 462-7904. at 674-2278, Terri Crampton at 462-3388 or Sheila season. Jo Strange at the city office said as of Mon- ti Hopper, who died Sept. 8. The dinner will begin Frahm at 462-6948. day, people can start putting their clippings out with at 11:30, with the auction following at 1 p.m. The Coaches offer coffee, talk the regular trash. Separate collections will resume in Bruce Bandy Barbershop Quartet, the Bugbee Sis- Join the Colby High School football staff for “Cof- Seniors plan potluck Monday the spring. For questions, call the Public Works of- ters, Blake and Brandon McLemore and Tom Har- fee with the Coaches” at 9 a.m. Saturday and every The group More Fun Together plans a potluck din- fice at 460-4420. rison will entertain. Items up for auction include a Saturday after home and away games at the Sports ner for people 50 or older who are alone, widowed, king-size quilt, a set of tires, bags of seed corn, a Shoppe, Fourth Street and Franklin Avenue. For divorced, separated or who have partners in nursing Flu vaccine supply spent boy’s bike and many others donated by area busi- information, call Eagles’ Coach Chris Gardener at homes at 6 p.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian The Thomas County Health Department has run nesses and individuals. Friends say the family needs 460-1390. Church. Bring a dish to share. Table service and bev- out of adult seasonal flu vaccine. There are still a few help with medical and funeral expenses. For infor- erage will be provided. The building is handicapped doses available for children 6 months to age 18, said mation, call Sharon Woofter at 269-7180. 125th planning group to meet accessible with an elevator by the east doors. For in- Finance Administrator Kasiah Rothchild, but none The Thomas County 125th Celebration planning formation, call the church at 462-6342. for adults. The department expects its next shipment Kiwanis plans pancake feed group will hold its monthly meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. in November. For information, call the agency at The Colby Kiwanis Club will hold a pancake feed Monday at the Prairie Museum of Art and History. 460-4596. from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans of The group will hear from the logo/theme, education, Foreign Wars Hall, 220 N. Lake Ave. Cost is $4 per beards/bonnets and keepsakes committees and con-

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