CRANE FOUND

KEARNEY - One of two missing Cranes on Parade fiberglass cranes has been found.

Fractional Crane, sponsored by Baldwin Filters and once on display at Kearney Community Theatre, was found along Kea West Road.

"We are very excited about it," said Sue Bigg, chairwoman of Cranes on Parade.

Buffalo County Sheriff's Department Capt. Bob Anderson said a citizen found the crane at the Kea West pit area southwest of Kearney Friday morning. The crane was found in the grass with only a scuff on its side.

No message or other information was with the crane when it was found.

Bigg said the crane will be sent to Prewitt Fiberglass in Gibbon for repair, then back to artist John Fronczak for touchup.

The fiberglass cranes at Kenwood Elementary School, City Glass, Contemp-

orary Obstetrics and Gynecology, and KCT were reported stolen in April. The City Glass and Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology cranes were found at the Kearney Recycling Center shortly after being reported missing.

The stolen cranes prompted crane caretakers to move the sculptures indoors. In recent weeks, some cranes have begun to appear outdoors again.

One crane, Mirage, which was taken from Kenwood, remains missing.

"They (Kenwood students and officials) are really disappointed," Bigg said. "We are hopeful that maybe the other one will be found."

Kearney Dawn Rotary Club's Cranes on Parade project placed 31 cranes around the city. In October, the cranes will be auctioned off with proceeds going to Rotary projects and scholarships and to community charities and organizations.

Anyone with information about the missing crane should call Crimestoppers at 237-3424.