Stories from Monday, December 30, 2002

There's some good news and there's some bad news, and the past year reflects just that. The news around the area ranged from a court decision which cost the city of McCook more than $2.8 million, to a $600,000 donation to Red Willow County residents for the express purpose of building the Kiplinger Equestrian Arena. Following are the top stories of 2002 as published in the McCook Gazette:...

More than five years ago, the George W. Norris Foundation of McCook sponsored a national contest, asking citizens throughout the nation to submit stories about the arrival of electricity in rural America. The contest served two purposes. First, it paid tribute to Sen. George W. Norris, the late, great lawmaker from McCook who sponsored the Rural Electrification Act in 1935; and, second, it chronicled what many regard as the greatest change ever in rural America: the day the lights came on...

EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer lives in Indianola. I have been laid up since August of this year, at which time I re-injured my back, making me unable to work since that time. I am a 39-year-old single parent and have been in dire straights since that time. ...

Before the evening is over, take a few minutes to read through City Editor Gloria Masoner's page one recap of the major news happenings of 2002. It will surprise you to see how much has taken place in the Golden Plains of America in 12 short months...

WORLAND, Wyo. -- Lonnie and Katrina Steinke of Worland, Wyo., announce the birth of a daughter, Anita Kathleen, born Friday (Nov. 29, 2002). She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. She has one sister, Brooke, and two brothers, Alex and Quentin. Grandparents are Bill and Kathy Steinke of Culbertson. Great-grandmother is Bess Bunnell of McCook...

NORTH PLATTE -- Kody and Bobbi Cooper of North Platte announce the birth of a son, Kody Jacob, born Saturday (Nov. 30, 2002). He weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces. He has a brother, Brandon and a sister, Cassie. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cooper of North Platte, Marilyn Barnett of Trenton, Robert Barnett of Norcatur and Clyde Anderson of Trenton. Great-grandmother is Lela Barnett of Holbrook...

Crystal Hein of McCook and James Buscher of North Platte announce the birht of a son, Isaac James. He was born Wednesday (Nov. 20, 2002) and weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Grandparents are Ray and Pauletta Gerver of McCook, Rick and Linda Hein of McCook and Mike and Sally Rasmussen of Lincoln...

ASHLAND -- Stephanie Kaye Linner and Ron Chloupek were united in marriage Sept. 21, 2002, in an outdoor ceremony at Mahoney State Park near Ashland with the Honorable Robert Wester officiating. Parents of the couple are Doug and Kaye Linner of Hendley and J.W. and Diana Chloupek of Omaha...

The family of Don and Thelma Moorhous is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary, Jan. 4, 2003, 2-4 p.m., at the Hitchcock County Ag Complex at the fairgrounds in Culbertson. They were married Jan. 7, 1953, at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Route 3 Box 70, Culbertson, NE 69024...

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Annette Michelle Graham of Fort Collins, Colo., and Colby Jac Severson of Denver, Colo., were united in marriage June 22, 2002, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Collins, with the Rev. Paul J. Colling of Woodriver, uncle of the bride, officiating...

OXFORD -- Cynthia Kaup of Oxford was recently crowned Mrs. Nebraska International 2003. She will compete for the title of Mrs. International 2003 on Sept. 1-6, 2003, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., at the Louise Mandrell Theater. Nationally known gameshow host Bob Eubank will be the official master of ceremonies...

A Red Willow Western firefighter scoops smoldering grain from the dump pit at the Perry grain elevators west of McCook about 10 a.m. Saturday. Fire Chief Bill Elliott said the scorched grain and smoke were caused by a bad bearing on a U-shaped trough auger...

A full moon rises over the hills near Macklin Bay on Dec. 20, providing light for outdoor holiday activities. The Golden Plains may receive a belated coating of white, with possible snow forecast for next week, with balmy weather this weekend.

WAUNETA -- The Chase County Community Hospital plans to open a clinic in Wauneta in February. The clinic will be located in the present location of Wauneta Family Practice Associates, whose doctors plan to discontinue their practices the end of January...

OBERLIN -- Four Decatur County entities will share $362,596 after an Oberlin woman's estate was closed recently. Lois Steiner, and her late husband, Carl, left $90,649 each to the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center, the Cedar Living Center, the Decatur County Hospital and Decatur County Hospice...

ALLIANCE -- Amy Childers and Brandon Soden, both of Lincoln, were united in marriage July 27, 2002, at United Methodist Church in Alliance with the Rev. Mark L. Schutt officiating. Parents of the couple are Jim and Kris Childers of Alliance, Barb Langley of Alliance and Steve and Lynette Soden of McCook...

Gretchen Shaw of Brookfield, Wis., and Matthew Weis of Wauwatosa, Wis., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are James (former resident of Hayes Center) and Martha Shaw of Brookfield, Lynne Weis of Rockford, Ill., and Robert Weis of Olive Branch, Miss. ...

Anna M. Cottingham, 92, died Friday (Dec. 27, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born May 21, 1910, to Henry and Katherine (Gettman) Lebsack at McCook. She grew up in McCook and attended McCook High School. On Aug. 30, 1931, she married Carl E. Cottingham at McCook. They spent their lives in McCook...

Leona G. Holst, 96, died Thursday (Dec. 26, 2002) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Sept. 24, 1906, to Robert T. and Emma Louise (Cordes) Meyer in Hamilton County. She grew up northeast of Hampton. She graduated from Pierce High School and received her bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She taught for several years...

ARAPAHOE -- Patty G. "Jerry" Olsen, 71, died Friday (Dec. 27, 2002) at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge. She was born Aug. 25, 1931, to Robert and Ida (Bell) Cooper in Palisade. She attended school in Hendley and Beaver City. She also worked at the Hendley School...

ATWOOD -- Rose E. (Sis) Ruda, 89, died Monday (Dec. 23, 2002) at Dodge City, Kan. She was born Dec. 3, 1913, to Frank and Apolena (Dobry) Sis in Rawlins County. She attended Prairie View rural school and Atwood High School. On Aug. 1, 1934, she married John E. Ruda at St. John's Catholic Church in rural Atwood. She was a homemaker...

Tami Allen was 42 years old. Stolen from us in the prime of her life with so much more to give. So much to give to her family, her friends, her work and her faith. It doesn't seem right. I remember hearing over and over from my Baptist preacher when I was young that a lot of things in life don't make sense and we just have to have faith that everything has a purpose...

Since the 1970s, girls have had almost an equal opportunity, with the boys, to participate in athletics, usually competing against other girls, but occasionally, in some of the smaller schools, as a member of the football, track, or wrestling team. It has certainly given opportunity to girls to compete for their schools, but it has come at a price. ...

"I have had several occasions to be very proud of McCook and those folks who are responsible for the McCook Service canteen. "The typical conversation starts, 'Where are you from buddy?' The answer may be New York, California, Georgia, Maine, Pennsylvania, or any of the 48 states...

ATWOOD -- Harrell L. Shannon, 66, died Thursday (Dec. 26, 2002) in Atwood following a long battle with renal disease. He was born Oct. 18, 1936, to Bernard Shannon and Alice (Ginther) Shannon Shankle in Atwood. He graduated from Atwood Community High School in 1955. He engaged in farming for numerous years and also operated an auto body shop in Atwood...