Stories from Tuesday, February 4, 2003

The first event in the new Kiplinger Equestrian Arena on the fairgrounds in McCook will be a John Deere Expo sponsored by Southwest Implement Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. Activities will include a parts and service expo, a guest speaker, a John Deere movie and equipment displays...

It's too bad the Department of Roads doesn't have a sense of humor! In this time of terrorism and impending apparent war, don't we all need something to smile about? Had the Gazette not published a picture of the exit signs entering Culbertson, everyone who noticed them would have had a short chuckle to relieve the tension of driving and the world situation. ...

Dear Editor, An open letter to the Republican Valley and Twin Valley boards of education regarding merging and building a new high school. I appreciate the vote of two of your members -- named in the Jan. 30 edition of the Gazette -- so I address this letter to the remaining 10 members:...

There are a lot of practical reasons for the city of McCook to sell the old Carnegie Library to the High Plains Historical Society. For one thing, the city has plenty of other things to worry about -- the chief of which is the city water supply. With council members and staff struggling to bring new, safe supplies of water on line, there is no shortage of demand for taxpayer dollars. ...

The news keeps getting worse for McCook water users. The expense of building a new water treatment facility and moving a 4-million gallon storage tank may add $4.7 million to the millions the city already plans to spend on a water solution. The average McCook water user may pay an additional $26.43 instead of the original $20.59 anticipated under the city's water solution plan...

LEXINGTON -- The South Platte United Chambers of Commerce will meet in Lexington on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Vets Club and Steak House, 511 North Madison. The featured speaker for the evening is Barry McFarland of Mac's Winery and representatives from IBP/Tyson will give an update on the meat industry...

McCook Public Schools will be closed Wednesday for the funeral of Carl Smock, a 26-year veteran teacher at the school. Teachers are to report for duty as usual.

BENKELMAN -- Southwest Nebraska Ducks Unlimited plans its annual banquet Saturday, March 22, at 5:30 p.m. MT, at the American Legion Hall in Benkelman. Prints that will hang at Sehnert's Bakery in McCook and at North Shore Marina west of Trenton will be available for purchase by sealed bids until the banquet. Bids on the prints will be accepted during the two-week periods they hang at the two locations...

Carl V. Smock, 56, died Sunday (Feb. 2, 2003) at his home south of McCook. He was born May 12, 1946, to Oran Alfanso and Grace (Heine) Smock at Lexington. He grew up in Cozad and graduated from Cozad High School in 1964. He was the 1963 Heavyweight State Wrestling Champion. He attended Kearney State College from 1964-68 and graduated with a bachelor of science degree. He earned his masters degree from Kearney State College in 1982...

BRIGHTON, Colo. -- Robert "Bob" D. Hickert, 61, died Thursday (Jan. 30, 2003) at his home in Brighton, Colo., after a short illness. He was born Jan. 5, 1942, at the family farm in Decatur County, to Albert and Amanda (Gilleece) Hickert. He attended New Almelo Grade School and Jennings High School...

Laura C. Manker, 81, died Sunday (Feb. 2, 2003) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Nov. 8, 1921, in Hillview, Ill., to Harvey and Ruby Helen (Price) Schutz. She grew up at Hillview and graduated from Whitehall High School at Whitehall, Ill., in 1940. She graduated from business college at St. Louis, Mo., and worked for Darcy Advertising Company for five years...

DRESDEN -- John L. Spresser, 72, died Sunday (Feb. 2, 2003) at the Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. He was born March 10, 1930, on a farm south of Dresden, to John "Jack" and Katherine (Kamphaus) Spresser. He was raised on the family farm. He attended Green Valley Grade School and graduated from Leoville High School...