Stories from Thursday, December 22, 2005

The McCook Community College men's basketball team heads into the Christmas break with a record of 8-8 after splitting two games in the Region IX Shootout in North Platte. "We have had our ups and downs through the first half, but overall the guys have grown and started to learn how to play together. This should propel us into having a strong second half of the season," said MCC Coach Ty Orton...

The McCook Community College women's basketball team finished the first semester with a 5-9 record. MCC ended the first half of their season with a victory over Nebraska Wesleyan JV's. "I was pleased with how strong the team finished the semester. Each player and the team overall improved in different areas and I look forward to seeing them improve even more second semester," said MCC Coach Michelle Orton...

TO: Sports Editor FROM: 2005 Nebraska Volleyball Team and captains Jennifer Saleaumua, Christina Houghtelling and Melissa Elmer RE: Thank You! DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005 On behalf of our 2005 Husker Volleyball team, we would like to sincerely thank Nebraskans everywhere for your amazing support this season...

By CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor TRENTON -- The judge called Rick Hedke's actions, "horrible." The county attorney called Hedke's cruelty to 10 horses "a sad, sad situation." Hedke's attorney called it "an unfortunate situation," "an aberration."...

The snowman -- made with three large round bales and lots of white paint -- at the Riley Morthole farm west of Culbertson makes a big statement from Highway 6&34.

When future generations go about their daily lives in McCook, they will probably give very little thought to the year 2005. Just another year, right? Only one of many years in the life a community which will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2007. Yet, if any should take the time to study the record, they will find that the McCook community made a large investment in the future in 2005. ...

Three days 'til we hear the squeals of excitement when new toys are ripped from their packages and cries of disappointment when those new toys are broken. Three days until little ones get to take the first ride on their very first bicycle and experience their first crash...

**Dear Editor, My wife Carol and I recently were in McCook on a combination of business and pleasure. We were greatly impressed with the overall friendliness of this community. All the merchants seemed genuinely glad to have our business; most cheerfully made small talk while we browsed...

**Dear Editor, Here in McCook, we have our fair share of problems, just as any small town does. But with that said, there is a lot that the people of McCook should be proud of. My husband deployed to Iraq for his second tour this last July. The outpouring of support that I have received from family, friends, neighbors and even strangers has been nothing but beautiful...

**Dear Editor, With all the Christmas e-mails I receive with the heart-wrenching stories being passed around, I have a choice of believing them or not. Let's see, do I want to be a better person for believing in them or do I want to dismiss them as nonsense, Bah Humbug?...

The family of Allen L. Rein, formerly of McCook, is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday. He was born Dec. 26, 1925. His family includes his wife, Lovara, and children, Don of Denver, Colo., Beverly of Cheyenne, Wyo., Kenneth of Lawrence, Kan., and Marilyn of Johnstown, Colo. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 1218 Mountainview Drive, Johnstown, CO 80534...