Stories from Monday, August 25, 2008

McCook Community College completes a major renovation in Barnett Hall while two new faculty members and a new coach begin their duties as the fall term of classes start today. College officials gave Barnett Hall a $145,000 facelift and hired Kaitlin Guzzi to teach biology, Megan Friesen to teach English and Michelle Reiners to take over the women's volleyball and softball programs...

When Sgt. Maj. Michael Eason returned to the Fort Riley, Kan., from Baghdad, Iraq last December, his travels were far from over. During his deployment with the U.S. Army's 2nd National Police Transition Team in Iraq, he and his team trained members of the Iraqi police, equipping them with the skills necessary to secure the public safety in war-torn Baghdad. The team traveled 6,858 miles from Fort Riley to Baghdad, leaving families and their own pursuits of the American dream behind...

Isabelle Eryn Leitner was born on Aug.6, 2008, at Memorial North Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colo. Her parents are Jeffrey and Danielle Leitner. She weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches. Her grandparents are Rocky and Teresa Diederich of Oberlin and Danny J. ...

Wes and Suzanne Pool of Joplin, Mo., announce the birth of their son, Zavier Thomas Pool on Aug. 7, 2008, at Freeman Health System in Joplin. He weighed 7 pounds, 14.9 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. His grandparents are Leonard and Alberta Cole of Trenton and John and Debra Pool of Chanute, Kan. Great-grandparents are Roy and Helena Cole of Trenton and Bill and Mary Kuder of Chanute...

Ethanol heated up Saturday's Senate race as one candidate said he was misquoted by a newspaper and the other took heat for urging his boss to veto a farm bill that included money for developing new sources of the fuel. It's unfortunate that both the underdog, Scott Kleeb, and the likely winner, former governor and U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns seemed to resort to what Stephen Colbert calls "truthiness" to get their points across during the State Fair debate...

Wade and Mindy Hill of Wellfleet announce the birth of their son, Houston Blaine Hill on Aug. 12, 2008, at Great Plains Medical Center of North Platte. He weighed 5 pounds, 1.4 ounces and measured 19 inches. He has two sisters, 11-year-old Hannah and 1-year-old Hadley and one brother, 8-year-old Hunter. His grandparents are Blaine and Britt Hill of Hayes Center, Deborah Hill of Maywood and Rich and Mary Hitchler of North Platte...

The McCook YMCA Swim Team would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the "Save the Wave" project. Whether you gave money, your time, or kept your fingers crossed in hopes that the goal would be reached, we are truly grateful. For us, the pool not only allows us to strengthen our minds and bodies, it also brings us great joy. Your contribution will continue to enrich our hearts, minds and bodies...

Leigh Majors, formerly of Wauneta, now of Lincoln, and Tracey Clapp, formerly of McCook, of Lincoln, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the couple are Mick and Joyce Majors of Wauneta and Janette Clapp of McCook. The bride-to-be graduated in 1997 from Wauneta/Palisade High School. She is an associate farm underwriter with Allied Insurance...

My husband, Dale, and I went out early the 12th of August to view the Perseids and saw several between 4 and 5 that morning -- it was the only morning we had clear skies here in Lexington that week [What's Up: "Clouds, moon -- it's always something for the Perseids" ( )]...

Zane and Amy Engelbert of McCook announce the birth of their son, Turner J. Engelbert on Aug. 4, 2008, at Community Hospital in McCook. He weighed 7 pounds, 12.4 ounces and measured 20 inches. His grandparents are Dale and Susan Engelbert of Norton, Kan., Bev Franklin of Utica, Kan. ...

Megan Grunden and Dawson Welch announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Harlan and Tammy Grunden of Curtis and Teresa Welch of Curtis and the late Doug Welch. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Harvey and Myrna Grunden of Curtis and Martha Anderson of Elwood and the late Bill Anderson...

Willis Jones, of McCook, has never been superstitious, or particularly interested in signs. Certainly, he never was afflicted with Triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13), but now, looking back over his career in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Willis believes that the number 13 did have a significance in his life. Consider this:...

The family of Larry and Jeniene Lashley of Trenton is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 30. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at P O Box 556, Trenton NE 69044.

The families of Lucille Hagan of Culbertson and Pauline Coover of Lexington are hosting an open house in honor of their 85th birthdays. The open house will be Saturday, Aug. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Lexington. Cards of congratulations will reach them at Lucille Hagan, R.R. 3 Box 1105, Culbertson NE 69024 and Pauline Coover, 1209 North Taylor, Lexington NE 68850...

Dallas and Sarah Minnick of Indianola, announce the birth of a daughter, Zoee Rai Minnick. She was born May 20, 2008, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 20 inches. She has a 4-year-old sister, Abby. Grandparents are Rich and Joyce Minnick of Indianola and Leonard and Alberta Cole of Trenton. Great-grandparents are Roy and Helena Cole of Trenton, Evelyn Minnick of Franklin and Irene Young of Cambridge...

Tim and Bridget Matson of McCook announce the birth of a son, Otto Rea Matson. He was born July 19, 2008, at Community Hospital in McCook, weighing 8 pounds, 1/2 ounce and measuring 20 inches. Grandparents are Robin Lomax of Culbertson, the late Richard Lomax and the late Don and Carol Matson. Great-grandparents are Wilt and Patty Wagner of Culbertson...

GOTHENBURG -- Tara Schnackenberg and Jason Lawless were united in marriage on June 28, 2008 at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg with the Rev. Matthew Groenke officiating. Parents of the couple are Matt and Donna Schnackenberg of Gothenburg, Mike Lawless of McCook and Jeanne Janssen of Gothenburg...

Billy and Amanda Davidson of McCook announce the birth of a son, Lee Bernard Davidson. He was born June 17, 2008, at Community Hospital in McCook, weighing 9 pounds, 8.6 ounces and measuring 22 inches. His grandparents are Carol Hock of Culbertson and the late Bernard Hock, Suzanne Davidson of McCook and Dave and Connie Davidson, also of McCook. Great-grandparents are Mary Colling of McCook, Betty Davidson of Indianola and Kenneth Luther of McCook...