Stories from Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The family of Catherine Blume is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday, Sunday, Nov. 8. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 306 E. Fifth, McCook, NE 69001.

May 31, 1950-Oct. 27, 2009 SAN DIEGO -- Frank Albert Nothnagel went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Oct. 27, 2009, and was lovingly surrounded by his children for his departure. He was born May 31, 1950, the son of Albert and Shirley Nothnagel. He was born and raised in McCook, Neb., with his three brothers and one sister. Mr. Nothnagel was a long time resident of San Diego...

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the three North Dakota college softball players whose bodies were found in their submerged Jeep Tuesday. College athletes have a special bond, and like students at our own community college, Dickenson State College students have to make their own fun...

While no one would object to authorities using GPS to find someone who needed help, the prospect of technological intrustions into our privacy is frightening to many of us. If you are among those, you probably won't want to visit Google's maps site, which has added ground-level views of many areas, including McCook...

The editorial in the Nov. 2, Gazette stinks. If you are going to promote a position, do so only if you know something about the subject. Said editorial states the cost to save West Ward would be $2,500,000. An article on Oct. 27, said the cost would be $2,251,000. (typical goverment project, cost went up 10 percent in 6 days) The Nov. 1, editorial says the building is 95 years old ... Gee on 10/27 it was only 84. So much for your paper's creditability on this subject...

Specifications for the three-year contracts to operate concession stands at the city's ball parks were approved Monday night by the McCook City Council. "Have we been a good landlord?" asked Councilman Jerry Calvin, who wanted to know how the city's relationship has been with past concession vendors...

A season of abundant, gentle rains worked wonders in gardens across Southwest Nebraska and although they now lie fallow for the winter months, the memory of the peace that can be found in the brilliance of creation will be recreated Nov. 22, at a "Garden for Hope and Healing," during the annual An Evening for Hospice at the Republican River Valley Event Center. The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6 p.m., and the auction begins at 7 p.m...

By LORRI SUGHROUE City Editor A group that wants to stage an alcohol-free, community-wide New Year's Eve celebration in the city got the preliminary go-ahead from the McCook City Council Monday night, but was asked to come back to the council in two weeks with more definite plans for dealing with security and curfew issues...

Tony Rouse, left, and Ron Maris load the "Titanic 2" onto the trailer after cleaning moss and debris from the water intake of one of Barnett Park's fountains on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. Rouse rebuilt the old pontoon boat's deck with a trap door and hoist to service the fountains, which have proven to be a popular attraction at the park. ...

The Sonflowerz, a British-American sister act from Colorado, is coming to McCook Nov. 21, appearing in concert at McCook Christian Church, 507 W. B Street, at 7 p.m. When asked about the upcoming event, Becca Leander said, "We are excited to come back to McCook! We're encouraging all moms and daughters to join us on Saturday before the concert. ...

One McCook City Councilman wondered whether a whole hour is needed on New Year's Eve for city residents to shoot off fireworks. The McCook City Council approved on final reading at its regular meeting Monday a city ordinance that clarified that fireworks are allowed in the city until 5 p.m. on July 5...

My parents weren't perfect. Though that's not earth shattering news, when I first realized it, I had to work through it. Up to a certain age, most children believe that their parents can do no wrong. Even in the face of evidence to the contrary. I well remember coming to my parents' defense, when some well-meaning neighbor called social services to report that something seemed amiss in our family. ...