Stories from Thursday, April 22, 2010

Have you checked out your Nebraska Choice Gas selection packet yet? You'd better hurry; you only have one more week to do so. If you're like most of us, you don't give much thought to the process, perhaps even failing to make a selection and letting others make the choice for you...

OBERLIN, Kansas -- Phyllis Beneda and her husband, Val, did hear the sonic boom when the space shuttle passed over the Golden Plains Wednesday, but then, they had some inside information. Their son-in-law, Don Stratt is a NASA engineer working in Florida, who called them in their Oberlin home...

The Nebraska Choice Gas selection period is set for April 16 through April 29 this year. This is an opportunity for residents of McCook to choose their natural gas supplier for the year. McCook is a member of ACE, the Public Alliance for Community Energy. Formed in 1998 by Nebraska communities, ACE is the only not-for-profit, community-owned supplier in the program...

Five months ago a friend moved to McCook from the Twin Cities of Minnesota, which I call home. Inquisitive by nature, I used the Internet to learn more about McCook and was so impressed that I resolved to visit my friend here on my homeward journey from a winter in California...

Uh, oh, bad mistake at City Council Monday evening. When a Council appoints a commission, as in the Airport Advisory Board, it is a good idea for the Council to accept their informed decisions. This is two decisions in a row; the renaming of the airport and now countermanding the selection of the airline that the Council has overruled the majority opinion of their appointed authority. ...

The skies, they are a-changin' or so might a song title go. That is part of the enjoyment of stargazing, the scenery is always changing. Looking west this evening Orion, Taurus, and Auriga, who have been ruling the winter skies, are sinking toward the horizon. Looking south Cancer, Leo, and Virgo, the champions of spring, hold the middle ground across the sky...

NORFOLK, Nebraska -- McCook's Fox Theater has been named as one of seven theaters throughout the state chosen to premiere a new film featuring the 1942 Nebraska Scrap Metal Drive. The film, titled "Scrappers: How the Heartland Won World War ll," features the 1942 Nebraska Scrap Metal Drive that supported the World War 11 war effort. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Paring down costs and using property taxes to pay for bonding were some of options the McCook City Council decided upon, during discussions over new city complexes for the fire station, police department and administration offices...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Rental fees and damage deposits will be going up at the city auditorium, as the McCook City Council approved on second reading a revised ordinance that increases the rates. Before its second-round approval, the council heard from a McCook citizen who protested the new rates...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A proclamation designating April 30 as Arbor Day in the city was approved by the McCook City Council Monday night. A ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Friday, April 30, at the west shelter house in Barnett Park. Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872 with Julius Sterling Morton, who advocated the use of trees in the landscape. Other states followed suit and now all 50 states proclaiming their own Arbor Day...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Although there will be a change in the make-up of the Board of Directors of the McCook Chamber of Commerce beginning in July, it certainly will not be strangers who will be taking the reins. As is done annually, some members are "retiring" from the board and replacements have stepped up to volunteer their service...

Dec. 31, 1915 - April 21, 2010 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Frances Marie Unger died Wednesday (April 21, 2010) at Immanuel Fontanelle Home in Omaha. She was 94 years old. Frances was born in Marshfield, Missouri, and soon moved to a farm north of McCook. She grew up on that farm and attended Quick rural school and McCook High School where she graduated in 1934...

May 6, 1941 - April 21, 2010 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Aaron Lee Johnson died Wednesday (April 21, 2010) at his home in McCook. He was 68 years old. Aaron was born in Trenton to Earl William and Eva Augustina (Wright) Johnson. He graduated from McCook High School in 1959...

Jan. 6, 1930 - April 20, 2010 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Lois Arlene Lakey died Tuesday (April 20, 2010) at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, at the age of 80. Lois was bom at her home in Holyoke, Colorado, to Vernon and Leona (Daniels) Smith on Jan. 6, 1930. Lois had five brothers, Stanton, Sidney, Wendell, Jerry and Robert and three sisters, Elizabeth, Nancy and Patricia...

April 7, 1934 - Dec. 1, 2009 PUEBLO, Colorado -- Edward Leroy Quaduor, 75, died Dec. 1, 2009, in Pueblo, Colorado. Memorial services are Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m., at Lebanon Church in Lebanon.

March 25, 1950 - April 19, 2010 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Allen Thomas Dold, age 60, died Monday (April 19, 2010) at McCook Community Hospital. He was born in McCook to Manford H. and Irene E. (Timbrel) Dold on March 25, 1950. He graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1969. He attended the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture in Curtis and earned an Associate in mechanics...

The family of Elaine Keene is requesting a card shower in honor of her 88th birthday. She was born April 22, 1922, at McCook. Her family includes Dian (Keene) Trail and husband, Chuck of McCook; Steve Keene and wife, Patty of McCook; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 111 West G, McCook, NE 69001...

Athletes, coaches and fans at the Hayes Center Invitational track and field meet Wednesday, April 21, at McCook High School probably weren't sure how to act. After all, the usual blustery winds that seem to buffet the teams and fans at southwest Nebraska spring sports events weren't blowing, and temperatures were in the 60s with partly cloudy to sunny skies...

Stepping up to home plate and trying to put a narrow, cylindrically-shaped piece of wood on a speeding, spinning baseball is not an easy task. But McCook Community College shortstop Eric Montes has developed a simple philosophy for his turns at-bat:...