Stories from Monday, November 22, 2010

We can thank legendary Nebraska U.S. Senator George Norris that the lame duck session of Congress is only about a month long. Before Norris wrote the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, lame duck sessions lasted four months and those who lost would stay in office passing laws during the entire time...

Aug. 13, 1942--Nov. 18, 2010 CULBERTSOn, Nebraska -- Ronald C. Schafer, 68, passed away Thursday (Nov. 18, 2010), at Community Hospital in McCook. Ron was born Aug. 30, 1942, in Denver, Colorado to Carl and Helen (Wiederspan) Schafer. He grew up in the Culbertson community where he graduated from high school in 1961. He continued his education at McCook Junior College where he played football and later graduated with an associate's degree in ag business in 1963...

Sept. 2, 1916--Nov. 20, 2010 ELWOOD, Nebraska -- Fern B. Staedelin, 94, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Saturday (Nov. 20, 2010), at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington. She was born Sept. 2, 1916, on the family farm in Gosper County, Nebraska to Benjamin and Mamie (Houlden) Miles...

It may not seem like it when we go to the grocery store, but this week's Thanksgiving feast is going to be a bargain. According to the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the average cost of a turkey-day dinner in Nebraska will be $5.33 less than the national average of $43.47...

In July 1948, to mark the 25th Anniversary of the McCook Club, the men of Kiwanis hosted a grand party at the Gayway Ballroom, in North McCook. The McCook Club had grown from an original membership off 39 in 1923 to 89 members by this meeting, but the aims of the club, to benefit the community, and at the same time keep a heavy emphasis on fun, remained the same over that period of time...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A huge tent -- 60x75 feet, with side cathedral windows and heaters -- will protect the dead-of-winter ribbon-cutting celebration that will dedicate the new patient wing at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska. Jim Ulrich, president and CEO of Community Hospital, said the ribbon cutting will be Sunday, Jan. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The value of McCook area construction project costs was down by more than $131,000 in October, when compared to October of 2009, but the October year-to-date total costs were $18 million more than 2009 year-to-date. According to the City of McCook's monthly building report, which details the number of building permits sold; estimated costs of projects, including construction, renovation and repair projects; as well as resulting fee revenue received by the City...

A packed house welcomed Peter Buffett and Michael Kott to An Evening for Hospice Sunday night at the Republican River Valley Event Center. "If it's not a record crowd, it's close," said master of ceremonies Cal Siegfried before assuming his duties as ring man for the annual auction that raised approximately $28,000. ...