Stories from Friday, February 4, 2011

February 3, 2011 -- Today, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson introduced a sense of the Senate resolution calling on Congress to take a step toward reducing the national debt by using funds saved from a recently announced earmark moratorium to cut federal spending...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Comfort foods are perennial favorites of cooks for numerous reasons. One possibility: approachability and familiarity. The added bonus--these now fashionable dishes typically rely on low-cost ingredients and require little preparation...

Kari Lynn Riepl and Adam Duane Clausen, both of McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Jim and Kathy Riepl of Atwood, Kansas. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Duane and Debbie Clausen of Alliance, Nebraska...

The family of John Bauer Jr. of Culbertson, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday, Feb. 8. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 37524 U.S. Highway 34, Culbertson, NE 69024.

The family of L. Eileen Messersmith of Cambridge is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday, Feb. 5. She was born Feb. 5,1921, near Orafino, Nebraska. Family includes her son, Steve Messersmith and wife, Renea of Hastings, Nebraska; daughter, Janice and husband Gary, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the late Mary Jo Dutton. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 208 Nakoma Street, Apt. 10, Cambridge, NE 69022...

The family of Vonnie Tiller of McCook, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday, Feb. 11. Family includes her husband, Bob Tiller; four children; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Outdoor Resort Indio, 80394 Avenue 48, Lot 85, Indio, CA 92201...

The family of George Tiller of McCook, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday, Feb. 14. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 705 West L Street, McCook, NE 69001.

Chris and Nichole Hoffman of Lawrence, Kansas announce the birth of a daughter, Nora Denise Renne Hoffman. She was born Oct. 26, 2010, in Lawrence, weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long. Grandparents are Bruce and Debbie Hoffman of McCook, Nebraska, and Don and Shelley Gotchall of Great Bend, Kansas...

Darren and Tana Dale of Bird City, Kansas announce the birth of a daughter, Taya Jae Dale. She was born Dec. 17, 2010, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. She has a brother, Taos Carter, 5. Grandparents are Royce and Jan Rambat of Bird City and Agnes Dale of Durango, Colorado...

The family of Virgil and Eunice Guthrie are honoring the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Feb. 12,1961, at St. John Lutheran Church, Ash Creek Community, Rural McCook, Nebraska. Their family includes children, Bruce Guthrie and wife, Jennifer of Denver, Colorado, and Ann Teel and husband, Rick of Indianola, Nebraska; and three grandchildren...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Tiffany Dawn Jacob and Owen Patrick Karre, both of McCook, were united in marriage on Oct. 2, 2010, at First Congregational Church in McCook with the Rev. Steve Bales officiating. Parents of the couple are Mark Jacob of Florida, and Michelle and Kurt Proud, Janet Karre and Richard Karre, all of Nebraska...

Oct. 17, 1918--Feb. 2, 2011 BELLEVIEW, Missouri -- George Dike, 92, died Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2011). He was born and raised in McCook, Nebraska. He worked for the water department until his retirement in 1980. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Eliza Dike; first wife, Ruth; daughter, Diane; brothers, Lloyd, Ralph and Wayne; and his sister, Roberta...

The rule of law, yes, but in a note closer to home, how many laws do we really need? As one online reader observed about the Nebraska Legislature, "17 legislative days and introduced 698 bills! My god folks, get a grip!! That's 41 ... bills introduced every day! And you wonder why people are saying we are being OVER REGULATED!"...

It's easy to criticize our system of government, but the current crisis in Egypt should help bring some perspective. The country has been under "Emergency Law" since 1967, and Hosni Mubarak has been in power since Anwar El-Sadat was assassinated in 1981 after making peace with Israel...

EDITOR'S NOTE -- Ann Trail of the Adopt-a-Chaplain program recently received the following letter: Hello, my name is Chaplain (Capt.) Jared Vineyard and my assistant is Sgt. Shane Birdsong. We are the Religious Support Team for the Soldiers of 2-506 Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known by many as the "Band of Brothers Battalion" made famous by the HBO miniseries...

I am 50 years old and until I saw this ("Christensen introduces 'birther bill'" (http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1700284.html) today, have never been ashamed or embarrassed my Nebraska heritage. I am appalled at this lunacy. Frankly, I wouldn't be able to prove my or my parents citizenship based on your lunatic proposal...

This past week I was inducted into the McCook Rotary Club after a 16 year absence. I was a Rotarian while I worked in Arkansas before my move to McCook. The International Rotary Club was begun by Paul Harris in Chicago with three of his close friends in 1905. ...

A 60-year-old seaplane lifts off Thursday after making an emergency landing Sunday near Max with engine problems, which have since been repaired.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The city has been approached by an oil and gas firm interested in leasing airport and waste water treatment plant property for oil and gas exploration. State law requires that an auction of the lease proposals be scheduled and city staff is asking for authorization from council members during the semi-monthly meeting, Monday evening, at Memorial Auditorium...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Sheriff Gene Mahon will relay information he received from a representative of the Jail Standards Board at Monday's meeting of the Red Willow County Commissioners. Red Willow County has been using a McCook Police Department jail for short-term incarceration and paying other counties to hold local prisoners since the local jail was closed because of tighter jail standards about 30 years ago...

Sept. 11, 1970-Feb. 2, 2011 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Paul W. Miesner, 40, died Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2011), at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. He was born Sept. 11, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas, to James and Ruth (Spencer) Miesner. He was raised in Fort Worth and Amarillo, Texas, and Aurora, Colorado. His education was at Amarillo Elementary School in Amarillo and Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, which he graduated from in 1991...

Feb. 10, 1955-Feb. 4, 2011 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Lorri L. Wilson, 55, died Friday (Feb. 4, 2011) at her home in Oberlin, Kansas. She was born Feb. 10, 1955, in Fairbury, Nebraska to Everett and Nellie (Ross) Gerdes and was raised in Oberlin. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1973 and attended medical assistant schooling in Denver, Colorado...

Taylor and Jennifer Rogers of Gering, Nebraska announce the birth of a son, Holden Jonas Rogers. He was born Jan. 19, 2011 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces and measuring 21.25 inches long. He has a sister, Lily Harper, 4. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- If Nebraska State Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill gets his way, he will one day be able to slaughter his quarter horses, named Donovan, Peso and Hammer, in the State of Nebraska. Larson is sponsoring a bill that would create a state agency to inspect meat-processing facilities, in part so horse meat can be sold across state lines. The bill would appropriate $100,000 per year to pay for the agency...