Stories from Friday, March 18, 2011

Kaci Nickerson of Flandreau, South Dakota and Cory Gillen of White Lake, South Dakota, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Scott and Beth Nickerson of Cambridge, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Curt and Louise Gillen of White Lake...

Charles and Michelle Lofton of McCook, Nebraska announce the birth and adoption of twins, Lance Charles and Nathaniel James Lofton. They were born Jan. 19, 2011, at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, with Lance weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 17 inches long, and Nathaniel weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 18 inches long. ...

David and Tiffany Johnson of Lytle, Texas announce the birth of a son, Brayden David Johnson. He was born Feb. 26, 2011, in Lytle, weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 19.75 inches long. He has four siblings, Brooke, Isaac, Brandon, and Matthew. Grandparents are Jim and Derby Pruett of Lytle and Cliff and Janelle Johnson of Trenton, Nebraska...

The family of Dale McNutt of McCook, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday, March 30. Family includes daughters, Patty and husband, Harold Yost of Wilsonville, Nebraska, Jeanie and husband, Ken Miller of Longmont, Colorado, Ina and husband, Jerry Harris of Lincoln, Nebraska, Anita and husband Jim Lytle of McCook and Lori McNutt of Curtis, Nebraska; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. ...

The family of Joyce Neuenschwander of Culbertson, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday, March 29. Cards of congratulations will reach her at P.O. Box 434, Culbertson, NE 69024.

The family of Dorothy Jackson is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday, March 27. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 715 W Ash, Apt. 111, Oberlin, KS 67749.

Family Features Did you know that everyday baking is almost as popular as holiday baking? Wilton recently released the results of its bi-annual Celebration Report on How Americans Bake, Deco­rate and Celebrate. In it, 73 percent of the respondents said they bake for everyday enjoyment and treats, while 78 percent said they bake for holidays...

Sept. 1, 1952-March 5, 2011 HUTCHINSON, Kansas -- Donna Lorene (Fowler) Wingert, 58, died March 5, 2011, after a long illness. She was born Sept. 1, 1952, in McCook, Nebraska, to Lloyd and Lucille Fowler. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, Kansas, in 1970...

May 30, 1929-March 15, 2011 LEMOYNE, Nebraska -- Robert E. Thompson, 81, died Tuesday (March 15, 2011), at the Ogallala Hospital. He was born May 30, 1929, to Raymond and Wilma (Bannister) Thompson in Hayes Center, Nebraska. He grew up in Hayes Center, graduating from Hayes Center High School...

July 18, 1921-March 16, 2011 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Richard W. Snyder, 89, died Wednesday (March 16, 2011), at his home. He was born July 18, 1921, in Arapahoe to Hervey W. and Kathryn (Mayer) Snyder. He attended rural school in Gosper County, Nebraska and graduated from Arapahoe High School with the Class of 1939. He was employed at Williams Brothers in Arapahoe after graduation...

OK, we know most voted against guns in the schools, how do we feel about this stupid time change? It certainly doesn't save any electricity having to burn lights early in the morning. It also puts half-awake kids out on the streets and on the school bus in the dark. Only golfers have any advantage of extra play after work. Farmers work day light till dark or later. Lets have a "vote" on this...

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan a week ago today was horrendous and life-changing. The final death toll is still unknown but certainly tens of thousands and perhaps even hundreds of thousands of people succumbed to the twists and fates that Mother Nature unleashed on them. In this modern age of technology, I'm certain that all of you saw the videos of what happened there and that it could happen anywhere at anytime when tectonic plates shift...

Exercise with me, or I'll make you wish you had! Not many workout partners can say that as effectively as man's best friend. A new study from Michigan State University is confirming what most dog owners already know -- walking your dog is one of the best forms of exercise, uh, going...

George Huff displays the 19 1/2 pound channel catfish he caught off the shoreline at Hugh Butler Lake on Monday, using shad entrals as bait. The fish made Master Angler status by 7 1/2 pounds.

WASHINGTON -- Hundreds of surveyors from all around the United States will join NOAA's National Geodetic Survey on Saturday, March 19, at exactly 1 p.m. EDT, in the first-ever Surveying USA Day, a kick-off event commemorating Surveyor's Week coordinated by the National Society of Professional Surveyors...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The levels of the other two chemicals, tetrachloroethylene -- PCE -- and chloroform, that were discovered during a December 2010 soil and vapor sampling of the trichloroethylene -- TCE -- contaminated area neighboring the former TRW Facility in McCook, are also too low to cause a health risk for residents in the area. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a contract between the city and Lloyd Benjamin, that will detail terms of the Fox Theatre reconstruction and upgrading project, during their semi-monthly meeting, Monday, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The snow has melted, the weather is warming and even the birds seem to be signaling that spring is here to stay. If this isn't enough to get you outside after a long, snowy winter, here is an added incentive: Nebraska Game and Parks has been stocking catchable sized rainbow trout in many Nebraska locations this month and has some additional locations coming up...

Dear Fellow Nebraskans: In March, we are recognizing Nebraska's agriculture industry for its contributions to our state. Nebraska is a strong agricultural state and one of the key reasons Nebraska's economy is stronger than most states. Recently I traveled to Gering, Ogallala and Hastings with several farm leaders to highlight the importance of agriculture...

The Rev. Jon Albrecht looked out on a sea of 94 faces, all remarkably similar to the visage he painted of the Apostle Peter, Friday afternoon during the second 2011 Community Lenten service at First Congregational Church. Albrecht, pastor of McCook Harvest Church, believes that all who follow Jesus Christ can relate to Peter's experience on the night of Christ's betrayal...