Stories from Friday, June 24, 2011

FAMILY FEATURES -- Whether it's a birthday, graduation, reunion or impromptu get-together, dressing up sweet scoops of ice cream makes a party easy, fun and creative. From edible ice cream cups to cones dipped in colorful sprinkles, the entertaining experts at Wilton have big ideas to get you started. One way to wow guests is by making your own, edible, individual ice cream cookie bowls and candy cups to hold those scrumptious scoops...

Heather A. Milius of Kearney, Nebraska, and James T. Hull of McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Ken Milius of Fairbury, Nebraska, and Jeanette Milius of Ashland, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Dan and JoAnn Hull of Salina, Kansas...

Madison Marie Scott and Patrick Pesha Nott, both of Denver, Colorado, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Kerry and JoHanna Scott of McCook, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Bill and Char Nott of Arapahoe, Nebraska...

Brittany Tollman of Bartley, Nebraska, and Dean Klotz of Manhattan, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Kelly and Chris Tollman of Bartley. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Jim and June Klotz of Manhattan...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Kari Lynn Riepl of Atwood, Kansas, and Adam Duane Clausen of Alliance, Nebraska, were united in marriage on May 28, 2011, at Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook with the Rev. Lance Clay officiating. Parents of the couple are Jim and Kathy Riepl of Atwood and Duane and Debbie Clausen of Alliance...

The family of Jerry Petersen of Cambridge, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of his 75th birthday, June 27. He was born in 1936, in Orafino, Nebraska. Family includes sons, Tim and wife, Anita Petersen of Cambridge and Joel Petersen of Oxford, Nebraska; and four grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 721 Pacific St., Cambridge, NE 69022...

Dennis and Jessica Ferguson of Hampton, Nebraska announce the birth of a daughter, Kenley Grace Ferguson. She was born April 17, 2011, at Memorial Hospital in Aurora, Nebraska, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 21 inches long. She has two brothers, Grant, 5, and Lofton, 3. Grandparents are Denny and Shirley Ferguson of Palisade, Nebraska, and Boyd and Karen Bland of Gove, Kansas. Great-grandmothers are Roberta Werkmeister of Palisade and Mary Ann Herl of Victoria, Kansas...

Brad and Brenda Whitten of Lincoln, Nebraska announce the birth of a daughter, Adelyn Paige Whitten. She was born May 5, 2011, at Bryan LGH West Hospital in Lincoln, weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. She has a sister, Callie, 5. Grandparents are Bill and Carol Bortner and Stan and Jeannine Whitten, all of McCook, Nebraska. Her great-grandfather is Gene Bortner of McCook. Her great-great-grandmother is Dorothy Bortner of McCook...

The family of Harold and Sunya Decker of McCook is hosting a reception in honor of the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. They were married June 24, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in McCook. The reception is Saturday, 2-4 p.m., at the Congregational Church in McCook...

The family of Bill and Bettye Stewart of McCook, Nebraska are celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary, June 27. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 610 E. Sixth, McCook, NE 69001.

The many personalities of Randy Singer emerge in his latest legal thriller "False Witness." According to his online biography, Singer believes that holding three or more jobs at the same time guarantees that even if two bosses show him the door on the same day, he'll still be able to avoid the unemployment lines...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two men were apprehended near a baseball field late Thursday after walking away from the McCook Work Ethic Camp, earlier that night. According to a press release from the WEC, one of the men, Nathaniel Kreikemeier, 20, was classified as an offender after being convicted in Phelps County on a felony charge of intent to deliver a controlled substance...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Attorney Frank Shoemaker of Holbrook submitted petition language earlier this month to the Nebraska Secretary of State's office that intends to legalize the use of marijuana. The object of the petition, according to its submitted language, is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to remove all laws regulating the private, noncommercial use of cannabis, also known as marijuana, and to regulate all commercial uses. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Mid-Plains Community College Board of Governors will consider approving a permanent utility easement at Kelley Park, during a regularly scheduled meeting, Wednesday, at McCook Community College. A work session is scheduled at 4:30 p.m., prior to the 6:30 p.m. meeting, at Weeth Theater...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Phase 2 of Community Hospital's building project continues with construction on the new surgery wing. This phase of construction will connect the new patient wing to the current hospital with 26,000 square feet of space housing a new surgery wing, pharmacy, dedicated outpatient area for patients receiving injections and infusions, a large community and staff meeting room for wellness programs and a beautiful healing garden...

There is no other occupation, save the military and then only in times of war, that comes closer to being a true brotherhood than police work. It's a family that is often closer and more tight-knit than your own. I learned this early and often during my service with the Tulsa police department. ...

More and more government workers are feeling effects of the recession that hit the rest of us in 2008. The latest are in New Jersey, where 750,000 government workers and retirees have had their benefits rolled back by the governor and Legislature. They will now have to contribute more to their health insurance and pension, forego cost-of-living increases in their pension checks and wait longer to retire...

A successful chapter of McCook Rebels girls softball will draw to a close on the home turf. The McCook Rebels 18-Under team will compete with five other teams for top honors in the annual McCook Rebels State Prep ASA girls fast-pitch tournament at the Jaycees Sports Complex. The tournament is scheduled Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26...