Stories from Tuesday, October 11, 2011

McCOOK -- Kelsey Rose Schoup and Keith Daniel Messinger, both of McCook, were united in marriage Aug. 20, 2011, at the Peace Lutheran Church in McCook. Parents of the couple are Mike and Nadia Schoup and Kirk and Peggy Messinger, all of McCook. Grandparents of the bride are the late Kenneth and Betty Schmoker and the late Leon and Ruth Schoup. Grandparents of the bridegroom are Willard and Eva Messinger of McCook, Doris Ruppert of McCook and the late Don Ruppert...

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Heather Ann Milius of Fairbury, Nebraska and James Thomas Hull of Salina, Kansas were united in marriage July 23, 2011, at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, Nebraska with the Rev. Joe Hannappel officiating. The bride's parents are Ken Milius of Fairbury and Jeanette Milius of Ashland, Nebraska. The bride's grandmother is Betty Bulin of Alexandria, Nebraska...

Maggie McKay Carfield Zach and Mallory Carfield of McCook, Nebraska announce the birth of their daughter, Maggie McKay Carfield, who was born June 19, 2011 at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 6 pounds, 9.4 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches long. ...

Waechter, Schultz Brea Ranee Waechter and Brian Lee Schultz, both of Newton, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Leo Waechter, Jr. and Tresa Peterson-Johnson of Emporia, Kansas. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Jefferey and Diane Schultz of Hesston, Kansas...

25th anniversary Dennis and Peggy Kennedy will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary Oct. 22, 2011, with a dinner and a dance at the Hitchcock County Fairgrounds in Culbertson, from 5 - 10 p.m. All are invited.

50th anniversary The family of Darrell and Alice Wulf of Cambridge, Nebraska is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. The couple was married Oct. 8, 1961 in Cambridge. Their children include Darren Wulf of Cambridge, Doug and Kellie Wulf of Kearney, Nebraska and Delisa and Dave Novak, of Littleton, Colorado. They have six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 40762 Road 724, Cambridge, NE 69022...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety has awarded a $1,237.50 highway safety grant to the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office to purchase two mobile radar units. "They should be commended for taking advantage of this funding assistance to equip their patrol units with the tools necessary to assure safer streets for the residents and visitors to Red Willow County," Zwonechek said...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Tardies/truancies issues have have improved since the implementation of the new "attendance team" at McCook High School. During 'Positive Comments" at the regular McCook School Board meeting Monday night, Board President Tom Bredvick noted how attendance problems have decreased at the high school. He gave credit to members MHS Principal Jerry Smith, Resource Officer John Smith, Activities Director Darin Nichols and LIFT Program Administrator, Jeff Gross...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Infrastructure improvements at the district's schools are still moving forward, said McCook School District Business Manager Rick Haney, This includes the heating and air conditioning upgrades at the high school, Haney said Monday night at the regular McCook School Board meeting...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Children entering kindergarten next year will have to be a little older than before. The McCook School Board adopted a compulsory attendance policy Monday night at its regular meeting, that will require children to be five years old by July 31, instead of the current Oct. 15 deadline...

DAWN CRIBBS Associate Editor The board and staff of KNGN 1360 AM Kansas/Nebraska Good News Radio have a lot to celebrate going into the second fall Sharathon Oct. 14 and 15, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., each day. Station manager Adam Spanier writes in a letter to supporters, "After living in survival mode for decades, KNGN, by the amazing grace of our Lord, now emerges into a very different light."...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety has awarded a $1,237.50 highway safety grant to the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office to purchase two mobile radar units. "They should be commended for taking advantage of this funding assistance to equip their patrol units with the tools necessary to assure safer streets for the residents and visitors to Red Willow County," Zwonechek said...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook School Board unanimously approved a contract for a new speech language teacher. Board members approved the contract for Lydia Karnopp for the 2012-13 year, at their regular meeting Monday night. It has not yet been determined which school she will be teaching at, said Business Manager Rick Haney...

Mike Schoenemann of the McCook Fire Department demonstrates fire reaction steps to toddlers, Tuesday morning, at Big Bird & Friends Christian Preschool in McCook. Schoenemann's visit was part of Fire Prevention Week, an effort to put a focus on preventing home fires and educating citizens on what to do if a fire does break out...

Nebraska is ready to change its drunk driving laws once again come Jan. 1, tightening them up in some instances, while offering driving privileges to those who waive their rights to a preliminary hearing for DUI while agreeing to use an ignition interlock device...

With our country in the midst of an economic slump as serious and persistent as most Americans can remember, government's top priority should be increasing private-sector economic activity and opportunities for employment. In my view, local, state and federal government best support economic recovery when they allow businesses the freedom to organize their resources in ways that promote private capital investment -- which, in turn, leads to enhanced productivity and hiring of workers...

It is a nice town. It is the city in Southern California where our son has chosen to live and raise his three children. A few blocks from his beautiful home stands the Richard M. Nixon Library and a few blocks the other direction lie the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, the same that runs through McCook. ...

Roy Kaiser, left, Ben Lashley and other family members plan to run a pickup load of apples through a cider press after picking them up at the Klooz farm east of McCook. Lashley said he helped develop the Klooz farm for irrigation 40 years ago, and the apple trees Marvin Klooz planted are now mature, producing an overabundance of fruit. The windfall apples are free for the picking, potatoes, onions and other fruits and vegetables are also available for sale. (Bruce Crosby/McCook Daily Gazette)...