Stories from Wednesday, March 7, 2012

When the movie "A Perfect Storm" came on television a few years ago, the rolling waves, the pounding rain and the sheer guts and determination of the fishing crew immediately swept me into the story. As the drama continued, as the waves grew and the wind speed increased, I watched for the sure-to-come rescue. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- When a bat swooped across the stage at the Fox Theatre Tuesday night, a legend was born which may propel the historic theatre to national iconic status. The long-limbed, brown-tinged flying mammal made its appearance midway through the concert which featured two talented singers, instrumentalists and songwriters, Susan Werner and Trina Hamlin...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Even with the McCook Police Department rounding up individuals involved in local burglaries on a regular basis, reports of local businesses being broken into continue to come in. This week the McCook Police Department is investigating burglary reports from three businesses again located on North U.S. Highway 83...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A rugged end to the season doesn't diminish the accomplishments for the 2011-12 Hitchcock County High School girls basketball team. The Falcons finished fourth at the 2012 Class D-1 state tournament in Lincoln and ended the season with a 24-3 record...

The McCook Community College men's baseball team probably felt like they were caught in a huge snowball rolling downhill Sunday, March 4. The MCC squad dropped a 4-1 decision to Otero (Colo.) Junior College in the first game of a double-header at the Jaycees Sports Complex. Otero opened the second game with nine runs in the top of the first and rolled to a 16-3, five-inning decision to sweep the twin-bill...

The fruit of author Dave Almany's labor over the past year is finally resting in his garage in St. Louis. In just a few days, McCook and area football fans will get to see first-hand the product of Almany's work. Almany spent many hours last fall working on his book, "Prairie Blitz: High School Football on America's 50-Yard Line." The book chronicles three high school football programs from small towns located on U.S. ...

HAYES CENTER, Neb. -- Hayes Center High School head boys basketball coach Louis Cuellar has a simple game plan for his Cardinals in their first-round state tournament game with Giltner Thursday morning. "Score more points than they do. That's all we've got to do," Coach Cuellar said. "It doesn't matter if it's one or by 20, as long as we can outscore them, that's all we've got to do."...

McCOOK, Nebraksa -- Using hand tools and a vintage sewing machine, 20-year-old Zac Curl of McCook is making sure if the shoe fits, you can wear it. For about 8 -10 hours a week, you can find Zac in the back room of his grandfather's barbershop, repairing shoes at the boot and shoe repair shop...

Water conference, national observance next week.