Stories from Friday, March 9, 2012

Just a few days after the McCook McDonald's was demolished I drove by the construction site and noticed the workers had already begun to frame the early stages of the new building's first wall. As I tried to imagine what the restaurant was going to look like once the project was completed I realized that it was unfortunately going to be a long while before I indulged in the double-cheeseburgers that I enjoyed so much...

Kisela, Cunningham Markay Kisela and Kirby Cunningham, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Jerry and Lona Kisela of Benkelman, Nebraska. Grandparents are Everette and Dorothy Stute of Parks, Nebraska and Victor Kisela of Stratton, Nebraska...

Brian LeRoy Burton Robin and Michelle Burton of Nebraska City announce the birth of their son, Brian LeRoy Burton, who was born Jan 1, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. He weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 inches long. He has one sister, Brinley Anne, 20 months. Grandparents are Jan Burton, of Curtis, Nebraska, Robert Burton of Nebraska City, Nebraska and Mike and DeAnne McGeorge, of Oakland, Nebraska. Great-grandparent is Delma Teel of McCook, Nebraska...

Maucher, Mraz Jacqueline Marcile Maucher and Ryan Wayne Mraz, both of Sutherland, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Gerry and Kimberly Maucher of Hayes Center, Nebraska. Grandparents are Esther Chermak of Beatrice, Nebraska and Donna Maucher of Imperial, Nebraska...

25th anniversary Rod and Brenda Sheets celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary March 7. Cards of congratulations will reach them at PO Box 235, Indianola, NE 69034

Marlee Fae Kramer Beau and Mandi Kramer of Wauneta, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Marlee Fae Kramer, who was born Feb. 1, 2012, at McCook Community Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 19 ½ inches long. Grandparents are Kevin and Denise Janicek and Bruce and Kathy Kramer, all of Wauneta. Great- grandmother is Joan Kitt of Wauneta...

Long, Johnson Jessica Long and Benjamin Johnson, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Jim and Annette Long of Wauneta, Nebraska. Grandmother is Violet Long of Wauneta. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Bub and Joan Johnson of Lincoln. Grandparents are Patty Johnson of Oakland, Nebraska and Leroy Herscheid of Beemer, Nebraska...

Vontz, Stritt Danielle Vontz and Kevin Stritt, both of McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Stacy Phillips of McCook and Randy Vontz of Indianola, Nebraska. Grandparents are Carol Phillips of Grand Island, Nebraska, the late Duane Phillips, Bill Vontz of Indianola and the late Nadina Vontz...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County Commissioners are scheduled for a presentation and discussion of their proposed county jail facility during the McCook Planning Commission's regularly scheduled meeting, Monday evening, 5:15 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County, Nebraska, commissioners Monday morning will adopt a resolution to select the "construction manager at risk" contract delivery process for construction of the county's new law enforcement center. The commissioners' weekly meeting begins at 9 a.m., in the commissioners' room on the third floor of the courthouse in McCook. The construction manager item comes up at 9:30 a.m...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook School Board of Education will be asked to approve teacher contracts, teacher resignations and price increases for school breakfast/lunch, at its regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the Junior High conference room. The board will be asked to approve the resignations of Dee Friehe, fifth grade teacher at Central Elementary and April Green, third grade teacher at McCook Elementary. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Starting their fifth decade in style, the Prairie Statesmen Chorus of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas is planning an exciting "Evening of Harmony" Friday, March 30 at McCook's historic Fox Theatre. The Prairie Statesmen will team with the 1733 Barbershop Chorus from Kearney to present the show, which will feature two top-notch quartets: "Voices Unlimited" from Kansas City, Lawrence and Omaha, and "Habitat 4 Harmony" from Kearney...

Each year in March, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our Nebraska farmers and ranchers, and we recognize our agricultural industry's contributions to our state. Nebraska's agricultural sector is the top segment of our state's economy and one of the key reasons our state is financially stronger at than most other states in the country...

The American Legion is certainly not the only veterans' organization around, but we wonder how many people realize everything the organization does for veterans and the communities in which they live. McCook Post 203 Commander Dan Stramel said the local post was once the largest in the state, with 500 or more members, but has since dwindled to 103...

Time magazine's cover story this week features the 10 ideas that are changing our lives. Somewhat surprisingly, the first thing mentioned is that living alone is the new norm. In 1950, only 4 million Americans lived alone and they made up only 9 percent of all households. And even then, it was usually a short-lived stage on the road to a more conventional domestic life...

No half-measures. Very little elbow room. An all or nothing at all proposition. These are just a sampling of the tough choices laid before those who would follow Christ, according to the Rev. Lance Clay, pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church. Speaking to an audience of 114, Clay threw out the half-truths about following Jesus and cautioned those in attendance that "accepting this fantastic gift of salvation ... ...

The most fulfilling aspect about representing the people of Nebraska's Third District is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my constituents. Through casework and timely constituent services, my staff in Nebraska and Washington assist individuals on a daily basis who are trying to maneuver through the federal bureaucracy...

The McCook Community College men's baseball team is going through some growing pains early this spring. The Indians have a young roster, with just five players returning from last season. But recent results have given head coach Jon Olsen hope that this year's edition can become a solid team when the postseason rolls around in early May...

Patty L. Brown May 5, 1925 - March 9, 2012 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Patty L. Brown, 86, died Friday (March 9, 2012), at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born May 5, 1925, to Jerome "Shorty" Mannings and Armenia "Babe" Hickman in Oberlin, Kansas...