Stories from Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Marilyn Milbauer, center, president of Royal Neighbors Chapter 862 of McCook, Nebraska, makes a presentation to Marisa Esch, McCook Senior High's delegate to Cornhusker Girls State, a citizenship training program that offers training in the processes of self-government and good citizenship practiced in democratic societies. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Sophomore pre-pharmacy major Max Owens, Oconto, received top honors Thursday at McCook Community College's Honor's Convocation, receiving the Presidential Award, given to a student excelling in academics, leadership and service to the community. In addition he was named top student in the Science and Math Division and was named top member of the group SMAC (Students Making Active Choices)...

PALISADE, Nebraska -- Theirs was a small school with limited course offerings and faculty, no band or lunch program, but the 15 seniors who graduated from Palisade, Nebraska, High School in 1950 turned out to be a pretty successful group. All six of the men served in the armed forces, two in Korea, one in Viet Nam. Two were pilots, one a career officer...

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Charles Sepers Jr. of McCook has been selected to present his research at the prestigious Posters on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 24. Students are selected for the Posters on the Hill event by the Council on Undergraduate Research. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook, Nebraska, Senior High's Student Council recognized MHS students for their accomplishments and honors at the StuCo's annual leadership banquet April 16. The guest speaker was the Rev. Bruce Lester, who explained the skills and attributes that students recognize and admire in leaders...

Gasoline prices have dropped 6 cents a gallon in the past week, are more than 20 cents lower than they were a month ago and nearly 31 cents cheaper than they were a year ago at this time. Still, you won't see much celebration at the gas pump as drivers fuel up for those long trips at an average of $3.66 per gallon in Nebraska. Coupled with climbing prices for everything else, from groceries to taxes and utilities, saving gasoline is a great way to stretch the summertime vacation budget...

Carol Ann (Wenger) Witt March 16, 1930 - April 30, 2012 GREAT BEND, Kansas -- Carol Ann (Wenger) Witt was born on March 16, 1930 in Oberlin, Kansas to Lewis and Elena (Carlson) Wenger. She passed away Monday, April 30, 2012, in Great Bend, Kansas, at the age of 82 years...

Courtesy photo The McCook Piecemakers Quilt Club will host a Guest Day Friday, May 4, 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 312 Seminole Drive. Guest speakers Diane Sorensen and Sue Boyer will discuss caring for family quilts in the home. A salad luncheon will be provided at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free, but bring your wallets for the "fat quarter" raffle and quilt bazaar...

OMAHA, Nebraska -- The Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society has selected Brandi Diederich of Oberlin, Kansas, for membership in the local chapter of University of Nebraska-Omaha. Students qualify on the basis of academic achievement. Prospective members must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours at an accredited college or university, while maintaining a 3.3p cumulative grade point average or a scholastic ranking within the top 15 percent of their class...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Department of Motor Vehicles today reminded Nebraskans that effective today, anyone needing a duplicate or replacement driver license or state-issued identification card will begin the application process with the DMV Driver Licensing Staff...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Community College will offer a unique opportunity for individuals to literally step back into Nebraska's legendary history this June with a "Tales of the Indian Raids" guided bus tour and a "Cowboy Philosophy 101" workshop...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Traffic congestion in front of the newly-constructed McDonald's restaurant on U.S. Highway 83 was at least partially to blame for a two-vehicle accident that ejected a 7-year-old passenger from a mini-van Thursday afternoon. According to the accident report, 29-year-old Rebecca L. ...

The Revs. Kevin Fink of Stratton, center, and Corey Jenkins of Culbertson, right, bestow a blessing on a motorcycle ridden by Sarah Jenkins, left, during the annual Blessing of the Bikes on Saturday at the New Life Christian Bookstore in downtown McCook. About 20 motorcyclists received the blessing before riding to Oberlin, Atwood, Trenton and back to McCook for hotdogs at noon...

Things one learns while mowing lawn. A former Red Willow County deputy stopped by to tell me that the old Brown McDonald store, presently in renovation, is going to be the new jail! "Yes and on Monday morning Paul Wood, Red Willow County attorney, will be at the Commissioners' meeting to protest. Not across the street from my office!" chortled the spreader of news. Loved it! Human nature in action...

Gasoline prices have dropped 6 cents a gallon in the past week, are more than 20 cents lower than they were a month ago and nearly 31 cents cheaper than they were a year ago at this time. Still, you won't see much celebration at the gas pump as drivers fuel up for those long trips at an average of $3.66 per gallon in Nebraska. Coupled with climbing prices for everything else, from groceries to taxes and utilities, saving gasoline is a great way to stretch the summertime vacation budget...

Emily Tolliver, a senior at McCook, Nebraska, High School and the daughter of Rick and Mary Tolliver, accepts the 2012-2013 P.E.O. STAR scholarship, an international scholarship of $2,500 based on excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics and potential for future success. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Past and future structures on the corner of Norris Avenue and F streets in McCook, Nebraska, will house about the same type of people. It's just that, in the future, they'll be behind bars. A Red Willow County sheriff's deputy told the 45-50 people gathered in McCook for a community meeting about financing the county's new jail that, as a McCook police officer, he responded to violent domestic disturbances and drug problems at the apartment house on the corner and also throughout the course of investigation of burglaries.. ...

John 'Jack' Shannon Nov. 8, 1912 - April 30, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- John "Jack" Shannon, 99, died Monday (April 30, 2012), at Hillcrest Nursing Home. Services are Friday, May 4, 2012, 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in McCook...

Raymond D. Rutherford March 27, 1934 - April 30, 2012 HAYES CENTER, Nebraska -- Raymond D. "Button" Rutherford, 78, died Monday (April 30, 2012), at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook...

Dottie Lotker OBERLIN, Kansas -- Dottie Lotker, 87, of Oberlin,Kansas, died Monday (April 30, 2012), at the Cedar Living Center. Services are pending at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Ruby Ham WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Ruby Ham, 89, died Saturday (April 28th, 2012), at the Tiffany Square Care Facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. Survivors include sons, Bill Ham and wife, Linda, of Bullhead City, Arizona, Bob Ham of Max, Nebraska, Kenny Ham and wife, Diana, of Wauneta; daughters, Susan Dunn and husband, Greg, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Sylvia Hanousek and husband, Roger, of Cairo, Nebraska; brother, Mearl Blosmo and wife, Lois, of Spearfish, South Dakota;12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. ...