Stories from Tuesday, May 8, 2012

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Police activity Activity log...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The students of Christy Stevens performed their voice and piano recital May 6 at the Evangelical Free Church in McCook. Each student selected their recital song they wanted to present with the approval of their teacher. Much to Mrs. Stevens surprise, many of the students selected challenging songs above their level...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Mid-Plains Community College students in the two-year Associate Degree nursing program will have a pinning ceremony at noon on Friday, May 11, at the McDonald-Belton Theater on the South Campus of North Platte Community College...

80th birthday The family of Christel Lakatosh of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday. She was born May 8, 1932, in Seckenburg, Ostpreussen Germany. Her family includes Greg and Debbie Arp of McCook, David Lakatosh of Aurora, Colorado, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 509 Park Ave., McCook, NE 69001...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The May meeting of the Palisade United Methodist Women was on May 2, 2012, with eight members, President Marge Gates and the Rev. Bonnie McCord in attendance. President Marge Gates opened the meeting by reading "Mom's Empty Chair."...

Courtesy photo Participants in the 7th Annual Optimist Spring Slam Softball tournament in McCook over the weekend included the Lincoln Rockets of Lincoln, Nebraska. Head coach Mike Roth of Lincoln, formerly of McCook and 1987 McCook High School graduate, said the tournament was outstanding and expressed kudos for McCook and the softball program here. ...

Two four-year-olds -- Ashland Wilson of rural Bartley, Nebraska and R.C. Dogg, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office's tracking and drug dog -- make friends following a community meeting in Bartley Thursday evening. R.C. and her handler, Deputy Sgt. Joe Koetter, impressed passing walkers and a handful of kids playing in the city park with her fetching and sniffing skills and with her friendly, playful attitude...

LINCOLN, Nebraska --The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $79,791 HOME funding to Community Action Partnership of Mid-NE (Mid) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Kearney, to undertake a Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) Program...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A former city councilman is concerned that sales tax revenue funneled into the city's general fund is exceeding the amount allowed by state law and should require a tax credit or a reduction in the city's property tax levy to rectify...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ballots are coming in well on an informal referendum on the Red Willow County jail, but results can't be announced where originally planned. County Clerk Pauletta Gerver has informed organizers that because announcement of the results could be considered campaigning, and because campaigning can't be conducted within 200 feet of a polling place, the announcement can't be made at the courthouse...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- It took a welding class offered at the McCook Work Ethic Camp for a 22-year-old to start her life over. "Never in a million years did I think I would be where I'm at today," said Megan Kirkpatrick, who is originally of North Platte, Nebraska and now lives in McCook, where she works at Valmont Industries...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Heritage Hills Golf Course is rolling out the welcome mat Thursday, May 10, to invite community members to join them for a report on the course renovation project. "We are proud of what is being accomplished and are looking forward to completion of the community-wide fundraising campaign," said Cal Siegfried, who will act as master of ceremonies for the program...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Memorial United Methodist Church, Community Hospital and the McCook Ed Thomas YMCA are joining forces to support two causes Saturday, May 19. The hospital and YMCA are hosting a 5K and half marathon run/walk in support of the American Cancer Society, at East 11th and J, north of the hospital, with registration at 7 a.m., while the Methodists host a Change the World Walkathon in Norris Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in support of "No More Malaria."...

The paving crew from Stulich's Asphalt Sealing System, Ogallala, Nebraska, resurfaces portions of the Twin Rivers Walking Trail in Culbertson, Nebraska, Thursday afternoon. Alfredo "Fred" Rodriguez used a tamper to fine-tune the asphalt sidewalk into the gazebo, while Marvin Helms of Culbertson, a member of the walking trail committee of volunteers, slid fencing aside so that Billie Curran could maneuver his paver onto the trail entrance. ...

The unforgiving economic effects of bad public relations in the age of social media have cost 650 middle Americans their jobs and will increase the cost of this summer's beef barbecues for everyone. Meanwhile, a food far less appetizing than the lean, finely textured beef decried as "pink slime" is being touted as the food of the future...

Good news! Grannie heard from her warriors in Afghanistan and all is well. Actually she received a form letter thanking all who had sent boxes to the troops during the unit's tour of duty. They are rotating back to their regular duty station, from whence they came, in Germany...

I'm writing this letter to request correction in the article, Old Folks at http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/18434... Since South Korean government initiated a phonetic system for transcribing Korean into English in 2000, each local government has its own official English orthography. Therefore, Inchon needs to change into Incheon (www.incheon. go.kr) accordingly...

Twenty-four students from McCook Community College have been inducted into the Eta Omicrom Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. The induction ceremony was held last week in the Weeth Theater of Tipton Hall. Sara Willers, introduced the speakers. Paul Wood, McCook attorney, MCC graduate and lifetime Eta Omicron member, provided the keynote address, and Roland Anderjaska, of Hayes Center, also a lifetime Eta Omicron member addressed the inductees, friends and family. ...

The McCook, Nebraska, Education Association (MEA) honors teachers retiring at the end of the 2011-12 school year at its annual spring tea May 2. George Briggs, who was not available for the photograph, said it's time to retire when he can see the kids of the kids of the kids he's taught coming up through the ranks. ...

HASTINGS, Nebraska -- Central Community College-Hastings honored 401 graduating students May 5 during its 45th annual commencement ceremonies. Janice Hill, a human services instructor at CCC-Hastings, was the keynote speaker. Campus President Bill Hitesman presented the candidates for graduation to CCC President Dr. Greg Smith, who conferred the degrees and diplomas...

CHADRON, Nebraska -- Chadron State College conferred degrees to 318 graduates during ceremonies Saturday. The ceremony for graduates earning master's degrees was in Memorial Hall and the bachelor's degree ceremony was in the Armstrong Physical Education Building...

Graphic design students from McCook Community College display some of their course work projects this year which will be on display through Wednesday at the Wrightstone Fine Arts Gallery. The works include both first-year and graduating students and include all forms of media. ...

The McCook College Foundation has awarded $2,000 in scholarships to two McCook High School students who plan to attend McCook Community College this fall. Foundation Board Designated Scholarships are awarded to students planning to attend McCook Community College and are based mainly on financial need, and consideration of school and/or community activity, student motivation, and academic achievement...

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have selected the winners of the $500 Henry and Ida Krieger scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year. Winners are: Steven Fish is a student at Chase County High School and is the son of Mark and Kathy Christensen of Imperial...

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have selected the winners of the $500 nursing scholarship for the 2012-13 academic year. Winners are: Megan Wentz is a student at Decatur Community High School, and the daughter of Darren and Lois Wentz of Clayton, Kansas...

Ms. Lydia Hackert, the granddaughter of Patricia Hackert of Palisade and the late Donald Hackert, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa (Alpha Chapter of South Carolina) on April 21, 2012. Phi Beta Kappa is both the oldest and the most prestigious undergraduate honor society in the United States...

Following are the results of the Republican Plains Activity Conference 2011-12 Academic Teams. 2011-12 Top Individual ACT Scores Ben Fox (Dundy County Stratton Schools) and John Paul Lempke (Wallace Schools) Gold Medal Winners: Morgan E. Bell, daughter of Michael and Corinne Bell, Alma Schools...

McCook Community College students in Lorrie Mowry's Leadership Habits course recently designed a bulletin board in Walsh-Brady Hall to showcase some of the images they have studied and how those images can translate to leadership tools. These students are enrolled in the spring BSAD 2990 class, based on Dr. Tim Elmore's "Habitudes" series, which focuses on using images to teach leadership principles...

NORFOLK, Neb. -- The president of Wayne State College will be the keynote speaker at the 39th Annual Commencement Ceremony at Northeast Community College in Norfolk on Saturday, May 12. Frye will address the Class of 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Cox Activities Center...

Southwest High School Boys State representatives have been selected. Devin Sughroue is a junior at Southwest High School and is the son of Tom and Kim Sughroue of Indianola. His grandparents are Tom and Sharon Sughroue of Culbertson and Jan Terrbell of Indianola. ...

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Twin Valleys Public Power District, headquartered in Cambridge, Nebraska, honored three retirees with a luncheon for employees and retirees' family members and a reception with the public April 24. Retirees include: Phil Young, who has been with Twin Valleys PPD for 37 years and served as the area serviceman. Phil was responsible for many important tasks along with helping other crews when needed...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department is celebrating National Nurse's Week from May 6-12, and recognizing their outstanding Public Health Nurse Jamey Keen, LPN. "Jamey has excellent diagnostic skills, numerous healthcare experiences and a very caring attitude," complimented Myra Stoney, Director at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. ...