Stories from Thursday, June 7, 2012

Another legend in pop culture history has left us with the June 2 passing of Richard Dawson. The comedian, actor and -- perhaps most famously -- game show host and panelist was 79. Born Colin Lionel Emm, Dawson had his breakthrough on American television in the 1960s, playing Corporal Peter Newkirk on CBS' popular sitcom "Hogan's Heroes." When that show ended in 1971, he transitioned to a spot in the regular ensemble on the NBC sketch comedy series "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" for two seasons...

John Richard DePron ST. FRANCIS, Kansas -- John Richard DePron, 87, of Bird City, Kansas, died Tuesday (June 5, 2012) at the Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis, Kansas. He was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Glendo, Wyoming. He was a farmer and a public school custodian,...

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 Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity met Monday, June 4. The "Brush with Kindness" painting project continues on Saturday, June 16 beginning at 8 a.m. at the 500 block of West SecondStreet. Painting is also scheduled for Saturday, June 23 (if necessary). If you are interested in volunteering for this project, please contact Tammie Hilker at 345-4240 or 345-3717...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Christian Women's Club will meet on June 15 at First Congregetional Church, 212 E Street. An elevator will be provided. The speaker is Rita Weber from St. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rita competed as a semifinalist in the 2010 Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking. She now has a smaller business called Blind Trust, Inc. She is an author, a song writer and has been blind since her mid-twenties...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Calen Weidner, 18, of rural Culbertson, has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award. Weidner was presented the award during a Court of Honor ceremony by his brother Jarod Weidner, 23, who is also an Eagle Scout. Both young men are members of the First Congregational Church, Troop 147 in McCook, Nebraska...

Remember "summer complaint?' Probably not. That's because the disease, usually diarrhea in infants, went away once we discovered it was caused by bacterial contamination of food associated with poor hygiene and refrigeration in the warm months. Part of the recent "pink slime" controversy involved the use of a small amount of ammonia to disinfect that unfortunately nick-named product, officially called "lean, finely textured beef."...

It is difficult wanting to write about astronomical events, but having to write this column before the events occur. Take for example last Monday's early- morning partial lunar eclipse. True, it was only a partial eclipse, and from my location only a very small portion of the eclipse was seen before the moon sat in the west...

Whew! About time! I think my girls have finally lost their southern accent. I was sure hoping it would happen eventually, but after living here 2˝ years now, I was starting to wonder. However, last week my 9-year-old was playing her video game and yelled out a sentence that sounded so northern that I cheered with relief. She said the word "about" and "five" like she was a Fargo native. She asked why I was smiling and clapping and then I explained my feelings...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- No hay tareas. No hay pruebas. No hay estrés. Chilean native Patty Keene of McCook, Nebraska, makes these promises -- no homework ... no tests ... no stress -- when she invites those who want to learn Spanish to her second annual summer session Spanish classes at the historic Carnegie Library in downtown McCook...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- During the McCook City Council meeting, Monday evening at council chambers, Utility Director Jesse Dutcher presented information pertaining to the most water and sewer accessible areas for new development in McCook. Dutcher identified nine potential subdivision areas, located within city limits or the two mile extra-territorial zone, that he believed represented the most accessible new sites...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- Firefighters from the City of McCook, Nebraska, and the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department were busy through the early morning hours today. McCook firefighters responded to several 911 calls to find the garage at 1102 W. Fourth fully engulfed and the roof caving in within minutes of receiving the first call at 1:28 a.m. and arriving on the scene at 1:32 a.m...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on June 6 funding for 52 distance learning and telemedicine projects that will enhance education opportunities and increase access to health care in rural counties in 29 states. The projects total $14 million, and include two in Southwest and south central Nebraska and one centered in northeast Colorado...