Stories from Monday, July 2, 2012

William L. Osborn Sept. 1, 1926 - June 26, 2012 The Best Husband, Dad, Granddad and Great-Granddad Ever BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- William ("Bill" or "Willie") Osborn, age 85, of Benkelman, Nebraska, passed away June 26, 2012 at the Dundy County Hospital...

Steve Jacobsen June 7, 1961 - July 1, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Steve Jacobsen, 51, of McCook, died Sunday (July 1, 2012) at Community Hospital of McCook. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook

Annabelle E. Ebert Nov. 7, 1929 - July 1, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Annabelle E. Ebert, age 82, of McCook, Nebraska passed away Sunday, July 1, 2012, at the McCook Community Hospital in McCook. Annabelle was born Nov. 7, 1929, in Lincoln County, Nebraska, to parents Ervin N. and Millie F. (Bussard) Bailey. She was one of 11 children. Annabelle grew up in Lincoln County...

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 -- Bettye Stewart of McCook is recovering from a broken hip at St. John's Nursing Home in Kearney. Cards of encouragement will reach her at 3410 Central Ave., 6 North, Kearney, NE 68847.

Congratulations to the Community Hospital administration, employees, medical staff, board and Health Foundation and generous donors for reaching another important milestone with the completion of Phase 2, celebrated Sunday with an open house and tours...

This past weekend, we were privileged to tour the magnificent newly renovated McCook Hospital and marveled at all the technological advances that the new hospital offers. Surely, this is a far cry from the valiant, though crude, attempts that were made by the early McCook doctors in bringing quality health care to people in our area. It seems like a good time to look back at some of McCook early hospitals, to see how far we've come since 1882...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Gov. Dave Heineman has declared a state of emergency due to current drought conditions throughout the state. Gov. Heineman authorized an emergency declaration for statewide drought that allows state personnel and resources to assist with emergency situations and prevention, and allows maximum flexibility to the state to deploy Nebraska National Guard and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency assets and resources as needed...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Cyclists participating in the 25th Journey of Hope arrived in McCook, Sunday afternoon, after completing a 92 mile stretch that begun in Wray, Colorado. A total of 30 cyclists kicked off this year's cross-country journey trek in June, at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Police Department is seeking information pertaining to a gas meter that was struck last Tuesday in the alley between West Fourth and Fifth Street. The damage occurred at approximately 10:35 a.m. and the gas meter was broken off under the shutoff valve, causing a large gas leak in the area. The vehicle involved fled the scene without reporting the incident...

There was no "river" for "River Rat Volleyball" during Holbrook, Nebraska's annual "Holbrook Days" Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Derek Walbridge, above, and Melissa Powers of a team from Kearney and Omaha braved hot sand and near 100-degree temperatures, and were among the 18-20 teams not discouraged by the lack of water in the Republican River...

Red Willow Western and Beaver Valley firefighters respond to a fire in rough canyon and pasture land along Red Willow County's "roller coaster road," Road 709, six miles south of McCook and a mile west of Highway 83, about 2:30 p.m., Friday. RWW veteran firefighter John Clesson manned a hose, while others, from left, Matt Thayer, Calvin Peck and Pat Cribbs, used what they had -- powdery ditch dirt -- until a Beaver Valley crew could arrive with a grass rig truck they could spare from their own fire, a rekindle of a Thursday evening fire caused by lightning east of Lebanon. ...

With the Fourth of July this week, many Americans are taking time to reflect on the principles and values that define our great nation. This year, I am particularly grateful for our freedom of expression, and the right to voice our individual beliefs...

Robert 'Bob' Lee Feeken April 25, 1926 - July 1, 2012 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Robert "Bob" Lee Feeken, age 86, of Cambridge, died at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Sunday, July 1, 2012. He was born in Crete, Nebraska, on April 25, 1926 to Otto "Pete" and Marie (Horstman) Feeken. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Sen. Ben Nelson admitted he has always been partial to McCook, his hometown, when it comes to healthcare. Nelson joined Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy in Sunday's ribbon cutting marking the grand opening of the hospital's Phase 2 construction project, including new surgery suites and other facilities...