Stories from Friday, July 6, 2012

Courtesy photo The Project Pals 4-H Club helped brighten the hallways of Hillcrest Nursing Home for the 4th of July. Each of the members painted and decorated old CD's and converted them into door hangers with a patriotic theme. Shown here is the Club's Service Learning Committee members Kylee Hauxwell, Haley Potthoff, and Brantleigh Morgan. They are joined by JoAnn Neel and Lexi Hauxwell...

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- Benjamin Klug was one of 256 medical students who received the doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in commencement ceremonies May 19, in Kansas City. Dr. Klug is the son of Rick and Pam Klug of McCook. A graduate of McCook High School in McCook, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at Hastings College, in Hastings, Nebraska...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity board met July 2. Opportunities to help with the "Brush with Kindness" painting project are still available. Anyone interested in volunteering for this project can contact Tammie Hilker at (308) 345-4240 or (308) 345-3717...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The 2012-13 McCook Varsity Cheerleaders have been hard at work all summer in preparation for the up coming school year. On June 18-21, the cheerleaders attended a summer camp at Nebraska Wesleyan University run by the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) in Lincoln, Nebraska...

80th birthday The family of Vernelle Schultz of Curtis, Nebraska, is hosting an open house in honor of her 80th birthday. She was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Moorefield, Nebraska. The open house is Saturday, July 28, 2012, 2-4 p.m. at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, 201 Garlic Avenue, Curtis, Nebraska. ...

90th birthday The family of Harvey Spickelmier of rural Hayes County is hosting an open house in honor of his 90th birthday. He was born July 16, 1922, in Hayes County. The open house is Saturday, July 14, at the Chief Motel Courtyard from 2 to 4 p.m. ...

Courtesy photos Willow Ridge recently hosted a Belmont Stakes party, with everyone getting into the spirit, like Virginia Henthorn, top left, who enjoyed a mint julep. Residents and their guests were encouraged to wear their most festive hats to resemble the Kentucky Derby attire, like Velda Hartman above, from left, who enjoyed the Homestretch Derby horse racing game with her daughters, Pat Stehno and Cheryl Moreland, as well as her great-granddaughter, Izabelle Stehno. ...

WEST FARGO, North Dakota -- A local agricultural equipment dealership,Curly Olney's Inc. in Imperial and McCook, Neb., joins the Titan Machinery Inc. network. Current Curly Olney's employees will continue to serve area farmers and ranchers under the new ownership...

McCook Postmaster Kelly Lacey presented Robert Logan a service award for his 26 years of service to the McCook Post Office. Bob retired from carrying mail for the Postal Service Friday, June 29, 2012. Bob began his postal career in 1986 as a Rural Carrier Associate. ...

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...

With the temperatures well over 100 degrees, people ask me, "Is it hot enough for you!?" Finding a different way to answer the question I say, "Well, if we are that close to a record, then why not break the record and be part of history?" Making history is sometimes overrated. ...

Dear Friend, INTRO Are we in the Tribulation or will the Tribulation be a LOT WORSE? If you want to find out, turn in your Bible and read Revelation ch's 6-19! The Tribulation is preset by God to encompass a period of seven years duration, in which He will pour out His WRATH on a wicked and unbelieving world. ...

"When I needed them most, they didn't respond. When I spoke, they didn't listen...The pain and hurt the church has caused is deep and lasting." Those words could fall from the lips of many a former church-goer. As one reared in the church, who worked vocationally within the church, left the church, and returned to the church, I understand that what Christians call "the Body of Christ" sometimes barely has a heartbeat for those who hurt the deepest...

The Christian rock band VOTA will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 27, at the Kiplinger Arena as part of the Red Willow County Fair "Where the Action is." Tickets are $10 and half of the pre-sale ticket sale proceeds will stay with the church that sells them. Tickets are available at the Fair Board office or at local churches...

New pastor of adult ministries at McCook Evangelical Free Church puts puzzles pieces and people together

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Planning Commission will coordinate a public hearing Monday evening to discuss a request to allow a truck and farm equipment repair facility on a lot located on the North side of Drive 716, to the west of U.S. Highway 83...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook School Board of Education will have a public hearing to review the board policy concerning student fees, at its regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the Junior High conference room. Student fees is an account at the McCook Public Schools that can be accessed by students and their families who qualify for free and reduced lunches, to help pay for school activities, such as for art club, band, or physical education...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Red Willow County Attorney will present an emergency resolution to the county commissioners Monday to borrow funding for Hillcrest Nursing Home. The county-owned nursing home ran into a cash flow problem after a billing clerk was fired in February, and Medicare and Medicaid claims were not filed, or were filed incorrectly, for three months...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- An Indianola woman that was arrested after a bag containing five different types of illegal drugs fell out of her vehicle during a 2010 traffic stop was sentenced to 12 months probation Monday in Red Willow County District Court...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A serial criminal involved in multiple local burglaries over the last several years was sentenced to prison time Monday in Red Willow County District Court. The offender, 21-year-old Prestin G. Remington of 607 East F Street in McCook, was ordered to serve 4-5 years with the Nebraska Department of Corrections after he refused to follow program guidelines at the Work Ethic Program in April. Remington was removed from the WEC four days into the 120 day program...

Workers tear down a brick garage on the block north of the Red Willow County Courthouse, which is being cleared to make way for a new Law Enforcement Center. Two apartment buildings and a house also have to be cleared from the lot.

A good friend of mine and I play golf most every weekday during the summer. We're friendly, cordial and supportive and neither one of us would ever think about cheating. We compliment each other on good shots and we never argue about a rule because we both know the rules. ...

When you head out on the road this summer, make sure you keep a sharp lookout -- for other cars, of course, but also for deer, turkeys, other animals, bicyclists and especially motorcyclists. AAA Nebraska notes that motorcycle fatalities are up 71 percent this year, and while that amounts to "only" 12 motorcycle deaths in Nebraska, that's on pace to be one of the worst years for bikers in history...

The state of our state's child welfare system is an important issue for many reasons. Anytime you are dealing with a situation where a child is removed from their family and home, it is a difficult situation. As a result, the child welfare system will not be a perfect system; however we are looking for ways to improve the lives of these children every day...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Because McCook has used more than 4 1/2 million gallons of water for five days in a row, city officials have issued a Water Warning, in compliance with municipal code. When a Water Warning is in place, outdoor water use, including lawn watering, will be allowed only after 6 p.m. and before 10 a.m. each day...