Stories from Thursday, July 19, 2012

We've all gone through it at one time or another: there's a sensory experience we haven't had, but one we're anticipating -- a piece of music, a work of art, an elaborate meal -- and the praise for it has been so effusive, we can't avoid getting caught up in the clamor. And the longer we wait for it, the more its legend grows in our minds -- not just good, but truly great; not merely great, but extraordinary...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A group of more than 20 skateboard enthusiasts gathered at the Keystone Business Center, last Friday evening, to begin organizing efforts that they hope will eventually result in the construction of a McCook skate park. Among the group were members of the Sapphire Bike Club, which successfully coordinated a bike and skateboard show at Norris Park in May; local skateboarders of a broad range of ages; and a collection of supportive parents...

Leroy Hyke Dec. 13, 1934 - July 12, 2012 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Leroy Hyke, 77, died July 12, 2012, at Mary Lanning Hospital. He was born at home in Hendley, Nebraska on Dec. 13, 1934 to Gilbert "Bud" and Adith Mae (Dillin) Hyke. He attended school in Hendley...

Police activity Activity log These items are taken from reports filed by the McCook Police Department. The locations refer to block numbers, not specific addresses. If you have information about any of these reports, call the police department at (308) 345-3450...

McCook Daily Gazette About 30 college-age students from Bike and Build are biking from Providence, Rhode Island to San Francisco, California, to raise awareness and help build affordable housing across America. The cyclists made a stop Monday night in McCook at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and spoke at McCook Habitat for Humanity. ...

Courtesy photo A motorcycle rider, dinner and auction based in Wallace, Nebraska, wil go toward the medical expenses of Klae Bradley DaMoude, son of Beck and Brad DaMoude of Hershey and grandson of Heddy Reiners and Gerald Hein of McCook. Klae was born Feb. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Local businesses have come together in an effort coordinated by the Gazette advertising team to create a 4-player scorecard and course map for the Kelley Park Disc Golf Course. Disc golfers will be able to acquire a free copy of the tri-fold flyer, which includes each hole distance and par, from a box located on the backside of the course map at hole number one...

Editor: Brad Edgerton, manager of the Frenchman Cambridge Irrigation District, was required by law to sit for the deposition in the Kansas-versus-Nebraska case and to answer questions truthfully. So, I disagree with any attempt to label Edgerton a traitor and to make him a scapegoat for Nebraska's over-development of the Republican River water resource...

I often write about my middle daughter, the 10-year old, and what a tomboy she is so it shouldn't surprise me when she does certain things that one would assume are primarily of the male gender. But, for some reason, it always cracks me up when she varies from the "norm" and makes me think she's the son I never had...

I hope many of you had the opportunity to observe the conjunction of the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and the star Aldebaran last Sunday morning before sunrise. I have said many times, I am not a morning astronomer, unless there is something worth getting up for, and this was definitely worth getting up for...

A little forethought will prevent unnecessary suffering

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Speedway, located at Red Willow County Fairgrounds, will feature a youth bicycle race this Friday evening during the intermission of regularly scheduled racing events. Competing cyclists will race down the front stretch for their chance at one of four new bicycles that will be awarded to division winners...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Hillcrest Nursing Home Board of Trustees will review room rates and the June financial report, at its meeting Tuesday, July 24, 5 p.m. at the lower level conference room. In addition, the board will discuss the construction report, the open house for the new remodel and any other new business...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- No daytime watering restrictions are in place as of Thursday morning but usage remains high, according to McCook Utility Director Jesse Dutcher. Dutcher said that although the water system was holding up well and volume had not yet hit any of the triggers that require a watch or warning, "we would be very happy to see some rain."...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The 15-year-old McCook girl, Katie Brawdy, that was reported missing last week and then located at an abandoned farmhouse near Stratton, Nebraska, apparently ran away from home and remained with friends until located Saturday afternoon...

The public is invited to the Southwest Nebraska Rodeo Queen-Junior Queen Competition that begins on Saturday, July 21. The horsemanship competition begins at 4 p.m., in the Kiplinger Arena followed by a nonalcoholic Chamber Mixer sponsored by Cowboy Up Tack at 7 p.m., in the Community Building with a style show to follow...

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet will perform in concert Monday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m., in the Norris Park band shell, in the 700 block of Norris Avenue, in McCook, Nebraska. The concert is free of charge; the public is invited. The best-known name in gospel music, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet was formed in 1934 with brothers Roy, Doyle, James and Roy's, son R.W. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The KDS Professional Building at 802 West B Street in McCook is sporting an attractive new mansard roof façade thanks in part to a combination loan/grant from the new City of McCook Façade Renovation Grant/Loan program. Rex Nelson, Executive Director of McCook Economic Development Corporation who serves as administrator for the program said that this was a great inaugural project...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- As many as 25 trees will be removed from Memorial Park Cemetery in the coming weeks and the McCook Parks Department hopes to replant the same number in the near future. The replanting will open up opportunities for memorial dedications and nameplates on each of the new trees, a practice becoming increasingly popular in local parks over the last several years...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Imperial has become the 35th community to earn the designation of Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community. Becoming an Economic Development Certified Community has been a key goal for Imperial's development program, said Russ Pankonin, Community Redevelopment Chair and Economic Development Team Member...

Early morning shoppers check out the "Crazy Days" sale items along Norris Avenue Thursday, including sleepy-eyed Chayse Keith, 6-years-old, of Culbertson, Nebraska, looking at the colorful teapots at New Life Christian Book Store, while savvy shoppers browse the sales at Gary's Country Peddler and Brown's Shoe Fit Co. ...

Ruth Hanson ELWOOD, Nebraska -- Ruth Hanson, age 92, died Wednesday (July 18, 2012), at her home in Elwood. Viewing and visitation with family present will be Friday, July 20, 2012, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Elwood Funeral Home and prior to the service at the church...