Stories from Friday, September 7, 2012

Irene Hopkins Sept. 23, 1922- Aug. 12, 2012 LOVELAND, Colorado -- Irene Hopkins died Aug. 13 2012, at the McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colorado. She was born Sept. 23, 1922, on the family farm, north of Beardsley, Kansas, to Roy and Sophie Kletchka McKain...

Richard Thomas May 23, 1929 - Sept. 5, 2012 PENSACOLA, Florida -- Capt. Richard (Dick) Terry Thomas, U.S. Navy retired, died Sept. 5, 2012, in Pensacola, Florida. He was born May 23, 1929, in Chamberlain, South Dakota, and graduated from Custer High School in Custer, South Dakota, in 1947. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1951...

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 -- Members of the McCook Community College Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) chapter competed in the national leadership conference this summer and won 10 trophies, including a first place award in desktop publishing. The team of Trisha Rickel and Kasha Messersmith won first place in desktop publishing earning national recognition. (Rickel claimed a second place award at the 2011 national conference in desktop publishing.)...

Gull, Currie Moriah Faith Gull and Tyler Ryan Currie, both of Kearney, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Randy and Bess Gull of McCook, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Marc and BamBe Currie of Kearney...

Family Features To help families transform ordinary meals into fresher versions that the whole family will feel good about eating, Ziploc Brand has partnered with best-selling author and TV personality Rachael Ray to bring healthier food choices to tables with the Great American FreshOver Project, a fresh food makeover made easy...

85th birthday The family of Darlene Ochsner of Benkelman, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday. She was born Sept. 14, 1927, in St. Francis, Kansas. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 907 Arapahoe Street, Benkelman, NE 69021...

Christian Matthew Conour Christopher and Cristina Conour of Sterling, Colorado, announce the birth of their son, Christian Matthew Conour, who was born July 6, 2012, in Sterling. He weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches long. He has two sisters, Ashlyn Thompson, 5-years-old and Caylee Conour, 2-years-old. ...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Nebraska -- Kathrine Ann Voss, formerly of Trenton, Nebraska, and Nathan Scott Graves of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, were united in marriage March 3, 2012, at at St. James Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ralph Morris officiating. Parents of the bride are Greg and Zandra Wagner of Trenton. Grandparents are Richard and Jane Voss of Stratton, Nebraska. Grandparents are Richard and Jane Voss of Stratton, Nebraska and Virgil and Carol Wagner of Alamosa, Colorado,...

Volleyball is such a game of momentum. Teams can literally get on a roll and lose that momentum to the opposition on one swing, one hit, one serve, one play. McCook had "Ol' Mo" on its side in the Thursday, Sept. 6 battle with Holdrege at the Senior High gym. But the Dusters grabbed momentum late in the third set and kept it en route to a 3-1 win over the Bison...

50th anniversary The family of Dennis and Loni Johnson of Minden, Nebraska, are hosting a reception in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Sept. 15, 1962, in McCook, Nebraska. The reception is Saturday, Sept. 15, from 4-6 p.m. at the Windmill Reception Hall, 521 N. Colorado in Minden. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 627 N. Minden Avenue, Minden, NE 68959...

Lane Preston Tyan Christopher and Samantha Tyan of North Platte, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Lane Preston Tyan, who was born June 29, 2012. He weighed 9 pounds, 12.6 ounces and measured 22 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Richard and Shelly Bollman of Paxton, Nebraska, Gloria Tyan of North Platte and Destry Tyan of Hershey, Nebraska. Great-grandparents are Keith and Joan Calvin of Culbertson, Nebraska, Steve Mattox of Callaway, Nebraska and Stella Mattox of North Platte...

60th anniversary The family of Ray and Barb Durner of Indianola, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary Sept. 14. Their family includes Vicky and Jim Philips, Vonnie and Don Moore, Larry and Angie Durner, Judy and Dave Pederson, 13 grandchildren and 13-great-grandchildren. Cards of congraluations will reach them at 619 Third Street, Indianola, NE 69304...

Arensdorf, Hansen Nicola Kay Arensdorf and Derrick Dean Hansen, both of Curtis, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Pam and Gary Arensdorf of Wellfleet, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Bill Hansen of Maywood and the late Deb Hansen...

Gohl, Anderson Megan June Gohl and Eric John Louis Anderson, both of Kearney, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are DeWayne and Terri Gohl of Kearney. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Marty Anderson and Bev Anderson, both of McCook, Nebraska...

Epstein, Uerling Hayley Sue Epstein of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, originally from Omaha, Nebraska and Brian Clifford Uerling of Portsmouth, originally from McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to- be are Nancy Epstein and Eddie Epstein, both of Omaha...

Dear Friend, INTRO Recently, a friend asked me, "Where do get all this stuff for your articles?" I replied, "It's in the Bible!" In II Timothy 2:15, we are admonished to, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth." We, as a nation, place so much value on education, that now we have pre-school and then kindergarten, elementary, Jr. ...

When I was a young college student I had the opportunity to go with a friend to a "revival" in the town of Hollywood, Georgia. That's right, there is such a place: Hollywood, Georgia. "On a clear night you can see all the stars," the locals say (Go ahead and groan). In reality, Hollywood is more of a county crossroads than a mecca for the rich and famous. It has a diner, a church, and not much else...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Each day seems to bring another challenge and another blessing to Rob and Susan Shaffer, founders of Epic Life Church in McCook. Challenge and blessing combined is the church's move from Heritage Senior Center to 301 W. Third, where parishioners meet at 11 a.m., and 6 p.m., each Sunday, followed by the youth group, "Off the Wall Youth" which meets immediately after that service...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Rev. Andrew Heaslip was attending Mass as a first grader at St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, when the presiding priest, Msgr. Witt (who eventually served the Indianola parish at St. Catherine's Catholic Church) asked the youngsters if any of them felt that they had a vocation for the priesthood...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Rev. Byron August is an ordained itinerant minister and author who will speak Sunday, Sept. 16, at the 10:30 a.m., service at McCook Harvest Church, 207 E. Sixth St. Combining biblical principles with practical experience, Rev. August has strengthened and encouraged congregations to take their place in supporting and honoring their pastors...

My folks raised me to always have empathy for those who had less then I did and they put their words into actions. Every Sunday was canning day and the women in my home would spend much of the day in the kitchen canning peaches, strawberries, beans and spinach. When they were finished, we would all get in the car and deliver them to people who had less than us...

Masonry workers descend upon the McCook Municipal Facility construction site, Thursday morning, as what will be the fire department driveway begins to take shape. According to City Councilman Mike Gonzales contractors anticipated 48-55 workers active at the location today, which is on track to be completed by the end of the year...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced today that it will host an appreciation reception for retiring U.S. Senator Ben Nelson who was born and raised in McCook. "For 20 years Ben Nelson has represented and led our state as Governor and Senator. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony for Hillcrest Nursing Home, 309 West 7th on Thursday, Sept.13 at 3 p.m. This is an opportunity to stop in to see the beautifully remodeled facility and welcome the new administrator, Colinda Nappa...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Gov. Dave Heineman is directing that flags at all state buildings and facilities be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, Sept. 11 in observance of Patriot Day. The remembrance honors the victims lost in the 2001 terrorist strikes in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania...

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska -- Thirteen-year-old Lindi Johnson of McCook won her second "Galaxy of Stars" Nebraska State Fair talent search contest Sunday in Grand Island. Lindi, the daughter of Kim and Rick Johnson and an eighth grader at McCook Junior High, won first place in the "Shooting Stars" 13-18-year-old age division, singing renditions of Miranda Lambert's "White Lier" and the Leonard Cohan/Jeff Buckley song "The Hallelujah Song," during live, on-stage semi-finals and finals competitions Saturday and Sunday.. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- the McCook School Board of Education will be asked to approve the 2012-13 budget and the tax request for the upcoming year, at it's regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the junior high conference room. Because of higher property tax valuations, the proposed tax levy for the McCook Schools budget has decreased by two cents compared to last year, confirmed Rick Haney, McCook Public School business manager...

Army specialist Bill Warwick reflects on his war experience

Now we can focus on our memories of a young girl who loved to sing and dance and run around in her pj's.

Patricia A. Schwab Sept. 8, 1940 - Sept. 7, 2012 NORTON, Kansas -- Patricia A. Schwab, 71, died Friday (Sept. 7, 2012), at Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas. She was born Sept. 8, 1940, in Decatur County, Kansas to Leonard and Lela Frickey Huff. She was raised on a farm near Lyle, Kansas...

September 7, 2012 Dear Fellow Nebraskans: Visiting a college campus is an important step for Nebraska high school students in their pursuit of education after high school. EducationQuest Foundation has developed a program called "Go.Visit.College!" This campaign encourages Nebraska's high schools and colleges to work together to coordinate group and individual campus visits...

Norman George Wendelin OBERLIN, Kansas -- Norman George Wendelin, 62, died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. Services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home.

Work - Not just a four letter word Last weekend we celebrated Labor Day. It is a secular holiday, observed by our nation. But I hope that it gave all Christians time and the reason to think about human effort and work in God's plan of salvation. When Adam and Eve were put in the Garden, they were given instructions. ...