Stories from Monday, September 17, 2012

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 -- Tehama Western Shrine Club met Sept. 9, 2012, at the Masonic Temple for a 6:30 p.m. covered dish dinner. President Bruce Swanson greeted the 22 Nobles, Ladies and Guests. Noble Lester Webb gave the invocation, followed by the flag salute and Pledge of Allegiance. Noble Larry Swanson and Lady Donna served a lasagna dinner. Tables were decorated by Lady Donna Swanson in a musical instrument theme...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Everything from oak bookcases and cabinets, to TV's and VCR's, to theater seats and hospital beds will be up for sale at the North Platte Community College Surplus Auction 2012 beginning at 9:30 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the college's South Campus...

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Thirteen members were in attendance when the Culbertson Women's Club held their first meeting for the season at the Bear Cave at 9 a.m. The group was pleased to welcome Deborah Walters as a new member. Vice president, Rosemary Corey opened the meeting by leading the group in the flag salute and the Club Collect...

Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette Royal Neighbors Chapter 862 made their annual teddy bear donation, Friday, Sept. 14, to Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA volunteers will use the bears to help in child advocacy scenarios, including court appearances and interviews. From left, Royal Neighbors member Debra Petsch, Royal Neighbors president Marilyn Milbauer, Royal Neighbors secretary/treasurer Janice Peters, and CASA program director Cathy McDowell...

MCCOOK/IMPERIAL, Nebraska -- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department is celebrating National Preparedness Month through new partnerships. SWNPHDrecently donated 20 fans to Hi Line Home Health and Community Hospital Home Health & Hospice for use in extreme heat. ...

Bob and Debbie Schmick congratulate St. Patrick School principal Becky Redl, second from right, and the Rev. Gary Brethour of St. Patrick Catholic Church as they present a check for $1,000 to the school. Cash register receipts totaling $150,000 were returned to Schmick's Market by parishioners and family members of St. Pat students, earning extra cash for the school...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The annual Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast, in conjunction with Heritage Days, is Friday, Sept. 28, 7 a.m., at the Heritage Senior Center. The Rev. Bruce Lester, senior pastor at McCook Evangelical Free Church, is the keynote speaker...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Arby's Restaurant is donating a portion of the proceeds from meals sold Tuesday, 5-8 p.m., to the Alzheimer's Memory Walk, set for Oct. 6.

OMAHA, Nebraska -- The Amtrak Police Department is investigating a missing passenger who disappeared somewhere between Denver, Colorado, and Chicago, Illinois, over the weekend. The man, 69-year-old Charlie Dowd of San Mateo, California, was aboard an Amtrak train bound for Montreal that made several overnight stops along the way, including McCook, Holdrege, Hastings, Lincoln and Omaha...

A lovely Saturday in September provided the perfect venue for Oberlin's Mini Sappa Days festival. A 1930 and 1935 CASE L tractor (combined some years ago) caught the eyes of the owner, Phil Wurm of Oberlin, top left and right, Eldon Huff of Oberlin, bottom left and Colin Crocker and Zoe Shields, the great-nephew and granddaugter of Lloyd and Clarice Shields of McCook, behind the controls. ...

Curtis, Nebraska, celebrates its "Country Paradise" status with its annual fall festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Leading the grand parade Saturday was Bill Bryant carrying the American flag, followed by the Medicine Valley Raiders Marching Band, drum majors and flag corps. ...

In September 1883, McCook had been a town for some 15 months. An article in the Tribune took note of the fact that businessmen of McCook were advancing the incorporation of their new little city. "The advantages of incorporation are many. The County Commissioners will be holding a meeting in Indianola on Oct. 6th, and a petition, asking for incorporation of the village of McCook will be presented at that time."...

September is National Preparedness Month.

It is a far too common occurrence that when our nation's service members come home from serving their country, they have trouble finding a job. Research has shown that America's veterans are struggling to find work, even more so than non-veteran job seekers...

HASTINGS, Neb. -- The McCook High School girls softball team came very close to pulling off a big upset at the Hastings Invitational Sept. 15. The Bison lost to Top 10-ranked Seward, 3-1, in opening-round action at the Bill Smith Complex in Hastings. McCook battled back to claim fifth place in the eight-team field with wins over Holdrege and Centennial...

GERING, Neb. -- The McCook Bison got very defensive at Gering Sept. 14. The Bison held Gering to 136 total yards of offense as McCook handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season in a 26-7 decision. Gering's offensive philosophy, according to McCook head coach Jeff Gross, is to run the football. The Bison basically shut down the Bulldogs rushing attack, as Gering managed just 58 yards on the ground...

McCook head volleyball coach Ashley Schutte would love to see her Bison develop a little bit of "killer instinct" to help her team close out games. The Bison finished fourth in the McCook Invitational Saturday, Sept. 15. The hosts had chances to win sets against Sidney and Alliance and squandered good leads in both matches...