Stories from Monday, November 5, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The 12th annual Haunted Bank Tour at McCook National Bank on Saturday, offered a spooky good time, with more than 600 people going through the Scary Tour, and more than 300 kids and parents going through the Not-So-Scary Tour. While several things about it have changed over the years, one thing has not, and that is the admission fee to get in to the tours. ...

Donald William Ringenberg March 3, 1929 - Nov. 2, 2012 ELWOOD, Nebraska -- Donald William Ringenberg, 83, of Elwood, died Friday (Nov. 2, 2012), at his home. He was born March 3, 1929, in Frontier County on the family farm south of Eustis, Nebraska, to Henry A. and Jessie (Umberger) Ringenberg...

Lois Ann (Boys) Hitt May 17, 1938 - Nov. 3, 2012 ALMA, Nebraska -- Lois Ann (Boys) Hitt, 74, died Saturday (Nov. 3, 2012), at the Harlan County Health Systems Hospital in Alma. She was born to Vaughn Boys and Emily (Stephens) Boys on May 17, 1938, at Wilmington, Delaware...

Donna D. Stout Jan. 9, 1927 - Oct. 29, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska - Donna Darlene Stout, 85, died Oct. 29, 2012, at McCook Community Hospital. She was born Jan. 9, 1927, to Joseph and Mabel (Fritzer) Stout, one of eight children. She attended Oxford Public Schools and lived in Oxford until she moved to Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook...

Sybil A. O'Toole Aug. 4, 1921 - Nov. 2, 2012 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Sybil A. O'Toole, 91, died Friday (Nov. 2, 2012), at Hiawatha, Kansas. She was born Aug. 4, 1921, in Norcatur, Kansas to Lester and Edna (Roberts) Foley. She was raised in rural Decatur County and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1939...

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 -- The City of McCook website was graded a "C-" last week by Sunshine Review, a nonprofit, pro-transparency organization, that handed down a "D+" grade for the State of Nebraska in late August. The city website, www. cityofmccook.com, was given high marks for containing elected officials and department heads contact information; archived meeting agendas, minutes, location and dates; building codes and permit applications; the most recent city budget; bids published online; and the city clerk acknowledging her role as the public information officer.. ...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- A farewell ceremony is being planned at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in honor of Dean Dr. Weldon Sleight and Associate Professor David Smith. Both men announced their retirement this year. The ceremony will take place 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in the auditorium of the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center on campus. Students, friends, colleagues, alumni and others are invited to attend...

Even if you're a political junkie, you're probably looking forward to the election being over Tuesday -- or Wednesday or even later, if a replay of the 2000 election is in the offing as some pundits predict. But if you're worried about what will keep you "entertained" once the election is over, you shouldn't be. As we move into the winter months, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the arts, and you can get personally involved with most of them...

As a director of the MRNRD, I felt it was necessary to take a moment to set the record straight on what really happened with the "Lincoln County Farms" purchase (N-CORPE). While this project is not a magic bullet that solves every issue of water policy that our basin faces, it is a giant step in the right direction in achieving long-term compliance with the compact...

Once again, it is time to celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Our Continental Congress established this branch of the military on Nov. 10, 1775. To recognize the 237 years of service by these proud "jarheads," we are planning an opportunity for Marines and friends to gather for some interaction on this historic date...

Sometimes legendary athletes are forever linked with their teammates, like Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle of the Yankees, or Tinker to Evers to Chance, the famous double play combo of the Chicago Cubs, but sometimes that association is defined by their adversaries---such as boxers, Mohammad Ali and Joe Frazier, golfers, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and basketball's, Larry Bird and "Magic" Johnson...

The McCook Community College women's volleyball team enjoyed a learning experience at the 2012 Region IX South Division Tournament. With the new MCC Events Center up and running, the Lady Indians were able to host a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region IX event for the first time in many years. The young McCook team even pulled off a big first-round upset, and the Lady Indians had another foe on the ropes before succumbing in elimination bracket action Friday, Nov. 2...

WAUNETA, Neb. -- Wauneta-Palisade football might just be the feel-good story of the 2012-13 Nebraska state high school sports campaign. But the Broncos have one more chapter to write. The rags-to-riches W-P team has gone from a long losing streak to an unbeaten season and a shot at a state championship. Wauneta-Palisade improved to 10-0 with a 51-16 romp over Elkhorn Valley in the state six-man football playoff semifinals Friday, Nov. 2, in Wauneta...

TRENTON, Nebraska -- Friends told Valerie Rogers she needed to market her homemade granola as a cereal. Another friend told her to sell it as a bar. So Val took her granola -- a harmony of all sorts of good-tasting and good-for-you ingredients -- and transformed it into three bars that she markets under the name "Prairie Harvest" granola bars...