Stories from Thursday, November 29, 2012

From an early point in an American's education, you learn about Abraham Lincoln. You hear about his rural upbringing, how he was practically self-taught by firelight. You see images that burn in your memory: his gaunt, lanky figure, stove-pipe hat atop his unruly mop of hair. ...

Mark Allen Forbes Feb. 25, 1961 - Nov. 27, 2012 BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- Mark Allen Forbes, 51, of Beaver City, died Tuesday (Nov. 27, 2012), at his home in Beaver City after a short battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 25, 1961, at McCook, Nebraska, to Marquerite (Midge) Haller and Larry Forbes...

Helen P. Martin BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- Helen P. Martin, 89, of Beaver City, died Wednesday (Nov. 28, 2012), at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege, Nebraska. She is survived by three sons, Gary Martin and wife, Ellen of Kearney, Nebraska, Ronnie Martin and wife, Jennie of Terre Haute, Indiana and Tom and wife, Nancy of Lincoln, Nebraska...

Mabel Eleanor Axtell Jan. 7, 1915 - Nov. 27, 2012 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraaka -- Mabel Eleanor Axtell, 97, one of eight children, was born Jan. 7, 1915 at Belgrade, Nebraska, to John and Blanche (Ford) McClatchey and passed away Nov. 27, 2012, at Centennial Park Retirement Village...

Steve Melchert July 10, 1957 - Nov. 29, 2012 STRATTON, Nebraska -- Steve Melchert, 55, died today (Nov. 29, 2012), at his home in Stratton. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Lorra Ann (Warren) Richards Dec. 6, 1961 - Nov.26, 2012 HOLDREGE Nebaska -- Lorra Ann (Warren) Richards, 50, died Monday (Nov.26, 2012), at her home in Holdrege. She was born Dec. 6, 1961, in Denver, Colorado, to Claude W. and Irene (Greening) Warren. She attended school in Grand Island, Nebraska, and received her secondary education from McCook Community College and University of Nebraska-Kearney...

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 -- Several have been hired, but nurses are still needed at Hillcrest Nursing Home. Deb Stoney, director of nursing at Hillcrest, told the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting Tuesday that two full-time and two part-time nurses have been hired, who are taking classes at McCook Community College...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Hillcrest trustees indicated they had no problem recognizing employee loyalty, they just want to do it legally. Colinda Nappa, Hillcrest administrator, told the board Tuesday morning at the regular meeting that employees were customarily presented at the end of the year "length of service awards," that were given in cash and not taxed...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The designation of Hillcrest Nursing Home as a contracted nursing home for veterans is still in the process of being confirmed, which could take up to six months. As such, veterans cannot go to the facility for services until that process is completed, according to Tom Stritt, the Red Willow County Veterans Service Officer...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two Mid Plains campuses received checks from NPPD's Celebrity Golf Tournament and several staff members received recognition at Wednesday night's meeting of the board of governors. Larry Lindstrom from Nebraska Public Power District and Terry Schutte of Wells Fargo, a major sponsor of NPPD's golf tournament, presented checks for $7,750 to North Platte Community...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The annual McCook Area Community Choir concert at 4 p.m., Sunday, at Memorial United Methodist Church, is a beautiful way to begin the Christmas season. Amber and Barbara Leising will provide prelude music on piano and cello. In addition to some carols, both traditional and modern, Central Starz will sing and an 18-piece string ensemble will accompany the choir on four selections from Handel's Messiah...

A stairway, above, in the main lobby of the McCook Municipal Facility connects the upstairs fire department and ground level police department. City staff have until Dec. 3 to compile their final punch list of items at the new facility and are scheduled to be moved in by Dec. ...

Linda Thieben of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and Retro Planet owner Mike O'Dell visit during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the gift shop, Thursday morning. Retro Planet, located on Norris Avenue in McCook, specializes in an assortment of retro-style merchandise including digital turn tables, reproduction tricycles equipped with LED lights and nostalgic posters and metal signs...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Everybody loves a cheerful giver and PLF offers a great opportunity to be one! Purchase a Prairie Pak for a friend or neighbor, and/or for the your local food pantry and be a cheerful Christmas Elf for those you love and for those in need. ...

Housing prices are holding up well in McCook, thanks to a strong real estate market, but owning your own home is an affordable bargain in Nebraska compared to other states, according to online lender LendingTree. The business says Nebraska homeowners paid $711 a month for their mortgages on average over the past year. That's the lowest in the nation, rivaled only by Arkansas with an average of $715 a month, and $717 in Iowa...

It is that time of year again, when we begin to think about what we will be giving to whom for Christmas. If you have an astronomy-inclined person on your list, let me give you some suggestions. First, books are always good. Not every night is good for observing so a nice book to curl up with, or to use in planning an observing session will always come in handy. It is also nice to have a book to help find out what is visible currently...

What did parents do before Infinite Campus? This is one of the best inventions since ... you said it, "sliced bread." If you haven't heard of this yet, Infinite Campus is the online service provided by the schools for parents to track their kid's grades, lunch money, attendance, you name it. It's awesome ... but ... now that I have a smartphone, it's even better!...