Stories from Monday, December 3, 2012

With only four weeks before the end of the year, the fiscal cliff remains the top priority in Washington. At the stroke of midnight on December 31, all Americans will pay the price if the President and Congressional leaders cannot reach an agreement...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- While some of us still haven't quite gotten around to getting up the Christmas trees, others, like George and Judy Wortley of McCook, are way ahead of the curve, with seven of them. "I love kids, I guess I'm a kid at heart, Judy said. "I loved decorating when the kids were little and I remember thinking, as soon as I can decorate for myself, I can really go at it."...

Richard J. Cummins July 16, 1943 - Nov. 30, 2012 INDIANOLA, Nebraska -- Richard J. Cummins passed away on Nov. 30, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Richard was born on July 16, 1943, to Virgil and Maybelle (Molvig) Cummins in Kimball, South Dakota...

Lyle E. Hackney April 9, 1952 - Dec. 1, 2012 HERNDON, Kansas -- Lyle E. Hackney, 60, of Herndon, died Saturday (Dec. 1, 2012), at Herndon. He was born April 9, 1952, in Atwood, Kansas, to Kermit and Betty (Lorimer) Hackney. He was raised on a farm south of Herndon. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1970. He served in the U.S. Navy...

Frank W. Bryant NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Frank William Bryant, 54, of North Platte, passed away Nov. 27, 2012, after a short battle with brain cancer. He was born in Camden, New Jersey, lived there for many years, moving to Florida, then Colorado. He then moved to Nebraska...

James Daniel Owens 1945-2012 LONGMONT, Colorado --James Daniel (Jim) Owens, only son of Daniel E. and Estelle M. Owens, died Nov. 28, 2012, in Longmont United Hospital, Longmont, Colorado. Jim attended school in Benkelman, Nebraska and graduated in 1963. ...

The Christmas in Culbertson celebration, at the Hitchcock County Fairgrounds and sponsored by the Culbertson Community Improvement Program, featured horse-drawn wagon rides by John Miller and his Belgian horses, vendors and crafts, food, contests for Christmas wreaths and Leggo creations and even a visit from Santa. ...

Dorothy Henton and Janet Fletcher, Lois Tiller and Doris Ruppert, board members of the High Plains Historical Society, decorate Saturday for visits from Santa Claus at the Museum of the High Plains at 413 Norris Avenue in downtown McCook, Nebraska, Thursday, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. each evening. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras and videos to capture those special moments between their children and the jolly old elf...

TRENTON, Nebraska -- Step into "Island Thyme." The aroma is intoxicating ... the ambiance is warm ... relaxing. In downtown Trenton, Nebraska, in an historic building whose early owners also ministered to the health and well-being of their customers, Sandy and Robert Scott have opened "Island Thyme Massage," in an effort to, as Sandy says, "offer a year-round menu of seasonally-inspired therapies that bring renewal and relaxation."...

One problem with building something new is deciding what to do with the old. McCook Community College will turn the old gym, True Hall, into a "physical resources facility," for housing buses and other equipment, now that the college has a modern Events Center...

The Central Starz perform during Sunday's Christmas Concert by the McCook Area Community Chorus, traditionally one of the first events of the holiday season. Memorial United Methodist Church was packed for the event, which also included six Christmas songs and four selections from Handel's Messiah by the 19-member McCook Chamber Strings. A YouTube video of the performance is available at http://youtu.be/GqPnHGIZqqY...

Caden Rowe, son of Kyle and Sara Rowe of McCook, dresses like Santa for a visit at Santa's Wonderland at West H and 12th. Hosted by Dennis and Cathy Shannon (Mr. and Mrs. Claus) for a free-will donation, Santa's Wonderlan opened Saturday and will welcome childten Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. The Shannon's will also host a "Pet Night" Thursday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with all donations forwarded to the McCook Humane Society. (Courtesy photo)...

Isaiah Joseph Casillas June 9, 2006 - Dec. 2, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Isaiah Joseph Casillas, age 6, of McCook, lost his battle with brain cancer on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in McCook. Isaiah was born June 9, 2006 in North Platte, Nebraska. He was one of four siblings...