Stories from Monday, January 14, 2013

Robert Barry 'Ben' Propp Nov. 8, 1939 - Jan.11, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Robert Barry "Ben" Propp, age 73, entered eternal rest on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at his home after a courageous three year battle with cancer. The son of Harry and Sylvia (Graybeal) Propp, was born Nov. 8, 1939, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His early years were spent in the Culbertson and Trenton area where he attended grade school. The family moved to McCook in 1954. He graduated from McCook High School in 1958...

Gordon L. Wilson Sept. 29, 1927 - Jan. 10, 2013 NORTON, Kansas -- Gordon Leonard Wilson, 85, died Friday (Jan. 10, 2013), at the Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas. He was born Sept. 29, 1927, to Earl and Mabel (McClellan) Wilsont at rural Oberlin, Kansas...

Wilford Eldon Martin Nov. 20, 1928 - Jan. 13, 2013 MCDONALD, Kansas -- Wilford Eldon Martin, 84, died Sunday (Jan. 13, 2013), at the Good Samaritan Society in St. Francis, Kansas. He was born Nov. 20, 1928, in Cheyenne County, Kansas. He was a city manager and a farmer...

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...

Dr. John L. ("Doc") Batty M.D. Commander, USNR (Ret.) Aug. 28, 1914 -- Jan. 11, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Dr. John Batty passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at McCook Community Hospital. He was 98 years old. Dr. Batty was born on Aug. 28, 1914, to Dr. Earl R. and Anna (Stewart) Batty in Alma, Nebraska, where his father was practicing dentistry...

Last year's attempt at a new five-year farm bill to replace the expiring policy was uprooted when the clock ran out. While I was pleased with the Senate-passed legislation, it never made its way to the President's desk. The result was a last-minute extension of the current policy enacted in 2008 for yet another year...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- After spending the first semester in McCook Community College's new event center, college officials have now unveiled another new tool in the battle for recruiting students -- a new streamlined athletic website. Classes began today on campus with the athletic website -- www.mccindians.com -- up and running. ...

After the American Civil War, the Texas cattle industry really began to take off. In Texas, cattle were selling for about $4 per head, but it didn't take long for the cattlemen to discover that they could get as much as $40 per head for those cattle in the eastern markets...

First, congratulations on a wonderful article about the Fox Theater and the wonderful renovation project. The people spearheading this are to be commended. I would like to take note of an organization that wasn't mentioned in the article and that is McCook Community College, and McCook Community College Theater in particular...

The McCook Public Schools recently conducted a drill covering the possibility of a school intruder and the most effective responses. Yes, a dangerous school intruder incident could occur here, and officials are wise to play through possible scenarios with students and staff. Fortunately, such incidents are rare...

Red Willow County, Nebraska, commissioners Vesta Dack and, from the right, Earl McNutt and Steve Downer tour the Red Willow County Detention Center 96-hour holding facility with Sheriff Gene Mahon, center, and jail supervisor Gerry Hunter this morning. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A stream of visitors toured the Fox Theatre Sunday afternoon to see the many changes which were accomplished during the $517,000, eight-month long renovation project. Charles Coleman, the chairman of the Fox Operations and Events Committee, estimated 300 people took advantage of the opportunity to tour the theater, thereby getting a close-up look at all areas at the theatre. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- State senators began introducing bills on Jan. 10, at the start of the 103rd legislative session. So far the bills touch on everything from firearm and tanning salon regulation to tax exemptions on Social Security and military retirement benefits...

DESHLER, Nebraska -- Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanized irrigation systems, is pleased to announce that Rick Hoffman and Sean Baker with Plains Equipment Group in McCook, Nebraska, recently attended the 3-day Reinke Advanced PLUS (Proven Leaders in Unmatched Service) Seminar. A total of 15 service technicians representing 10 Reinke dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada attended the December seminar held in Deshler, Neb...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy will be at the Ben Nelson Regional Airport at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, to deliver his State of the State Address.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The director of the Upper Republican Natural Resources District called the lawsuit filed by irrigation districts against a water augmentation project designed to help Nebraska comply with multi-state water contracts "a nuisance," during a meeting of the Nebraska Cooperative Republican Platte Enhancement Project Friday in McCook...