Stories from Tuesday, April 16, 2013

80th Birthday The family of Charlie Duffield of McCook, Nebraska, is hosting an open house in honor of his 80th Birthday. He was born April 22, 1933. His family includes children, Milton and wife, Sandy of Bolivar, Missouri, Gregg and wife, Deb of Kearney, Nebraska and daughter, Janella of Akron, Iowa, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. ...

85th birthday The family of Wayne Higley is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday April 22, 2013. Cards of congratulations will reach him at Sun-Sands RV Park, 1960 E. 32nd Street #220, Yuma, AZ 85365

MCCOOK, Nebraska -- Jennifer Morgan, Mid-Plains Community Area Events Coordinator has received the "You Rock" rock for providing "exceptional internal customer service" according to the Mid-Plains Community College Internal Customer service team. Morgan joined MPCC in August 2012, with her new position, where she is responsible for helping coordinate events in North Platte and McCook...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Local law enforcement officers are investigating multiple break-ins at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds and elsewhere in McCook, including one B Street business from which a safe was stolen. If you have information, contact a local law enforcement agency or Crimestoppers at (308) 345-5440 or (866) 345-5440...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation plans its first-ever antiques and collectibles appraisal fund-raising events Friday, May 3, at the nursing home at the crest of the West Seventh Street hill and at the Museum of the High Plains in downtown McCook, Nebraska...

It's always been a small world, but an event like the Boston Marathon bombings draws us all closer in this time of social media and instantaneous, personal communication. So far, we've been grateful to hear that Boston marathon runners we know -- and there are a surprising number of them -- all came through the tragic event safely, but that doesn't make the three deaths and 145 injuries of the innocent onlookers any less shocking...

State lawmakers are facing a momentous decision this session. They must decide whether Nebraska will accept federal dollars to broaden Medicaid to cover at least 54,000 adults who are struggling to make ends meet on their low incomes. Nebraskans with earnings below 138 percent of poverty -- which amounts to about $15,000 a year for a single person or $21,000 for a couple -- would be eligible...

A recent article, "Prisoner Labor Bill Withdrawn ..." (3/7/13), quoted Sen. Mark Christensen making several points which I agree with and admire him for stating so clearly. The first was his statement that a person's work ethic is most important as a consideration in hiring and firing. When people are classified as "protected" in employment, that "protection" tends to negate the employer's ability to hire and fire on the basis of job performance...

Good job Mike. Yes that is Mike Hendricks, McCook Community College professor, who posts his weekly "Mike at Night" column in the Gazette. Mike was sharing the success of a couple of his MCC students that he helped inspire to reach life goals. He uplifted Grant Tietjen and Kayla Sanders both students from McCook that had enrolled in Professor Mike's Sociology classes. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is making plans for this year's Crazy Days retail promotion July 18 to 20 and Heritage Days Sept. 25 to 29. Crazy Days will include the costume contest on Thursday, and artist showcase on Friday, as well as the usual bargain shopping. Artists are encouraged to contact the chamber to schedule a venue to display their creations or demonstrate their craft...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- According to a Middle Republican Natural Resources District board member, James Uerling, ongoing water issues that have pitted both irrigators and legislators against each other are not the result of a drought as many have suggested. Uerling presented the McCook City Council with charts illustrating precipitation levels at area reservoirs from 1955 through 2008, which showed a minimal but steady increase in the amount of precipitation received...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A two-vehicle accident east of McCook, Nebraska, Friday evening sent both drivers to hospitals in McCook and Kearney, Nebraska. Keenan Jorschumb, 26, of Arapahoe, Nebraska, and Tasha L. Martin, 31, of Indianola, Nebraska, were transported from the accident scene about four miles east of McCook on Highway 6 and 34 to Community Hospital of McCook. Martin was transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital of Kearney...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Travelers along East H Street will find themselves required to use alternate routes over the next several months as part of the street improvement project scheduled to begin Tuesday. The project will consist of three phases and is anticipated to be completed by late fall...

Saturday of Easter weekend dawned calm and beautiful, as evidenced by this photo taken by Roxy Lang of Wilsonville. Roxy used these settings: f/5.6; 1/4000; iso100; 24 mm. The McCook Daily Gazette would love to showcase your weather photos. Readers can contribute to our daily weather page, subject to space and color availability, by emailing photos to editor2@ocsmccook.com or bringing them into the Gazette offices at West First and E Streets. ...

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- McCook Community College's Phi Beta Lambda chapter recently competed in the state leadership conference in Kearney, April 5-6, 2013 Students from 13 local Phi Beta Lambda chapters across the state competed in the event and MCC's Epsilon Alpha Pi Chapter, came away with three first place winners and three second place winners. Students placing first or second in this event now qualify for the national competition this summer...

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Breanna Eubanks and Kadee Long have been selected to represent Cambridge at the 2013 Cornhusker Girls State, which will be on the University-Lincoln City Campus on June 2-8. Brianna Nawara has been selected as an alternate. The girls are sponsored by the Cambridge Legion Auxiliary Unit 199 and the Alpha Omicron Chapter ofEpsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Benevolent and Protective Orders of Elks McCook Lodge No. 1434, has announced the winners of the $500 scholarships for 2012-13. Cole Allyson Cole, a senior at Hitchcock County High School in Trenton, is planning to attend Wayne State College...