Stories from Friday, December 27, 2013

Blueberries are nature's perfect little superfood, and now these little blue powerhouses are available in grocery stores throughout the winter months. Fresh blueberries are natural cancer-fighters. In addition to a healthy dose of cancer-fighting antioxidants, fresh blueberries pack enough vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals to rank them high on the list of superfoods all by themselves. ...

William 'Leo' McKillip Jan. 26, 1929 -- Dec. 24, 2013 OMAHA, Nebraska -- William "Leo" McKillip, 84, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, in Omaha. A successful football coach in high school, college and professional ranks, Leo was named the Omaha World Herald College Coach of the year in 1987. He spent eight years as Dana College's head coach. He also served as Dana's athletic director...

Alice F. Bobbitt May 13, 1920 - Dec. 26, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Alice F. Bobbitt, 93, died Thursday (Dec. 26, 2013), at Oberlin. She was born May 13, 1920, in Decatur County, Kansas, to Phillip and Laura Mae (Gilbert) Hackney. She attended Decatur Community High School and Fort Hays State University, earning a bachelor's degree in education...

Edith Beulah Kersenbrock Rogers Aug. 3, 1921 - Dec. 24, 2013 ATWOOD, Kansas -- Edith Beulah Kersenbrock Rogers, 92, died Tuesday (Dec. 24, 2013), in Atwood. Services are Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 N. Fourth Street, in Atwood. Interment is at Fairview Cemetery in Atwood...

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...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Nearly 200 Nebraska schools are being recognized by Secretary of State John Gale for hosting Veterans Day events this year. "We want young people to be civic-minded and actively engaged in their communities," said Gale. "This is one way in which they can do that."...

50th anniversary The family of Warren and Ladonna Everts are hosting a reception in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. The reception is Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, from 1-4 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 312 Seminole Drive in McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 611 W. Fifth, McCook, NE 69001...

By Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogical Society McCOOK, Nebraska -- I resurrect the original "social network" every year by writing and sending out the infamous "Christmas Letter" complete with picture attachments! These go to everyone regardless of where they live since the point of getting in touch is to update even the townies on the family...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A McCook man who stole a Little Debbie snacks delivery truck in August, reportedly littering the roadway with goodies on his way home, was fined and ordered to serve probation recently in Red Willow County Court. The offender, 37-year-old Brad L. Ryser of 305 1/2 Norris Avenue was originally cited with unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle, theft by unlawful taking and criminal mischief stemming from the theft of the vehicle...

WAUNETA. Nebraska -- EMS personnel from Wauneta, Nebraska, have purchased emergency rescue throw bags for lakes at Enders and Trenton. The Wauneta Breeze reports that the weighted bags tied to ropes allow a bystander to help rescue someone who has fallen through the ice without needing to also get onto the ice. Each rope is 75 feet long...

A ring-necked duck spotted on ponds just south of Barnett Park is one of more than 100 species of birds identified by students in McCook Community College's bird watching class. The spring class Birds of Nebraska (BIOS 1060) will meet Fridays from noon-2 p.m. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Nebraska law requires any motorboat operator (including personal watercraft) born after Dec. 31, 1985, to complete a boating safety course and be in possession of a course certificate when operating the boat. Option B tests are being offered at McCook Community College Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in Room 201 of McMillen Hall on campus and will be instructed by Kellie Soden...

Sarah Dixon (left) and Madison Sutton, both of McCook, drop off a couple gift baskets of Christmas goodies they wrapped together with items to help the shelter, such as a leash, chew toys, cat treats, dog food and litter box deodorizer. Also included in the baskets were some sweet holiday treats for the animal shelter staff as a thank you for all of their hard work in 2013, the 30-year anniversary of the McCook Humane Society, which supports and serves McCook and the surrounding area. ...

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will get $7.5 million from the federal government to try to get underage kids to stop drinking. It will be targeted at 11 Nebraska counties that are considered higher-risk areas -- Adams, Boyd, Dawes, Dawson, Douglas, Hall, Lancaster, Madison, Platte, Scotts Bluff and Thurston counties...

BENTONVILLE, Arkansas -- Snow was predicted for McCook last Sunday night and I was so concerned that it might prevent Great Lakes Airline from landing Monday morning that I stayed up watching the weather radar. The first batch of moisture that came through went south and west of McCook and when it looked like only light precipitation was behind the main area of moisture, I went to bed. ...

OMAHA, Nebraska -- The man regarded as the greatest athlete in the history of McCook High School, William "Leo" McKillip, passed away on Christmas Eve -- December 24, 2013 -- ending a life that began Jan. 29, 1929, and lasted just one month and two days short of 85 years...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Because of all the haircuts and shampoos and blow-drying going on at the McCook Humane Society animal shelter these days, volunteers at McCook's animal shelter are calling the place "Lorie's Cut-n-Curl." Shelter director Lorie Prestes might even be forgiven if she answers the phone that way...

50th anniversary The family of Bill and Barb Broomfield would like your help in honoring this couple's 50th anniversary. The couple was united in marriage on Saturday, Jan, 4, 1964, in Cambridge, Nebraska. To this union four children were born (Jim, Mike, Steve and Geneva) and now six grandchildren (Cody, Brittany, Cassa, Avery, and Paige Broomfield and Corey Paz). Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 1007 West I Street, McCook, NE 69001...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The search is on for the first baby born in 2014 in the McCook Gazette trade area. The newest miss or mister will be the winner of the annual title and gift certificates from Gazette-area businesses. The search for the Gazette area's first baby of 2014 begins one second past midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Students, faculty and staff at North Platte Community College were offered an unusual form of stress relief during finals week this semester -- a visit with Nestle, a licensed professional therapy dog. Five-year-old Nestle, a yellow Labrador Retriever, was bred and trained by C.A.R.E.S. ...