Stories from Friday, February 7, 2014

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...

LARAMIE, Wyoming -- The University of Wyoming lists 31 students from Nebraska on the 2013 fall semester academic Dean's and Dean's Freshman Honor Rolls. The honor rolls consist of regularly enrolled undergraduates above freshman standing who earned a 3.4 or better grade point average, and freshmen who have earned a 3.25 or better grade point average...

McKenzi Sky Jacob Devin Jacob and Haley Durham of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, McKenzi Sky Jacob, who was born Dec. 28, 2013, at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 21 inches long. Grandparents are Beth and Chris Anderson of Lincoln, Nebraska, Brian Jacob of McCook, Nikki Secord of McCook and Steve Durham of Omaha, Nebraska. ...

Carfield, Holbrook Ashley Noel Carfield and Andrew Karl Holbrook of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride to be are David and Christine Carfield of McCook, Nebraska. Grandparents are Gene and Carol Liess and DeWayne and Jan Goodenburger of McCook...

60th anniversary The family of Ed and Betty Budke of McCook,Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. They were married Feb. 13, 1954, in San Diego, California. Their family includes children, Anna and Mike Hays, Judy Budke, Blaine and Ann Budke, all of McCook, Mark and Clifva Budke of Sante, California,and Chad and Toni Budke of Norfolk, Nebraska; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. ...

90th birthday The family of Esther Steinke of McCook, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday Feb. 16. Her family includes five children, nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 716 W. 14th Street, McCook, Nebraska, 69001...

The family of Clarence and Lois Helms of Arapahoe, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 70th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16. Their family includes sons, Lanny, Randy, Dick and Bruce and families of the Arapahoe/Holbrook area, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Cards will reach them at Good Samaritan Society, 601 Main St, Arapahoe, NE 68922...

60th anniversary The family of Robert and Jean Gardner of Beaver City, Nebraska, are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary Feb. 12. Their family includes Mike and wife, Nancy Gardner of Lincoln, Nebraska, Dan and wife, Deb Gardner of Dallas, Texas, Janet and husband, Leighton Schmidt of Beaver City, Peg and husband, Steve Rice of Wilsonville, Nebraska, Lisa and husband, Art Sandoval of Roswell, New Mexico; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. ...

Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogy Society McCOOK, Nebraska -- At times when I go back to my Ancestry.com family tree, I find new hints concerning my Irish roots that help answer old questions. Recently books entitled, "The Search for Missing Friends," Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot (an early Boston, MA newspaper) were linked by name to one of my relatives...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Nicole Elizabeth Felker and Jonathan Mitchell Olsen of McCook, Nebraska, were united in marriage Aug. 2, 2013, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Parents of the bride are Don and Lisa Felker of McCook. Grandparents are Betty Davidson of Indianola, Nebraska, the late Lee Davidson and Gene and Cleta Baumfalk of McCook...

Opponents of a bill to repeal most of Nebraska's motorcycle helmet law promised an 8-hour filibuster today in an effort to keep the law in place. Medical and traffic-safety officials support the helmet law, saying the state already doesn't have enough services for patients with brain injuries, and the problem would only get worse if the 24-year-old law were repealed...

For several years now, the Super Bowl has been the biggest party day in America and this year surpassed previous years. Look at the data: 8 million pounds of popcorn were consumed 28 million pounds of potato chips were eaten 53.5 million pounds of avocados were used to make guacamole salad...

I strongly suggest that the City Council consider someone local to hire as the new City Manager. His/her learning curve would not be as steep as the complete strangers that we usually hire. Then, too, we don't need another who is just fleshing out his resume' and will be moving on when a better-paying job opens up anywhere...

I couldn't help but notice the hub-bub over hunting big cats in Nebraska. It is a big season in the Blackhills every year, and I have even seen recipes printed in the Rapid City Journal. Do we normally eat carnivores? Some here questioned what Ernie Chambers could possibly know about mountain lions...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook office of the Federal Bureau of Reclamation recently hosted a tabletop exercise for response agencies. The exercise consisted of a terrorism related event at Swanson Lake which evolved into other such events in nature at Harry Strunk Lake and Medicine Creek Reservoir...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A man who feigned an offer for a hug, before surprising his duped neighbor by stabbing him multiple times, received prison time earlier this week in Red Willow County District Court. The attacker, 26-year-old Carlos M. Arteta-Sanchez, was sentenced to 3 to 5 years in state prison after being convicted of second-degree assault...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A representative of a medical staffing firm will meet with Red Willow County Commissioners concerning an alleged breach of contract with Hilldrest Nursing Home. Kent Bernbeck, NebraskaCare LLC, is on the agenda for 9:15 a.m. Monday in the commissioners' room in the courthouse...

Jody Kelly of Bartley, Nebraska, left, prepares her booth this morning as part of the 24th annual Home & Leisure Show at the MCC Events Center. Kelly is an independent senior consultant for Thirty-One, which specializes in organizational totes and bags, most of which can be personalized with names or phrases. ...

Members of the 2014 Color Day royal court at McCook, Nebraska, Senior High are, from left, attendants Cassa Broomfield and Jacob Vogel; queen and king Becca Sehnert and Clayton Skolout; and attendants, Brittany Unger and Wes Burkert. Crown bearers are Drew Ellis and Camryn Yilk...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A Center Pivot Irrigation Managment Short-Course, sponsored by UNL Extension, is set for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday February 12 at the Community Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in McCook, West 5th and O. Getting the most value from your irrigation water will be the focus of...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook police officers, assisted by Red Willow County Sheriff's deputies and Nebraska State Patrol officers, arrested two men last week for breaking into a south McCook residence and assaulting another man. The two suspects, armed with knives, reportedly broke into the home with the intent of assaulting their victim. ...

We had a hearing on two amendments this last week in the Judiciary Committee regarding school absenteeism and juvenile justice issues. We have literally come full circle on the school absenteeism issue and are making strides to improve, correct, and clarify juvenile justice issues related to last sessions LB561...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Board members will appoint a new board member, be asked to accept the resignations of two teachers and approve a contract for the new principal at the McCook Junior High, at the regular McCook School Board meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., at the junior high conference room...

I am hopeful our temperatures will rise just enough this weekend so that I might take Declan sledding at Kelley Park without freezing one of my favorite fingers or toes off. Declan is approaching the age I was at when the majority of my winters were spent primarily outside, building snow forts in the front yard or sledding down the hill at the end of the block...