Stories from Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Steven Charles Merklin Nov. 27, 1972 - April 12, 2014 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Steven Charles Merklin was born in St. Francis, Kansas, on Nov. 27, 1972, to Charles and Barbara Merklin. He passed away at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, on April 12, 2014...

Catherine Rose Stratman June 23, 1923 - April 14, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Catherine Rose Stratman, 90, formerly of Stratton, Nebraska, died Monday (April 14, 2014), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born on June 23, 1923, to parents, George and Johanna (Mader) Meng in Sioux County, Nebraska. On April 3, 1956, she was united in marriage to Walter John Stratman...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A Blue Hill High School student took home best of show honors Friday at the awards ceremony for McCook Community College's annual paint-in exhibition competition. Lindsey Hafer's life-sized three-dimensional piece called "What Could Have Been" received the show's top honor among almost 200 pieces. She said she was assisted by Kayla Buschow. Max-area photographer Bill Coe judged this year's competition...

TRENTON, Nebraska -- Hitchcock County, Nebraska, Sheriff D. Bryan Leggott reported this morning that the body of a young adult male found Saturday four miles southwest of Palisade, Nebraska, is that of Austin J. Wright, 18, Benkelman, reported missing by his family on March 9...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A 15-page "Acceptable Use" policy concerning iPads for next year high school students will be a work in progress. The policy, approved by the McCook School Board Monday night at the regular meeting, was compiled by McCook School District Information Technology personnel Joel Bedner and Scott Johnson, based on successful 1:1 initiatives at other school districts in Nebraska...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two McCook High School graduates have been hired to teach at McCook next year. The McCook School Board approved Monday night at the regular meeting teaching contracts for Jacob Curl as an industrial tech teacher and Joe Vetrovsky as a resource teacher...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Auditions for the Missoula Children's Theatre production of Pinocchio will be 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the McCook Elementary Commons Area. All those auditioning should arrive at 3:45 p.m. and plan to stay for the full two hours...

Power crews from Nebraska Public Power, McCook Public Power and Southwest Public Power districts combined Monday afternoon to demonstrate to Hitchcock County High School students the effect of errant electricity on human beings. Jeff Peterson of NPPD, McCook, told students that rubber tires and rubber-soled shoes provide no protection from electricity, lighting up a pair of running shoes with electricity from an overhead line on a specially-designed demonstration trailer...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The 14th annual Easter sunrise service at Hugh Butler Lake will be 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Lighthouse, north of the marina. Regular service times at the lake on Sundays will be 8:30 a.m. on the deck at the marina, said Mike Roth, pastor of Willow Creek Chapel which is conducts the services...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Students at McCook High School showed that they have school spirit in spades during a statewide video contest. The contest was sponsored by GPC-TV, Great Plains Communications' family of local TV channels, to support school athletic programs. Students from schools across the state entered YouTube video shorts created by high school sport teams that showcased their school spirit. The contest received nearly a dozen entries...

Lincoln, Nebraska, antiques appraiser Tom Bassett, left, examines an original water color painting owned by Jack Stevens of McCook, during an antiques appraisal fair and fund-raiser hosted by the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation Friday. Bassett suggested that Stevens research the artist -- whose autograph is difficult to decipher: "Possibly Beamus?" -- on the internet. Bassett valued the piece at $200 to $400. More from Bassett's appraisals in McCook will appear in the Gazette later...

Nearly everything public figures do during the run-up to the primary election is seen as political, but there are some things all sides can agree upon. Outgoing Gov. Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem are leading one example, encouraging Nebraskans to volunteer during ServeNebraska Week April 20-26...

The Nebraska Legislature's vote to override nearly $65 million in gubernatorial budget vetoes on April 1 was no joke. Not only did the 49 members of the Legislative branch restore the budget crafted for them by the Appropriations Committee, but they also took a major step toward separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches...

McConville, Hellmuth Skyler Deedre McConville of Indianola, Nebraska, and Bryson Jon Hellmuth of Hershey, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parent of the bride-to-be are Thomas and Denise McConville of Indianola. Grandparents are Robert and Kathy McConville of Indianola...

Serbousek, Joynt Kimberly Lynn Serbousek of Omaha, Nebraska, and Matthew David Joynt of Hastings, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Dr. Mark and Mary Jo Serbousek of McCook, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are David and Kathy Joynt of Hastings...

Shaylyn Elizabeth Nutt Caleb and Jessica Nutt of Curtis, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Shaylyn Elizabeth Nutt, who was born Jan. 28, 2014, at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long. ...

Hagan, Gass Adrianna Dawn Hagan and Jordan Taylor Gass of McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Pat Hagan of McCook and Don Hagan of Phoenix, Arizona. Grandparents are Thelma Moorhous of Culbertson, Nebraska, and the late Don Moorhous and the late Don and Ruth Hagan...

Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogy Society McCOOK, Nebraska -- The SWNGS website (swngs.nesgs.org) has early weddings and obituaries available online for research. This site is open to the public for basic searches with additional items reserved for members only...

Henry E. 'Hank' Schelling Jan. 29, 1939 - April 14, 2014 EDISON, Nebraska -- Henry E. "Hank" Schelling, 75, of Edison, died Monday (April 14, 2014), at his home. He was born on Jan. 29, 1939, at Beaver City to Henry and Bessie (McDaniels) Schelling...