Stories from Friday, May 9, 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...

Megan Vetrovsky, a spring graduate of McCook, Neb., Senior High, is the winner of the 2014-2015 International P.E.O. "S.T.A.R. Scholarship." Since the scholarship's creation five years ago, Megan is the third winner from Southwest Nebraska. She was chosen from 1,891 applicants across the nation. ...

Robin Rankin, right, Area Director of Adult Education/ADA at Mid-Plains Community College, presents Cheyenne Swanson of McCook with an award for earning outstanding General Educational Development (GED) test scores during Mid-Plains Community College's GED, Adult Education (AE) and English Language (EL) recognition ceremony Tuesday evening. The ceremony honored GED completers and select AE and EL students for dedication toward achieving their personal goals...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Amanda Goodenberger of McCook, Nebraska, and Ryan Knapp, of Chanute, Kansas, were united in marriage March 1, 2014, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri, with the Rev. Brian Johnson officiating...

Monzon, Gross Chandra Loree Monzon and Corey Lane Gross of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Shari Goodenberger of Culbertson, Nebraska and the late Joe Goodenberger. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Don and Cheryl Gross of Lincoln...

Baxter Cordell Rowe Kyle and Sara Rowe of McCook, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Baxter Cordell Rowe, who was born April 24, 2014, at Community Hospital in McCook. He weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 19 inches long. He has one brother, Caden, 3. Grandparents are Toni Rowe of McCook, Jim Rowe of Nebraska City, Nebraska and Shane and Becky Hensley of Kingsport, Tennessee. Great-grandparents are Joe and Lou Stair and Mary Hensley of Kingsport and Judy Rowe of Nebraska City...

40th anniversary The family of Lynn and Karen Salyer of McCook, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary May 16. Their family includes children, David and wife, Dawn (Petty) of Kearney, Nebraska, Josh and Kellanie (Pinkal) of Omaha, Nebraska, Moriah of Lincoln, Justin of Central City, Nebraska, and three grandchildren, Haven, Laila and Evelyn, with another grandchild on the way...

Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogy Society McCOOK, Neb. -- A donor who wishes to remain anonymous just shipped me a large box of historical information for Nebraska and other states and I am excited to start through it since e-mails concerning the donation described what would be included! This donor was cleaning house and moving. Please think of SWNGS when downsizing, we appreciate genealogical research materials from all states or countries...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Board of Education will be asked to approve the purchase of Apple iPads with one payment instead of two, at the regular board meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the junior high conference room. In March, the board approved the purchase of the devices for the high school for the 2014-15 school year at $244,290. Superintendent Grant Norgaard said today that Apple will not accept two checks for the purchase as the district originally planned...

McCOOK, Neb. -- In his fifth year teaching at McCook Community College, Rob Bogardus has built a reputation as a science teacher who can "make you love his classes even though you thought you hated science." For his dedication to excellence in the classroom, his accessibility to students and his passion for discipline, Bogardus was named this year's recipient of the Gene A. Budig Outstanding Faculty Award. The announcement came during Commencement exercises at MCC Friday...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Some 162 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded at this morning's commencement ceremonies at McCook Community College. Student commencement speaker Joseph McCarty, homeschooled until graduating from high school in 2013 and among this year's MCC graduates, was active in theater, music and many other student organizations and activities...

Tri-State Livestock sale barn owner/manager Gale Ruggles, left, his grandson auctioneer Andrew Ruggles, and sale barn office manager Nevada West host McCook Public Schools eighth graders to an "auction" Wednesday, during "Ag Awareness Day" sponsored by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A plea agreement was reached with a McCook man Monday in Red Willow County District Court admitting guilt to felony possession of methamphetamine and other offenses. The offender, 31-year-old Dustin Stuck of 1513 West 15th Street, was subsequently scheduled for sentencing at 11:45 a.m. on July 7, 2014...

Social media hasn't been kind, and you'd never guess it by some of the current political campaigns, but the Nebraska Tourism Commission did get one thing right: the friendliness of Nebraska's people is the state's greatest asset. That's the conclusion reached after months and $75,000 worth of research, three online surveys of visitors, potential visitors, residents and community/visitor industry stakeholders...

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling recently made racist comments to his mistress on the phone, telling her that it bothers him a lot that she wants to broadcast her interest in blacks on social media and bring them to his games. Before Sterling, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy suggested that African Americans were better off as slaves...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A Remember Our Vets Car and Bike Show, benefitting Staff for Santa V.A. Home in Grand Island, and KIA Honor Flags of Nebraska, will be at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, Saturday, July 12. Check-in will be 10:30 a.m. and show 11 a.m. cost is $10 per vehicle...

McCOOK, Neb. -- It's about time. There wasn't enough of it, Dennis Berry, District 44 candidate told the Gazette Friday afternoon. Still completing his tenure as McCook Junior High principal, Berry shouldered additional duties as mayor of McCook while the city was between city managers...