Stories from Monday, June 16, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- A surprise benefit pancake supper and silent auction for "Chief" Bill Elliott isset for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19 at the Red Willow Western Rural First Department on South Federal in McCook. Proceeds will go to help the chief with his medical issues as well as perk up his spirit...

Dear Editor, Fans waited excitedly at Belmont Race Track in New York recently. California Chrome, a copper-colored chestnut horse, was there. I twas hoped that he would be the winner of the Triple Crown. Altogether, 11 horses have won that race in the track's 146 years of existence...

60th anniversary The family of Bob and Betty Woodruff of McCook, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary June 20. Their family includes children, Chuck and Holly Woodruff of Douglas, Wyoming, and Tom and Janie Bredvick of McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 300 West 11th, McCook, NE, 69001...

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...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- High winds toppled a loaded grain elevator over train tracks seven miles west of Holdrege early Sunday delaying rail service in both directions. The incident caused delays reaching eight miles west of Lincoln, Nebraska, and left an Amtrak passenger train stopped near Trenton until the crew ran out of allowable duty hours...

National Weather Service of Goodland, Kansas, reported high winds that toppled trees and moved grain bins, and hail that measured up to 23⁄4 inches in diameter accompanying a storm that swept through Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas Saturday evening...

Henry Sramek smiles and waves to the people assembled along Palisade's sun-brightened Main Street as he pilots his classic Oliver tractor during the community's annual Pioneer Days parade Saturday morning. The multi-day civic pride event, which started Friday evening and concluded Sunday, also included a pancake breakfast before the parade at the Palisade Fire Hall, a Show & Shine featuring numerous classic cars and tractors, a free day of swimming at the Krotter Park pool and a free barbecue late Saturday afternoon.. ...

When old newspaper people used to get together, one would insult another by charging that his publication was "addicted to Afghanistan." It wasn't an altogether inaccurated allegation; it's always easier to fill space with news transmitted from afar via the wire services. That's why papers like this one emphasize local stories as much as possible -- no one in Afghanistan is especially interested in McCook goings-on -- unless it happens to be a service member from here, for one example...

(Note: June 2014 marks the 25th Anniversary of what is usually referred to as the Tianenmen Massacre, one of the black periods of the Chairman Mao's cultural revolution in China. As fate would have it, McCook's Ben Nelson was an observer of this event. It was a significant moment in Nelson's life, and was one of the factors that spurred his interest in politics, first as Governor of Nebraska, then U.S. Senator. From the archives.)...

At the George Norris Historic Site in McCook, Nebraska, during the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival Saturday afternoon, "Ellie" and "Sen. George Norris" (Dawna and the Rev. Clark Bates of McCook) introduce Liz Watts who described the journalism career of Bess Furman Armstrong, an early 20th-century reporter for the Omaha, Nebraska, Daily News and the Associated Press in Washington D.C., and a native of Danbury, Nebraska. ...

Cherri Putz and her grandkids, from left, Aaron, Psalm and Jonathan Frank, listen intently to a story read by Mary Dueland at the KidsFest "Peanut Butter Story Theatre." Kids were treated to lunch and stories as part of the festival.

The Steel Wheels brought their unique blend of folk, rock, bluegrass and alternative country to this year's Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, adding a strong dose of storytelling to the mix.

Wanda Scott Nov. 1, 1947 - June 13, 2014 AURORA, Colo. -- Wanda Scott, age 66, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on June 13, 2014, in Aurora. Wanda was born on Nov. 1, 1947 in McCook, Nebraska, to parents James L. and Vera D. (Stumbaugh) Scott. She was one of seven children. ...

Christopher 'Cowboy' M. Stevens Sept. 8, 1971 - June 14, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Christopher "Cowboy" M. Stevens, age 41, died in McCook on June 14, 2014 after a hard three-year struggle. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on Sept. 8, 1971, to Van and Rita (Ankenman) Stevens...