Stories from Thursday, October 30, 2014

50th anniversary The family of Jim and Karen Ruff of Culbertson, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of their 50th anniversary Nov. 1. They were married in 1964 Denver, Colorado. Their family includes children, Rhonda and Don Ellis of Minden, Nebraska, Curt and LaVerna Ruff of Fort Collins, Colorado and Keith and Joey Ruff of Grand Island, Nebraska, and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 72044 379 Road, Culbertson, NE 69024...

80th birthday The family of Lois Hamilton of McCook is hosting an open house in honor of her 80th birthday Nov. 1. Her children will be hosting an open house Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, from 2-4 p.m. at Highland Park in McCook, 610 East 14. Friends and family are invited to celebrate with them...

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, Neb. -- The Sen. George Norris Home on Norris Avenue received some sprucing up over the weekend. Members of the McCook Community College Lady Indians basketball team spent Saturday raking and bagging up leaves, as well as painting the back fence at the historical site. In addition, members cleaned off the garage roof and the gutters on the house...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Several Republican leaders and candidates embarked on a one-day fly-around tour of Nebraska, Tuesday, including McCook among their scheduled nine stops. Each member of the group of six spoke briefly during a reception at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport before answering questions from attendees...

PALISADE, Neb. -- Becki Johnson of Palisade, Nebraska, hopes that her and her family's experience with her husband's memorial sends a message to vandals about the consequences of their activities. "I want them to realize how much it has hurt my family and friends. We were in total shock," Becki said softly, explaining the vandalism that almost destroyed the memorial placed at the site of the car accident near Palisade that killed her husband, Ed, on April 20, 2013...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Red Willow County Ministerial Association's "Treating for the Pantry" continues until Sunday, Nov. 2. This united effort by churches within the association is designed to collect non-perishable food items for the Community Pantry, which will assist those in need. The group asks that residents please be aware that church members and their associated youth groups may come knocking and asking for donations throughout the week...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man sentenced to 20 months in state prison in January, stemming from drug and theft charges, was paroled Wednesday after serving approximately 10 months. The offender, James Bonacci III, was convicted earlier this year of a Class IV felony offense for possession of methamphetamine...

TRENTON, Neb. -- Hitchcock County, Nebraska, Judge Anne Paine bound over to district court and continued the $1.5 million bond for a 45-year-old Stratton man facing eight sexual assault, weapon, terroristic threat and drug charges. Anthony J. "A.J." Horton told Judge Paine that he waived his right to the preliminary hearing scheduled Wednesday afternoon in county court in the courthouse in Trenton. Horton's first appearance in district court will be Thursday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Elementary is extending an invitation to area veterans to join them on Tuesday, Nov. 11 as the school celebrates Veterans Day. If you are a veteran, or have a veteran in your family that would be interested in coming to school to share, call the school at 345-5681 or send an email to Linda Wood at lwood@mccookbison.org. ...

Before you help yourself to your kids' Halloween candy, you might want to consider new risks. Yes, you should check any candy your children receive to make sure it's safe, but it's probably OK. No, what we're talking about are the health and safety risks all those sugary calories carry with them...

The League of Women Voters has been encouraging active participation in government for 94 years, and the structure of Nebraska's unique unicameral legislature makes it clear the "second house" in our state is made up of our citizens. Therefore it is essential that all eligible persons register to vote, learn about issues and candidates, and cast an informed vote...

McCOOK, Nebraska - When the Curly Olney dealership in McCook became a part of Titan Machinery in 2012, farm, home and construction equipment customers throughout Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas benefitted in two significant ways. Maintaining an extended record of service, the purchase of Curly Olney's Inc. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The National Commander for the American Legion supports President Barrack Obama's response to ISIS, although he would have preferred it came sooner. The American Legion elected a Nebraskan as their National Commander in August, entrusting Michael D. Helm of Lebanon to be the official spokesman for the 2.4 million member veterans organization...