Stories from Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Robert D. Strong April 11, 1935 - Feb. 9, 2015 CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Robert D. Strong, age 79, passed away Feb. 9, 2015, at the Grand Island Veteran's Home. He was born in Red Cloud, Nebraska, on April 11, 1935, to Joseph and Dorothy (Powers) Strong. He attended school in Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in 1954. Robert continued to be a true Bear all his life...

Kathleen 'Katie' Langenfeld IMPERIAL, Neb. -- Kathleen "Katie" Langenfeld, 82, a longtime resident of Imperial, died Sunday (Feb. 8, 2015), at Imperial Manor Nursing Home. Survivors include children, Connie Pribbeno and husband, Jeff of Imperial, Bill Langenfeld and Mike Langenfeld of Cool, California, Gary Langenfeld of Anthem, Arizona, Ruth Eechaute and husband, Dean of Warrenton, Missouri, and John Langenfeld and wife, Cindy of Aurora, Colorado; brother, Bernard Assmann and wife, Rene of Dunlap, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Delores Jacoby of Waterloo, Iowa and Marie Graeve of Earling, Iowa; brother-in-law, Bob Langenfeld and wife, Carol of Texas; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.. ...

85th birthday The family of Dorothy Hopkins of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday Feb. 16. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 1108 W. Third, McCook NE 69001.

McCOOK, Neb. -- Central Elementary has been awarded $10,000 for technology updates, one of only five such grants awarded nationwide. Central students participated in an online college and career-ready field test in the fall and as a result, were chosen for the award. Principal Kate Repass said the funds will go toward two Chrome laptop carts, each of which can hold 20 laptops...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook High School graduates could cross the stage for their diploma on a Saturday instead of the traditional Sunday. But that depends on what parents and students want, said Superintendent Grant Norgaard at the regular McCook Board of Education meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A pair of Mona Lisa's greeted McCook School Board members Monday night at the regular meeting. The portraits, done by McCook High School students Amanda and Emily Slattery, were part of a display of art work done by students of art teachers Steve Clapp and Deb Goodenberger, showing the board the different aspects of art produced by students. Clapp and Goodenberger updated the board on new fine art standards adopted by the Nebraska Board of Education in March 2014...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Red Willow County Sheriff's Department juggles an impressively wide variety of law enforcement responsibilities for the community and appears to be already reaping benefits from the opening of the new county jail. Red Willow County Sheriff Alan Kotschwar and Chief Deputy Joe Koetter took a break from their busy schedules for a casual visit with a crowd of more than 20 during the monthly Coffee with a Cop meeting at McDonald's Tuesday morning...

Not many red state political buffs may miss Jon Stewart, who announced Tuesday that he was leaving "The Daily Show" after 15 years, but they should. Yes, he took a decidedly left-wing view of current events, but there was no question what he thought about issues as they arose...

Valentine's Day is coming, and if you are getting sweaty palms trying to figure out what get your sweetie, how about something that is "out of this world." First off, how about something bright and shiny? For that you will need someplace that has a clear, unobstructed view of the southwestern horizon and have either a pair of binoculars or a small telescope...

Terry Lasater WAUNETA, Neb. -- Terry Lasater, 55, died Tuesday (Feb. 10, 2015), at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska. Survivors include his wife, Raina of Wauneta; step-father, Duane Blume of McCook, Nebraska; and sister, Kandy D'rozario and husband, Gregg, of Tampa, Forida...