Stories from Tuesday, May 12, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. - Unofficial results from the Red Willow County Clerk's Office indicate the majority of voters approved renewal of the city's 1.5 percent local options sales tax, while declining to approve the continuation of the McCook Economic Development Program...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A plea agreement was reached last week in Red Willow County District Court with a Culbertson man facing felony burglary and theft charges. The offender, 38-year-old Luke Warburton, will subsequently face sentencing on a Class IV felony for theft by unlawful taking and a Class I misdemeanor for attempted possession of methamphetamine. He was scheduled for sentencing at 1 p.m. on July 6, 2015...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The City of McCook has hired engineering and architect consulting firm W Design Associates to act as temporary building inspector. The change took place Friday afternoon, according to city staff. Fred Baugher served as city building inspector and code compliance officer previously, a position he held since late 2007 or early 2008, according to city staff...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Everyone knows Mr. Garcia does not like surprises. "I don't like surprises," he's known for saying. But even he admitted this one was "awesome!" Tuesday morning, the McCook Elementary School PTO presented the school principal, Tim Garcia, with a stylized American flag made with popsicle sticks decorated in red-white-and-blue by all of the school's 400+ students...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Scholarships received by the McCook, Nebraska, Senior High graduating seniors of 2015 are: Kylie Allen: Mid-Plains Community College athletic/softball. Brenda Aguirre: Mid-Plains Community College freshman academic, Inter-High tuition...

Some McCook residents were disappointed when Tecumseh was chosen for a new state penitentiary after local officials mounted what they felt was the top proposal for the new facility. Most of us were happy to accept what some saw as a consolation prize, with the establishment of the Work Ethic Camp here instead...

Without pollination, fresh products like lettuce, tomatoes, cherries, apples, plums, onions, watermelons, broccoli and celery would not exist. Our diet would lack important vitamins and nutrients. Beekeepers are worried. American honeybees are vanishing. Bryan Walsh has written a well-researched article on this subject in the Aug. 1, 2013, Time magazine...

Garland, Texas. Two Jihadi's intent on mass murder are wiped out by a sharp-shooting off-duty policeman. With his service pistol no less -- great shot! Reportedly the FBI (or some other intelligence agency) investigates the dead men's apartment and gets into their computer. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- After two votes, the McCook School Board voted Monday night to keep graduation on Sunday next year. The first motion the board voted on, to have commencement on Saturday, May 7, 2016, was a split vote, with Teresa Thomas, Tom Bredvick and Bob Elder voting for it and Diane Lyons, Loretta Hauxwell and Brian Esch voting against it...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) Youth Task Force offered a strong message to graduating seniors: "We want you back in McCook." April 6, McCook High School seniors gathered for one last lunch sponsored by the Optimists. At the lunch, each senior received a mailbox with his or her name on it and the message, "This is My Hometown." Inside the mailbox was a letter to the seniors from the task force and the McCook Community Foundation congratulating the seniors and encouraging them to eventually make McCook their home. ...