Stories from Tuesday, June 16, 2015

These items are taken from reports filed by the McCook Police Department. The locations refer to block numbers, not specific addresses. If you have information about any of these reports, call the police department at (308) 345-3450. FRIDAY 4:35 a.m., 600 block of E. Fifth Street -- suspicious activity...

The family of Raymond and Viola Kelley of Danbury, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. They were married June 19, 1955, at St. John Lutheran Church in rural McCook, Nebraska. Their family includes children, Kenneth and Carol Kelley of Danbury, Jeanne and John Paulsen of Arapahoe, Nebraska, Bruce and Dianne Kelley of Danbury and eight grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 70394 Road 394, Danbury, NE 69026...

HUGH BUTLER LAKE, Neb. -- Fishing, archery, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, biking, sand volleyball and an amazing adventure race are set the for Red Willow State Recreation Area north of McCook for the next six Wednesdays, according to Aric Riggins, Southwest Reservoirs superintendent with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission...

For the past 10 years, the McCook Optimist Club has taken the lead role in planning and presenting McCook's Fourth of July fireworks display. And the Optimists will be in charge again this year, with Fireworks Display Chairman Jim O'Dea teaming up with a Certified Fireworks Shooter to present the spectacular aerial show at the Red Willow Fairgrounds on Saturday night, July 4, starting shortly after 10 p.m...

HERNDON, Kan. -- The small Kansas community of Herndon -- population 129 -- grew Saturday and Sunday to well over 2,000 during the "Herndon Ox Roast" activities that the community coordinates and hosts just once every five years. The smell of pit-roasted roast beef -- not really ox, but close -- wafted up and down the city streets as most of those visitors gathered downtown for the parade and the grand opening of the new "Herndon School and Community Museum," then made their way to the park for lunch at noon.. ...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Tickets go on sale Friday for the Mid-Plains Community College raffle car. A kick-off is planned from 9 a.m. to noon during the Nebraskaland Days Antique Car Display in Memorial Park. This year, the North Platte Community College Foundation will raffle a 1957 Chevy two-door post sedan. Known in many circles as one of the most famous "icons" of the 1950s, it is a legendary classic sought by collectors all over the world...

The Silver Creek Band, right, will kick off MNB's 17th annual Hot Summer Nights Concert series at Norris Park July 30 with a concert of diverse hits and crowd favorites. Kansas Music Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations, above, will bring a powerful and soulful blend of dynamic vocals and polished musicianship Aug. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Parker Hannifin plant is installing an underground groundwater monitoring well on city property along the northern edge of Barnett Park. The McCook City Council approved an encroachment agreement Monday evening authorizing the installation and use of city property for a term of five years...

Patrick Solko of Herndon, Kansas, right, and his nephew, Jim Schroeder, also of Herndon, discuss the finer points of pit-roasting roast beef (not ox) for the once-every-five-years "Herndon Ox Roast," which thousands helped the tiny community of 129 celebrate Saturday and Sunday. ...

"Col. Trail this is Gene Budig," announced the answering machine. "Please give me a call when you have a few minutes." He didn't mention anything about the fact that he too is retired Air Force, a Major General (two stars) no less but did give a phone number related to the East Coast...

Is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure? Or is a stick more effective than a carrot? Since we're in the most dangerous driving time of year, it's a good time to think about ways to make summertime driving safe. According to WalletHub, Nebraska is No. 6 when it comes to imposing the harshest penalties on drunk driving...