Stories from Friday, July 10, 2015

Bernice Haarberg IMPERIAL, Neb. -- Bernice Haarberg of Imperial died Thursday (July 9, 2015), at Imperial Manor Nursing Home. Survivors include her husband, Dean of Imperial; children, Jim Haarberg and wife, Mary of Imperial, Brain Haarberg and wife, Sondra, of Frisco, Texas and Wayne Haarberg of Imperial; sister, Vera Eaton of Arvada, Colorado; brother, Harvey Ackerman, of McCook, Nebraska; one grandchild and three step-grandchildren...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A local sex offender was sentenced to probation Monday in Red Willow County District Court for failing to report an address change. The offender, 25-year-old Jeffrey Scott Adams of 1002 W. Fifth Street, was convicted of a Class IV felony offense for violating sex offender registration requirements and sentenced to 12 months probation...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A plea agreement was reached earlier this week in Red Willow County District Court with a McCook man facing a pair of drug charges. 40-year-old Christopher G. Lyon was subsequently sentenced to 24 months probation after being convicted of a misdemeanor offense for attempted possession of a controlled substance and an infraction for possession of marijuana...

Wagner Auto Group of McCook was chosen as the third quarter McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Honor Business for its outstanding service, generous support and contributions to the community. Owner Chris Wagner was joined by his wife, Annette, sons Chandler and Garret, and other staff members during a banner presentation coordinated by the Chamber Cordials Wednesday at their East B Street location...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A popular McCook restaurant unexpectedly shut down operations recently due to family issues the owner is experiencing, according to a regional health official. La Cocina Mexican Food on West First Street is closed for business and recent visitors at the West First Street location are greeted by a handwritten sign indicating the restaurant is "closed indefinitely" and apologizing for the inconvenience...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Carma Lee Weisbrook of Kimball, Neb., will be the guest speaker for a meeting of the Alzheimer's Support Group, 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She is the author of "Remember Me, Remember Me Not," the story about her mother's struggle with the disease...

We hope people have heard the message about not leaving kids and dogs in hot cars; recent national news stories have concerned deaths of both, such as a dog that died after police finally broke into a parked car, and an infant who died after parents forgot him in the car following a shopping trip...

Most people have had a Eureka moment; the moment of a sudden unexpected discovery. It might be a relationship, a job, a health issue or any number of things but whatever it is, it changes our life and sometimes it changes the lives of others too. And it makes sense to me that Eureka moments can evolve into Eureka events that have such a powerful effect on us that our lives are changed forever...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Gazette and a North Platte television station are requesting body-cam footage from the police officer responsible for shooting a dog in McCook Wednesday evening. According to a report televised Thursday and available at knopnews2.com, McCook Chief of Police Isaac Brown confirmed a body camera was worn by the officer who shot a pit bull owned by Nick Gerver of McCook earlier this week...

Lorri sughroue/McCook Gazette Coast to coast for the kids San Francisco Bay area singer/songwriter Aprylle Gilbert is overcome with emotion this morning when Marv Metzer of McCook hands her a $100 donation for the charity she's running for, Washington United Youth Center in San Jose, an after-school program for at-risk kids. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Increases for McCook Public Schools administrators and the superintendent's contract/salary are up for approval at Monday's McCook Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the junior high conference room. Instead of individual numbers for administrators' increases, the board will be asked to approve a package increase of $31,647.97 that represents a 3 percent increase for each administrators' annual salary. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Search warrants executed Thursday on three homes in southeast McCook, Nebraska, netted seven arrests on felony drug and weapons charges. Red Willow County Sheriff Alan Kotschwar said this morning that there will be more search warrants and he expects more arrests in the ongoing investigation...

A Plott hound puppy named "Smokey" seems to ask, "Are you ticklish?" of a little guy at the Fourth of July parade in Culbertson, Nebraska. Plott hounds are one of the least known breeds of dog in the United States, even though they are the state dog of North Carolina. They're definitely not abundant in Southwest Nebraska...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- The Alumni Office, a part of the Development Department at Mid-Plains Community College, has made great strides this past year in connecting and building relationships with former students. "We really want to reach out to our alumni," said Carol Bodeen, MPCC area director of development. "We want them to know that we remember them and care about what's going on in their lives."...

You may be surprised to learn that cooking with olive oil is a simple way to add heart-healthy "good" fats to your diet. In fact, the health benefits, flavor and versatility of olive oil are all good reasons that olive oil is a staple in many kitchens...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Customers who are behind on their city bills after Sept. 1 will get an automated phone call instead of finding a tag hanging on their door to warn of a pending disconnection, according to the McCook Utility Department. Customers with current contact information will receive the courtesy call, and those without current information will receive notice on the monthly utility bill only...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Dr. Elissa Arterburn of McCook, Nebraska, and Dr. Bradley Adame of San Ramon, California, were united in marriage May 23, 2015, at El Dorado Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, with the Dr. Rev. Daniel Rex Bernard officiating. Parents of the bride are Dan Arterburn of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jim and Connie Gohl of Culbertson, Nebraska. Grandparents are Kermit and Charlene Arterburn of McCook, Gwen Davis of Trenton, Nebraska, and the late Robert Sughroue...

Shane Daniel Hoelscher Randy and Marla Hoelscher of Cambridge, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Shane Daniel Hoelscher, born June 2, 2015, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He weighed 8l pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21 inches long. He has two brothers, Devin and Roy. Grandparents are Dick and Jane Rayer of Indianola, Nebraska, and Aaron and Colleen Vandegrift of Cambridge...

Gianny Cortez Garcia Alex and Fauna Garcia of McCook announce the birth of their son, Gianny Cortez Garcia, born June 21, 2015, at Cambridge. He weighed 7.7 pounds and measured 21 inches long. He has one brother, Alejandro, 10, and two sisters, Destiny, 13 and Zoe, 4. Grandparent is Paul Kinne of McCook...

Minard Matson Kayla Michelle Minard and Barton Allen Matson of Culbertson, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride to be Rusty and Penny Minard of Bartley, Nebraska. Grandparents are Jim and Carolyn Park of Wilsonville Nebraska, Phil and Cathy Minard of North Platte, Nebraska, and Joe and Loretta Burns of McCook Nebraska...

75th birthday Beverley "Young" Grafel of Culbertson, Nebraska, will celebrate her 75th birthday July 13. Her family includes her husband, Elmore; children, Scott Grafel and the late Tim Grafel, daughter and son-in-law, Alan and Tina Aschoff; and grandchildren, Miranda and Krystin Aschoff of Hastings, Nebraska. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 70367 Driftwood Drive, Culbertson, NE 69024...

90th birthday The family of Leola Alberts of Palisade is hosting an open house in honor of her 90th birthday. The open house is Sunday, July 19, 2015, 1-5:30 p.m. at her home, 202 N. Venom in Palisade. Those who would like to attend are asked to share special memories with Leola. Her family includes children, Bryon, Janice and Sherry. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 202 N. Venom, Palisade, NE 69040...

80th birthday The family of Norma Crocker of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday July 15. Her family includes her husband, Dale; children, Cathy and Dan Winder of Kearney, Nebraska, Barb and Chuck Henwood of Fort Worth, Texas; Lisa and Rod Horsley of Kearney, Nebraska; Karen and Darrell Wilhelm of Lincoln, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 410 West R Street, McCook, NE 69001...

50th anniversary The family of Wally and Sharon Derr of McCook, Nebraska, is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married July 18, 1965, in McCook. The open house is Saturday, July 18, at the Coppermill Restaurant in McCook, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. ...

Susan Doak Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society Surprisingly, weddings are on my mind this week so I thought we would take a look at weddings from over a century ago. If you find one of your relatives that was married in Red Willow County on this list and wish to have a copy of the marriage application, SWNGS has most of the original certificates in their library...

William 'Bill' E. Casida Sept. 4, 1960 - July 9, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- William "Bill" E. Casida, 54, of McCook, passed away July 9, 2015. Bill was born Sept. 4, 1960, in Norton, Kansas, to Edmond A. and Judith (Gallentine) Casida. He graduated from McCook High School in 1979...