Stories from Thursday, July 16, 2015

Alberta M. Wolf Oct. 6, 1933 - July 14, 2015 SALINA, Kan. -- Alberta M. Wolf, 81, died Tuesday, July 14, 2015. She was born Oct. 6, 1933, in Menlo, Kansas, to Joseph and Philomena Kinderknecht. She grew up in Menlo and was a homemaker. Survivors are two daughters, Anna Marie (John) Stetzel of McCook, Nebraska, and Diana Swaim of Salina and son-in-law, Allen Hill; seven grandchildren, John Varnadore, Nathan Varnadore, Michell Tomes, Michael Hill, Terry Hill, Sally Stetzel-Daves and Chris Stetzel; 15 great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren and four great-great grandkids; sisters, Angeline Kaiser of Wichita, Bernice Heier of Grainfield, Caroline (Frank) Kaiser of Oakley, Dorothy (Donald) Schroeder of Angelus and Douglas (Ann) Zeigler of Grainfield.. ...

Helen Coraline (Matson) Ahrens March 21, 1939 - Jan. 23, 2015 BELLEVILLE, Texas -- Helen Coraline (Matson) Ahrens went to be with the Lord Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at the Colonial Belle Nursing Home in Belleville, at the age of 75. Helen was born March 21, 1939, in McCook, Nebraska, to Coral Archie and Hazel (Wescamp) Matson. As a teenager, she cleaned house for Gov. and Mrs. George Norris, who was involved with crafting the New Deal for President Franklin D. Roosevelt...

Sehnert's Bakery and Bieroc Café took first place in the annual Crazy Days costume contest. Using a Vegas theme, the team at the bakery includes, standing from left, Christine McRae, Naia White, Keith Haskin, Mark Noe, Matt Sehnert, and Chelsea Wells. Kneeling are Jennifer Swartz and Gabe Sehnert. Second place was Horizon Bank with a '50s theme. From left Carrie Lawson, Nicole Groshong, Steve Rasmusen (Buddy Holly) and Linda Koetter...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Southwest Nebraska residents will no longer be able to look to Red Willow or Hayes County court officials for an expedited wedding service. Court officials confirmed this morning Red Willow and Hayes County Clerk Magistrate Gretchen Wiebe has opted to no longer perform marriages...

HERNDON, Kan. -- "The Bank of Northwest Kansas" account holders in Herndon, Kansas, are upset by the imminent closing of the branch bank in their community. Bank officials have announced that branch offices in Herndon, as well as in Norcatur, Kansas, will close in September...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Board of Education could vote as soon as August on having eMeetings, instead of the traditional school board meeting. After briefly discussing the concept at its June meeting, the McCook Board of Education heard a 30-minute presentation via Skype at its regular meeting on Monday, given by a member of the Nebraska Association of School Boards...

The judge gave Logan Becker and her horse, Reo, three minutes to "strut their stuff" during the snaffle bit division of the Furnas County Fair horse show Tuesday in Beaver City, Nebraska. The judge was impressed with Becker's light touch on the reins and her confidence in the saddle, and awarded her a purple ribbon. Over on the trail course, Bryson Warner "mailed" a letter from horseback, in the intermediate division trail class...

OBERLIN, Kan -- A 100-year-old church structure with an uncertain future has been transformed into a four-bedroom private home at 100 North York near downtown Oberlin, Kansas. Preservation enthusiasts Jim Sporn and Eric Swegle hosted an open house Saturday to show the community how they've saved the church structure and to raise funds for Decatur County Emergency Medical Services...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and many other crimes, often feel like they have no one to turn to. The Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Services office of McCook wants them to know that is not the case. Advocates at the office provide free, confidential services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, as well as stalking, dating violence, child and elderly abuse, human trafficking and a laundry list of other offenses...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Excess funds from Senior Celebrations in 2014 and 2015 will be used for various student clubs at McCook High School. The McCook Board of Education approved the donations from the Senior parents Monday night at the regular meeting. Senior Celebration takes place on graduation night and involves games, food, prizes, gift cards and entertainment. Senior parents fundraise at football and basketball games, to raise enough funds for the event...

Bank hardships Dear Editor, I am writing to protest the planned closing of The Bank / Herndon, located in Herndon, Kansas. On June 23, we received a letter from The Bank, stating that The Bank in Herndon and Norcatur are to be closing as of September 25, 2015 giving no specific reason for the closing...

If Facebook postings are to be believed, a lot of area residents are making the trip to Oberlin to enjoy that city's new swimming pool facilities, described as "very kid friendly" and with free admission for this summer, its first. One visitor noted it provides free life jackets and pool noodles, and while locker rooms had yet to be built, porta-potties were available for the time being...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A convicted felon arrested while hunting geese south of McCook in December was sentenced to probation on a felony weapons charge last week in Red Willow County District Court. The offender, 32-year-old Tyler Craig Graham of 38503 Road 714, was sentenced to 12 months probation on a Class IV felony for attempted possession of a deadly weapon by a felon. ...