Stories from Friday, July 17, 2015

George E. Robinson Nov. 10, 1930 - July 15, 2015 BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- George E. Robinson, 84, of Beaver City, Nebraska, died Wednesday (July 15, 2015), at Kearney Regional Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Hubert Earl and Bula Blen (Critser) Robinson on Nov. ...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Police activity Activity log...

55th anniversary The family of Ed and Ruth Ruf of Wilsonville, Nebraska, is hosting an open house in honor of the the couple's 55th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 14, 1960, in Lebanon, Nebraska. The open house is Saturday, Aug. 1, 3 to 5 p.m. ...

50th anniversay The family of Bill and Shirley (Hansen) Ashley of Culbertson, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married July 24, 1965, in Canton, New York. Their family includes Tina and Mark Sovereign of Lincoln, Nebraska, Michelle and Ryan Krauter of Keystone, Nebraska, Crystal and Chris Smith of McCook, Nebraska; and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at P.O. Box 202, Culbertson, NE 69024...

97th birthday The family of Cloyd Hoyt of McCook, Nebraska,is requesting a card shower in honor of his 97th birthday Sept. 26. His family includes children, Loree Neiman of Round Rock, Texas, Bob and wife, Libby Hoyt of McCook, Beverly and husband, Bob Brown of Thayer, Iowa, Bill and wife, Barb Hoyt, McCook; 11 grandchildren, Kellin and wife, Lisa Neiman and Jake and wife, Allison Neiman, Marty Hoyt, Edie and husband, Russ Rushing, Jessica and husband, Dave Miller and Roberta and husband, Justin Weber, Sarah and husband, Erik Niggemeyer Brown, Becca and husband, Matt Sheridan and Matt Brown, David and wife, Melissa Hoyt and Daniel Hoyt; and 15 great-grandchildren. ...

Susan Doak Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society Southwest Nebrska Genealogy Society's library holds several treasures, but the 55 volumes of Red Willow County Court records are among the most fascinating. The fact that we nearly lost those original books when we had pipes burst overhead during winter made our search for someone to help digitalize the pages even more important...

We've heard farmers talk about a "million-dollar rain," but you don't have to be a farmer to appreciate moisture in Southwest Nebraska, where we're just now coming out of a drought. Rural Nebraskans' moods are better than they have been in years, according to the latest University of Nebraska-Lincoln poll, and part of it can be credited to Mother Nature...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A double hangar at the World War II U.S. Army Air Base northwest of McCook, Nebraska, went up Thursday evening in a wild scene of flames and smoke, challenging firefighters from five departments to douse its blazes and cool its heat...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Commercial air service at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport remains a fraction of what it once was and city leaders are set to take another hard look at options. McCook's contracted essential air service provider, Great Lakes Aviation, is fulfilling less than 35 percent of its contracted flights according to data provided to city staff. ...

A crowd of more than 50 people gathered Friday morning at the recently built Alice Kiplinger Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in McCook to thank Tom Kiplinger, middle, and the Red Willow County Fair Board members for their efforts resulting in the new building. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- An assortment of surplus school items was sold by the McCook School District at a silent auction Thursday. The auction, was at the bus barn at 404 W. Seventh. Items included miscellaneous old desks and chairs, cabinetry, former kitchen equipment such as stainless steel prep tables and keyboards...

Sisters Laynee Merrill, 14 years old, left, and Aimee Merrill, 11 years old, display the photographs that won them "Grand Champion Senior" and "Grand Champion Junior" 4-H photography honors in the Hitchcock County Fair in Culbertson, Nebraska, Thursday afternoon. ...

From pool parties to baseball games to backyard barbecues, this time of year provides a number of occasions to enjoy time with family and friends. This summer, take your gatherings to the next level with a fun and festive drink menu that reflects the fresh flavors of the season...

Our forefathers and the initiators of democracy in the United States created three branches of government in the belief they should be separate but equal with no one branch having more power than the others. So they established the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial branches with each acting as a check and balance to the other two. ...

Four-year-old twins Wyatt and Amelia Blickenstaff and their big brother, 6-year-old Carter, pedal their way to medals in the "Lil' Red Draggin'" pedal tractor competition at the Furnas County Fair Wednesday evening in Beaver City, Nebraska. The kids belong to Molly and Chris Blickenstaff of rural Hendley. ...

Virgil 'Dean' Shackelford June 21, 1933 - July 16, 2015 TRENTON, Neb. -- Virgil "Dean" Shackelford died peacefully at his home in Trenton surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 16, 2015. He was 82 years old. Dean was born on June 21, 1933, at Imperial, Nebraska to parents, Virgil Ruby and Ruth Hazel (Cooper) Shackelford. He graduated from Curtis High School in 1951...

Richard Loren Witt Sept. 28, 1927- July 16, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Richard Loren Witt, of Arapahoe, Nebraska, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, in McCook. He was 88. Richard (Dick, as he liked to be called), was born to Richard and Hazel (Siebold) Witt in North Platte, Nebraska. ...

Phyllis Jean Lebsack July 22, 1921 - July 16, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Phyllis Jean Lebsack, a life-long resident of McCook, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the Homestead Assisted Living facility in Hastings, Nebraska. She would have been 94 years old on July 22, 2015...

Robert 'Bob' Patrick Traphagan, Jr. Oct. 4, 1934 - July 14, 2015 AURORA, Colo. -- Robert "Bob" Patrick Traphagan Jr. passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at the Colorado State Veterans Home in Aurora, Colorado. He was 80 years old. Bob was born on Oct. 4, 1934, to parents, Robert Patrick and Mary (Braun) Traphagan, Sr. at St. Ann, Nebraska. He was one of 13 children...

McCook Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Garrett Rippen with Edward Jones Investment and his new office at 205 west 2nd st here in McCook as a 2015 member. Garrett Rippen (center) stands with wife Julie (right) and assistant Nicole Cribbs (left). Joined with them are Garrett's parents Jerry Rippen and wife Sara Rippen, Chameber director Tacie Fawver and other chamber cordials on Tuesday...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A recent McCook High School graduate is still hoping to see soccer at MHS, even it it's too late for her. Ashley Laurie, a 2015 MHS graduate, presented to the McCook Board of Education Monday night at the regular meeting a check for $1,592.25, for soccer goals at the high school. ...

Delores 'Dee' J. Measel Dec. 23, 1950 - July 16, 2015 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Delores "Dee" J. Measel, age 64, of Cambridge, passed away at the Cambridge Manor July 16, 2015. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Dec. 23, 1950,to Kenneth C. and Oskerett K. (Mullins) Waters...

Jane (Barber) McCabe July 28, 1943 - July 16, 2015 TRENTON, Neb. -- Jane (Barber) McCabe, age 71, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2015, at El Dorado Nursing Home in Trenton. She was born July 28, 1943, in Peterborough, England, to Robert George and Constance (Hanger) Barber...