Stories from Thursday, July 30, 2015

Genevieve J. 'Gen' Kuck Oct.16, 1932 - July 26, 2015 HOLDREGE, Neb. -- Genevieve J. "Gen" Kuck, 82, of rural Gosper county, Nebraska (formerly of Pablo, Montana), died Sunday (July 26, 2015), at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska...

Lucille Irene Hagan Aug. 22, 1923 - July 26, 2015 LEXINGTON, Neb. -- Lucille Irene Hagan, 91, of Lexington, died Sunday (July 26, 2015), at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington. She was born Aug. 22, 1923, in Brule, Nebraska, to Dewey J. and Leota (Miller) LeDroit. She attended school in Eddyville, Nebraska at District No. 95...

Emphasis on educational test results always bring about objections to instructors "teaching to the test," but along with pressure to improve test results comes the increasing possibility that teachers will fail a test of their own -- ethics and morality...

So last week I described the fact that I obviously set my expectations for our "awesome" vacation WAY too high and how the strep virus decided to mess with me and my "plans" right before we flew out. I thought after all five of us were on the plane and actually flying over the ocean, everyone healthy and no injuries, we'd be good to go! Off to enjoy a week in paradise!...

McCOOK, Neb. -- University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds said he noticed something during his last visit to the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Bounds, 100 days into his current position, said he made a point of posing a question to upcoming graduates: "What's next?"...

McCOOK, Neb. -- City leaders may be banking on local desire to improve the McCook swimming pool as a means to increase the local-option sales tax. During a review of the proposed swimming pool budget Monday evening, City Councilman Gene Weedin mentioned several communities in the area had made upgrades or constructed new swimming pools or splash pads recently. City Manager Nate Schneider replied that at least one community had increased its local-option sales tax specifically for a pool project...

Temperatures have been a little more hospitable for outdoor workers this week, including the Weathercraft crew replacing the roof on the McCook Municipal Center, totaled by a hailstorm a year ago when the building was only 17 months old. "It will be nice to have it done so the ringing in our ears will stop," joked Nate Schneider, city manager. A Weathercraft official said a two-day dry spell was needed to complete the job...

INDIANOLA, Neb. -- The history of early American farming methods will come to life during the seventh annual "Bum Malleck Memorial Threshing" scheduled Sunday, Aug. 9, during Indianola, Nebraska's yearly "Old Settlers Celebration." Follow the signs south of Indianola to the site of the threshing event that begins at noon; there will be lunch available on the farmstead...

Fourteen-year-old Kaden Hager and his 11-year-old brother Kolton show "Suh," left, and "Rimshot" for bunny judge Dick Neel at the Hayes County Fair in Hayes Center Wednesday afternoon. Suh (who started out as "Sue" before Kaden realized "she" is a "he," now named for the former Husker football player Ndamukong Suh) is a mini Satin; Rimshot is a cross of Californian, Flemish giant and New Zealand breeds. ...

The McCook High School class of 1980 held its 35 reunion in July. Classmates included Scott Monzon, Bruce Keenportz, Burke Curl, Rod Cappel, Jim Morell, Deb Barnett Manning, Ann Hofman Fornoff, Peggy Ruppert Messinger, Gail Gillen Craig, Laura Smith Parade, Lori Hock Sutton, Chad Suiter, Denise Garey, Mike Parsons, Troy Erdman, Kris Johnson Cook, Kathleen Cappel Spresser, Shari Pinkal Goodenberger, Lisa Schaaf Lee, Joan Krizek Maca, Linda Hixson Koetter, Denise Beckman Swiercinsky, Bonnie Hershberger Payne, Barb Hartman Berkevich, Laura Jaegar Gashchler, Gregg Colling, Mark Wilcox. ...

Harold (Butch) Decker Jan. 5, 1928 - July 29, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Harold L Decker, 87, met his Lord on July 29, 2015, at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska. He was born to Zenas and Bessie (Hawkins) Decker on Jan. 5, 1928, in Wauneta, Nebraska. He liked to tell people that he was "a government man" because he was born in a room at the back of the post office where his father was the post master...

Lester F. Webb July 18, 1924 - July 30, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Lester was born on a farm north of Bartley, Nebraska, on July 18, 1924, to Floyd Ellsworth and Dessie (McElroy) Kinnison Webb. He passed away July 30, 2015, at the age of 91. He attended rural school for eight years and graduated from Bartley High School in 1941...