Stories from Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Clara "Velma" Ogorzolka Jan. 2, 1922 - July 24, 2015 HOLDREGE, Neb. -- Velma Ogorzolka, age 93, formerly of Holdrege, died at St. John's Nursing Home in Kearney on July 24, 2015. She was born the fourth child of Eddie and Clara (Fry) Harshfield at Prosser, Nebraska, on Jan. ...

Elizabeth Parman BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Elizabeth "Betty" Parman, 80, a longtime Dundy County resident, died Tuesday (Aug. 25, 2015), at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. Survivors include her husband, Floyd Parman of Benkelman; children, Richard Parman and wife, Wanda of Benkelman and James Parman and wife, Deborah of Grand Junction, Colorado; sister, Millie Glasco of Bird City, Kansas; brother, Tom Jones and wife, Sharlane of Benkelman; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.. ...

Doyle E. Denney April 28, 1945 - Aug. 24, 2015 GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Doyle E. Denney, 70, of Grand Island died on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at the Evangelical Free Church in Grand Island. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. ...

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...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Public School students reached all-time highs in the area of reading, according to results from the Nebraska State Accountability -- NeSA -- test scores. The yearly tests measure Nebraska student proficiency on reading, math, science and writing. Tests were given in spring 2015...

A car sits high-centered early this morning on a drive-way retaining wall between homes at 913 and 915 West J in McCook. The driver, the lone occupant, was taken to Community Hospital of McCook. Ginger Cash, the homeowner of 913 West J, said, "The tree saved us and our house." Ginger's neighbor said she glanced out her front window just after midnight to see the eastbound car go airborne after striking a shorter driveway retaining wall between 915 and 917 West J. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- U.S. Senator Deb Fischer visited McCook Tuesday and brought with her a seldom-heard positive message, at least in recent years, "The U.S. Senate is working." "Sometimes we don't hear that," said Sen. Fischer, adding the mainstream media liked to focus on the legislative gridlock rather than accomplishments. She said the U.S. Senate has voted on 100 amendments so far this year, compared to only 15 last year...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. -- "Why not?" Phoebe Bullis exclaimed , a mischievous grin spreading across her face, when someone asked her Tuesday why a 90-year-old woman wants to ride in a motorcycle sidecar. Phoebe, a resident of Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska, crawled into the sidecar of Jim Howard's Honda motorcycle Tuesday afternoon for a quick spin around town. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- In preparation for their 20th year, the Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival Committee members have announced a new season of "First Tuesday" events for local storytelling. The year kicks off September 1 from 7 -- 8 p.m. at the Bieroc Café with stories about the Indianola Prisoner of War Camp...

Blood donations drop off during the summer, so it was good to see the donors who turned out for Tuesday's Red Cross collection at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, and we hope today's turnout, ending at 5 p.m., helps boost the supply as well. The next drive in McCook will be Oct. 6 at McCook Community College, but keep your ears open for other opportunities as well...

Normally in this column we discuss astronomical events that are coming up, however, today we are discussing something which is not going to happen--ever. Many of you by this time have seen postings on various aspects of social media that on August 27th, there will be two moon sized objects in the sky, one the planet Mars, and the other the moon. Well, sorry to burst your expectative bubble, but in the vernacular of my people--it ain't gonna happen...

Robert A. Mitchem Feb. 10, 1944 - Aug. 24, 2015 INDIANOLA, Neb. -- Robert A. Mitchem, age 71, of Indianola passed away Aug. 24, 2015, at his home in Indianola. Robert was born Feb. 10, 1944, in McCook, Nebraska, to parents Dale and Fern (Worske) Mitchem. He was one of 10 children born to this union. Robert grew up in McCook, moving to Indianola in the 1990s...