Stories from Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Dear Gene O: Brilliant, Brilliant--You and Walt should be commended for coming up with the nick name of cookietown for our fair city. That certainly was a stroke of genius. I think I may have heard that name in the distance past, but to revive it is wonderful. I am sure you have other good ideas to help promote our cookietown...

Barbara Baney Sept. 23, 1931 - Dec. 17, 2015 BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Barbara Ann Baney was born to Leo and Mary (Bracket) Barnell in Kimball, Nebraska, on Sept. 23, 1931. She graduated from Benkelman High School in 1949 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. On Feb. 26, 1950, she was united in marriage to Manley Baney in Benkelman, Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The good works of McCook residents reach around the world. Among examples of this is the finely crafted, lathe-shaping skill of Elmer Frick, who spends many hours on his days off making beautiful pens for his friends, cancer survivors and servicemen throughout the world...

Gov. Ricketts vehemently opposes expansion of Nebraska's Medicaid program in line with the Affordable Care Act, saying it places the state budget at unreasonable risk. Rejected three times in three years, expanding Medicaid eligibility would add primarily able-bodied adults to the program, Ricketts said, and adding that he doesn't trust the federal government's promise of matching at least 90 percent of the cost...

It is always fun to dip into the old mailbag to get a question from readers. This one asks, "Why are there so many bright stars in the winter sky?" Good question. With the stars of Orion, Auriga, Taurus all hanging just above the eastern horizon after sunset, it would seem there are a lot of bright stars available for our viewing...

McCOOK, Neb. -- "The Prom Shop," a one-of-a-kind specialty dress shop, needs to restock its racks in preparation for upcoming color day dances and spring proms. The Prom Shop in McCook has relied on donated dresses for each of its unique shopping opportunities the last two years. "We've had wonderful responses from young girls who come shopping," said Prom Shop project coordinator Lisa Felker. "We just need more dresses this year from which to shop," said co-coordinator Melissa Stritt...

In high school, Kyla Monie enjoyed participating in theater but her roles were often limited to non-speaking roles like "strolling Townswoman #3." Since she's come to McCook Community College her anonymous "stage strolling" roles have expanded. This weekend, she'll take on the lead role of "Teacher" in MCC's presentation of the Challenger Space Shuttle-themed "Defying Gravity."...

McCOOK, Neb. -- State senators receive campaign contributions from all sides of an issue, District 44 State Sen. Dan Hughes said. Last week, the Nebraska Farmers Union claimed a conflict of interest existed with some state legislators who accepted campaign contributions from a Chinese-owned pork producer prior to debate on a bill likely to impact the future of the industry in Nebraska...

Vera Janece Cumming Nov. 5, 1926 - Jan. 27, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Vera Janece Cumming, age 89, of McCook, departed this life on Jan. 27, 2016, at the CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. She was born Nov. 5, 1926, in her great-grandmother Rebecca's home one fourth mile north of Danbury, Nebraska. ...

Harold Dean Christiansen March 3, 1933 - Jan. 26, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Harold Dean Christiansen of McCook passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. He was 82 years old. Harold was born on March 3, 1933, at Great Bend, Kansas to parents Reynolds and Viola (Tieperman) Christiansen. He attended grade school at Mount Pleasant Country School and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1952...