Stories from Tuesday, February 9, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Democratic Party announced an unprecedented number of site locations for the 2016 Presidential Caucus in all 93 counties across the state of Nebraska. The 2016 Presidential Caucuses will take place in Nebraska on Saturday, March 5th 2016 at various times between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. CST and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. MST...

Four-year-old Tenley Anderson glides down a small hill in McCook's Kelley Park, while a more adventurous Asher Long sails off the ramp near the bottom of the big hill. Deep snow from last week's blizzard hangs around in many areas, even though the temperatures this week are forecast in the upper 40's and lower 50's...

The public's business must be done in public. That's especially true when it comes to selecting leadership for major institutions like the University of Nebraska. However, a hearing on LB1109 Wednesday will help decide whether our state actually believes in open government...

We have seen many changes take place in politics and our economy. However one constant is that many people are battling cancer and many others are supporting their loved ones each and every day. These realities make dollars donated and hours volunteered to the American Cancer Society in Furnas and Red Willow Counties so important...

Allen Millar had one of the best descriptions of life in the Sandhills I ever heard. Allen said that "Where we lived the neighbors were so far apart we had to keep our own tomcats!" I knew and enjoyed Allen during his reign as Dean of McCook College or was that Chancellor or maybe Superintendent and it could have been McCook Community College. No matter we love the place which brings good people to our community...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook School Board got its first look at the school calendar for next year and approved three resignations and one retirement, at the regular meeting Monday night. The board will have a month to contemplate the draft of the 2016-17 school calendar presented Monday night by Superintendent Grant Norgaard, with discussion and a vote on it scheduled for the March meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. -- One judge wrote, "Wicked chili!" Another wrote, "Needs more spice." A third scribbled, "My favorite. Ummm, bacon!" One judge said this was the most celery he'd eaten in years. Within the first four or five entries of chili, the five men judging the annual "Dick Driml Memorial Chili Cook-Off" at McCook Community College Saturday were developing red faces and the sniffles. ...

Some local wag took a tongue-in-cheek poke at local law enforcement after McCook officers were forced to shoot a pair of turkeys who made pests of themselves around town last month, intimidating pets and people and damaging property.

Milan Tom 'M.T.' Evans GOLDEN, Colo. -- Milan Tom "M.T." Evans, 77, died recently following a long battle with cancer. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, University of Nebraska College of Dentistry of Nebraska, and graduated in 1962. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Coral Sea from 1963 to 1965. He participated in the U.S. Naval Reserve for five years as Lt. Commander...

Sarah Louise Smith Jan. 21, 1944 - Feb. 7, 2016 CURTIS, Neb. -- Sarah Louise Smith, 72, died Sunday (Feb. 7, 2016), at her home. Sarah was born in Griswold, Iowa, and later moved with her family to Valley, Nebraska, where she attended Valley High School. She drove a school bus for six years in both Odell and Blue Hill school district, worked in home health care and spent 11 years working for the local Co-op. In 1977, she married Larry Smith. They lived in Maywood, Nebraska, for over 30 years...

Natasha RaeAnne (Gordon) McGinnis Aug. 22, 1988 - Feb. 7, 2016 NORTON, Kan. -- Natasha RaeAnne (Gordon) McGinnis, 27, died Sunday (Feb. 7, 2016), in a vehicle accident. She was born Aug. 22, 1988, in Denver, Colorado. She was a certified nursing assistant...

Gladys (Schlepp) Cook Oct. 17, 1931 - Feb. 6, 2016 SABETHA, Kan. -- Gladys (Schlepp) Cook, 84, died Saturday (Feb. 6, 2016) at Sabetha, Kansas. She was born Oct. 17, 1931, in St. Francis, Kansas. She was the county treasurer for 31 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Cook; and son, Steve Cook in 1987...

Ada (Pugh) Connett March 26, 1923 - Feb. 6, 2016 ST. FRANCIS, Kan. -- Ada (Pugh) Connett, 92, died Saturday (Feb. 6, 2016), at Oakland Manor in Oakland, Iowa. She was born March 26, 1923, in Cheyenne County, Kansas. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Connett and daughter, Carolyn Query in 2006...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nearly 4,500 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have been named to the Deans' List/Explore Center List of Distinguished Students for the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year. Qualification for the Deans' List/List of Distinguished Students varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center. ...

William Ortiz, Sr. (Bill) Oct. 24, 1966 - Feb. 8, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- William Ortiz, Sr. (Bill) died Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at his home in McCook. He was 49 years old. Bill was born in McCook on Oct. 24, 1966, to Charles D. and Margaret A. (Castle) Ortiz. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook woman received jail time last week in Red Willow County District Court on a felony drug charge. The woman, 28-year-old Shanda N. Blake of 1411 West 15th Street, was ordered to serve 300 days in jail with credit given for 63 days already served. Blake accepted a plea agreement in November admitting guilt to a Class IV felony for possession of methamphetamine and dismissing lesser offenses for not having insurance or a driver's license on her person...