Stories from Monday, March 28, 2016

Richard Darnell Drake Sept. 20, 1929 - March 26, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Richard Darnell Drake was born on Sept. 20, 1929, in McCook, the son of Harry Newton Drake and Erciel A. (Ewing) Drake. He passed away at his home on March 26, 2016. He grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1948. He graduated from McCook Junior College and the University of Nebraska with a bachelor of science degree in business administration...

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...

At the risk of using an Easter metaphor a day too late, we'd say Nebraska is putting most of its eggs in one basket when it comes to energy. A bill to make it easier for private developers to build renewable energy facilities in Nebraska failed to make it out of committee this legislative session, so our state will continue to depend on coal for the majority of its electricity...

Recently, during a discussion on new businesses in McCook, there were comments about some of the entrepreneurs McCook has been home to over the years. Today we take a look at some of the early businesses in McCook. (In those early years, you might say that everyone who come west to settle this new country was an entrepreneur.) From the McCook Gazette Archives...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Heritage Days Committee met recently to continue discussion about plans for the 2016 Heritage Days celebration on the weekend of Sept. 24-25. The committee is excited about celebrating our theme, "Back in Time"! Plans for the craft vendor show are being made and the application for vendors is now available on the Chamber's website in the "NEWS" section at www.mccookchamber.org...

DETROIT -- Detroit motorcycle builder and master metal shaper, Eric Gorges is a man on a mission. His goal: to seek out and spotlight the modern maker community, men and women who practice the lost art of making things by hand and to bring their stories to television. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Nebraska law enforcement officers will likely receive a break on college tuition costs in the near future. The change comes from a bill presented to the Governor Thursday which passed on final reading with a 46-0-3 vote. The bill, LB 906, allows Nebraska law enforcement officers in good standing with their agency to receive a 30 percent tuition waiver to any university, state or community college in Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Count your blessings ... and when you do ... be thankful you live in the Heartland of America. Looking back over the past four years, that's the message Terri Shipshock of the Community Hospital Health Foundation wants to ring out loud and clear as she pays tribute to the generous businesses, the loyal volunteers and the supporting citizens who have made the "Concerts for Healthcare" such an overwhelming success...

McOOK, Neb. --Community Hospital made the decision to activate controlled access on Thursday due to a situation where a person became verbally abusive and threatening, according to Dari Olson, Director of Safety. The situation happened around 7 p.m. Thursday and lasted around 15 minutes. "Because of the person's demeanor and actions and for the safety of our patients, staff and visitors coming in and out of the facility, we chose to go into controlled access," Olson said...