Stories from Friday, April 22, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- Deborah Lee Sines, age 61, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at Community Hospital in McCook. On Jan. 9, 1955, Deborah was born in Springfield, Ohio, to Stanley and Loretta (Eaton) Littler. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1972...

*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. Activity log These items are taken from reports filed by the McCook Police Department. The locations refer to block numbers, not specific addresses. If you have information about any of these reports, call the police department at (308) 345-3450...

Brettani Donn Schmidt and Logan Khristian Pearson of McCook announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Brett and Lori Schmidt of McCook. Parent of the prospective bridegroom is Dan Pearson of Loveland, Colo. Grandparents of the couple are the late Vic and Geraldine Gonzales, the late Cliff and Peggy Schmidt, Jerry and Nancy Kautz of Culbertson, Neb. and George and Peggy Pearson of Sun City West, Ariz...

The family of Eugene and Shirley Axtell of Danbury will be hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, May 1, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lebanon Legion Hall, Lebanon, Neb. Their family includes Kathleen and Rob Quaduor of Indianola, Neb., Barbara and Matt Bamesberger of Kearney, Neb., and Lori and Chase Beeby of McCook, Neb. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A Bales' reunion is being planned for June 17, 18, 19 of 2016 in McCook. All relatives of Clarence and Polly (Burgess) Bales are invited to attend. It will begin with a pot luck supper in Barnett Park Friday night, June 17, at 6:30 p.m...

The family of Alfred and Marie (Wilcox) Kuck of Smithfield, Neb., is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 65th wedding anniversary. The open house is Sunday, May 1, 2016, 1 to 3 p.m at Smithfield Social Hall in Smithfield. The couple was married April 29, 1951, at the First Baptist Church in McCook, Neb. ...

Cops and courts are there to keep the rest of us honest, but who keeps them in line? In this case, it's the Nebraska Legislature, which passed LB 1106, and Gov. Pete Ricketts, who signed the bill Tuesday to reduce the opportunity for abuse of due process and private property rights through civil forfeiture...

The family of Wil and Sheri Sughroue is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th wedding anniversary that was on April 19. Their children are Katelyn, Lindsey and Kaleb. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 40398 Road 714, Bartley, NE 69020...

The children of Harold and Charlene Banzhaf of Indianola are requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, April 30. Their children are Charlotte Wardyn of Loup City, Neb., Kenneth Banzhaf of Indianola, Annette O'Mara of Kearney, Neb. and Sarah Banzhaf of Indianola. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 39429 Drive 716, Indianola, NE 69034...

On Thursday, April 21st, McCook Community College held its annual Honors Convocation which was started six years ago. It is designed to honor students at our college who have excelled academically, in service to the college or the community or both. ...

Joel and Taryn Arterburn of McCook announce the birth of their son, Drake Hunter Arterburn, who was born Feb. 23, 2016, at McCook. He weighed 7 pounds, 13.6 ounces and measured 21 and 1/4 inches long. He has two siblings, Bently, 4 and Harper, 2. Grandparents are Rich and Tonya Placzek and Tom and Cindi Arterburn, all of McCook. Great-grandparents are Gene and Jan Mahon, Kermit and Charlene Arterburn and Teresa Purvis, all of McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A blood drive in honor of cancer survivor Darin Neben of Culbertson is set for 12:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Community Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in McCook. Darin is celebrating his 10th birthday as well as being one year free of cancer treatment...

BOULDER, Colo. -- Erin Lewis of Mission Hills, Calif. and Lt. Dustin R. League of Stratton, Neb., were united in marriage Oct. 17, 2015, at Greenbriar Inn in Boulder, Colo. Parents of the bride are William and Deidre Lewis of Mission Hills. Parents of the bridegroom are Denis and Deborah League of Stratton. Grandparents are Ila League of Stratton and the late Roy League, Vonna Ragan of Stratton and the late Seth Ragan...

Well, it's good to be home again and on solid ground, not climbing over 3000' in a RZR up the Moab rocks. Personal opinion: The area around Moab, Utah, is breathtakingly beautiful, with huge canyons (hence the name "Canyonlands"), stunning rock formations and winding expanses of the Colorado River. Riding an UTV up the rocks is one of the "glad I did it; don't need to do it again" experiences of my life...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The newest "permanent residents" near Hugh Butler Lake north of McCook were released this morning from their corral of the last six weeks into a pasture north and east of the lake roads. When the corral gate swung open shortly after 8 a.m. today, seven American bison sniffed the ground for just a second or two and then bolted for the hills, kicking up their heels and snorting through the prairie grass and plum thickets...

Theodore Roosevelt greets Norma Stevens, McCook, during an appearance Wednesday at Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Cafe in McCook. The reprisor, Joe Wiegan, met Walt and Jean Sehnert while they were on a cruise through the Panama Canal and was invited to McCook afterwards. ...

A book signing for Jennifer Rodewald's new book, "The Carpenter's Daughter," is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New Life Christian Bookstore 221 Norris Ave. in McCook. Rodewald, of McCook, will be on hand to sign copies and talk with customers. This is Rodewald's third published book and the one she says was the most challenging. ...