Stories from Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Ron L. Smith Dec. 9, 1961 - May 7, 2016 OMAHA, Neb. -- Ron L. Smith, 54, of Omaha, formerly of McCook, Neb., died Saturday, May 7, 2016. He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Smith. Survivors include his father, Paul "Bud" Smith; wife, Heidi Smith; children, Katie, Gibson and Gracie Smith; brother, Randy (Joan) Smith; nephews, Ryan, Tyler and Colton Smith; and many loving family and friends...

Rita Jeannine (Lebow) Schmid Aug. 27, 2933 - May 7, 2016 ST. FRANCIS, Kan. -- Rita Jeannine (Lebow) Schmid, 82, died Saturday (May 7, 2016), at Good Samaritan Society in St. Francis. She was born Aug. 27, 1933, in McDonald, Kan. She was a retired truck driver and homemaker...

Hollis Irene Kehlbeck Sept. 29, 1919 - May 8, 2016 CENTENNIAL, Colo.-- Hollis Irene Kehlbeck, 96, died Sunday (May 8, 2016), at Centennial. She was born Sept. 29, 1919, in Bird City, Kan. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fritz and son, Larry, in 1962...

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. -- The McCook Educational Foundation announces its 2016 scholarships and winners. They are: The McCook Educational Foundation Scholarship ($400): Dustin Bredvick, son of Thomas and Janie Bredvick Myrtle Ashton Scholarship ($250): Stephen Hoffman. son of Darcy Hansen and stepfather, Frank Hansen...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Educational Foundation announces the following students with perfect attendance in the McCook Public School system for the 2015-2016 school year. Kindergarten: Cassidy Felker, Aspen Kotschwar, Mikayla Sowell, Khloe Weiss and John White...

HASTINGS, Neb. -- Central Community College-Hastings honored 432 graduating students May 7 during its 49th annual commencement ceremonies. Dave McCarthy, south region manager for Titan Machinery, was the keynote speaker. Hastings Campus President Bill Hitesman presented the candidates for graduation to CCC President Dr. Greg Smith, who conferred the degrees and diplomas...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook residents living adjacent to absentee property owners that habitually shirk sidewalk clearing responsibilities were advised to make certain the police department is aware of the situation, recently. "We try to get people to comply without issuing tickets, that's not what we're here for," said City Manager Nate Schneider during last week's meeting of the McCook City Council...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County election officials are anticipating low voter turnout today. The clerk's office said this morning many people they heard from feel the presidential election has already been decided, at least as far as the Primary Election goes...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Parents, students and patrons expressed concerns Monday night that the resignation of a popular band teacher will be a major loss to McCook Public Schools. Some 50 to 75 patrons attended the regular McCook Board of Education meeting Monday night at the junior high cafeteria, with many urging the board to look into administrators' role in the resignation of Donita Priebe, high school band instructor and dance team sponsor...

CURTIS, Neb. -- Graduates in the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Class of 2016 were challenged to pursue their agricultural professions with vigor while producing food and agricultural technologies around the globe, and to treat others with love and respect, advised Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts during commencement exercises on Thursday...

Jeremy Bain, of JLB Welding & Repair of rural McCook, dry fits a new stainless steel stand for the diving board at the McCook YMCA. Bain fabricated the new stand after a cast aluminum stand, installed in 2005, cracked and corroded in the pool's wet, humid atmosphere and was beyond repair. ...

Today is primary day in Nebraska. The really big election comes in November. I hope you cast your ballot because your voice is important. This old political junkie will be eager to see the results tomorrow morning. No doubt the voter turnout will be dismal as the presidential delegates are already named and we being few in Nebraska receive little national media attention anyway. ...

Lincoln commuters on the way home from work Monday had to deal with more than traffic as a storm pounded the area, dropping snowdrifts of hail up to football size, as much as 6 inches of rain and spawning at least one tornado. Red Willow and Frontier counties were spared serious damage when two or three tornadoes twisted through the area Sunday, but summer 2016 seems to be shaping up as a stormy season...

Dr. Vernon Harold 'Bud' Hanke March 21, 1928 -May 9, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Dr. Vernon Harold "Bud" Hanke passed away Monday, May 9, 2016, at his home in McCook, surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old. Bud was born on March 21, 1928, at Holyoke, Colo., to parents, William A. ...