Stories from Friday, September 9, 2016

They were bikini-like tops, flowered shirts, waved pom poms and brought the kind of school spirit that made all those outfits look respectable Thursday night...

A recap of area volleyball matches from Thursday night:

The 2016 Mid-Plains Community College Stampede will pit some of the toughest cowboys and cowgirls in the region against the rankest livestock on the circuit.
..

Nebraska coach Mike Riley expects a lot of Wyoming players will show up at Memorial Stadium on Saturday with chips the size of Devils Tower on their shoulders.

Cam Newton will get a few extra days to recover from his latest beating by Von Miller and crew. At least he won't have to seethe for seven months...

SMITHFIELD, Neb. -- Bailey Lynn Siekman of Smithfield, Neb., and Brenden Funk of McCook, Neb., were united in marriage on June 18, 2016, at the bride's home, outside in a tent with the Rev. Clark Bates of McCook Christian Church officiating. Parents of the bride are Brian and Amber Siekman of Smithfield. Grandparents are Gary and Marlene Dahlgren of Bertrand, Neb., and Darrell and Sue Siekman of Central City, Neb...

50th anniversary The family of Dick and Bonnie Loper of Sun City West, Ariz., is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Sept. 24. They were married in 1966 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford, Neb. They lived in McCook for nearly 40 years, where Richard was an engineer for Burling Northern Santa Fe Railway and was an avid aviator and golfer. ...

Been, Bennett Amy Been and Brian Bennett of Tucson, Ariz., announce their marriage and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Kent and Peggy Been of Indianola, Neb. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Gary and Kathy Bennett of Streamwood, Ill...

80th birthday The family of Richard Johnson of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 14. He was born in McCook. His family includes his children, Teresa Slaby and Rick and Kim Johnson of McCook, Joanie and Mike Eastman of Lincoln, Neb.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his dog, Lucy. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 304 East 5th, McCook, NE...

Jacob Stanley Neel Josh and Amanda Neel of McCook announce the birth of their son, Jacob Stanley Neel, born Aug. 4, 2016, at Community Hospital in McCook. He weighed six pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 inches long. He has a sister, Faith, 4, and brother, Levi, 2. Grandparents are Chris and Leeann McCarty and Don and Patti Neel, all of McCook. Great-grandparents are Inger Jacobs of McCook, Nadena McCarty of North Platte, Neb., and Margaret Gates of Palisade, Neb...

Dutcher, Riggs Terra Lee Dutcher and Orrin Dean Riggs, both of Stratton, Neb., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Kasey and Russ Reichert of Benkelman, Neb., and Jeremy and Sue Dutcher of Culbertson, Neb. Grandparents are Bill and Rita Fritsch of Culbertson and Jesse and Becky Dutcher of McCook, Neb...

The Red Willow County 1990 census is available to search online at the society's web site: www.swngs.org. You don't have to be a member to access this information; just go to the website and scroll down to the census pages. Click on the precinct or town you wish to search. ...

Whether you're a fitness junkie, busy parent, sleep-deprived student or diehard sweet tooth, peanut butter is an ingredient that sticks for all of life's moments. With a healthy boost of protein and energy, peanut butter is perfect as an on-the-go snack, fuel for a workout, a reliable family meal or a decadent dessert...

STRATTON, Neb. -- The Southwest Prairie Quail Forever chapter had its second youth mentor hunt on Sept. 2, 2016. They invited nine children from the Hitchcock and Dundy county area to dove hunt, prioritizing those that had not hunted before. Which turned out to be quite a challenge for the area, as most children have hunting experience with their families...

Last weekend's rainfall left its mark on the A Street Park in McCook, washing a collection of roofing shingles, bricks and rocks underneath one of the city park's two metal slides, Thursday afternoon. Weather forecasters are predicting a dry weekend with a chance of afternoon showers to return on Tuesday...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A pep rally and bonfire are some of the events open to the community, for McCook High School Spirit Week. The McCook Bison football team will host the Alliance Bulldogs at Weiland Field on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. Coronation of homecoming king, queen and homecoming court will be after the game...

OBERLIN, Kan. -- On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Decatur County Museum will host a Mini Sapa Celebration "Movie Night," at 7 p.m. at the Sunflower Cinema in downtown Oberlin, showing director John Ford's 1964 movie, "Cheyenne Autumn." The movie follows the 1878 exodus of Northern Cheyenne Indians from a reservation in the Oklahoma territory toward their traditional homelands in Wyoming and Montana...

High Plains Museum board member and quilter Lois Tiller invites quilters and quilt owners to share their treasures during the museum's "All Ages, All Eras" quilt show during McCook's Heritage Days Celebration weekend, Sept. 23, 24 and 25. The age of the quilt does not matter, Lois says; she wants to display all eras of quilt-making. ...

When I analyze my life from birth until now, there's no doubt that I was happiest during my childhood. I grew up in an extended family in which I was the only child so I was loved and protected from the day I was born and that gave me the courage and the integrity to pursue my dreams...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Clinic, P.C. and Southwest Nebraska Physical Therapy recently donated $3,885 raised from sports physicals to the McCook Bison Booster program. McCook physicians, physician assistants and Community Hospital's physical therapy department, Southwest Nebraska Physical Therapy, performed 349 athletic physicals last year for McCook Public Schools...

McCOOK, Neb. -- It won't fix everything, but if voters in Red Willow County approve via a mail-in ballot the 6-percent increase in the county's restrictive funds, Hillcrest Nursing Home will have enough to repair the roof. Ballots are being mailed today to residents, asking that the county be allowed to increase the restrictive fund by 6 percent, garnering $245,000 for the operation and maintenance at Hillcrest. ...

Public hearing Monday at Junior High McCOOK, Neb. -- The property tax levy for the McCook School District will increase by almost one cent. A public budget hearing for support, opposition, criticism or suggestions of taxpayers for the proposed 2016 tax rate and property tax request is Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the junior high conference room. After the hearing, the board will meet for its regular meeting and be asked to approved the tax request and budget...

Virginia M. Andre Oct. 23, 1916 - Sept. 8, 2016 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Virginia M. Andre, age 99, passed away at her home in Cambridge on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. She was born in Wilsonville, Neb., on Oct. 23, 1916, to Guy and Pearl (Johnson) Lyons. Virginia attended and graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1933...

Class B No. 4 McCook posted its first shutout of the season with a 42-0 win over Sidney.