Stories from Wednesday, November 2, 2016

We have just past a significant hallmark of the year, in the ancient Celtic calendar, that is. It is a cross-quarter day called Samhain, pronounced SAH-win, (don't ask me, I just report these things) otherwise known as Halloween -- or better yet as All Hallows Eve'...

Somebody should do something about that. How many times have you thought that after you saw someone suffering through an injustice, abuse or neglect? Someone in need or with a potential unrealized? Many are quick to act on their own, and we're grateful people like them...

Loretta Lee (Riemer) Powell Nov. 11, 1930 - Sept. 25, 2016 BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Loretta Lee (Riemer) Powell passed away Sept. 25, 2016, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman; she was born on Nov. 11, 1930, to Ralph L. and Emma R. (Frenzen) Riemer-Howard. She grew up in Benkelman, graduated from Benkelman High School in 1948 and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church...

Gerald L. Peterson McCOOK, Neb. -- Gerald L. Peterson, 64, of McCook, died Tuesday (Nov. 1, 2016), at the Community Hospital in McCook. Services are pending with Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.

Thelma Mae Petrina Nov. 12, 1915 - Nov. 2, 2016 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Thelma Mae Petrina passed away at the Cambridge Manor today, Nov. 2, 2012, at the age of 100 She was born Nov. 12, 1915, to Marion and Nora Ellen (Pierson) Luckey at Holbrook, Neb. She attended Holbrook High School and graduated with the Class of 1933. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Community Hospital Health Foundation recently awarded $14,800 in health career scholarships, including two $2,000 general assistance awards, two $1,500 general assistance awards, six $1,000 scholarships and three $500 scholarships to deserving students. ...

SPEARVILLE, Kan. -- Rawlins County saw its 2016 football campaign come to an end with a 52-6 loss at Spearville on Tuesday...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Another 14-win improvement next fall and McCook High could be the Grand Island Northwest Vikings of 2017...

NORFOLK, Neb. -- Northeast Community College has named McCook-native Marcus Clapp to lead its new baseball program.

GOTHENBURG, Neb. -- It's official: the Southern Valley Eagles have no problem with playing Cambridge for both a subdistrict and district volleyball championship...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Local construction activity appears to have lulled after experiencing an up year in 2015. The City of McCook reported just shy of $8 million in construction activity through the first nine months of 2016, a decrease of more than $4.6 million when compared to prior year...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- The Tri Valley Health System Annual Soup Supper and Silent Auction is planned for Wednesday, November 16th. The event will be held at the Cambridge Community Building from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Several varieties of homemade soups and pies will be served. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A local church will serve as a collection site this year for the Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas Child--the world's largest Christmas project of its kind. During National Collection Week, Nov. 14 -- 21, McCook residents will donate shoeboxes--filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball--for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world. ...

Community Chest board members Steve Rasmussen and Ronda Graff hold up boxes that will be used at the "Big Give McCook" donation stations. Starting at midnight, donations can be given that will benefit a total of 18 non-profits in the area. Donors can specify which non-profit to receive the donation. ...

Election Day in Nebraska is less than a week away. For those of you who will be voting in person on Tuesday, you will be deciding on Referendum Number 426: whether or not to repeal LB 268, which abolished the death penalty in Nebraska. The wording on the ballot can be confusing, so I would like to clarify that voting to repeal will undo what the Legislature did, and return the death penalty to Nebraska. ...

BARTLEY, Neb. -- Different venue, same result...