Stories from Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Tomorrow marks the 75th Anniversary of the day the world changed! "A day that will live in infamy". It was a bright early Sunday morning and the Pacific was at peace. Then out of nowhere a whole fleet of Japanese torpedo, fighter and dive bombers rained down steel on the US Navy. Chaos. Never again the same...

The U.S. military has 1.3 million troops on active duty, the fewest since before the Pearl Harbor attack 75 years ago Wednesday. Yet it has more full-time employees involved in logistics or supply chain jobs than the entire United Parcel Service workforce, and its purchasing bureaucracy would rank among the top 30 private employers in the United States...

How often do you read the Bible? Once a day? Seldom? Never? Many years ago I was dignosed with scriptomania: Constantly ready and quoting the Bible. Even one small scripture made me tipsy. Then it became a vile habit. I began hiding Bibles int he attic and cellar so as not to run short...

80th birthday The children of Sam Smith of McCook are requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. He grew up and graduated from high school in Culbertson, Neb. His family includes children, Laura Parde of Trenton, Neb., Shelly Tietz of Ashland, Neb., Brenda Simmonds of Topeka, Kan., Scott Smith of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 700 West 14th, McCook, NE 69001...

Rawlins County and Decatur Community football players were named to the 2016 Northwest Kansas League All-Conference team...

McCOOK, Neb. -- With a strong show of support from members, the Heritage Hills Golf Course board of directors pledged an all-out effort in 2017 to grow the club's membership...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County's jailers and jail administrators are getting raises mid-stream only because one jailer has quit and jail supervisor Gerry Hunter and Sheriff Alan Kotschwar have decided not to fill the vacancy. The county's jail staff members will each get raises of about 82 cents an hour, or about $150 a month, as Hunter addresses the need to keep good staff members and attract good candidates by paying competitive wages...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County got out of the banking and loan business in 2012. Four and a half years later, on Monday morning, county commissioners made it clear they don't want to be in the debt collection business either. During their weekly meeting Monday, commissioners revealed that two of the businesses that borrowed money from the county's former revolving loan program are now behind on their payments. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A pair of incumbent members of the McCook City Council were sworn in for another four years Monday evening and elections for Mayor and Vice President were conducted without changes. Councilman Jerry Calvin and Councilwoman Janet Hepp both ran unopposed during this year's General Election. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Several local residents have reported receiving calls claiming they had won millions of dollars and should prepare for the arrival of the "prize patrol" with the money. The scam becomes apparent, however, after the caller, reportedly from Jamaica, asks for banking information so the "winner" can pay necessary "insurance" to receive the prize...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook residents hoping for a leash-free dog park may be in for a wait. Finding property for the park isn't the problem, allocating city revenue is, at least according to one official. The Burns family donated property to the City of McCook in 2009 with initial discussions indicating it would be used to develop a leash-free dog park. The property is located at East 11th and C Street...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Newly-elected board members attended the Community Hospital board of directors regularly scheduled board meeting on November 16 as guests. Robert C. Hinze, DMP and Lena Koebel were elected to the board and Todd Thieszen was reelected. Hinze and Koebel will begin their three-year terms at the Dec. 21 board meeting. The directors were asked to consider who they would consider to serve as officers. Elections will be held at the Dec. 21 board meeting...

Ashton Pedersen center, is all smiles while getting his picture taken with Alice in Wonderland (Janelle Metcalf) and the Mad Hatter (Bill Longnecker), at the McCook City Library Monday. The portraits were part of the "Wonderland" activities scheduled for kids, with more than 40 children attending. ...

Steven E. Newton June 10, 1947 - Dec. 5, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Steven E. Newton, age 69, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at his home in McCook. Steven was born June 10, 1947, to parents, Herbert and Betty Jean (Esch) Newton in McCook. He was one of four children growing up in McCook, graduating from McCook High with the Class of 1965...

Eldon R. Cook Dec. 1, 1931 - Dec. 4, 2016 SEATTLE, Wash. -- Eldon R. Cook passed into eternal life on Dec. 4, 2016, at the age of 85. Eldon was the youngest son of the late Casper and Lillie Cook of Imperial, Neb. Eldon graduated as an Imperial Longhorn, from the class of "49," and then went on to graduate first from McCook Community College with an associates degree and then on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in business administration...