Stories from Thursday, July 13, 2017

Robert LeRoy Burton Dec. 16, 1945 - July 12, 2017 FREMONT, Neb. — Robert LeRoy Burton, 71, passed away July 12, 2017, in Fremont.  Robert was born Dec. 16, 1945, in Maywood, Neb., to Roy I. Burton and Rowena Ruth Towne Burton. Robert had one older sister, Iona.  Iona and Robert were raised on a farm southwest of Maywood and he graduated from Maywood High School in 1964 and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1968. ...

Gloria Jean (Ruby) Kersey Feb. 23, 1947 - July 11, 2017 WHITEWOOD, S.D. — Gloria Jean (Ruby) Kersey passed away at her home in Whitewood on July 11, 2017, at the age of 70. She fought a courageous two and half year battle with lung cancer. Gloria was preceded in death by the loss of her closest friend and mother, Elaine; her father, Douglas; and her stepfather, Fred Seybold. She also lost a close sibling, her brother, Stuart, one year ago...

It’s amazing just how much sports history can be found among McCook-area collectors of memorabilia. They were gracious enough to conduct some cool tours on a hot Tuesday afternoon this week, but how many fans would even recognize these items? Here’s the first chance to show your knowledge as we move towards another high school and sports year starting in August. ...

KEARNEY, Neb. — In a wild All-Star affair featuring 32 hits and 22 runs, no Mid-Nebraska League East slugger could touch Kaden Sitzman Wednesday evening. McCook National Bank’s No. 1 starting pitcher showed he could close the deal against East All-Stars ranging from Kearney to Aurora to York...

McCOOK, Neb. — For some kids, the only good meal they get is at school. So during the summer months, how those kids are eating is anyone’s guess. To help with that, a USDA program now in progress, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), is being utilized by several schools and non-profits across the U.S., including in Benkelman, Neb., by providing hot meals to income-eligible children and teens during summer vacation...

The number of storage silos has grown to five Wednesday afternoon as construction continues on an agricultural chemical handling and distribution facility, Next Generation Inc, going up in the McCook industrial park behind Valmont. The $9 million redevelopment project will provide the 20-acre industrial park with its third tenant...

McCook, Neb. — Community Hospital, McCook, Nebraska, was named a 2017 Most Wired hospital today, according to Derek Sailors, Director of Information Systems. The hospital received the Most Wired award in 2016, as well, and won the Most Improved category of the survey in 2013 and 2014. “2017 was another great year for advancement in all facets of Community Hospital’s technology ecosystem.” Sailors said.  ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A Holbrook man who crashed his Jeep Cherokee into the Cedar Inn Motel office building received jail time Monday in Red Willow County District Court after being convicted of attempted drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Fire Department indicated no injuries were reported within city limits during the 4th of July holiday. Fireworks-related fires were also a non-issue, for the most part, this year, and Fire Chief Marc Harpham praised area residents and firework vendors...

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cambridge High School grad Chad Fuller, his family and friends after a weekend accident in which he suffered a broken neck and paralysis. His father, Bob, is a former McCook High School football coach now at Grand Island Central Catholic, and his mother, Jo, is a Cambridge city councilwoman...

I can feel it coming. It creeps up on me now and then, even when I’m not expecting it. I’ve done a good job of ignoring it and pushing it out but I can feel it sneaking in as each day goes by. People ask me how I’m doing now and then, or if I can believe it and I just smile and change the subject as fast as I can...

McCOOK, Neb. — As farmers worldwide search for ways to limit costs and increase yields, an increasing number are turning to the American Agricultural Laboratory in McCook for soil fertility recommendations. With the aid of a master agronomist and expanded software, in the past two years the ag lab has increased the number of crops it consults on from 60 to 151. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — On the northwestern edge of McCook, a large gray metal building is taking shape as the headquarters for a regional business known as Cherry Seed & Imagery. The structure — featuring an 8,000 square foot warehouse and 1,000 square foot office area — will be the centerpiece of a seed business which will serve grain producers throughout western Nebraska, western Kansas and eastern Colorado...