Stories from Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Much ado about something that makes very little sense to my family and friends that live work and love in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. My great grandad fought on the winning side of the Civil War the war that was to abolish slavery forever in the United States. Over and done with. Former Private James Hoyt then immigrated to Nebraska from his native Ohio found a bride and the two settled to homestead south of Culbertson...

Lightning safety awareness week was back in June, but Southwest Nebraska seems to be having more lightning events now as we head into a season when large groups of us are outdoors — football season. “When lightning roars, go indoors” is an easily-remembered phrase, but hard to follow when the home team is down by a touchdown and nearly ready to score...

40th anniversary Winston and Debby (Wylie) Lafferty of McCook will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. They were married in 1977 at the United Methodist Church in McCook. They have two sons, Wynn and Angie Lafferty of Lincoln, Neb., and Ty and Melissa Lafferty of Malcolm, Neb., and five granddaughters, Lily, Braylyn, Haille and twins, Lyla and Adelia. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1722 W. Second, McCook, NE 69001...

McCOOK, Neb. — They’ve Shamrock Shuffled, enjoyed an evening glow, ran for Freeman and got a little crazy during last month’s YPG Color Run. Now superheroes become the theme as Republican River Series passes its halfway point of 2017. Saturday’s Super Hero 5K/Half-Marathon goes far beyond any references to Spiderman or that recent amazing Wonder Woman movie...

Big dates are spreading across everyone’s calendar weeks before anyone has to paint their fingernails for Homecoming. Or shave considering some of the impressive facial hair already appearing on several area football coaches. Who will start pulling their hair out first?...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council hadn’t approved an increase to the city’s property tax levy in more than a decade prior to last year’s bump and could be asked to approve another increase this year, depending on what happens with assessments. Monday’s budget hearing provided City Council members with a first look at the proposed 2017-18 city budget and capital expenditure requests. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners agreed to close the courthouse and all county offices on Monday, Aug. 21, from noon until 2 p.m., so that county employees can watch the solar eclipse that will provide a once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience expected to start — weather permitting — about 11:30 a.m...

McCOOK, Neb. — The man who wants to preserve what remains of the former World War II Army Airbase northwest of McCook complained to Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning about trespassers. Dale Cotton of McCook told commissioners that he has people going past his “No Trespassing” signs. “I have a private road easement. I have people on tours who donate money,” Cotton said...

McCOOK, Neb. — A Cambridge woman was sentenced to probation recently in Red Willow County District Court on a misdemeanor offense for attempting to possess methamphetamine. The woman, 27-year-old Kayla Jo Dela Vega, was ordered to serve 24 months probation during a July 31 hearing...

McCOOK, Neb. — One of two people arrested in connection with a counterfeit credit card scheme, believed to have resulted in just shy of $7,000 in losses for area businesses, was sentenced to jail time and ordered to pay restitution recently in Red Willow County District Court...

BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Dundy County-Stratton may be tucked away in the southwest corner of the state, but last year’s Tigers put themselves on the map...