Stories from Wednesday, October 11, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook boys tennis team will open the Class B State Tournament Thursday at Lincoln’s Woods Tennis Center. A breakdown of McCook’s entries follows...

Carol “Joan” Rinehart Oct. 12, 1933 - Oct. 10, 2017 McCOOK, Neb. — Carol “Joan” Rinehart passed away Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at her home at Brookdale in McCook, surrounded by her family. She was 83 years old. Joan was born on Oct. 12, 1933, at the family farm near Indianola, Neb., to parents, Clyde Alvin and Hazelle Lillian (Hauxwell) Emrich. She graduated from Indianola High School in 1951...

Gene Willard Rodenbeck Jan. 22, 1931 - Sept. 15, 2017 GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Gene Willard Rodenbeck of Goldsboro died Sept. 15, 2017. He was born Jan. 22, 1931, to August Rodenbeck and Gertrude Huxoll Rodenbeck in Arapahoe, Neb. He served during the Korean War, where he was the ship’s serviceman. ...

Shirley Ann (McCloughan) Vontz June 10, 1942 - Oct. 6, 2017 LINCOLN, Neb. — Shirley Ann ( McCloughan) Vontz was born to Helen and Bert McCloughan June 10, 1942. Her twin sister, Sharon, passed at birth. Shirley passed away Oct. 6, 2017, at the age of 75 after a courageous three month battle with acute leukemia...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Thinkery of Southwest Nebraska plans its first ever “Cardboard Challenge” Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., in McCook’s Memorial Auditorium, at West Fifth and C. The challenge is free to everyone. Inspired by themes like science fiction, towns and transportation, teams of youngsters, families and friends will challenge their imagination to build haunted houses, costumes or puppets using the cardboard and construction supplies provided...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s no longer just true or false or multiple choice when it comes to learning. Now, teachers are instructing students how to think critically and solve complex problems instead of memorization, Superintendent Grant Norgaard said Monday night at the regular school board meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — The first positive West Nile Virus horse has been reported in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department nine-county health district for 2017. “Horses cannot transmit West Nile Virus to other horses, animals or to humans.  However, they can get the virus from a mosquito bite.” states Melissa Propp, RN, Surveillance Nurse at SWNPHD.  “WNV causes encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The fifth annual “Dog Day in the Park,” hosted by the McCook Humane Society, will be Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., in Kelley Park, in the shelter house and near the city swimming pool in the 500 block of East M in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Thanks to “lots and lots of volunteers,” the United Methodist Women are only five days away from opening the convenient, new ground floor location for the Helping Hand Thrift Store. “We’ve had people working ten hours a day for the past three weeks,” said Kathy Eaton, the thrift store coordinator, in praise of the congregation-wide effort to get the former Hershberger Music Company building at 202 West First Street ready for the opening...

McCOOK, Neb. — A North Platte man sentenced to probation last fall on criminal mischief and theft charges was back in Red Willow County District Court recently facing probation violations. The man, 20-year-old Maxwell J. Allen, was sentenced to 180 days in jail after his probation was revoked for testing positive for cocaine and marijuana use, as well as failing to report...

President Obama’s Clean Air Plan was estimated to prevent up to 3,600 premature deaths a year and 90,000 asthma attacks in children, according to the American Lung Association. Public health advocates said it would be especially beneficial to poorer populations in major cities, living near coal-fired power plants...

When you work in an industry like public power, it is easy to understand the adage, “History repeats itself.” More than 125 years after the City of Crete began lighting its streets in 1887, using direct current generated by a turbine at a dam of the Big Blue River, Central City became the first city to generate electricity with a community solar array...

The current Republican administration is showing an unprecedented cruelty toward children. The Republican-controlled House voted to take access to health care away from 20 million people including our nation’s poorest and sickest children, those using Medicaid...

McCOOK, Neb. — Kids in junior and senior high have a lot on their plate. And it's more than just football, homecoming and homework. "Kids are adjusting to an enormous amount of stressors during those years," said Sandra Gray, PLMHP (provisional licensed mental health practitioner) at Unified Therapy Clinic in McCook. ...

BROKEN Bow, Neb. -- McCook defeated two Southwest Conference foes at the Broken Bow Triangular to improve to 15-6 on the season...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Community College was swept by Northeastern Junior College 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-23) Tuesday night...