Stories from Tuesday, November 27, 2001

Kristie Pankonin of McCook announces the birth of a son, Bradley Erin Eugene, on Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, at Community Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds and 11.8 ounces. He has one brother, Christopher, age 10 years. Grandparents are Sharon Orrell of McCook, and Bill and Clara Pankonin of Benkelman. Great-grandparents are Lela Snyder of Imperial, and the late Ed and Marie Pankonin...

Gary and Kellie Schultz of The Dalles, Ore., announce the birth of a daughter, Lillie Lynn, on Nov. 13, 2001. She weighed 7 pounds and 1/2 ounce. Grandparents include Dave and Tina Schultz of Danbury. Her great-grandmother is Roselyn Fitzgerald of McCook. Cards will reach the Schultzs at 507 Laughlin Street, The Dalles, OR 97058...

A water treatment system for every home in McCook? Probably not. But that doesn't mean the idea should not be given careful consideration. The Concern Citizens group is taking a responsible position by suggesting that a pilot project involving 50 to 100 households be used to determine whether such a system is workable...

Dear Editor, I need to write this letter because I feel so embarrassed over an incident that happened to my family on Saturday. I have lived in McCook 37 years and have felt good about our police protection. I feel more protected now! Our family, from Lincoln, enjoyed Thanksgiving, but didn't venture out of the house until Saturday. ...

Every year I waited for it. I listened to AM radio, followed the weather reports, willed it to happen. I fell asleep hoping it would fall, soft and silent in the night, to greet me in the morning. The first snow of winter. The weathermen talked about it for days. High-country blizzards blessed the mountain ski resorts with fresh powder, but none of the storms moved east of the Rockies...

Steven J. Birkmann KEARNEY -- Steven J. Birkmann, 58, of Kearney, died Friday (Nov. 23, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born April 5, 1943, at Lincoln to Elmer F. and Savilla Marie (Myer) Birkmann. He graduated from University High School at Lincoln in 1961. He attended the University of Nebraska until 1964 when he entered the service...

Lonnie Kevin Cafferty Lonnie Kevin Cafferty, 57, died Sunday (Nov. 25, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Home in Arapahoe. He was born June 23, 1944, at Macon, Ga., to Donald and Lois Elaine (Smith) Cafferty. He attended Indianola Schools. On Nov. 9, 1998, he married Susan "Sue" Gonzales at McCook. He was employed by Harmon Grain for many years. He played guitar in the band Lonnie And The Seeing Eye Dogs...