Stories from Monday, May 20, 2002

Olsson Associates, the engineering company working with the city of McCook in solving its water problems, met with the Concerned Citizens group Friday morning to discuss the citizens group's proposed plan of action. A letter to representatives of the Concerned Citizens Group from Olsson Asssociates included a list of questions concerning the groups plan to redisgn the city's current well field and use point-of-entry devices in individual homes...

The daughters of John Winston are hosting an open house in honor of his 80th birthday, May 23. The open house will be May 25, 2-5 p.m., at 602 Westridge Parkway in McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach him at the same address. He has four daughters, Jacque and husband, Marty Osborn of Circle Pines, Minn., Susan and husband, Keith Martin of Wichita, Kan., Peggy and husband, Dave Bacca of Chisolm, Minn., and Lisa and husband, Burt Felker of McCook; and six grandchildren...

The family of Vincent and Melissa Sis of Stratton are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th wedding anniversary May 28. Children of the couple are Joel Sis of Stratton and Justin Sis of Lincoln. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Box 128, Stratton, NE 69043...

Tiffani Ann Duffield and Rodney Leon Owsley, both of Urbana, Mo., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Milton and Elizabeth Duffield of Tucson, Ariz., Roger and Marlene Owlsey of Odessa, Mo., and Vicki Cave of Springfield, Mo. ...

Elizabeth Ann Barger of Culbertson and Steven Ray Klein of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are James and Cathy Barger of Culbertson, Brent and Beverly Klein of McCook and Debra Klein of Eustis. Grandparents of the couple are Donald and Dorothy Barger of Culbertson, Lowell and Elizabeth Colling of Trenton, Ray and Sue Klein of Bartley, Arlene Klein of Gothenburg and Jerry and Ruth Jurgens of Eustis. ...

Sarasota, Fla -- Margaret Wells and Kristopher Flammang were united in marriage on Sept. 29, 2001, in the courtyard of the Renaissance Mansion with the Rev. Lee Robinson of Sarasota, Fla., officiating. Parents of the couple are Doug and Sally Wells of Omaha, Scott Flammang of Cambridge and Christine Hartman of Lincoln...

CAMBRIDGE -- Sandy Knutson of Wilsonville and Timothy Dean of Superior were united in marriage Dec. 15, 2001, at the Cambridge United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kirk Kasson officiating. Parents of the couple are Vic and Nancy Knutson of Wilsonville and Roger and Connie Dean of Superior...

The McCook City Council will have a full plate at its regular meeting Monday, 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Memorial Auditorium. Some of the items on the council agenda include Red Willow County's decision to terminate an inter local agreement with the city, an increased fee and termination of Saturday services for the McCook Handibus and a new Occupation Tax for rental of hotel/motel rooms within the city...

IMPERIAL -- Family, friends and employees joined executives from General Motors Corp. Friday to pay tribute to Gene Harchelroad, who this month is celebrating 50 years as a General Motors' dealer. "He's a unique individual," said Sam Franco, director of sales and service for the Nebraska New Car & Truck Dealers Association. ...

Team captains will gather Tuesday night at Community Hospital to begin preparations for the Relay for Life, a team event dedicated to fighting cancer. The relay will take place Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10, at Norris Park in McCook. Organizations and individuals in the McCook area are encouraged to join in the fight against cancer by forming a company, church or neighborhood team...

Mark your calendars. The date has been set for the "Yesterday's Tomorrows" exhibition in McCook. The traveling exhibit -- developed by the Smithsonian Institution -- will be at the Museum of the High Plains in McCook from Sept. 10 to Oct. 5, 2003...

Two meetings are scheduled at McCook Community College next week to discuss a new class offered by Mid Plains Community College and two classes which will be offered by the University of Nebraska at Kearney beginning in the fall, 2003. MPCCA will begin offering a welding program with the start of the fall semester. Mike Harris, long-time instructor at McCook High School will be teaching the program...

Dave and Connie Stout (center) owners of the McCook Radio Group, were named the Nebraska Community Service Volunteers in the Business Category in Lincoln, Thursday. They were presented with a plaque by First Lacy Stephanie Johanns (right) and were congratulated by both Gov. ...

OMAHA -- Early results Friday showed several area high school athletes placing in the top of their event at the state track meet in Lincoln. Ed Kaiser of Chase County placed first in the high jump with 6 feet 9 inches, followed by state record holder Aaron Plas of McCook with 6-8...

The Mid Plains Community College Area Board of Governors will discuss the architect contract for new student housing in North Platte at its next regular meeting. Other items on the agenda include a revenue board proposal and bids for new computers. In addition the board will receive a grant writing update from Judy Austin, a technical enrollment report from Rod Christman and an HVAC and eletro-mechanical report from Dr. Carlton Williams...

An estimated crowd of more than 16,000 fans packed Omaha Burke High School Stadium Saturday for the second day of the Nebraska State Track and Field Championships. Area athletes captured close to 40 medals, including Imperial-Chase County's Ed Kaiser, who won the All-Class and Class B gold medals in the high jump, and Culbertson's Ben Eisenhart, who was the All-Class and Class D long jump champion...

LINCOLN -- ALLTEL and the McCook Torch Run Committee are inviting Red Willow County residents to participate in local Cornhusker State Games County Day activities by running with the torch or performing in the Gold Medal Talent Search. The Red Willow County Day will take place in McCook on June 5 and is a way for residents to turn in their Cornhusker State Games entries at a location in their area. ...

KEARNEY -- The 72-year-old McCook man injured in a construction accident Tuesday, May 7, died Saturday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services for Ray Real are pending at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook. A Gerhold Construction truck and crew, which included Real, was lifting concrete steps over a fence at 901 W. First, when the steps fell 10 feet to the ground and struck Real...

Joseph John Augustyn, Jr., 74, died of pancreatic stomach cancer Friday (May 17, 2002) at his home in McCook. He was born April 24, 1928, to Joseph John and Gertrude Barbara (Tomasiewicz) Augustyn at Loup City, Neb. He graduated as valedictorian from Loup City High School in 1945. ...

WAUNETA -- Riley Paxton Mintling, 77, died Friday (May 17, 2002) at Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial. He was born August 16, 1924, to William Leslie and Ethel Dee (Barrett) Mintling in a sod house in Hayes County near Camp Duke Alexis. He grew up in Hayes County and graduated from Hayes County high school in 1942. He farmed for a short time near Hayes Center. In 1947, he started his own business, Mintling Construction...

OBERLIN -- Fern Pieratt, 97, died Friday (May 17, 2002) at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. She was born Oct. 7, 1904, to Randolph J. and Lula Ella (Bradly) Forrest in El Reno, Okla. She was raised in El Reno as well as Carrizozo, N.M...

Hested Stores Company on West C Street (now the east portion of Ben Franklin) celebrated their second anniversary in McCook by placing an ad in the Friday, August 14, 1942 Gazette that touted their attributes. The ad listed, "A Super Luncheonette; Air Conditioned; Fluorescent Lighting; Two Sales Floors; A Photo Department; McCook's Largest Cookie Department". ...

The title of today's column is a bastardization of the classic phrase, "the pen is mightier than the sword" and one that is, I believe, more accurate than the original saying. Certainly the pen carries great influence. Knowledge is power and the ability to express oneself in a meaningful way with the written word carries with it both obligation and responsibility...

In 1951 the Army units were not yet integrated. Growing up in a small town in Nebraska, I had never known any black people. So it was quite a surprise for me when I got to Korea to find that I was one of a group of 12 men who had been assigned to the 130th Quartermasters, an all black Bakery Company at Yong Dung Po, just across the river from Seoul...

Dear Editor: After reviewing the document which will be presented tonight by Olsson and Assoc., we would like to protest the additional charges which are being added to the $47,471 originally agreed to. W Design offered to do the contracted work for $10,000, but the council decided to go for the much higher figure. Because the $47,000 is so much higher than the other bids, Olsson should be able to absorb the cost of field work oversight and project management...

Calling all designers, artists and lovers of the life and heritage of Red Willow County, Nebraska! You could go down in history as the person who came up with the design for Red Willow County's flag. As the result of action taken Tuesday by the County Commission, a contest is now in progress to select the design for the flag. As expressed by Commissioner Steve Downer, the flag for Red Willow County "should hold some historical significance, incorporating a little bit of artistry."...

Present and past glory blended at the 2002 Nebraska State Track and Field Meet in Omaha. It started Friday when Ben Eisenhart, a Culbertson junior, leaped to his all-time best long jump distance of 23 feet, 1 1/4 inches. Competing in the smallest school division, Class D, Ben prevailed as the Gold Medal winner in all classes, edging Shawn Swan of Class A Ralston by one inch...

LEBANON -- Bernice I. Brown, 84, died Thursday (May 16, 2002) at Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Curtis. She was born April 30, 2002, to Ray and Eva (Shults) Warren, in Furnas County. She grew up in Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High School. On Oct. ...