Stories from Monday, July 22, 2002

A water-logged summer storm that could have helped quench the dry, thirsty Golden Plains instead ripped down power lines, flooded and slimed highways and country roads, splintered trees and road signs, scattered bits and pieces of tin buildings across the countryside and slopped mud all over the Republican Valley High School...

Time is short to take in the Red Willow County Fair, which wraps up Monday evening with the demolition derby. But there's still plenty of time, and there are still plenty of events to make a trip to the fairgrounds worth your time. Just before talented riders and ropers take to the arena for the PRCA Rodeo on Saturday night, the Miss Southwest Nebraska Rodeo queen will be crowned. ...

Dear Editor, I want to thank Kirt Blake for his well written letter. He brought up some interesting points. The great mystery of why people all over the U.S.A. are talking about "Getting to know God" can be easily solved. The reason we ourselves came to know Christ as our personal Savior is that we believed what the Bible says about all mankind being under condemnation. God told Adam in Genesis 2:16-17, "Of every tree of the garden (of Eden) you may freely:...

Remember a few years ago when 100-degree temperatures were a rarity? Well, we've had 25 days so far in McCook this summer of 100 degrees or more. Remember another few years ago when tornados seemed to be a weekly occurrence? Thankfully, they've been rare the last couple of years...

The children of Darrel and June Palmer are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary, June 28, 2-5 p.m., at the Baptist-Christian Church in Wilsonville.

Barbara Lea Slater and Thomas Alan Woracek, both of Maxwell, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Joan McCarville of McCook, Dennis McCarville of Two Harbors, Minn., Janell Woracek of Stapleton and the late Alvin Woracek. ...

Jennifer Olson and David Murrish, both of Kearney, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Dave and Marty Olson of Oberlin, Karen Murrish of Kearney and the late John Murrish, Jr. The bride-to-be is employed with J. C. Penney and the prospective bridegroom is employed with Holiday Station. The couple is planning an Aug. 3, 2002, ceremony at the Decatur County Museum in Oberlin...

Shelly Berndt and Bahram Safavi were united in marriage May 5, 2002, at Westlake Village Inn in Westlake Village, Calif. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Berndt and Mr. and Mrs. Abbas Safavi. Grandmother of the bride is the late Elsie Berndt, formerly of McCook. The couple is making their home in the Thousand Oaks, Calif., area...

The family of Dorothy Lunkovitz of McCook is hosting a card shower in honor of her 92nd birthday, July 27. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Hillcrest Nursing Home, 309 West Seventh, McCook, NE 69001.

INDIANOLA -- Amanda Sue Haag and Aaron Matthew Peterson, both of McCook, were united in marriage May 25, 2002 at St. Catherines Catholic Church in Indianola with the Rev. Gary Brethour, of St. Patrick's Church in McCook, officiating. Parents of the couple are Steve and Shari Haag of McCook and Michael and Lisa Peterson of Lincoln...

Drought, grasshoppers, and hot weather have produced more than the normal share of anxiety for Nebraska families this summer. This anxiety can lead to stress including anger and a feeling of loss of control reports Mary K. Warner, Extension Educator...

Dept: F Personal Development & Leadership Div: F500 Judging Contests Class: F500966 Rocket Launch 12 & over Division Champion Helberg, Thomas Purple -- Helberg, Thomas Class: F500967 Rocket Launch 8-11 Division Champion Curl, Jacob Reserve Division Champion...

Long-time businessman Leonard C. "Curly" Olney died at his home in McCook on Saturday. He was born on June 12, 1922, to Henry W. and Sophia (Petitjean) Olney at Hollinger. He served in World War II and Korea, and married Betty Jo Sell on May 29, 1946, at Hiawatha, Kan...

School personnel work to move mud slides that clog the parking lots at the Republican Valley High School. Rain water and mud flooded classrooms, the boys locker room, the kitchen and commons area. Brenda McMurtrey-- wife of Superintendent Brent McMurtrey, who is on his first vacation in six years -- said this morning some of the worst damage is in the science room, and first aid supplies were ruined in the locker room. ...

Vacationers' mobile home drives around highway equipment as it mills the asphalt surface of U.S. Highway 83 north of McCook Thursday afternoon. Work started this week on the Highway 83 project -- from McCook 17 miles north -- and the Highway 6 project between Enders and Wauneta. ...

Red Willow County Fair officials have released more results: Dept: E Healthy Lifesyle Education Div: E440 Safety Class: E440001 First Aid Kit Blue -- Eskew, Hailey Class: E440003 Safety Scrapbook Blue -- Bowels, Valery Dept: G Plants & Animals Div: G070 Poultry...

A Beaver City man was sentenced in Red Willow District Court on drug charges and license suspension charges. Wade B. Grilli, 32, was sentenced July 8 to a total of 24 months of intensive supervised probation for attempted possession of a controlled substance, a Class I misdemeanor and operation of a motor vehicle after suspension, a Class III misdemeanor...

Mike and Jason Fisher (from left) and Rod Gaston install sod in a corner of the lawn in front of Community Hospital. The sod had to be replaced as part of a construction and remodeling project at the McCook Clinic building on the hospital campus on East H Street in McCook...

Ray Stramel, now of McCook, was a native Kansan and a graduate of Fort Hays State College when he went into the Marines during World War II. After officer's training at Quantico, Va., he was sent to the South Pacific. More training followed -- for landing assault operations -- at Pavuvu Island, off Guadalcanal. ...

A story about a Nebraska postman charged with "delaying, destroying and secreting mail" caught my eye in the McCook Gazette of Sept. 5, 1942. John Clay of North Bend had a reputation after 22 years of delivery so prompt that "farmers could set their clocks by him."...

There are certain things that have to be present in people and couples if a relationship is going to survive and flourish. Great relationships don't "just happen." They require effort, luck and a proper attitude if they're going to have any chance at all of succeeding. ...

Leonard C. "Curly" Olney passed away Saturday morning (July 20, 2002) at his home in McCook. Curly was born on June 12, 1922, to Henry W. and Sophia (Petitjean) Olney at Hollinger, Neb. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Stamford, Neb. and graduated from the Stamford High School in 1939. In 1938, he was a representative member of the first Boys State class of Nebraska...