Stories from Thursday, August 1, 2002

Red Willow Western rural firefighters fought to save adjoining structures as much as 4,000 tons of hay and ensilage burned at a feedlot south of McCook. Some 720 large square bales of feed were lost in the fire on property owned by Ron Friehe, at a feedlot for cattle owned by Marshell Sis...

Dear Editor: At the Water Advisory meeting of July 23, Olsson Associates showed the committee six or seven well field sites. They would like to short list three to test drill. I am a committee member, but I didn't see any site listed that I would have spent my own personal money on, if I was the one trying to get a well field. ...

In show business, it's electrifying when a new act delivers a spectacular performance. The next day's headlines in the metro papers tell the story: "A Star Is Born!" Well, the cities don't have anything on us. We have overnight stars, too. The latest to break into the limelight on the local level are "The Saggy Bottom Boys." The "Boys" are four music-makers who made their first public appearance at a show for the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival committee at the Bieroc Cafe...

Officers Larry Kinne and Gary Linnemeyer of the McCook Police Department investigate a break-in at H&R Block, 216 West First, owned by Janet Haag of McCook. The break-in occurred during the evening hours of Tuesday or the morning hours Wednesday. Police Officials are unsure as to what or who broke the window. According to the police department and the owner of the office, nothing was missing from the location. More information will be released as it becomes available...

Papers have been filed in Red Willow County District court against Dr. Richard Slovek, a practicing physician in McCook. Samuel L. Fhuere, 20, North Platte alleges malpractice against the doctor when Fhuere was in Slovek's care for a fractured arm...

A McCook man was arraigned for various charges of domestic disturbance and abuse in Red Willow County District Court, July 24. Christian R. Schaffert, 26, pleaded no contest to two counts of third degree assault, a Class I misdemeanor; two counts of willful reckless driving, a Class III misdemeanor; criminal mischief, a Class IV felony; and criminal mischief, a Class II misdemeanor...

LINCOLN -- A college student from Trenton is seeing first-hand the struggles of Nebraska legislators grappling with the state's budget crisis. "I think this special session is going to be intense," said Katie Drain, daughter of Kevin and Joni Drain of Trenton. "The senators have to figure out how to function as a state with a budget deficit of (more than) $200 million. It is going to be grueling for everyone."...

Bruce Swanson of McCook correctly identified the Little Landmark for July 17 as the view underneath the grandstand on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. He wins a free car wash and wax from Howard Kool Honda. Little Landmarks has been a weekly feature in the McCook Daily Gazette for nearly a year. We will publish the final Little Landmark clue Wednesday, Aug. 14. The final winner will be drawn Wednesday, Aug. 21...

BARTLEY -- A Kiss the Llama Contest, Mardi Gras parade and street dance are among the highlights of the Bartley Summer Sensation, set for Saturday. The schedule includes: 6:15-7:15 a.m., Road race registration. 7 a.m. -- Bartley Cafe opens, all-you-can-eat breakfast for $3.50...

A number of years ago our family lived on a farm about one mile north and three miles west of the McCook lake. As the crow flies and the fish swim, it was about three miles to the swimming area south of the marina. We spent as much time at the lake as we possibly could, usually enjoying the recreational activities available around the Spring Creek bridge...