Stories from Tuesday, August 6, 2002

By GLORIA MASONER City Editor The McCook City Council decided Monday night to follow the advice of the McCook Water Advisory Committee and ordered Olsson Associates to begin test well drilling at three locations around McCook. At the McCook Water Advisory Meeting on July 23, the committee members and McCook residents who were in attendance received the opportunity to vote on three of six wells presented for consideration by representatives of Olsson Associates. ...

The dust on West J is unbelievable, from whatever they are using to cover the street. With all we are paying for water, it seems that some should be used to keep the dust down.

According to the Aug. 3-4 Gazette, water rates are probably going up again. At least half the lawns in McCook are dead from lack of water. The common people can't afford these increases. Bacteria is in the water again. No solution seems to be forthcoming for solving the water problem...

Common sense needs to be be blended with science to find the best, long-term solution to McCook's water problems. If that is the proper approach, McCook's City Council took the right position Monday night in selecting three sites for test drilling...

A business that traces its roots back to the founding of McCook is celebrating its 120th birthday this week. Founded by Albert Barnett, known as "the builder," the Chicago Lumber Yard was founded in 1882, the same year as the city of McCook. Born Nov. 25, 1855, Barnett met B.M. Frees in Chicago, and started the local lumber yard...

Seven members of the Hitchcock County 4-H archery club stand among the club's new McKenzie 3-D targets, preparing for county fair competition Wednesday at 9 a.m., at the fairgrounds in Culbertson. The public is encouraged to watch the competition. Club members include (from left) Laci Brennan, Elizabeth Wiedner, Kyle Dailey, Logan Dailey, Jarod Wiedner, Calen Wiedner and David Paparocki...

Organizers of the 2002 American Cancer Society Relay for Life are expecting even bigger and better results than last year at the annual event. It is hoped there will be at least $17,000 raised this year. But, said Candy Crosby, one of the event organizers "We wouldn't be disappointed if we made more than that."...

INDIANOLA -- Things are gearing up in Indianola for the 100th Old Settlers Days set for Saturday as registrations continue to come in for the 2002 Classic -n- Custom car show. The day-long event begins at 7:30 a.m. with a road race on the east side of City Park with a 1 mile and 5k run and a 1 mile walk. Preregistration begins at 6:30 a.m...

The budget meeting of the McCook City Council became somewhat heated during discussion on a request by City Manager John Bingham for a financial adviser Monday night. Because of the funding that will be needed to purchase the Swearingen property, and the cost of city water improvements, Bingham is requesting the help of a financial advisor to work with the city to find the best price for a bond...

Not long ago, a friend told me that financial analysts track lipstick sales in order to forecast economic trends. The rationale? When the women of America want to feel better about themselves, they purchase a new shade of lip color. Although it's a small expenditure, it apparently indicates that the whole family will soon be out shopping for something much bigger, like a new Buick. ...

EUSTIS -- Alex Ercoli, 83, died Sunday (Aug. 4, 2002) at the Cozad Hospital. He was born Nov. 1, 1918, at West Newton, Pa., to Alexander and Susan Ercoli. He graduated from high school in Pennsylvania and served in the U. S. Army during World War II...

INDIANOLA -- Daniel P. Dolan, 76, died Friday (August 2, 2002) at the Cambridge Hospital. He was born Dec. 30, 1925, to Bernard and Blanche (Nickerson) Dolan in Red Willow County. He attended school in Indianola. He served in the U. S. Navy from April 6, 1943, to February 12, 1946. He worked for Dobson Bros. and Peter Kiewit for seven years on road construction equipment...