Stories from Friday, September 27, 2002

The Rev. R. Samuel Williams, rector at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in McCook and a retired infantry officer of the U.S. Marine Corps, shared his observations on war with those attending the annual Heritage Days Prayer Breakfast this morning at Memorial Auditorium...

Although Nebraska is a large state -- spread out over more than 77,000 square mile -- it is amazing how closely connected the people are. That is never more apparent than during times of tragedy. Such was the case Thursday morning as a result of the U.S. Bank murders which took place in Norfolk...

STRATTON - A family tradition continues as Terry Latta opens his new "Final Touch Body Repair and Painting" shop on the west edge of Stratton. Final Touch celebrates with a grand opening Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., with snacks, refreshments and drawings for door prizes...

The public is invited to attend one of two presidential search forums Tuesday. Dr. Dan Moriaty, MPCCA's presidential search consultant will lead a public discussion designed to help formulate a profile of the next president for the Mid-Plains Community College Area...

OMAHA -- Two McCook men have been indicted by the federal government on charges of drug possession, conspiracy and intent to distribute. Christopher T. Ott, 27, no known address, was arrested Friday, Sept. 20, at the intersection of West J and U.S. Highway 83. Rick K. Malcolm, 49, of 411 E. Third, was arrested Saturday, Sept. 21, in McCook...

When Linda Egle of Palisade first traveled to India in 1988 on a missions trip with her home church in Lakewood, Colo., she went with the purpose of helping to establish a children's education program. In the 14 intervening years, she has revisited India annually as the children's ministry, "India's Child" that first drew her became a reality, with 65 children enrolled in the ongoing ministry today...

An evening of honors and laughs were enjoyed during the Wednesday nigh Heritage Days Chamber mixer at McCook National Bank. The Heritage Days committee announced their choices for Grand Marshall, Parade Marshall and Honor Family as well as auctioning off dunkees for the annual dunk tank fundraiser Dr. Louis W. Burgher, of Ft. Calhoun, was named as Grand Marshall for the Heritage Days event...

Dick Haag of Indianola submitted the winning poem, "Aging the Old Way" in the Cowboy Poetry and Song Contest, sponsored by the McCook Daily Gazette, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Committee. The second place winner was Glenn Hinton of Arapahoe with his entry, "Cowboy in Heaven." Mackay Brown of Maywood took third place with "Cowboy's Revenge."...

It was more than that "patchy fog" the weatherman was calling for this morning near Trenton at the Massacre Canyon Monument. The forecast calls for beautiful weather this weekend for Heritage Days in McCook, the Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous near Hayes Center, Fall Festival in Stratton and a celebration in Atwood...

Ten items or less: - By moving to the country, I realized my family would be prime candidates for stray animals and the extras of large litters. But that responsibility is taking too large of a toll on me and I'm implementing a moratorium on any new pets...

This just in -- the Kansas City Royals aren't going to the playoffs this year. In fact, the Royals haven't been to the playoffs since they won the World Series in 1985. This is now the third or fourth longest current drought in Major League Baseball...

Wesley M. "Skip" Derauf, 53, died Thursday (Sept. 26, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born April 9, 1949, to Robert and Arvera (Petersen) Derauf at Trenton. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1967. He entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to McCook...

DANNEBROG -- Donald Hochstetler, 71, died Wednesday (Sept. 25, 2002) at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Omaha. He was born Dec. 31, 1930, to Ezra and Sadie Roth Hochstetler at Wood River. He received his education at Wood River. As a young man, he was employed at Cate's Tire in Grand Island...