Stories from Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Cuts in government spending seemed to be on the mind of nearly every local candidate Tuesday night during the Candidate's Forum sponsored by the McCook Radio Group and the McCook Daily Gazette. Eighteen candidates for seats in various offices in Red Willow County were given the opportunity to explain their stand on the the issues facing the offices they are hoping to fill...

Tuesday night's Candidates Forum did more than show voters where the candidates stand on the issues. It also gave citizens and elected leaders a glimpse into the immediate future of the McCook area. During the two-hour discussion, the crowd at the Bieroc Cafe and listeners on the McCook Radio Group stations learned that two of the biggest issues facing the community are on the verge of being solved...

"If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creeks Don't Rise" is the name of this year's Evangelical Free Church dinner theater production, set for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9 at the church. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. each night, with the performance scheduled for 7 p.m...

NORTH PLATTE -- The Mid-Plains Community College Area continues to post increases in the number of students enrolled in for the Fall-2002 term. According to Dr. Carlton Williams, Interim President of MPCCA, there were 29 more or a 2.4 percent increase in the number of full-time students enrolled in the institution for the Fall-2002 term as compared to enrollments on the same date one-year ago...

Jessica Vermeer (left) and Sydney McLaren form the sideline "knee brace section" of McCook Senior High's marching band, during a halftime performance at the MHS-Hastings football game. The final performance of the band's 2002 marching season will be Thursday, during halftime of the MHS-Grand Island Northwest football game at Weiland Field. Band director Bryan Regier said the performance will showcase the band's season accomplishments and honor its seniors...

McCook's public school patrons will be served by two incumbents and one new board member following the general election Tuesday. Three open seats exist. They will be filled by current board president Jim Coady and vice-president Greg Larson, and candidate Dawn Andersen. Board member Lori Watkins, who was completing the term of Doug Davidson, decided last spring not to run for the third vacancy...

After 43 years of service to southwest Nebraska, Lyle and Rosalie Blauvelt are retiring from the insurance business and handing over the reins of Shelter Insurance to an Ogallala man. The Blauvelt's will say farewell and welcome Scott Jeffers, the new agent for Shelter Insurance, at an open house, Friday, 1-4 p.m., at Shelter Insurance, 504 West E...

There are some words in the English language that paint vivid and specific images in the minds of the readers. For me, one of those vivid, picture painting words is the word "lavish." What a exuberant expression of exquisite excess. A tropical waterfall cascading over sun-warmed flesh. ...

HAIGLER -- Olive E. Stasser, 89, died Saturday (Oct. 26, 2002) at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. She was born Nov. 13, 1912, to Edna (Barnard) Rockwell and James N. Rockwell in Waldron, Kan. She graduated from St. Francis High School and taught school in Cheyenne County, Kan., for several years...

Vera Mae Meissner, 86, died Monday (Oct. 28, 2002) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born Aug. 14, 1916, in Telephone, Texas, to Jesse and Ida Mae (Wheeless) Shrum. She grew up at Telephone and Bigbee, Texas where she received her education. On May 31, 1930, she married Noel Lankford at Honey Grove, Texas. He preceded her in death...