Stories from Friday, November 1, 2002

It's not yet official, but the chances appear very good for the return of "McCook College" as the name for the oldest junior college campus in Nebraska. According to the interim president of the Mid-Plains college area, Carlton Williams, it appears a substantial majority of the board of governors favors "McCOOK COLLEGE, a Division of Mid-Plains Community College," as the name for the educational facilities in McCook, and "NORTH PLATTE COLLEGE, a Division of Mid-Plains Community College," for the educational facilities in North Platte.. ...

Dear Editor, I read with concern Roger Wilson's statement in the Oct. 31 Gazette that "the college has lost enough of its programs ... specifically the ... drama program." I am in the middle of directing the college drama department's production of The Wizard of Oz with a cast of 42, and was horrified to learn that we've been "lost." Does Mr. Wilson know when the program was "lost?"...

Winter has arrived early in Southwest Nebraska and across the Golden Plains this year, which means the nine area football teams who have advanced to state playoffs -- and their fans -- will be facing, not only some tough competition with rival teams, but competition with the elements as well...

Shellie Garcia and Bill Longnecker won first place at the McCook Chamber Mixer Wednesday at Wagner Ford Mercury.

McCook Beauty Academy students get into a ghoulish spirit Thursday. They are (from left) Jennifer Eaton of McCook, Lisa Cuellar of Indianola, Jodi Peters of Pierce, Holly Adkisson of Curtis, Kelly Kinkaid of McCook, Roxanne Zwerczek of North Platte and instructor Ruth Lucas...

It looks like a telephone booth and it has place to sit, but don't plan on phoning a friend to chat in the new Vmax Spectra Autobox recently purchased for the Respiratory Care department. The new Autobox is the fastest, most advanced pulmonary testing equipment available, according to Monte Garcia, Respiratory Care director. "It enables the pulmonologist to more accurately diagnose specific lung diseases," he said...

Several surprising inches of snow ushered in by the changing of the month decorate pampas grass on West Fourth in McCook. The third day of snow brought more accidents, including two semi-tractors in a collision east of McCook this morning.

An afternoon of fashion and entertainment is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday as Lori Bortner, Miss Rodeo Nebraska prepares to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas. The event will be poolside at the Chief Motel in McCook. Joining Lori in this celebration will be some superb entertainment including music from the talented "Saggy Bottom Boys Band," Brad and Adrienne Randel, Melody Nelms, Jason Meyers and Larissa McConville...

Valmont Irrigation has announced the opening of its fourth parts distribution center in the United States, this one in McCook near its new state-of-the-art irrigation manufacturing facility. The distribution center is designed to provide easier access to parts for area Valley dealers, according to Bill Loughman, Vice President of Product Support Groups and Retail for Valmont Irrigation...

Word of the week: masochistic -- deriving pleasure from pain, especially emotional. Anyone who referees or umpires or officiates on a regular basis can be called masochistic. In other words, refs like to be tortured, they like to be yelled at, they like to test their self-esteem regularly...

HOXIE, Kan. -- F. Eldon Hayward, 73, died Wednesday (Oct. 30, 2002) at the Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, Kan. He was born Dec. 30, 1928, to Denzil H. and Maude Marie (Gretchen) Hayward in rural Valliona, Kan. He was raised in Oberlin and attended rural grade school. He graduated from Decatur County Community High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Army...

KEARNEY -- Teresa R. "Terri" Speake, 50, of Kearney died Thursday (Oct. 31, 2002) at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney. She was born April 22, 1952, to Jackson B. and Nadine G. (Hoyt) Young. She grew up and graduated from high school in McCook. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Kearney State College in 1987. She was a member of the cardiothoracic surgical team at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney...