Stories from Friday, November 15, 2002

Mid-Plains Board of Governors member Harold Bennett of McCook is "absolutely delighted with the community, the college and the Board of Governors for the positive attitude displayed" during the meeting where the final decision was made on the name of McCook Community College...

Dear Editor, Nov. 17 - 23 will mark the 81st annual observance of American Education Week -- a time for saluting our public schools and the relationships between teachers, students and parents. The theme of this year's celebration, "Making Public Schools Great for Every Child!", reflects our combined commitment to all students. ...

Dear Editor, I agree 100 percent with councilman Lyons concerning the Romanoff property on Norris Avenue and B Street. Why would anyone think the tax payers of McCook should be saddled with the cost of tearing down this old building? The owners should be sent a notice to either fix up or remove it. If this isn't done, the city should condemn it and charge the Romanoffs the cost of tearing it down...

Many of us who grew up on the Golden Plains have enjoyed the works of an amazing family from the Sandhills, who left a wonderful legacy for those of us who call this area home. Grace Snyder McCanse is most well known for her handiwork, the 89,789-piece petit point quilt. One of her daughter's, the late Nellie Snyder Yost, gained fame for her books about her mother, father, family and other, less savory characters...

INDIANOLA -- Gail and Janet Rippe of Indianola announce the birth of a daughter, Alisson Raye, born Tuesday (Oct. 29, 2002). She weighed 8 pounds. Grandparents are LaVerne and Coleen Rippe of Lebanon and Richard and Betty Lynch of Claypool, Ind. Great-grandparents are Irene Powell of Oberlin, Mary Lynch of Warsaw, Ind., and Delmer and Margaret Clark of Silver Lake, Ind...

The McCook Police Department has issued a list of dates and areas where speed enforcement operations will be conducted. The areas will be monitored during random times throughout the day to help reduce the frequency of traffic violations and accidents, and to enhance public safety, according to officials...

Red Willow Western firefighters summoned a state fire marshal after fighting a smoky blaze at a rural McCook house Thursday night. Fire Chief Bill Elliott said this morning residents fought the blaze for about an hour before summoning help. Sheriff Gene Mahon said there was no phone in the house, and someone had to come to town to get help...

Three McCook residents have not yet received their 2001 tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service. Patrick and Pamela Minary and Jamie Shepherd did not receive their refunds because, most likely, the taxpayer moved and did not notify the IRS. These McCook residents and others who have not received their refunds can check on the status by logging on to irs.gov. The users should click on the "Where's my refund?"...

Spencer Walter heads for open ground during Monday night's McCook win over Crete. A preview of the Bison-Aurora semifinal matchup Saturday is on page 10 today.

Obtaining a driver's license is a big deal. Graduating from high school or college is a huge milestone. And a wedding is one of the most memorable moments in a person's life. But for parents, nothing is bigger, looms larger or has such an impact as the moment their child is potty trained. Moving out of diapers means a lot of things: one less bag to carry around, fewer trips to the store to buy diapers, no more rocks-paper-scissors games to determine who is going to change the baby...

ARAPAHOE -- Meta Louise Chambers, 91, died Wednesday (Nov. 13, 2002) at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born Jan. 24, 1911, to George and Maria (Helms) Wendland in Gosper County. She attended Emmanuel Lutheran Parochial School. After school, she worked for various neighbors cleaning houses. She then attended beautician school in Denver, Colo...

LINCOLN -- Clifford Dean Graham, 75, formerly of McCook, died Wednesday (Nov. 13, 2002) at St. Elizabeth's Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, due to heart failure. He was born May 13, 1927, at Danbury, to Fred and Hazel (Roop) Graham and attended school in Danbury where he was a member of the graduating class of 1945...

Howard D. Andrews, 78, of Grand Island died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 at the St. Francis Medical Center of Grand Island. Services will be 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17 at Glooaher Chapel at Trinity United Methodist in Grand Island with t he Rev. Delvin Roper officiating. There will be no interment as Mr. Andrews will be cremated following the services. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16 at Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home...

WAUNETA -- Frank Stute, 73, died Wednesday (Nov.13, 2002) near his farm north of Wauneta. Frank was born to Francis Fred "Frank" and Hazel Irene (Trout) Stute Sr. at their rural farm home north of Benkelman. He attended rural Hoover School until the eighth grade when he quit to help with the family farm...