Stories from Friday, December 20, 2002

Wes Ward of Gilpin Construction (in the bay window) and John Davis and Ron Smith of J.D. Unlimited continue the progress on the American Recycles Day house on Norris Avenue in McCook. On the outside, windows are going in, and the roof should be finished by the first of the year, according to contractor Tim Gilpin. ...

Remember the late 1980s and early 1990s? McCook was at a stand-still in the housing market. During this frustrating period, community groups failed repeatedly in efforts to generate interest in retirement living quarters and multi-unit apartment buildings...

PALISADE -- The National Credit Union Administration has issued a charter for "Pioneer Community Federal Credit Union," for residents of Hayes and Hitchcock counties. The facility, which will be located in Palisade, will open shortly after the first of the year...

The season of giving is upon us. With Christmas only a few days away, and the chances of a white one dimming, area residents can put a little brightness in their hearts by remembering the McCook Pantry while out shopping. Marilyn Brandt, a volunteer at the Pantry, said there tends to be an increase in Pantry clients as well as donations this time of year. She said, "Our client numbers will probably be higher than last year, just as they were higher last year than the year before."...

Five Work Ethic Camp offenders assisted the corporal supervising their work project when she was injured in a collision, according to Greg Bates, public information officer at the facility. At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, approximately 10 miles north of McCook on U.S. Highway 83, Corp. Patricia Brown, 41, was alone in a van when it was struck by a northbound armored car...

A Danbury woman was sent to the state penitentiary for a probation violation last week. Charity Shepherd, 19, was sentenced in Red Willow County District Court to 26-66 months and 90 days with the Department of Corrections when she was found guilty of probation violation...

Phyllis Reynolds of Farnam wrote that Farnam residents thought the electricity generated by their power plant was, "as good as it can get." That was before REA. Elaine Frazier of Max wrote of the dark: "... day disappeared into night, and the light with it." That was before REA...

For many, decorating for Christmas begins soon after Thanksgiving, lasts a few hours or perhaps a few days, and ends when the mistletoe and tinsel are packed away a month later -- ready for next year. For others, in particular anyone with kids, Christmas decorating is a year-round process, which simmers throughout the summer, picks up steam in mid-fall and kicks into high gear the week before Christmas...

There are several items I would like to discuss. And good news, none of them are local. - LeBron James -- The Ohio high school basketball star, who more than likely will be the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, made his national debut last week on ESPN...

CAMBRIDGE -- Jeanette Elizabeth Arthaud, 97, died Thursday (Dec. 19, 2002) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Dec. 18, 1905, to Henry and Mary (Hougnon) Arthaud. She graduated from Cambridge High School and received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She taught high school English in Table Rock, Odell, Dunning and Tobias, as well as other Nebraska high schools...

ATWOOD -- Claude G. Kisling, 87, died Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2002) at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. He was born Oct. 11, 1915, to Charles and Lydia (Gatlin) Kisling in Rawlins County. On April 27, 1937, he married Irene Leebrick in Rawlins County. ...

ATWOOD -- Howard E. Curry, 87, died Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2002) at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. He was born Aug. 25, 1915, to Hawley Everett and Flora Almeda (Hanna) Curry in Hayes Center. He was a farmer. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Phyllis Ginn in 1998...