Stories from Friday, April 11, 2003

The good news: The U.S. Census Bureau agreed that it miscounted McCook's housing and population. The bad news: It insists it didn't miss by much. The agency informed Mayor Jerda Garey that the official population of McCook is now 7,996, up only two from the previous official count...

The way we treat our fellow human beings tells something about us as individuals and as a people. Wars are fought over the issue, whether the Civil War and slavery, World War II and the Holocaust, the Cold War and communism, or the War in Iraq and human rights...

Jennifer and Mark Kool of McCook announce the birth of their son, Brayden MaKray, on March 26, 2003, at Community Hospital of McCook. Brayden weighed 7 lbs. 1.4 oz. He has a sister, Bailey, who is almost 6 years old, and a brother, Bryson, who is 4. His grandparents are Dick and Kathie Cappel and Howard and Janet Kool of McCook. His great-grandmothers are Lorna Trupp and Loretta Cappel of McCook, Emma Johnson of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Alberta Davis of Oskaloosa, Iowa...

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Paul and Kristine Reynolds of Lakeland, Fla., announce the birth of a daughter, Sarah Kristine, born Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2003). She weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces. Grandparents are Stan and Jeannine Reynolds of McCook and Paul and Linda Smith of Lakeland. Great-grandmother is LeeOra Mockry of Oberlin...

Kyleigh Rae-Daphne Ulmer was born Sunday, April 6, at Community Hospital of McCook. She weighed 7 lbs., 2 1/2 oz. Kyleigh is the daughter of Marcus and Wendy Ulmer of McCook and the new sister of Amber Ulmer, Chelsea Lampman, Brandon Ulmer and Chance Meyer. Her grandparents are Joan and Art Stemper of McCook, David and Daphne Degener of Riverton and Glenda Louise Orndorff of Missouri...

Gavin Harsh, a second grader in the McCook Schools, prepares a hamburger at the "Beautify the B" kickoff party at Wagner Ford Mercury on Thursday. The celebration included food, games and the inflation of the Kugler hot-air balloon. The event was sponsored by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce. ...

Supporters of the CASA program in Southwest Nebraska gathered Tuesday night for a "Light of Hope" program in honor or children. Volunteers, board members and representatives of the state CASA organization were on hand for the program, CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. ...

Luis Morantes runs alongside a kite flown Thursday by McCook's Head Start students. Luis and his friends were celebrating "The Week of the Young Child" and Head Start's 10th anniversary in McCook. Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program that helps more than 752,000 children from low-income families. ...

KEARNEY -- Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska will use an expansion grant to start a home-based Head Start program in Dundy County. Lois Butler, Head Start director at the Mid-Nebraska office in Kearney, said a family educator will be hired in May to provide home-based services to 10 preschool children and their families who meet federal income guidelines...

To honor the heroes stationed both at home and abroad, the McCook Daily Gazette is asking troop members and their families to submit correspondence and photos for publication in a special edition to be printed May 16. Submissions may be emailed to cityed@ocsmccook.com, sent to PO Box 1268, McCook, NE 69001 or dropped off at the Gazette office. All submissions will be edited for content and grammar...

Parents will be given the opportunity to preview the drinking-and-driving program planned for McCook Senior High students. The parents' viewing is scheduled Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the high school. Students will watch the program Wednesday at 1 p.m...

Derek Beebe (left) and Eric Stensvad try out the boat that will be sold during the McCook Humane Society's garage sale Saturday and Sunday. "This is the first time we've ever sold a boat," said pet-lover and Humane Society volunteer Marilyn Cuellar. ...

Grandma, what big eyes you have. Better to see you, my dear. Grandma, what a big nose you have. Better to smell you, my dear. Grandma, what big ears you have. Better to hear you, my dear. Grandma, what big teeth you have. Better to eat you, my dear...

CAMBRIDGE -- Donna Rae Keefer, 69, died Wednesday (April 9, 2003) at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 20, 1933, in Albion, to Ray and Senada (Redler) Wheeler. She attended school in Columbus and graduated from St. Bonaventure in 1951...