Stories from Thursday, October 23, 2003

The time has finally arrived. In just a few days, we'll be seeing an invasion of sorts in this area. Hundreds of people will be hitting Southwest Nebraska with guns, hundreds of dogs, brand new SUVs and money to burn. That's right -- pheasant season in Nebraska is just around the corner and deer season will follow in three short weeks...

**Dear Editor, With fall, many youth speak of hunting. It is in our predator makeup to take from, and store up for the coming long winter months. However since the poor are no longer allowed to hunt due to cost and lack of hunting grounds, the yard sale is a near year-round way to allow the rich to dump their stuff so they can buy new...

Historically speaking, the past few days have been the warmest on record in McCook, topping the all-time temperature charts for Oct. 19, Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. During the stretch of summer-like days, the temperature readings rose to 93 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, Oct. 19; 91 degrees on Tuesday, Oct.21; and 90 degrees on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The previous all-time temperature records were 90 degrees on Oct. 19; 89 degrees on Oct. 21; and 85 degrees on Oct. 22...

John E. Gallatin, 97, died Wednesday (Oct. 22, 2003) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born July 24, 1906, to Eugene and Wilametta (Eckhard) Gallatin in Bartley. He graduated from Bartley High School in 1925. On July 23, 1927, he married Helen Ann Hoffstrand in Bartley. John was a farmer in Red Willow County all his life. Helen preceded him in death on Feb. 23, 1961...

For all intents and purposes, Friday night's high school football clash between McCook and Hastings is for the Nebraska Class B-5 district title. The Bison, ranked second and third in various polls, will take a 7-0 record and a 20-game winning streak into Friday's game at Hastings...

Mary Ellen Kerchal, 60, died Monday (Oct. 20, 2003) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. She was born Aug. 30, 1943, in Seward County. She was adopted as an infant by Walter J. and Lucille (Traphagan) Middleton. She attended school in Oxford, graduating from Oxford High School in 1961...

BENKELMAN -- Lyle Wiese, 75, died Tuesday (October 21, 2003) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. He was born Dec. 8, 1927, to Henry and Margaretha (Mumm) Wiese in Bloomfield. He graduated from high school in Osmond. In 1946, he moved with his parents to Pierce...

Sue Shaner, dean of community services at McCook Community College, told the Mid Plains Community College Area Board of Governors the MCC mens basketball team has been ranked fourth academically in all community colleges in the area. Orton said this morning he is very proud of his athletes. "They're a good bunch of kids," he said. "They're in class when they're supposed to be."...

The theme for this year's United Way Fund Drive is "Make Your Caring Count." McCook United Way helps 19 different agencies in the McCook area to meet the needs of our citizens. The United Way provides financial and fund-raising support for these agencies. The 2003 United Way Fund Drive is going on now, and will continue through December 15...