Stories from Friday, November 14, 2003

Keith and Joey Ruff of Grand Island announce the birth of their son, Colton James, Oct. 21, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces. He was 20 inches long. He has a brother, Ethan, 2-years-old. Grandparents are Jim and Karen Ruff of Culbertson, Vicki King of McCook and the late Brad King. Great-grandparents are Neil and Betty Fidler and Trudy King of McCook...

TRENTON -- Hitchcock County Judge John Battershell gave a 21-year-old Stratton man one last chance to stay away from drugs and alcohol -- and away from serving time in the state penitentiary. Judge Battershell sentenced Troy M. Troutman Thursday morning to 30 days in jail and intensive supervised probation at the state's Work Ethic Camp in McCook...

While the state and the nation have been experiencing serious problems over the past few years, things are going to get better. Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale shared his vision for the future with members of the Nebraska Development Network, Southwest Region and Southwest Nebraska RC&D at the Southwest Nebraska Annual Banquet Thursday night...

Boyd Epley and Tommie Frazier will visit McCook Monday as part of the Husker Nation Blitz. They will be at the Bieroc Cafe, 312 Norris Ave., at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Epley, associate athletic director for performance and facility development, and Frazier, assistant director of development, will promote the Husker Nation Championship Drive on a three-day tour, Monday through Wednesday...

The McCook City Council will look at appointing residents of McCook to a special committee with residents from Red Willow County to begin looking at ways to coordinate efforts between the two groups. The action comes following the council meeting of Nov. 3, in which the group discussed a request from Red Willow County Commissioner Leigh Hoyt to reduce costs to the county for dispatching and ambulance services in exchange for help with snow removal in the city...

Clifford Davis, 81, died Thursday (Nov. 13, 2003). Services are Monday, 10 a.m., at Pauls Funeral Home of Oberlin with the Rev. Doug Hasty officiating. Pauls Funeral Home of Oberlin is in charge of the arrangements.

LINCOLN -- Russel Polly, 89, long time resident of Wauneta, died Wednesday (Nov. 12, 2003) in Lincoln. Survivors include one daughter, Patricia Wallin of Imperial; and five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services are Saturday, 10:30 a.m. (MST), at the United Methodist Church of Wauneta with the Rev. Michael Laing and John Engbrecht officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery of Wauneta...

HASTINGS -- The McCook YMCA Devil Ray swim team captured 88 ribbons at the Nov. 8 meet in Hastings. With 21 McCook members and three Oberlin participant, the 24 Devil Rays competed against Hastings, Grand Island and Kearney. "I was extremely pleased with all the performances, especially the times, as most swam their personal best," said McCook coach Tracy Flaska. "The kids were having fun and were enthusiastic about the meet."...

When John Gale was appointed Nebraska's Secretary of State in November of 2000, the Bush-Gore voting fiasco was unfolding in Florida. Looked at from that perspective, it's not surprising that Gale's top priority as Secretary of State is election reform...