Stories from Thursday, January 22, 2004

NORTH PLATTE -- North Platte Community College's Donta Watson hit 23 consecutive free throws and scored 36 points to lead the Knights to a 95-74 victory over McCook CC Wednesday night. The North Platte women's basketball team handed McCook a 73-62 setback...

I have decided to publish my very personal diary for my column this week. This was very difficult for me to decide to publish this, as my diary is very dear to me. Please don't make fun of me for sharing my intimate thoughts throughout the past week...

Phyllis E. Jones, 72, of McCook, passed away Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born July 24, 1931, in Norcatur to Frank and Ruth Vera (Shrock) Gallentine. On Oct. 23, 1949, she married Donovan Lee Jones in Oberlin. The couple lived in Denver for 17 years and then moved to McCook in 1975...

Evelyn M. Heumesser, 98, died Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2004) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born May 14, 1905, to Marion O. and Josephine (Snyder) McClure in McCook. She grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1923. She graduated from Ford Business School in 1924. She was employed as a credit manager for Montogomery Ward in Grand Island and later at Fort Collins, Colo. She later became credit manager and bookkeeper for State Dry goods and for the Jo Ann Dress Shop...

TULSA, Okla. -- Della Maria Shepherd, 88, died Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2004) at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla. She was born Jan. 12, 1916, in Frontier County, to Nathan and Ola (Knepp) Appleyard. She grew up in Frontier County and graduated from Chase County High School of Imperial in 1935. She taught school for two years...

HAYS, Kan. -- Joe and Amber Buresh of Phillipsburg, Kan., announce the birth of their son, Brock Thomas, Saturday (Jan. 3, 2004) at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 21 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Roger and Chris Smith and Tom and Nancy Buresh of McCook. Great-grandparents are Noel and Claudia Schnabel and Melvin and Leona Smith of Trenton. Iva Schnabel of Colorado is the great-great-grandmother...

Jamey and Christine Hansen of McCook announce the birth of their son, Hunter Jamey, Dec. 29, 2003, at Community Hospital of McCook. He weighed 7 pounds and 9 ounces. He has three sisters, Taylor, Faith and Riley. Grandparents are Barbara Pursley of McCook and Sharon Barenberg of Benkelman. Velma Hansen of Benkelman is the great-grandmother...

The family of Edward and Mary Hlavinka is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th anniversary, Jan. 24. Their children are David and wife, Clara Mae Hlavinka of Orleans, Gerald Hlavinka of Trenton and Lynda and husband, Bob Fine of Littleton, Colo. They have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 304 West P, McCook, NE 69001...

Joshua Whisneant hoists a telephone pole over his head while Power Teammates Russ Clear (left) and Jamie Morrison cheer him on. Sponsored by the McCook Ministerial Association and local business leaders, the group is performing additional feats of strength such as smashing flaming concrete blocks, ripping phone books, as well as sharing an inspirational message at 7 p.m. ...

With changes under way in neighboring school districts, officials are reminding parents that the deadline to submit Nebraska public schools option enrollment applications is Monday, March 15. "Option enrollment" is the process by which a student may attend a public school located in a district other than the district in which the student legally resides...

According to the new water solution plans introduced by Councilman Jim Kenny and approved by a majority of the City Council at Monday night's council meeting, the last thing the city plans to do is develop a treatment facility for the city of McCook...

EDITOR'S NOTE -- The following article was written for the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce. It is reprinted here with permission: By Cal Siegfried, General Manager Heartland Feeders LLC BSE, or as the national media likes to call it, "mad cow disease" has been found in the United States. ...

Yesterday as Brad and I prepared for work, I walked past him, smiled and lightly tapped him in the belly and watched as he fell back on the couch. "It's good to know I still have it," I told him. "Have what?" he asked. "The ability to knock you over with a look and a touch," I responded...

A year ago in this column, the editorial writers of the McCook Daily Gazette took Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns to task for not offering thoughtful leadership during tough economic times. The criticism was based on the governor's call for a 10 percent across-the-board cut in state spending...