Stories from Friday, May 28, 2004

The McCook National Bank Seniors offense shifted into overdrive during Thursday night's 15-3 romp over Overton at the Jaycees Sports Complex. Rebounding from a pair of shutouts from the previous night, MNB scored runs in bunches and got the game called after the fifth due to the run rule...

Evan Koetter starts campaign with strong pitching effort The First Central Bank American Legion Juniors baseball team began its season with a 9-8 victory against Overton at the Jaycees Sports Complex on Thursday night. The game was called after the sixth inning due to the time limit...

CRETE -- Doane College senior Rochelle Schmidt was named Sharon Wilch Woman Athlete of the Year at the annual Student Awards Ceremony May 15. An 11-time All-American, Schmidt triple jumps and long jumps and won the award in 2003 as well. She is the daughter of Leslie and Nancy Schmidt of Indianola...

Midget League Baseball Report Several McCook Midget League Baseball League games were played Wednesday night at Felling Field. In T-Ball Division play, the Sooners played Century 21 and Rita's Framing played Trenton Electric. No scores are kept in T-Ball...

Jan. 7, 1929-May 26, 2004 NORTON, Kan. -- Darlene Gladys (Boxberger) Veh, 75, died Wednesday (May 26, 2004) at Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kan. She was born Jan. 7, 1929, to Henry Jr. and Grace Frances (Spena) Boxberger in Wakeeney, Kan. She lived with her family in Wakeeney before moving to Norton in 1941. She attended public schools in Wakeeney and Norton and received her bachelor's of music degree from Bethany College and master's of education degree from Fort Hays State University...

Feb. 24, 1958-May 26, 2004 Rose Marie Christner, 46, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004 in Palisade. Rosie was a long time resident of Southwest Nebraska living in Hayes Center, Wauneta, Champion, Imperial, Alliance and Palisade. She was born Feb. 24, 1958, to James M. and Pearl (Hicks) Andrew at Cabool, Mo. She accepted Jesus as her savior at an early age. She attended school in Hayes Center and Palisade...

William and Heather Horinek announce the birth of their daughter, Zoie Nanetta, April 22, 2004, at Community Hospital of McCook. She weighed 8 pounds, 9.4 ounces and was 21 3/4 inches long. Grandparents are Lester and Marilyn Horinek of Ludell and Dennis and Charlene Spires of McCook. Great-grandparents are Martha Horinek of Atwood and Valma Martin of Pilsen, Kan...

John and Tara Kucera announce the birth of their daughter, Shaylin Raellen, May 3, 2004, in Omaha. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. Her grandparents are Phyl and Trish Rippen of Culbertson and Dave and Nita Kucera of Kearney. Great-grandparents are Gordon and Frary Rippen and Maxine Talley all of Culbertson and Harold Talley of McCook...

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Ryan and Stephanie (Gohl) Linke announce the birth of their daughter, Ava Marie, May 3, 2004, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Jim Gohl of Culbertson, Vernetta Gohl of Omaha and Melvin and Linda Linke of Scotia. Great-grandparents are Loren and Elaine Bedore of Culbertson and Emmanuel and Alma Peebo of Elyra. Great-great-grandparents are the late Carl Jr. and Lucille Gohl and the late Walter and Marie Linke...

A haircut normally is not that big of an event. But when no one recognizes you after the haircut -- not even your own mother or your own wife -- it's a big deal. People can be fooled when someone drastically cuts his or her hair, but never more than when a man trims his beard or shaves off his moustache. Consider that when a man is wearing a full moustache and beard, along with longer hair on the top, all you see are these two little eyes poking out from a mass of hair...

**Dear Editor, Well, another year has closed with more graduating classes taking a big step in life. As a child my father was in the army so we moved more times than enough. For every year of high school I was in a different state. The one foal I made was if and when I had a family we would settle down without moving ... ...

**Dear Editor, Well I knew it would be just a matter of time before the gazette jumped on "$2.00 dollar gas" band wagon. The only thing that I was surprised about was they didn't come right out and blame it on Bush. Here are some wonderful statistics...

**Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the shameful, vicious letter in Open Forum by Bob Thayer on Wednesday attacking our president. I was always taught that we should address our leaders with respect. In this case instead of Bush, it should be President Bush. In a democracy, if we don't like someone, we can always vote them out of office and it is our privilege to respectfully disagree with them...

FREE LAND!!!! No kidding. After hearing of similar offers in other places, the three towns of Rawlins County, Kansas are offering to give free residential lots to any individual or family willing to move to the county and build a house. "We've received a great response," said Arlene Bliss, director of the Rawlins County Economic Development office. "I've received many inquiries and I've sent out 38 packets to all parts of the United States."...

The Saggy Bottom Boys (top, minus drummer Henry Guerrero) regaled the audience with a "tail" of a new fur coat as part of an unofficial kickoff for the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival on Thursday night at the Bieroc Cafe. They are (from left) Andre LeFebvre, Gene Malleck and Lonnie Weyeneth. ...

The popular and prestigious John Mullen Pro-Am is continuing its run of success, reaching a full field of amateurs a month in advance and attracting a championship-studded list of professionals for the 2004 tournament, which is sponsored by the Community Hospital Health Foundation...

Defibrillators may become as common as fire extinguishers, and both -- if they're used quickly and correctly -- can save lives. For a person suffering a "sudden cardiac arrest," the first four to six minutes are crucial, said McCook fire chief Marc Harpham. Access to a defibrillator -- a piece of medical equipment that can restore a normal heart rhythm -- may mean the difference between life and death...

MedSTAR Critical Care and McCook emergency crews watch a helicopter land on Airport Road on Friday as the local operation gets ready to go into full operation within days. City of McCook employee Tyler Kalinski is strapped into a litter as he waits to play the part of the injured patient. ...