Stories from Friday, September 24, 2004

McCook Police are looking for an armed robber who struck the West Gas -n- Shop early this morning. According to a report from the Nebraska State Patrol, a man entered the West Gas-n-Shop at about 5:50 a.m. armed with what appeared to be a shot gun or paintball gun. He reportedly stole $135 from the store...

The McCook High School boys tennis team swept nine varsity matches from Holdrege Thursday afternoon at the Bison Courts. The tournament was postponed from Tuesday because of rain. The Bison improved their season dual record to 8-1. "The team played well and continued to show improvement," said McCook tennis coach Matt Wiemers...

Shawn McMurtrey first at Ogallala Invitational OGALLALA -- The McCook Bison boys placed third at the Ogallala Invitational cross country meet on Thursday. The Bison girls placed fifth in the team standings. The boys were paced by the first-place finish of Shawn McMurtrey. McMurtrey finished with a time of 17 minutes flat...

By MICHAEL JUDD Gazette Writer IMPERIAL -- The McCook Bison softball team won both ends of a road double header with Chase County in Imperial on Thursday. Chase County was shutout in both contests. McCook 15, Chase County 0 Seventh ranked Class B McCook pounded out 12 hits in three innings behind Taryn Placzek's three perfect innings of pitching to drop Chase County 15-0 in the first of two shutouts against the Longhorns...

The legacy of two lifetimes was shared this morning at the annual George W. Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast. Jean Morrison Galloway, the daughter of the late Gov. Frank and Maxine Morrison, reminisced on her early years in McCook and on the legacy left by her parents and the way they lived life...

McCook High School sophomore Josh Cherry runs from Central Elementary, a "hostage" released by the two men who threatened -- in a mock disaster drill Thursday afternoon -- to blow up the school with dynamite. David Reisen (inset), Lincoln, of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, plays the part of one of the terrorists. ...

The McCook Heritage Days Committee named this year's dignitaries at the annual mixer, Wednesday night. Ernie Weyeneth is the 2004 Grand Marshal. Weyeneth is a 1965 graduate of McCook High School and graduated from McCook Community College and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He is a Vietnam veteran, having served in the United States Navy...

Thanks to the generosity of the people of the Golden Plains and the hard work of dedicated volunteers, the McCook "Toy Box" has become one of the most successful community Christmas gift programs in the nation. Yes, we know, that's a mighty powerful claim, but once you know about the program, and become involved, we believe you will agree...

**Dear Editor, As seasons change, the store slows, giving time to listen to the local wisdom. A man was loudly bashing farmers for taking too much groundwater. Oh, he also included local factories and golf courses. A small, frail, older lady said, "You're swatting the wrong flies."...

**Dear Editor, Much to my pleasure, we received a pair of magnetic ribbons from one of our kids and they did come up missing after only a week on or van. So, we did receive another set. They are the ones that read "We Support Our Troops," obtained from the VFW here in Imperial, and I'm sure there are many more places to get them...

The original cover for my grill sits on the newly-finished deck, smoke wafting from the giant hole in the middle of a once-whole cover. Water puddles around the singed material with the water and cover both laying there useless. The ashes remaining from the disintegrated towel and the scarred pan lid wait in the corner for their disposal...

McCook JV football team overpowers North Platte NORTH PLATTE -- The McCook High School junior varsity football team rolled to a 54-6 victory over the North Platte sophomores at North Platte Monday. Because of a mix-up, the results were misplaced. The Bison (3-0) led at halftime 49-6...

LINCOLN -- Matt and Angie Nielsen announce the birth of their son, Isaac David, Sept. 10, 2004, in Lincoln. He weighed 10 pounds, 2 ounces and was 23 inches long. Grandparents are Gary and Pat Nielsen and Gregg and Shannon Pevoteaux, all of McCook.

OMAHA -- Lindsay Chance and Benji Bentley were united in marriage June 5, 2004, in an outdoor ceremony at the Lauritzen Gardens at Omaha's Botanical Center with the bride's father, the Rev. Brian Turner, officiating. Parents of the couple are Lorra Warren of Holdrege, Brian and Sherry Turner of Omaha and Mark and Dora Chance of Liberal, Kan. Parents of the bridegroom are Roger and Rita Bentley of McCook...

LINCOLN -- Brenda Rentschler and Jeff Fox were united in marriage April 17, 2004, at Trinity Baptist Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Dean O'Bryan officiating. Parents of the couple are Randy and Diane Rentschler of Atkinson and John and Printha Fox of Culbertson. Grandparents are Bill and Mildred Rentschler of Atkinson, Marjorie Fox of Gordon and Sheryll Bobst of Earlham, Iowa...

The family of Evelyn Haag is hosting an open house in honor of her 80th birthday Sunday, 2-4 p.m., at her home in Indianola. She was born in 1924 in Norton, Kan. Cards will reach her at Box 115, Indianola, NE 69034.

The family of Irene (Packard) (Metzger) Young is hosting an open house in honor of her 80th birthday Oct. 3, 2-4 p.m., at Heritage Plaza Retirement Village in Cambridge, 1205 Nelson Street.

A new clock tower at McCook Community College should serve as a constant reminder that education is timeless. Those words were delivered by Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Mid-Plains Community College Area, Friday, during a special ceremony to dedicate the college's new 15-foot, four-faced, black wrought-iron clock...

The carillon "Sounds of Yesterday" will become the bell chiming "Sounds of Tomorrow" on the McCook Community College campus. In step with the 2004 Heritage Days Theme of "The Sounds of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," college officials announced plans Friday to restore a vintage set of 25 bell metal, Deagan chimes donated in 1939, but which were rendered inoperable for most of the past 40 years...

Rural areas in Australia and America have a few fundamental differences when it comes to economic development, but they also have a lot of similarities. One primary factor the two countries must focus on is economic development on a regional basis and not just growth in individual communities...

A special word, "heritage," resonates throughout the McCook community and the surrounding countryside. Not only is it the name of McCook's annual celebration, which we are observing this weekend, but it is carried forth by every family who calls this place home...

The third annual McCook Community College Men's Basketball Golf Scramble was held last Saturday at the Broken Tee Par 3 Golf Course in McCook. Playing golf in support of the basketball team while Nebraska football was being played. What a combination...

**Dear Editor, The Nationwide Life Chain Sunday is Oct. 3. This event will provide a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community, that the Church of Christ founded, is opposed to the killing of unborn children. Join us at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, at the J.C. Penney parking lot for McCook's 15th annual Life Chain. The prayer stand is from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Signs will be provided...

**Dear Editor, Imagine, Bob Linderholm calling Me "Kookie!" The next thing you know, Bob will be calling me intolerant! No offense, Bob, but your letter is the most intolerant and kookie that I have read in awhile. Congratulations. "For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11)...

**Dear Editor, A while back, I saw in the paper the request for people to make their views known about Weiland Field. In following the high school football teams for a number of years, we've come to realize McCook's facility is probably the nicest available for Class B schools in the state...

The family of Cecil and Ferma Scarrow is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 40th anniversary Oct. 3. The couple married in 1964 in Goodland, Kan. Their children are Kevin and Kelly Scarrow of Dodge City, Kan., Jackie and Brian Williams of O'Neill and Allen and Jennifer Scarrow of Houston, Texas. They have five grandchildren. Cards will reach them at 1506 West 10th Street, McCook, NE 69001...