Stories from Wednesday, December 1, 2004

With the winter months pushing their way in, they bring with them the high school basketball season, and the season will begin for many schools tomorrow and Friday. McCook opens the basketball season by hosting Chase County. The Longhorns made it to the state tournament last season, losing to eventual champion, Kearney Catholic...

I only knew Ron Coleman for the three years since I have worked in McCook as the sports editor of the Gazette, but "RC" made me feel like I knew him for much longer. I was not the only one he made feel like that. "He made everyone feel like that," said McCook athletic director Rick Haney...

McCook Senior High Principal Jerry Smith said this morning the death of instructor and coach Ron Coleman has greatly saddened students and staff at McCook's schools. "Ron touched the lives of so many kids, and adults," Smith said "He was the kind of person everyone liked."...

Several fisherman brave the cold wind Saturday to take advantage of the freshly stocked pond at Barnett Park before the first snow of the season. The pond received about 1,200 trout measuring around 10 1/4 inches in length. The Fisheries Division of the Game and Parks Commission encourages anglers to take advantage of the opportunity this winter as the trout will most likely not survive the spring warmup. ...

Our hearts ache and our eyes mist up with tears today as we remember the too short -- but oh so full -- life of McCook's beloved Coach Ron Coleman. RC -- as Coach Coleman was affectionately known -- passed from this earthly life Tuesday from head injuries suffered in a fall at his home Monday evening...

**Dear Editor, I applaud Mr. Berry's recent article on the virtues and necessity to do business locally. As our new councilman, I would hope his sensible approach would include government's obligation to the people. The reality is, state and local governments have failed us. Their irresponsibility has placed us near the bottom in all criteria to attract business and industry, which is what we need to retain our young families...

Great anticipation fills my heart. If all goes according to plan, we will have two little girls under our roof, rising bright-eyed and bushytailed to open presents Christmas morning. Our nest has been empty of little folks for a good many years now, and we just don't prepare for Christmas in the same way we did when our children were young. ...