Stories from Wednesday, February 1, 2006

McCook High School's talented trio of Tony Purvis, Brendan Liess and Jeff Klug made it official Wednesday on the first day of the NCAA football signing period. All three signed letters of intent to play football at the college level. Purvis made good on his commitment to sign an NCAA Division I offer from Kansas State University and first-year head coach Ron Prince. He made a verbal commitment two weeks ago...

WALLACE -- The Golden Plains Activities Conference kicked into full swing Tuesday with the first full round of the girls division. Arapahoe, Southwest, Dundy County and Wauneta-Palisade will play in the semifinals on Thursday. The Dundy County Tiger girls managed to come away with the 52-49 win after pushing into overtime with the Hayes Center Cardinals...

The Southwest Nebraska Unit of the American Cancer Society (ACS) will sell daffodils for Daffodil Days, a national fundraiser, thru Monday, Feb. 13. Proceeds from these sales support ACS's programs of research, education and patient services. Area ACS volunteers are accepting orders for the daffodils for delivery between March 6 and 12...

LINCOLN -- The McCook YMCA swim team traveled to Lincoln on Jan. 14 to compete with teams from Fremont, Hastings, Lincoln and McCook. It was the fourth meet of the season for the squad. "This meet was a lot of fun. The atmosphere in Lincoln can sometimes be intimidating for our kids. I felt the kids handled it very well," said McCook YMCA coach Tracy Flaska...

There are many stories of struggle and survival that surround the dark "dingy" colors and simple patterns that adorn Karen Dack's most recent quilt. Karen has done many beautiful quilts and displays them in her and husband Richard's country home southwest of McCook, but there is something unique about this quilt. This is an "Underground Railroad Quilt."...

After discussing the feasibility and costs of city participation in the combined county/city facility Tuesday night, McCook City Council members will bring the issue forward as an action item at the next council meeting Feb. 20. McCook Police Chief Ike Brown addressed the council about the price and timing of the proposed facility, and asked, "Is now the right time for a jail -- and the right time for the taxpayers?" Brown said that his report was primarily prepared by himself, Building Inspector Doyle Wineland and Fire Chief Marc Harpham, with some input by former City Manager John Bingham before he relocated.. ...

It was high summer in the Mile High City. Danny had work on a paving crew. What could be hotter than an August afternoon, pouring hot asphalt? The temperature rivaled the fires of hell, I'm sure. Or, at least it must have seemed that way to this crew of laborers...

Task force recommendations deserve close attention.

The family of Elwood "Red" Traphagan is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday. He was born Feb. 4, 1921. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 605 West G, McCook, NE 69001.