Stories from Friday, July 14, 2006

VALLEY -- Cambridge native Sara Sackett, who played collegiate golf at the University of Nebraska, captured the Nebraska women's match-play championship Thursday afternoon. The tournament was played at the Pines Country Club course in Valley. Sackett, 23, a first-time winner of the tournament, played on the Nebraska women's team that placed 20th in the NCAA championships...

The Ed Thomas YMCA in McCook is now accepting registrations for youth flag football and youth volleyball. Registration deadline for both football and volleyball is July 31. The YMCA is also accepting registrations for Adult Volleyball. For any questions regarding these programs, or any other Ed Thomas YMCA program, please call the YMCA at 345-6228...

Oct. 10, 1947 - July 13, 2006 Larry Lee Payton 58, died Thursday (July 13, 2006) at Community Hospital in McCook. Larry was born Oct. 10, 1947, to Denzel and Ruth (Lorimer) Payton in McCook.  He graduated from Atwood High School in Atwood.  He married Judy K. Willey in Arapahoe on May 29, 1967.  He worked in the oil fields for more than 27 years in the Kansas, Nebraska area. Larry worked at McCook Community College from 1988 until 1999 when he had to leave the job he loved due to heath reasons. ...

Oct. 2, 1930 - July 12, 2006 BEAVER?CITY?-- Lyle Joe Meader 75, died Wednesday (July 12, 2006) at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City.  He was born Oct. 2, 1930, near Holbrook, to Charles W. and Mabel (Fears) Meader.  He graduated from Holbrook High School in 1947. ...

March 10, 1934 - July 12, 2006 JEROMOE, Idaho -- Marvin Ervin "Buck" Teeters, 72, of Jerome, passed away July 12, 2006 in Twin Falls, surrounded by his family.  He was born March 10, 1934, in Palisade, the son of Francis Marion Teeters and Patricia Marie Rose Teeters.  Buck grew up in Culbertson and McCook and attended schools there. ...

Aug. 21, 1965-July 13, 2006 LINCOLN -- David Fredrick Daugherty, 40, died Thursdsay (July 13, 2006) at home. He was born Aug. 21, 1965, in Hutchinson, Kan. He was a graduate of McCook High School and the University of Sioux Falls South Dakota, with a communications major with an emphasis in broadcasting...

PALISADE -- To some, Gary and Judy Malone of rural Palisade seemed to be living a Midwestern dream, working the family's farm and ranch in a beautiful valley west of Palisade. Then tragedy struck.  Last year, the family lost its health insurance coverage. Then, in early June, Gary Malone suffered a massive stroke. Swelling in the brain caused him to be flown to Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, where he is still recovering. ...

The bean counters want to strike down the band. The McCook Daily Gazette has had the honor of sponsoring local appearances of the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band, but if the accountants have their way, that might not happen again. Founded in 1943 and now based at Offutt Air Force Base, the 53-member band, including a main concert orchestra and side groups such as wind ensembles, gave nearly 600 concerts last year throughout the Heartland -- Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. ...

It saddens me that McCook School Board is prioritizing low requirements to play sports over raising academic standards. When I was in school, we had this policy in effect. Every Friday, down lists came out and some athletes had to work extra hard to make sure they were able to play in the next game. ...

Keeping with the technology-theme, let's consider another area which has been taken over by advances in technology: phone service centers. Hearing a human voice when you call a company for help or for information is now the rarity rather than the rule. Rather, an automated voice leads the caller through a list of options which put most toddler Christmas lists to shame...