Stories from Thursday, June 26, 2008

Nebraska and Michigan were singled out in a story by The Associated Press as the only two states that require proof of citizenship to provide welfare benefits. And it's true that the requirement is keeping people off the Medicaid rolls, according to a federal study done after the requirements were put in place at the national level...

Years ago, when I was growing up, there was a cartoon strip in a newspaper headed with the caption, "Born Thirty Years Too Soon." This came to mind when I saw recent Gazette pictures of baseball size hailstones, lined up in a row, and a coiled rattlesnake on a road. Photography has come a long way during my lifetime...

If you haven't before, this is the week to start watching the planet Mars as it closes in on Regulus, the brightest star in the Constellation Leo, the Lion. Regulus is the dot in the backwards question mark outlining Leo's head and mane. For the last few weeks Mars has been moving steadily eastward against the background stars getting closer and closer. ...

The McCook National Bank Seniors American Legion baseball team split a doubleheader with Ogallala Wednesday night at Jaycees Sports Complex. Ogallala won the opener 8-2 and McCook claimed the nightcap 6-5. McCook improved its record to 10-8. The MNB Seniors will host Holdrege at 8 p.m. tonight...

The McCook Midget Baseball Association Cubs Tournament is scheduled to start tonight at Felling Field, weather permitting. The Cubs Division is the kid-pitched division for grades 4-6 and features 10 teams. Opening games start Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with additional games at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m...

BENKELMAN -- Sydney Williams, a Dundy County High School graduate, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball this fall at McCook Community College where she plans to major in Early Childhood Development or Business. "Sydney is a dynamic individual and player," said Kelly Rippen, Interim MCC volleyball coach...

Five members of the McCook Community College Men's basketball team have been named to the Region IX Men's Academic Team for the 2007-2008 school year. The list is headed by a pair of sophomores and three freshmen. Sophomores Joel Arterburn, a 6-foot-1 wing, and Brian Gaston, a 6-3 wing, were named to the Region IX Academic team. Both players are McCook High School graduates...

June 30, 1916 - June 25, 2008 OBERLIN -- Fern O. Anderson, 91, died Wednesday (June 25, 2008) at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center. She was born June 30, 1916, in Colorado to Ernest and Mary (Yingling) O'Hare. She grew up in the Lyle Community in Decatur County...

The McCook City Fire Department is mourning the loss of a veteran member, the 12-year old firehouse Dalmation dog, Blaze. Blaze had been declining the past several years, the department said, and was on medication for several ailments, including pneumonia and arthritis. He also had a tumor that was inoperable...

On May 6, 2004, the McCook Elks Lodge sent a Letter to the Editor of the McCook Daily Gazette regretfully announcing that they would not be able to sponsor the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration in McCook that year. According to the letter, "It comes with much sadness that we are not in a position to sponsor the fireworks festivities this year. We feel it is important to let you (the public) know this, because of the patriotic impact this could have on our community."...

CURTIS -- Three area students were recognized by the Middle Republican Natural Resources District (NRD) for their creativity and understanding of water conservation. Haley Hrnchir (Trenton), Chase Chrisman (Wallace), and Mickayla Sheets (Wallace) were finalists in the NRD Conservation Poster contest...