Stories from Monday, May 11, 2009

Sept. 16, 1933 - May 9, 2009 STERLING, Kan. -- Vaughn L. Thompson, 75, died Saturday (May 9, 2009) at his home in Sterling. He was born Sept. 16, 1933, in Big Springs to Jacob R. and Delphia (Dunning) Thompson. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. On April 15, 1953, he married Carolyn Becker. They lived in Cambridge, before moving to Sterling. He was a tool pusher for Sterling Drilling Company until his retirement...

Dear Editor, In observance of National Nursing Home Week, May 10 to May 16, Hillcrest Nursing Home is celebrating with a series of week long events designed to enrich the relationships and contacts between our residents, youth, volunteers, community members, families, and staff. The theme of this week at Hillcrest is "Making a Difference in the Lives of Others."...

To borrow the opening lines of Charles Dickens' classic, "The Tale of Two Cities", 1918 was the best of times -- it was the worst of times. On the plus side, 1918 marked the end of World War I, the first of the world-wide wars, which had raged in Europe since 1914. That was good. But, on the minus side, 1918 marked the beginning of the outbreak of a flu epidemic, which by 1920 had become a flu pandemic, circling the globe, and reaching even to the Arctic and remote Pacific Islands...

Don't discount travel when it comes to economic development.

Christian-fiction author Terrye Robins is coming to the McCook Public Library located at 802 Norris Ave. on Thurs., May 14, at 7 p.m. Terrye will be greeting guests and sharing information about her writing career and her fun mystery novels, Trouble in Paradise, Revenge in Paradise, and the newly released Justice in Paradise. A lively question and answer session will follow her presentation, and books will be available there for purchase. The public is invited to attend...

McCook Community College speech and theater teacher Sue Watts accepts the 2009 Dr. Gene Budig "Outstanding Educator" award from guest speaker Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy (left), during MCC commencement ceremonies Friday morning. Mid-Plains Community College President Dr. ...

McCook Public Schools' band instructor has been named the 2009 "McCook Area Educator of the Year." Donita Priebe received the award before graduation ceremonies at McCook Senior High Sunday afternoon. Presenting the award was MPS elementary teacher Mary Dueland, who received the award in May 2003. The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognize outstanding performance in the field of education, with special emphasis on motivating students to reach their highest potential...

Law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and firefighters respond to a three-vehicle accident about 8:10 a.m., today, on U.S. Highway 6&34 at the intersection of the graveled county road known as the Weathercraft road, about one mile east of McCook and just west of Strunk Memorial. ...

Graduation -- like the end of most anything -- wasn't all grins and giggles at McCook Senior High Sunday afternoon Tears rolled unashamed down the cheeks of many -- choir members, seniors, administrators, board of education members, family and friends, even the choir director -- as the choir sang, "You Raise Me Up."...