Stories from Wednesday, April 21, 2010

ATWOOD, Kansas -- Ruth "Ruthie" V. Matisek, 79, died Tuesday (April 20, 2010) at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood. Survivors include her daughter, Jane and husband, Arthur Bond of Diamondhead, Missouri; sister, Sr. Anne Matisek of Montgomery, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews...

It's appropriate, somehow, that Clayton Anderson's space shuttle skirted his home state on its re-entry glide Tuesday, passing over the Kansas-Nebraska-Colorado border on the way to a safe landing in Florida. We've had second-hand reports of a sonic boom from the shuttle's supersonic flight over the Golden Plains about 8 a.m. that morning. If you heard the boom, drop us an e-mail at editor@mccookgazette.com or call (308) 345-4500 ext. 120...

(Monday), April 19, 2010, Nebraskans held a Tea Party in downtown McCook, on the northeast corner of George Norris Avenue and B Street (US Highways 6-34). The Good Lord gave us a beautiful day, and we were thankful that the rains of the late morning moved on to other more deserving geography...

I am not sure whether I attended the TEA party rally Monday to become politically active or just to see what kinds of people have become involved. I observed and talked to most of the people there trying to find the KKK members, the far-right-wing kooks that might think of blowing things up and those who are just idiots looking for a platform. It was no surprise to me that I found none of the above...

It was 1956. And after years of scrimping, saving and pinching pennies until they cried for mercy, Archie and Winnie finally had enough set back to buy a house. And they went brand new, in a brand new subdivision, on the edge of nowhere (as nowhere was defined in 1956) in Littleton, Colo...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Renovations on the band shell in Norris Park could begin in late August. The McCook City Council unanimously approved Monday night a contract with Berggren Architects of Lincoln. Berggren will provide architectural services for the renovation, starting with preliminary drawings...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Although one McCook City Councilman questioned the need for another outlet to sell guns, the council ultimately approved a pawn shop license at 615 West B. Before approving the license, Councilman Lonnie Anderson noted there is another pawn shop outside of city limits that sells firearms, as well as Walmart...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved a request from a McCook citizen to have a wedding reception that includes alcohol at the city auditorium, but one councilman didn't see the need for the vote. Councilman Aaron Kircher abstained from voting on the request from Mark Friehe. Friehe wants to rent the auditorium in June for a reception, where alcohol would be served. The request passed 4 to 1...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A hardworking, generous couple and the cooperation of local non-profit organizations has made a big difference for a variety of local charitable causes -- a $2 million difference, that is. Many of us might not be aware that once a month directors of Community Hospital Health Foundation, Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation, The Fox Theatre Group, The Norris Foundation, The Community Foundation, McCook Community College Foundation and the YMCA meet to explore ways in which they can work together to raise awareness about charitable giving.. ...

NORTH PLATTE -- McCook High School's girls tennis team turned in a dominating performance at North Platte Tuesday, April 20. The Bison girls lost just one match all day with wins over the Bulldogs varsity and junior varsity squad. McCook's varsity topped North Platte, 8-1, to up its season record to 5-3. The Bison JV won every match against their North Platte counterparts...

Mother Nature never fails to let Nebraska spring sports enthusiasts know that she is always in control. High school golfers at the annual Ron Coleman Invitational at McCook's Heritage Hills Golf Course faced about an hour-long stretch of wet, chilly weather in the middle of the Tuesday, April 20 competition. When the meet was completed -- and the sun finally came peeking through the clouds -- the McCook White squad earned a runner-up finish in the final team standings...