Stories from Wednesday, March 23, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- 4K for Cancer, a non-profit organization based in Maryland, has been committed to fighting cancer by cycling across the country, inspiring hope in people affected by cancer and uniting communities towards this cause. Cliff Thompson, a Southwest Nebraska resident, is just one of many who are impacted by cancer. He grew up in Trenton and graduated from Lakeside Central High School, now Hitchcock County Schools...

Jan. 28, 1918-March 13, 2011 COLUMBIA, Missouri -- Fern Cain, 93, died Sunday, March 13, 2011, at Lenoir Woods Nursing Home in Columbia following a brief illness. She was born January 28, 1918, in Beaver City, Nebraska, to the late Earl and Merle Kinsman. She graduated from Beaver City High School in 1936...

Feb. 27, 1915-March 23, 2011 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mary Virginia Horendeck, 96, passed away today (March 23, 2011), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Feb. 27, 1915, in McCook, the daughter of the late Robert Dillon and Viola (Ward) Austin. Mary was one of six children and grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook Senior High School in 1932. She also attended McCook Junior College in McCook. She began as a secretary in Lincoln, Nebraska ...

It might be time to buy a lottery ticket. Danny says he dreamt we couldn't spend our money anymore -- if something cost $1, he'd hand a single to the cashier and by the time it went from his hand to hers, it was a $10 bill and she would give him change. It happened every time...

Many of us have spent the last week transfixed by events unfolding in Japan. As the Gazette recently noted (Nuclear troubles puts wind power in spotlight, March 16), much of this focus has turned to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, where workers are struggling to contain further catastrophe...

How many television and movie dramas use waiting for an organ donation as a key part of the plot? How many of us know someone facing just such a need in real life? We won't have to look far, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which says more than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants...

The McCook High School girls tennis team opened the 2011 season with a pair of impressive victories Tuesday, March 22. The Bison girls defeated Hershey and Lexington by identical 9-0 scores in varsity competition at the McCook High School tennis courts. McCook also won every junior varsity match contested Tuesday in matches played under cool, breezy weather conditions...

Oct. 5, 1960-March 19, 2011 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- James Kevin Sis, 50, died Saturday, March 19, 2011, at his home in Benkelman. He was born Oct. 5, 1960, in Benkelman to James Dean and Elizabeth A. (Keim) Sis. He attended Dist. 52 country school before graduating from Benkelman High School in 1978.

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Karen Blunt, born and raised in McCook, who is now a North Platte resident and a kidney transplant recipient, is hosting a Karaoke Event from 1 to p.m. at the Eagles Club, 620 N. Chestnut in North Platte. The $10 admission includes food and bevarages, prizes and raffles. All proceeds will go to the Nebraska Kidney Association...