Stories from Thursday, November 17, 2011

It's hard to believe that we're approaching the holiday season again. The older I get, the earlier and earlier it seems that Thanksgiving and Christmas come up on the calendar. I know, I know -- I'm still a young whipper-snapper, at least that's what I'm told by some folks; that doesn't change the fact that I'm noticing that the march of time seems to be accelerating into something of a jog, if not a full-on sprint just yet...

David Stewart Johnson LOVELAND, Colorado --David Stewart Johnson, 54, of Loveland, Colorado, died Monday, (Nov. 14, 2011), from a work-related accident. He was born and raised in the community of Wauneta, Nebraska. David was preceded in death by his father, Charles Johnson. ...

Marlyn J. Herron Oct. 1, 1934 - Nov. 16, 2011 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Marlyn J. Herron, 77, of Holbrook, Nebraska, died on Wednesday (Nov. 16, 2011), at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born on Oct. 1, 1934, at Artesian, South Dakota to Andrew and Marie B. (Breen) Herron...

90th birthday The family of Vayle Bunker of Culbertson is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday. He was born Nov. 19, 1921 in Dovray, Minnesota. His family includes daughter Linda Sandman of Cambridge, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter. Cards of congratulations will reach him at Box 323, Culbertson, NE 69024...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- While the Fire Science Program at McCook Community College provides an important service, it still isn't meeting enrollment and completion standards set by a state agency. Meeting in McCook Wednesday night, the Mid Plains Community College board of governors forwarded a follow-up report to the Coordination Commission for Postsecondary Education, which noted the deficiencies in a 2009 report...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Hillcrest Board of Trustees will hear an update on the $2.7 million upgrade and renovation project, at a regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m. at the Lower Conference room at the Hillcrest. In October, The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners approved "Bid Package 4" for remodel work on the 100-wing at the county-owned facility. The change from double occupancy rooms to single occupancy rooms in the 100 wing is part of the renovation work being done...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- It's magic -- computer magic. McCook, Nebraska, Public Schools can make thousands of phone calls in minutes, alerting parents to snow days or late starts, or, heaven forbid, an emergency or crisis. But, before the messages and alerts can go out, parents must go on the schools' website -- mccookbison.org -- log in on "Infinite Campus" (upper right-hand side) and set up their phone numbers and email addresses in "Contact Preferences" (lower left-hand side)...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A $1,000 donation was given to the Make a Wish Foundation, by the Student Council organization at the McCook Senior High. Because of that and other activities, the organization was recognized by the state student council with a plaque and another silver "Outstanding Student Council Award" plaque. Both were presented to the McCook School Board at the regular meeting Monday night by MHS student council members Khyla Krepsik and Hollie Eiler...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook, Nebraska, National Bank President/CEO Brian Esch announced that the bank is sponsoring a new high school program to address the need for training in personal finance among our students. The "financial literacy" curriculum will focus on helping students deal with checking accounts, credit cards and consumer debt. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- As a heavy, wet snow fell Wednesday morning on McCook, Nebraska, Don Lennox hit the half-way point of a San Francisco-New York City expedition. At the same time, the Scotsman neared the end of time allotted on his travel visa. Lennox, who sipped hot coffee at the AmPride Cenex gas station in McCook, wasn't too disappointed that his transcontinental trek was nearing an end, however prematurely. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Today the American Civil Liberties Union Nebraska filled a case against the State of Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles on behalf of Frank Shoemaker of Holbrook, Nebraska. The complaint alleges that the Department of Motor Vehicles violated Mr. Shoemaker's First Amendment rights when the department refused to issue him a personalized license plate reading "NE 420."...

Today's the 36th annual Great American Smokeout, a day you would probably expect to hear a litany of ills caused by tobacco. If you're one of the 47 million Americans who still smoke, you probably know some of them by heart: And, while many of us, especially young people, don't worry about long-term effects like those listed above, consider the short-term benefits of quitting smoking:...

Quick! If you haven't ever seen the planed Mercury, now is your time to get outside for a quick look. Quick, that is, if you go out any evening between now and Saturday. Mercury is the innermost planet and can only be seen for short periods of time when it appears near sunrise and sunset...

Larry Clifford Vice Jan 7, 1940 -- Nov 15, 2011 LAVISTA, Nebraska --Larry was born in Brownville, Nebraska. He graduated from Auburn High School, Peru State College, Michigan State University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Larry taught school in Lawrence and McCook. He was employed by the State Department of Education and retired from Educational Service Unit No. 3 as a director...

I was raised in a family that had very little sympathy for minor injuries or illnesses. One of those families that would laugh hysterically first, when you fell, then ask if you were okay, and then later feel bad for laughing if you were really hurt. ...