Stories from Wednesday, January 4, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County, Nebraska, commissioners looked over plans for a new subdivision northwest of McCook and, because of the potential for new business(es) to locate on the new blocks, commission chairman Earl McNutt wished the best for developers...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council declared seats previously occupied by councilmen Aaron Kircher and Shane Hilker as vacant, Tuesday evening, during their regular meeting at Council Chambers. Mayor Dennis Berry said that similar vacancies had been filled without the expense of a special election, which he believed to be in the $6,000 to $8,000 range, and he recommended proceeding with the appointment process to fill the seats...

The late-afternoon sun warms the ponds, the Canada geese and a Toulouse goose or two in Barnett park in McCook, Nebraska. Unusually-warm winter temperatures have done nothing to solidify the ponds or lakes in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. Forecasters even predict temps in the 70s for Thursday...

The Legislature cut spending enough to erase a $1 billion budget deficit last year without raising taxes. Things are looking better this year, thanks to strong farm income and relatively low unemployment, but as usual, lawmakers are looking for ways to bring in more money in relatively painless ways...

'Tis the season to take a good long look in the mirror (just not first thing in the morning on Jan. 1), to see if there is any room for improvement. If the mirror doesn't reveal any needs, just ask friends and family, they're sure to have more than one suggestion...

Curtis Leo McEvoy April 5, 1933 - Jan. 3, 2012 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Curtis LeoMcEvoy, age 78, passed away in Benkelman, Nebraska at the Hester Home on Jan. 3, 2012, where he had resided for the last three years. He was surrounded by his family to ease his way...

Weta M. Ross March 26, 1921 - Jan. 3, 2012 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Weta M. Ross, 90, died Tuesday (Jan. 3, 2012), at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. She was born in Claritta, Oklahoma on March 26, 1921 to Grover C. and Dora E. (Crossno) Danner. She grew up in Texas and New Mexico. On April 25, 1943, she married Gerald B. "Barney" Ross at Bovina, Texas. He preceded her in death in Dec. 27, 1991. The couple lived several places before settling in Cambridge...