Stories from Tuesday, February 21, 2012

McCook, Nebraska--Community Hospital and the McCook YMCA are hosting a benefit 5K and half marathon run/walk on Saturday, May 19 to support the American Cancer Society. Online registration and the race brochure are available on Community Hospital's web site here...

With many of us facing time and financial constraints, a summer vacation may seem like an unaffordable dream this year. It's tempting to give up on the idea altogether, or plan a "staycation," but the Travel and Tourism Division of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has come through again with a list of destinations easily reached with less than a day's travel and tank of gas...

Noted in passing, the headline read: School board OK's early dismissals each Wednesday. Wow a shortened day for all the McCook public school kids every week. I'll bet the kids will like that! The teachers probably would like it, too, except they will be kept in the penalty box for the extra two hours each week. I'm also sure that this taxpayer is not convinced that the truncated school day each week is a good idea, either...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council briefly entertained immediately implementing a new process which will circumvent the three-reading rule for all items approved by council members, before ultimately deciding to forego the move until its next meeting. The change in procedure was brought up Monday evening, during the council's semi-monthly meeting at Council Chambers...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The sales tax-funded $180,000 water slide that was anticipated to be built at the McCook swimming pool this summer may be delayed. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told the Parks Advisory Board that the company he had been working with on the project had apparently gone out of business. Potthoff explained Thursday afternoon that the new company he was working with would be targeting a mid-to-late pool season completion, as a "best- case" scenario...

The 2012 Hometown Talent Show is being billed as "one of the best ever" by Jean Hallowell and Charles Coleman of the historic Fox Theatre's Operations & Events Committee. "Outstanding performers from McCook and the surrounding region have stepped forward to share their talent," the Fox volunteers said. "We invite people from far and wide to join us for the show, which will be Sunday, Feb. 26, beginning at 2 p.m."...

OMAHA, Neb. -- Wrestling fans and heavyweight wrestlers in the Cornhusker State won't soon forget Mike Shoff of Cambridge. Perhaps more dominant than any other competitor in the top weight class in state meet history, Shoff capped his prep mat career with another state meet gold medal...

OMAHA, Neb. -- Even though McCook High School's experience at the Class B state wrestling meet ended with four tough losses, head coach Nick Umscheid drew a positive experience from the three-day state meet. Each of the McCook competitors at state won at least one match, and the Bison claimed a pair of fourth-place individual medals. ...