Stories from Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Betty Brown IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA -- Betty Brown (Eaton), 82, died Monday (March 26, 2012), at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial. Survivors include her husband, Donald Brown of Parks, Nebrask; sons, Don Jr. and wife, Manette Brown of Imperial, Nebraska, Ron and wife, Deb of Yukon, Oklahoma; Mike and wife, Roxann of Mullen, Nebraska; daughters, Julie Kautz of Gering, Nebraska and Linda and husband, Neal Freese of Plymouth, Nebraska; sister, Darla McAllister of Hastings, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Jean and husband, Don Welch of Champion, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Nina and husband, Art Fortkamp of Wauneta, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.. ...

OBERLIN, Kansas -- The "Turpin Tyme Ragsters", a seven-piece ragtime music ensemble based in Kansas City, Kansas will perform at the Oberlin Gateway on Saturday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. They recreate, from the original arrangements, the ragtime sounds of composers Scott Joplin, James Scott, Charles Johnson, Joseph Lamb, Eubie Blake, "Jelly Roll" Morton, Tom Turpin (their namesake) along with many others...

District 9 Officers District officers for 2012 of the American Legion Auxiliary were installed at the district convention at the Ella Missing Center in Arapahoe March 2. From left, Karen Brown of the Lebanon Unit, retiring District 9 president, Patsy Lee Redfern of Danbury United 276 as chaplain, Joyce Petersen of Curtis Unit as vice president, Donna Hatfield, Department of Nebraska Auxiliary President, Karen Hodson of Danbury United 276 as president and Wanda Miller of Danbury Unit 276 as secretary/treasurer.. ...

The Ladies Auxiliary Post 1652 March meeting was called to order by President Krystal Downing. There were 11 members present. The meeting opened with Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and Treasurer's report was read and approved. Joann passed around Americanism Coloring pages from grades 2 and 3. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Royal Neighbors of America Chapter 862 met at Highland Park March 20, Marilyn Milbauer conducted the meeting. Items were brought for the McCook Humane Society. The group received a thank you from Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault Services for the personal and housekeeping items collected at the February meeting...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Seven members along with one guest, June McDonald of Culbertson, Nebraska, met for the March meeting to view the lesson on doll clothes and crocheted dolls. All kind of dolls were on display, from tiny dolls with beautiful crocheted clothing to large-sized dolls with beautiful crocheted or knitted fancy sweaters, bonnets and booties. ...

DANBURY, Nebraska -- McDonald Ryan Unit 276 met March 21 instead of the 14, due to the death and services for Carol Helm who was the unit treasurer for many years, and a 46-year member of the unit. Six members were present for the meeting called to order at 10 a.m. by the president at the home of Wanda Miller in McCook...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Unit meeting of the United Methodist Women was held March 8. President Devona Houghtelling called the meeting to order and read Psalms 95. Robin Clay blessed the group with a song, "Presence of God" in this Lenten Season. The group recited the Purpose of the United Methodist Women in unison...

A ghost races through the crowd of students at McCook Elementary, as advanced drama students at McCook Senior High perform "Scooby Doo and the Million Dollar Necklace" Tuesday afternoon. Written by MHS senior Angela Brown, the play followed Scooby and the gang through a haunted mansion. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Contractors on Community Hospital's Phase 2 construction project are making good progress toward a scheduled "substantial completion date" of April 23, when the new surgery wing and related facilities are ready to use, according to hospital president Jim Ulrich...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A life-long McCook citizen who played the piano at Hillcrest Nursing Home for more than 20 years has bequeathed $30,000 to the facility. Veldron Hall, who passed away in 2010, played "Happy Birthday" and other traditional songs at the monthly birthday parties, said Peggy Rogers, Hillcrest Nursing Home Administrator...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Mid-Plains Community College has recently added some exciting new distance learning opportunities to its Adult Education program. After participating in a pilot program from September through November 2011, MPCC joined in a statewide initiative to adopt I-Pathways and U.S.A. Learns online programs. Both programs were specifically designed to accommodate the changing nature of the adult education curriculum and the variety of educational needs of adult learners...

A quarter moon that seems to grow with a timed exposure rules the night sky of stars, planets and vapor trails over McCook, Nebraska, Tuesday evening.

What would you do with $476 million? The imagination runs wild. The multi-state Mega Millions lottery is headed to that record level for the Friday drawing, after Tuesday night's jackpot, a mere $363 million, again went without a winner. Forty-seven players came close in Tuesday's drawing, matching five of the six winning numbers for at least $250,000 each...

To begin, I would like to express admiration and respect for the Red Willow County Commissioners, Earl McNutt, Steve Downer and Vesta Dack; former commissioner Leigh Hoyt; and the Red Willow County Sheriff, Gene Mahon. They are good people who are dedicated to serving the citizens of Red Willow County...

Total agreement Dear Editor, I want to commend the Red Willow County Commissioners for their steadfastness of purpose, as well as their diligence in researching the jail issue in every facet. They have spent countless hours in doing this and I commend them for their thoroughness...

I want to congratulate the county commissioners for standing their ground in regards to the location of the proposed building site of the county jail. Ten or so years of being pushed from pillar to post on this matter, is enough. McCook...

I truly didn't think it was possible, but apparently, there is no shortage of "end of days" scenarios, and Hollywood is doing its level best to make sure they capitalize on all of them before Dec. 21, 2012. Yes, that's the correct date, if you're a fan of the Mayan calendar and believe that somehow this ancient civilization possessed the secrets of time, including when it will end...

Lincoln, Nebraska -- The world of a prehistoric snake -- a nightmarish giant, measuring longer than a Tyrannosaurus rex or a modern school bus -- is being brought to life in part by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Jason Head. The discovery will be featured in a 90-minute Smithsonian Channel special airing April 1...

Don Longnecker of Indianola e-mailed in these photos of the hailstorm in Holbrook, Nebraska, when he drove through early Wednesday afternoon.

Dixie M. Goltl June 24, 1935 - March 28, 2012 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Dixie M.Goltl, 76, died Wednesday (March 28, 2012), at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin. She was born June 24, 1935, to Gordon and Esther (Leitner) Rathburn in Traer, Kansas. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1953 and McCook Beauty Academy...

Laura J. Craw August 19, 1907 -- March 28, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Laura J. Craw, 104, died today (March 28, 2012), at Hillcrest Nursing Home Memorials may be given to Grandview Senior Center in Stratton. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, which is in charge of arrangements...

Charlene Foster Aug. 26. 1949 - March 26, 2012 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Charlene Cheryl Foster, age 62, of Cambridge, died at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 26, 2012. She was born in McCook, Nebraska, on Aug. 26, 1949, to Clarence and Pauline (Lamb) Shatto. Charlene attended and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1967...