Stories from Monday, April 30, 2012

85th birthday The family of Viola Koerperich is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday May 2. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 502 Missouri Avenue Circle No. 25, McCook, NE 69001

Courtesy photos The Little Knights Preschool at St. Patrick's Catholic School hosted a Trike-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and raised $1,692. Students spent the week learning about riding safety and about the children and families dealing with cancer who go to St. ...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Police activity Activity log...

Sen. George W. Norris was known as the Father of the Tennessee Valley Authority, but the efforts of McCook's most famous favorite son are still making themselves felt in his home state through the workings of the Unicameral and the delivery of electricity to rural Nebraska...

When one joins an army unit (or any other organization for that matter) he always meets interesting, even unusual personalities. I think this was even more the case when I joined the 130th Bakery Co. in Korea, during the Korean War. I was one of 12 white soldiers, which integrated (up to that time), an all-black company. We were northerners, while those already there were southerners, making for regional differences as well as blacks and whites...

Between now and Tuesday, May 15, I encourage every citizen of Red Willow County to thoroughly study the facts concerning the construction of a jail building and, as a result of that study, decide whether or not the building of a jail is in the best interest of the county...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Barb Ostrum's agency, Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, serves a seven county area in Southwest Nebraska by helping to keep people in their homes when financial disasters strike or by helping to provide "food security" through the supplemental food program. "United Way funds are so important to our area," said Ostrum, "they give us the flexibility to help people we may not otherwise be able to help."...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Runza Restaurant in McCook, Nebraska, plans a benefit for injured Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Jeff Van Stelton all day -- from opening at 10:30 a.m. until closing at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3. Ten percent of all purchases that day will go to benefit Van Stelton's family as he recovers from injuries to his legs, pelvis and an arm...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A terrier-mix mama dog looks fearful one moment and protective the next, sheltering with her puppies now at the McCook, Nebraska, Humane Society's animal shelter. Someone dumped the mama dog and her six puppies -- wrapped in a cloth sack -- on the doorstep of the shelter in the heat Sunday...

COLUMBUS, Nebraska -- What will Nebraska Public Power District's future electric generation mix look like? Will coal-fired and nuclear power generation facilities remain NPPD's low-cost mainstay for generating electricity? How much renewable energy is on the horizon? Which environmental regulations will have the greatest impact on consumers in terms of cost and quality of life?...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- A Curtis man was thrown from a vehicle and killed and a 12-year-old passenger is hospitalized following at accident Sunday evening. Robert "Scott" Magee, 56, Curtis, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. A 12-year-old male passenger was still hospitalized this morning in the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, but his condition was not immediately available...

Bailey Dexter of Valentine throws her goat to the ground during the goat tying competition Sunday at the Kiplinger Arena. McCook hosted the Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo Saturday and Sunday.

The Dibbern triplets, from left, Devin, Colin and Logan, pause during the competition. Devin and Colin compete in the team roping, Logan teams up with Madison Clark from Wellfleet. Colin also competes in the steer wrestling. The Dibberns are freshmen from Riverdale, Nebraska, and have been competing since seventh grade. McCook hosted the Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo Saturday and Sunday...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival has received a grant from the Nebraska Humanities Council for the 2012 Festival -- Where History Happens. The Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Travel and Tourism, the Red Willow County Lodging Tax Board and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment have also provided funding...

Nebraska has thousands of men and women who are members of the National Guard and I salute each one for the tremendous contribution and sacrifice them and their families make for America. Yet too often, the role of the Guard, both Army and Air in securing our nation against foreign enemies receives less than their due. Also, too often the contributions the Guard makes to secure our homeland are overlooked...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Heritage Days Committee is now meeting on a regular basis to make plans for the 42nd Annual Celebration on Sept. 29-30. The ommittee encourages members of the community to send in their nominations for the prestigious Honor Family award. The committee is also looking for parade and grand marshal nominations...

LEBANON, Nebraska -- Due to declining and aging membership the Beaver Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 7719 will not be serving a Memorial Day Luncheon at Lebanon, Nebraska this year.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The National Day of Prayer will be observed in McCook Thursday, beginning with a breakfast at 6:30 a.m., at the Chief Motel, next to the pool. The annual ceremony begins at 7 a.m., with community pastors offering prayers of intercession for the nation and the community...

Maxine Goodenberger July 10, 1917 - April 28, 2012 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Maxine Goodenberger, 94, died Saturday (April 28, 2012), at her home at Willow Ridge Senior Living Community. Services will be Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery...

90th birthday The family of Nelda Haag of Cambridge, Nebraska (formerly of rural Bartley) is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday. She was born May 1, 1922. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 1205 Nelson Street, Apartment B20, Cambridge, NE 69022...