Stories from Friday, June 22, 2012

Family Features Picnics are a perfect way to enjoy getting together with friends and family this summer. No matter what your destination -- beach, park or just your backyard -- there's no need to settle for standard fare. Instead, make summertime favorites like pasta salad, potato salad, vegetable dip and California style wraps even more delicious by adding the new Hellmann's® or Best Foods® mayonnaise dress­ing with Olive Oil recipe. ...

After I relocated to McCook to be closer to my daughter, my mother asked me regularly if it was going to work out, if I was really going to stay long-term. I initially responded with the tale of my neighbor welcoming me to McCook with a plate of fresh-baked cookies, seeing it as a sign that I was exactly where I was supposed to be...

Landry Jill Berry Jason and Vanessa Berry of Omaha, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Landry Jill Berry, who was born May 27, 2012, in Omaha. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She has two sisters, Taeya, 7 and Brynn, 4. Grandparents are Scott and Carol Hodson of Omaha and Marlon and Vivian Berry of Imperial, Nebraska. Great-grandparents are Mary Lemman of Oberlin, Kansas, Karen Hodson of McCook, Nebraska and Jim and Jackie Moore of Bartley, Nebraska...

80th birthday The family of Lloyd Lacey is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday. He was born June 23, 1932, in Hayes County. His family includes children, the late Dana Rowley, Sean and Kelly Lacey of Culbertson, Jason and Imelda Lacey of Culbertson and five grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 72887 Ave. 372, Culbertson, NE 69024...

Watt, Bradbury Katie Watt and Clint Bradbury of Manhattan, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Rex and Kathy Walgren of Wauneta, Nebraska and Russell and Teresa Bradbury of Winfield, Kamsas. Grandparents of the bride- to-be are Ed and Vaulene Watt of Park Hill, Oklahoma, Burdette and Jackie Wilson of Benkelman, Nebraska and Robert and Sharon Walgren of Wauneta...

65th anniversary Bill and Bettye Stewart of McCook are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They were married June 27, 1947. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 610 E. Sixth, McCook, NE 69001

Dalton Wyatt Schnase Deatta and Joseph Schnase of McCook, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Dalton Wyatt Schnase, who was born April 11, 2012, at Cambridge, Nebraska. He weighed 6 pounds, 9 1/2 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches long. He has one sister, Carry Rose 12 years old and brother, Dakota Matthew, 2 years old. ...

Cal Morgan Sitzman Eric and Katie Sitzman of Westfield, Indiana, announce the birth of their son, Cal Morgan Sitzman who was born May 21, 2012 in Westfield. He weighed 9 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 22 1/2 inches long. He has one sister, Morgan Jane and one brother, Wyatt Morgan. Grandparents are Larry and Sally Sitzman of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Culbertson, Nebraska and Tom and Suzi Fischer of Omaha, Nebraska...

Alton Roy Lewis and Emmett Roy Lewis Pat Ed and Ronda Lewis of Trenton,Nebraska, announce the birth of two grandsons, Alton Roy Lewis and Emmett Roy Lewis. Alton Roy, left, was born April 26, 2012. He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20 inches long. ...

Susan Doak, SW Nebraska Genealogy Society McCOOK, Nebraska -- In May, my cousin from Texas and I headed to Iowa for a 1,000 mile genealogy search. While a lot of things are available online, some things just have to be done as if you were a history detective!...

Kelvin Roger Skiles Oct. 3, 1936 - Feb. 17, 2012 WILSONVILLE, Nebraska -- Kelvin Roger Skiles, 75, of Casper, Wyoming, formerly of Wilsonville, Nebraska, died Feb. 17, 2012, in Arizona. He was born Oct 3, 1936, to Lewis and Merle (Hahn) Skiles. Survivors include two sons, Roger and wife, Tina Skiles of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Larry and wife, Laura Skiles of Casper, Wyoming; daughter, Christine and husband, Robert Severns of Aztec, New Mexico; two sisters, Judy and husband, Delbert Beins of Beaver City, Nebraska and Donna and husband, Bruce Anthony of Hayward, California.. ...

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...

DANBURY-McDonald Ryan Unit 276 met June 13 at the home of Karen Hodson in McCook. Nine members were present for the meeting which was called to order by the president at 2 p.m. The May minutes were read and approved, and a treasurer's report was given and bills allowed for Poppy Day Poster prizes to the sixth grade at Southwest Elementary School...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A former McCook woman has published a new children's book, using an unconventional way of illustrating. Nicole Koetter, daughter of Todd and Lisa Koetter and a 2001 McCook Senior High graduate who was born and raised in McCook, is now a published children's author. She used typography (the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible) to create all of the images found in her new children's book, "If I Were an Animal."...

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Sharleen Riemenschneider and Branch Office Administrators Lori Watkins and Phyllis Graham in McCook recently were ranked within the top 25 percent of the country for excellence in client service at Edward Jones. This honor was bestowed based upon the results of a survey in which random clients were asked to rank the service they received from the staffs of their local Edward Jones branch offices. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Author of the Kingsmen Top 10 song "My God Forgets," Jerry Bennett will be at the 8:15 and 10:30 worship services at The Memorial United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 8. Jerry's first solo project, "The Heart of Things," was released in 1994, followed by a song he co-wrote with April Nye called "My God Forgets." The song, recorded by the Kingsmen and released in 1995, shot up the charts and remained in the top ten for four months...

LORRI SUGHROUE McCook Daily Gazette McCOOK, Nebraska -- Despite the lack of volunteers, Dave Winder's faith in McCook's first community garden is still unflagging. Winder's "If it's planted, they will come," philosophy will take a while to get going, he figures...

Dear Friend INTRO What role do Evidence and Reason play in a Christian's life? Question: I can see that it makes no sense and would be very dangerous to believe something simply because some church or religious leader says I must do so. Clearly there must be some basis for believing. But I'm confused, because it wouldn't seem to be "faith" if reason and evidence support my belief...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- County Attorney Paul Wood will address county commissioners at 11:30 a.m. regarding finances for Hillcrest Nursing Home. The county was recently asked to transfer inheritance tax funds to the county-owned home to cover shortages created when Medicare and Medicaid services were not billed, or incorrectly billed...

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was a holy man and scholar born in the 1100s whose ancient travels sound as contemporary as today's news feeds. He was born in what is now Afghanistan; he was the descendant of immigrating Iraqis; he lived and died in Pakistan; and his shrine was constructed by donations from the Iranian royalty...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Mid-Plains Community College governors may offer new president, Ryan Purdy, a contract following an executive session Wednesday during a regular meeting. The closed session is toward the end of the agenda, listed for pending litigation, personnel and negotiations...

There is no salvation through religion (good works)! ROMANS 7:15-25 ... For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ...

"Sugar and spice and everything nice; Sunshine and rainbows and ribbons for hair bows; That's what little girls are made of." Community Hospital had a nursery full of sunshine and rainbows Thursday morning. Five little girls, Gabriella, Isabella, Ava, Madisynn and KaiKayle are ready for hair bows and everything nice as they greet the world. ...

McCook, Nebraska -- Dr. Brenda Kopriva, full-time general surgeon at Community Hospital, is expanding her services to include a clinic at Trenton Medical Clinic beginning July 13. She will see patients in Trenton the second and fourth Fridays of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. for new patient consults, follow-up checks and simple in-office procedures...

Under a bright blue sky on Thursday afternoon, workers took to the roof of the old McCook National Guard Armory building to do some needed repairs. The structure is now owned by McCook Public Schools.

Nebraska is in the middle of the pack when it comes to paying for public education, and while local taxpayers pay more than half of that cost directly, schools won't escape the effects of any attempt to deal with the national deficit. That's because $18.1 billion in expenses were shifted from state to federal sources, according to Public Education Finances: 2010, a Census Bureau report. ...

We're in the middle of a national malaise that shows no sign of breaking, and that malaise is mediocrity. Too many people today fail not only to meet the challenge but to even confront it. They're satisfied with putting out just enough effort to keep their heads above water without once relying on their inner reserve to be more than they have been...

SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA -- With minimal or no water flow in area streams and rivers, the Red Willow and Furnas County sheriff's departments and local Game and Parks Commission conservation officers are reminding the public that the beds of streams are private property...

John Zlomke, back left, president of the McCook Lions Club, poses with award winners at the fishing derby on Fathers Day in Barnett Park. They include, fro m left, Kaileigh Barger, Trinity Barger, Lilley Gans (front), Gabe Gans (front) Zack Noe (back), Tristen Heflin and Camron Dack. The club expressed thanks to the City of McCook, Kenney's Marine, McDonald's and Walmart for making another Huck Finn Fishing Derby a success...

A passing BNSF train provides a colorful contrast to the blues and greens of Macklin Bay on Swanson Reservoir. Though not at its former level from years past, water is at least high enough for boats to use.

Summer is a great time to visit fairs and festivals held across our state. Nebraska's county fairs offer a wonderful opportunity to showcase the best of our state and highlight the agricultural heritage, achievements and talents of Nebraska producers, youth and hobbyists...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow Western Rural Fire Chief Bill Elliott has issued a burn ban for the RWWRF District. Due to the extremely dry conditions, high temperatures and wind the burn ban will be in effect until sufficient moisture is received.

Earlier this month, President Obama announced he was changing deportation and work rules for some illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children. However, this change in policy was not the result of legislation, but rather a unilateral decision by the President without the approval of Congress...

Nic Donvito, left, and Matt Thayer of the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department try to stop flames low-crawling through wheat and stubble in a field about 10 miles south/southwest of McCook, Nebraska, at noon Friday. Streams of water bent in 30-40 mile-an-hour winds, and the flames jumped a county road to smolder in the fringes of a corn field. Beaver Valley's fire department provided equipment and manpower and a neighbor plowed up singed stubble to help get the fire under control.