Stories from Wednesday, November 21, 2012

City of McCook, Nebraska, emergency personnel respond to the scene of a collision of a car and a semi-tractor pulling an empty trailer at the corner of East 11th and H streets about 3:35 p.m., Wednesday. Ambulance personnel transported the driver of the car to Community Hospital of McCook. More information will be made available when McCook police officers complete an investigation of the accident...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- "College is expensive," says Dalia Flores Lopez, with a smile. To help her daughter pay for classes at Chadron State College, and in recognition of many Mexican and Hispanic residents in and around McCook, Nebraska, Dalia and her family have opened an authentic "tortilleria" called "La Espiga" in downtown McCook...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook's civic, tourism and historical officials will gather Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, to discuss how best to tell the world about McCook's most famous citizen, George William Norris. The gathering, which is being hailed as the "Norris Summit," will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on the second Friday of January in the Keystone Business Center banquet room. Since January weather is unpredictable, a snow date of Friday, Jan. 18, has also been arranged...

It was the "Cowboys" versus the "Greasers," at McCook Senior High's brain bowl competition Tuesday. About 111 students participated, with many donning costumes for their team. Shown on the "Cowboys" team are Drew Bredvick, from left, Lucas Post and Cashous Bortner. The "Greasers" team included Trevor Gleason, from left, Javier Beltran and Jacob Riemann.The cowboys were the overall winners of the competition...

The newest James Bond film, "Skyfall," is rapidly becoming the most popular one in the franchise's 50-year history, having already grossed more than $660 million around the world ($160 million of that take coming from North America). What's likely driving these record-smashing ticket sales is the movie's positive buzz. ...

John Blomstedt's 8th Grade McCook Jr. High Social Studies class participates in a real-world reenactment of what Confederate forces experienced under the command of Gen. George Pickett during the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. Above, far left, Mr. Blomstedt, a UNK Student Teacher, takes a moment with students to explain how the exercise will work. ...

For all our complaining about politics and economic conditions, most Americans don't have to think long to find something to be grateful this Thanksgiving season. "U had meals today and up and running, that's something to crow about," one Facebook friend responded to a plea for ideas...

Thursday we will sit down with our family and friends to a table that is overflowing with all those things our doctor has told us we shouldn't be eating and engage in that annual feast called Thanksgiving. Ostensibly it is to celebrate and remember the Pilgrims and their journey to find religious freedom and to honor the Native Americans who helped then through that first year...

So since the first of November, several of my mom friends have been posting online each day, something they're thankful for. There's been thankfulness for everything from their children, to their husbands, their daycare workers and their vehicles. What a perfect way to recognize and count your blessings for the Thanksgiving holiday! I think it's a wonderful idea and I should have participated in this online thanksgiving. ...

The turkey is completely defrosted, nestled safely on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The ingredients for stuffing are set aside, and even though it'll be just Danny and me for Thanksgiving dinner again this year, I'll polish up two place settings of my mom's china, and double Danny's dish duty by putting each menu item in its own serving container. ...

Within steps of Karen Smith's back porch and just days before Thanksgiving, wild turkeys feed in a yard in McCook, Nebraska. Karen said she likes to watch the flock that sometimes numbers 25 birds.

Donald J. Walters Nov. 2, 1940 - Nov. 19, 2012 PUEBLO, Colo. -- Donald J. Walters, 72, of Pueblo, Colo., lost his battle with cancer on Nov. 19, 2012. Survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Louisa; children, Alicia (Dennis Pattan) Walters, Valerie (Paul) Guerette, Frank (Michelle) Walters, Don (Shelley Soucek) Walters; sister, Joanne Walters Dueland; grandchildren, Brenda, Lauren, Ally, Donnie, Sara and Frankie Walters, Bryan and Jamie Pattan and Lissa Atkins; numerous nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts.. ...

Lloyd Upson Sept. 23, 1953 - Nov. 19, 2012 BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- Lloyd Upson died at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas on Nov. 19, 2012. He was born in Holdrege, Nebraska on Sept. 23, 1953, to Gordon R. and Betty M. (Weaver) Upson. Lloyd grew up in Beaver City graduating from Beaver City High School in 1972. He then went to Central Technical College in Hastings, Nebraska...

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...

MCCOOK DAILY GAZETTE SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA -- Nurses getting ready to retire and the reluctance of new nurses willing to re-locate to rural areas are some of the problems facing area hospitals in Southwest Nebraska. Yet, rural hospitals also offer benefits not found in metropolitan facilities, such as immediate hands-on experience...