Stories from Friday, December 28, 2012

COLUMBUS, Neb. -- The old saying goes something like, "Tis better to give than receive." The McCook High School girls took advantage of charity offered by Hastings Thursday, Dec. 27, in the first round of the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament...

COLUMBUS, Neb. -- Lexington got a glimmer of hope that the Minutemen could stage a huge upset Thursday, Dec. 27, over McCook's boys in the first round of the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference Tournament. Those glimmers turned into darkness as the Bison used several scoring spurts to claim a 59-43 victory in the GNAC Tournament play at the Raider Fieldhouse on the Central Community College campus north of Columbus...

Family Features All across the country, food lovers are cooking up something wholesome and flavorful. They are making a commit­ment to eating better on their own terms by making more meals at home. They are finding that home cooking with real ingredients is inherently healthier -- and it's surprisingly easy. With a few simple changes, you can make a big difference in the healthfulness of everyday meals...

Declan has been wearing a very fashionable, well for a first-grader, bright red Angry BirdsⓇ snow-cap nearly non-stop since Christmas day. He even has matching red gloves, all courtesy of a gift package from his mother. The hat is quite soft, made of a plush material with "wings" that hang down the side of his face...

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Mary Jo Longnecker of Indianola, Nebraska, has been named agency development manager for the McCook, Neb., sales district of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. In her new position with Colonial Life, Longnecker is responsible for helping recruit and train new sales representatives and for marketing the company's products, programs and services in the area...

Dear Friend, INTRO One of the old hymns we used to sing was, "IN THE SWEET BY AND BY," and it portrayed Heaven. "There's a land that is fairer than day, And by FAITH we can see it afar, For the Father waits over the way, to prepare us a dwelling place there." This week, I have adapted the article from ISRAEL MY GLORY magazine, The Best Is Yet To Come, by Charles McCracken...

Churches are peculiar places. I've had the opportunity to serve a few of them. Some of my pastoral experiences have been overwhelmingly rewarding: Baptisms, weddings, the transformation of individuals and families. Some other experiences have been about as much fun as a sharp stick in the eye...

What a jewel the little book of Obadiah is! Even though it is the shortest book in the Old Testament, it is packed with powerful messages about the justice of God and His righteousness. Who was Obadiah? He give no details of his personal life nor any facts that reveal dates of the ruling kings. But his prophecy "Edom is doomed to destruction" is from God...

Although the birth of Jesus, as recorded in the second chapter of Luke, doesn't mention animals, through oral traditions over the millennia, many are now included in modern-day Nativity scenes. The Hueftles of McCook provided a variety of barnyard animals that may or may not have been a part of the original cast, for the Living Nativity presented Monday at McCook's First Church of the Nazarene, 801 W. ...

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...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) today announced the selection of the members of the 2012-2013 Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC). The NAYC is entering its 42nd year with the installation of the new Council members. This year's Council is comprised of 19 college-aged men and women that exhibit a passion for agriculture and educating others about the agricultural industry...

95th birthday The family of Eileene Grose is requesting a card shower in honor of her 95th birthday Jan. 8. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 103 North Elk Street, Apt. 24, Oberlin, KS 67749.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Elizabeth Haley Berry of Sheridan, Wyoming and McCook, Nebraska and Tyler Craig Wright, formerly of Grand Island, Nebraska, were united in marriage Dec. 21, 2012, at the Red Willow County Court House in McCook with Gretchen Wiebe, Clerk Magistrate, officiating...

Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogy Society Genealogy quite obviously isn't for everyone. At a meeting the other day, one of the participants commented on my articles and I asked if there was anyone she might like to have me research for her. Her reply echoes many others I have gotten: "No thanks, I think we will leave those skeletons in the closet." Hence my work on families from the area is a slow process due to the fact that not everyone wants to know what great- great grandpa was up to in 1910. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- City of McCook 1 percent sales tax receipts for the first quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal year totaled $31,704 more than what was collected during the prior year. October and December 2012 receipts each came in more than $10,000 ahead of prior year, with September 2012 receipts posting a rare $819 decrease when compared to September 2011 receipts...

The McCook Interact Club donates Christmas gifts to be given to a McCook family through the Family Resource Center. Interact is the student organization of Rotary. Interact President Sara Larington said the club has done a number of community service activities during the first semester of school. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Department of Labor is once again partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other sponsors to help veterans and military spouses find employment. A Hiring Our Heroes Fair will be held in Holdrege on Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holdrege City Auditorium...

PAXTON, Nebraska -- Organizers of the 2013 Cattlemen's Ball have announced that country music superstars Lonestar will be the featured performers during this year's event, scheduled for June 7-8, 2013, at the Hanging H Ranch between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Current director of the Red Willow County Health Department, Darcey Hansen, is slated to meet with county commissioners Monday concerning personnel issues. Following that meeting, scheduled for 9:20 a.m. Monday in the commissioner's room at the courthouse, the commissioners will have an opportunity to decide whether to advertise for a replacement for Hansen, who has submitted her resignation...

Fireworks explode and the ball drops at McCook's first, First Night celebration at midnight 2010. The Fox Theatre will be one of the busy venues again this New Year's Eve, as well as the McCook Art Guild, High Plains Museum, Keystone Business Center, Model Railroad Club and other spots up and down Norris Avenue. Admission buttons are $6 for adults, $3 for children at McCook National Bank and Sehnert's Bakery...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- As part of their new tobacco cessation services, Community Hospital will be offering the "Quit Smoking Now" group cessation program for the public. The classes begin in January to help people achieve their New Year's resolutions and consist of six, one-hour sessions in a small group setting from Jan. ...

A rosebush that was green last summer displays red fall colors against this winter's snow.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Bird watchers, hunters, photographers and just plain nature lovers are invited to attend the spring birding class at McCook Community College This class is being offered during the Spring semester on Fridays from noon-2 p.m. from January 18 through May 3...

A tragic traffic accident Christmas Day left us shocked and saddened, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the accident. They aren't alone. Traffic deaths are up 14 percent this year compared to 2011, which had one of the lowest highway fatality rates on record...

American miracles Dear Editor, As we approach some serious problems in 2013, we're going to need to think positively. Reading "Seven Miracles that Saved America" by Chris and Ted Stewart, published in 2009 by R.R. Donnelly in Crawford, Indiana, is a step in the right direction...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- As part of the City of McCook's move to the new municipal facility, the administration offices, including the utility billing department, will be closed Jan. 4-Jan 7, 2013. Utility payments may still be dropped in the drop box at the old city auditorium, 302 W. Fifth, until Jan. 7, 2013. Effective Jan. 8, 2013, all utility payments, including drop box payments, will be accepted at the new location, 505 West c...