Stories from Friday, February 1, 2013

Thomas Joseph Jones Sept. 11, 1928 - Jan. 30, 2013 LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Thomas Joseph Jones, 84, of Lincoln, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. He was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Cambridge, Nebraska, the oldest son of Thomas Peter and Josephine (Hougnon) Jones...

Norma Richards Sept. 30, 1923 - Jan. 30, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Norma Richards, 89, died Wednesday (Jan. 30, 2013), at Hays Medical Center in Hays Kansas. She was born Sept. 30, 1923, in Jennings, Kansas, to F. J. "Ted" Dodson Jr. and Della Van Sickel. She was raised on a farm southwest of Jennings...

Elila Mae Whiteside April 7, 1921 - Jan. 28, 2013 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Elila Mae Whiteside passed into the Lord's hands on Jan. 28, 2013, at the age of 91. Mrs. Whiteside was born in Benkleman, Nebraska, and has one surviving brother, Jimmy and five sisters, Bonnie, Barbara, Ruby, Hellen, and Leta...

80th birthday The family of Betty Felker is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday, Feb. 3. Her family includes her husband, Robert Felker Sr.; two sons, Robert Felker Jr. and wife, Brenda of Rochester, N.Y., and Scott and wife, Amanda Felker of McCook. She has three grandchildren. Cards of congratulation will reach her at PO Box 113, McCook, NE 69001...

Wayman Martinez, Lindsay Rae Wayman and Fernando Garcia Martinez, both of McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding, Parents of the bride-to-be are John and Julie Wayman of Bartley, Nebraska. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Grace Infante of McCook and Joyce Walls of Ogallala, Nebraska...

40th anniversary The family of Bob and Debbie Schmick is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. They were married Feb. 3, 1973, in Bayard, Nebraska. Their family includes children, Jason and wife, Andrea Schmick of Haiti, Tyler and wife, Brandi Schmick of McCook, Cody and wife, Christin Schmick of Broken Bow, Nebraska, Adam Schmick of Broken Bow and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1613 W. Second Street, McCook, NE 69001...

90th birthday The family of Dwaine Sevier of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday Feb. 4. His children include Marty and Nancy Sevier, Kevin and Cheri Sevier, Linnea and Rich Wells, Dawn Jander and grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 1602 W. Third, McCook, NE 69001...

Purviance, Conroy, Shannon Marie Purviance and Sean Kevin Conroy, both of Hays, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Roderick and Debra Purviance of Hays. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Stephen and Sharon Conroy of Indianola, Nebraska...

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Jillian Bryant of McCook, Nebraska and Tyler Hamburger of North Platte, Nebraska, were united in marriage Sept. 8, 2012, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Platte with the Rev. Jim Golka officiating. Parents of the bride are Steve and Cathy Bryant of McCook. Grandparents are Catherine Blume of McCook and the late Antone Blume, Harvey and Audrey Cole of Curtis, Nebraska and Wayne and Diane Bryant of McCook...

By Susan Doak SW Genealogy Society My family ties in this area span a region from Long Island, Kansas to McCook. Dad's mother's family settled in the Long Island area (Smith's) and the Coadys ended back in McCook after a circular route through the Oxford, Alma, Franklin, Mascot and Orleans area. That area, referred to by dad as the Valley, had a large group of Irish immigrants...

Bold, flavorful chili is the ultimate game day grub, offering hearty portions to feed a hungry crowd and personalized toppings to suit every palate. For a delicious twist to your go-to, wow guests with a hearty, versatile pork-based chili with layers of savory flavor...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Community Hospital coordinated an employee chili cooking contest, Jan. 23, 2013. The winners of the "Winter Wonderland Chili Cookoff" were selected by blind taste test. 2013 WINNER El Blanco Chicken Chili by Marilyn Wilson 3 cloves garlic minced...

We said the governor's plan to eliminate individual and corporate income taxes and replace the revenue by removing most sales tax exemption was an idea worth exploring, and that remains to be true. It's also true, however, that there's no reason to try to change an entire tax system in one session of the Legislature, as Jim Ulrich, Community Hospital president, told the Gazette this week...

I'm teaching a class this semester called Current Issues in Criminal Justice and we're focusing on domestic violence for the first eight weeks. I became concerned about it ten years ago when I personally knew a victim of emotional and physical abuse and ever since, I've taught a class about it every two years or so. Sometimes it recedes into the back of my mind because I no longer know any victims of abuse but it pops out again front and center when I teach this class...

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Books and computers in Culbertson, Nebraska's public library line the walls of the living room, dining room and bedroom of an early-1900s bungalow. While the house has the charm and character of a traditional bungalow, a modern-day library needs more than original yellow pine woodwork and half-wall room dividers with tapered pillar posts...

Greg Parde, foreground, and Kim Parde of Parde Electric, McCook, Nebraska, this morning set up a sample of the new McCook Community College campus lighting in preparation for the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce's 23rd annual "Home & Leisure Show." Kim Parde said his booth will feature York heating and air products, as well as new LED lighting options. ...

The dry conditions of the High Plains are evident in this shot contributed by Bill Coe of Max. The McCook Daily Gazette would love to showcase your weather photos. Readers can contribute to our daily weather page, subject to space and color availability, by emailing photos to editor2@ocsmccook.com or bringing them into the Gazette offices at West First and E Streets...

Dear Friend, INTRO As I have said in the past, I keep watch, like a hawk, on many aspects of the world scene, and it reveals to me that the Bible is 100 percent accurate in its prophecies and teachings. What we see in the world today, is the exact alignment of nations, including the United States under President Barrack Obama, against ISRAEL. ...

In the previous generation there were at least three great Southern-born prophets: Martin Luther King, Jr., Clarence Jordan, and Will Campbell. Campbell is the only one still living. He is nearing his 90th year, and is a self-proclaimed prickly, "bootleg preacher" from Mississippi with a Baptist ordination, a foul four-letter-word dropping mouth, and a love for Bourbon and country music that is just short of his love for Jesus...

When you're saved by Men's Good works, this happen! GALATIANS 5:4 ...You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. MARK 7:13 ... Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."...

WELLFLEET, Nebraska -- The Wellfleet United Methodist Church will welcome new pastor, the Rev. Tammy Aubushon, with a dessert open house Sunday, 2-4 p.m./ Everyone is invited to meet, greet and welcome Pastor Aubushon to the community.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Rev. Lance Clay, pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church, along with Dave Winder will face off against Alisa Parde, associate pastor at MUMC and Jeff Crick, Friday, Feb. 8, during the halftime festivities at the boys basketball game, competing to see which team can make the most free throws to benefit the United Methodist Church's battle for "No More Malaria."...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a resolution Monday evening that could begin the process of expanding the "blighted" area of McCook past the Norris Avenue business zone. The resolution forwards a blight study on to the McCook Planning Commission which recommends significant expansion of the designated area, in an effort to qualify for financial incentives such as Tax Increment Financing. ...

The last time the Senate passed a budget resolution was on April 29, 2009, or nearly 1,400 days ago. Think about it: the last time the Senate passed a budget, the iPad didn't even exist. Nebraskans understand that the only way to get our fiscal house in order is to get government spending under control. A budget is essential when you're running a family or business, it's even more essential when you're running the federal government...

Before we know it summer will be here and students will be actively searching for internships to enhance their skills. This is a great time to remind businesses and students about Nebraska's internship program -- Intern Nebraska. I am pleased to announce the new and improved InternNE.com website is up and running. ...

Freight trains carry 1.8 billion tons of cargo on more than 138,000 miles of track across the United States each year. It is amazing when you think about the amount of force railroad lines withstand to keep this massive industry on track. Without those parallel strips of steel, relatively small when compared to their burden, there would be nothing to guide the massive trains to their destination...

This week, an important agreement was announced which will ease some restrictions on beef imports from the U.S. to Japan, the largest beef market in Asia. Japan will now permit the import of U.S. beef and beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age, an increase from the previous limit of 20 months. This change is expected to result in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional exports of U.S. beef to Japan in the coming years...