Stories from Friday, April 5, 2013

I want to share an update on the expected weather conditions we are facing as a state, in particular so our farmers and ranchers can make the best decisions for their businesses and families in the upcoming seasons. In 2012, Nebraska experienced record-setting heat and dryness. ...

Richard Paul Brubaker March 14, 1921 - April 3, 2013 BIRD CITY, Kansas -- Richard Paul Brubaker, 92, died Wednesday (April 3, 2013), at the Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis, Kansas. He was born March 14, 1921, in McCook, Nebraska. He was a farmer...

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. Activity log These items are taken from reports filed by the McCook Police Department. The locations refer to block numbers, not specific addresses. If you have information about any of these reports, call the police department at (308) 345-3450...

100th birthday The family of Elsie Ruth Mitchem Detragiacke Bishop of McCook, Nebraska, is hosting an open house in honor of her 100th birthday. She was born May 3, 1913, in McCook. She is the daughter of Florence (Bales)and Alonzo Mitchem and granddaughter of Tom and Delsina Bales and Daniel and Rebecca Mitchem. ...

Beard, Simmons Rachelle Dawn Beard of Basehor, Kansas, and Wesley Quenton Simmons of Kansas City, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Tim and Kiok Quigley of Basehor, Kansas, and Chuck and Meri Sue Beard of Waverly, Nebraska...

Asher Gray Webb Ben and Lindsay Webb of McCook, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Asher Gray Webb, born Feb. 26, 2013, in McCook. He weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21 inches long. Grandparents are Steve and Diane Marr and Rich and Chris Webb. Great grandparents are Sharon Marr and late Stan Marr, Marvin and Elaine Frank and Lester and Leona Webb...

90th birthday The family of Zalia Nitsch of Chadron, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday April 18. Her family includes children, Leroy of Castle Rock, Colorado, Gilbert, Douglas and wife, Kay and Roger and wife, Ginn, all of Chadron, Charles and wife, Marla, of Germantown, Indiana, Elaine and husband, Kent Haarberg of Enders, Nebraska, 26 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. ...

60th anniversary The family of Alden and Catherine Remington of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. They were married April 8, 1953. Their family includes children, Bonnie and husband, Jim Schwartz of Clarkson, Nebraska, Rose and husband, Mike Gall of Bartley, Nebraska, Ron Remington, Roy Remington, Carolyn and husband, Rocky Stone, all of McCook, Noreen Colby and Chris and husband, Bill Lawrence, all of Cambridge, Nebraska, Sharilyn of Thornton, Colorado and Rhonda of Blue Hill, Nebraska. ...

LORRI SUGHROUE McCook Daily Gazette McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ann Macfee is throwing in the towel. And the mop. And a few other supplies as well. That's because at the age of 70, Macfee finally retired from the housekeeping department at the assisted living unit at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She's been making noises about retiring for the past few years, said Hillcrest Administrator Colinda Nappa, but Wednesday was finally the day...

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or an everyday moment, ice cream treats are always welcome on the menu. These sweet recipes are sure to make any occasion a little more fun. Fried Ice Cream Sticks: Developed by innovative baking master and Blue Bunny ice cream flavor creator Chef Duff Goldman, this recipe really takes the cake. These bite-sized desserts are frozen and fried ice cream delicious­ness on a stick...

My daughter becomes giddy whenever she sees a Mustang on the roadway. Her love for the automobile is obviously shared by many, even by myself when I was about her age. My freshman year in high school we lived in Missoula, Montana, in a neighborhood that was known then as "Snob Knob." It was a fairly new neighborhood and quite hilly as it was on the side of one of several, beautiful, mountainsides that make up much of the Missoula area. ...

Sandhill cranes soar over Southwest Nebraska on their annual trip to northern breeding grounds. Our region is usually flyover country for the birds, who traditionally stop along the Platte River to perform mating dances.

It's too early for an endorsement, but it is encouraging to see someone like Dennis Berry throw his hat into the ring to run for Legislature. We have come out in opposition to term limits several times in the past, saying we feel that arbitrarily forcing capable, experienced lawmakers to leave office robs the state of valuable institutional memory...

In my 30 years of college teaching, I have always made essentially the same speech on the first day of class to my Intro to Sociology students. I know it will fall on deaf ears for most of them but I always hope that one or two will get the message and take the challenge. ...

I am bewildered why school closings are not thy No. 1 priority. We can listen to radio while driving, not check the Internet. Doth anyone know how much less water floweth from Kansas to Nebraksa? Vie Arikaree, Republican, Big Timber, Beaver, Sappa, Prairie Dog, Etc., than when compact was made?...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A third man has been charged in connection with burglaries that occurred at several McCook businesses in November 2012. The accused, 18-year-old Michael J. Brawdy of 1604 W. Fourth Street, pleaded not guilty Monday in Red Willow County District Court to six felony offenses stemming from the crimes...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A public hearing on amending the bond fund budget will open the McCook School Board meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., at the junior high cafeteria. The public hearing is required as the budget is being amended to reflect the $700,000 saved when bonds for McCook Elementary were re-financed in January...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County Commissioners will hear from the designer and contractor concerning the guaranteed maximum price on the new Law Enforcement Center at Monday's regular meeting. Prochaska & Associates and Beckenhaur Construction Inc. will meet with commissioners at 11 a.m. Monday...

A duck makes waves in the spring sunshine in Barnett Park, McCook, Nebraska. Ponds are more inviting to fish and fowl as the weather climbs into the 60s, 70s.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Beginning Monday, April 8, Community Hospital's Emergency Department entrance will be temporarily closed for approximately one week due to construction. Patients needing emergency care should enter the temporary emergency entrance a few feet east of the normal entrance. ...

A weekly comic strip created by Chloe and Sarah Dixon, students at McCook Junior High School.

The Cambridge Memorial Hospital Auxiliary donates a Nu Step to Tri Valley Health System's Cardio Pulmonary Department. Shown on the Nu Step is Betty Jorgensen. Behind her are Auxiliary members, front from left, Barb Langley, Jeanie Schroeder, Arla Mae Pearson, Sharon Risley and Norma Wymore. ...

OGALLALA, Nebraska -- A crackpot is someone who is unrealistically imaginative or bizarre. Do you know a crackpot? Maybe you are a crackpot. Barbara Bath from Wichita, Kansas used to be a crackpot. She will be sharing the story of her "Journey from a "Crackpot" to a "Cracked Pot" on Wednesday, April 17, at the Ogallala/Grant Women's Connection...

Dear Friend, INTRO When we look at the world today, through the prism of Bible Prophecy, we KNOW that the soon coming of Jesus Christ for His church is very near. A DAY AND DATE FORETOLD The day and year of Christ's crucifixion is of the utmost importance. ...

The words "holy" and "sacred" are sometimes used interchangeably. I don't think this should be the case, as there is a huge difference between the two. Sacred comes from the Latin, "sacrum." You might recognize that "sacrum" is also the name of the bones in your pelvis. The ancient Romans called this part of the human body "sacred." It is where the reproductive organs are, and, particularly in the female, it is from where life springs...

Martha Turner of Bartley, Nebraska, captured the setting moon recently using her iPad. 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. Include the photographer's name and where and when the photo was taken and the camera settings used to get the shot (optional)...