Stories from Tuesday, May 14, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A former McCook Community College student pleaded guilty to felony burglary last week in Red Willow County District Court and was scheduled for sentencing. The burglar, 18-year-old Joseph J. Sanchez, was arrested a day after he committed the crime, thanks in part to the assistance of the victim and a watchful neighbor...

After four hours of debate Thursday and Friday, the Legislature pulled $2.5 million from the state budget which had been designated to buy a 2001 turboprop airplane from a University of Nebraska foundation, and instead do a study to determine what kind of plane would serve the governor best...

This is an all-American story. Well it is the way life used to be and can/should be again. Last week Emily graduated from McCook Community College receiving an associate's degree in graphic design. Her whole family came to celebrate, aunts, uncles, both sets of grandparents (still alive and still married to their original spouses) plus all her siblings and cousins, an even dozen no less and all younger. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Administration at the McCook Junior High would like to bring back the early-out incentive on the last two days of school, as well as a full day to go over data for elementary students transitioning into new buildings. Junior high students who exceeded test scores on achievement tests were allowed to get out the last two days of school, but this policy was discontinued two years ago. ...

OXFORD, Nebraska -- Fred Ridpath says he's torn down houses all his life. Fred's wife, Jane, says her grandfather tore down a barn and used the wood to build the house that her parents lived in. Jane says with a grin, "We come by this salvaging honestly."...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Four McCook men have been charged in connection with a string of local burglaries in November 2012, two of which have already received probation sentences stemming from the crimes. The burglars, 19-year-olds Craig Relaford, Matthew Clinton and Jared Kleckner-Barazza, and 18-year-old Michael Brawdy, were charged in connection with burglaries at Taste of Texas BBQ and Sports night club, attempted burglaries at Tropical Tanners and Mac's Drive Inn, and damage done to vending/gaming machines at Arrow Car Wash and Sports.. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Four McCook men have been charged in connection with a string of local burglaries in November 2012, two of which have already received probation sentences stemming from the crimes. The burglars, 19-year-olds Craig Relaford, Matthew Clinton and Jared Kleckner-Barazza, and 18-year-old Michael Brawdy, were charged in connection with burglaries at Taste of Texas BBQ and Sports night club, attempted burglaries at Tropical Tanners and Mac's Drive Inn, and damage done to vending/gaming machines at Arrow Car Wash and Sports.. ...

A prototype for this Pawnee Aviation kit helicopter is among items that sit in storage in a former roundhouse in McCook, Nebraska, and it, a paint booth and some tools and drawings may be for sale if Red Willow County can gain clear ownership. Ron Willocks of Longmont, Colorado, partially financed his helicopter kit development and manufacturing project with $300,000 in CDBG revolving loans from the county in December 2004. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Head Start may find a temporary home at McCook Elementary. Superintendent Grant Norgaard told McCook School Board members at the regular meeting Monday night that he has been in discussion with representatives of the McCook Head Start program in providing a temporary space for the program for the 2013-14 school year...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- In an effort to match federal reimbursement rates, the McCook School Board approved the increase in meal prices for the third year in a row. In a unanimous vote Monday night at the regular meeting, the board voted to increase the price by 10 cents...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Patricia Powers of McCook, Nebraska, has been approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to fill the permanent position of director of the Red Willow County Health Department. County commissioners Monday morning voted unanimously to change Powers' status from interim director (since the resignation of director Darcey Hansen Dec. ...

James 'JC' (Cougias) Christopher March 13, 1930-May 12, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- James (Cougias) Christopher "JC" of McCook passed away Sunday, May 12, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. He was 83 years old. JC was born March 13, 1930, in Gary, Indiana to parents James and Nancy (Dencavage) Cougias Sr...

Myrna Edna Stewart March 2, 1944 - May 12, 2013 EATON, Colorado -- Myrna Edna Stewart, 69, of Eaton, entered her eternal home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at her home. She was born March 2, 1944, in McCook, Nebraska, to Albert and Edna (Bamesberger) Troester. ...

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...

The family of Lottie Rogers of Grand Island, Nebraska, are hosting an open house in honor of her 100th birthday. She was born May 18, 1913, in Holbrook, Nebraska. Her children include Linna Dee Donaldson of Grand Island and Linda Diane Beranek of Fort Worth, Texas. The open house is Sunday, May 26 at Primrose Retirement Community in Grand Island. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 3990 Capital Ave. Apt. 119, Grand Island, NE 68803...

OGALLALA, Nebraska -- It is spring and the concert season is getting started. The Ogallala/ Grant Women's Connection will be hosting a Guest Night Dinner and Concert evening on Saturday, May 18. Join area men and women, young and old at St Paul's Lutheran School, 312 W. Third, in Ogallala, for a wonderful dinner and a "Mini Concert" by Brenda Copeland. Tickets at the door are just $15. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m...

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Department of Nebraska American Legion is in Indianapolis, Indiana, the national headquarters city of The American Legion, at meetings this week in support of the candidacy of Mike Helm for national commander. Helm is a member of Jack Helt American Legion Post 313, Lebanon, Neb...

Postal carriers collect more than a ton of non-perishable food items from the generous citizens of McCook Saturday during the national Post Office Stamp Out Hunger effort. From left are Theresa Brooks, Harold Carlson, Brett Lauer, David Polly, Steve Post, Larry Brush, Chris Smith and Ron Rogers...

Kelsey Siebrandt, the daughter of Roger and Marti Siebrandt of McCook, accepts the $500 McCook Education Association scholarship from Shelley Sehnert. Kelsey is pursing a career in Music Education at UNL in the fall. The McCook Education Association annually presents a scholarship to a graduating senior of McCook High School who will be enrolling in college as an Education Major. ...

Katie Kjendal, the daughter of Nate and Sarah Schneider of McCook, and the late Karl Kjendal, is recognized at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Big Red Stars award ceremony and program April 30. Big Red Stars is a recognition program honoring eighth grade students from the state of Nebraska who showcase promising academic excellence, leadership and perseverance. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Elks Lodge No. 1434 received a certificate of gratitude for its donation to the Dictionary Project. The Dictionary Project's goal is to provide a free dictionary to every child in the third grade. More information on the Dictionary Project is available online at www.dictinaryproject.org...

HASTINGS, Nebraska -- Central Community College-Hastings honored 433 graduating students May 4 during its 46th annual commencement ceremonies. Nebraska native and retired astronaut Clayton Anderson was the keynote speaker. Campus President Bill Hitesman presented the candidates for graduation to CCC President Dr. Greg Smith, who conferred the degrees and diplomas...

CRETE, Nebraska -- Doane is pleased to announce the college's first Equestrian Team set to begin this August. "Doane College's tradition of innovation is sharply focused on the student experience and ensuring the college offers students both well-rounded academic and extracurricular opportunities," said President Jacque Carter...

WAYNE, Nebraska -- Wayne State College conferred degrees May 4. Based on the student's cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to their semester of graduation. High Honors in the Major - 12 hours of honors courses and complete a junior/senior honors project...

CHADRON, Nebraska -- Seventy-two graduate students from nine states and three foreign countries earned degrees in Chadron State College. Chadron area resident Gary Bieganski, formerly of McCook, represented the Nebraska State College System as a board member of the group. He invested Dr. Randy Rhine, CSC president, with the authority to confer both the graduate and undergraduate degrees...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Brendan Johnsen, of Curtis, was awarded the Bernard and Nelda Haag Scholarship from the McCook Community Foundation Fund for the 2013-14 academic year. The Haag Scholarship is presented annually by the McCook Community Foundation Fund through the generosity of Nelda Haag and her late husband Bernard. Nelda and Bernard have lived in Red Willow county all of their lives and farmed south of Bartley for nearly 60 years...

2008 MHS graduate helps plan event

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Junior High School has announced the following students earned recognition for perfect attendance: Blake Cole, Celie Moore, Allison Johnson, Kylee McClain, Abby Smith and Dalton Hickert.

Twenty-nine graduates from Mid-Plains Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program received their nursing pins and flowers during the college's ADN pinning ceremony on Friday, May 10. This year's graduates are: Kisha Zieffle of Ansley; Ashlee Minard of Bartley; Cynthia Guggenmos of Brewster; Lorie Campbell of Cozad; Joslyn Nelsen of Curtis; Kimberly Bartruff, Tiffany Holbein and Sue Hubbard of Gothenburg; Shane Cumming of Hershey; Marilyn McDaniel of Imperial; Jennifer Wilcox of Indianola; Devin Scott of Kearney; Tom Kaelin of Lexington; Jessica Herman of Maywood; Colby Claflin and Terri Gray of McCook; Emily Adamson, Jennifer Diaz, Tammi Guernsey, Catherine Hinrichsen, Andrea Larington, Natalee Little, Cassandra Lum, Brandy Merrihew, Ashley McNeel, Leah Pusateri, Danika Reutzel and Karie Sheets of North Platte; and Ginger Avery of Ogallala.. ...

Cow paths lead to the windmill at the bottom of the hill. Roxy Lang captured this shot of the cattle's well-established and myriad routes on March 31, hoping for rain to turn the pastures green again. She used these shots: f/8; 1/320; iso100; 183mm. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Educational Foundation announces scholarship winners for 2012-13. McCook Educational Foundation Scholarship ($400)-Mariah Poore daughter of Thomas Poore Nancy Prosser-Weedin Scholarship ($500)--Kelsey Siebrandt daughter of Roger and Marti Siebrandt...

Members of McCook Boy Scout Troop No. 132 fill sandbags at Gershon Concrete Saturday morning for use at the American Veterans Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. Troop members include, from left, John Mabile, Nick Fuchuck, Kyler Bortner, Max Allen, Andrew Graff, Joseph Kain and Ethan Graff. ...