Stories from Wednesday, September 11, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Community Hospital's rehabilitation staff is celebrating National Rehabilitation Awareness Week by inviting the public to attend a Rehabilitation Center open house on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 7 to 9 a.m. During the self-guided tour of Community Hospital's beautiful rehab facility, attendees can visit information stations offering:...

Red Willow County Health Department McCOOK, Nebraska -- Summer is winding down and school has begun. Another flu season will soon be upon us. Each year brings a different combination of flu viruses. We must prepare for the flu season and protect ourselves and our loved ones from this disease...

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...

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Ninety-eight students have been admitted into University of Nebraska at Kearney's Honors Program, including students from Arapahoe, Beaver City and McCook. Incoming fall 2013 Honors Program students from the area include: Arapahoe, Jessica Moore, Biochemistry (Pre-Pharmacy); Beaver City, Kattie Sadd (Southern Valley) Communications; McCook, Sara Larington, Communication Disorders...

Juniors and seniors from McCook High School, as well as from Hitchcock County, Dundy County, Southwest HIgh School and other schools, checked out college options at the College Fair at the MHS gym on Tuesday. Fred Gleason, guidance counselor at MHS, said more than 40 colleges and several military branches were on hand to give out information and speak with students. ...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The Curtis community and regional public is invited to attend a free college concert with modern country music sounds on Thursday, Sept. 12. The "Redhead Express" is four sister musicians who play guitar, dobro, mandolin, banjo, fiddle andvocals among other talents. ...

COLUMBUS, Nebraska -- On Wednesday, Nebraska Public Power District President and Chief Executive Officer Pat Pope gave the utility's Board of Directors good news regarding the District's financial status going into 2014. "NPPD will not need the two percent rate increase we have been proposing for both our wholesale and retail customers next year. We will not be proposing any rate increase for any of our customers in 2014," he said...

FAIRBURY, Nebraska -- Tourism promoters along Nebraska's Heritage Highway 136 in southeastern Nebraska are planning a byway-long flea market event, scheduled for Oct. 4-6. Several "corridor" communities along Highways 8 and 14 will be participating and this year for the first time, Highways 6-34 from Arapahoe to McCook will also be participating in the event. ...

Several of us in the Gazette newsroom know exactly where we were when the first plane flew into the Twin Towers -- right where we were this morning. It was a chaotic time of confusion, but as the second plane hit a tower and another hit the Pentagon, we quickly realized we were living through a momentous experience. When the fourth plane fell in Pennsylvania, we guessed, correctly, that passengers had fought back...

Contrary to current popular misconception, comets do not go streaking across the sky. True, they are traveling thousands of miles per hour, but, at the extreme distances they are located such speed is not readily apparent to the eye. Even when the comet is visible it will not appear to be moving -- unless you are viewing it through a large telescope. The only indication of movement will be the next evening when it will be located in another part of the sky...

State lawmakers continue to ponder whether tax breaks given to large corporations to locate or expand in Nebraska are really beneficial. It's a discussion that rears its head every year (or so it seems) as the pros and cons about LB775, the Employment and Investment Growth Act passed in 1987, are considered by yet another legislative committee or two. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A Nebraska senator whose roots run deep in agriculture -- particularly that of the ranch country of far Southwest Nebraska -- stopped in McCook this morning on a 20-city, 1,250-mile tour to announce his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The renovated commons area at McCook Senior High has caused kids to flock to the site. Using a fun motif that could be described as "retro future," the area features new checkered flooring, pendant lighting, new paint, bar stools and tables...

Concrete curbs and a Norris Avenue entrance are in place as works progresses on the expansion at the McCook Public Library, Financed by the McCook Public Library Foundation, the project includes a new elevator, sprinkler system, vestibule addition, interior remodeling, new restrooms in the basement and paved parking...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Police Department responded to a report of a possibly suicidal man armed with a shotgun Sunday evening. Investigators arrived at the East Second Street residence and were able to successfully negotiate with the individual, leading to his eventual surrender without incident...

An ant tackles the rough terrain of the cap of a mushroom that sprouted in a yard in McCook, Nebraska. Morning glory leaves provide shade for the venture. The McCook 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. ...