Stories from Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Genevieve M. 'Jen' Umshler Nov. 8, 1921 - Sept. 16, 2013 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Genevieve M. "Jen" Umshler, 91, of Chadron, Nebraska, died Monday (Sept. 16, 2013), at her daughter's home in Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was born on Nov. 8, 1921, in Osceola, Nebraska, to Floyd Melvin and Eva May (DeLand) Hartson. ...

Gary L. Allen July 23, 1936 - Sept. 15, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas --Gary L. Allen, 77, died Sunday (Sept. 15, 2013), in Oberlin. He was born July 23, 1936, in Oberlin to Fred and Elodie (Morrissette) Allen. He grew up in Oberlin and graduated from Decatur Community HIgh School in 1954...

Shirley Jean Stecker Sept. 3, 1930 - Sept. 15, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Shirley J. Stecker died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, at her home following a valiant battle with cancer. She was 83. She was born Sept. 3, 1930, to Virgil and Ruth Cooper Shackelford in Imperial, Nebraska. ...

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...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- St. Patrick Catholic Church has announced the details of its 39th annual Fall Festival, including a Celebrity Trike Race, pitting local celebrities such as St. Patrick School principal Becky Redl, radio host Rich Barnett, the Rev. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A proposed city Comprehensive Plan hit a snag Monday evening and was delayed for consideration until October. Tabling of the item came after a local property owner and engineer requested the future land use for property south of Drive 716 be changed from residential to commercial/light industrial...

Following May graduation ceremonies in Missouri and Arizona, the number of doctors in the Serbousek family has doubled again, rising from two to four. Continuing a family commitment to the health care field, Dr. Kimberly Serbousek graduated from A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo., and Dr. Matt Serbousek graduated from the dental college at Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Whether the gift of land is sold or continues to be rented, its proceeds will take care of Kiplinger buildings on the Red Willow County fairgrounds in McCook into perpetuity. A recommendation to sell or rent the 160 acres of farm land gifted to the county by McCook-area farmer-rancher Tom Kiplinger will be made by members of the county's fair board, and the ultimate decision will be made by the county commissioners...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning started foreclosure procedures on nine properties whose owners who have not paid their real estate taxes for two years or more. The taxes owed on the nine properties in McCook, Indianola, Lebanon and in rural Red Willow County total $6,780, county treasurer Marleen Garcia told commissioners. The smallest tax bill is $33.35 on a property in Indianola; the largest tax bill is $2,703, on a property in McCook...

Analysis and speculation is running at full throttle following Monday's massacre in Washington's Navy Yard. What motivated Aaron Alexis to take the lives of 12 innocent people simply trying to do their jobs? He felt discriminated against. He had post-traumatic stress disorder related to 9/11...

President Obama has informed us that a military strike against Syria has been placed on hold. Experts tell us that Russia is trying to obtain a guarantee that the United States won't attack Syria. Some sources say that Russia has plans to control all the arms and chemicals used by Syria in its civil war. (They furnish many of them.)...

This old career military officer is mighty frustrated with the daily news of President Obama's administration. Iraq descending into chaos from secular in-fighting. The news from Afghanistan is not hopeful and we are about to leave after telling the dissonants our projected departure date. ...

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska -- Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg and First National Bank of Omaha announced today the winners of the third annual "NEST on the Farm" scholarship contest. Three first-place winners each received a $3,500 contribution to a NEST Direct College Savings Plan while three runners-up each received a $1,000 contribution to a NEST Direct College Savings Plan...

Former MCC president, Harold Deselms, a career educator, has been recognized by the University of Nebraska-Kearney Alumni Association as a Distinguished Alumni. Deselms is one of six alumni scheduled to be recognized at UNK homecoming activities this weekend. He was a high school teacher and principal, a staff member of the Nebraska Department of Education as well as several college administrative positions...

HASTINGS, Nebraska -- The Hastings College Department of Music has announced the roster of those selected to sing with The Hastings College Choir in their 131st anniversary season. The Hastings College Choir is the flagship of more than a dozen student music ensembles at Hastings College. Members are selected through a week-long series of competitive auditions...

The Nebraska Department of Education recently honored Brigitta Post, an instructor with the Mid-Plains Community College Adult Education Program for 25 years of service. "Brigitta has touched the lives of so many students throughout the years," said Director Vicki Bauer, in the recent edition of "Nebraska Adult Education News. "...

JOHNSON LAKE, Nebraska -- Each summer Eustis Body Shop owner, Doug Keller, organizes a golf outing for his employees and a variety of vendors. This summer it was decided that all of the participants would kick in a little cash and then the winners would choose an organization to donate the winnings to...

The welcome rain that fell Sept. 13, brings out the chivalry in 4-year-old Jackson Gillen as he walks with his 2-year-old sister, Ellie. 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. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Community College to host Gene Budig, Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. in the Weeth Theatre on the MCC campus. Budig, former McCook native, was the American League baseball president from 1994-1999 as well as president of Illinois State University, West Virginia University, and Chancellor of the University of Kansas where a lecture hall is named in his honor. He was also active in the Air National Guard and retired with the rank of Major General...