Stories from Thursday, December 12, 2013

In recognition of the importance of regional development, the McCook Optimist Club Monday presented checks of $250 each to the Indianola Mrs. X-JC's, for the community's playground project; and to the Culbertson Library for the new library fund. Both projects are receiving backing from area businesses and individuals, as well as generous backing from their hometowns. ...

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...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A calendar featuring local pets is now on sale. Last summer, students from seventh to ninth grade in McCook advertised in the tri-state area for photos of kittens, puppies, cat and dog photos to showcase in a new 2014 calendar...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The film was mentioned in a Gazette editorial picked up by the state's biggest newspaper, filmed in the hometown of a local columnist, and the subject of a call to the owner of a chain of theaters. The attention has paid off. "Nebraska" will be shown in McCook in early January, Cinema 3 owner Brian Fridley told Gene O. Morris of the Gazette Wednesday, after a run in Norfolk, Lincoln, Omaha and soon in Hastings...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- What started out as a $5,000 upgrade of two tees has turned into the most extensive and expensive renovation in the history of McCook's historic Heritage Hills golf development. William K. "Bill" Bieck, who has served as superintendent throughout Heritage Hills' 33-year existence, told the story Monday night at the 2013 annual meeting of the member-owned McCook golf corporation...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The public is invited to join the staff of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District to wish General Manager Dan Smith the best of everything as he completes a nearly 35-year career with the District and begins his well-earned retirement...

Cage tourney has roots in the Old West Gene O. Morris McCook Gazette GOLDEN PLAINS OF AMERICA -- When teams from eight high schools take to the courts of McCook, Nebraska for the 2013 Cattle Trail Basketball Tournament, Harold Potthoff wants them to know they are honoring a historical truth: Between the years of 1874 and 1885, Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas truly were the heart of the Great Western Cattle drives...

It's every parent's dilemma. Yes, Johnny has been good this year, but if we give him a new Xbox One, will he wind up playing videogames in the basement until he's in his 30s? Maybe, Santa, but maybe not. It turns out that gamers are in demand for an industry projected to create 70,000 jobs as soon as Congress and the FAA loosen up rules to allow the nascent civilian drone business to take off -- literally...

I'm going to apologize now if you don't receive a personal Christmas card from the Morgan family this year or if your baked goods weren't baked in the Morgan home, but bought from the store. I'm sorry in advance if your present is barely wrapped and tied with a jacked-up bow, and you can't read the writing on the attached card...

We've entered that awkward lull in news in the Capital City -- the few cold weeks between the regular Cornhusker football season and the beginning of the Legislature. The discussion of the 8-4 Husker season will only last a couple weeks. There will be a slight bump during the revelation of bowl game assignments, but it's hard to get too excited about playing the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Spam and Cheese Casserole Bowl...

One day down, two to go. The annual Cattle Trail Invitational high school basketball tournament opened Tuesday, Dec. 10, with eight games at two sites in McCook. The tournament resumes Friday, Dec. 13, with girls and boys consolation and championship semifinal contests...

GOODLAND, Kan. -- The McCook High School varsity basketball teams enjoyed a successful opening day at the annual Topside Tip-Off Tournament. Both Bison teams won first-round games Thursday in the early-season tournament played at Goodland, Kan. The McCook boys used a strong start to cruise to their first win of the young season with a 56-29 decision over Norton, Kan. ...

Jackie Rae Lotker July 25, 1958 - Dec. 10, 2013 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Jackie Rae Lotker, 55, died Dec. 10, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska. She was born July 25, 1958, in Oberlin, Kansas, to Floyd Lee and Dorothea "Dottie" (Forrester) Lotker, Jr. She attended Decatur Community HIgh School and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska. She received an associates degree in veterinary technology in 1985...