Stories from Friday, February 14, 2014

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...

Corey, Warren Alyssa Corey and Brett Warren of McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Tom and Nancy Corey of McCook. Grandparents are Charles and Mardelle Miller of Culbertson, Nebraska, and Dave Nickerson of Edcouch, Texas...

Goodenberger, Knapp Amanda Goodenberger and Ryan Knapp, both of Overland Park, Kansas, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Paul and Marlene Goodenberger of McCook, Nebraska. Grandparents are Phillip and Marilyn Goodenberger of McCook, and Dickie Burbach of Hartington, Nebraska, and the late Marlen Burbach...

Liza Grace Wheeler Brandon and Sarah Wheeler of McCook, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Liza Grace Wheeler, born Dec. 27, 2013, at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and measured 19.5 inches long. She has a sister, Reagan, 12, and twin brothers, Bryson and Walker, 3. Grandparents are Chico and Peggy Gress of Waterloo, Iowa,...

Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogy Society McCOOK, Nebraska -- Less than 10 percent of the information you will be seeking to complete your family tree will be found on the Internet. At the end of February, I will be traveling to Kansas and Oklahoma to help a girlfriend research her tree which has come to a dead end as far as information available on the Web. Hopefully on-site research of local courthouses, libraries and history or genealogy societies will help fill in the blanks!...

Nothing says "I love you" on Valentine's Day more than heart-shaped, homemade treats. This year, try individual treats to make each gift recipient feel extra special. You'll love the fact that they are simple to create. "Though small in size, mini-treats deliver a big message to all of the Valentines on your list," said Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton. "Decorating these treats is quick and easy thanks to Candy Melts Candy - a pantry staple for any decorating project."...

HAYES CENTER, Nebraska -- A relative new-comer believes so much in the merits of Hayes Center, Nebraska, that he's expanding and enhancing the rental inventory of the community, hoping to attract families who will invest in his community and increase enrollment at the public school...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two long-time McCook Public School teachers will soon be closing their grade books one last time, when they retire at the end of this year. Gene Weedin, who taught history at the junior high for 16 years and Mary Dueland, who taught fourth grade for 37 years, will retire at the end of this school year...

Colinda Nappa, the administrator of Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska, plants a smooch on the snoot of a piglet, borrowed from Jerry Kircher, fulfilling a promise she made to staff and residents. Nappa promised to kiss a pig if when the home reached a capacity 100 residents and 10 residents in the assisted living unit. "I'm kissing a pig at 11 a.m., and eating a BLT for lunch," Colinda laughed...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider authorizing legal action Monday evening against property owners on Road 385 who are believed to be operating their dog kennel business with an excessive number of animals, among other alleged violations...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A Bartley, Nebraska, man who suffered paralyzing injuries in a August 2010 rollover accident which culminated with drivers of two of the three vehicles involved being sentenced to prison time, was himself arrested for drunk driving and subsequently convicted on related charges recently in Red Willow County Court...

BIG SPRINGS, Nebraska -- The Farmers Co-op Elevator Association of Big Springs membership voted to merge with Ag Valley Coop on Thursday. The merger will take place on March 1, 2014. "Ag Valley Coop Board, Management and Staff are pleased to welcome the members of Farmers Co-op in Big Springs to become part of the Ag Valley Cooperative family. ...

Today is Valentine's Day, a day set aside to celebrate romantic love, but it has been perverted to the point of becoming almost unrecognizable over the years. The term "Valentine" comes from a priest named Valentinus who lived in ancient Rome. When the Emperor of Rome forbade marriage for young men in hopes that they would become soldiers, Valentinus recognized the unjust nature of this and took action to rebel against the powerful government. ...

Congratulations to one of our neighboring towns for having the best-tasting water in the country. The National Rural Water Association, which is having its national convention in Washington, D.C., brought in taste-testers from the U.S Department of Agriculture, the USDA's Rural Develpment office and the White House's Office of Management and Budget to judge water supplies from 36 small communities...

The investigation into the shooting and killing of a buffalo in North Platte's Cody Park has found no wrongdoing. A 5- or 6-year old bison bull got started breaking through fences and bothering other animals in the park, the parks director arranged to have the animal killed and slaughtered...

Dear Editor, Feb. 14 is known by everyone as Valentine's Day. Everything on that day is about pink, red, love and hearts. The entire month of February is also National Heart Month and is celebrated as Go Red for Women Month by the American Heart Association. The AHA encourages everyone to wear red during February to raise awareness of the importance of women's heart health...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A public hearing is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, to outline a six-year proposed program of new construction of roads and/or streets. Highway user taxes are collected by the state and allocated to the various street and road building subdivisions of the state by a prescribed formula...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Public Works Cemetery Department is asking that all Christmas decorations at the cemeteries be removed by Saturday, March 1. After that, the city will remove and dispose of any remaining Christmas decorations.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Tuesday is the deadline for any current office holder to file for elected office, and Monday, March 3, is the last day for non incumbents to file for office in the May primary. The statewide primary election is Tuesday, May 13, and Tuesday, Nvo. 4, is the statewide general election...

Head Start, a program of Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska, provides comprehensive services to children and families. McCook Head Start is now taking applications for the 2014-15 year. The objective of Head Start is to enhance the cognitive, social and emotional development of incoming eligible children through the provision of comprehensive health, educational, nutritional social and other services, involve parents in their children's learning and to help parents make progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals.. ...

Charles 'Wayne' Waddell Oct. 1, 1927 - Feb. 13, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska --Charles "Wayne" Waddell passed away Feb. 13, 2014, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. He was 86 years old. Wayne was born on Oct. 1, 1927, at Indianola to parents, Charlie and Jessie Waddell. ...

Ruth Arlene (Petsch) Sutton May 6, 1924 - Feb. 13, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ruth Arlene (Petsch) Sutton, 89, who was born May 6, 1924, in 3-36 Precinct in Dundy County, Nebraska, passed away Feb. 13, 2014, at El Dorado Manor in Trenton, Nebraska. Ruth grew up in Dundy County and attended school in Stratton, Nebraska, graduating from high school with the Class of 1942. ...

City of McCook, Nebraska, firefighters, the hazardous materials emergency response team of the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department and AmPride personnel respond late Friday morning to a diesel fuel spill that happened during the filling of an underground tank at the AmPride gas station in the 300 block of East B. ...

Recently, I received a letter from Bret and Brenda McMurtrey, former McCook residents. They informed me that their son, Dallas, is being sent tot he Philippines as a Mormon missionary. No doubt it will be quite a learning experience and even a cultural shock...